83 Chapter 83
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After only two days of rest, Kyomu received another mission and set out of the village with his team, it was a B-rank mission, not too difficult for Kyomu, but a new challenge for them.
As they walked on the road, Kyomu still hoped to encounter another bloodline ninja. The devil contract shouldn't go to waste.
-The scene shifts to Training Ground 18 in Konoha.-
"Do I need to introduce him?" Minato Namikaze's face was full of smiles. "Kakashi, welcome to Team 7!"
With excitement on their faces, Obito and Rin clapped their hands quickly. Even Kakashi's mouth under his mask curved up, a rare sight.
Reuniting with Obito and Rin was great news for him.
Stepping forward beside Minato, Kakashi looked at the Fourth Hokage, waiting for his next instructions.
Clapping his hands again, Minato smiled once more. "You are all familiar with each other, so I won't say much. But I'm curious about your teamwork."
Ding ding ding~
Minato took out two bells from his ninja tool pouch. "Today's entrance exam is to take these bells from me."
As he spoke, Minato hung the bells on his waist. "But since our former team members are unavailable, we only have two bells. The ones who get them can stay, and the ones who don't will step out. I'm sorry, but this is a decision that must be made."
Looking seriously at Kakashi, Minato said, "You can treat this entrance exam as a mission and use all your strength."
Kakashi nodded, swiftly retreating at an incredible speed, disappearing in the training ground in the blink of an eye, hiding somewhere.
Meanwhile, Obito and Rin exchanged a glance and organized their attack, rushing towards Minato.
In the Hokage's office,
Hiruzen watched the scene in the crystal ball, unable to hide his smile.
"Minato is clever, and his teaching style is gentle and adaptable. Along with the friendship between Obito, Rin, and Kakashi, I believe we can use this chance to change Kakashi's radical personality."
He was very satisfied with Minato's approach, even more so as Hiruzen had used a similar method when teaching Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru. And Minato was indeed using the same approach effectively.
"They are all excellent successors of the Will of Fire!"
After a sigh, Hiruzen stopped speaking, focusing on the images reflected in the crystal ball.
---
Without any surprises, Kakashi successfully passed Minato's entrance exam.
To Kakashi now, this kind of trickery seemed quite childish, especially compared to before.
Because of the death of Sakumo , Kakashi matured overnight, shedding the occasional childishness he used to have.
Whether he became more deep-minded or more silent, Kakashi became this way due to certain person actions.
-At the same time, in the Hidden Sand Village-
The Third Kazekage had been missing for three days, along with Chiyo's grandson, Sasori. But no one linked the disappearance of the Third Kazekage with Sasori. Even though there were some vague pieces of evidence, they refused to believe it.
"Rasa, what's the situation?" Seeing Rasa coming in, Chiyo asked anxiously.
Without saying a word, Rasa just shook his head.
"Sigh!" Chiyo sighed heavily and sat back down. "Since there's no news, there's no need to search."
"We must search!" Rasa gulped down a glass of water. "The Third Kazekage can't just disappear like this. We must find out the reason behind it."
"But the village has been at a standstill for three days." Ebizou shook his head. "Rasa, my sister and I have discussed it. As the disciple of the Third Kazekage, you are the most suitable candidate."
Rasa didn't immediately agree, but he didn't argue either, waiting quietly for Ebizou and Chiyo to continue.
"Rasa, search for three more days. If we can find him, it's good. But if we can't..."
"Elder Chiyo, if we can't find him, how do we explain to the people in the village?" Rasa asked a crucial question. "Should we tell everyone that our Third Kazekage has disappeared for no reason?"
This time, Chiyo and Ebizou fell silent.
The disappearance of a village leader for no apparent reason would be quite explosive in the entire ninja world.
Once the truth was told to the people, it would bring shame to the Sand Village. And such an inexplicable disappearance would easily lead to misunderstandings.
The Third Kazekage was known as the strongest leader in the history of the Hidden Sand Village. His inexplicable disappearance would undoubtedly raise suspicions of conspiracy.
If Rasa were to succeed the position of the Fourth Kazekage at this time, with someone's help, the mastermind behind the Third Kazekage's mysterious disappearance could easily point fingers at Rasa.
"Rasa, tell us your thoughts." Chiyo looked at Rasa. "Consider this incident as a test before you become the Kazekage."
Rasa nodded. "Elder Ebizou, Elder Chiyo, my idea is simple. We'll shift the blame for the Third Kazekage's disappearance to the Leaf Village."
With just one sentence, Chiyo and Ebizou understood Rasa's meaning. He wanted to divert attention and use the power of hatred to unite the Hidden Sand Village in the shortest possible time.
But it wasn't without consequences.
"Rasa, this can minimize the impact of the Third Kazekage's inexplicable disappearance on the village, but what about afterward?"
