Chapter 214: The Life Blueprint Hyuga Ritsu Desires
"Benefit distribution always remains matters after benefits reach hand. What we should currently focus on more is how to seize these benefits. Otherwise, everything we're currently discussing ultimately remains castles in air, reflections in water."
Minato's voice echoed through the office.
He looked around at everyone. "I've agreed with the four Kage about establishing this joint action force. Moreover, we've agreed operations begin three days from now."
At these words, smiles on everyone's faces withdrew.
"Three days?"
Everyone's faces showed surprise. "Won't this prove too rushed? Moreover, three days—just traveling won't suffice, right? Even agreeing to gather directly in the Land of Rain, Rock ninja and Sand ninja could make it. But Cloud ninja and Mist ninja fundamentally can't possibly arrive."
"Even if they can use summoning techniques and similar methods promptly transmitting messages back to villages, traveling from Kirigakure and Kumogakure to the Land of Rain—three days proves impossible regardless. Unless—"
He looked at Minato.
Unless possessing methods like Flying Thunder God Technique—otherwise, definitely couldn't make it in time.
"Hokage-sama, you plan helping them?"
Hyuga Ritsu asked.
Minato shook his head. "Not only helping them but also helping ourselves. I hope eliminating this calamity lurking in darkness, threatening the entire ninja world's peace, as quickly as possible."
"So this operation must be fast—fast enough they can't react. Three days' preparation time honestly feels somewhat too long even to me. Though I've already told the other four Kage about secrecy's importance, considering Missing-nin Anonymous's terrifying infiltration techniques and the Rinnegan's mysterious, unpredictable abilities, how long secrets can be kept fundamentally can't be determined."
"But three days already represents the fastest possible time I obtained after arguing several rounds with several Kage."
Hearing Minato emit sighs full of regret—practically wishing to immediately kill toward Amegakure searching for the Rinnegan possessor's whereabouts—Hyuga Ritsu's mouth corner twitched. "Hokage-sama, your action capability... I admire!"
These words truly contained no flattery whatsoever but represented genuine heartfelt speech.
First personally leading teams pursuing Missing-nin Anonymous. After the Land of Rain's great battle, immediately decisively holding the Five Kage Summit. Now spending two days convincing the other four Kage, successfully making the five great ninja villages unite searching and eliminating Nagato hidden in shadows.
All this occurred within merely one month.
Moreover, he also realized why Minato summoned them this late at night. Naturally not for sharing every detail occurring during the Five Kage Summit. Coming up, they'd probably discuss operations three days hence.
Barring accidents—
His own laborious fate definitely wouldn't know peace.
Minato answered with a smile, "For the village's future, for letting my about-to-be-born child and the village's many already-born or similarly about-to-be-born children truly enjoy peaceful, uneventful beautiful years—I feel us working hard proves completely acceptable."
These words proved far too correct. No one could say at this moment "I don't want working hard" or "I don't care whether those children can enjoy peaceful years." Whoever dared singing opposition now would inevitably face Fourth Hokage's most severe iron-fist sanctions!
"Hokage-sama speaks correctly. For my already-born child and soon-to-be-born child, we must completely uproot these threats endangering ninja world peace by the roots!"
Uchiha Fugaku, this Fourth's die-hard supporter, loudly echoed.
He looked at Minato, asking impatiently, "Hokage-sama, how specifically will operations three days hence be arranged? Same lineup as last time?"
Minato didn't immediately answer. He rapped the table with bent fingers. His gaze lingered once across everyone before speaking. "Confronting the Rinnegan possessor represents very dangerous operations. Why I'm unwilling wasting time on how to distribute Rinnegan benefits post-war is because we're not necessarily certain to resolve opponents successfully."
"Our enemies prove very strong! Strong enough that during the last Land of Rain encounter, Hyuga Clan Head only barely gained upper hand by taking advantage while opponents couldn't exert full strength. Hyuga Clan Head, very sorry—my phrasing may prove somewhat offensive..."
Minato paused, looking apologetically toward Hyuga Ritsu.
Hyuga Ritsu shrugged, appearing completely unconcerned. He spoke frankly, "No problem. Hokage-sama, you're stating facts. Opponents indeed didn't exert full strength. If opponents had fought desperately from the start, that battle's final victory or defeat truly proved very difficult determining. Though relying on Hokage-sama's Flying Thunder God Technique, we should have escaped intact."
