Chapter 197: Itachi, Say Hello Quickly
Inside the Hokage's Office conference room, a Jōnin meeting was underway.
"War is truly cruel," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a sigh. To be honest, he had considered the possibility of a Kage falling during the Third Great Shinobi War, but he never expected it to be the Third Raikage. His strength was considered among the very best of all the Kage.
"What are Iwagakure's movements now?" Tsunade asked, her brow slightly furrowed.
The Third Raikage's sacrifice was also outside of her expectations. If even he could die in this war, what chance did anyone else have? Tsunade glanced at Hoshikawa . He was calm and collected, his expression unreadable.
"They paid a heavy price to kill the Third Raikage. Over a third of Iwagakure's shinobi suffered casualties," Hiruzen said gravely. "They have now halted their attack and are regrouping in the Land of Lightning."
Hoshikawa couldn't help but look surprised. Over a third? Wasn't that three to four thousand Iwa shinobi?
While it sounded exaggerated, it made sense considering the Third Raikage. The Third Raikage possessed the One-Fingered Hell Stab (Jigokuzuki: Ippon Nukite), known as the strongest spear, and the Lightning Release Armor , known as the strongest shield. His offense, defense, and speed were all at the absolute pinnacle of the shinobi world. Judging by the way he died, it was clear: he died of exhaustion, not from being slain. In other words, the ten thousand Iwa shinobi were unable to inflict any effective damage on him.
But the Third Raikage could injure them. His every movement possessed terrifying power. The ten thousand Iwa shinobi, with the exception of a few Jōnin, were like weeds before him, ready to be scythed down.
"Truly amazing," Tsunade praised. Although she possessed the Strength of a Hundred Seal , she was still slightly inferior to the Third Raikage. Just dealing with Ōnoki was a headache, let alone ten thousand Iwa shinobi.
The other Jōnin were equally filled with admiration. They knew that none of them could achieve the Third Raikage's battle record. The last person to stand against ten thousand was the invincible God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju.
"This is an extremely favorable situation for Konoha," Hiruzen said with a relaxed tone.
Having suffered such a heavy blow, Iwagakure would either continue to attack Kumogakure or retreat to the Land of Earth. Turning to face Konoha was unlikely, as it would leave Iwagakure vulnerable on two fronts. Kumogakure, having lost its Raikage, would not stand down easily. Moreover, Konoha held the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, Rōshi; Iwa could not afford the consequences of an open conflict.
"I have other news," Hiruzen changed the subject. "Kumogakure has sent an envoy to Kirigakure."
"An alliance, then?" Tsunade narrowed her eyes, her voice grave.
"I wouldn't call it an alliance," Hiruzen mused. "They're likely trying to get Kirigakure to deploy forces."
While the Third Raikage severely damaged ten thousand Iwa shinobi, the village still retained a significant fighting force. And with Konoha and Suna engaged in the Land of Frost, Kumo was still fighting on two fronts. The death of the Third Raikage only increased their pressure.
"Kirigakure already had plans; if Kumogakure offers the right conditions, they will certainly move," Tsunade said, rubbing her forehead. "The question is whether they target Sunagakure or Konoha."
"Most likely Konoha," Hiruzen said with certainty. The reason was simple: Konoha had previously wiped out the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Morally and logically, Kirigakure had to save face, or they would be seen as weaker than Konoha.
"The Land of Rivers still hosts four or five hundred Suna shinobi. If Kirigakure makes a move, they'll detect it immediately," Hiruzen paused, adding, "I have sent the ANBU to contact Chiyo of Sunagakure. We should hear back soon." Although Kirigakure's target was Konoha, Konoha could pull Sunagakure into the fight, saving a significant amount of its own manpower.
"Konoha will prepare now. The moment Kirigakure moves, we will deploy to the Land of Rivers," Hiruzen looked at Tsunade. "Tsunade, you will be in command of this operation."
"Understood." Tsunade was not surprised, having been informed beforehand.
"Before you go to the Land of Rivers, how about a trip to the Capital of the Land of Fire?" Hiruzen suddenly remembered something and explained, "Konoha's war reserves are nearly depleted."
"No problem." Tsunade understood. She was being sent to request supplies from the Fire Daimyō. The war had been dragging on for two or three years. While Konoha was wealthy, it relied heavily on the Daimyō's funding. She was the best person for the job, as she had a good relationship with the Daimyō's family.
"Dismissed!" Hiruzen stood up. The Jōnin meeting concluded.
Hoshikawa and Tsunade didn't linger and walked out.
"I wonder when the war will finally end," Tsunade said, gazing distractedly at the bustling Konoha streets.
"Once we drive back Kirigakure and Kumogakure, it should be close," Hoshikawa said, recalling the original storyline.
"Easier said than done," Tsunade shook her head.
"Fortunately, Konoha's situation is excellent," Hoshikawa said with a smile. Compared to the four-front war in the original story, Konoha was much better off now.
"Mm," Tsunade glanced at him. "That is the only good news."
"Don't think too much about it," Hoshikawa stepped closer, took her hand, and said, "We will win."
Tsunade instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but couldn't break free. She glared at Hoshikawa .
"What's wrong, Master?" Hoshikawa blinked, feigning complete innocence.
Tsunade bit her lip. Letting him lead her, she continued walking. If not for the noticeable age difference, people would surely misunderstand their relationship.
"Let's go to the supermarket," Hoshikawa stopped and turned down a different street. "Master, what do you want for lunch?"
"Me?" Tsunade said distractedly. "Anything is fine."
A few minutes later, they arrived at the supermarket.
"Lady Tsunade?" A familiar voice sounded from behind them at the entrance.
