"Tsunade, what do you mean?"
"Are you saying I was wrong? You should know that this matter couldn't be handled by unauthorized actions. It's not that he couldn't kill him, but you said Uchiha Bai Mu killed the Third Mizukage. Where is the evidence?"
Danzo Shimura clung to this point. He wasn't a complete idiot and quickly adjusted, bringing up the most crucial point: You said Uchiha Bai Mu killed the Third Mizukage, right?
Then where is the evidence?
You must have this evidence.
It's not true just because you say you killed him.
Tsunade frowned slightly, realizing what Danzo meant, but she was undoubtedly displeased. She immediately said coldly, "My word, isn't that enough? Moreover, there are other bodies—Kurotsuchi Raiga and Biwa Jūzō, two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. These are all proof."
"What you say isn't necessarily the truth," Danzo sneered, a shadow flashing in his single eye, his tone clearly very annoyed.
"Old Man, is that your opinion too?" Tsunade didn't care about Danzo's opinion, but she wanted to know how Hiruzen Sarutobi viewed the matter.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "Tsunade, evidence still needs to be presented. I'm not saying I don't believe you, but without evidence, it truly cannot be proven that the Third Mizukage was killed by Uchiha Bai Mu..."
Tsunade interrupted him, saying, "The Third Mizukage's body was completely destroyed because of Uchiha Bai Mu's Ninjutsu. I witnessed it myself; there can be no mistake."
Witnessed it myself, could there be a problem?
At least I don't think there's a problem.
Teacher, you are completely favoring that old thing, Danzo Shimura.
"Of course, I know you witnessed it, but..." Hiruzen Sarutobi felt somewhat helpless upon hearing this. He could tell that there seemed to be some consensus between Tsunade and Bai Mu, and this was not a good thing.
"Alright, Old Man, don't say so much. Just tell me if you believe me!" Tsunade knew what Hiruzen Sarutobi was going to say, but she didn't want to be brushed off by him like that.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi insisted on evidence, it would only lead to endless bickering, which would cause a lot of trouble. After all, the Third Mizukage's body was gone, completely evaporated. Where would the body come from?
There wasn't any; it couldn't be found at all.
She couldn't provide Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others with a body, but the scene of Bai Mu slaying the Third Mizukage was truly something she witnessed with her own eyes, watching the Third Mizukage get eliminated just like that.
More importantly, his body was completely destroyed.
"Hiruzen, don't let Tsunade..."
And as soon as Tsunade said this, Danzo immediately became anxious and spoke to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hand, interrupting Danzo and not giving him a chance to continue. As Danzo's good friend, how could he not know what he was going to say?
To avoid angering Tsunade, he had to stop Danzo from continuing.
"Enough, Danzo. If Tsunade says so, we must believe her."
Hiruzen, what do you mean by this?
However, Danzo was very displeased about this.
But before he could speak, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Tsunade and Bai Mu and continued, "Bai Mu, your slaying of the Third Mizukage is an S-rank mission. Subsequent rewards and promotions will be arranged, but for now, the priority is the front-line battle. What do you think?"
He acknowledged it, no mistake there.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to stall.
How to reward him specifically needed to be thought about, so there was no rush.
"Old Man, you..." Tsunade was a little unhappy, frowning as she spoke.
However, before Tsunade could finish, Bai Mu, who had been nonchalant all along, finally spoke, "Alright, but there are some things I need to tell everyone."
"What is it?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Bai Mu upon hearing this and asked softly.
Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and Utatane Koharu exchanged glances, thinking that this evil Uchiha probably had some scheme, and he certainly didn't want Hiruzen Sarutobi to be fooled.
Of course, he believed it was impossible. Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat indecisive, his stance on the Uchiha was firm. So, although Danzo was somewhat angry, he still chose to trust Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"There's been a change in the Uchiha Clan's leader. I've become the new leader." Bai Mu said softly, his tone calm, as if stating a very ordinary matter.
But to Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, this matter was absolutely not ordinary.
The Uchiha Clan's leader changed, and it was this young man in front of them?
No, he's so young, and he's actually become the Uchiha Clan's leader? Is this a joke?
"Tsunade, is this true?"
