Chapter 98

[New Fanfics!!! Give Them A Try!, They are Pretty GOOOOD!~]

[Hogwarts: I Really Am a Model Wizard]

[Marvel: I Summon Heroes From Various Worlds]

"Mikoto-san, you should consider from other perspectives. If the clan leader didn't send someone to help you, you could have come to me for assistance, instead of thinking you could handle these matters on your own and stubbornly resisting."

Faced with a graceful and beautiful woman in her twenties, Yoichi, although much younger than Mikoto, did not hold back in his reprimand.

"I'm sorry, Yoichi-san, it was my..."

"Forget it, don't bother making up stories. It's all for the sake of Fugaku's face anyway. Come with me."

Yoichi said to Mikoto, who followed him like a secretary, carefully nodding to his words.

The reason Mikoto was so submissive in front of Yoichi was partly because she had embarrassed herself.

Despite wondering in the dead of night whether it was a genjutsu or some secret technique that caused her to uncontrollably wet herself twice, she knew well the illusion techniques and abilities within the Uchiha clan.

There were techniques to control people with the Sharingan, but none to make someone wet themselves through genjutsu.

Moreover, she was not under any genjutsu at the time.

She also signed a compensation agreement afterward and was now running errands for Yoichi, changing their relationship from equals to one of superior and subordinate.

Moreover, Mikoto felt she had made two mistakes today: one was not seeking Yoichi's help when she needed assistance, which wasted time; the other was speaking with Kushina, sensing Yoichi had some resistance towards Kushina.

Thus, she acted like a timid secretary behind Yoichi, accepting his lecture.

"Yoichi-san, about Kushina... Can I not speak with her?"

"It's not that you can't, but her identity is somewhat sensitive. You might want to ask the clan leader for advice on how to act, and Kushina is guarded by four Anbu."

"I understand."

After Mikoto responded, she thought to herself about the significance of four Anbu guards, indicating a non-ordinary identity.

Although she got along well with Kushina, if being too close could bring trouble to the clan due to Kushina's sensitive identity, it was better to avoid it.

"I'm merely concerned about the hassle, but if you find you get along well with her, then being friends is no problem. Just remember you are a member of the Uchiha clan, and we do not suffer bullying."

Hearing Yoichi's words, even though Mikoto was not of the combative sort, she felt a slight pride and was moved deep down.

"Also, if you're going to represent me in business dealings outside the village, remember to change your outfit."

"Change my outfit? What should I wear?"

"Ninja attire and casual wear are forbidden. The former can be oppressive, while the latter seems too casual. Look at what other merchants wear and learn from them. In business matters, you are a merchant."

Yoichi methodically explained to Mikoto, who had experienced life as a student, ninja, and then a housewife. How much of the world could such a sheltered woman have seen?

"If you're unsure about what to wear, shall I have someone prepare a few outfits for you?"

"Thank you, Yoichi-san."

Mikoto hesitated before thanking him. She indeed did not know what kind of attire was appropriate for a common merchant and would not know what to buy on her own.

In Yoichi's mind, images already started to form: a business suit with a short skirt, black stockings covering slender legs... If Mikoto also wore her hair in a single ponytail and added glasses, the thought quickened his pace.

Later, Yoichi found two clan members, a man and a woman, neither of whom were ninjas but ordinary people with adequate education to handle accounting and running errands.

Originally, Yoichi intended to pay them a salary, but upon hearing they were helping Yoichi, they refused payment, stating the Uchiha welfare system provided enough for their families to live comfortably.

Despite their refusal, Yoichi privately instructed Mikoto to compensate them at the end of the month before leaving.

After Yoichi left, Mikoto still felt surprised by the clan's respect for him, almost rivaling that for the clan leader.

And this was only after one distribution of Uchiha welfare.

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"The Third Raikage? Are you sure it's him?"

Hiruzen found it hard to believe the Anbu's report.

"Based on the information received, it's confirmed that the leader is the Third Raikage leading an elite squad."

