Sasori followed Setsuna Uchiha through the spatial rift and vanished.
Shindai sneered, tucking the scroll back into his ninja gear pouch.
This scroll contained chakra capacitors. After using the Chakra Cluster Cannon, Shindai's chakra capacitors had definitely been drained—just now he'd wanted to replace them and continue fighting.
Shindai glanced behind him and spat, "They sure ran fast. Guess they got lucky!"
Shindai returned to Konoha.
Konoha was now a battered mess. Casualties hadn't been tallied yet, but there were certainly many.
The Explosive Clay launched by Deidara had killed many villagers.
Hiruzen Sarutobi led people through underground tunnels to pursue Danzo, encountering several traps along the way. In the end, the effort came to nothing, and they returned to Konoha.
Now, Konoha's ninjas began cleaning up the aftermath.
Inside the Hokage Building.
Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and Jiraiya were holding a meeting, but the expressions on all five faces were heavy, and for a time, no one spoke.
After half a while, Minato spoke first, "This invasion was a joint operation between Sunagakure, Danzo, and the Akatsuki organization. Casualty counts are still being tallied, but the ninja hospital has been destroyed, and many Medical Ninjas have been injured. Even some researchers from the Scientific Research Division who know Medical Ninjutsu have joined in treating the wounded, but their efficiency remains insufficient.
We're lacking a key figure capable of commanding the remaining Medical Ninjas to treat the wounded efficiently. Orochimaru-senpai is unfit for this task. Therefore, does anyone here have a good recommendation?"
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado frowned, unable to think of any suitable candidates.
Hiruzen thought of someone, but that person wasn't currently in Konoha, so he could only sigh helplessly.
Jiraiya spoke up, "I recently received a message from Tsunade. She's currently on Tachibana Street. I'll go find her and bring her back!"
Hiruzen couldn't help but look hopeful, "Really? That would be great."
Jiraiya turned to Minato, "Minato, when I go find Tsunade this time, I want to bring Naruto along as well. Not only do I plan to train him, but also because earlier, Naruto nearly manifested his fourth tail. Tsunade possesses a necklace given to her by the First Hokage, containing the late First Hokage's sealed chakra, which has the power to suppress the Nine-Tails."
Minato nodded, "Alright, I leave it to you, Master Jiraiya."
Taking a deep breath, Minato's eyes sharpened as he said, "Then next, we need to deal with Sunagakure, Danzo, and the Akatsuki organization."
"Reports from Root's headquarters revealed an old underground tunnel leading straight out of Konoha," Hiruzen Sarutobi reported to Minato Namikaze. "We failed to intercept Danzo. I'll issue an official decree — mark Danzo as an S-rank rogue ninja."
Minato nodded. "Danzo will be classified as S-ranked. His followers will be ranked A or B according to their ability. We must also issue bounties for those Akatsuki intruders. As for Sunagakure… breaking our alliance treaty by attacking Konoha amounts to an official declaration of war.
Therefore, my plan is to deploy a strong strike force to Sunagakure and demand their response. If they want all-out conflict with Konoha, we'll mobilize immediately!"
Minato fumed internally. The Joint Chunin Exams have turned into a catastrophic failure — utterly unacceptable. Failing to respond would make Konoha appear weak and vulnerable.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado coldly declared, "Konoha must take decisive action. I support your approach completely, Minato!"
After puffing his pipe, Hiruzen added, "Sunagakure gambled with extreme risk — and it has backfired. Rasa's failed invasion marks the end of his reign as Kazekage. They'll likely offer compensation. It's time we reclaim the fertile land granted by the First Hokage — that land became the foundation of their entire economy. Taking it back would cripple them economically. If they show no gratitude for our past generosity, why should we show them any further mercy?"
Minato confirmed firmly, "Then I shall proceed accordingly."
...
Meanwhile, Shindai worked alongside Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha to clear away the battle wreckage in Konoha.
While directing his puppets to clear rubble, Shindai grumbled, "Not one of those scumbags died — Rasa, Sasori, or Danzo! Dammit! When did I start monologuing like some cliché villain? Next time, I'll just kill first and never ask questions!"
Pakura and Hikaku glanced at Shindai silently — he'd been raving nonstop for two or three hours straight.
From nearby, Obito called out, "Shindai! Hokage-sama wants you! Come gather with us!"
Brushing dust off his hands, Shindai replied, "Coming."
Following Obito toward the Hokage Building, Shindai entered the main hall where many shinobi had assembled.
Kakashi, Shisui, Asuma, Guy, and many Anbu shinobi stood waiting in formation.
Minato Namikaze stood at the front. Seeing that Shindai and Obito had also arrived, he announced, "Sunagakure has invaded Konoha. It's time we strike back. You will form a combat unit: Shisui, you're in command!"
Shisui accepted the order: "Yes! Hokage-sama!"
Hearing Minato tell them to counterattack Sunagakure, Shindai immediately got hyped up, thumping his chest. "Don't worry, Minato-dono! I'll utterly wipe them out!"
A faint twitch tugged at Minato's lips. He felt the need to remind Shindai, "We aren't here to start an all-out war with Sunagakure. This is only a counterattack. If Sunagakure agrees to our compensation terms, the war will stop.
The peace talk terms are based on the territory granted to them by the First Hokage. If Sunagakure is willing to negotiate based on that land, then we cease all attacks against Sunagakure!"
As for Minato's reminder, Shindai completely disregarded it, because Minato had already mentioned a prerequisite: if Sunagakure refused, then he could keep attacking them non-stop.
This time, he'd definitely show Sunagakure the power of long-range artillery!
Shindai let out a maniacal chuckle.
Beside Shindai, Obito and Kakashi both had violent eye twitches, because whenever Shindai let out that kind of chuckle, it always meant he was about to do something dangerous.
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