The head of the Nara Clan spoke up once more.
"We definitely have to fight, but we should prioritize solving the poison issue first."
"I suggest we immediately summon Tsunade back. With her here, no matter how potent Chiyo's poison is, it won't be effective."
"Hokage-sama, do you know where Tsunade is right now?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned a little grim when he heard that.
But he had no choice but to speak. His voice was low and heavy.
"Tsunade is not in the village. I've already sent someone to find her."
As soon as he said this, the expressions of everyone present—including those from the Nara Clan—changed.
All of them had experienced the Second Shinobi World War.
They were well aware of Chiyo's capabilities. Even without considering her Puppet Technique, her poisons alone were enough to give even Hanzō of the Salamander a headache.
During the previous war, Konohagakure was able to make it through largely because of Tsunade.
If Tsunade wasn't around now, they would have no way to deal with the poison.
"Hmph! Hiruzen, you've always been too soft."
"You actually let her leave. Even if she developed hemophobia, she should've stayed put in the village."
"Otherwise, we wouldn't be facing a situation like this!"
Here we go again. Danzō jumping at the chance to attack the Hokage.
Those words made Hiruzen's face flush red with anger.
"Danzō! If you don't have a better plan, then shut your mouth!"
"Tsunade's condition is known to all—hemophobia and post-war trauma."
"Even if she returned to the village, she could only help with the poison. As for the rest... sigh..."
Everyone was clearly aware of Tsunade's condition, and they all nodded in agreement.
"Um, Hokage-sama, on my way back, I passed by a small town in the northwest. I think I saw Tsunade-sama there."
"If possible, please send Anbu personnel to search northward."
Chizan Gekko suddenly spoke, drawing everyone's attention.
His words truly brought great relief to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Chizan, are you sure?"
"Mhm. I was in a hurry, but that coat with the word 'Gamble' written on the back—I'm pretty sure I didn't mistake it."
With Gekko Chizan's intel, Hiruzen's expression visibly brightened.
It wasn't that people wouldn't come—it was just a matter of not knowing where to find them.
Now that there was a lead on Tsunade's whereabouts, locating her would be much easier.
"Well done, Chizan! Another great contribution!"
"Since we now have a lead on Tsunade, the next step is to arrange reinforcements."
"Everyone, we are in the middle of a war. I hope you can all unite and face the enemy together!"
Gekko Chizan had seen firsthand how smooth-talking Hiruzen Sarutobi could be.
The rest of the meeting turned into his personal show.
With just his eloquence alone, he managed to convince each clan to send a significant number of elites to the battlefield in the Land of Rivers.
Tsk tsk, you have to admit—anyone who can serve as a Kage during wartime isn't just strong, they're also top-tier talkers.
"Chizan, what about you? Are you planning to rest for a couple of days, or head to the battlefield?"
Chizan thought for a moment, a gleam appearing in his eyes.
"My teacher is currently fighting fiercely in the Land of Rivers. As his student, I should go help him."
"I'll head to the battlefield. But I'll leave my three students behind—it's still too early for them to be thrown into war."
Hiruzen nodded.
He still greatly respected Gekko Chizan's personal wishes. After all, he had just brought back such important information—logically and emotionally, it made sense to give him some rest.
But Gekko Chizan had his own ideas. The battlefield in the Land of Rivers had both Sasori and Rasa!
Those were treasures. If he didn't take this opportunity to trap them a couple of times, where would his rewards come from?
Once the meeting concluded, only a few people remained in the massive hall.
"Hiruzen, regarding Gekko Chizan, I think you should let him join my unit."
"His abilities are clear to all. Someone like him shouldn't be wasted as just a squad leader."
Shimura Danzō once again set his sights on Gekko Chizan.
Though Root had many capable individuals, there was no one who could compare to Chizan.
Take intelligence work, for example—every time Gekko Chizan was sent out, he returned with valuable intel.
Such talent had to be under his control!
But his words immediately drew the cold stares of three others.
"Hmph! Don't even think about it!"
"He's my grand-disciple. He should answer to me!"
"Stop dreaming!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi rejected him flatly. What a joke—trying to poach his people? Danzō, you're delusional.
"Danzō, while Gekko Chizan is indeed outstanding in intelligence work, his combat style doesn't suit Root."
"And if I remember correctly, doesn't Root already have its own intelligence personnel?"
"Wasn't her name... Yakushi Nonō?"
Mitokado Homura glanced at Danzō, fully aware of what he was planning.
But Gekko Chizan's situation was extremely special.
He was Orochimaru's disciple, Hiruzen's grand-disciple—what was Danzō thinking?
"Hmph, she left."
"I'll handle that matter later."
"Hiruzen, I'll say it again—Gekko Chizan should be handed over to Root for cultivation!"
Hiruzen had been in a pretty good mood, but Danzō's persistence quickly ruined that.
"Hmph! Danzō, keep your hands off."
"Gekko Chizan is a Jōnin of Konoha and also a member of the Anbu."
"He only needs to follow my orders!"
"Remember—I am the Hokage!"
After saying that, Hiruzen didn't give Danzō a chance to speak and walked straight out of the meeting room.
Soon after, Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane also left, leaving only Shimura Danzō in the massive hall, his expression dark and grim as he shouted:
"Damn you, Hiruzen! You'll regret this!"
...
Leaving the Hokage building, Gekko Chizan didn't go home. Instead, he rushed directly toward the Land of Rivers.
There was no way he was traveling with the main force—they were too slow.
One day later, Gekko Chizan once again set foot in the Land of Rivers.
Looking at the distant battlefield, he revealed a trace of surprise.
It had only been half a month, and yet the battlefield looked completely different.
First, the surrounding trees were nearly all gone.
The ground looked like it had been dug up—covered in scars and marks.
"Hehehehe, Chizan-kun, you've arrived..."
That familiar, chilling voice slowly rang out behind him.
Orochimaru, looking utterly exhausted, appeared behind him. His face didn't look good at all.
"Sensei, the village has already arranged a large number of reinforcements, including elite shinobi from all the major clans. I'd say they'll arrive within two days."
Hearing Gekko Chizan bring such good news, Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"That's... decent news..."
"What about Tsunade? Any word on her? This poison... is proving to be a real problem."
When poison was mentioned, Orochimaru's face turned serious.