The Anbu calmly reported, mentioning that the Yamanaka clan used a secret technique to control flying animals for high-altitude reconnaissance.

"The village's recently lost military supplies must have all been taken by the Third Raikage."

Koharu asked, "How did they manage to transport the goods? What about the sealing techniques we placed on the supplies? Could their seal masters have accompanied them?"

To ensure the safety of supplies, Konoha specifically used sealing techniques that only specific storage scrolls could handle.

The Anbu replied, "Observations indicate the Third Raikage stored all the goods in a jar."

Hearing this, Homura said, "A jar... It must be Kumogakure's Amber Purifying Pot. It's said they used it to seal the Eight-Tails."

"The Third Raikage, leading an elite squad to infiltrate the Land of Fire and intercept our supplies, how can they be so shameless..."

Hiruzen was about to criticize their lack of shame when he remembered Kumogakure's envious tradition of stealing or taking whatever they wanted.

This wasn't the first time the Third Raikage had done something like this; he had previously stolen from Iwagakure and now repeated his tactics in Konoha.

Bang.

The door to the Hokage's office was suddenly pushed open, and Danzo walked in.

"Danzo, what brings you here?"

"Of course, it's about what you're discussing. Hiruzen, don't forget that the Root is an indispensable power within the village."

After speaking, Danzo placed a piece of intelligence on the table, then continued,

"This is information the Root has gathered about the Third Raikage's elite squad. It's not complete, but it might give us some leverage. Also, something similar is happening within the Land of Earth, carried out by the Third Raikage's son."

Hiruzen picked up the scroll and saw that the Root's intelligence covered various aspects of the Third Raikage's squad, including sensory ninjas, making encirclement difficult.

"Danzo, what do you suggest?"

Danzo glanced at Hiruzen, a cold smile in his heart, and said, "Other than encirclement and assassination, we can only use similar tactics against Kumogakure.

You know the difficulty of the first method, Hiruzen. To kill the Third Raikage, you'd have to take action yourself.

As for the second method... the Root has information that Kumogakure has deployed many ninjas in the Land of Hot Water, making it difficult to pass through."

The Hokage's office fell silent, only the sound of Hiruzen striking a match to light his pipe.

Ignoring the Third Raikage was not an option; otherwise, Konoha's logistical procurement could not be ensured unless he personally oversaw the transportation.

But dealing with a highly mobile elite squad was challenging.

The second method was also problematic; dealing with the Third Raikage was necessary first, lest the enemy ninja village cause chaos within the Land of Fire, leading to accountability from the Daimyo.

"Call Sakumo-"

Hiruzen hadn't finished speaking when an Anbu knocked and entered, handing him a report scroll.

Upon reading it, Hiruzen furrowed his brows.

Kushina visited the Uchiha clan territory and suddenly sat down while talking with Yoichi, showing no signs of seal loosening or genjutsu effects, but her face was flushed, and her body slightly trembled.

Does Uchiha have ideas about the Nine-Tails?

The first thought that came to Hiruzen's mind was this, but he then shook his head. According to records left by Tobirama, only the Mangekyō Sharingan could control the Nine-Tails.

Although Yoichi was a genius, he only had a three-tomoe Sharingan, and Kushina wasn't under any genjutsu.

However, this situation couldn't be ignored. The Nine-Tails approaching Uchiha was a taboo in the village.

Originally, the Nine-Tails was sealed inside Mito because Madara controlled the Nine-Tails to attack the village, which was then taken by Hashirama, the First Hokage.

This matter must be strictly guarded!

"Hiruzen, what happened?"

Noticing Hiruzen's frown after reading the scroll, Danzo couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

"Just a minor issue, I'll deal with it later."

Hiruzen discreetly put away the scroll. If Danzo knew this involved Yoichi, he would definitely argue.

"Notify Sakumo and Orochimaru to come here."

