Chapter 97 I always feel like I've failed as a teacher
However, just as the Hidden Cloud Village was about to send troops to Konoha, an unexpected incident suddenly occurred.
The Eight-Tails suddenly went berserk and caused massive destruction in Kumogakure.
In the end, the Third Raikage led a large number of high-ranking ninjas in a great battle, even breaking off the Eight-Tails' left horn, before finally sealing the berserk Eight-Tails.
The battle resulted in heavy casualties, with many Jonin sacrificing their lives, including some elite Jonin.
The current Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Gyūki, also died in this incident.
Having suffered little damage in the battle against their old rival, Iwagakure, the Raikage was naturally furious that such a major incident had suddenly broken out in his own hometown, causing even greater losses than the war itself.
Especially with the death of Jinchūriki Gyūki, the iron armor seal used to seal the Eight-Tails on his body disappeared, and the Eight-Tails went berserk and completely irrational... Someone must have done this behind the scenes.
The Raikage immediately ordered a full investigation into the truth behind the incident.
The Souji did not know how much the Hidden Clouds could uncover.
However, he knew the truth of the matter very well.
Orochimaru did it again.
Gyūki, a relative of the Raikage and the cousin of the future Fourth Raikage, was chosen as the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki because of his excellent ninjutsu skills and character.
Originally, this was an arrangement made because the Raikage had high hopes for him. However, after Gyūki became a Jinchuriki, he found that the people around him had become fearful and distant towards him.
This contrast made him increasingly exhausted and depressed.
Orochimaru infiltrated Kumogakure when Gyūki's will was weak and used a specially made genjutsu pill to control him. Orochimaru then removed the iron armor seal from Gyūki's chest.
The Eight-Tails separated from Buru and went berserk unconsciously. Orochimaru took the opportunity to seize a sample of the Eight-Tails' horn.
Because the illusion pills were extremely potent, no matter how hard the Eight-Tails tried, it couldn't recall the events leading up to its rampage, so the Raikage couldn't learn the truth from that perspective.
This is the whole truth.
After this incident, the Raikage carefully considered the situation and concluded that it was wartime and the powerful strength of the tailed beasts could not be easily abandoned.
Therefore, he decided to seal the Eight-Tails into the body of his son's partner and sworn brother, Killer Bee, making him the new Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.
This series of events greatly delayed the Cloud Village's operations, but under the Raikage's decisive and efficient command, the situation was quickly resolved, and the Cloud Village officially set off from the Land of Lightning to march towards the Land of Fire.
The Hokage always hoped to avoid war, and upon learning of this incident, he initially held onto a sliver of hope that the Hidden Cloud Village would abandon its war with the Leaf Village because of this internal strife. However, his expectations were dashed.
...
Conference room in the Hokage Building.
Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi is discussing with his longtime comrades, Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, Torifu Akimichi, and Danzo Shimura, the four advisors of Konoha, how to fight against Kumogakure and Kirigakure.
"The Cloud Mist has declared war and sent troops; this time it has finally escalated into a war with the other four major powers!"
The Hokage sighed in agreement, and Akimichi Torifu echoed his sentiment:
"Indeed, it would be so much better if Kumogakure just behaved itself like this. It's such a pity..."
Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses and said in a serious voice:
"Holding onto such wishful thinking is useless. Onoki and Fourth Raikage (A) have always been extremely ambitious.
How could they let Fourth Raikage give up after suffering a small loss?
That's why I said long ago that instead of waiting for the enemy to choose an opportunity, we should take the initiative to strike!"
Danzo Shimura then spoke up as well:
"Yan is right. You keep relying on wishful thinking, causing you to miss every good opportunity to take the initiative! Hiruzen!
You are too weak!"
"..."
As Koharu Utatane closed her eyes to rest, she thought to herself, "Here we go again."
Every time these two guys have a meeting, whether there's something to discuss or not, they always start by criticizing Hiruzen, and they've been doing this for decades.
Yan is alright, he's just a bit serious and rigid, and he likes to be picky, but his intentions are still for the good of Konoha.
But Danzo...
Does this guy really think that since we've known each other for decades, no one would be unaware of his thoughts?
Therefore, many things are first discussed privately by these few peers.
After all, such a scene is really not suitable for young people to see.
With a sigh inwardly, Koharu turned her head slightly and opened her eyes, saying in a deep voice:
"Enough with this nonsense, it's a waste of my time. Let's get down to business!"
"Change dorms..."
Mitokado and Akimichi glanced at her but said nothing more.
The Hokage, as if he had found a savior, quickly echoed:
"Koharu Utatane is right, let's talk about business first!"
"snort..."
Seeing everyone's attitude, Danzo wisely refrained from saying anything more.
Koharu, who was turning over the door, spoke again:
"Then let's discuss the selection of generals to face Kumogakure and Kirigakure. Sarutobi, what are your plans?"
"Um..."
The Hokage pondered for a long time before asking:
"Orochimaru is away on business and hasn't returned yet.
I think it's a matter of choosing two of Jiraiya, Minato, and Souji to fight against Kumogakure, and then having the third as Souji. Shinnosuke can serve as the vice Souji to fight the weaker Kirigakure."
"There are only a few suitable candidates, so this is indeed the only way to arrange things."
Upon hearing the Hokage's arrangement, Mitokado was the first to agree, and the other advisors had no objections.
"The problem is the specific decision on who will face Kumogakure and who will face Kirigakure.
Kumogakure is arguably the second strongest village after ours.
Fighting Kumogakure is not only difficult and dangerous, but it will also have a great impact on our reputation.
Sarutobi, you should understand this... This is also related to the succession to the Hokage position!"
"..." Everyone's expression turned serious.
"Because the battle with Kumogakure is extremely dangerous, we still need to send Jiraiya, the strongest among them.
However, this time we can't let him be the general. We must turn it around and have Minato as the general and Jiraiya as the vice-general."
"Hmm... that makes sense, but they are master and disciple. Is it really appropriate to make the disciple the general and the teacher the deputy general...?"
"It was Jiraiya who himself suggested bringing Minato out. What's a vice admiral? Besides, with his temper, a few nice words to appease him would have been enough."
Mito waved his hand dismissively, then couldn't help but curse:
"In the end, it's all because of you, Sarutobi.
You're indecisive and can't decide for a long time. Jiraiya was dissatisfied with this aspect of you, which is why he refused to become Hokage!"
"Hmm..."
The Hokage lowered his head slightly, his expression somewhat forlorn.
Of the three direct disciples, Tsunade lost her younger brother and lover one after another, suffered from hemophobia, left Konoha for many years, and disappeared without a trace.
Orochimaru, who was the most favored, also had his personality drastically changed because he witnessed too much death during the war, including the death of his own students.
Although she disguised herself well on the surface, she couldn't hide it from him; he still saw everything.
He admired Jiraiya the most, whose temperament was most similar to his own.
Because he had been unable to decide between Orochimaru and Jiraiya, he refused to succeed as Hokage due to his dissatisfaction and instead recommended his disciple Minato Namikaze.
I always feel... that I've failed as a teacher.
The Hokage sighed inwardly.
Meanwhile, Shimura Danzo coldly observed everyone, harboring extreme dissatisfaction with Orochimaru.
Even if Jiraiya were to promote Minato Namikaze, and everyone else was quite optimistic about him, Orochimaru has also cultivated his reputation in Konoha for many years.
As one of the Legendary Sannin, his prestige is deeply rooted in people's hearts, and he may not necessarily lose to a junior.
How could he run out at a time like this?! What's wrong with him?!
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end of this chapter..