However, the Hidden Cloud suddenly retreated.
Whether it really intended to cease hostilities or was a strategic withdrawal left Konoha feeling immensely puzzled.
Yet, from the Hidden Cloud, intriguing rumors seemed to spread that many Hidden Cloud Village Ninja feared the power of the Yellow Flash, leading to severely low morale, with the camp's Hidden Cloud elite Jonin frequently holding multiple meetings in a day, all regarding withdrawal.
Recently, a decision to retreat was finally made. But due to face-saving issues, they adopted a strategy of withdrawing without fighting, not directly admitting their fear of Konoha or, more specifically, the power of the Yellow Flash.
As long as a real result is not achieved in battle, the Hidden Cloud does not count as having failed.
Although the actions were somewhat rogue, it was also not hard to see the Hidden Cloud's fear of the Yellow Flash.
Even within the Land of Hot Water, many rumors suggested that the Hidden Cloud feared the Yellow Flash's power, and to retain the final semblance of dignity, they whimsically withdrew from the battlefield without signing a ceasefire agreement.
This rumor seemed quite unconvincing and lacked solid evidence, but when thinking about the Yellow Flash's outstanding performance on the battlefield over the past two years, combined with the Hidden Cloud not clarifying matters, as if tacitly agreeing, many people were deeply convinced.
The Konoha Ninja fighting the Hidden Cloud on the frontlines also generally accepted this explanation.
Whether it was ending the Hidden Rock battlefield or defeating a large number of elite Hidden Cloud Village Ninja led by the Fourth Raikage on the Hidden Cloud battlefield, which helped Konoha regain the upper hand, the Yellow Flash's presence was everywhere.
Also, his prominence in the missions was the greatest, almost single-handedly turning the tide and silencing the opposition.
If the Hidden Cloud withdrew because of the Yellow Flash, it would make perfect sense logically, and it was a reason that Konoha could most accept.
Because the Yellow Flash's achievements were truly too dazzling.
The greatest contributor to ending the war was undoubtedly him.
Minato also received the news of the Hidden Cloud's retreat in the camp, and the gazes around him were filled with curiosity, respect, admiration, and blessings, but none of them approached recklessly.
Although belonging to the Konoha Ninja and having good relationships with many,
upon careful reflection, Minato realized there were really not many he could truly confide in.
No matter how brilliant the achievements, this was also his limitation and the lock on his extremity.
Minato sorted out his emotions and walked out of the camp.
Since the Hidden Cloud's movements were uncertain, the most mobile among them, he needed to go confirm the truth.
Following Minato was the only subordinate he could trust—Hatake Kakashi.
The combination of a genius with a genius must have been a topic of much discussion among others.
Since this mission was merely reconnaissance, not combat, Kakashi was also mobilized.
Moreover, Kakashi excelled in swordsmanship and Lightning Style, which were well-suited for battles against Hidden Cloud Village Ninja.
If a battle broke out with Hidden Cloud Village Ninja, Kakashi's performance would definitely be more outstanding than many Konoha Jonin, with immense potential.
Following Minato, Kakashi also observed the surrounding atmosphere and among them, saw a familiar small figure—Uchiha Itachi.
In the camp, the youngest participant was only four years old.
Not even a ninja.
Bringing such a small child, what exactly was the Uchiha clan leader trying to do?
The eyes looking over were no longer innocent and curious but carried something else, as if pursuing something, becoming heavier.
Kakashi withdrew his gaze, followed Minato out of the camp, and began tracing the tracks of the Hidden Cloud forces outside to discern their specific movements.
Was it genuinely intending to stop the war, or was something covertly scheming? These had to be identified.
◎
The reconnaissance mission lasted a total of three days.
Minato and Kakashi confirmed one point, which was that the Hidden Cloud truly intended to retreat.
There wasn't a single Hidden Cloud Village Ninja in the Land of Hot Water, and the two even personally infiltrated the Land of Lightning's borders to patrol, discovering only the usual border defense forces there, with most of the Hidden Cloud Village Ninja already confirmed to have returned to Hidden Cloud Village.
They relayed this critical intelligence back to Commanding Officer Akimichi Torifu, then announced it to every Konoha Ninja in the camp and also sent a letter to Konoha, successfully passing on Minato and Kakashi's investigation results.
After all, making the final judgment still depended on the decisions of the higher-ups.
However, with the Hidden Cloud's stance of withdrawing without a fight, it seemed unlikely a battle would occur.
As for whether the Hidden Cloud truly intended to stop the war, that was uncertain, hence not completely letting down their guard was essential.
The news of the Hidden Cloud's retreat quickly reached Konoha, with the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and other Konoha leaders soon convening a meeting to reasonably discuss this matter.
After all, the power of the Hidden Cloud was different from other villages; it was the only Ninja Village with refined Tailed Beast control techniques in the current Ninja Realm, maturely applying Tailed Beast power in warfare, naturally inflicting pressure on Konoha unlike any other Ninja Village.
Thus, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi selected two Jonin and five Chunin from his subordinates to form a mission group to Hidden Cloud to understand the Hidden Cloud's sudden withdrawal intentions.
Would it continue the war, or choose peace talks?
However, when the mission group returned from Hidden Cloud, the message received was that Hidden Cloud's words were ambiguous, providing no clear answers, neither negotiating nor fighting, leaving Konoha's higher-ups feeling baffled.