"Minato, you've come at a good time."
Tsunade didn't wait for Minato Namikaze to finish speaking and immediately greeted him.
Afterward, she briefly explained the situation and arranged a task for Minato Namikaze.
"Here's the situation: we've already dealt with all of the Cloud Village's assault team and captured two important figures—a Two-Tails Jinchuriki and a Cloud Village Jonin, who is considered a core high-ranking member of Cloud Village. So my intention is to bring them back and gain the upper hand in the subsequent negotiations."
What could Minato Namikaze say?
Tsunade's status was far higher than his.
Besides, there was really nothing wrong with this arrangement.
"As Lady Tsunade commands," Minato Namikaze respectfully replied.
Tsunade nodded, then instructed, "Good, let's head back then. But before that, you and your men should first check all the outposts to make sure no one has slipped through."
"Lady Tsunade, I understand."
Minato Namikaze had no objections and agreed... Konoha camp.
Shikaku Nara had a helpless expression. He truly hadn't expected Tsunade to bring back an extremely thorny problem—the Cloud Village's Tailed Beast Jinchuriki—immediately after going out.
Although it wasn't the Eight-Tails, the Two-Tails was still a Tailed Beast. If she was captured alive, wouldn't Cloud Village go crazy?
Of course, he was also quite displeased about the Two-Tails Jinchuriki's raid on the Konoha outpost.
You Cloud Village have already retreated, why are you still attempting sneak attacks?
Does it make sense? No, it really doesn't.
But now it was too late to say anything.
The person had been captured, what else could be said?
"Shikaku, what do we do now?" Inoichi Yamanaka asked in a low voice. Everyone was watching now, so how should this be handled? It really wouldn't do to have no explanation.
"Keep her locked up. The Hokage-sama will decide. We just have to wait now." Shikaku Nara couldn't say much. For now, they could only wait for instructions from the village.
"Shikaku, gather all the Jonin, I have something to say." However, Tsunade at this moment ordered Shikaku Nara, saying she had something to say.
After Tsunade finished speaking, she directly entered the main tent.
Choza Akimichi, who was beside her, couldn't help but whisper, "Shikaku, this..."
"Do as she says. All Jonin, especially those from the major ninja clans, must be present." Shikaku Nara already had a bad premonition, but this matter couldn't be ignored.
Tsunade's identity was special, and her status was extraordinary; you couldn't ignore that.
And most importantly, her strength.
Her fists were powerful.
You couldn't refute it.
Moreover, you couldn't be sure what Baimu's intentions were. If he was determined to support Tsunade, then the situation would be very different. It must be said that Shikaku Nara's observation skills were excellent, and he had already seen the connection between Tsunade and Baimu.
Have they formed an alliance?
But it shouldn't be anything else.
Once the Uchiha and Senju unite, they might be unstoppable, not to mention the power displayed by Uchiha Baimu—who would dare to ignore it?
Shikaku Nara was well aware of the relationship between the village's higher-ups and the Uchiha, but now that the new clan head of the Uchiha clan and the princess of the Senju clan had united, the deeper meaning behind this... he couldn't ignore it. So he could only turn a blind eye for now and go along with it, waiting to see later.
If the situation truly went awry, then they would have no choice but to temporarily cease resistance and choose cooperation.
If they didn't want to die, this was the only way.
Shikaku Nara dared not gamble.
Because the Uchiha people were not exactly normal.
And the power displayed by Baimu was clearly not that of an ordinary Uchiha. Those eyes, perhaps... Damn, this makes it even more extreme.
Judging by this, who would dare to stop them?
Anyway, I wouldn't dare to stop them... Ten minutes later, the Jonin in the camp gathered, and everyone was present.
For example, the representative from the Hyuga clan was Hyuga Hizashi, Hyuga Hiashi's younger brother. There were also Jonin from the Aburame, Inuzuka, and other ninja clans. It could be said that all the clan representatives at the frontline headquarters had arrived.
"As you all know, Cloud Village has retreated because their main base has been destroyed by us." Tsunade didn't mince words and immediately got straight to the point.
I'm not going to talk about anything else with you, just one important matter right now, and that's the war.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone started discussing animatedly. They had indeed heard about this matter.
But why did Tsunade suddenly call everyone for a meeting now?
Is she asking us to take sides? The problem is, that's a difficult choice.
Tsunade looked at everyone. Their reactions were all within her expectations, but she didn't care much and continued, "My point is that the war can practically be considered over. Currently, we need to withdraw to the Land of Fire's mainland. The main base needs to retreat. And now, Uchiha Baimu and I have captured the Cloud Village's Tailed Beast Jinchuriki, the Two-Tails. This will be one of our bargaining chips in negotiations with Cloud Village!"
At this point, she paused briefly, then added, "Also, the new Raikage of Cloud Village, the Fourth Raikage, was slain by Uchiha Baimu. Following the Third Mizukage, Uchiha Baimu has once again made a great contribution, killing another Kage."
Shikaku Nara pondered for a moment, truly finding it hard to understand Tsunade's intentions. Even a smart person like him found it a bit difficult to fathom. Since he couldn't, it was best to be direct and ask outright.
"Lady Tsunade, we are aware of Baimu's achievements. It's just that, Lady Tsunade, what is your intention in saying all this? Could you explain it more clearly..."
Explain it more clearly?
No problem, that can be done.
Tsunade said softly, "This Great Ninja War has entered its final stages, but Konoha has suffered significant losses during the war, and there were factors of improper command among them. Don't you think someone needs to take responsibility for this?"
Take responsibility?
This means... Shikaku Nara's eyes widened upon hearing this; he had already realized Tsunade's intention.
The others were still a bit slow to react, not quite understanding what she meant, especially the Jonin from those ninja clans, who were still completely confused.
Of course, some quick-witted Jonin understood with a little thought.
And what did this mean?
It meant trouble, it meant the village was about to be in chaos.
After all, if someone had to take responsibility, who would it be?
Wouldn't it be the village's highest leader, the Hokage? And who was the current Hokage? It was the Third Hokage, so was he to step down? The question was, could it work?
Perhaps it could. Tsunade's identity was special. If she stepped forward, even the Third Hokage would find it hard to escape blame. Moreover, the village's losses in this Great Ninja War were indeed not light, and the number of people who died from the major ninja clans was even more self-evident.
Honestly, no one was having an easy time, and indeed, someone needed to take responsibility.
If the Hokage didn't take responsibility, then who would?
It would inevitably be you, the Hokage, who takes responsibility.
Improper command, yes, there was that.
And in the original plot, Hiruzen Sarutobi also had no choice but to step down and vacate his position, but at least he voluntarily proposed it, taking responsibility for the Konoha ninja who died in the Third Great Ninja War, coupled with pressure from various parties, and voluntarily resigned from the position of Hokage.
Of course, he resigned, but in reality, Hiruzen Sarutobi still held power, as Minato Namikaze's foundation was too shallow; his ascension didn't mean much.
But this time it was different. It was Tsunade herself who initiated the challenge. So if Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't want to leave gracefully, then he would be forced to leave gracefully...