Uchiha Bai Mu!
Sarutobi Miroku quickly identified the suspicious person.
Tsunade actually arrived with this Uchiha Bai Mu. This was very suspicious. Moreover, Tsunade would actually conduct reconnaissance with Uchiha Bai Mu, and then coincidentally encounter the Third Mizukage of the Hidden Mist... You tell me, isn't that suspicious?
Of course, it was suspicious.
In Sarutobi Miroku's view, there were many points of doubt.
But he knew that if he brought them up, it would be troublesome, or rather, very troublesome. So he couldn't ask directly; he'd let his father deal with the headache.
After some thought, Sarutobi Miroku knew there was no need for him to elaborate further. He had already done what needed to be done. Now it was up to Tsunade.
To return or not to return, or to have other plans, these were all Tsunade's decisions.
And he couldn't interfere.
Even his father was like this, after all.
He couldn't control Tsunade.
He dared not, could not.
Of course, it was also good if she left.
Tsunade's status was too special. If she were to remain in the Village, it would inevitably affect the Village's power structure. And if she truly wanted to become Hokage... truly, no one could challenge her. At least after the Third Hokage, the Fourth Hokage candidate would undoubtedly be her.
"Lady Tsunade, what do you plan to do?"
Just a simple "I know" clearly couldn't reassure Sarutobi Miroku. Moreover, he felt a vague unease, sensing that Tsunade was getting too close to the Uchiha Clan. So, to gather more information, he could only choose to ask about the situation.
"I will take people back, but the front lines here still cannot relax, because the Hidden Mist has not lost its fighting capability. So, we need to guard against another enemy attack."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow and said expressionlessly.
She held no ill will towards Sarutobi Mirai, but how things were to be handled was not for him to question, not even the old man could inquire so frequently.
What if you are the captain of the Anbu?
Before me, just shut up.
Don't make me angry.
Sarutobi Mirai knew Tsunade's attitude was already very clear; though she didn't seem to be angry, she actually was, so he immediately replied, "Understood, Lady Tsunade."
However, even so, our frontline troops can't just say they can't solve it, can they?
You know, it's not like the Uchiha clan's ninjas are being recalled; it's just Uchiha Hakuho who's being sent back. This... wait, Uchiha Hakuho is the clan head now, so this makes things a bit... what exactly is this?
At this moment, Sarutobi Mirai realized the problem: Uchiha Hakuho had become the new clan head. How would the Uchiha ninjas react?
These people are not easy to deal with, especially now that they have achieved military success, defeating the Third Mizukage and the main forces of Kirigakure. Considering the Uchiha's usual style, could their arrogant momentum be suppressed?
He had to consider these matters, but the problem was that Tsunade's attitude prevented Sarutobi Mirai from saying anything more. Furthermore, Hakuho didn't seem to have anything to say, which made him even more uneasy.
The suspicion of the Uchiha clan had never stopped from the Hokage faction. As Sarutobi Hiruzen's biological son, Sarutobi Mirai was definitely a staunch anti-Uchiha.
Moreover, Hakuho, who had been unknown before, suddenly emerged overnight, becoming the Uchiha clan's great hero on the Kirigakure battlefield, and even replaced Uchiha Fugaku as the new clan head. This whole matter seemed strange no matter how one looked at it.
Furthermore, a person like him, with such deep cunning, had to inform his father... "Clan Head, this is the captain of the Anbu. He has come personally to convey the Third Hokage's order. According to the Third Hokage's wishes, he hopes that you, Clan Head, will return to the village once, and we will guard the front line here. There shouldn't be much of a problem."
Speaking of Kirigakure, Uchiha Yashiro also spoke up at the opportune moment. His meaning, of course, was that the Uchiha would certainly be able to resolve the threat from Kirigakure.
The ninjas of Kirigakure are not enough to put too much pressure on us. Moreover, the Third Mizukage is dead, and the main Kirigakure army on the front line was almost completely annihilated. The remaining forces are insufficient to counterattack again. Even if a new elite ninja army were to be reorganized, it would not pose any threat. Furthermore, Kirigakure is now without a leader after the Third Mizukage's death... To put it another way, even if a Fourth Mizukage has already been decided, would they still want to fight in this situation?
