"What happened?"
"Father has rejected my summoning."
Raidenmaru was also a bit stunned but soon responded.
The contract relationship between it and Hakushi is a clear hierarchy.
It can't refuse Hakushi's summoning, but Hakushi can decide whether to respond to the reverse summoning jutsu of the clone based on the situation.
The good news is that Hakushi, as a father, doesn't seem to be in any danger, it's just that he has some important tasks and can't respond to the reverse summoning jutsu now.
The bad news is... its plan to find a scapegoat has failed.
Seeing the atmosphere becoming a bit awkward, Raidenmaru quickly jumped backward.
"Ahem, I suddenly remembered that Father seems to have given me a very important task before he left. I need to finish it before he returns. Ahem, well, two respected mothers, I have things to do and will excuse myself for now."
The oppressive air made it hard for it to breathe.
It truly felt like it might die if this continued.
Saying this, without waiting for Ayane, its body transformed into a bright blue spark and sped into the depths of the forest, disappearing instantly.
Ayane tilted her head, looking confusedly in the direction where her brother Raidenmaru disappeared.
If she remembered correctly, their father only asked them to deal with the lumber here, why is there suddenly new work?
Raidenmaru, her lying brother.
"If that's the case, it seems we'll have to wait for Hakushi to return to find out what's happening. It's getting late, I'm going back for a nap."
Ayane stretched lazily, in this cold weather, she didn't really feel like leaving her room. She needed someone to warm her.
"Don't be in such a hurry to leave, I've been researching a new ninja technique lately and need a worthy opponent for practice. Can you spar with me?"
Ruri spoke as calmly as she could.
Since leaving Konoha, she felt this woman had become more dangerous.
Always flaunting her shamelessly abundant chest before her man.
Shameless!
That looks like unnecessary body fat anyway.
It's said that women with more chest fat might suffer from shoulder pain due to the excess fat, hindering combat.
"Is that so? Well, there's no other choice, it's been a while since we sparred. Speaking of which, I also want to see how strong I am now."
Ayane smiled warmly as she agreed to Ruri's reasonable request.
During their previous sparrings, she always felt humiliated and defeated, wishing the poorly endowed Sharingan woman was as weak as her chest was.
But this time is different. Her skill with the Byakugan has greatly expanded compared to the past, uncovering many practical and powerful moves, ensuring victory!
◎
Konoha.
Minato had been discharged for some time, the discomfort and stiffness felt in the hospital were quickly alleviated by the revitalization agent developed by Shion Flower Company, allowing him to feel almost as good as before the injury on the first day out of the hospital.
Surviving the disaster made Minato cherish this second chance even more.
And naturally, he became more cautious around Hakushi.
After all, dying is a very unpleasant experience, and recalling the cold look Hakushi gave him before his death leaves an indelible shadow in his heart.
The next time they meet, extra caution is necessary, minimizing close-range combats as much as possible.
However, Hakushi's matter needs to be put aside for now. Although many Konoha ninjas loathe Hakushi's actions that night, wishing to tear him apart for destroying the village and killing comrades, the priority is the battle with Hidden Sand and Hidden Rock.
Hakushi's threat is far smaller than the threat posed by these two villages.
Their choice of timing to attack, right after Konoha dispatched many ninjas twice, shows not just their prudence, but also a demonstration of Hakushi's forces being unable to shake a giant like Konoha.
Only exploiting various loopholes for skirmishes and pulls.
The powerful ninjas in the village that night could only worry about Kushina's safety, unable to fight wholeheartedly.
Some deadly forbidden techniques and secret techniques cannot be easily used.
Thus, after that night, Konoha sent out a symbolic pursuit team, but mainly focused on Hidden Sand and Hidden Rock.
Once Hidden Sand and Hidden Rock are repelled, dealing with a dangerous renegade ninja like Hakushi won't be too late.
With war at hand, Minato had to head to the battlefield to face off against Hidden Sand and Hidden Rock.
Before that, there was one more thing to deal with.
Forming Minato's Class.
After becoming a Jonin, Minato hadn't officially led a Genin Squad but had temporarily teamed up with others or performed tasks alone.
Post-discharge, as he felt mostly recovered, Ninja School faced graduation with two students graduating this year and another who graduated years ahead—a genius ninja, Hatake Kakashi, who was already a Chunin by now.
At a clearing near the school, Minato examined the squad member profiles given by Hokage, detailing the two graduates' scores and their future paths.
As he contemplated how best to get along with his squad members, footsteps approached.