This time, escorting Arata Itsuki back to Konoha, Hatake Sakumo personally took the risk of ambush to bring him home.
Arata's injuries were far too severe to delay treatment.
If he didn't receive immediate medical care, even if he survived, permanent damage was likely—
and for a taijutsu-focused shinobi like Arata, that would cripple his combat ability.
In contrast, the security of the border was now a lesser concern.
After all, Arata had killed Sunagakure's squad leader, Zōshirō.
Even if the Suna higher-ups were outraged, none of them had the nerve to launch an immediate retaliatory strike.
Not even that troublesome old hag Chiyo could ignore the elders and attack Konoha on a whim.
Still, Suna's invasion of Konoha was only a matter of time.
Which meant that once Sakumo delivered Arata safely, he had to rush back to the front line.
This battle—Arata killing Zōshirō—
might very well become the spark that ignited war between Konoha and Sunagakure.
At the moment, Sakumo wasn't sure whether to thank Arata for eliminating a major threat…
or curse him for stirring up a hornet's nest.
Even while carrying Arata, Sakumo was incredibly fast.
Within a few short hours, the gates of Konoha were already in sight.
And long before they arrived, news of their return had been sent back by messenger hawk.
Inside the Hokage's office, Shimura Danzō and Sarutobi Hiruzen were locked in a heated argument.
"Stop hesitating. Now is the perfect chance—kill Arata immediately!"
Danzō slammed the table, his voice sharp with urgency.
But Hiruzen looked conflicted.
He wasn't unwilling to kill Arata—
he was calculating whether doing so right now would spark outrage.
Arata's performance had been too shocking.
This was Zōshirō—
a man who could fight even the long-famous Hiruzen without revealing a single weakness.
And Arata had killed him.
If word spread, the entire village would hail Arata as a hero.
Even Sakumo—Konoha's White Fang, the village's third strongest—
had never managed to kill Zōshirō.
Yet Arata had accomplished what Sakumo couldn't.
And Sakumo now held high rank, serving as both border squad captain and deputy commander of the ANBU.
In a village where status meant everything, that put him only below the Hokage.
Now a mere special jōnin had achieved what the White Fang could not.
If Hiruzen didn't give Arata a suitable reward, he would have trouble appeasing the village's expectations.
Hiruzen exhaled heavily.
"Of course I know this is the best opportunity. But we cannot incur the people's wrath."
"People's wrath!?"
Danzō snarled, slamming the table again.
"How long do you plan on hesitating!? Miss this chance, and who knows if we'll ever be able to kill that boy again!"
Danzō was already doubting their previous plan—
leaking Arata's supposed Lightning Armor abilities to Kumogakure and letting the Kumo assassinate him.
After all, Arata had killed a Kage-level opponent.
Danzō had lived for decades and barely reached Kage level himself.
A monster like Arata, now unconscious and defenseless, could be killed by a child with a kunai.
What was there left to hesitate about?
But Hiruzen, still calm, cut in coldly.
"Don't forget—Konoha is not yet under our complete control."
These words finally sobered Danzō.
Though he and Hiruzen held most of Konoha's power,
the village still contained many powerful clans.
Konoha had only existed for a little over twenty years—
the clans had not fully submitted.
The Hyūga and Uchiha clans alone were enough to make the two feel constantly on edge.
If they moved against Arata too openly,
the clans would sense something was wrong.
And once they realized Hiruzen and Danzō were monopolizing authority—
they might unite against them.
Hiruzen continued when he saw Danzō quiet down.
"Besides… Arata is already in Tsunade's hands. Do you have the ability to kill him right in front of her?"
Danzō's expression froze.
Tsunade—only 18, yet already an elite jōnin.
With her Senju bloodline, her raw combat power could rival a Kage.
Unless Danzō personally stepped in, none of his subordinates could kill Arata.
And while Danzō excelled at working from the shadows,
he had absolutely no confidence fighting Tsunade head-on.
He had no choice but to drop the matter—for now.
Hiruzen sighed.
"Go for now. I need to think of a proper reward for Arata."
The thought of rewarding someone who might become a future threat
made Hiruzen's head throb.
He had no more patience for Danzō's pestering.
Seeing this, Danzō wisely left.
He had no interest in discussions like these.
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