They made no mistakes throughout, except for an intelligence error, not expecting that Nagato would have an ally who used Space-Time Ninjutsu.
"So many casualties....."
Upon hearing this, Hatake Sakumo's face also darkened. He had dispatched so many ninjas out of caution, but he still underestimated the power of the Rinnegan.
And he didn't expect that Nagato would actually have a helper.
"Jiraiya, first hand over the bodies you brought back to the intelligence unit and the corpse analysis department. I don't quite believe there would suddenly be two pairs of Rinnegans appearing, and this guy named Yahiko should already be dead...."
After saying this, Hatake Sakumo looked at Uchiha Yoichi and asked, "Mr. Yoichi, what are your plans?"
Uchiha Yoichi thought for a moment, then said, "Let's continue searching for their whereabouts. This encounter provided more intelligence on the Rinnegan; next time we send out an elite-targeted squad, we can capture them..... If it doesn't work, I will personally make a trip."
After hearing this, the room fell silent, and nearly everyone turned their gaze to Uchiha Yoichi.
Upon hearing Uchiha Yoichi was going to act personally, no one thought he would fail, and everyone believed that Nagato, who possessed the Rinnegan, was doomed.
Over the years, from when Uchiha Yoichi was weak until now, he had never failed a mission. Even on the battlefield, when Konoha was in decline, they managed to hold on because of Uchiha Yoichi.
If he was involved in the mission, failure was impossible.
"Fourth, with Yoichi's support, let me take on this mission. I assure you, next time, Nagato will be brought back."
After taking a deep breath, Jiraiya said, if they let Uchiha Yoichi act, Nagato would definitely be doomed.
"Jiraiya, you were just injured..."
"I'm fine, leave this to Minato and me, together we can definitely capture Nagato!"
After Jiraiya finished speaking, he cast a pleading look at Minato.
Seeing this, Namikaze Minato stepped forward and said, "Fourth, with Yoichi's support, please give Jiraiya sensei and me one last chance. We assure you we will capture Nagato."
Hatake Sakumo pondered for a while, then looked at Uchiha Yoichi and asked, "Mr. Yoichi?"
Uchiha Yoichi spoke, "Then leave it to them. If Jonin Minato and Jonin Jiraiya still can't capture that Rinnegan, I'll go myself."
"In that case, this mission is yours, Jiraiya, Mr. Minato."
Hatake Sakumo said, "Increase the pursuit of Nagato and Konan, and also collect intelligence on other members of the Akatsuki Organization..... If necessary, I will contact Hanzo, and when there is information, I will notify you."
"Jiraiya, your previous mission, pause it for now."
Jiraiya, upon hearing this, replied embarrassedly, "I understand...." That mission was purely to trace the Ryuchi Cave clue he had requested, but after months, there was no progress.
Now that it was mentioned, Jiraiya indeed felt a little ashamed.
"Mr. Yoichi, the Uchiha Race's ninja suit with formidable defensive capabilities, could it possibly be sold to the village?"
Hatake Sakumo suddenly asked after noticing it on Kakashi. Today, many Anbu ninjas were severely injured, but the Uchiha ninjas only suffered minor injuries, so he wanted to inquire about Mr. Yoichi's thoughts.
"This kind of ninja suit is difficult to manufacture, even among our race, it is quite rare. However, since the Fourth asked, let's supply ten pieces a month and sell them to the village at 'cost price'."
Uchiha Yoichi pretended to ponder for a moment before saying, "Let the Fourth distribute them."
"Thank you, Mr. Yoichi."
Hatake Sakumo gratefully chuckled, then glanced around at everyone.
"That's all for today. I'll inform you all when the intelligence unit has analyzed the information. If there's nothing else, go back and rest for now."
After Hatake Sakumo finished speaking, the people in the Hokage Office nodded and left.
Uchiha Yoichi, after leaving a Wood Clone, went back to handle other matters.
Now, he and Hatake Sakumo had a clear division of labor, focusing on village renovation, connecting with the chairmen of major Land of Fire business groups, and discussing the prosperity of Konoha Village.