A hint of gloom flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes. He was very pessimistic about this matter, but he didn't talk to Bai Mu. Instead, he asked Tsunade if it was true.
"Old Man, why are you being so wishy-washy? Of course, it's true. And you don't need to ask me; just talk to Uchiha Bai Mu."
Tsunade was very impatient. She didn't want to answer too many questions, so she told Hiruzen Sarutobi to talk to Bai Mu instead of asking her.
"Tsunade!"
Utatane Koharu was very displeased with Tsunade's attitude. She already vaguely felt that the relationship between Tsunade and Bai Mu was probably not that simple.
Strange, how did the Senju and Uchiha end up on the same side?
Could it be... the First Hokage's situation? No, it's different!
Tsunade's actions were definitely something the Konoha elders didn't want to see. Both Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado had strong opinions about it.
The Senju and Uchiha were sworn enemies.
This stunt of yours makes it seem like you're becoming allies, which doesn't make sense.
"Don't yell; it's not your place to yell." Tsunade snorted coldly, looking very displeased, making her stance clear.
Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart immediately sank. He realized that Tsunade and Uchiha Bai Mu must have reached some kind of consensus.
Tsunade, you must know your position. As a member of the Senju Clan, you can't be unaware of the Uchiha Clan's threat, not to mention the Second Hokage... The problem is, he couldn't criticize Tsunade now. If he did, he might completely push her towards Uchiha Bai Mu. So, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't make such a mistake.
"Bai Mu, this matter concerns your Uchiha Clan, and I shouldn't interfere, but are you sure there are no objections within your Uchiha Clan?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's skill was still online. First, he stated his position, indicating that he would never interfere in the internal affairs of the Uchiha Clan. But the question was, this matter involved a change in the clan leader's position. So, was there really no one internally who had an opinion?
"No."
Bai Mu's answer was concise and clear.
Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew he wouldn't get anything more from asking. He would wait for his son's report. He certainly knew about such things, so he would wait for the report.
After all, he knew very well that if he kept asking, they wouldn't tell him the truth, so asking was pointless. But the change in the Uchiha Clan's leader, from Uchiha Fugaku to Uchiha Bai Mu, this situation.
For Hiruzen Sarutobi, that was a source of deep unease.
"Alright then, I have no more questions. But as I just said, your merits will be recorded first, and after the war ends, you will definitely be rewarded for your contributions..."
"Yes, and the Uchiha clan!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi emphasized this again, making it clear that the village would never forget the contributions of Uchiha Baimu and the Uchiha clan, hoping that Uchiha Baimu would temporarily prioritize the greater good.
Tsunade was very impatient, seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi still rambling on with meaningless words. She immediately interjected, "Old man, stop talking nonsense. I didn't come back this time to reminisce or chat. Let me tell you, I plan to go north with Uchiha Baimu to intercept the Cloud Village!"
North?
Against the Cloud Village?
Tsunade, are you crazy?
Hiruzen Sarutobi's old pipe fell directly to the ground, and he almost jumped up. He had never expected Tsunade to have such an idea.
But what was the key point?
It was Uchiha; she actually wanted to go north with an Uchiha?
No, absolutely not. I cannot agree to Tsunade's proposal. It's complete nonsense!
Greatly shocked, Hiruzen Sarutobi realized that Tsunade's move and Baimu's plan had probably been discussed long ago, not decided on the spur of the moment. This made him even more wary of Baimu.
Undoubtedly, everything was because of Baimu.
Tsunade's change was entirely based on Baimu.
This current situation was their joint decision.
But for Hiruzen Sarutobi, this was unacceptable.
How could he let them go north together to confront the Cloud Village? Wouldn't that just be handing them military achievements on a silver platter? Considering Tsunade already had immense prestige, if she were to gain more military achievements, or even become someone who influenced the war, wouldn't her prestige... Once he thought about Tsunade's prestige increasing, it might be impossible for even him to suppress her, so wouldn't the position of the Fourth Hokage be in jeopardy?
Hiruzen Sarutobi believed he had planned everything perfectly. As long as the Third Great Ninja War ended, Minato Namikaze would be promoted.
However, now there was a variable: Tsunade and Uchiha Baimu, but primarily Tsunade.
