"Naruto: Ice God"Chapter 191: Sakumo Is the Hokage
"How does the chakra consumption feel?"
In the makeshift laboratory, Orochimaru was questioning Nagato about his experience.
"It's somewhat better than before, but the consumption is still quite high."
Nagato reported his feelings honestly.
The artificial eye Orochimaru had transplanted for him was indeed useful—he could use Five Nature jutsu at will—but it consumed twice as much chakra as when he performed jutsu with hand seals.
"I see, so there's still this flaw. Is it because the compatibility with the host isn't high enough?"
Orochimaru scribbled notes in his book, then went back to his own work.
Nagato and the others had long grown accustomed to Orochimaru's style and didn't interrupt, simply standing quietly to the side, waiting for his instructions.
"Oh, Nagato, here for another eye examination?"
Just then, Hiruko also arrived at the laboratory. Seeing the three of them, he greeted them familiarly.
Before Nagato could respond, Hiruko, like Orochimaru, entered a state of complete absorption in his work.
"Looks like only you can use this artificial eye. We don't have that much chakra to waste."
Watching the two busy researchers, Yahiko smiled and put his arm around Nagato's shoulder, teasing him.
"Yeah, besides the Five Natures, every time I use Storm Release, it drains a massive amount of my chakra."
Nagato nodded honestly. Ever since the battle with the unknown Uchiha, except when Orochimaru made requests, he tried to avoid using the artificial eye's functions at other times.
The chakra drain alone was enough to give him a headache.
"Speaking of which, after today's work is done, where should we go for dinner?"
Yahiko smiled and shook his head, starting to think about where to have dinner tonight.
"I heard Obito will be returning from the border in a few days. Should we invite him to join us?"
Konan suddenly made a suggestion.
"Really? Then how about calling Jiraiya-sensei too? And Feng Bai—our little martial uncle should be returning from the border as well, right?"
Yahiko loved lively gatherings and immediately agreed to Konan's proposal.
"The border... I wonder how Kyūsuke and the others are doing."
Hearing them mention the border, Nagato suddenly thought of their companions still in the Land of Rain.
"Kyūsuke? They sent me a letter recently, saying that the mysterious forces in Hidden Rain Village have stopped pursuing them."
Yahiko's expression darkened as he remembered their comrades who had died at enemy hands.
"Once Nagato's artificial eye adjustments are complete, let's bid farewell to Jiraiya-sensei."
Konan saw Yahiko's thoughts and spoke up for him.
"Yes, let's do that."
Yahiko nodded. Just then, Orochimaru had finished compiling the necessary data and called Nagato over, skillfully removing the artificial eyes and taking them to a nearby lab bench to tinker with.
"Ugh, no matter how many times I see it, my eyes hurt."
Konan watched Orochimaru's practiced movements, covering her eyes as if she were the one being operated on.
"Me too."
Yahiko also quietly covered his eyes.
Meanwhile, Feng Bai, who had just finished a friendly discussion with Kushina and the Nine-Tails, left Minato's house and headed toward his own home.
The late-night wind training session with Danzo had left Feng Bai with serious psychological trauma. Despite Kushina's attempts to make him stay, Feng Bai insisted on going home to face his old man.
As soon as he entered, Feng Bai saw Uchiha Shisui setting up electrical wiring in the front courtyard.
"Ahem, Shisui, keeping busy?"
Casually greeting Shisui, Feng Bai didn't dare linger and strode into the house.
Just as he had expected, Danzo had already received news of his return to the village and was now sitting in the living room, waiting for Feng Bai's arrival.
"You're back?"
Glancing at Feng Bai, Danzo was very satisfied inside, though his tone remained cold.
"Yes, I'm back."
Feng Bai nodded honestly.
"Then let's prepare for dinner."
Danzo said nothing more and got up to prepare dinner in the kitchen.
...
Although most members of Konoha's Interrogation Division looked fierce and intimidating—like villains who needed to terrorize a few people daily just to work up an appetite—in reality, Konoha's Interrogation Division's methods weren't particularly cruel.
After ordering the prisoner Feng Bai had brought back to be sent to Konoha Hospital for treatment of his burns, Yamanaka Inoichi, who was responsible for Konoha's Intelligence Division, ignored the late hour, threw on his black coat, and hurried toward the Hokage Building.
Pushing open the door, Yamanaka Inoichi didn't see Sakumo, but only saw Jiraiya sitting in the Hokage's position, studying a crystal ball.
If he remembered correctly, this crystal ball should be the same model as the Third Hokage's.
"Inoichi? What brings you here so late?"
Hearing the door open, Jiraiya finally deeply understood his teacher's feelings, though compared to his teacher, Jiraiya was considerably thicker-skinned.
Without blushing or missing a beat, he put away the crystal ball and calmly asked about the other's purpose.
"I've finished reading the memories in the brain of the prisoner Feng Bai brought back. We've now confirmed which hidden village they belong to. Additionally, there's something very concerning."
"Oh? Something that makes you feel concerned—let's hear it."
Jiraiya's curiosity was piqued, signaling the other not to keep him in suspense.
"The attackers were Hidden Grass Village shinobi. Also, in their village, there's still..."
That night, the previous generation's Konoha F4 rarely gathered together.
The four sat in two rows at the table: Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado sat in one row, Danzo and Hiruzen in another.
Sakumo sat at the head, with Jiraiya and Yamanaka Inoichi standing behind him.
"I'm very sorry, I'm late."
As the door opened, Nara Shikaku's voice entered the room. Having just finished placating his wife, he hadn't even had time to eat before coming here for the meeting.
"Shikaku's here, which means everyone's present."
Sakumo smiled and nodded to him, signaling for him to stand beside him while announcing the start of the meeting.
"There's nothing to discuss about this matter. Since Hidden Grass Village dared to attack Konoha, they should pay the price."
Danzo, who had already learned the meeting's content through his own channels, opened with his typical hawkish style, immediately proposing military action to resolve Hidden Grass Village.
"Danzo, you're too extreme. Hidden Grass Village is Konoha's ally, a hidden village that has maintained friendly relations with us since the First Hokage's era!"
Hearing Danzo's familiar rhetoric, Hiruzen was reminded of his own time as Hokage and immediately refuted the proposal before Sakumo could speak.
"Ally? Hiruzen, are you getting senile? Have you forgotten how Hidden Grass Village stood with Hidden Rock Village to attack Konoha during the Third Shinobi World War?!"
Danzo slammed his fist on the table, ready to tear into Hiruzen.
"Hidden Grass Village was coerced by Ōnoki. After the war, didn't they send people to repair relations with us? Besides, if we attack Hidden Grass Village, what if Hidden Rock Village retaliates against us?!"
"Then we'll crush them both! Hiruzen, you're too weak!"
"Danzo, I am the—Sakumo is the Hokage!"
"You!"
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