Although Konohagakure had never deployed the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki directly on a frontal battlefield over the past several decades, this did not mean that the Nine-Tails was dispensable.
On the contrary.
The existence of the Kyūbi itself was Konoha's greatest deterrent.
More importantly, once the Nine-Tails were to fall into the hands of another ninja village or worse, a rogue ninja like Orochimaru. the consequences would be immeasurable. Such an event would directly shake the foundation of Konoha's military balance and national security.
This was not a matter of emotion.
It was a matter of survival.
"That is why," Mitokado Homura said gravely, "the issue of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki must be handled with the highest priority."
Before Homura could continue, a cold voice interjected.
"Orochimaru and Uzumaki Menma should be handed over to Root."
Shimura Danzō, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"Those who betray the village must be punished most severely. Especially the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. It would be most appropriate for me to personally oversee this matter."
The moment the words left his mouth, the atmosphere in the room visibly tightened.
Danzō's intentions were painfully obvious.
Although he had already realized that competing with Jiraiya or Tsunade for the position of Hokage was unrealistic at this stage whether in strength, reputation, or legitimacy he was absolutely unwilling to give up control over the Kyūbi.
Twelve years ago, Danzō had already attempted to bring Uzumaki Menma under Root's control, only to be stopped by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Now that Hiruzen was dead and Menma had defected, Danzō saw this as the perfect opportunity.
He would not let it slip away.
"In addition," Danzō continued calmly, his voice carrying a dangerous edge, "the One-Tail Jinchūriki of Sunagakure should also be imprisoned directly by Root. This would minimize the risk of Shukaku going berserk again."
His ambition was no longer hidden.
If he could gain control over both the One-Tail and the Nine-Tails, then his long-cherished vision of absolute power would finally be within reach.
"No."
Jiraiya turned sharply, his gaze locking onto Danzō without the slightest hint of retreat.
"Orochimaru and Menma are my responsibility. There's no need to trouble Elder Shimura."
The refusal was immediate and uncompromising.
Orochimaru aside, Jiraiya absolutely could not allow Danzō to handle Menma's case.
He knew Danzō too well.
This was a man who would sacrifice anything including comrades and children for what he called "the village's good."
Jiraiya would never entrust Menma to such a person.
Even if logic told him that Menma's path was already dangerously close to being irreversible, as long as even the slightest chance remained, Jiraiya would fight for it.
That was his bottom line.
"Hmph."
Danzō's expression darkened.
"Leave it to you?" he sneered. "It is precisely because the Nine-Tails was left in your care for twelve years that this disaster occurred. If Uzumaki Menma had been raised by Root from the beginning, do you think he would have defected?"
He did not stop there.
"The same applies to Orochimaru. Hiruzen was too soft-hearted, and so are you, Jiraiya. You bear responsibility for this failure. You are no longer qualified to handle this matter."
The words were harsh and merciless.
Jiraiya's expression stiffened.
He knew painfully that part of Danzō's accusation was true.
He and his teacher had indeed hesitated too often in the past.
But even so, Jiraiya could not back down.
Kakashi's brief report of Menma's words at the Chūnin Exam venue echoed in his mind.
Menma had known everything.
He had been abandoned emotionally long before he ever left physically.
The boy was still young.
That alone was enough reason for Jiraiya to refuse to give up.
"I said it once already," Jiraiya replied, his voice low but unwavering. "Orochimaru and Menma are mine to deal with."
Danzō's eyes flashed coldly as he was about to retort.
"That's enough."
Mitokado Homura spoke first, his tone authoritative.
"For now, this matter will be handled by Root—but only for intelligence gathering. No extreme actions are to be taken without further deliberation."
He turned his gaze toward Danzō.
"Konoha cannot endure further internal turmoil. As for the One-Tail, it will be jointly handled by ANBU and the T&I Division. Root is not to act independently."
Utatane Koharu nodded in agreement.
"Jiraiya, your priority is to find Tsunade. These matters will ultimately be decided once the Fifth Hokage is formally appointed. Unless," she added coolly, "you are willing to take the position immediately."
Jiraiya frowned deeply.
He did not like this arrangement but at present, there was no better option.
At least the two advisors were keeping Danzō on a leash.
"I understand," Jiraiya said after a moment, exhaling slowly. "I'll find Tsunade as soon as possible."
Danzō did not object.
In his heart, timing meant nothing.
Once Root took control of the situation, the final outcome would be decided by him alone.
As long as he could reclaim Uzumaki Menma and seize control of the Nine-Tails, no one in Konoha or even the entire shinobi world would be able to oppose his will.
He would correct Hiruzen's mistakes.
And prove that the Third Hokage had chosen the wrong path.
At the same time, far from the political storm brewing in Konohagakure
Uzumaki Menma followed Orochimaru northward.
After several hours of uninterrupted travel, the group crossed the borders of the Land of Fire and entered the neighboring Land of Rice Fields.
This was one of Orochimaru's key strongholds.
Otogakure his so-called Hidden Sound Village was located within this territory. It had grown over the years through Orochimaru's brutal experiments, secret training methods, and financial backing from hidden sponsors.
But now, everything had changed.
By conspiring with Sunagakure, attacking Konoha, and killing the Third Hokage, Orochimaru had completely exposed himself to the shinobi world.
A village founded by a traitor who openly murdered a Hokage could not be allowed to exist indefinitely.
No matter how weakened Konoha currently was, it would never permit Otogakure to continue operating openly without consequence.
And Orochimaru knew this better than anyone.
That was why
This retreat was only the beginning.