Chapter 221: 217: Konoha’s Decision

Chapter 221: 217: Konoha's Decision

Mid-October.

During this season, a refreshing coolness lingered in the air.

Three days ago, the Nine Tails had wreaked havoc in Konoha, inflicting countless pains upon the village. Followed by a fierce battle, the village successfully subdued the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox but paid an exceptionally heavy price for it.

Three nights ago, Konoha witnessed the deaths of over a thousand ninjas in the late-night battle. The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, and his wife had sacrificed themselves to quell the rampage of the Nine Tails. This heart-wrenching reality left many in the village in disbelief. However, after Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi personally confirmed the matter, everyone had to accept this cruel fact.

Early morning in Konoha was enveloped in a solemn and mournful atmosphere. Villagers donned black mourning attire, silently joining the procession toward the ninja cemetery with grief. Expressions of silence or complexity were evident on their faces. The casualties extended beyond the Fourth Hokage and his wife, with many the pillar of several families falling inthe battle.

Adequate compensation for these families was was naturally implemented, ensuring the heroes' lives weren't sacrificed in vain. Yet, the primary focus was on mourning the ninjas lost in the Nine-Tails War, conducting a funeral, and bidding farewell to the heroes who fell in the battle against the Nine Tails.

"The village finally regained peace through the efforts of the Fourth Hokage. But i didn't expect such result... Sigh..."

These words, uttered by an unknown person, spread quickly among the crowd, deepening the sorrow among them.

Three days ago, during the battle with thr Nine Tails', the situation was extremely dangerous. Despite the joint efforts of the ninjas suppressing the Nine Tails temporarily, they could barely hatm the beast. It was a genuine natural disaster. If the Fourth Hokage with his wife hadn't sealed the Nine Tails with their lives on time, the village would have suffered more loss than the casualty of a thousand ninjas.

At the forefront of the procession were the Third Hokage Hiruzen and other high-ranking officials, including the semi-banned Root leader Danzo. Unlike others, Danzo maintained an expressionless face, fixating on the name on the memorial monument—Namikaze Minato—with indifferent eyes, leaving observers to ponder about his thoughts.

Koharu whispered, "Let's go back, Hiruzen. We have more important matters to attend to."

Taking their time out for the mourning was already generous. It wasn't a matter of neglecting Fourth Hokage Minato's contributions but recognizing that the dead were gone, and Konoha urgently needed to elect a new leader.

Due to the Fourth Hokage's sacrifice, the news couldn't be concealed from the rest of the village. Regardless of the attempts to keep it secret, the other Kagesfrom thr rest of the ninja villages would undoubtedly learn that the Fourth Hokage had sacrificed himself to seal the Nine Tails.

While Sunagakure and Iwagakure having suffered significant losses in the previous war, so they weren't a concern for the time being. However Kumogakure remained a potential threat, they were still staring at Konoha. And Kirigakure, with their numbers intact since they hadn't joined the war. Konoha needed to take action as soon as possible in deploying defenses at the border to fend off potential attacks on the Land Of Fire from Kumogakure and Kirigakure.

Although Konoha and Kirigakure had limited communications in the past, and Kiro had never openly expressed hostility, the Fourth Hokage's sacrifice would likely make Kirigakure more cautious.

Hiruzen sighed lightly, closed his eyes, and nodded..Indeed, now wasn't the time for mourning the dead.

Despite the regret, Minato and Kushina's sacrifice was an undeniable fact, and nothing will be changed with regret. As the Third Hokage, he faced more pressing matters. Overcoming the upcoming challenges and Protecting Konoha and the Land Of Fire from attacks by other villages. Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

...

The mourning ceremony continued, and the procession honoring the heroes who sacrificed themselves for the Battle of the Nine Tails remained large not decreasing.

Kakashi chose not to join the procession; for him, being there would only intensify his sadness. He sat alone atop a water tower at the Hospital, silently gazing at the white clouds in the sky, lost in thought.

Not long after, distinct footsteps approached from behind, signaling someone was approaching him.

Kakashi, interrupted from his thoughts, squinted as he observed an adult woman in a white coat approaching him leisurely. Black-framed glasses adorned her chest, and her eyes consistently radiated intelligence and wisdom. However, her appearance was relatively ordinary, lacking any particularly outstanding. Masumi Asami, the director of Konoha Hospital's Pharmacy Department, was a well-known figure in the village.