"Hyuga Clan Head speaks correctly. Last time we could win involved considerable lucky components. This time we might not enjoy last time's good fortune. So this operation's danger level also proves extremely high."
Minato shifted his gaze from Hyuga Ritsu, instead looking at others. "If the Rinnegan possessor truly hides in the Land of Rain, then a fierce battle most likely can't be avoided. Therefore, to truly succeed in one stroke while minimizing our own casualties during battle as much as possible, this time continues adopting last time's methods—investing few top-tier experts participating in operations."
He paused, switching breath. "Hyuga Clan Head, I need troubling you to fight alongside me once more."
As expected!
Hyuga Ritsu didn't refuse Minato's invitation. His face showed a smile, mouth speaking beautiful platitudes. "Hokage-sama, all for the village's future. Can't speak of hardship. Moreover, I'm also very willing exposing the Rinnegan possessor's true face, seeing why this Rinnegan—which should have vanished with Sage of Six Paths' death—would appear in the world again."
Minato nodded toward Hyuga Ritsu in gratitude, continuing, "Besides Hyuga Clan Head, Shisui will also accompany me. Beyond this, I also plan additionally deploying a medical team accompanying us!"
"Hokage-sama, what about Uchiha Clan Head and me?"
Hiruko asked aloud. "This time we don't need acting together? Though our strength proves slightly insufficient, we can still help beating drums on the sidelines without problems."
Uchiha Fugaku simultaneously nodded repeatedly.
He wished contributing strength for the village's future peaceful years, even risking life dangers.
"Not distrusting Hiruko-senpai's and Uchiha Clan Head's strength. Rather, this operation differs from before. Last time, though Sand ninja accompanied us, those Sand ninja completely served as decorations. This time represents five great ninja villages' joint operations. Moreover, as long as our operations proceed smoothly, we can obtain the Rinnegan. The other four villages absolutely won't act perfunctorily. If they dare contributing effort without contributing strength during this operation, afterward we needn't seek other excuses—can directly withhold the Rinnegan."
"But don't forget—our enemies aren't only the Rinnegan's possessor. There's also Missing-nin Anonymous, possessing danger levels not below the Rinnegan possessor with extremely abnormal Mangekyō Sharingan abilities. The village must leave sufficient defensive forces. Because if we're fighting fiercely in Amegakure while the village encounters troubles, we truly might not extract ourselves promptly returning to Konoha."
Minato looked very seriously at Hiruko. "Hiruko-senpai, you're Hokage Advisor. You remaining in the village presiding over overall situations can exert greater effects. Also—"
"Uchiha Clan Head, having Shisui-kun representing the Uchiha clan in battle already proves completely sufficient. As Uchiha clan head and Police Force captain, remaining in the village assisting Hiruko-senpai guards against contingencies."
Two sentences immediately appeased Hiruko and Uchiha Fugaku.
Naturally, Hiruko still looked somewhat worriedly toward his precious disciple viewed as family. But Hyuga Ritsu smiled, shaking his head, signaling no need for worry. So he temporarily accepted Minato's arrangements, planning to chat with Hyuga Ritsu afterward.
However, his mind turned, remembering an old friend who'd left the village for lengthy periods without returning. He spoke up asking, "Hokage-sama, what's Jiraiya's current situation? Still continuing pursuing Orochimaru's whereabouts? If not workable, call Jiraiya back, have him also join this operation. Success certainty would grow larger."
Mentioning Jiraiya, others' eyes brightened.
Right!
If Jiraiya could participate, operations would prove even more secure.
Though no one would doubt Hyuga Ritsu's and Uchiha Shisui's strength by now, undeniably the title "Legendary Sannin" proved far more resounding than "White Yaksha" and "Shisui of the Body Flicker" combined—weighing heavier in everyone's hearts. That represented prestige Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade accumulated through actual actions over past decades!
Even though Tsunade now left the village, choosing to wander alone outside, while Orochimaru directly betrayed the village—these ultimately remained their choices. Their morals held problems, but no one would question their formidable strength.
Minato furrowed his brow.
