Chapter 81: The Stalled Mission!

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"You..."

Tsunade's face grew even more flushed with anger, her teal eyes filled with deep dissatisfaction.

Seeing this, everyone fell silent, their expressions tense.

"Do you have a problem?"

Hashirama gave Tsunade a cold glance. It was just a look, but it immediately calmed her down.

"No."

Tsunade shook her head, her expression returning to calm as she looked at Hashirama with a cautious gaze.

The man in front of her.

Not as handsome as she imagined.

But...

He struck her as extremely dangerous.

"It's good if you don't."

Hashirama disregarded Tsunade and, under the watchful eyes of everyone, clenched his fist tightly.

Snap!

A sound like popping a bubble rang out.

The Byakugan in Hashirama's palm was crushed into pieces.

A murky, milky-white liquid flowed steadily from his fingertips, exuding a strange odor.

"Whoa!"

Everyone in the room inhaled deeply, without exception. Their eyes regarded Hashirama as if he were a monster.

That was a Byakugan!

Crushed so simply and brutally!

A waste of a rare resource!

Everyone felt a pang of regret in their hearts.

"Water Shadow."

"There is something you need to understand, Mist Village."

"I was actually merciful with this eye."

"If you hadn't come here, it wouldn't have been just an eye that was at risk."

Hashirama spoke indifferently, his tone flat and emotionless, but everyone present knew it was not an empty threat.

"I'll give you five minutes to assemble outside the Hokage's office and confirm who you're bringing. We will be heading to the Land of Lightning's Hidden Cloud Village for the Five Kage Summit."

With that, Hashirama turned and walked towards the door, the tense atmosphere lightening considerably.

"Qing, are you okay?"

Tsunade asked with concern, looking at Qing. She had brought only him, and now he was severely injured from the attack.

"I'm fine!"

Qing covered his right eye, which was now just an empty socket, with the bleeding having lessened significantly.

"Are you sure?"

Tsunade studied Qing closely. If she hadn't been so unwilling to attend the Five Kage Summit alone, she wouldn't have asked.

"Lord Mizukage, I'm really fine!"

Qing shook his head. The pain in his eye socket had subsided, and he was also worried about leaving Tsunade alone to go to the Hidden Cloud Village.

"Akatsuchi, let's go!"

Onoki signaled Akatsuchi to leave with him. With only one attendant, it was straightforward.

"Temari, Kankuro, you two stay."

Maki looked at Temari and Kankuro, nodding to them. He then added, "You're still Chunin; this stage is too early for you. This trip to the Hidden Cloud Village won't be simple. You should stay behind."

Temari was about to say something more when Maki interrupted her.

"There's no 'buts' about it. Do you think you have the strength to handle this situation? Even the Fourth Kazekage is struggling, and having you around would only distract him."

Maki shook his head, explaining. As a seasoned veteran, he could already sense the danger looming over the Five Kage Summit.

"Understood!"

Temari and Kankuro exchanged glances. Though reluctant, they both knew this was the best choice for the current situation.

"Don't worry, I will ensure the Fourth Kazekage's safety!" Maki promised, patting his chest.

"Let's go."

Gaara, seeing that the assignments were complete, immediately stepped forward and headed towards the exit.

"Tsunade, let's go as well."

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at his former student. Regardless of the circumstances, since Tsunade was attending the summit, he would consider her as his aide.

"Mm."

At this moment, Tsunade did not argue with the Third Hokage. She knew what was truly important.

Soon enough.

The four Kage, accompanied by their chosen attendants, made their way out of the Hokage's office.

Outside the Hokage's office building.

Hashirama waited for the Kage to emerge.

In less than five minutes, everyone had gathered.

"Let's depart."

Hashirama's gaze swept over the group, confirming that all the Kage were present. With that, the only remaining task was to reach the Hidden Cloud Village.

Whoosh!

As soon as Hashirama finished speaking, he leapt ahead, swiftly heading towards the gate of Konohagakure.

The rest followed closely behind.

...

Half an hour later.

Under Hashirama's lead, the group advanced towards the Hidden Cloud Village. Unbeknownst to them, a large white bird circled high above.

On the bird stood two figures, both wearing black cloaks adorned with red clouds.

Deidara.

Sasori.

From an external perspective,

Deidara still appeared to be the same Deidara.

However, Sasori was no longer the same Sasori from the era of the Red Sand. After using his disguise, Sasori had revealed his true form, though he was still essentially a puppet.

"Have you located the target?"

Sasori asked Deidara, who was peering through binoculars. They were on a mission to capture the One-Tail Jinchuriki.

"Yes, I see him."

Deidara nodded, his expression somewhat troubled.

"Let's proceed."

Sasori was direct. Capturing the One-Tail Jinchuriki was just the beginning of their plan, and he disliked waiting.

"Wait..."

Deidara immediately made a hand gesture, signaling Sasori to hold off.

"Deidara, you know I don't like waiting or being kept waiting."

Sasori's tone grew irritated. They had checked the information before coming; the One-Tail Jinchuriki was merely a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy, a mere Chunin.

He was not a significant threat.

It should be a straightforward task!

There was no need to delay.

"That's not it!"

Deidara shook his head, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He turned to Sasori and said, "Sasori, the mission might be in jeopardy."

"The One-Tail Jinchuriki is with Senju Hashirama."

As soon as Deidara finished speaking, Sasori's eyes widened in disbelief.

"How is that possible?!"

Sasori couldn't believe his ears. It was too coincidental—just recently, they had been defeated by Senju Hashirama, and now he was encountering him again.

"It's true. Also, Gaara is wearing the Kazekage's hat," Deidara observed carefully.

"Kazekage?"

Sasori's mind was filled with confusion. He was from the Sand Village; how could the Kazekage be such a young person?

"Moreover," Deidara took a deep breath, his expression becoming quite peculiar, "I also saw the Third Tsuchikage, Ohnoki."

(The End of This Chapter)