"Haha, as long as this old woman's still alive, so am I," Bunpuku said with a hearty laugh. "Shukaku's temper is volatile, but I can hold on
"Haha, as long as this old woman's still alive, so am I," Bunpuku said with a hearty laugh.
"Shukaku's temper is volatile, but I can hold on for three to five years. During that time, Fourth Kazekage, please find my successor."
Three to five years?
The faces of those present fell. Chiyo and Rasa, however, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as nothing happened during the Five Kage Summit, three to five years would be enough time to find a new jinchuriki.
Rasa already had a plan in mind, and he subconsciously glanced at Maki. Maki, however, still brooding over Pakura's situation, coldly averted her gaze.
"Very well. With Bunpuku here, the village is secure. Old woman, you'll come with me, but I need some time to prepare," Chiyo said, turning to leave.
Meanwhile, in Konohagakure, a palpable tension hung over the village. The recent defections of Uchiha Kai, the Blood-Red Asura, and Danzo, one of the three Konoha advisors, had fueled growing unrest.
Only the announcement of Minato Namikaze as the Fourth Hokage had temporarily quelled the rising tide of public opinion. Had this not happened, the situation would have likely escalated further.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi had stepped down, his seat now occupied by Minato Namikaze.
Also present were Hiruzen, Jiraiya and Tsunade of the Sannin, and the Konoha advisors Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
"Watergate, why the urgent summons?" Jiraiya asked impatiently.
Hiruzen raised a hand to silence him. "Be patient. Let's wait for Fugaku and Shisui."
Jiraiya, though eager, obeyed his former teacher, waiting patiently.
After about eight minutes, Fugaku Uchiha, in his police force uniform, and Shisui Uchiha, in his Anbu attire, appeared silently in the office.
"Hokage-sama!" Fugaku bowed to Minato, then to Hiruzen. "We have received new intelligence from the Land of Water concerning Uchiha Kai."
He paused, looking at Hiruzen.
"Fugaku, you're being too cryptic. What happened in the Land of Water?" Jiraiya pressed, but Hiruzen silenced him with a glare. "Continue. They're all here to discuss Uchiha Kai."
Fugaku nodded, producing a scroll and handing it to Hiruzen. "This scroll contains intelligence. Uchiha Kai was recently sighted in the Land of Water."
"He abducted Sunagakure's hero Pakura, severely injured Suigetsu Hozuki, and was later seen in Amegakure, where he briefly clashed with Mei Terumi."
"He abducted Pakura?!" Jiraiya exclaimed.
Tsunade grabbed his ear. "Jiraiya, be quiet! Watergate and the Hokage will ask questions. Don't interrupt!"
"O-okay, Tsunade, let go! You'll pull my ear off!" Jiraiya pleaded.
Only Tsunade could subdue Jiraiya so easily.
"Enough, there are others present," Hiruzen said. "According to the report, what was the situation when Kai met Mei Terumi? Was Pakura with him? What was her attitude?"
The room fell silent, everyone sensing something unusual, their eyes on Fugaku.
"Hokage-sama, as you suspected, our informant in Kirigakure reports that Mei stated Pakura willingly followed Kai. Their relationship doesn't appear to be a kidnapping," Fugaku explained.
"Does that mean there's a problem between Pakura and Sunagakure?" Jiraiya asked again, this time unhindered by Tsunade. The same question was on everyone's mind.
"It's possible," Hiruzen nodded. "Rasa, newly appointed Kazekage, seeking to improve relations with the Land of Water, sent Pakura, who had heavily damaged them during the war, as an envoy. That's highly suspicious."
"However, I'm even more certain now that Uchiha Kai, if left unchecked, will threaten the entire shinobi world. His ability to unite such a dangerous group is unparalleled."
"I'm not underestimating anyone here, but I doubt Jiraiya, Minato, or even myself could accomplish that."
Hiruzen's words hung in the air. Jiraiya and the others were visibly affected, but no one dared to challenge his assessment.
The individuals named in the report were all exceptionally dangerous. To control them required immense power; otherwise, they'd likely turn on him at any moment.
"Watergate, what are your thoughts?" Hiruzen asked.
Minato sighed wearily. He'd envisioned great achievements as Hokage, but instead, he felt like a puppet, used by Hiruzen and the advisors to manage the fallout from Kai's defection, deflecting public anger and bolstering Konoha's image amongst the Five Great Nations. He'd hoped to shine after Kai's departure, but that dream seemed far off.
However, with Hiruzen passing the hot potato to him, Minato, after composing himself, said, "Everyone, Uchiha Kai's strength is unfathomable. Many here have fought him, but I believe we've only seen a fraction of his true power."
"Konoha has agreed to attend the Five Kage Summit, but our ultimate goal is to negotiate peace between Uchiha Kai and the Five Great Nations."
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