As if trying to shake off any potential pursuers, Minato sensed that the three figures had first circled around the village before finally hurrying toward the eastern forest.
The Slug slowly crawled out of the room. "Minato, is the battle over?"
"They retreated, but I left tracking marks on them."
Minato created a Wood Clone. "Teacher will be back soon, and I need to pursue them. I'll leave it to you for now."
"Leave it to me!"
The clone nodded, while Minato's original form vanished in a flash, heading toward the eastern forest.
"Lord Slug, please release them."
"Alright."
The Slug's body writhed as it pushed Kushina and Nawaki out.
"Ugh! I almost suffocated!" Nawaki collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air.
Kushina threw herself into the clone's arms. "Minato!"
"I'm a clone."
The clone patted Kushina's back. "The original went to track them."
Hearing that Minato had left, Kushina's expression tightened. "Track them? Won't he be in danger?"
"No," the clone assured her. "I would never act recklessly without being fully prepared."
As the voice faded, figures materialized in the courtyard. Tsunade arrived with several Anbu members.
Nawaki's face lit up at the sight of her. "Sis!"
"Nawaki! Are you all alright?" Tsunade rushed forward, pulling them close and examining them thoroughly, her eyes reflecting lingering fear.
"We're fine..." Nawaki sighed. "Kushina and I were protected by the Slug. Only Minato fought them."
Tsunade turned to Minato. "Minato, you..."
"I'm a Wood Clone!" The Minato before her shrugged. "The original chased them into the eastern forest."
"The eastern forest..." Tsunade's expression darkened. "Who attacked you?"
"During the fight, they wore Kumogakure uniforms, but I can't be certain. I'll ask the original." The Wood Clone created a Shadow Clone, which he then dispelled. Moments later, he received confirmation from the original.
"It was Kumogakure! They established a base beneath the eastern forest, disguised as Anbu!"
"Disguised as... Anbu?" Tsunade's understanding dawned, and she scoffed coldly. "Those treacherous Kumogakure ninja, daring to impersonate Konoha Anbu! Can you handle this?"
"No problem!"
Hearing their conversation, the Anbu members behind Tsunade froze.
If I'm not mistaken, that's Root's base over there, isn't it?
The Anbu Captain hesitated before speaking. "Wait, Lady Tsunade, about the eastern forest..."
"What about it?"
Tsunade whirled around, her eyes glinting with icy fury. "If it's not Kumogakure, could it be Anbu? Only the Hokage has the authority to directly mobilize Anbu. Do you think the Third Hokage wants Nawaki dead?"
"This..."
The corners of the Anbu Captain's mouth twitched beneath his mask.
According to Konoha's Anbu regulations, the full roster officially consisted of 70 members. Excluding the Captain and Vice-Captain, the remaining 68 were divided into four platoons of 17 members each, each led by a platoon leader and further divided into four squads.
Danzo's Root organization could only be considered a single platoon.
Strictly speaking, Root was also directly subordinate to the Hokage!
But he dared not admit this. Otherwise, he'd likely receive a mission to assassinate the Raikage tomorrow.
They were just ordinary surveillance squads drawn to investigate the explosion. There was no reason to risk their lives for someone like Danzo.
"Enough, Tsunade. Don't trouble them," Hiruzen said, arriving with two Advisors. Several Anbu members followed behind them.
"I'll give you an explanation about this matter," Sarutobi Hiruzen said solemnly. He had overheard Tsunade's exchange with the Anbu and could easily guess who was behind it.
Tsunade scoffed, her slender fingers cracking audibly as she clenched them. "Those damned Kumogakure ninja, daring to impersonate the Third Hokage!"
"..."
Hiruzen felt a headache coming on at her words.
"Enough, Tsunade. Hiruzen is still the Hokage and your teacher," Utatane Koharu said, relieved that Tsunade hadn't exposed the truth. If Tsunade hadn't broken the fragile facade, they wouldn't force the issue either.
Though she also disapproved of Danzo's actions, as an advisor, her priority remained protecting the Wood Release.
"Our immediate priority is to reach the eastern forest as quickly as possible. For Konoha, the Wood Release is non-negotiable. The Kumogakure forces outnumber us, and Minato is still just a child..."
"Non-negotiable?" Tsunade scoffed again. "Is this what you call non-negotiable?"
Seeing Tsunade about to lose her composure, Koharu frowned. "Tsunade, what's the meaning of this? Aren't you worried about that child?"
Tsunade hesitated slightly. She was indeed deeply worried about Minato.
The main issue was that Tsunade didn't fully understand Minato's capabilities.
She only knew that his raw strength was at least equal to hers, and that he possessed large-scale destructive techniques. But ninja combat involved far more than that, and she worried that Minato might have fallen into an enemy trap.
"What Lady Tsunade says makes sense," the clone said, tugging at Tsunade's sleeve. "Teacher, your physical body is still just one person. If you can't take out that entire Kumogakure group in one fell swoop, just thinking about the mastermind lurking in the shadows... it scares me so much I can't even use Wood Release."
As the clone finished speaking, the two advisors' expressions shifted slightly, and Hiruzen's eyelid twitched. He could clearly hear Minato's indirect challenge to his authority.
This child's reactions are lightning quick!
Tsunade's eyes widened slightly before she burst out laughing. "You're not wrong. Nawaki, take Kushina to Grandma's place. Have Anbu escort you there."
She then picked up the Wood Clone. "Lead the way. I want to see how those Kumogakure ninja managed to pull off something like this right under Anbu's noses!"
Ignoring Hiruzen's expression, she strode toward the eastern forest, the Third Hokage and his entourage following closely behind, maintaining a slight distance.
"Hiruzen, this time he's gone too far."
"Whatever your differences," Mitokado Homura said quietly, "they should never involve others. If he wants your position, he should compete for it fairly, not resort to such despicable tactics against a child."
Utatane Koharu nodded in agreement. "People change. That guy has changed. As Hokage, you shouldn't remain so naive as you were before."
"I know..." Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. "Once we find proof, I'll arrest him immediately."
Arrest?
Mitokado Homura shook his head without a word.
As expected, his soft-heartedness hasn't changed a bit.
If this matter wasn't resolved to Tsunade's satisfaction, Konoha would lose the Wood Release, its potential Jinchūriki, and the political support of the First Hokage's descendants—all in one fell swoop.
Though they supported Hiruzen, as Advisors, their primary consideration was always the village's interests.
And what was most important for the village right now?
The Wood Release and the potential Jinchūriki—these were the very foundation of the village, absolutely indispensable!
If necessary, they would even lay down their lives to protect them!
As the group hurried toward the eastern forest, within the Root base nestled there, Minato was already unleashing a killing spree.
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