Last time he'd already contacted Jiraiya-sensei—wandering who-knew-where—through Mount Myōboku's toads. But Jiraiya-sensei's reply said village matters made him very reassured. He planned continuing investigating Orochimaru's whereabouts. He also said something about constant traveling originally being his destiny...
"I'll contact Jiraiya-sensei, telling him about the imminent search and hunt for the Rinnegan possessor!"
Minato spoke in a deep voice.
After the Land of Rain trip, he still hadn't contacted Jiraiya. Busy organizing the Five Kage Summit. Busy handling village affairs. Busy caring for pregnant Kushina. Busy until feet didn't touch ground—going everywhere relied on Flying Thunder God Technique extremely compressing and reducing travel time.
Hyuga Ritsu raised his eyebrows.
Planning to tell Jiraiya about the Rinnegan?
If so, Nagato's identity presumably couldn't be hidden. If before telling Jiraiya, operations targeting Amegakure primarily focused on searching, then after Jiraiya's revelations, they'd very likely directly focus primarily on eliminating.
However—
All this held no difference for Hyuga Ritsu himself.
If he could seize this opportunity obtaining Nagato's Uzumaki clan bloodline, that would prove an unquestionable good thing. If operations proved unsuccessful... for himself, also no losses. Continue researching sage techniques, improving strength. Next time, continue hunting Uzumaki and Uchiha bloodlines.
His tasks proved very clear.
Destroy Black Zetsu and others' plans attempting to destroy the ninja world. Let his family this lifetime spend the best possible lives. Simultaneously, if he himself could also try pursuing scenery at higher places beyond ninja—even better!
This was the life blueprint Hyuga Ritsu desired.
The same time—
When the five great ninja villages all began selecting elite troops and able generals, preparing to unite deeply penetrating Amegakure, Kusagakure, and Takigakure searching for the Rinnegan possessor's whereabouts, Uchiha Tatsuhata also received news—the Five Kage Summit ended. The five Kage had already dispersed, each embarking on return journeys.
Naturally, Konoha's Hokage had definitely already arrived home by now.
But the other four Kage couldn't accomplish returning to villages in an eye-blink's time. They still needed spending some time traveling. They'd refused Minato's proposal sending them partway. Even though they'd prepared for joint operations, trust between them remained as fragile as seaweed—slight force could shatter this trust.
If not for Rinnegan benefits proving sufficiently large, this joint operation proposal fundamentally couldn't have materialized.
Therefore—
The four Kage still followed arrival routes and travel methods returning along original paths.
"Such a pity. If I possessed Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique, I could seize this opportunity harvesting Rock ninja, Cloud ninja, and Mist ninja all in one wave!"
Atop desolate stone mountains north of Iwagakure, Uchiha Tatsuhata stood at the peak, looking down at the village below. His mouth emitted sighs full of regret.
"Tatsuhata, no need rushing."
Pitcher plant-styled Black Zetsu revealed its head, consoling, "The plan Madara originally formulated was always long-term. The five great ninja villages' foundations remain quite thick! Step by step, slowly proceeding—we don't lack time!"
"Saying this isn't wrong..."
Uchiha Tatsuhata shook his head. Time proved very sufficient, but patience truly proved insufficient.
Unfortunately, last time's Land of Rain rashness severely damaged his 'strength'. Even though patience proved insufficient, currently he could only force himself to more patience. He changed topics, asking, "Not discussing this. Did you clarify what problems the five Kage all discussed?"
"Very unfortunately, the Five Kage Summit venue's barriers were set up tightly. White Zetsu also couldn't infiltrate inside. However, I've already dispatched White Zetsu tracking those four Kage. Clarifying what problems they all discussed also remains only a matter of time."
Uchiha Tatsuhata nodded. Similarly mastering Mayfly Technique and Substitute Transformation, he understood how strong White Zetsu's infiltration and investigation capabilities proved. Even if unable directly eavesdropping on intelligence at the Five Kage Summit venue, subsequently they could always clarify. Setting aside difficult-to-handle five Kage, the five Kage's guards represented more easily penetrable breakthrough points!
"Put more effort into intelligence gathering. I'm now beginning my hunting card-collecting operation!"
Uchiha Tatsuhata's body rapidly sank. In an eye-blink's time, he completely vanished within this stone mountain's rock mass.
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