Chapter 163: Settling Old Scores & Orochimaru
Before Dodai could carefully consider where he'd slipped up, Hyuga Ritsu stared at him, smiling. "Dodai-dono, I acknowledge this universally applicable principle you've stated."
"However, according to this principle, before we accept responsibility for Troy and twenty-six Cloud ninja deaths, you Cloud ninja must first give us an explanation. Our Konoha's Second Hokage died because of your Kumogakure's rogue ninja—the Gold and Silver Brothers. This old debt you Cloud ninja still haven't settled with us Konoha."
His words finished—absolute silence.
Neither Cloud ninja's side nor Konoha's side had anticipated this old account.
But after careful consideration, everyone on Konoha's side internally applauded, calling it brilliant—because this truly was an unsettled old debt.
Years ago, the Second Hokage and Second Raikage had prepared to form an alliance to end warfare. But at the alliance ceremony, Kumogakure's so-called "Two Lights in the Clouds"—the Gold and Silver Brothers—betrayed them. They grievously wounded both the Second Hokage and Second Raikage, ultimately causing both Kage to die with lingering resentment.
At the time, because the Second Hokage's death came too suddenly, the hastily inaugurated Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen had exhausted all his strength merely stabilizing Konoha's situation. He'd been fundamentally powerless to demand explanations from Kumogakure. Add to this that Kumogakure had likewise lost their Second Raikage—so this old debt was buried beneath history's dust.
Until now, when Hyuga Ritsu dug it up—using the opponent's spear to attack their shield.
Dodai fell silent momentarily. He truly hadn't anticipated Ritsu would resurrect this old account. According to the principle he'd just stated, indeed his own Kumogakure had failed to manage their rogue ninja, causing the death of the Second Hokage who'd been preparing to ally with their village.
Though they'd likewise lost their Second Raikage, this was Kumogakure's internal affair—Konoha couldn't manage it. Konoha only cared about demanding explanations for their Second Hokage's death.
Dodai pressed his lips together. "Hyuga Clan Head, this is a matter from decades ago. Most participants are already gone. The truth is unknowable. Moreover, your Konoha's Third Hokage tacitly allowed this old matter to pass. Bringing it up now is inappropriate!"
After much consideration, this matter absolutely couldn't be examined closely. The best response strategy was simple denial—after all, it happened decades ago.
However, this made today's negotiations unlikely to produce results.
Hearing this, Ritsu immediately sneered coldly. "How convenient—'inappropriate.' We Konoha demand explanations from you Cloud ninja, and you dismiss us with 'inappropriate.' Then Troy and those twenty-six Cloud ninja deaths—I'd say they brought it upon themselves. We Konoha have nothing to explain."
Dodai's expression darkened. "Hokage Advisor-dono, is Hyuga Clan Head's attitude Konoha's official position?"
Hiruko smiled, unhurriedly playing peacemaker. "Dodai, Hyuga Clan Head's words are merely harsh—he means no ill will. From beginning to end, we Konoha desire peace. We don't wish to erupt into war with any village."
"However, having said that, we Konoha aren't fools either. This matter isn't simply whatever you claim it to be. If you ask me, we must thoroughly investigate this matter. Only after clarifying the truth can we discuss handling methods."
Watching the smiling Hiruko and the cold-faced Ritsu beside him, Dodai's expression grew grave as water.
As expected, these negotiations proved an extremely arduous task.
Dodai considered two seconds before asking aloud. "How else does your Konoha intend to investigate? The truth is irrefutable. All evidence points to your Konoha ninja. I believe no further investigation is necessary."
Reaching this point, his expression became especially solemn. His voice suddenly rose, carrying intense oppressive force as he spoke sternly. "Moreover, we came with sincerity. Because of Troy and others' deaths from this attack, our village currently experiences surging public sentiment. Many hope we'll directly declare war, personally demanding explanations. But thanks to Raikage-sama overriding all objections, unwilling to let warfare rekindle—only then did he dispatch me to negotiate with you all."
"I sincerely hope your Konoha won't waste our sincerity! Don't waste Raikage-sama's painstaking efforts!"
Hiruko remained unmoved, his expression composed.
