After Sakura Haruno had blasted her own ship, it was obviously unusable. Only a few of the boatmen had survived. Aside from a fleeting moment of apology for killing so many people at once, Sakura had no further thoughts on the matter.
Although those boatmen were usually law-abiding civilians, they had likely harmed quite a few people when they engaged in villainy. The ambush from two days prior showed they were very proficient in such matters.
Looking at the trembling survivors, Sakura lay on her back on the deck, contemplating the morning's incident. Although Terumi Mei had been frightened, Sakura's explanation had calmed her down. Isaribi had also boarded the ship, but she shivered whenever she saw Sakura.
As for a new ship, she naturally got one from Doctor Tenchi. He had hijacked quite a few sea vessels in the past, and some unprocessed ones were piled up in the deep-water port. Sakura picked a slightly smaller ship than before and ordered the remaining boatmen to sail it. There was no choice; they didn't have enough people, so they could only take a small boat. If they encountered a storm or something, Mei could handle it.
The trouble now was that her senjutsu chakra had been completely depleted by that one attack, and she still hadn't even begun to master Seijutsu. She couldn't refine natural energy on her own. In Mei's current full-strength state, if they fought, Sakura might actually lose if she wasn't careful.
Without senjutsu chakra, she felt a lack of security. And it seemed unlikely she could learn Seijutsu in the short term. So, for now, she could only borrow natural energy from a Gelel Stone. But the last Gelel Stone was still in the village. It looked like she would have to contact her master again.
"Ninja Art: Summoning Technique!"
Poof! With a burst of smoke, a miniature Katsuyu appeared on the deck. Sakura said to the slug, "Lady Katsuyu, I'm so sorry to trouble you, but could you please contact Master Tsunade for me?"
"I'd be delighted to be of service, Lady Sakura Haruno," the small Katsuyu replied politely. "What message would you like to convey?"
Sakura then described the iron box containing the Gelel Stone to Katsuyu, even drawing a picture for her to take.
"I'll be relying on you, Lady Katsuyu," Sakura said. "This matter is urgent. I hope you can inform Master as soon as possible."
"Understood," Katsuyu said, and with another poof, she vanished.
"What was that just now?" Terumi Mei suddenly leaned in and asked.
"My summoning animal," Sakura said casually.
"Oh."
Anko Mitarashi had been restless ever since returning from her last mission. Although she hadn't completed the mission, she hadn't received any punishment either. However, there had been no movement on that matter, and Anko was tempted to ask the Hokage, but she feared receiving an answer she couldn't accept.
This wasn't just her own affair; it concerned the entire village. Lady Tsunade was indeed a figure Anko admired, but she had left the village after the war. During Anko's formative years, the ones who had influenced her were the Third Hokage and her master, Orochimaru.
That's right, Lord Third Hokage! Why not go and talk to Lord Third about this? If it's Lord Third, there definitely won't be a problem. Sakura and Lady Fifth Hokage are master and apprentice; it might be difficult for Lady Fifth to make a decision. But Lord Third will surely handle it impartially.
Anko was a woman of action. She got up from her bed and headed towards Lord Third Hokage's home.
Ever since the Third Hokage had stepped down, he had lived a reclusive life to diminish his influence on the village. Even when Asuma invited him to live together, the Third Hokage hadn't agreed, choosing instead to live with Konohamaru.
When Anko arrived at the Third Hokage's house, she happened to see Konohamaru leaving. Anko went up to him and asked, "Konohamaru, is Lord Third Hokage home?"
"Oh, you're looking for my grandpa? He's home," Konohamaru replied, looking a little shyly at this unfamiliar pretty older sister.
"Mhm," Anko nodded. "Where are you off to?"
"To train!" Konohamaru said. "I'm going to become a Hokage like Grandpa!"
Anko nodded, then heard Konohamaru add, "And when I get strong, I'm gonna beat up the old hag who stole Grandpa's position!"
Err... Anko felt a bead of sweat. Speechless, she said, "Well, you do your best. I have some business with Lord Third."
Afterward, Anko knocked on the door. Soon, the sound of a door creaking open was heard, followed by an elderly voice, "Konohamaru, did you forget your keys again? Honestly~~"
"Ah, it's Anko. I thought it was Konohamaru," the Third Hokage said, smiling a little awkwardly.
"Yes, Lord Third Hokage," Anko said. "Forgive my unannounced visit and for disturbing you."
"Come in and talk," the Third Hokage said, stepping aside to let Anko enter.
Inside the room, after making Anko a cup of tea, the two sat on opposite sides of the tea table. The Third Hokage spoke first, "What brings you here to see me?"
Looking at Anko, the Third Hokage actually had a faint guess in his heart.
"Yes, Lord Third. Actually, there's something I'd like to report to you," Anko said hesitantly.
