The Tsuchikage Office in Iwagakure Village. "What? The team sent to the Land of Fire, including Han, was completely wiped out?" The Third Ts
The Tsuchikage Office in Iwagakure Village.
"What? The team sent to the Land of Fire, including Han, was completely wiped out?"
The Third Tsuchikage looked at Kurotsuchi, who came to report to him, angrily—almost thinking he had heard it wrong.
Because of the previous failure to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, he had been especially cautious this time and sent Han, the Five-Tails Jinchūriki, to lead the team.
Originally, he believed that even if the mission failed, with Han there, it would be enough to ensure minimal casualties.
Unexpectedly, not only did the mission fail, but even the Five-Tails Jinchūriki Han died in the battle.
"Yes."
Kurotsuchi's face was grim.
He had only just learned the news not long ago, and he was equally shocked.
"What happened? Even if the mission failed, with Han's strength, how could he not even escape?"
The Third Tsuchikage asked angrily.
"According to intelligence, Han and his team encountered the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Fugaku, and they were defeated and wiped out after a battle with him."
Kurotsuchi said in a deep voice.
"How did Han and his team end up encountering the Fifth Hokage?"
The Third Tsuchikage looked puzzled.
Running into just anyone would be manageable, but to encounter the strongest person in Konoha today? That's terrible luck.
"According to information sent by Konoha, Han and his team were discovered not long after sneaking into the Land of Fire. The fact that there was a Jinchūriki among them was exposed, so the Fifth Hokage personally took action."
Kurotsuchi explained.
"They were exposed not long after entering the Land of Fire. Han and his team were too careless."
The Third Tsuchikage took a deep breath, his face turning serious.
"With Han's strength, he couldn't even escape. Uchiha Fugaku's strength is that overwhelming?"
From previous information on Uchiha Fugaku, it was already known he was powerful.
But Han was a perfect Jinchūriki—his strength far beyond the Kage level.
Yet not only could he not defeat Fugaku, he couldn't even escape.
"First, he captured Orochimaru alive, and now he's killed Han, a perfect Jinchūriki. Uchiha Fugaku's strength is truly terrifying. In addition—"
Kurotsuchi paused, then continued angrily.
"After killing Han and the others, the Fifth Hokage wasn't satisfied. He attacked Iwagakure's border station near the Land of Fire, causing over a thousand casualties."
"Not only did he kill Han and the others, but he also attacked the border station and caused more than a thousand casualties? What terrifying strength... and how dare Uchiha Fugaku? Does he want to go to war with Iwagakure?"
The Third Tsuchikage clenched his fists, veins bulging, and his wrinkled old face was full of fear and anger.
He feared Uchiha Fugaku's strength.
Even if many ants could bite an elephant to death, Fugaku attacked a station of thousands and walked away after killing thousands of Iwagakure shinobi.
And he was angry at Fugaku's recklessness.
He had the nerve to attack Iwagakure's border station—did he want to start a war?
"Father, the strength of Iwagakure hasn't fully recovered. It's not the right time to go to war with Konoha."
Kurotsuchi's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly advised.
"I know."
The Third Tsuchikage took several deep breaths, calming his inner fury.
"Still, we can't let this matter slide."
"Then what do you suggest?"
Kurotsuchi asked.
"Contact the Akatsuki organization and issue a mission to assassinate Uchiha Fugaku. As for the reward, as long as it's not too outrageous, it can be accepted."
The Third Tsuchikage said coldly.
Iwagakure had long been in contact with Akatsuki, and many of their missions came through the village.
From what he knew, Akatsuki was composed of S-rank missing-nin, many of whom were Kage-level, making them extremely powerful.
In the current ninja world, if anyone dared to accept a mission to assassinate Uchiha Fugaku, it would be the Akatsuki organization.
"Father, though Akatsuki is convenient, it's still made up of highly dangerous missing-nin. Getting too involved could lead to backlash—"
Kurotsuchi frowned.
"It doesn't matter. Akatsuki is just a small organization of rebel ninja. Their size is limited. With that inherent disadvantage, they pose no threat to Iwagakure."
The Third Tsuchikage shook his head and cut off Kurotsuchi. Seeing this, Kurotsuchi had no choice but to back down.
...
"It seems Iwagakure isn't going to retaliate—or perhaps they'll try to strike back in another way."
After staying near the Fire Country border for a while and seeing no sign of retaliation from Iwagakure, Uchiha Fugaku turned and returned to Konoha.
"By the way, this place isn't far from the Land of Grass."
Shortly after setting off, Fugaku remembered that during this time, Karin and her mother—members of the Uzumaki clan—should be in Kusagakure.
The Uzumaki clan, like the Senju, are descendants of Ashura, the Sage of Six Paths' second son.
They excel at sealing techniques and are extremely compatible with being Jinchūriki.
If these two could be brought into Konoha, it would clearly be very beneficial.
He changed course and headed for the Land of Grass.
A few hours later, he appeared outside Kusagakure in the Land of Grass.
"A Hokage robe… is that the Fifth Hokage of Konoha?"
"Quick, go report!"
Kusagakure—a small village whose strongest shinobi was only at elite jōnin level—panicked upon seeing Uchiha Fugaku outside.
The village head, a fat and greasy man, came out with his attendants, smiling.
"Hokage-sama, may I ask what brings you to Kusagakure?"
"Are you the leader of Kusagakure?"
Fugaku asked from a distance.
"Yes, Hokage-sama, my name is Kusabei, and I am the leader of Kusagakure."
The fat man replied hastily.
Normally, only the leaders of the five great villages are called "Kage." Other villages' leaders are not granted this title.
An exception is the Star Village's leader, the "Hoshikage," though no other village truly recognizes that title—it's seen as a joke.
"I wonder what Hokage-sama's purpose is in visiting?"
"I've come for a mother and daughter with healing abilities. Hand them over."
Fugaku said plainly.
"A mother and daughter with healing abilities?"
Hearing this, Kusabei's heart sank.
Those two were valuable assets in a village lacking medical ninja. Naturally, he didn't want to hand them over.
So, he tried to stall.
"A mother and daughter with healing abilities? Lord Hokage, you must be mistaken. We have no such people here in Kusagakure."
"I don't want to say it a second time. I trust you've heard what happened at Iwagakure's border station. If you think Kusagakure can stop me, try it."
Fugaku warned coldly.
Swish—
Cold sweat poured from Kusabei's face.
Of course, he'd heard of the recent battle in the nearby Land of Earth.
Uchiha Fugaku attacked Iwagakure's border station, which had thousands of shinobi, and killed thousands single-handedly.
Kusagakure wasn't even close in strength. If Fugaku attacked here, they'd suffer devastating losses—if not outright annihilation.
"But… perhaps someone like that is here, and I just didn't know. I'll send someone to check."
He wiped his forehead and turned to a senior Kusagakure official.
"Go investigate immediately. If such a mother and daughter exist, bring them here at once!"
"Yes, yes!"
The senior official understood and rushed off.
Soon, a red-haired mother and daughter were brought forward.
The mother's exposed skin was covered in bite marks. Her body was gaunt—clearly drained of chakra for a long time.
The daughter had no visible injuries, but from her clothes, it was clear she wasn't treated well.
They were Karin and her mother.
Fugaku said nothing more and departed with them.
Revenge for them? He had no such intention.
If Karin grew strong enough in the future, she could take her own revenge.
(End of this chapter)