"You mean the [Demigod] from the Land of Rain, Hanzo the Salamander?" Han frowned deeply. "Forget whether he would sincerely join us, even if he agreed, his strength is far inferior to Chiaki Setsuna's, isn't it?"
"Of course I know that. But the reason I want him to join is that I value his poison," Onoki explained.
Han's frown deepened. He certainly knew what the Demigod was famous for. "But didn't Chiaki Setsuna demonstrate his immunity to poison mist during the Chunin Exams? Poison would be ineffective against him, right?"
Onoki gently rubbed the battle report in his hand. "From my observation, Chiaki Setsuna isn't someone who likes to show off ostentatiously. Yet, he deliberately swallowed all the poison mist during the Chunin Exams, using an extremely eye-catching method to display his ability."
"Therefore, I suspect he had prepared an antidote before entering the arena. He then intentionally used it during the exam to showcase his immunity to toxins, thereby making people overlook this potential weakness of his."
"Brilliant!" Han was convinced, clapping his hands in admiration. "As expected of Tsuchikage-sama, to see through Chiaki Setsuna's disguise."
Roshi untimely broke the atmosphere. "But what if he truly is immune to poison?"
The room fell silent for a moment. After a pause, Onoki said, "Then have Hanzo use his poison gas to clear the battlefield. Ordinary Ninjas don't possess his immunity. As long as the allied forces are poisoned, we will have leverage for negotiation."
Roshi asked another question. "But I heard his poison gas was countered by Sunagakure's Chiyo during the Second Great Ninja War?"
Onoki replied, "No need to worry about that. Hanzo's poison gas has likely been improved since then. Moreover, that old puppet hag isn't on the battlefield now."
Han asked, "By the way, how do you plan to secure Hanzo's help? That old fox probably won't easily involve himself in our conflict."
Onoki sighed with some regret. "Originally, I intended to use that newly formed Akatsuki organization to pressure Hanzo. Now, I can only sell them out to Hanzo."
After a moment, Onoki added, "If Konoha uses Kitsuchi to persuade us to surrender in the coming days, have our people stall for time as much as possible. Buy me time to win over Hanzo."
Roshi exclaimed in surprise, "But if Konoha realizes we're tricking them, won't they become enraged and harm the Commander?"
Onoki shook his head. "We can't worry about that now. If the worst should happen... then it is his fate."
The smoke of battle had just cleared. A rare, relaxed atmosphere permeated the Konoha's camp.
Ninjas laughed and talked around campfires. The medical team busied themselves bandaging the wounded.
Although the war wasn't over, this phase's victory was enough to let them breathe a short sigh of relief.
Minato stood at the edge of the camp, watching the setting sun in the distance, his golden hair gently stirred by the evening breeze.
He touched his chin, a gentle smile appearing on his face. 'I wonder what Kushina is thinking about right now?'
'Since I have the Flying Thunder God Technique, why not go back? It's for developing a new Jutsu, after all.' With this thought, an impulse sprouted in Minato's mind. He actively sought out Setsuna to make a request. "Commander-sama, I'd like to request permission to return to the village to report our victory to the Hokage, and also... to visit Kushina."
"No need for formal titles in private," Setsuna said with an amused smile. "Minato, I get the feeling the latter is your main reason, and reporting is just the excuse, right?"
Rasa, who had voluntarily applied to be Setsuna's secretary and was standing behind him, almost lost his composure, 'We just got to the battlefield, and this guy is already this eager to go back to his woman? Is he that repressed?'
'Or did he learn the Flying Thunder God Technique just so he could sneak back for private meetings every day?'
Minato scratched his head, his smile carrying a hint of embarrassment. "Actually... seeing the Jinchuriki use the Tailed Beast Bomb gave me an idea. I want to develop a new Jutsu, so I'd like to go back and discuss it with Kushina."
Rasa sneered inwardly, 'Keep making excuses. You got inspiration from seeing a Tailed Beast Bomb? I saw it too, why don't I have any inspiration?'
Setsuna gave an understanding smile. "Go ahead. The battle situation is stable for now. Be quick."
Rasa sighed inwardly again, 'As terrifying as Chiaki Setsuna is as an enemy, he's an excellent superior to work under.'
Minato activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and instantly appeared near Kushina's home.
As for reporting to the Third Hokage first? Wasn't Kushina's house closer?
Sensing Minato's Chakra, Kushina shot out like a rocket and crashed into his arms. "Minato! It's really you!"
Minato suppressed the metallic taste in his throat, trying to calm his surging blood, and forced a smile. "Yes, I'm back."
Kushina looked up, worried. "You came back suddenly... it's not because the war-"
"Don't worry, we achieved a great victory," Minato said gently, taking Kushina's hands. "I came back this time because I need your help with my training."
In contrast to the warm atmosphere outside, within the shared deep mental space of the Tailed Beasts...
Darkness. Silence.
The crimson pupils of the Nine-Tails flickered in the chaos, its low growls echoing through the void.
"...Answer me! What's wrong with you all?!"
It had been roaring here for days, but whether it was Shukaku, Matatabi, Isobu, or the other Tailed Beasts, there was no response. It was as if... they had been completely erased.
The Nine-Tails' claws dug deep into the boundaries of the mental space, its rampant Chakra boiling like lava.
"Damn it... That demon... Could he have really devoured the other Tailed Beasts?" The Nine-Tails fell into deep anxiety.
Clearly, it was unaware of its own unpopularity among the Tailed Beast community.
Just then, Kushina's voice reached it. "Kurama, Kurama! Lend me a bit of your power, just a little! Help me demonstrate the Tailed Beast Bomb!"
Since the appearance of that demon last time, the Nine-Tails had been consciously trying to repair its relationship with Kushina.
But at this moment, its fear transformed into rage.
"I cannot sit idly by! I must master my own power!" Kurama roared furiously.
In the real world, Kushina's eyes snapped wide open. The seal on her abdomen twisted violently.
"It's bad, Minato!"
Minato appeared at her side almost instantly, wrapping an arm around her waist. The Flying Thunder God Technique activated, and their figures vanished, reappearing in a forest on the outskirts of Konoha.
Kushina fell to her knees, pressing her hands desperately against her abdomen. The Nine-Tails' Chakra, boiling like lava, surged uncontrollably from within her.
"Ugh… Minato… Run…"
"Hold on! Hokage-sama and the others should detect the disturbance here soon," Minato said, his heart filled with regret, 'If I had known the Nine-Tails was this petty, I would never have come to Kushina for help developing a new Jutsu.'