After the completion of Ninja Paradise, there were several projects in Konoha Village, including railway trade routes, moving into new communities, and even some nobles and business group owners wanting to move into Konoha Village. They hoped for a designated area to build their 'noble district'.
However, Uchiha Yoichi had yet to agree to this matter.
Affluent areas often create a siphoning effect which the ordinary villagers of Konoha can feel the most. Already, people have been visiting trying to buy their houses, offering high prices.
But not many sold, because selling their house meant moving out of Konoha, and the villagers living in Konoha all wish for their children to enter the Ninja Academy and become ninjas.
Present-day Konoha Village is flourishing more with each passing day, and while many praise Hatake Sakumo, calling him the great Hokage who upheld Konoha through times of war, Sakumo and other high-ranking leaders of Konoha are aware that the village's gradual prosperity is largely owed to Uchiha Yoichi.
Upon arriving home, as Uchiha Yoichi entered the house, he saw Minami holding Karin as she approached him, lifting their daughter, saying, "Lord Yoichi, look at Karin, how cute she is~!"
"Indeed, as expected of my daughter!"
Using the Sharingan and Perception Ninjutsu, Uchiha Yoichi checked Karin, finding her life force incredibly vigorous; when she grows up, she might awaken the Three-Tomoe Sharingan as early as ten years of age.
Yugito, who was nearby, rolled her eyes at Uchiha Yoichi's boastful comment; however, Karin, being so adorable and well-behaved, was often cuddled by her, too.
Sitting on the sofa, Mikota no longer envied Minami. She gently caressed her own belly, as it was only a few months until Sasuke would be born.
Mikota had already told Itachi he would soon have a younger brother, and after hearing this, Itachi did not think of anything else, but merely looked forward to his brother's birth.
After all, Uchiha Itachi was still a child, and no one in the clan mentioned Uchiha Fugaku anymore.
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"You were too impulsive today, Nagato."
After bringing Nagato back, Obito said to him, "After we left, dozens of Konoha ninjas arrived, and Tobi was nearing his limit. Soon enough, it would just be you with limited mobility against so many enemies...."
"Yeah, yeah, I was essentially done for..."
After Tobi spoke, he scratched his empty head. Was he really reaching his limit? But if Obito said so, it must be right; both he and White Zetsu listened to Obito now.
"Sorry, Konan, I lost Yahiko's body!"
Nagato ignored Obito and instead spoke to Konan.
Upon hearing that Yahiko's body was lost, Konan felt a tinge of sadness but nevertheless comforted, saying, "It's good that you returned safely, Nagato. Don't be impulsive again."
"We can't stay here anymore, Nagato. After seeing the extent of Konoha's pursuit of you today, hundreds of ninjas, surely more will come..... So, let's leave here."
Obito didn't care whether Nagato paid attention to him, as long as he listened.
Nagato and Konan were silent for a while, then asked, "Where to go?"
"The Land of Earth, staying here in the Land of Rain, we might even have to deal with Hanzo pursuing us; Konoha covets your Rinnegan, you think Hanzo doesn't?"
Getting up and heading outside, Obito continued speaking, "I've said my piece, your choice what to do. But today's attack from Konoha, how many times could you withstand it? If you decide to move, find White Zetsu...."
Without finishing his sentence, Uchiha Obito departed; he realized today that Konoha's power was indeed too strong, finding an opportunity to weaken it deemed necessary.
Yet, with the presence of Konoha Lightning Fang, a strong figure in the village, while Kamui was hard to counter, there was still the risk of Konoha Lightning Fang seizing an opening....
White Zetsu needed to gather more intel on Konoha!
After Uchiha Obito left, after deliberation, Nagato and Konan ultimately decided to temporarily leave the Land of Rain.
However, this was the place of Yahiko's dreams. Nagato swore secretly that once he harnessed the power of the Rinnegan, he would return.
He would avenge Yahiko, recover Yahiko's body, and fulfill Yahiko's wishes!