svetikya Chapter 93: Using Kushina against Makoto Karatachi is like throwing good money after bad.
Chapter 93: Using Kushina against Makoto Karatachi is like throwing good money after bad.
Chapter 93: Using Kushina against Makoto Karatachi is like throwing good money after bad.
"In other words..."
"You've been using the Fuguki as a channel to secretly trade with the Kirigakure leadership and obtain intelligence. But this time, you've fallen into their trap, not only losing manpower but also allowing Makoto Karatachi to obtain evidence sufficient to indict you, potentially putting Fugaku in danger as a result?"
"I truly know nothing about the matter of Fugaku!"
Looking at Jiraiya's summary, Danzo frowned slightly and emphasized it again.
"My men were only responsible for hunting down Makoto Karatachi. I have no idea why Fugaku was there or what happened to him!"
"But you and he are in the same area!"
Hyuga Shinobu growled, "Grandma Uchiha's ninja cat can't be wrong! Even if you didn't kill Fugaku, his disappearance is definitely related to your reckless actions this time!"
"If you hadn't sent people to that godforsaken place, how could Fugaku have ended up like this—!"
He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood what he meant.
Fugaku Uchiha, the head of the Uchiha clan and a key pillar of Konoha's eastern front, may very well meet his demise because of Danzo's gullible trust in the intelligence of an internal traitor.
No matter what, Danzo is determined to shoulder this responsibility.
Jiraiya closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and forcibly suppressed the surging anger and helplessness in his chest.
When he opened his eyes, his gaze had regained its clarity and decisiveness.
"Aburame Ryoma".
"exist."
"Immediately move Elder Danzo to a safe rear area and isolate him temporarily. Without the joint permission of myself and the Hokage, he is not allowed to have any form of contact with the outside world, including internal communications within 'Root'."
"Simultaneously, take full control of all personnel and operational authority within the Root organization on the eastern front, and conduct an internal review. All communication channels, personnel, and records related to the Fugu Demon are sealed off pending further investigation."
"Yes."
Ryoma Aburame paused, then walked to Danzo's side and lowered his eyes: "Lord Danzo, please."
Danzo did not resist, nor did he offer any further explanation.
He simply gave Jiraiya a deep look, his gaze complex and unfathomable.
Then, leaning on his cane, he turned around and, escorted by Aburame Ryoma, slowly walked out of the command post.
His back view appeared somewhat hunched.
Silence fell again in the tent.
It was oppressive, heavy, and carried a sense of absurdity.
The Hidden Leaf Village's ninja had been making deals with the enemy's high-ranking officials, only to be outmaneuvered and suffer a double loss.
If this gets out, it will be a huge joke and an insult to all the ninjas fighting on the front lines!
"Lord Jiraiya."
One of the Jonin hesitated before speaking, "So, what do we do next—"
Jiraiya waved his hand, interrupting him.
He walked to the sand table, looking at the jagged battle lines on it, his gaze sharp as a knife.
"Now is not the time to assign blame. There are three urgent matters to attend to."
"First: Immediately! Search for Uchiha Fugaku at all costs! Find him alive or dead! Mobilize all available sensory ninjas—Hyuga, Aburame, Inukai—and all reconnaissance ninjas to expand the search area!"
Second: Frontline defenses must not be disorganized!
"Notify all unit commanders to maintain maximum alert and prevent the Mist Village from launching a large-scale offensive. Contract out any overly exposed defensive lines, strengthen core positions, and do everything possible to calm public sentiment and curb rumors!"
"third----"
Jiraiya's gaze turned extremely cold.
"Regarding Suigetsu Hozuki, and the possible follow-up actions of Kirigakure."
"The fact that Fuguki dared to scheme against Danzo and our Konoha must mean he had the tacit approval, or even cooperation, of the Kirigakure higher-ups!"
"Makoto Karatachi has obtained the evidence. Kirigakure will never let this opportunity to demoralize us and sow discord among us go. They will definitely try to use this to gain greater battlefield advantages."
"We must prepare in advance!"
He looked at everyone in the command post, his voice resolute.
"Prepare two reports with the highest level of encryption immediately."