Only Tsunade was Minato Namikaze's biggest competitor.
The position of the Fourth Hokage was now uncertain!
"What conspiracy do you, Uchiha, have?"
Danzo immediately questioned upon hearing this.
Although somewhat surprised by Baimu's words, out of hostility towards the Uchiha, Danzo immediately assumed that Baimu had a conspiracy.
You Uchiha are actually so proactive?
Are you kidding? I don't believe it. Moreover, there's Tsunade, which makes it even stranger.
Baimu ignored Danzo and glanced at Tsunade, his meaning clear: he wanted Tsunade to speak and handle the subsequent conversation.
Although Tsunade was displeased, considering Baimu's strength, she could only compromise and accept.
"Old man, stop talking nonsense. The war needs to end quickly, so it will be me and Uchiha Baimu going north. Anyway, Jiraiya and Orochimaru are stationed in the Sand Village, and as for the Stone Village..."
After a pause, Tsunade continued, "Isn't there Jiraiya's excellent disciple? Minato Namikaze is there, and the Stone Village won't be able to break through the defenses. His Flying Thunder God Technique surpasses even my great-uncle's. So, do you think there are any other tricky problems besides the Cloud Village right now? This is the only one. Uchiha Baimu and I will solve it, and I guarantee the war will end!"
"Arrogant!"
Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could speak, Danzo angrily shouted.
Such arrogance, truly not putting him in his eyes. For Danzo, this was extremely irritating, so Tsunade being so brazen... could he tolerate it?
Of course, he couldn't.
"Old man, what do you say?" Tsunade naturally ignored Danzo and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, hoping for his response.
"Tsunade, this matter is significant and cannot be decided lightly." Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately resorted to delaying tactics, hoping to stall.
However, Tsunade had already made up her mind and would naturally not be fooled by Hiruzen Sarutobi. She immediately said in a deep voice, "No, I'll take care of the front line. We'll leave today."
Returning and then leaving immediately showed Tsunade's attitude.
But it was precisely this attitude that made Hiruzen Sarutobi uneasy. Such determination undoubtedly indicated a problem. What should he do?
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into deep thought, while Danzo, after his anger, actually thought this was a good thing. Perhaps there was a chance for both Tsunade and Uchiha Baimu to be eliminated.
Yes, the Uchiha clan could even suffer heavy losses!
The Mist Village battlefield didn't cause much attrition for the Uchiha clan, but the Cloud Village battlefield would be different. I don't believe you can withstand the Cloud Village's offensive.
The Mist Village might not be capable, but that doesn't mean the Cloud Village isn't. Danzo suddenly felt smug. Since you're willing to throw yourselves away, of course I'll support it.
"Hiruzen, since Tsunade and Uchiha Baimu have this intention, we should support them. This is all for Konoha!"
Danzo unhesitatingly stepped forward, throwing out the classic "for Konoha" argument, hoping to facilitate this. And since Uchiha Baimu proposed it, then if something happened, no one else could be blamed.
You're delivering yourselves to my doorstep, how could I not seize the opportunity?
For Danzo, it was absolutely impossible not to.
This matter held great potential; it must be supported.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi clearly understood Danzo's intentions: to use the Cloud Village's hand to eliminate Uchiha Baimu, and even Tsunade along with him.
The battlefield was different from other places, especially with the Cloud Village as an opponent. He heard that after the Third Raikage's demise, the rising AB duo of the Cloud Village, namely the Raikage's son—A, the Fourth Raikage, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki Killer B—their combined strength was formidable and terrifying. Could Uchiha Baimu deal with them?
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew it wasn't possible. No wonder Danzo had such thoughts. What if he had the Mangekyo Sharingan? Once he overused it, there would still be risks. But the problem was that Danzo only saw the so-called danger, but didn't know the huge benefits behind the danger, which made Hiruzen Sarutobi secretly curse him.
Danzo, you truly are a narrow-minded fool, only caring about those petty immediate gains, and not realizing that if this battle were to be won, Tsunade and Uchiha Baimu's prestige would be further enhanced.
Once that happened, it wouldn't be good for us, especially for Minato. He probably wouldn't be able to sit securely in the Fourth Hokage's position, and that was not what Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to see, so this must be stopped...