Chapter 313: Danzo's Shock—"This Kid’s Abilities Are Insane; The Plan Must Accelerate!"

Tsunade thought she must be out of her mind to have ever listened to Takuya's suggestion and taken up the position of Head of the Logistics Department. Now she was running herself ragged, not even dreaming of a full night's sleep. Didn't he realize that a lack of sleep was the worst thing for a woman's appearance?

That brat Takuya, he'd better watch out when he returns… she fumed.

After delaying as long as she could, Tsunade finally forced herself up, yawning endlessly, and made her way to the Hokage's office building.

When she arrived, Konoha's "troublesome trio" of high-ranking elders were already waiting there. Danzo entered without a word, took his seat, and silently observed. Homura rubbed his eyes, visibly annoyed at being woken from his sleep.

"Why the urgency, Hiruzen? What's going on?" he asked.

Hiruzen was puffing away on his pipe, filling the office with smoke. He barely had time to clear the air, glancing at Koharu with a brief nod. "We'll wait until Tsunade arrives. Take a moment to settle in."

Koharu's face flashed with irritation, but she kept quiet, merely crossing her arms and closing her eyes to rest.

It was well known that Tsunade and Koharu didn't get along. The rest had grown accustomed to their mutual hostility—frequent verbal jabs were practically standard, nothing shocking at all.

Finally, the door to the office opened, and Tsunade strode in. In the past, Koharu would likely have criticized her for keeping everyone waiting, but after so many times of being yelled at and even having Tsunade's hand at her throat, she had learned to hold her tongue. Koharu wasn't foolish enough to provoke Tsunade without reason.

"What do you need, old man? Can't it wait until tomorrow? I'm exhausted," Tsunade muttered as she entered, visibly annoyed.

Seeing Tsunade's complaint, the Third Hokage relaxed a bit, his expression softening. "War demands constant attention to logistics, Tsunade. It's no easy job. Thank you for your hard work."

Tsunade waved it off dismissively. "I signed up for this, so spare me the speeches. If you're really concerned, just give me a break."

The Third Hokage chuckled and shook his head, deflecting the topic. "The reason I've gathered you here tonight is to discuss urgent developments on the front lines."

As soon as Tsunade heard there was a pressing issue, she perked up, fighting back her drowsiness.

"This is the latest emergency intel from the front lines. Take a look. If this is true, we may soon be under considerable pressure," said the Third Hokage, handing over a scroll.

Danzo, seated on the Hokage's right, reached out, but before he could take the scroll, Tsunade had already snatched it from the Third's hand. Resigned, Danzo lowered his hand, frustrated but silent. Technically, the scroll should have gone to the Hokage's advisors, like Danzo and the elder council members, before reaching Tsunade.

But Tsunade never cared about protocol. She only cared about getting things done quickly so she could go back to rest. Snatching the scroll from under Danzo's nose, she opened it without hesitation. As for Danzo, he could wait.

Neither the Third Hokage nor anyone else seemed surprised by Tsunade's forwardness.

"Brilliant! That's what I'm talking about!" Tsunade suddenly shouted, standing up and slamming the table twice for emphasis, leaving cracks on the desk with her considerable strength. The others flinched as the office filled with the loud bangs and splintering wood.

"So, Yagura wants to keep hiding, trying to waste our time and resources?" she sneered. "Let's see how he does it now!"

Mist's tactical approach of constant retreating and evasive maneuvers had long been a source of irritation for Konoha. Now, with an attack at Mist's heart, it was doubtful Yagura could continue with this strategy. Even if Yagura himself could endure, Mist's higher-ups would likely be pushed to their limits.

"Impressive, truly impressive. I always knew Takuya would make us proud," Tsunade praised. The Third Hokage felt a strange mixture of emotions. When he first read the report, he had been shocked. He could hardly believe Takuya had managed to pull off such a daring feat.

For a brief moment, a chill ran down his spine. Given some of the darker actions he'd taken over the years, he feared what would happen if Takuya ever turned that dangerous potential against Konoha. In his mind, the Hokage raised Takuya's threat level by several notches. Just the thought of him casually lobbing a Tailed Beast Bomb into the Hokage's office was terrifying.

"Pass it around so everyone can read," he said.

Tsunade tossed the scroll to Danzo, smirking slightly at the Third Hokage. "Surprised, old man? You didn't think Takuya could pull this off, did you?"

"Ahem." The Third Hokage coughed. "Yes, it's quite a surprise. I knew Takuya was talented, but to think he's come this far… It seems the Third Kazekage wasn't wrong in saying Takuya might possess a power comparable to the First Hokage."

Koharu and Homura exchanged shocked looks.

"Comparable to the First?" Koharu scoffed. "Perhaps not, but he is undeniably strong."

Meanwhile, Danzo's expression grew darker as he read through the report.

For Tsunade and Konoha, this was fantastic news. But for Danzo, it was a disaster. The sheer scope of Takuya's capabilities was beginning to seem… unnatural. To wield Tailed Beast Bombs—an ability usually exclusive to the Tailed Beasts themselves?

How in the world had Takuya managed to summon such a creature? Just thinking of Takuya's white pet, Snowy, filled Danzo with frustration. Many in Konoha were curious about the origin of the creature and how Takuya had managed to form a summoning contract with such a powerful beast. Snowy wasn't a Tailed Beast but rivaled one in sheer strength.

Clearly, his plans needed to accelerate.

Forcing himself to stay calm, Danzo handed the scroll to Koharu, who shared it with Homura. As they read it, their faces went pale.

"This… can't be real!" Koharu gasped, looking as if she'd seen a ghost. Homura was equally shocked.

"Hmm." Tsunade folded her arms, unimpressed. "So, are you doubting Orochimaru's intel? If that's the case, perhaps you should personally investigate Mist Village?"

"That's not what Koharu meant," Homura interjected, attempting to mediate. "We're just astonished at Takuya's growth. The fact that he's managed to recreate the Tailed Beast Bomb into his own Rasengan form with the help of his summoning… it's unbelievable."

"Now is not the time for arguments," the Third Hokage interrupted, sensing that tensions were rising between Tsunade and the elders. "Mist Village has sustained significant losses, and they haven't caught Takuya or Minato. Yagura's guerrilla tactics are likely to fail, meaning that a full-scale confrontation may be imminent."

"Isn't that exactly what Orochimaru and Konoha have been preparing for?"