Today the sun is shining brightly and the sky is cloudless, but as a sudden piece of news spreads, the villagers of Konoha feel as if a dark cloud is hanging over their heads.
The Fifth Hokage suddenly left Konoha to recuperate and relax due to personal health reasons, but he was attacked by mysterious individuals on his way out and has since disappeared!
Before the villagers of Konoha could recover from this shocking news, several elders jointly announced that the Third Hokage, despite his old age and injuries, had been appointed to the position of Hokage once again.
He could only put down the heavy burden on his shoulders when a suitable person was chosen to serve as Hokage again or when Tsunade was found!
The moment the news broke, Konoha fell silent. No one—whether villagers, common ninjas, or members of various ninja clans—opposed it, which greatly pleased the aged Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Konoha Main Gate
Hiruzen Sarutobi was seeing off Shizune Kato with a kind expression. After hearing that Lady Tsunade had gone missing, she couldn't help but insist on leaving the village to search for her. In the end, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no choice but to give Shizune a note of approval.
"Shizune, won't you reconsider? You handled documents exceptionally well in Konoha, and Konoha needs you."
You know Tsunade has probably relapsed into that old problem. The ninja world is so vast, how can you search for her alone? Why don't you stay here and continue with official duties? I'll send out a large number of ANBU to search for Tsunade; after all, she's my disciple.”
Shizune replied with a resolute expression, "Thank you for your kindness, Hokage-sama, but I've decided to go find Tsunade-sama."
I've been helping her all these years; if I weren't there, I'm really afraid Lady Tsunade wouldn't be able to take good care of herself.
After listening to Shizune's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a while, and finally sighed and agreed.
"Alright, then go and find Tsunade. I'll arrange for a team of ANBU to search with you; they'll be led by you."
This is both so we can look out for each other and to facilitate communication.
"Thank you, Third Hokage. I believe Lady Tsunade will be touched to know how much you have gone to such lengths."
Shizune was so excited that she knelt down on one knee to pay her respects.
She was deeply moved by Hiruzen Sarutobi's words. Deep down, she also thought that Lady Tsunade might have suffered a relapse of her hemophobia and had left Konoha.
Strictly speaking, this could be considered a betrayal. I never expected that the Third Hokage would not only not pursue the matter but also show such concern for Tsunade.
Because of her bowing, Shizune didn't notice that Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was rather strange, and there seemed to be a hint of embarrassment hidden in his kind and amiable smile.
Ten minutes later, Shizune led a team of ANBU ninjas away from Konoha and embarked on a journey to find Tsunade.
Behind them, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Shizune's departing figure with indifference, his eyes incredibly deep, as if harboring an endless storm.
Just as Shizune and the others disappeared, Danzo Shimura, his face gloomy, suddenly emerged from a dark corner next to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"The Root ninjas have already given chase. We'll be able to find her as soon as Shizune and Tsunade make contact."
Hiruzen Sarutobi held a pessimistic view of the matter.
"We must be very careful. It was Hyuga Kaze who rescued Tsunade, and he and Tsunade may have been in contact for a long time."
Not only is he incredibly powerful, but he also possesses the Flying Thunder God Technique, making it very difficult for the Root members to detect and transmit intelligence to him!
"Hmph, you evil Hyuga brat!"
Shimura Danzo cursed angrily and continued, "I don't think there's any connection between Tsunade and Hyuga Kaze, and this so-called rescue is very questionable."
According to you, Hyuga Kaze is stronger than you were at your peak, and he might even be the same person as the so-called Uchiha Tajima from back then!
With his strength, what else could he possibly gain from Tsunade?
Surely a powerful figure like him wouldn't be lusting after Tsunade's beauty!
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face flushed slightly. He was very familiar with Tsunade's appearance and figure. Hiruzen Sarutobi wondered if he were twenty or thirty years younger, he too would find it hard to resist Tsunade.
"No matter what, sending Shizune out and using her relationship with Tsunade to find Tsunade is always a viable option."
The Hyuga clan vanished without a trace after leaving Konoha, demonstrating how well they hid themselves. If we could find them using this opportunity, it would be a beneficial way for Konoha to eliminate a potential threat.
“Alright, I will send elite personnel from the Root to track Shizune and the others.”
This time, I will not instruct them to hold back and prioritize intelligence gathering.
If any signs are detected that Tsunade is returning to Konoha, my people will stop her with all their might.
Danzo Shimura's face was filled with anger and hatred when he mentioned Tsunade, as his Root organization had already suffered multiple losses and was short-handed.
Last night, Tsunade wreaked havoc at the Root base again, killing a large number of Root ninjas. In addition to those killed when Hyuga Kaze came to her rescue, a total of over a hundred Root members lost their lives!
Even with the significant increase in manpower at the grassroots level in recent years, we can't withstand such a drain on resources.
Thinking of this, Shimura Danzo looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with a gloomy expression and said, "Hiruzen, Root has suffered too many losses recently, and we must replenish our manpower."
With their current strength, Root will find it difficult to balance the tasks of Tsunade and external intelligence gathering.
Everything is for Konoha!
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared into the distance, his brows furrowed. After a long while, he slowly spoke, "Adding manpower is fine, but the scale cannot exceed the limit. Please prepare a list for me first."
Danzo narrowed his one eye. "Alright, I'll send someone to deliver it to you later."
However, there are still a few problems: the video recordings Tsunade has, Hyuga Kaze's strength, and his space-time ninjutsu.
These are all problems we must solve!
Hearing these questions, Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly. "Don't worry too much about Tsunade's recordings. My previous attacks were aimed at where she hid things; her ninja tool pouch and scrolls are almost completely destroyed. But as for Hyuga Kaze's strength..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was also very worried about these issues, after all, some humiliations were too much to bear even once!
After calming his thoughts, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "I will consider these things. The strength I displayed with the Edo Tensei body before was not enough; it was not even one-tenth of Master's full power."
We still need to continue researching to allow the two teachers to unleash their full potential, then Hinata Kaze will no longer be a threat.
This requires more experimental materials, and this task must be carried out covertly by the Roots—all for the sake of Konoha!
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to look at his old friend, his eyes filled with deep meaning and trust. He had witnessed the First Hokage's earth-shattering power when he was a child; if he could fully unleash their strength, what was that brat Hyuga Kaze?
What he didn't say was that he intended to use some of the experimental materials to cultivate other forbidden techniques. Hiruzen Sarutobi had been pondering the conjecture mentioned in Orochimaru's remaining materials quite a bit these past few days.
His body must be restored to its youthful state, otherwise he won't be able to unleash his full power. Furthermore, a ninjutsu to limit the Flying Thunder God Technique must be developed.
As Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered this, he suddenly felt a great sense of responsibility and a sense that time was of the essence.
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