Qian Renxue did not wait for anyone's reaction.
She turned and left the Mission Hall directly, Gao Feng and Xie Yue following close behind. They had already accepted a mission to intercept rogue ninjas and intended to pass through the black market first to gather intelligence.
Kakashi watched the three figures disappear into the distance.
Slowly, he reached behind his back and drew out the White Fang short sword.
The blade gleamed coldly under the lights.
For the first time, Kakashi truly understood why his father had chosen death.
It had never been about mission failure.
Nor had it been about condemnation from comrades.
His father had lived—and died—according to the way of the samurai.
He had used his own life to practice the so-called Will of Fire, hoping that such an uncompromising act would awaken the village he loved so deeply. Hoping to prove that even in a decaying Konoha, there were still people willing to uphold belief with blood and conviction.
But the village had never awakened.
Or rather, those at the top had never awakened.
They spoke endlessly of the Will of Fire. Their mouths overflowed with rules and creeds. Yet they neither followed the ninja code nor believed in it themselves.
They only demanded that others comply.
Kakashi stared at the blade, his voice low and unwavering.
"Asuma."
He called out to his old classmate, his friend from the same graduating class.
"If Hiruzen survives this time, I will kill him with my own hands."
"I have beliefs I must uphold. So whether you hate me or resent me, I will still do it."
Asuma listened in silence for a long time.
In the end, he only said lightly, "The old man isn't easy to deal with. Be careful he doesn't kill you instead."
"I will be careful."
Kakashi calmly sheathed his sword, his tone as casual as if they had just discussed the weather.
"Lady Tsunade, it's time for us to return to the village."
"Going back now will only drag you into it as well," Yuhi said anxiously, gripping Asuma's hand tightly. "There's no need—"
"I want to see him die with my own eyes," Kakashi replied flatly.
"Lady Tsunade must also return to stabilize Konoha."
"Since a decision has been made, there's no point avoiding it. We all have reasons to go back."
"…Alright," Tsunade finally said. "Then only the two of us will return."
She turned to Shinnosuke, who had remained silent the entire time.
"I'll leave this place to you. Watch over these children."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade," Shinnosuke replied softly.
Outside Konoha Village, Advisors Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu personally led a delegation of Konoha ninja to welcome the emissaries from the other Four Great Ninja Villages.
After a round of polite—but hollow—pleasantries, the foreign ninjas obediently settled into the accommodations prepared for them, behaving exactly like honored guests.
When the Konoha side gathered in the conference room, not only were all the returning ninjas present, but the heads of the major clans had also arrived.
Only Jiraiya was absent, still away on a mission.
"Why have representatives from the other four villages come to Konoha?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with a gentle smile, puffing on his dry pipe, completely ignoring the tense expressions of Danzo and the others. "And why haven't they returned together?"
Nara Shikaku answered calmly, "Hokage-sama, to discuss the Ninja World's strategy toward the Sacrificial Shop, the Four Great Shinobi Countries proposed holding a Five Kage Summit."
"Because the Sacrificial Shop chose Konoha for its first exchange, the meeting location was set here."
He paused, then added, "Each village has left its younger generation at the camp, under Lady Tsunade's unified command, to handle follow-up matters."
"What's so special about this Sacrificial Shop that it warrants a Five Kage Summit?" Danzo demanded coldly.
Since the failed night raid, Root had continuously attempted to infiltrate the camp to gather intelligence. Every ninja who ignored the Spirit Beasts' warnings and tried to force their way in had vanished without exception.
Even with fallback plans prepared, these losses had kept Danzo on edge.
Shikaku meticulously explained the five major facilities of the camp and their functions, listing the various miraculous items without omission.
"Longevity Pills?!" Danzo instantly forgot his earlier concerns. "Did you bring them back?!"
Minato Namikaze took out a celadon pill bottle from his pouch and placed it gently on the Third Hokage's desk.
He briefly reported the negotiations with Hidden Mist, including how they had forced a concession.