The Nine Tails had caused turmoil in Konoha, leading to the sacrifice of the Fourth Hokage and his wife. Asami played a crucial role in the incident by being the first to relay information about Kushina's childbirth, triggering the Nine-Tails Rampage and indirectly causing a series of tragedies.

"It seems you're in a bad mood. Are you still grieving for the Fourth?" Asami, now beside Kakashi, spoke with a gentle voice.

"What are you doing here?"

As one of Shiraishi's special spies hidden in Konoha, Asami's actions and the information she might have transmitted to the Land of Demons remained unknown.

"I came out for some fresh air. I don't enjoy crowded places, and funerals are not to my liking either. Any funeral, to a doctor, signifies a life leaving from the world."

"That doesn't sound like something someone like you should say." Kakashi adjusted his mask.

Asami smiled faintly, "I'm doing what I can. But it's true, I hate death, whether it's my own or others'. It's the professional ethics of a medical ninja."

"Really? I thought you were laughing."

"How could that be? After all, this is the village where I grew up. I'm somewhat sentimental. However, I'm sorry about the Fourth." Asami locked eyes with Kakashi, her smile fading as she sincerely apologized.

"No, I should be the one apologizing. I knew everything but chose to turn a blind eye to Minato-sensei and watched them die before my eyes. We're all the same." Kakashi stood up from the edge of the tower, jumped down, and left through the downstairs corridor. Asami watched him go, hands in her white coat's pockets, her shoulder-length black hair fluttering in the wind.

"However, it cannot be conclusively said that the Uchiha were responsible. In the previous war, they have made significant contributions as well."

"The reason they are under suspicion is that they have been attempting to secure the position of the Hokage. Their intentions are so bad, and they cannot be trusted. Moreover, when it comes to controlling the Nine Tails, Uchiha Ruri already did it a few years ago."

Associating the Mangekyou Sharingan with the name 'Chiba Shiraishi.' Danzo had to consider such a possibility. It made sense given Uchiha Ruri's strength and qualifications. Otherwise, why would the Fourth Hokage connect the name Mangekyou Sharingan with 'Chiba Shiraishi' as a warning?

This, in itself, was already an explicit statement. The masterminds behind the Nine Tails attack on Konoha were none other than Konoha's S-rank rogue ninjas: Chiba Shiraishi, Uchiha Ruri, and Hyuga Ayane.

Danzo's words were irrefutable, because no matter how they thought about it with the hints left behind by the Fourth Hokage such speculation was appropriate, there were no logical loopholes in the hints left.

"Danzo's words are not unreasonable. Within the Uchiha clan, there might be spies they left behind by them, monitoring every move of the village and providing information to them. Furthermore, any ninja associated with their group must undergo thorough investigation." Koharu also felt they needed to proceed with caution.

Homura frowned and said, "Ehm.. if that's the case, Kakashi appears to be the most suspicious. His father was once their leader, and before they defected, Kakashi was close to them."

Hearing Homura's words, Danzo couldn't help but tense up.

"Impossible. Before that, Kakashi served with the Anbu and had no opportunity to leak any information. He's an outstanding Jonin who has inherited the will of fire. He cannot be a spy." Hiruzen spoke up.

"He could..."

"It isreally not convincing." Danzo snorted coldly, "If Kakashi was a spy deliberately planted in the village, why would he risk his life to save Jiraiya, who was severely injured by that bounty hunters a year ago? Wouldn't it be more advantageous for those three to let Jiraiya die at the hands of the hunters?"

Homura reluctantly gave in. After Danzo's reminder, he realized he might have been overthinking. While Kakashi seemed suspicious, he risked his life to save one of the Sannin. As one of Konoha's elite combat force, Jiraiya's importance was undeniable.

Kakashi's willingness to risk his own life and loyalty to his comrades, and not giving up belief on his companions was enough to prove that he has inherited the will of his father.He was undoubtedly an exceptional ninja, and not a traitor.