Ritsu's face showed even more mocking sneers. "Dodai, don't try intimidation. Your Kumogakure experiences surging sentiment—are we Konoha all war-fearing cowards? If you want to declare war, come fight! When the time comes, we'll fight, seeing whether your reasoning is greater or our reasoning harder!"
As his words fell, the keep filled with murderous intent—an atmosphere suggesting they'd fight immediately.
However, this clearly wouldn't erupt into violence. Hiruko continued playing the good cop, scolding. "Ritsu, don't talk nonsense! How can warfare be casually mentioned?"
He then looked at Dodai, speaking gently. "Dodai, Hyuga Clan Head simply has this temperament. Don't take offense. However, I maintain my view—this matter isn't simply whatever you claim. This requires deep investigation. You Cloud ninja should reexamine this yourselves, seeing whether it's truly our Konoha's rogue ninja causing trouble, or your Kumogakure internal conflict borrowing our rogue ninja's name for mutual slaughter."
"We Konoha also need time for self-examination, seeing whether anyone besides that rogue ninja could commit such acts. After both sides investigate thoroughly and clarify matters, we can continue discussions."
Delaying tactics—this was Hiruko's response strategy.
Because agreeing to Cloud ninja's unreasonable demands was absolutely impossible. Truly doing so would make him a criminal selling village interests. But maintaining a completely hardline attitude, directly warring with Cloud ninja, also didn't align with Hokage-sama's requirements to avoid warfare as much as possible.
At this moment, the best response strategy was delay. This way, even if war ultimately erupted, they couldn't be blamed for incompetence.
Moreover, this master-student pair had just arrived at the front. Neither had yet discussed how to hunt their respective needed prey. Fighting now, creating chaos everywhere, didn't serve their needs.
Therefore, the master-student pair quite tacitly played good cop/bad cop, employing delaying tactics with Cloud ninja.
Konoha Village, Hokage Building.
Returning to his office, Minato called his secretary to refill his tea while simultaneously serving Jiraiya hot tea. Minato's secretary was a black-haired, red-eyed young woman.
Her name was Yuhi Kurenai—a reliable classmate of Nohara Rin and others from the Ninja Academy. Recommended by Rin and examined by Minato, this sufficiently careful and clever girl became Minato's first secretary.
Jiraiya sat on the sofa, holding hot tea, his expression grave as he stared at Minato. In a deep voice: "Minato, can you speak now? What happened that you specifically recalled me from the front?"
He understood Minato's temperament well.
If Minato could solve problems himself, he'd absolutely never easily trouble others. Now specifically summoning him back—something major must have happened in the village.
Hearing Jiraiya's inquiry, Minato's face showed some difficulty. He remained silent, seemingly considering wording—pondering how to tell Jiraiya-sensei this... bad news!
"Minato?"
Watching his beloved student's silence, Jiraiya's mood grew heavier. He couldn't help urging. "What exactly happened? Is there something inconvenient to say?"
Minato's mouth twitched, his expression bitter. But watching the obviously agitated Jiraiya, he still took a deep breath. "Sensei, after Shimura Danzo's death, I began organizing to absorb his Root organization. Two days ago, I discovered one Root member possesses Wood Release bloodline limit."
"Wood Release bloodline limit?"
Jiraiya froze. "What's the problem? Didn't you say Hiruko and that Hyuga boy both wielded Wood Release? Are you saying Hiruko colluded with Danzo? So dispatching Hiruko and the Hyuga boy to the front means preparing to deal with them..."
"No, no, Sensei—don't randomly guess!"
Minato couldn't help rolling his eyes. Jiraiya-sensei's speculation was absurdly off-base.
"It's not?"
"Definitely not!"
Minato didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Though Hiruko-senpai and Hyuga Clan Head's Wood Release origins haven't been one hundred percent verified, Missing-nin Anonymous likewise mastered Wood Release. This already provides substantial corroboration."
Hearing this, Jiraiya considered two seconds before guessing again. "Then why mention this Root organization member possessing Wood Release? Did Danzo secretly kidnap Tsunade's clansmen?"