"The consequences can be foreseen." Ebizou looked down, his eyes flickering. "Hatred can bring the village together, but it can also bring war. The blood feuds of the Second Shinobi World War are unforgettable."
Rasa remained calm. "Elders, in the Leaf Village, the day White Fang died, the countries were already organizing for war."
This was the truth.
Sakumo's significance to the Leaf Village was not just as an efficient task machine. He was an outstanding commander and top-tier combatant for Konoha.
Thinking back to the Second Ninja War, Sakumo single-handedly dominated the entire battlefield of the Sand Village. He was truly intimidating at that time.
And the three legendary ninjas of Konoha, compared to Sakumo, were significantly inferior.
Now that Konoha had lost Sakumo , and for some unknown reasons, the three legendary ninjas of Konoha had disappeared from the ninja world, this was undoubtedly the best opportunity for the other countries to wage war.
The fertile land of the Land of Fire had been coveted by other countries for a long time.
"Since war is inevitable sooner or later, it's better to use the Third Kazekage's inexplicable disappearance to completely ignite the flames of war."
Rasa's words were somewhat ruthless, but he was that kind of person.
Chiyo and Ebizou exchanged a glance, and after a moment of silence, Chiyo spoke.
"Rasa, lets follow your plan. Ebizou and me will start make preparations."
Watching their retreating figures, Rasa's eyes were deep, unable to help but clench his fists.
Under his leadership, the Hidden Sand Village would surely step towards a more brilliant future!
---
Konoha, Hokage's office.
"Hokage-sama, this is the latest intelligence passed on by our spy planted in the Hidden Sand Village."
Hiruzen took the file handed over by the ANBU ninja, his expression changing drastically at a glance.
"The Third Kazekage is missing?!" Hiruze's tone was high, "At this critical moment?!"
"Hokage-sama, we have verified the intelligence through multiple channels, proving that the information is true and accurate."
Hiruzen closed the file in his hand, decisively giving orders, "If the intelligence is accurate, then trouble is upon us.
Immediately summon the three advisors, the heads of each department, and the leaders of each ninja clan to see me!"
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
The ANBU ninja took the order and left. In no time, the office was crowded with people.
"This is the situation. If I'm not mistaken, the countries will all have significant movements in the near future."
Hiruzen looked at Shikaku, "Danzo, what are your thoughts?"
"Prepare for war." Danzo's words were concise, "The countries have been making moves for the past year. It's only a matter of time before they launch a war.
And the sudden disappearance of the Third Kazekage is obviously the catalyst for the start of the war."
"But isn't this price too high?" Enma questioned suspiciously, "The Sand Village's ploy doesn't have to be so ruthless. I think..."
"Whether it's a real disappearance or a staged one, whether it's Sand Village's doing or there are hidden motives." Danzo interrupted Enma , "The fact won't change. The Sand Village will definitely shift the blame to someone else, and we, Konoha, are the best choice, no doubt about it."
Danzo's judgment was flawless.
Although he was deep-minded and ruthless in his actions, his understanding of conspiracies and war situations was exceptionally strong.
After his speech, everyone present agreed with Danzo's words, and Hiruzen hammered it home.
"Immediately recall all ninjas who are out on missions, prepare war supplies in full, and initiate preliminary war mobilization."
Hiruzen stood up, supporting himself on the desk with both hands. "Everyone, I'm counting on you!"
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Everyone filed out, leaving only Hiruzen and Danzo in the office.
"Hiruzen, if war really breaks out, I want to personally lead the Root to the battlefield."
"Danzo, it's not time for you to step in yet." Hiruzen shook his head, "You and I cannot move, at least not in the early stages of the war."
Danzo's expression was not good. "Hiruzen, with you sitting in the village, it's enough. I can..."
"Danzo, don't argue anymore. If the situation deteriorates further, or if it becomes extremely dangerous, then we, the old folks, can step in."
Hiruzen showed an expectant look. "But I believe Minato, the new generation of Ino-Shika-Cho, the two twin geniuses, and others will perform exceptionally well in this war."
Despite Hiruzen's words, Danzo was still unwilling to give up. "But in terms of leadership, we need someone experienced. If it were me..."
"Danzo, have you forgotten about Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade?" Hiruzen continued to refuse, and for a good reason, "They are experienced in commanding a ninja force independently during the Second Great Ninja War and have won several battles. They are fully experienced."
"But there are only three of them, and there are so many battlefields..."
"I'll entrust one of the battlefields to the new generation of Ino-Shika-Cho, especially Shikaku. His intelligence should be fully utilized and not wasted."
"Very well, let's go with your plan. It seems I'm redundant!"
Danzo turned and left, making quite a noise when closing the door.
Watching the closed office door, Hiruzen fell into silence, his eyes flickering.
How could he not guess what Danzo was up to?
(End of Chapter)
