Chapter 231: The Unavoidable Outcome

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Jiraiya continued to provide more information about the Akatsuki. Amegakure had become Akatsuki's base of operations, but now the village was under a closed-door policy, rejecting communication with the outside world.

However, they possessed a mercenary force dedicated to amassing wealth, which seemed like they were using money to develop the village.

But what truly stood out was the immense power Akatsuki wielded.

After learning about Akatsuki, Jiraiya urged the village to take the organization seriously, not just because of Ye Zi but due to the organization's overall strength.

The Land of Rain, much like other small countries, was typically considered a buffer zone during times of war, often overlooked by the great nations. However, the Land of Rain had historically garnered attention because of one man—Hanzō of the Salamander, a ninja considered a demigod.

That was why the village had focused on the Land of Rain. After the Second Shinobi War, Hanzō's influence had gradually waned, seemingly by his own choice. He had withdrawn into the village, leaving the world to assume he no longer sought dominance.

However, despite his shadowy retreat, there was no denying that Hanzō held Kage-level strength. The fact that someone strong enough to defeat Hanzō had emerged in his place indicated that Akatsuki's strength was formidable. With powerful members like Ye Zi and other S-ranked rogue ninjas from various villages, the organization couldn't be ignored.

Ninja ranks typically included Genin, Chunin, Jonin, and Kage-level.

Jiraiya believed Ye Zi was Kage-level in strength. Combined with Akatsuki's ability to defeat someone as strong as Hanzō and their numerous S-rank rogue members, there was no reason not to take this organization seriously.

Despite Jiraiya's thorough explanation, Tsunade remained focused on one particular aspect—whether anyone in Akatsuki could use Wood Release.

Based on this, Minato responded with an unclear answer, mentioning the black-and-white creature he had encountered one night. The creature had the ability to merge with trees and vanish, which might be linked to Wood Release.

Though Minato's theory was vague, it turned out to be correct.

White Zetsu indeed could use Wood Release, but Tsunade's search for a Wood Release user was driven by her desire to find the one responsible for the death of Kato Dan. Unfortunately, while White Zetsu could use Wood Release, he was not the killer.

Minato's suggestion was made because Jiraiya's intel didn't include anything about Wood Release, and he sensed Tsunade's growing impatience.

Hearing Minato's words, Tsunade couldn't be certain that this creature was the one she was looking for, but at least it provided a direction.

"So, it's time to send a team to investigate Akatsuki more thoroughly," Jiraiya emphasized the importance of gathering more intelligence on the organization.

For the first time since entering the office, Kushina spoke up, latching onto Jiraiya's point.

Her expression was calm, and she didn't mention Ye Zi at all.

Minato blinked in surprise, turning to Kushina. He understood her feelings. While she remained composed, her eyes were filled with determination and a fierce resolve.

Jiraiya glanced at Kushina and, after a brief silence, said, "Continuing to gather intel on Akatsuki is necessary, but I can't do it alone. Kushina's suggestion makes sense. However, we can't underestimate Akatsuki's strength. If we send a team, we must choose the members carefully to avoid unnecessary casualties."

Minato fell into deep thought.

The village's resources were already stretched thin, and the recent financial cutbacks had made maintaining and training new ninja more challenging. To overcome this hurdle, Konoha had to expand its mission offerings, from small-scale tasks to S-rank missions, leaving no opportunity wasted.

A specialized team could significantly contribute to the village's finances. But if they were deployed to investigate Akatsuki, there might be no tangible results.

From a strategic standpoint, sending a team to gather intelligence could be a misuse of manpower. However, because Jiraiya had raised the issue, Minato had to take it seriously.

He nodded. "I'll carefully select a team."

As soon as he finished speaking, Kushina placed her hand on her chest, her gaze locked on Minato. With a determined voice, she said, "Let me go!"

Faced with Kushina's unwavering gaze, Minato opened his mouth, but the words he intended to say caught in his throat.

