Chapter 348: Plans Can't Keep Up with Changes
Surprises always strike without warning.
While Yasushi enjoyed his village management simulation game, shocking news arrived—news that caught him completely off guard.
Kirigakure and Iwagakure had suddenly joined forces to launch a surprise attack on Amegakure.
By the time the intelligence reached him, the battle had already concluded.
Ōnoki and Mei Terumī—dead. The Five-Tails—captured. The allied forces—routed.
Akatsuki had suffered devastating losses as well. Kisame Hoshigaki—dead. Fūka Kazahana—dead. The two new members who'd replaced Yasushi and Orochimaru in the organization—also dead.
However, Hiruko had avoided the carnage entirely, having been recalled by Yasushi beforehand.
Under Yasushi's guidance, current Hiruko had abandoned his original foolish plan of fusing random trash bloodlines. Instead, he'd painstakingly extracted the Swift Release and Steel Release abilities he'd incorporated early on, retaining only the Uchiha and Uzumaki bloodline limits.
Through Yasushi's connections, during Konoha's chaos, Hiruko had secretly obtained and fused a Hyūga branch family bloodline as well.
Later, Yasushi had acquired Kimimaro from Orochimaru, allowing Hiruko to integrate the Shikotsumyaku bone manipulation ability into his body.
The final step of his five-element fusion required coordination with celestial phenomena, preventing immediate completion of the Chimera Technique. But even with only four bloodline limits fused, these bloodlines complemented and enhanced each other perfectly, creating qualitative evolution.
Current Hiruko resembled an Ōtsutsuki clan member—horns protruding from his forehead, red marks above his brows, eyes transformed into something strange that combined both Byakugan and Sharingan advantages. He'd clearly formed a new bloodline limit—perhaps even a bloodline elimination or something higher.
Unfortunately, Tsunade was dead. The Senju clan's sage body had been lost. Otherwise, Yasushi would have loved to see if Hiruko could synthesize a bloodline encompassing technique by adding one more.
After Hiruko's information flickered through his mind, Yasushi tossed the intelligence report carelessly onto his desk and glanced sideways at White Zetsu with clear dissatisfaction.
"Were those two nations going for revenge or delivery service?"
"Why would they bring Jinchūriki onto the battlefield?"
White Zetsu explained:
"The situation developed suddenly. We didn't expect them to deliver themselves to our doorstep either."
"However, we investigated afterward and basically reconstructed what happened."
"Before Yagura died, he transferred the Three-Tails Jinchūriki status to someone new. But within days, Hiruko and Kisame Hoshigaki abducted that new host, causing Water Country tremendous embarrassment."
"Later, we discovered the rogue Six-Tails Jinchūriki Utakata's location. Nagato dispatched Kakuzu and Fūka Kazahana to capture him."
"That completely enraged Kirigakure."
"Mizukage Mei Terumī secretly negotiated with Iwagakure and Sunagakure about launching a joint invasion of Rain Country."
"Coincidentally, news that Lightning Country had annexed Frost Country and Hot Water Country also provoked Earth Country. Ōnoki wanted to swallow Rain Country and Grass Country, connecting Earth Country directly to Fire Country. So he and Mei Terumī reached immediate agreement and formed an alliance."
"But Sunagakure is currently consumed by internal strife. Rasa can barely maintain his own position—he's constantly overwhelmed. He had no energy for external expansion, so he refused the alliance."
"After losing Sunagakure's forces, Ōnoki brought the Five-Tails Jinchūriki Han along to ensure the plan's success."
"You saw the results."
Yasushi nodded in understanding, finally grasping the situation.
"So Nagato's officially beginning tailed beast collection?"
White Zetsu nodded.
"Correct. We've located where the Gold and Silver Brothers were buried and obtained their cellular tissue."
"Using Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation, Nagato has already absorbed the Nine-Tails chakra into the Gedo Statue."
"Combined with the previously captured Three-Tails and Six-Tails, plus the Five-Tails delivered this time—nearly half the tailed beasts have fallen into Nagato's hands."
"One-Tail is with you. Eight-Tails is Killer B. We've confirmed the identities and locations of the Two-Tails, Four-Tails, and Seven-Tails hosts as well. Nagato doesn't want to wait any longer."
"He plans to capture the remaining Jinchūriki once personnel are replenished, then revive the Ten-Tails."
"What about the Sage of Six Paths problem? You're not concerned anymore?" Yasushi pressed.
"That's why I'm here."
"Ever since the overseas Shell Organization base was exposed, Obito's been relentlessly pursuing Jigen."
"They've clashed several times, but Obito simply can't capture him."
"We need you to help catch Jigen so we can interrogate him thoroughly and discover where the Sage of Six Paths is hiding."
"I see!" Yasushi stroked his chin, still extremely covetous of the miniature Ten-Tails Jigen concealed.
But he couldn't let Zetsu know about that. So he leaned back in his high Hokage chair, propped his feet on the desk, and curled his lip dismissively.
"Are you confused about something?"
"Even though the succession ceremony hasn't occurred yet, I'm the Hokage now. How can I recklessly abandon Konoha Village?"
"The village has countless daily administrative matters requiring my attention. I can't just leave."
"How about this—I'll lend you Madara. I'll remain in the village maintaining security in case powerful enemies attack."
"Madara..." White Zetsu's face showed obvious distaste. "Current Madara isn't the Madara of the past. He's completely lost his former ambition and drive."
"Plus he hates us. I'm worried he'll deliberately slack off and let Jigen escape on purpose."
"How about reversing it—leave Madara here to maintain security while you join us hunting Jigen."
"As for Konoha Village, reconstruction primarily needs resources and money. Whether you're here doesn't make much difference."
"I'll assign more White Zetsu clones to help your Root personnel implement your plans. I guarantee your Konoha Village will have abundant supplies and never lack funds."
"What do you say?"
Yasushi had honestly been thoroughly annoyed by endless paperwork recently. He'd wanted to abandon these tasks and escape for quite some time. Seeing White Zetsu's proposal, he seized the opportunity.
"Now that you mention it, White Zetsu really would be perfect for Root operations."
"Alright then!"
"I'll brief them and arrange village affairs. After the reconstruction ceremony concludes, I'll join you hunting Jigen."
After reaching agreement with White Zetsu, Yasushi summoned Mizuki and Neji, briefly explained the situation, and issued orders:
"During my absence, Neji will serve as acting Hokage, taking full responsibility for the village's reconstruction work."
"Mizuki, you'll primarily handle Root operations, coordinating with White Zetsu to ensure the village has adequate resource supplies."
Both bowed quickly and began the handover process.
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