After receiving the order, the Anbu left the Hokage's office, and Danzo asked, "Are you planning to have them both lead elite ninja squads against the Third Raikage? Their strength is sufficient, but it'll be difficult to kill him."

Sakumo, although an exceptionally skilled Wind Release ninja, would struggle against the Third Raikage.

"What do you think, how many ninjas would it take to kill the Third Raikage?"

Hiruzen asked irritably. With many ninjas, the Third Raikage would simply flee, given his mobility. Konoha ninjas might not be able to catch up.

With an equal number, it would be difficult to kill the enemy, especially since the Third Raikage could fight the Eight-Tails for three days. Even if he personally took action, finding an opportunity would be tough.

Only an equal number of outstanding elite ninjas could hold the Third Raikage back. As long as they kept him occupied without any gains, he would leave.

Hiruzen didn't lack the desire to kill the Third Raikage; it was just that the opportunity was slim. Moving out might be a waste of time, so driving the enemy away was the best choice.

——————————————

Soon, Sakumo and Orochimaru arrived at the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen directly said to them, "Sakumo, Orochimaru, I have a mission for you."

After explaining the Third Raikage's destructive activities in the Land of Fire, both Sakumo and Orochimaru's faces showed seriousness.

Orochimaru quickly guessed Hiruzen's intention, "Sensei, you plan to have me and Sakumo-senpai stop the Third Raikage?"

"Yes, they also have sensory ninjas, so encirclement and assassination are unrealistic. We only need to hold him back and prevent any destruction; our goal will be achieved."

Hiruzen exhaled smoke slowly and continued, "They have thirteen people. Sakumo, can you and Orochimaru handle three squads with confidence?"

Sakumo thought for a moment, then said, "If it's just holding back the Third Raikage, I'm confident. However, I hope the Third Hokage provides support in terms of ninja squads."

His implication was clear: elite ninjas were needed. In this situation, Chūnin would essentially be useless after a few jutsu due to chakra depletion.

"Sakumo, tell me your plan."

"The Ino-Shika-Chō trio would be effective in restraining the Third Raikage's subordinates with their teamwork. The Hyūga, Inuzuka clans can ensure we don't lose track of them. Lastly, I hope for wind-style ninjas."

Wind trumps Lightning. Due to their geographical environment, most Kumogakure ninjas have Lightning nature, so confronting them with wind-style ninjas would be more effective.

"Village ninjas skilled in wind release..."

Hiruzen pondered for a moment but couldn't name many. Ninjas with this chakra nature were rare, and those who mastered wind release to an excellent degree were even rarer.

Suddenly, Hiruzen turned to Danzo beside him, realizing he had a proficient wind release user right there. He knew his old teammate's strength; Danzo had specialized in wind release techniques to an even greater extent than him.

Danzo felt a chill down his spine, immediately noticing Hiruzen's gaze.

'Hiruzen, are you trying to sideline me?'

"Cough cough!!"

Danzo quickly reacted, coughing twice and showing his bandaged hand and right eye, injuries he had recently sustained. Although healed, the bandages remained.

"If necessary, I can go."

Homura, seeing Danzo's condition, said with some compassion, "Danzo, have your injuries healed?"

"These wounds are trivial!"

Koharu also spoke up, "Leaving the village, what about the Root? The village heavily relies on the Root's intelligence, and with your injuries, it's better not to force yourself."

"Contributing to the village, how can it be considered forcing?"

After speaking, Danzo glanced at Hiruzen, waiting for him to speak up.

However, before Hiruzen could respond, Sakumo preempted, "Third Hokage, I hope Uchiha Yoichi can join this mission. Although young, his strength is considerable and will greatly aid our mission. As for other squad members, I'll leave it to the Third Hokage."

"Yoichi, okay, I'll notify him."

Thinking of the recent intelligence about Kushina, Hiruzen felt it was also a good idea to send Yoichi on a mission outside the village, at least keeping him away from the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails for a while, and immediately agreed to Sakumo's request.

(End of Chapter)