He wanted to refuse, to tell her no—she was the village's Jinchuriki and too valuable to risk...

But those words remained unsaid. He couldn't bring himself to explain the importance of the Jinchuriki to the village, nor could he express the risks of letting her leave.

He couldn't refuse outright, but he also couldn't agree. So, he chose silence.

"Let me go!" Kushina repeated, stepping forward, her determination evident in every step.

Her actions made it clear—she was serious and would not back down.

Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Hiruzen watched silently as the unspoken standoff between Minato and Kushina unfolded.

Kushina's fierce resolve clashed with Minato's hesitant silence.

From the beginning, Minato had known this moment would come—it was just a matter of time. This was the unavoidable outcome.

"Alright," he finally conceded.

Upon hearing his approval, Kushina's face lit up with a broad smile. At last, she had been given the opportunity she sought.

Minato could only look on with deep resignation. He didn't want her to take this mission—not because of Ye Zi, but because of the dangers involved. If he weren't tied to the responsibilities of being Hokage, he would have stayed by her side without question.

"I'll go on this mission too," Tsunade said with a calm expression, but her tone was as resolute as Kushina's.

She hadn't interfered in the previous exchange because she knew that if she had, Minato might have used it as a reason to give her the mission instead of Kushina.

Jiraiya and Hiruzen exchanged a glance and both smiled wryly.

What else could they say? Like teacher, like student.

Minato, too, smiled wryly. Now that Tsunade had also volunteered, he had to think carefully about who else to select for the mission. Losing three key members in one go was a big blow.

"This is... quite the dilemma."

He furrowed his brows slightly.

"It's settled, then. I'll wait for your decision," Kushina said, and without waiting for a response, she turned and bolted out of the office.

Everyone else in the room was left speechless, watching as Kushina dashed off.

"Tsunade, you should stay in the village," Jiraiya suggested after Kushina's departure.

"I don't need you to decide that for me," Tsunade retorted without hesitation.

Jiraiya was left momentarily speechless. He knew that once Tsunade made up her mind, nothing could change it. His attempt to dissuade her had been half-hearted at best, but her sharp response still stung.

Quickly shifting topics, Jiraiya asked, "By the way, what were you discussing earlier about Orochimaru?"

Seeing that Jiraiya had brought the subject up again, Hiruzen's expression grew darker.

Both Jiraiya and Tsunade furrowed their brows, noticing Hiruzen's somber demeanor.

Minato's expression also became serious. He knew that Hiruzen needed to explain the situation to both Jiraiya and Tsunade, and once confirmed, there would be no escaping the consequences for Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru... seems to be conducting human experiments," Hiruzen said, his voice laced with disappointment.

At those words, Jiraiya and Tsunade were both visibly shaken. A cold chill ran through them, freezing their expressions.

"Are you joking, old man?" Jiraiya asked after a brief silence, his face filled with disbelief.

Hiruzen let out a deep sigh. "I wish I were. Although it hasn't been completely confirmed, the evidence points overwhelmingly in that direction."

"Orochimaru... how could he have gone this far?" Tsunade gritted her teeth, struggling to accept that her longtime comrade could commit such a terrible act.

Human experimentation was a practice more forbidden than most kinjutsu. Anyone involved in such experiments was crossing an irrevocable line, isolating themselves from morality, humanity, and the recognition of their peers.

"I had noticed Orochimaru's ambition for a long time," Hiruzen said, his face heavy with regret. "But I never imagined he would go to such lengths."

A long time ago, a young boy picked up a shed snake's skin. That moment of curiosity planted a seed in his mind. Did his path depend on the guidance he received from others, or was this inevitable from the start?

Perhaps, from the moment Orochimaru picked up that snake skin, his fate was sealed. Just as Ye Zi's fate had been set in motion from the day Orochimaru brought him to the village, leading to his current predicament.

Both outcomes were unavoidable from the very beginning.

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