"A document detailing the entire process of Danzo's deal with the pufferfish demon, and its connection to the failed operation and Fugaku's disappearance. I present this document directly to the Hokage in my name, requesting the highest decision."
"Another one————"
A cold glint flashed in Jiraiya's eyes: "Send the message to the other side."
"Tell them that the reason the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist's plan failed was because Konoha received advance information from Suigetsu Hozuki and took countermeasures, setting up an ambush!"
"what?"
One of the Jonin was a little confused: "Will this work?"
"The reason Makoto Karatachi said those things was to sow doubt among us, shake our morale, and undermine our will to resist from within. If he succeeds, we might fall into chaos even before Kirigakure launches an attack."
Jiraiya said in a deep voice, "We must take the initiative. In any case, this news is beneficial to us at this stage!"
Fuguki, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, is ostensibly one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, but in reality, he has long secretly defected to Konoha. Through his long-term infiltration within Kirigakure, he has provided Konoha with a large amount of crucial intelligence, making him an extremely important pawn for Konoha within Kirigakure!
As long as this news gets out, no matter how Kirigakure deals with the pufferfish demon, it will be beneficial to Konoha!
It's just using your mouth as a knife.
We in Konoha will too!
Using the Reverse Summoning Technique, Jiraiya immediately sent the intelligence from the front lines back to the village and placed it on the Hokage's desk.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, in the prime of his life, was smoking a pipe, staring intently at the intelligence report in his hand, without uttering a word.
"What happened, Hiruzen?"
"We just got back from Sunagakure and they called us over. We're not young anymore, we need to rest."
Two figures pushed open the door and entered.
One was a middle-aged woman with her hair up in a bun and a very serious expression. The other wore glasses, had a spiky hairstyle, and a white scarf around her neck.
The two were core advisors to the Konoha Elder Council and former teammates of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Koharu and Mitokado Homura!
They had just finished coordinating the battle with Sunagakure and rushed back to the village when they were urgently summoned by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Upon seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's solemn expression and the scroll on the table radiating a unique chakra fluctuation—a scroll with the highest level of encryption from the frontline command—the two immediately abandoned their complaining expressions and became serious.
To elicit that expression from Hiruzen, they even had to use emergency communication channels.
Something terrible has probably happened at the front!
"Please sit down."
Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed to the chair in front of his desk, his voice a little hoarse.
He picked up the roll, but instead of immediately handing it to the two advisors, he took a deep drag on his pipe and slowly exhaled thick smoke, as if trying to calm himself.
"Something has changed at the front—"
"This is an urgent battle report that Jiraiya just sent back via reverse channeling. The situation is very serious."
He pushed the reel to the two of them.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged a glance. Homura Mitokado was the first to pick up the scroll, inject chakra, and break the seal.
As they read, their expressions visibly darkened.
For a moment, only the faint sound of the scroll being slowly unrolled and the slight crackling of tobacco burning in Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe could be heard inside the tent.
a long time.
Mitokado Yan took off his glasses, unsure of what to say for a moment.
He knew his old friend had been tinkering with things, but he never expected that Danzo would still be doing this under these circumstances, during this time of war!
"He's playing with fire!"
Koharu Utatane's voice was filled with suppressed anger: "To obtain information, he actually promised to support the power demands of a high-ranking Kirigakure official in the future. Did he even consider the devastating damage this would do to Konoha's reputation if it were exposed?!"
"Hasn't it already been exposed?"
Mitomon Homura gave a bitter smile and pointed to the part behind the scroll: "We were outmaneuvered by the enemy, and not only did we lose an elite Root squad, but more importantly—Fugaku."
When Fugaku Uchiha was mentioned, both of their expressions turned quite grim.
The head of the Uchiha clan, a key pillar of the eastern front, has disappeared without a trace, and it is highly likely that he has met with some misfortune.
This is not just as simple as losing a powerful figure.
How will the Uchiha clan react?
Fugaku is a competent clan leader, at least in the eyes of the Konoha leadership.
He is resilient, easy to talk to, and most importantly, knows how to control himself!
