"What?! Hayato and Kushina left the Village without permission?!"
Jiraiya stood in front of the desk, his mouth agape. He never imagined that guy would be so bold! Even he, with his easygoing personality, wouldn't dare to mess around when his teacher was angry.
"Hmph, I've said it before, Uchiha Clan brats should be left to me," Danzo said coldly.
"Jiraiya, look at the good disciple you've raised!"
Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado stood beside Hiruzen Sarutobi, fiercely accusing Jiraiya.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply, his gaze unfriendly as he looked at Jiraiya, seemingly also waiting for an explanation.
Jiraiya's mouth twitched, and he scratched his head helplessly: "Please, with Hayato's personality, my methods don't work on him at all, okay? At most, I only taught him a few Ninjutsu."
Tsunade stomped her foot heavily, her tone a bit urgent: "Enough, stop arguing! What's important now is how to bring Hayato and Kushina back."
Having spent two years with them, Tsunade had grown quite fond of Kushina and truly didn't want any misfortune to befall her.
As for Hayato… that guy was too clever for her to worry about.
Hiruzen Sarutobi shifted his gaze to his most favored disciple, Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru, what are your thoughts?"
Orochimaru's pale face held a smile, as if the current argument had nothing to do with him, and his tone was leisurely: "Uzushiogakure has sent us a request for aid. Since Uchiha Hayato has already set off, let's treat this operation as a formal mission."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, his gaze subtly revealing doubt.
As if guessing his thoughts, Orochimaru calmly added: "Teacher, this is also an excellent opportunity to showcase the power of 'Pokémon' to the Ninja World. The recent theft incident was likely committed by the Hidden Cloud Village, and instead of passively defending, it's better to demonstrate our strength first. Moreover—"
Orochimaru chuckled twice, and a pair of eyes emerged from the shadow behind him, clawing menacingly.
"If he is someone with only a little talent, then let him and the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki stay in the barrier forever."
His heart leaped, Hayato-kun, let me see just how great your capacity truly is.
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment, then finally nodded: "The three of you, along with Sakumo's Squad and Umio's Squad, will form a team and immediately head to Uzushiogakure. Regardless of Uzushiogakure's final fate, you must bring them back!"
"Danzo," he turned to look at the cold face, "the Village's security work is entrusted to you."
At the same time, on the road leading to the Village gate, Jiraiya was stopped by several young men and women.
"Minato, what are you doing?"
Jiraiya frowned, his tone stern.
"Nawaki! You're here too, you brat? Stop messing around!" Tsunade stood with her hands on her hips, her chest heaving with anger, "I'd like to see who dares to let you fool around. Orochimaru, quickly send these brats back!"
However, this group of youngsters was clearly fearless. Minato Namikaze, Dekai, Nawaki, Sarutobi Hideki, and Yakushi Nonou stood in front of the team, their attitudes firm.
"Move aside, you brats! I don't care what you're doing, we have an important mission!"
A rough-looking Ninja roared.
Beside him, a white-haired Ninja with a short ponytail smiled gently: "It's fine to let them say a few words."
"What's wrong with you? Is there something you need?" he said kindly.
"Lord White Fang!" Minato's tone was sincere, "We request to join the mission! Hayato and Kushina are our comrades, and we must bring them back ourselves!"
"Comrades?" Tsunade stepped forward and grabbed Nawaki's ear, saying exasperatedly: "Others aside, Nawaki, wouldn't you just be a hindrance? The opponents might be Jonin from other Ninja Villages!"
Nawaki clutched his ear, stubbornly saying: "Big Sister, I am the future Hokage! Hayato said that someone who can't even protect their comrades isn't worthy of the title of Hokage!"
"Pika Pika!"
The Pikachu on Minato's shoulder also waved its small paws in agreement, looking utterly adorable.
"And we know our own strength; we won't cause you any trouble. We just want to do something for Hayato," Minato added.
"My Lightning Release should be useful in Uzushiogakure."
"The Uzumaki Family and the Senju Family are distant relatives, so of course I have to go. This is my first step to becoming Hokage."
"I'm only going along to keep an eye on Nawaki," Hideki said with an innocent smile.
"I also know some Medical Ninjutsu," Yakushi Nonou pushed up her glasses.
Sakumo Hatake was moved.
Someone who cannot protect their comrades, what right do they have to become Hokage…?
He smiled: "I think there's no problem. What about you?"
Jiraiya looked at Sakumo Hatake in surprise. The White Fang of Konoha, who mercilessly cut down all enemies in his path with a single white short blade, had become so easy to talk to.
Everyone looked at Sakumo Hatake at that moment, even the five, including Minato, hadn't expected him to be so easily persuaded.
Orochimaru's smile deepened, his snake-like eyes gleaming with excitement: "Since the Supreme Commander says so, then there's naturally no problem."
"Thank you very much. We will definitely follow orders."
Minato nodded solemnly, his gaze sweeping over the rolling mountains of the Land of Fire, looking towards the distant, gradually appearing outline of an island.
At this moment, Uchiha Hayato and the other two were at sea. He, Kushina, and Asako had rented a small boat and were sailing towards the Whirlpool Country.
Along the way, some ignorant rogue Ninja, upon seeing the miraculous Arcanine, had attempted to attack from the shadows. However, those individuals either died by his hand or under Arcanine's Flamethrower, with only a few barely escaping with their lives.
Hayato's expression was a bit grim. If he had known he would be going to sea, he should have cultivated a Water-type Pokémon in advance.
Over the past two years, he had spent most of his energy on Chimchar, and only half a year ago did he capture an exceptionally talented Munchlax, which became his second Pokémon. However, neither Fire-type nor Normal-type Pokémon had an advantage in sea battles.
Although the system provided many Pokémon with extraordinary potential, his energy was far from enough to distribute. Screening, nurturing, tactical design—each step required time and effort.
He needed to prepare more meticulously for battles, rather than simply expanding the number of Pokémon he had on hand.
He wondered who this enemy would be.
Asako had said that the attacking Ninja wore Hidden Rain Village headbands. However, how could the Land of Rain, a small inland country separated from the Whirlpool Country by a continent and an ocean, travel such a long distance to get here?
Hayato shook his head. The Uzumaki Family being destroyed because their excellent sealing Ninjutsu was seen as a threat by other Villages was something that would happen in the original history. As the highest leader of the Village, a Kage, he shouldn't personally make a move. As for the remaining people, he would surely find a way to deal with them.
He just needed to figure out how to save as many of the Uzumaki Family as possible.
He hoped it wasn't too late. The sea breeze carried a salty, damp scent to his face. Hayato looked up at the gradually emerging outline of the island in the distance.
Whirlpool Country, they had arrived!