[10 ch today for not uploading last few days, 5 tomorrow]
With the framework of the Five-Village Alliance settled, the atmosphere in the hall subtly shifted.
Politics were one thing.
Profit—and longevity—were another.
The discussion inevitably returned to the bounties.
"What about the three bodies?" Ōnoki asked first, unable to hide the urgency in his tone. Among those present, his desire for the Longevity Pill was the most naked.
At Tsunade's signal, Minato stepped forward. He unfurled a spatial scroll, and with a soft burst of chakra, three preserved remains appeared on the floor—Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and Utatane Koharu.
"The remains have been processed," Minato said evenly. "All residual memories and information have been erased. Konoha's request is simple: once the bounty is claimed, the bodies are to be returned and buried in Konoha's public cemetery."
Ōnoki floated closer, his gaze sharp and meticulous. After personally confirming the authenticity of each corpse, he finally nodded.
"Agreed."
Tsunade looked around at the barely concealed excitement in their eyes and spoke coldly, dousing the mood with reality.
"I suggest the Longevity Pills obtained from these bounties be publicly auctioned."
The room stiffened.
"You have already consumed pills in private," she continued. "If these are also kept secretly, do not underestimate the reaction of the Fire Daimyō. His lifespan has already been extended—he now knows exactly what these pills are worth."
Ōnoki's expression froze.
"If they're auctioned publicly," he snapped, "that just hands them to the nobles."
"If you have the courage to oppose them openly, then keep one for yourself," the Hidden Mist representative said dryly, seizing the chance to sneer.
Ōnoki fell silent.
He understood better than anyone what it meant to be placed on a bounty list by a Daimyō empowered by longevity and resources. These three pills were never meant for him.
"Then what about Danzo?" Ōnoki said at last, refusing to give up entirely. "That man is still walking around as a living Longevity Pill."
Tsunade nodded and tossed a thick stack of documents onto the table.
"Konoha has traced Root's historical movements. Danzo likely maintains hidden bases in four regions: the Land of Rice Fields, the Land of Iron, the Land of Hot Springs, and the Land of Grass."
She paused, her tone firm.
"There are also suspected locations within the Land of Fire, but we will not provide that information. Large-scale foreign searches there would destabilize the country. If Konoha captures Danzo, the bounty will still be handed over to the Four Great Villages."
"That's fair," the Hidden Mist representative said calmly. "Then we divide the search."
"Kumogakure will take the Land of Hot Springs," the Raikage declared immediately. "It's closest to us."
"Iwagakure will handle the Land of Iron," Ōnoki said. Neutral territory—ideal for hiding.
"Sunagakure will search the Land of Grass," Rasa followed. Chaos made for perfect cover.
"Hidden Mist will take the Land of Rice Fields," the final representative concluded. "Regardless of who succeeds, secrecy is mandatory. If the news leaks, none of us benefit."
Ōnoki grunted. "As long as whoever finds him first keeps him."
No one objected. They were all memorizing the other regions anyway.
"Next," Tsunade said, "the auction."
"I recommend holding it at the Sacrificial Shop," the Hidden Mist representative said. "That genjutsu expert is still at large. If the auction happens elsewhere and the pill is stolen by a controlled insider, no one here will be able to clear their name."
The mood instantly darkened.
"Was this Danzo?" the Raikage asked sharply.
"No," Tsunade replied after a brief pause. "Danzo may have transplanted a Sharingan, but if he possessed that level of control, the Third Hokage would have been his first target."
She continued, "The Uchiha have confirmed that none of their missing clan members fit. The most likely suspect is an unrecorded Uchiha who has lived outside the village system for years."
"And the Sacrificial Shop?" the Raikage pressed.
"Boss Li knows," Tsunade said quietly. "But he did not reveal it. Instead—he issued a bounty."
Every spine straightened.
She passed around a copied notice.
SS-Rank Mission
Objective: Eliminate a dangerous entity hidden within the Ninja World.
Crimes: Long-term genjutsu control of the Mizukage; covert domination of Hidden Mist governance; instigation of the Bloody Mist era.
Threat Assessment: Extreme. Possesses overwhelming combat power and a hidden organization of unknown scale. Team execution strongly recommended.
Reward: Seventh-grade pill — Blood Bone Spirit Reshaping Pill.
Effect: Using essence blood as the medium and the soul as the catalyst, reshapes skeletal structure and meridian pathways, achieving perfect fusion of body and spirit.
"Seventh grade…" Rasa murmured. "That's above the Third Hokage."
"That possibility exists," Tsunade said gravely. "According to Orochimaru, this pill is one of the core materials required for resurrection."
The room went silent.
Resurrection.
"Continue," Rasa said sharply.
Tsunade explained the remaining conditions for revival, then emphasized, "Without this pill, the fusion of soul and flesh cannot be completed."
A single thought echoed in every mind.
This was worth any risk.
"One more thing," Tsunade added. "Seventh-grade items are not sold to ordinary Kage-level Ninja. In the Sacrificial Shop, they are reserved for god-level existence."
The Hidden Mist representative stood abruptly.
"Could it be Madara?"
"No," Tsunade said immediately. "My grandfather killed him personally. My second grandfather later excavated the body. It was genuine."
Ōnoki exhaled slowly, then frowned.
"Then this person either leads a small hidden state—or has placed a Daimyō under genjutsu."
"Do you have suspects?" Hidden Mist asked.
"Too many," Tsunade admitted. "We cannot investigate every noble and minor village alone."
"Then we expose the truth," Hidden Mist said coldly. "Publicize the Mizukage's control and our suspicions. Any force that reacts weakly—or not at all—becomes our primary target."
A viciously efficient idea.
Everyone agreed immediately.
Seeing the momentum, Tsunade finally voiced Konoha's request.
"The Uzumaki Clan is an open wound. Now that the Third Hokage has paid the price, Konoha hopes to locate the scattered survivors. We ask for your cooperation."
Rasa answered without hesitation.
"The Uzumaki may return to the Land of Whirlpools. Sunagakure will escort them publicly, guarantee their safety, provide resettlement funds, and recognize the territory's permanent neutrality—so long as they do not interfere with our operations."
"Kumogakure agrees," the Raikage said at once.
"Iwagakure as well," Ōnoki chuckled. "Don't pretend we don't see what Konoha wants."
Hidden Mist remained silent. That was answer enough.
Tsunade clenched her jaw.
If the Uzumaki returned to Konoha, the balance of the Five Villages would shatter. None of them would allow it.
Let them wander.
Let them return home.
Let them disperse.
But Konoha?
Never.