"What is it?" the Third Hokage asked, his expression unchanging.
"It's about something that happened during my last mission," Anko said. "Last time..."
"I already know," the Third Hokage sighed, interrupting Anko. It really is about this matter.
"You already know?" Anko said, surprised. Then she asked, "Then how do you plan to handle this?"
The Third Hokage closed his eyes and thought for a moment before asking in return, "Why don't you ask the Fifth Hokage?"
"Th-this..." Anko was taken aback by the question. She couldn't very well say that she didn't trust the Fifth Hokage and that's why she came to him, could she?
"I understand your thoughts, but please, give the Fifth Hokage some trust. And please give me some time as well." The Third Hokage looked at Anko seriously. "The Fifth Hokage will absolutely not allow the village to suffer any harm. You must believe her on this!"
"Yes," Anko felt a little ashamed hearing the Third Hokage's words. Lady Tsunade was the Hokage, after all. Thinking about it, how could she possibly let the village suffer?
"Then, I'll be going," Anko said, taking her leave.
"Mhm." The Third Hokage looked at Anko's expression, knowing she had been swayed by his words. It's still too soon. It seems establishing Tsunade's authority in the village quickly won't be that easy. Sigh, if the Fourth hadn't died, perhaps the situation wouldn't be so awkward now.
The biggest taboo for any institution or organization is the lingering influence of the previous leader. This makes it difficult for the current leader to carry out their work. The Third Hokage had experienced this deeply when the Second Hokage hastily passed the position to him.
Coming out of the Third Hokage's house, Anko decided to try and trust Lady Tsunade. Just as Lord Third had said, she was the Hokage; her first consideration would be the village.
Then I'll just wait patiently for Lady Tsunade's arrangements. Anko felt a little more relaxed. Just as she had walked out of the street in front of the Third Hokage's house, she suddenly heard someone call her name.
"Mitarashi Anko!"
Anko turned around, her expression faltering. She asked warily, "What is it, Lord Danzo?"
The man with his right arm in a sling and his eye covered by bandages – who else could it be but Danzo? Danzo spoke again, "I saw you coming out of the Third's house. I wanted to understand what you discussed with him."
"You want to know?" A cold sneer touched Anko's lips. "Then go ask Lord Third yourself."
Anko knew Danzo very well. Having spent time in the ANBU, she had no favorable impression of him whatsoever. Moreover, Root had been disbanded by the Third Hokage, and Danzo's power was greatly diminished. These were things Anko, formerly of ANBU, knew clearly.
Danzo, unfazed by Anko's retort, showed no expression as he slowly approached her. "The Third's governance of the village is indeed good, but when it comes to certain matters, he is still too soft-hearted. You were once an ANBU member; you should understand very well that some things still require me to do them."
After speaking, Danzo walked past Anko and gradually disappeared around the street corner. Anko, hearing Danzo's words, stood there stunned. As much as she disliked Danzo, what he said wasn't wrong. Having followed the Third for several years as an ANBU member, she understood his style.
Although the Third has no direct relationship with Sakura, can he really bring himself to be ruthless? Wait, just now, the Third used the Fifth Hokage to dismiss me, clearly avoiding the issue. And given the Fifth's relationship with Sakura...
Could it be... Was I wrong? Is Lord Third Hokage perhaps trying to protect Sakura...? This...
Anko's recently eased mood suddenly became heavy again. If that was the case, perhaps informing Danzo was the most prudent course of action for now. If the Third Hokage also made a misjudgment, then it would lead to irreversible disaster. Although Danzo was unlikable, he was still one of Konoha's higher-ups. Perhaps she should prepare for both possibilities.
Thinking this, Anko hurriedly ran towards the street corner where Danzo had disappeared. She then saw Danzo standing there, expressionless, as if waiting for something.
"Lord Danzo!" Anko swallowed and said.
"Mm, speak. What happened?" Danzo said.
If he hadn't seen Tsunade go to the Third's that day, if the men sent to the Land of Water hadn't yet sent back a message, if he hadn't wanted to find out from the Third today what Tsunade had said, Danzo wouldn't have coincidentally encountered Anko here.
Upon seeing Anko enter the Third's house, Danzo immediately recalled the mission Anko had abandoned. That mission hadn't originally been enough to attract Danzo's attention, but Tsunade had classified it as a top-secret file. It was precisely because Anko's mission report was classified at the highest level, viewable only by the Hokage, that Danzo had come today. Combining Tsunade's actions with seeing Anko today...
Danzo's years of intuition told him something major was definitely happening. He had casually bluffed Anko a bit, and she had taken the bait. Heh, Tsunade, you're still too naive. Hiruzen, that merciful heart of yours is starting to backfire. If Anko thought you could handle it, why would she choose to inform me?
Indeed, it seems I am still the most suitable person to be Hokage.