Don't forget, Kirigakure is currently fighting on multiple fronts, not just at the Land of Whirlpools front, attempting to invade our Land of Fire, but also fighting against Sunagakure in the Land of Rivers, and we, Konoha, are also involved. The Land of Rivers is a three-way battle. In such a chaotic free-for-all, does Kirigakure still have the spare capacity to fight again in the Land of Whirlpools?
I believe it's impossible. It's highly unlikely they still have the capacity, unless Kirigakure is determined to fight to the death, but the cost of fighting to the death is too great. Kirigakure would not do that.
"Understood. Without further ado, let's depart immediately, Lady Tsunade. What do you think?" Hakuho wasn't worried about the front line; compared to the threat of Kirigakure, returning to the village was more important.
"Alright."
Tsunade had no objections.
Upon seeing this, Sarutobi Mirai's expression grew even graver. He hadn't expected Tsunade to agree so easily to Uchiha Hakuho's suggestion, and this was an extremely serious matter.
Logically, Tsunade's attitude towards the Uchiha shouldn't be so amicable. Could it be because of Hakuho's life-saving grace?
Although this was indeed possible, it shouldn't be *this* amicable. Something truly wasn't right... He always felt there was a hidden agenda, but the problem was, he couldn't just ask directly, could he?
If he were to ask directly, that would actually cause problems.
So, he could only rely on his father.
Father, I'm counting on you.
"Lady Tsunade, I'll wait for you outside." Sarutobi Mirai wanted to figure out what was going on between Hakuho and Tsunade, so he thought of asking the Nara clan ninjas and offered this excuse.
Tsunade nodded and said, "Understood."
After Sarutobi Mirai left, Tsunade said to Hakuho, "Do you have any other instructions?"
"No." Hakuho shook his head, indicating he didn't.
None?
Are you kidding me?
Hakuho said no, but Tsunade didn't believe him. Instead, she frowned and said, "Are you sure? I must warn you, the threat from Kirigakure still remains. Don't think the war is over just like that."
Hakuho said, "The current focus is not on the entanglement with Kirigakure on the eastern front, but on Kumogakure and Iwagakure. These are the real threats."
Where does the threat lie?
Not Kirigakure, but Kumogakure and Iwagakure. These are the greatest threats.
"You seem to have overlooked Sunagakure." Tsunade corrected Hakuho's statement again. Even though she agreed that the biggest threats were indeed Kumogakure and Iwagakure, Sunagakure couldn't be ignored.
"Sunagakure?"
Hakuho curled his lip, clearly dismissive.
Seeing this, Tsunade had no choice but to say with a grave expression, "The battlefield in the Land of Rivers is not just a conflict between Konoha and Sunagakure; Kirigakure and Sunagakure are also at war. However, I speculate that due to the Third Mizukage's death, there might be certain changes..."
With the Mizukage dead, Kirigakure faces too many variables.
They might choose to reconcile with Sunagakure due to unfavorable war conditions, or even unite against Konoha. Such a thing is not impossible; in fact, it's quite possible.
As she spoke, Tsunade continued to analyze without waiting for Hakuho to speak, "Iwagakure is not only fighting us, Konoha, to the death, but the animosity between Kumogakure and Iwagakure is as much, if not more, than that between us and Konoha. Don't forget that the Third Raikage was killed by Iwagakure, so the bloody battle between Kumogakure and Iwagakure..."
"Lady Tsunade, although you've been wandering outside, your understanding of the ninja world's situation is truly thorough!" Hakuho chuckled softly, interrupting Tsunade who was speaking eloquently.
"What do you mean?"
Tsunade heard it and felt something was off.
Weren't you the one who wanted to talk about ending the war? Now I just want to know how you plan to solve it.
Of course, I know you won't say it directly, but you can at least hint at it, right? Otherwise, what do you plan to say after returning to the village?
Hakuho chuckled softly and said indifferently, "Nothing. Lady Tsunade doesn't need to overthink things. For some matters, the simplest approach is to break all laws with a single force. There's no need for so many flashy tricks."
Have you forgotten what kind of power you possess now?
With my help, what did you gain? Have you forgotten?
Tsunade, you need to adapt to your strength.
As Hakuho spoke these words, Tsunade clearly realized something. With Hakuho's strength, did he need to care about the major ninja villages?
Alright, she really had been a bit too worried. After understanding, Tsunade realized that she had indeed been somewhat narrow-minded, her vision hadn't yet expanded, and she had forgotten the power she possessed.