Under the suppression of two consecutive Hokage, the Uchiha clan had long been on the verge of exploding. For example, as early as the Second Hokage's time, there was a radical faction like Uchiha Setsuna who attempted a coup.
It was Fugaku's rise to power, Fugaku's balancing act, and Fugaku's self-restraint that ultimately led the Uchiha clan to its current state, achieving a balance between the Uchiha and Konoha.
But now, Fugaku is gone!
The Uchiha clan, having lost its leader, will find their already precarious position in Konoha even more unpredictable.
No one knows what the future clan leader will be like, or what the future Uchiha clan will be like!
"Jiraiya's judgment was correct."
Mitokado Homura put his glasses back on, his tone grave: "Karagi Makoto deliberately said those things to undermine us from within. If this isn't handled properly, the morale of the frontline troops will collapse, and the Uchiha clan will become alienated from the village; the consequences will be unimaginable."
Goji citrus sincerity —
"This guy is too dangerous."
Upon hearing Yan mention Makoto Goji, Koharu Utatane's eyes immediately sharpened.
Shinnosuke died at his hands, and now Fugaku has appeared!
"The tangerine peel must be eliminated."
"This kid's threat has gone beyond the norm. He can replicate bloodlines, is cunning, and ruthless. Even Danzo has fallen into his hands, and Fugaku too—if he's given more time to grow, he will undoubtedly become a major threat to Konoha in the future, and might even overturn the entire war!"
"That's true, but getting rid of him is easier said than done."
Mitokado Homura sighed, "You and I both know how powerful the Mangekyou Sharingan is. Even if his God Hand can only last for ten minutes, that's still ten minutes of Mangekyou Sharingan. Most importantly, he has two pairs of Mangekyou Sharingan!"
"One of the Mangekyou Sharingan's abilities is a space-time technique."
"In other words, he can use the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan for twenty minutes, and he can also use space-time techniques and Susanoo, plus an unknown third bloodline limit—"
"Where did this guy find this kaleidoscope from?!"
The two advisors chatted intermittently.
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent, smoking his pipe. Amidst the swirling smoke, his eyes were deep and weary.
Shinnosuke's death, Fugaku's disappearance, Danzo's sordid deeds —
These are all related to Goji Berry!
Should we target the goji berry?
That's for sure.
This guy's momentum is too exaggerated. Once he is fully grown, just as Xiaochun said, he will definitely become a major threat.
But there are just too many things to do right now.
One thing after another weighed heavily on the shoulders of the Hokage, who seemed to be in his prime but was already feeling his strength waning.
"The most urgent task is to stabilize the eastern front and prevent a rout."
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly spoke: "Jiraiya's response was timely. By proactively releasing the information that Fuguki was a hidden agent of Konoha, regardless of whether Kirigakure believes it or not, it can at least disrupt the enemy to some extent and buy us time to adjust."
"
"But that's not enough."
Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe lightly on the edge of the ashtray, his gaze sweeping over his two old friends.
"With Kirigakure's successive victories, their morale is high. Yagura and that Makoto Karatachi will definitely not let go of the opportunity to expand their gains. The pressure on the front lines will only increase."
"We must provide Jiraiya with more direct support, inject a strong boost into the eastern front, stabilize the situation, and even—reverse the decline."
Mitokado Homura frowned slightly: "Hiruzen, you mean—"
"Mobilize fresh troops."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "From the northwest defense line that is confronting Sunagakure, at least two battalions of elite troops will be dispatched to reinforce the east at full speed."
"The northwest defense line?"
Xiaochun immediately objected to the idea of switching dorm rooms.
"No! Although Sunagakure has just suffered a defeat, Chiyo and Rasa are not to be underestimated. If we withdraw a large number of troops, Sunagakure might seize the opportunity to launch a counterattack! At that time, everything we have on the Sunagakure battlefield could be reduced to ashes!"
"Sunagakure suffered a recent defeat and heavy losses, so they should be unable to launch a large-scale offensive in the short term."
Hiruzen Sarutobi calmly analyzed: "Moreover, with Orochimaru stationed at the Sand Village defense line, combined with the existing defensive forces, it is enough to stabilize the situation."
