On the open sea.
Two ships were gradually approaching each other.
Akihara Kagura watched the deck of the other ship and saw a group of familiar ninjas wearing masks, dressed in standard Konoha Anbu attire.
These people were all Root ninjas.
This group of Root ninjas was following Shimura Danzo's orders, staying behind Kakashi Hatake and Akihara Kagura, attempting to establish a communication channel with Akihara Kagura.
"Root people, huh..."
Kakashi Hatake had no favorable impression of Root, frowned, and said, "Coming here at this time, are they here to take over the Mizukage?"
"Wait for me a moment."
Akihara Kagura quickly jumped onto the ship of the Root ninjas, and before the tall man leading the group could speak, he was scolded harshly.
"What are you doing!"
"What were you doing while I was fighting!"
"Are you here in the Land of Water for sightseeing, taking photos, and buying souvenirs?"
"Lord Danzo mentioned that someone would contact me at any time, and now you show up? I've finished everything, and you pop out?"
"You're not even as good as Kakashi Hatake and Uchiha Itachi; at least they can cheer me on from the sidelines!"
"A bunch of good-for-nothings!"
"I really don't know why Lord Danzo keeps you around!"
"..."
This group of Root ninjas was so scolded by Akihara Kagura that they couldn't lift their heads.
However, as Akihara Kagura also came from Root and was unruly during his time there, most of the Root ninjas grew accustomed to this brat's arrogance, never thinking to retort.
The lead Root squad leader waited until Akihara Kagura finished cursing, then carefully spoke, "According to Lord Danzo's order, we've been following behind Lord Kagura, ready to listen to your command and contact Lord Danzo at any time..."
As a result...
Following Kakashi Hatake's team was very tough for them throughout the journey, without finding any chance to contact Akihara Kagura alone.
"Once we return to the Land of Fire, send someone ahead to Konoha to inform Lord Danzo of the situation here first, and the rest will follow us,"
Akihara Kagura commanded the Root ninjas arrogantly: "I haven't found the traitor Uchiha Obito yet, but I captured the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura from the Hidden Mist Village. He hosts the Three-Tails, and we are on our way back."
"Understood!"
The leading Root squad leader quickly nodded.
"..."
It was the first time Kakashi Hatake saw someone dare to treat Root ninjas like this.
This group of Root guys, relying on Shimura Danzo's power, wouldn't listen to anyone in Konoha, and even showed some insolence towards the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen.
No one wished to interact with Root ninjas, as they were always unruly, unexpected that they behaved so obediently in front of Akihara Kagura...
"..."
Uchiha Itachi was even more dumbfounded.
Because Uchiha Itachi had conflicts with Root and personally saw these guys kill a village comrade in front of him and Uchiha Shisui.
The tall, strong Root squad leader who once arrogantly clashed with him and Uchiha Shisui, was now being scolded by Akihara Kagura with bowed head, not daring to utter a word.
After Akihara Kagura finished scolding the Root ninjas, he returned to his own ship, only to find the silent Kakashi Hatake and Uchiha Itachi.
"Turns out they can be so obedient..."
Kakashi Hatake sighed softly.
Back then, to rescue Tianzang from Root, Kakashi Hatake also clashed with Root ninjas, witnessing firsthand how arrogant these guys became.
"They weren't obedient initially."
Akihara Kagura shrugged indifferently, casually explaining: "You just need to spend some time on them, teach them how to cooperate with you well, we all work for Lord Danzo, no one's superior to another."
"Looks like your method of teaching them is quite unexpected..."
Kakashi Hatake gave him an odd look.
"Want to join Root?"
Akihara Kagura warmly invited Kakashi Hatake: "As soon as you join Root, you'll find out one thing, Root ninjas are a bunch of good-for-nothings."
"..."
Then why should I join Root!
Kakashi Hatake's expression grew even more peculiar.
As the two ships arrived one after another at the port of the Land of Fire, one of the Root ninjas hurried ahead, while the rest gathered around Akihara Kagura.
Kakashi Hatake realized Shimura Danzo might intervene in the Mizukage's matter, immediately left Akihara Kagura and Uchiha Itachi behind, and rushed ahead alone to report to the Third Hokage about the Hidden Mist Village's situation. It could be dangerous if Konoha's regular ninjas delivered the message, as they might get intercepted by Shimura Danzo.
Akihara Kagura didn't care much about those high-level disputes.
A group of Root ninjas gathered around him, helping solve wilderness survival issues, enjoying their rare holiday along the way.
In Konoha Village.
Both Shimura Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen received the news.
Konoha ninjas captured the Mizukage from the Hidden Mist Village, which to them was more thrilling than capturing the traitor Uchiha Obito!
This time, the two elderly men had the same thought; planning to personally go to bring back the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura, fearing any mishap in between.
Shimura Danzo wanted to control the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura himself, considering how much intelligence about the Hidden Mist Village the Mizukage had in his mind and how much benefit Konoha could extract for potentially forcing the Hidden Mist Village to become a vassal!
Sarutobi Hiruzen believed that the political significance of the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura entering Konoha would be greater than those short-term intelligence gains. If handled well, it could become a thawing journey between Konoha and the Hidden Mist Village and lead Konoha and the Hidden Mist Village to form an alliance.
After the Third Shinobi World War, Konoha had allied with the Hidden Sand Village, and now if it also allied with the Hidden Mist Village, the three Great Country Ninja Villages would become allies, completely suppressing the restless Hidden Cloud Village and the powerful Hidden Rock Village.
"The Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village is also the Three-Tails Jinchuriki..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen lamented this complication, sighed, and said: "If this Mizukage is truly willing to stay temporarily in Konoha, it would guarantee the alliance we could form with the Hidden Mist Village, but accommodating him is a big hassle!"
"Let it be."
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't request too much.
For Konoha, this was ultimately a good thing.
If they found a way to endure for a while until Konoha's alliance with the Hidden Mist Village stabilized, suppressing the foreign threats from the Hidden Rock Village and the Hidden Cloud Village entirely, they could then send that Mizukage back to the Hidden Mist Village.
"Oh, there's one more thing."
Kakashi Hatake specifically mentioned to Sarutobi Hiruzen about the Root ninjas following them: "Root ninjas have been tailing our team; now Hokage Assistant Shimura Danzo should have received the news as well."
"I know."
Sarutobi Hiruzen contemplated for less than a second, then instructed an Anbu next to him: "Relay the Hokage's command to Shimura Danzo, having him lead Root to guard against enemies from the Hidden Rock Village and Hidden Cloud Village infiltrating the Land of Fire, ensuring no mishap occurs at my meeting with the Mizukage."
"Yes!"
An Anbu ninja immediately went to deliver the order.
"Alright, Kakashi, let's head out."
Sarutobi Hiruzen donned his Hokage Kasa, adjusted his Divine Robe, and said: "If we delay any further, Danzo will be storming over to the Hokage Tower."
"..."
Kakashi Hatake silently nodded.
Everything happened just as Sarutobi Hiruzen had anticipated.
The orders given by Sarutobi Hiruzen left Shimura Danzo seething with anger.
At this critical moment, already aware of Sarutobi Hiruzen's soft-hearted intentions, Shimura Danzo immediately rushed to the Hokage Tower to confront Sarutobi Hiruzen, only to find the place had been vacated.