That was Wood Style, but Hakuho could easily bestow such power upon her. Didn't that mean his power was far beyond that of the ninja world?
If it were her great-granduncle, or Uchiha Madara, could they compare?
Wait, there's also the Sage of Six Paths, Otsutsuki Kaguya... I'm afraid they are on a different level entirely.
Tsunade understood, she understood completely.
However, she couldn't regret it now. She had already boarded his pirate ship and was bound to him. Regretting it was impossible; how could he let her regret it?
She knew such a thing was impossible, so Tsunade could only accept it. Plus, after awakening Wood Style, she truly understood how terrifying it was.
Although she had just awakened Wood Style and didn't have many Wood Style ninjutsu she could use, Tsunade knew that given some time, she would be able to master most of them. Only a few were still a bit difficult, but with Hakuho's help, even the ultimate secret of Wood Style, the Sage Art Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands, could be used. So what was there to think about?
There's no need. The war really is about to end, but the premise is how Hakuho plans to end it. So, she'll ask him on the way.
It really wasn't appropriate to inquire in detail here with outsiders present.
Although Hakuho was now the head of the Uchiha clan.
But Tsunade could see that Hakuho had many things that the Uchiha clan didn't know. Instead, Esdeath and Alice Lizer, who were by his side, knew most of the things. This meant that only by receiving Hakuho's bestowal, that is, receiving this gift of power, would one be qualified to become truly one of his own.
"Let's go, we're returning to the village."
Tsunade glanced at the Uchiha clansmen in the tent, all of whom were Uchiha jonin, meaning they had activated their Three Tomoe Sharingan. So, it seemed there were quite a few people supporting Hakuho, and they were all genuine supporters.
Realizing this, she knew that Hakuho, both in terms of personal strength and clan support, far surpassed Uchiha Fugaku.
Uchiha Fugaku's loss was not unjust. Not only was his power lacking, but also his clan supporters. In just one day, their loyalty had completely shifted to Uchiha Hakuho. This showed that Uchiha Fugaku seemed unpopular within the clan, while Uchiha Hakuho was more favored.
A change?
With just a small change, the Uchiha clan underwent such a significant transformation, indicating that the Uchiha clan was indeed dissatisfied with the status quo. But it also indirectly suggested that the village's suppression of the Uchiha was indeed a bit excessive.
Although Tsunade had been influenced by her great-granduncle, Senju Tobirama, and indeed held prejudices against the Uchiha clan, as well as a great deal of caution, it wasn't to the point of being hostile towards them. It hadn't reached that step. Vigilance was certain, but there wouldn't be too strong an animosity.
After all, the Uchiha clan was indeed prone to producing madmen. Her great-granduncle understood the Uchiha very well, but someone like Uchiha Hakuho was different, because this guy was too special... The more Tsunade thought about it, the more afraid and regretful she became, but now regret was useless. She couldn't get off the pirate ship at all and could only go all the way to the end.
"Lord Hakuho, now that you're returning, do you need us to arrange for people to assist you?" After Hakuho left, Uchiha Mina quickly followed him out, speaking in a low voice.
It wasn't good to say anything inside. Uchiha Yashiro and the others weren't enough for her to completely trust.
"The clan still has Natsuki and the others. You don't need to worry so much. What you need to do now is handle the frontline matters well. Kirigakure has suffered heavy losses and will most likely withdraw. As long as you hold the Land of Whirlpools front and prevent the enemy from invading the Land of Fire, it means victory. So you just need to be firm on this point."
Hakuho still valued Uchiha Mina greatly, so he gave her extra instructions. As for the "White Flame Society" she had formed, he turned a blind eye to it. As long as it benefited him, he certainly wouldn't object.
However, with the increase in his strength, Hakuho no longer needed the power of such a team, because he alone could crush everything. They only needed to cheer him on.
But that didn't mean they only cheered. They still had to be capable of doing things. For example, this time, Uchiha Mina bore a heavy responsibility, so she needed to demonstrate her abilities, rather than just shouting loyalty.
"Yes, Lord Hakuho, we will absolutely prioritize your will. Loyalty!" As the actual leader of the White Flame Society, Uchiha Mina's fanatical devotion to Hakuho was beyond the comprehension of outsiders... If one had to give an example, it would be that even if she were under the influence of Kotoamatsukami, it wouldn't change her loyal will towards Hakuho. That was Uchiha Mina's loyalty.