Daimyo Mansion of the Land of Grass.
Although the alliance meeting with the high-level ninja villages had concluded and Terumi Mei, Chiyo, and others had returned to their villages, the Fifth Hokage Tsunade decided to stay temporarily.
There were still many affairs in the Land of Grass that needed her attention.
For instance, the future Konoha strategy in the Land of Grass required Tsunade's decision, the ongoing struggle between Konoha ninja and Hidden Rock ninja, and reducing the possibility of another ninja world war outbreak.
These were troublesome matters.
Moreover, Tsunade also had to calm her subordinates' emotions.
"Kakashi."
Tsunade sat in the Daimyo's seat in the Land of Grass, glanced at the single-knee-kneeling Hatake Kakashi, and said softly, "You are currently the only Jonin without subordinates in the village, and you've also served as an Anbu captain. You should stay stationed in the Land of Grass for now!"
Since the three youngsters of the Seventh Class had set off on their own paths, leaving Hatake Kakashi relatively idle, combined with his past experience, Tsunade hadn't replaced his position.
After saying this, Tsunade added: "Last night, the fall of the Land of Grass was due to a surprise attack by the Akatsuki, Shikaku mentioned it to me. Your handling was impeccable."
After all, no one can come out on top against more than ten S-Class traitors.
Hatake Kakashi, Nara Shikaku, and others had minimized Konoha's losses, which was already quite impressive.
Hatake Kakashi lowered his head, still feeling somewhat guilty inside: "But I think I am not competent enough…"
"Kakashi, you need to take responsibility!"
Tsunade gave Hatake Kakashi a glance and said sternly, "Naruto is still in the Land of Grass, isn't he? You don't want to desert in front of your disciple, do you? At the very least, hold the line for this period of time for me!"
"Yes, Lady Hokage."
Hatake Kakashi had no choice but to agree reluctantly.
Tsunade only nodded in satisfaction and said, "Once the Hidden Rock Village retreats, I'll transfer you back to Konoha to participate in an important mission..."
"Yes…"
Hatake Kakashi finally felt a slight comfort in his heart.
Just as he was about to continue his report, a few urgent shouts suddenly came from outside the room, and the atmosphere instantly turned tense.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
"All units on alert! A Hidden Rock spy has infiltrated!"
"Team Sixteen, Team Nineteen, protect Lady Hokage, everyone else, go after him!"
After a brief moment of chaos, the temporary Hokage office quickly calmed down, indicating that the stationed Konoha ninja outside were confident in dealing with the enemy.
Unfortunately, this time, the intruder was no ordinary person.
Five minutes later.
The shouts of fighting ninja and the screams of those facing death again shattered the tranquility, and Tsunade and Hatake Kakashi found themselves unable to continue their conversation. As they flew out of the room, their eyes were caught by the enemy in front of them.
A Hidden Rock ninja in a uniform, wearing a mask, wielded a ninja blade in his hand and suddenly stabbed it into the neck of the last Konoha ninja!
In just a few minutes, the dozen or so Konoha ninja stationed outside the temporary office had been completely slaughtered by the enemy!
The Hidden Rock ninja pulled out his ninja blade, flicked off a string of blood, and pointed it at Tsunade and Hatake Kakashi, saying in a muffled voice, "Fifth Hokage Tsunade, Copy Ninja Hatake Kakashi, this seems to be a bountiful catch…"
"Looking for death!"
Tsunade clenched her fist and slammed it towards the Hidden Rock ninja, creating a large crack on the ground, with countless bricks flying under the impact of her punch!
However, the Hidden Rock ninja seemed unfazed, dodged and performed hand seals with a single palm to the ground: "Earth Release: Earth Splitting Palm!"
A clear fissure appeared on the ground, rapidly expanding towards Tsunade and Hatake Kakashi!
Hatake Kakashi furrowed his brows, simultaneously performing hand seals, his jutsu completed even faster: "Earth Release: Earth Splitting Palm!"
The two earth fissures collided, instantly causing an explosion!
"Lady Hokage, leave this to me! Please direct elsewhere! I suspect he isn't the only one who infiltrated the Daimyo Mansion of the Land of Grass!"
Hatake Kakashi stopped Tsunade, who wanted to rush forward, persuading her in a deep voice, then he took out his kunai and charged forward.
Tsunade, without hesitation, nodded and dashed elsewhere.
After all, it's just a mere Hidden Rock spy, she believed Hatake Kakashi could easily handle the enemy.
This time, however, Tsunade was mistaken.
The enemy Kakashi encountered this time had unexpectedly strong swordsmanship!
For a moment, he was evenly matched with Hatake Kakashi until Kakashi used a little trick, stabbing his kunai through the enemy's defense!
Hatake Kakashi twisted the kunai in his hand, smashing his fist into the enemy's chest and swiftly snatched away his ninja blade!
"You've lost!"
Just as Hatake Kakashi thrust his kunai towards the enemy's throat, the enemy ducked and kicked his abdomen, sending him flying, easily resolving the predicament.
"Indeed, I'm still not adept at swordsmanship!"
The Hidden Rock ninja slowly shook his head, clasping his hands in seals, then spewed a stream of flames: "Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
A trace of surprise flashed in Hatake Kakashi's eyes, almost simultaneously performing hand seals, releasing an earth wall to block the oncoming flames!
Soon, the earth wall became severely damaged under the blaze!
"Earth Release: Hidden Earth Dragon!"
Hatake Kakashi's figure vanished beneath the earth wall, and the next moment emerged from the ground under the enemy's feet, delivering a punch to the enemy's jaw.