Hiruzen nodded in agreement, sharing the same perspective as Danzo. Kakashi, achieving such a level, couldn't be a spy planted by the enemy within Konoha. It was just that Danzo's defense of Kakashi, however, surprised him. Nevertheless, he harbored no doubts. Despite Danzo's often radical ideas, he was unequivocal about matters of right and wrong.

"Asides from someone like Kakashi, I believe the risk of problems lies more with the hospitals and the academy. Chiba Shiraishi has worked in both the academy and hospital, making it easier for him to place his own informants there. The hospital, especially if the information about Jinchuriki's childbirth was leaked, is the most likely. " Danzo redirected the suspicion towards the hospital. His opinion naturally found agreement from the three, aligning with their thoughts.

Indeed, regarding Kushina's delivery, the hospital presented a higher chance of being infiltrated. After careful consideration, the clues to the Nine-Tails Rampage were becoming increasingly clear. The mastermind behind the scenes were Chiba Shiraishi, and Uchiha Ruri might be the Uchiha who had likely awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan with the space-time ability.

At Konoha Hospital, there was a high probability of planted spies. Regarding the Uchiha clan, they couldn't lower their guard either. The probability of spies appearing inside was greater than at the Hospital.

"Send the Anbu to monitor the hospital. In addition, we must further gather the Uchiha clan for easier control. These rogues have repeatedly attacked Konoha again and again. If the dangers hidden inside were not eliminated, using the Nine Tails to attack thr village might happen again."

This was clearly a bias against the Uchiha, but Danzo's statement wasn't without reason. In fact, considering Danzo's thoughts, the Uchiha did present such a problem.

"I'll take care of the Uchiha problem." After some consideration, Hiruzen was unwilling to entrust the Uchiha matter entirely to Danzo. Danzo's approach would undoubtedly anger the Uchiha clan, leading to discord between them and the village. Even if Danzo's logic was sound, it only proved that some Uchihas had issues. Most still had a heart for Konoha.

"But, should similar incidents happen again, how will you be held accountable? Don't be hesitant about such matters." Danzo implied persecution.

Hiruzen remained unmoved, replying casually, "Don't worry, I have a suitable candidate. When I last visited the Uchiha clan, I met Kagami's descendant."

"Kagami..."

The other three appeared puzzled, as if recalling dusty events from the past, contemplating something.

"His name is Uchiha Shisui. Like Kagami, he's an outstanding mM with the will of fire, capable of transcending family loyalty. As a member of Konoha, he'll serve as a bridge for amicable communication between the village and the Uchiha." Hiruzen was resolute, Danzo refrained from further commentary. At the end, he mentioned his own affairs:

"In that case, let him monitor the Uchiha. However, Root's mobility needs to be restored, and personnel must be expanded on a large scale. The whereabouts of those three ninjas need time to be tracked. Those three pose significant threats to Konoha. Is that acceptable, Hiruzen? The wood release has already been recruited by you. If trained well, you won't have to worry about the Nine Tails problem in the future."

Danzo hinted at something, leaving Hiruzen silent. Eventually, he sighed, nodded, and agreed to let Danzo regain Root authority and expand its personnel.

Danzo was correct, the whereabouts of the three rogue ninjas needed to be tracked as soon as possible, and they couldn't be left alone.This time, they had dared to use the Nine-Tails to kill the Fourth Hokage. Next time, they might dare to formulate a plan to destroy Konoha.

His Anbu was already stretched thin, dealing with both internal and external threats from Kumo, he was unable to allocate more manpower to focus on the rogues. Allowing Danzo's Root to resume its operations would allow the village to monitor the three rogues' movements and prepare accordingly, relieving some of Hiruzen's pressure.

"This is it. I'll update the arrest warrants for those three, publicly stating they are attempting to seize the tailed beasts of major villages. This will arouse common hostility from other villages towards them."

The actual intentions of the three of them were unclear regarding capturing the tailed beast. However, that didn't mean Hiruzen couldn't make a big issue out of it, divert attention, and incite vigilance and hostility from other ninja villages towards the trio.

After all, rogues were a group of dangerous people who had abandoned their homeland and had no allegiance. Their international voices were entirely disregarded, and their statements held no weight. If the Hokage, one of the five kages, personally made a confirmation, it would undeniably increase the persuasiveness of the claims.