Can Chiba Came Back?

Chapter 55: Can Chiba Came Back?

Hokage conference room.

The familiar four high-ranking officials engaged in their regular high-level meetings.

"Let's look at the news from Shuo Mao at noon," Sarutobi Hiruzen announced, throwing a scroll on the table and motioning for everyone to watch.

Danzo glanced at Homura and noticed his indifference, so he extended his hand, intending to be the first to see.

Swish!

However, he reached out in vain as Homura snatched the scroll away. Soon, Homura and Koharu finished reading the scroll. Koharu then pushed the scroll in front of Danzo.

Danzo smiled and nodded in response to Koharu's gesture.

Whether the other party understood or not, Danzo didn't know.

Observing the intrigue between the three, Sarutobi Hiruzen paid it no mind. He waited for them to finish reading before asking for their opinions. Finally, Danzo finished reading.

"Tell me, what do you think about the fact that the Sand Shinobi's frontline troops have withdrawn their ninjas twice?" Sarutobi Hiruzen inquired, looking around at the others.

The information had been delivered to the village from Hatake Sakumo this morning, but due to the long distance, it arrived at noon.

Danzo was the first to speak.

"The Sand Shinobi mobilized their frontline troops twice, with more people the second time. There must be a threat from their rear. I suspect they are rounding up Chiba," Danzo analyzed, sorting out his thoughts.

It must be acknowledged that Danzo displayed some wisdom.

"It's similar to what I had in mind," Hiruzen nodded, agreeing for once.

Agreement upon agreement. However, when it came to Chiba, who was behind the Sand Shinobi, Hiruzen had no way to save him.

Next, Homura spoke.

"I think the Sand Shinobi's actions are a bit too impulsive, based on your assumption," Homura stated.

"Oh? It seems you have a different opinion~" Danzo sneered, sounding dissatisfied.

He believed his analysis was flawless, so why was Homura picking on him again?

Not only Danzo but Hiruzen and Koharu also directed their attention toward Homura, as if waiting for his dissenting viewpoint.

"According to Sakumo's information, the Sand Shinobi made a tentative attack and was repelled by the puppets and poison gas. Did you not see that?" Danzo interjected.

"I did see it, but if it were me, I would have launched a more aggressive counterattack," Homura stated directly, disregarding the reactions of the others.

"Hatake Sakumo is too conservative."

"If the Sand Shinobi had only moved their frontline ninjas once, Sakumo wouldn't have needed to act. But they transferred the ninjas for a second time, on such a large scale! There's no need to think twice—it signifies a major problem in the Sand Shinobi's rear," Homura's tone grew more agitated.

Hiruzen listened silently.

Danzo didn't retort but appeared pensive.

Only Koharu partially grasped the situation, pretending to listen while resting her chin on her hand.

"Imagine this, Chiyo, the commander of the Sand Shinobi, is unaware of the disadvantages of a large-scale transfer of ninjas?" Homura posed a question.

"She must know. Yet, she still chose to transfer a hundred ninjas. Why?" Homura asked, looking at the others.

The three fell into silence, unable to provide an answer. The entire conference room became Homura's stage.

"She transferred the ninjas away, risking a full-scale counterattack. There can only

 be one possibility—resting station!" Homura declared, his words striking like a sledgehammer, awakening Hiruzen and Danzo.

Resting station!

It could only be a resting station!

Unlike Konoha's supply station, the Sand Shinobi's resting station served as a combination of repair and supply.

"Are you suggesting that Chiba is sabotaging the Sand Shinobi's resting station? And they're mobilizing troops to capture him at all costs?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked with a serious expression.

"No!" Homura shook his head.

"Instead, I believe that Chiba may be flooding the entire resting station with a cesspit. This has made Chiyo furious, and she wants to apprehend him by any means necessary!"

Cesspit!

The word escaped Homura's lips.

Since the incident where a dozen Sand Shinobi were inundated with a cesspit, the Konoha executives were aware of Chiba's ability to cast such a technique. Now, Homura brought the word into the open even more.

"If what you're saying is true, then Hatake Sakumo is indeed too conservative," Danzo conceded, pointing the blame at Hatake Sakumo.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Suddenly, footsteps echoed outside the meeting room.

Hiruzen froze.

Danzo froze.

Even Homura and Koharu were taken aback.

This had become a common occurrence in their recent meetings. The door to the meeting room swung open, and Orochimaru walked in.

"Sensei, Chiba has returned," Orochimaru conveyed the news in a respectful tone.

He believed the news was of utmost importance, prompting him to personally deliver it.

As expected!

"What? Chiba, you say? He's back?" 

"Is it really possible?"

"He's not dead?"

Hiruzen and the others were stunned, finding it hard to believe that Chiba had returned.