Chapter 297: The Sparks Between Danzo and Orochimaru! Please vote for the book, brothers!
While Fujiwara Tetsuya was fighting a great battle against Ay, Dodai, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki Burabi, who had broken free from his restraints.
Uchiha Mikoto, Torune Ryoui, Hyuga Hizashi, and their group only met up with Hiruzen Sarutobi and others, who had rushed to provide support, after retreating to the border between the Land of Hot Springs and the Land of Fire.
"It's Hokage-sama…"
"Hizashi, Mikoto… Kushina."
Looking at the disheveled group, Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, and the elite Shinobi Clan members who had come to provide support immediately stopped.
"Hokage-sama…"
"Hizashi, where's that Tetsuya kid?"
"Why are only you all back? Where did that Tetsuya kid go?"
After confirming the condition of Minato Namikaze and Kushina, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hokage-sama, the Frost Shadow Village Ninja interfered. Lord Tetsuya ordered us to retreat first to ensure our safety… As for him, he is still in the Land of Frost fighting the Kumogakure and Frost Shadow Village Ninja."
After meeting up with the reinforcements led by Hiruzen Sarutobi, it meant that… their mission to rescue the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was complete.
However, at this moment, neither Hyuga Hizashi, Aburame Kana… nor the Anbu members felt any joy.
"Is that so?"
"I understand…"
While pondering, Hiruzen Sarutobi grew even more grateful that he had discovered Fujiwara Tetsuya early and given him enough room to grow… allowing Fujiwara Tetsuya, under his guidance, to become an excellent inheritor of the will of fire.
Whether it was rescuing Kushina and Minato from the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, the Third Raikage's son Ay, Kumogakure's strategist Dodai, and others, or his heroic act of once again staying behind alone to cover their retreat… all of it was enough to prove that Fujiwara Tetsuya possessed an extraordinary "capacity."
"Teacher, what should we do? Do we need to enter the Land of Frost to rescue Tetsuya-kun?"
Rustle ~ As a hoarse voice sounded, dozens more figures appeared before everyone's eyes. Leading them… was Orochimaru, who had rushed to rendezvous after receiving Hiruzen Sarutobi's command.
"Naturally…"
"That Tetsuya kid, he has done enough for the Village… No matter what, I must bring him back to Konoha."
The moment he looked at Orochimaru, a hint of warmth appeared in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.
Perhaps in terms of individual strength, he couldn't compare to his teacher, who was skilled in various Forbidden Techniques.
But in teaching disciples, he was even better.
Whether it was Tsunade, Jiraiya, or Orochimaru… they were all excellent inheritors of the will of fire, and they were destined to carry the future of the Village.
"By the way, Orochimaru, why are you the only one who came? Where is Danzo?"
"The borders of the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass are not peaceful; Iwagakure's elite squad is still constantly probing."
"To be safe, Elder Danzo and Root's elites have temporarily remained there."
No one present noticed that, as Orochimaru lowered his head, a meaningful glint flashed across his eyes.
One was The Darkness of Konoha, who would trample on various rules without a bottom line for his desires.
One was a forbidden genius obsessed with Ninjutsu, Forbidden Techniques… and eternal life.
When these two clashed, it was hard for sparks not to fly… Unfortunately, Hiruzen Sarutobi at this time still couldn't understand any of this.
"Is that so? What a tumultuous time!"
"Hizashi, Mikoto… Senju Narukazu, Sarutobi Tsurumai, you will escort Minato and Kushina back to Konoha. The rest of you will follow me to the Land of Frost."
"Hokage-sama, we want to go too…"
As they spoke, Uchiha Mikoto and Torune Ryoui stood out simultaneously, their eyes filled with unshakeable determination.
"Alright… I understand. Uchiha Mikoto and Torune Ryoui will also join the team."
"Depart…"
…Facing the hundreds of elite Konoha Ninja led by Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru.
The high-ranking officials of the Hot Water Village… didn't even dare to show their faces, merely recalling all the Hot Water Village Ninja performing missions along the way back to the Village.
It wasn't until news came that… Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru, and others had left the Land of Hot Springs and entered the Land of Frost that they finally shed their fear and breathed in the fresh air.
"Leader… what exactly happened?"
"Why did even the Third Hokage mobilize?"
"Could it be… that Konoha is going to war with Kumogakure?"
Inside the spacious room, people filled every seat… Looking at the relieved figure in front, a high-ranking official of the Hot Water Village couldn't help but ask.
"War?"
"How would I know such a thing?"
"Send word down, tell the hidden agents in Konoha and Kumogakure to gather as much relevant intelligence as possible."
"Once there are signs of war breaking out, no matter what… the detailed intelligence must be sent back to the Village at the first opportunity."
…When Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru, and others arrived at the battleground where the Konoha group had fought Ay, Dodai, Burabi, and others.
As far as the eye could see, there were only endless ruins and a large number of Kumogakure and Frost Shadow Ninja corpses.
On the torn earth, countless traces of Ice Release, Water Release, Lightning Release, Earth Release, and Tailed Beast Ball devastation remained, among which… the most striking were undoubtedly the several layers of ice and ice mountains emanating endless chill.
"Gulp ~"
"What… what exactly happened here?"
"What level of battle could cause such terrifying destructive power…?"
Not only Hiruzen Sarutobi, but also the accompanying elite Shinobi Clan members, upon seeing this scene of what could only be described as a natural disaster… fell into deep shock.
"Tetsuya-kun, did he really awaken the Ice Release bloodline…?"
Gazing at the ice layers that reflected rays of light under the sun.
Orochimaru's smile grew wider, and his slender tongue unconsciously traced his lips.
"Hmph ~"
"Disperse in squad formations, search for that Tetsuya kid's tracks. Also… see if any of those Kumogakure and Frost Shadow Village Ninja are still alive. If so… bring them to me."
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was accustomed to grand spectacles, took a long time to calm his restless emotions.
It wasn't until he saw the scene before him… that he once again realized something.
He had once again underestimated Fujiwara Tetsuya's growth and the "capacity" he now possessed.
The Konoha group moved quickly, taking only a dozen minutes to conduct a carpet search of the area for several kilometers around.
"Hokage-sama, a total of three Anbu corpses, five Kumogakure Ninja corpses… ninety-seven Frost Shadow Ninja corpses and dismembered body parts, and one severely wounded, dying Frost Shadow Chunin were found at the scene."
"Presumably, Lord Tetsuya should still be alive."
Hearing the reports, Hiruzen Sarutobi slightly relaxed, after all… as long as he was alive, there was still hope.
"Bring that Frost Ninja over. Where are the Yamanaka Clan members?"
"Hokage-sama, we are here."
"No matter what methods you use… get me information about that Tetsuya kid from this Frost Ninja."