When Orochimaru was mentioned, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado's expressions softened slightly.
Since Sunagakure declared war on Konoha, Orochimaru has been stationed on the Sunagakure battlefield, acting as a pillar of strength to stabilize the situation. With him there, Sunagakure is indeed not in chaos.
It's better to be safe than sorry.
Moreover, judging from the intelligence sent by Jiraiya, the strength of two battalions is probably a drop in the ocean for the Eastern Front.
Mitokado Yan finally shook his head.
"The Mist Village is currently riding high, and with a monster like Makoto Karatachi stirring up trouble in the rear, conventional troop reinforcements may not be able to change the fundamental situation."
"Then, let's add this one."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice suddenly turned low as he took out a sealed special list from the bottom drawer of his desk.
On the list, a red-haired woman wore a bright smile.
Upon seeing this, Koharu Utatane and En Mitokado's pupils contracted simultaneously!
"Nonsense!"
"No, Hiruzen! Absolutely not!"
Koharu Utatane suddenly stood up, her voice shrill: "Hiruzen, are you insane?! You're actually planning to send Kushina to the battlefield?! Do you know what that means?!"
"If the Jinchuriki loses control or is killed by Kirigakure prisoners, and the Nine-Tails goes berserk, not only will the front lines collapse instantly, but the entire Land of Fire could be devastated! We cannot afford this risk!"
"good!"
Mitokado Homura shook his head repeatedly, his tone resolute: "The Jinchuriki is indeed the village's ultimate weapon, but it is also its greatest weakness. Even though Kushina can mobilize the Nine-Tails' chakra to a great extent, the risks involved are still too great."
"And Hiruzen, don't forget the Mangekyou Sharingan that Makoto Karatachi copied!"
When this topic was mentioned, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes visibly flickered.
They all knew that the Mangekyou Sharingan could control tailed beasts.
Because Madara Uchiha used his Mangekyou Sharingan to control the Nine-Tails and fought the First Hokage at the Valley of the End.
Although Makoto Goji's eyes are replicas, there are still risks involved.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, slowly placed Kushina's file back on the table, picked up his pipe again, but did not light it, only unconsciously stroking the warm surface of the pipe with his fingers.
"Xiaochun, Yan, I understand the risks you're talking about."
"But with the war having progressed this far, we don't have many other options left."
"If the eastern front collapses, the Hidden Mist army will advance unimpeded, and the heartland of the Land of Fire will be directly exposed to the enemy. At that time, the loss will not be just a few strongholds or troops, but the safety of the entire country and the lives of countless civilians."
"Orochimaru is in charge of the Northwest Sand Village front, Torifu is in charge of the Iwa Village front, and there's also Minato. The Kumogakure front is currently at a stalemate. Only in the East, Jiraiya is struggling alone, Fugaku is missing, and Danzo has suffered a setback—we don't have any more top-tier fighters to fill that gap."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two advisors.
"The presence of Makoto Karatachi has elevated the tactical flexibility and destructive power of Kirigakure to a new level. Conventional reinforcements and defenses have limited effectiveness against his unpredictable harassment and devastating attacks."
"We need a top-tier combat force that can suppress Yagura on the main battlefield, or that can at least match Makoto Karatachi in terms of mobility and adaptability."
"And looking at the entire Hidden Leaf Village, currently only Kushina meets this condition and can be mobilized immediately—"
'
"Water gate, please!"
Mitokado Homura suddenly spoke, interrupting Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with a serious expression and said earnestly, "Minato is truly capable. His mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique is already unparalleled. Using him to suppress Makoto Karatachi is the best choice!"
"Moreover, he and Jiraiya were master and disciple, and the two of them working together would definitely have an effect greater than the sum of their parts."
"And, if, I mean if, Hiruzen."
"If you really want to send Kushina to the battlefield, I'd rather you send her to the Iwagakure battlefield."
"There's a Kaleidoscope on the Hidden Mist Battlefield. We both know what that means. Even if it's just a replica, even if there's only a one in a thousand chance of danger, we can't take that risk."
"The Nine-Tails—it absolutely cannot be lost!"
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