"Damn Hidden Mist!" Danzo slammed the table in feigned rage, though his gaze never left the pill bottle. "As Konoha elites, you couldn't even act decisively enough to secure this? You let them take the lead!"
No one responded.
Every pair of eyes in the room was fixed on the pill bottle.
Hiruzen Sarutobi calmly removed the stopper and poured out a thumb-sized pill. A rich medicinal fragrance instantly filled the room. After only a few breaths, the insomnia that had plagued him for days seemed to ease.
Under everyone's astonished gaze, Hiruzen placed the pill back into the bottle—and tossed it back to Minato.
"Give this to Tsunade," he said. "Whether it's for research or consumption, she will decide."
"But Tsunade isn't in the village!" Danzo cut in urgently. "We don't know this pill's shelf life—its efficacy might degrade at any moment!"
"I suggest sending it to the Medical Department immediately. Koharu can organize a research team."
"I can personally lead it," Utatane Koharu added eagerly, standing up. "We may achieve a breakthrough!"
Everyone understood her excitement.
Danzo's intent was even clearer: once the pill entered the lab, he would find a way to claim it.
"No need," Hiruzen said calmly. "Tsunade will return soon."
"That doesn't stop us from starting research now!" Danzo snapped.
"You're using the village's future to pave the way for your disciple!" Danzo roared. "As Hokage, you should prioritize Konoha—"
"Danzo."
Hiruzen's voice was calm.
"I am still Hokage. I decide."
Danzo fell silent, hatred burning in his eyes. "You will regret this."
Hiruzen ignored him and turned back to Shikaku.
"You explained the Dan Building, the Equipment Building, the Mind Building, and the Martial Building. What about the Mission Hall?"
Shikaku chose his words carefully.
"The Mission Hall functions similarly to our own mission system, but their missions do not pay money, nor do they require deposits."
"They emphasize ranking based on actual difficulty rather than formal classification."
Hiruzen chuckled. "No need to hesitate. Speak freely."
"When I sent Shinnosuke with Asuma, I was already prepared."
Danzo and Homura both looked up sharply.
Minato stepped forward instead of Shikaku.
"The Sacrificial Shop has issued an open bounty targeting Hokage-sama and the three Elders."
"The total reward is 2.3 million sacrificial coins, plus four Longevity Pills—extending life by sixty years in total."
The room erupted in shock.
Utatane Koharu nearly rushed forward.
Homura Mitokado, however, exhaled slowly, his body finally relaxing.
"How dare he!" Koharu shrieked. "A mere merchant dares put a bounty on a Hokage?! We must retaliate—"
"Why wouldn't he dare?" Hiruzen said softly, removing his Hokage hat and stroking the flame emblem. "Konoha is no match for Boss Li."
"What are his stated reasons?"
"Embezzlement of employer property, violating the ninja code, plotting murder, and attempting robbery."
Several clan heads felt their scalps go numb.
No one stood up to condemn the Sacrificial Shop.
Utatane Koharu finally understood.
She turned to Homura, trembling.
"Don't delude yourself," Homura said calmly. "I've already settled my affairs."
Danzo said nothing.
"This is slander!" Koharu screamed. "Hiruzen, convene the Five Kage Summit and wipe out those merchants!"
"So the summit is to execute the four of us?" Hiruzen asked calmly.
"Orochimaru secured a buffer period," Minato explained. "The other villages agreed Konoha would clean its own house."
"Orochimaru betrayed us!" Koharu shrieked. "Strike first—capture their emissaries!"
Hiruzen ignored her entirely.
"Orochimaru…" he murmured with a faint smile, then looked at Minato. "Is Tsunade planning for you to take over?"
"Lady Tsunade will become Hokage," Minato answered. "Only she can stabilize the situation."
"Good," Hiruzen nodded. "Then give the Longevity Pill to the Fire Daimyō. Minimize the damage."
"Yes, sir."
"At all costs, maintain ties with Orochimaru. He is our bridge."
"Understood."
For a moment, everything felt eerily harmonious.
As if nothing had ever been wrong.
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