This unreliable speculation truly left Minato feeling helpless. He didn't dare let Jiraiya-sensei continue wild guessing. In a deep voice: "Sensei, this Root organization member's Wood Release comes from the First Hokage. Shimura Danzo and someone else collaborated to desecrate the First Hokage's tomb, extracting cells from the First Hokage's remains. Afterward, they conducted human experimentation, transplanting these cells from the First Hokage's remains into a batch of children. Ultimately, they cultivated this sole survivor."
"What?"
Jiraiya's face showed shocked and furious expressions.
Whether desecrating the First Hokage's tomb or conducting human experimentation using children—for Jiraiya, both were unacceptable.
Jiraiya directly cursed. "That old bastard Danzo deserves being cut into a thousand pieces!"
Minato nodded in complete agreement. Previously, he'd gained some respect for this old senior because of Danzo's final actions. But after discovering what Danzo had done, all respect vanished—leaving only boundless fury and killing intent with nowhere to vent.
He only regretted being truly too busy, needing to handle too many matters. Without Danzo and Aburame Torune and other leading figures, Root organization became a headless snake. One order from him confined Root organization members to their base without venturing out. Therefore, he'd postponed absorbing Root, only recently finding time to handle and settle them.
The result—during Root absorption, discovering the boy codenamed "A" possessed Wood Release startled Minato. He'd also suspected whether Hiruko colluded with Danzo. But investigating disproved this unreliable suspicion while uncovering this entire string of major problems. Not only excavating the pile of shady deeds Danzo committed, but what angered and troubled him more—these shady deeds also implicated another formidable village figure.
Precisely because of this, he'd specifically requested Ritsu swap Jiraiya-sensei from the front. Handling that formidable figure required informing Jiraiya-sensei.
After cursing thoroughly, Jiraiya felt slightly relieved. He lifted his teacup, drinking tea to quench his thirst before immediately pursuing. "Right, Minato—you said Danzo collaborated with someone to desecrate the First Hokage's tomb? Have you investigated who this person is?"
Minato again fell silent like a mute.
Jiraiya frowned. "What? Haven't clarified it? Then going forward, Minato, you can arrange more people to investigate..."
Speaking halfway, his voice gradually lowered. He'd merely reacted half a beat slow—not genuinely too stupid to comprehend from Minato's unnatural silence that truth which panicked and frightened him.
"Mi-Minato, who? Who exactly?"
Jiraiya's hand gripping the teacup trembled slightly. Several names had already surfaced in his mind.
Watching the alarmed, extremely anxious Jiraiya, Minato gritted his teeth, steeling his heart. In a low voice: "It's Orochimaru."
Instantly—like five thunderbolts striking his head.
Stunning Jiraiya dizzy and disoriented, his soul separating from body. Both hands unconsciously clenched. The teacup in his right hand shattered with a crisp sound. Fingers and palm were cut without his awareness. Blood mixed with tea dripped down steadily. Both eyes stared straight ahead, sitting motionless on the sofa like a wooden figure.
Seeing Jiraiya injure himself without awareness, Minato immediately frowned. He picked up the recently installed desk microphone. "Kurenai, bring a first-aid kit inside."
Five seconds later, Yuhi Kurenai entered carrying a first-aid kit, walking quickly.
Minato also rose from behind his desk, coming before Jiraiya. In a loud voice: "Sensei, your hand is injured. Let Kurenai treat the wound first."
Jiraiya startled awake, noticing the tearing pain from his right hand. He glanced at his right hand, then silently opened his palm. Blood-stained teacup fragments fell to the floor. Yuhi Kurenai worked silently and efficiently, opening the first-aid kit to treat Jiraiya's hand wound.
Though not a professional medical ninja, she'd still received complete battlefield first-aid training. Treating Jiraiya's degree of injury posed no problems.
Just three minutes later, Yuhi Kurenai finished treating Jiraiya's right hand wound, quickly withdrawing with the first-aid kit. Very perceptively retreating hastily without speaking a single word throughout.
After Kurenai left, Jiraiya looked at Minato, hesitating to speak. A thousand words accumulated in his chest, yet at this moment he didn't know what to say.
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