Natsuki and his companions didn’t wait long.
In less than half an hour, Tsunade and Orochimaru returned to the cabin with an unconscious middle-aged man.
"What’s the situation?"
Nawaki asked impatiently.
"He’s a spy ninja planted in the Land of Whirlpools by Kirigakure. To avoid detection, he boarded a rchant ship to return to the Land of Water."
Tsunade paused. "As for what intel he obtained, we’ll have to let the Yamanaka clan handle it."
"He’s a Jonin."
Natsuki interjected. "Given his strength, the intel he obtained is definitely significant."
"That’s what we thought too."
Orochimaru agreed.
"Without further delay, let’s leave imdiately."
Tsunade said.
Natsuki and his companions naturally had no objections.
After bidding farewell to Ryoichi, the group took Junpei and returned to Konoha.
In the Hokage’s office.
After hearing Orochimaru and Tsunade’s report, Sarutobi Hiruzen hurriedly summoned the Konoha Torture and Interrogation Force.
The Torture and Interrogation Force was an organization run by the Yamanaka clan, specializing in extracting intel from enemy ninjas’ minds.
Worth noting—they could obtain intel even from the dead.
In the ninja world, corpses could speak.
Due to their special status, Natsuki and the others weren’t dismissed. They stayed behind.
Especially Kushina. She wouldn’t have peace of mind without knowing what intel Junpei had obtained.
Ti passed slowly.
After the Torture and Interrogation Force’s efforts, they finally extracted the intel from Junpei’s mind.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took the scroll and read it.
Soon, his expression beca extrely grave.
"What’s the intel?"
Seeing this, Tsunade couldn’t help but ask.
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn’t answer directly. He waved his hand.
The Torture and Interrogation Force ninjas understood, bowed slightly, and departed.
"The intel Junpei transmitted back to Kirigakure is the topographical map and defense layout of the Land of Whirlpools."
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke gravely.
"So Kirigakure really intends to move against the Uzumaki clan."
Seeing her guess confird, Tsunade’s heart jolted.
"Not just Kirigakure—Kumogakure as well."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said slowly. "This ti, both villages are cooperating against the Uzumaki clan."
Kushina let out a gasp.
Although she didn’t know much about Kirigakure and Kumogakure, she knew they were both among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
Their strength far exceeded that of the Land of Whirlpools and the Uzumaki clan.
"Why is Kumogakure involved too?"
Astonishnt appeared on Tsunade’s face.
Orochimaru also looked surprised.
Natsuki was sowhat surprised—but not much.
For the Uzumaki clan to be as renowned as the Senju and Uchiha, their strength was naturally formidable.
It would be difficult for Kirigakure alone to silently wipe them out overnight.
But with Kumogakure’s addition, it could be done.
"For their sealing jutsu. Only the Uzumaki clan’s techniques can perfectly seal a Tailed Beast."
Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped his pipe. "And you know Kumogakure’s style."
Kumogakure had always been overbearing—frequently plundering secret techniques from smaller villages and clans.
But because they didn’t target the other four major villages, the rest turned a blind eye.
"They didn’t dare act against the Uzumaki clan before because of Konoha. But now a great opportunity has presented itself."
Orochimaru said calmly. "Our attention is currently focused on the Land of Rain battlefield."
"By the ti sothing happens to the Uzumaki clan, Konoha won’t be able to retaliate. We can’t possibly open a second front."
Tsunade snorted coldly. "They are truly shaless!"
"Struggles between ninjas cannot be called shaless."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head. "Fortunately, you were lucky this ti and accidentally discovered their plan."
"Teacher, what do you intend to do?"
Tsunade took a deep breath.
"We must rescue them!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen said without hesitation.
If they didn’t, they would offend Uzumaki Mito, Uzumaki Kushina, and Tsunade.
The first two were Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. The latter belonged to the Senju clan, which founded Konoha.
Offending all of them would bring Konoha to the brink of collapse.
After all, not rescuing them after obtaining intel and not rescuing them without intel were completely different situations.
"But how to rescue them requires discussion."
Sarutobi Hiruzen added.
"I will lead a team!"
Tsunade said imdiately.
"I agree."
Orochimaru nodded. "To avoid alerting the enemy, Kumogakure and Kirigakure won’t send too many ninjas."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded slightly—but as Hokage, he considered more factors.
For example, obtaining certain rewards from this rescue operation.
"Repelling them once isn’t hard. What’s hard is permanently resolving this matter."
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke seriously.
Tsunade and Orochimaru showed thoughtful expressions.
This was indeed a problem requiring consideration.
How could one guard against thieves for a thousand days?
"If the Uzumaki clan could relocate to Konoha, this problem would be solved."
Sarutobi Hiruzen stated his goal.
"That’s impossible."
Tsunade said without thinking.
The Uzumaki clan held supre status in the Land of Whirlpools. How could they run to Konoha and live under soone else’s roof?
Sarutobi Hiruzen also knew it was impossible—so he proposed a second plan.
Under the guise of exchange and learning, have the younger generation of the Uzumaki clan temporarily reside in Konoha.
In case sothing happened to the clan, they could preserve so of their vital forces.
And Konoha could help fortify the Uzumaki clan’s defenses.
If Kumogakure and Kirigakure attacked again, they could hold out longer—allowing Konoha to rescue them in ti.
"After defeating Kumogakure and Kirigakure, you will present this plan to the Uzumaki clan."
Sarutobi Hiruzen concluded.
"Yes, Teacher."
Tsunade considered and agreed.
She couldn’t think of a better plan for now. She could only leave the choice to the Uzumaki clan.
What an old fox.
Natsuki thought to himself.
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s goals were obvious.
First, he wanted sealing jutsu and Jinchuriki.
Second, he could use the relocated Uzumaki mbers as leverage to partially control the clan.
But this was... an open sche.
The Uzumaki clan couldn’t handle Kumogakure and Kirigakure alone.
They could only rely on Konoha.
Besides, although they were allies, Konoha couldn’t help them for free.
Resisting two of the Five Great Villages would put imnse pressure on Konoha. One wrong move, and they would be besieged on all sides.
Precisely because of this, Tsunade guessed Sarutobi Hiruzen’s goal—but didn’t refuse.
"Teacher. Teacher Tsunade."
After leaving the Hokage’s office, Natsuki asked. "Can I go?"
"I want to go too!"
Nawaki said imdiately.
" too!"
Kushina refused to be left behind.
"Why are you all joining in?"
Tsunade’s face darkened. She glared. "All of you—go to school properly!"
"Teacher Tsunade."
Natsuki argued. "My current strength is comparable to a Tokubetsu Jonin. I won’t hold you back."
He wanted to go for two reasons.
First, to unlock his character templates.
Second, this situation seed dangerous—but actually wasn’t that dangerous.
Konoha already had the upper hand. Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru were leading the team.
If he encountered danger, they would definitely save him.
Moreover, he now possessed life-saving abilities like Shadow Assassin and the Logia-Type Plu-Plu Fruit.
"I’m going to broaden my horizons."
Natsuki added. "If it’s really dangerous, I’ll stay in the back and heal people."
"Just let him go."
Orochimaru spoke up.
"What about ?"
Nawaki asked, unwilling to accept this.
"Do you have Natsuki’s strength?"
Tsunade asked bluntly.
"I..."
Nawaki opened his mouth—but ultimately had nothing to say.
Seeing this, Kushina also fell silent.
With her strength, she genuinely couldn’t help.
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