Tsunade instinctively turned and saw Mikoto Uchiha. She was startled and quickly released Hoshikawa 's hand.
Mikoto looked at them with surprise. When she first saw Tsunade, she was hesitant to believe her eyes because she and Hoshikawa were holding hands. Such a scene should never appear involving Tsunade, and she only confirmed it was her when she recognized the young man as Hoshikawa . But are their student-master relations really this close?
"Itachi, say hello quickly," Mikoto recovered and pulled a small boy who looked about three years old in front of her.
"Lady Tsunade," Itachi Uchiha quickly greeted. "Lord Hoshikawa ."
"No need to call him Lord Hoshikawa , just 'Brother' is fine," Mikoto corrected.
"Brother Hoshikawa ," Itachi immediately corrected himself.
"..." Hoshikawa twitched his mouth. Being called 'Brother' by the future Uchiha prodigy Itachi Uchiha felt incredibly strange; he didn't know how to describe it.
"Itachi has grown up before we knew it," Tsunade said, observing the boy. "I have a feeling he will grow into a tremendously talented shinobi."
"Thank you for the kind words, Lady Tsunade," Mikoto smiled happily. "If he had even half of Hoshikawa 's talent, it would be more than enough."
"He might even be more gifted than Hoshikawa ," Tsunade said politely, her lips curling slightly. This was a lie. In her mind, Hoshikawa 's talent was unmatched. Only a handful of people—Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Hiruzen Sarutobi—could rival him. In the entire current young generation, no one could compare.
"That's not realistic," Mikoto shook her head, sighing with admiration. "When I first heard the rumor that Hoshikawa captured the Four-Tails, I thought it was just gossip."
"It was the Second Hokage-sama's Water Release jutsu that was powerful," Hoshikawa said modestly.
"A jutsu is merely a tool," Mikoto naturally didn't believe him. The most powerful jutsu would be wasted on a shinobi who couldn't wield it skillfully.
"Alright, stop praising him. He still has a lot to learn," Tsunade smiled and changed the subject. "Has Fugaku returned recently?"
"He's been back a few times," Mikoto sighed, looking troubled. "But each time, he only stayed for two or three days before rushing back to the Land of Frost."
"The Uchiha clan's contribution to this war against Kumogakure is undeniable," Tsunade's voice turned serious. "When the war ends, the Old Man will certainly reward your merits."
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade!" Mikoto was immediately surprised. In her eyes, Tsunade was the next Hokage. Her words undoubtedly represented the attitude of the Hokage lineage. Had the Uchiha clan, who had suffered under Danzō Shimura and the Root ANBU, finally found a turning point?
"It's nothing," Tsunade knew Mikoto had misunderstood, but didn't bother to clarify. After all, her words were true. Given the Uchiha clan's heavy sacrifices, it would be unacceptable for Hiruzen Sarutobi not to offer compensation.
"Lady Tsunade, we won't bother you any longer. We'll be on our way," Mikoto said after a brief chat, excusing herself discreetly. Hoshikawa remembered that the Uchiha clan compound was nearby, only a minute or two away.
"Let's go," Tsunade retracted her gaze, turned, and walked into the supermarket.
"Master," Hoshikawa caught up to her, smiling. "What you said to Aunt Mikoto earlier sounded very much like the Hokage."
"I was just comforting her," Tsunade glared at him.
"Is Master not planning to honor her promise?" Hoshikawa asked, looking at her.
"That's the Old Man's business," Tsunade looked away, picking up a bottle of sake at random.
"Master," Hoshikawa lightly cleared his throat. "How about we take this opportunity while visiting the Land of Fire Capital to mention it to the Daimyō?"
"The Old Man hasn't stepped down yet, and you're already trying to rush him out?" Tsunade rolled her eyes and complained. "If he found out, he'd probably send you to the ANBU to enjoy some of their various tortures."
"Master would definitely never let that happen," Hoshikawa said cheekily.
"Buy groceries! Then go home!" Tsunade said, displeased. "Stop talking about unrealistic things!"
"Yes, Master!" Hoshikawa put on a serious face. Tsunade was momentarily startled, inwardly commenting that the brat was really slick, adapting his words to his audience. But then she suddenly thought of his suggestion. If she told the Fire Daimyō she wanted to be the next Hokage, then perhaps… Tsunade shook her head, quickly dismissing the thought.
A new day.
At the gates of Konoha Village. When Hoshikawa arrived, a number of people were already waiting. Since they were escorting supplies, it couldn't be just Tsunade and her team of four. There were simply too many supplies for four people to carry back, unless they used a massive amount of storage scrolls. But that was too extravagant. Even the Five Great Shinobi Nations wouldn't be so wasteful.
"Lady Tsunade," a young female shinobi walked up to Tsunade. Beside her was a massive ninken (ninja dog) that was half her height.
It was the first time Hoshikawa had seen a ninken that large, and he looked at it curiously.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!" the ninken barked three times at him.
"He says his name is Kuromaru, and he's pleased to meet you," the young female shinobi grinned, speaking in a straightforward manner.
In the shinobi world, summoned creatures, including ninken, could speak human language—like Kakashi Hatake's most frequently summoned dog, Pakkun. However, the Inuzuka clan's ninken did not, relying on their masters to translate.
"I'm Hoshikawa ." Hoshikawa held out his hand.
"Woof! Woof!" Kuromaru raised his paw, placed it in Hoshikawa 's hand, and completed a handshake.
"He says he knows your name and that you're very powerful for capturing a Tailed Beast," the female shinobi translated with a smile.
Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow. Has my reputation really reached this level? Even a ninja dog recognizes me.
"I am Tsume Inuzuka," Tsume introduced herself. The name felt familiar to Hoshikawa . After a moment of thought, he realized she was Kiba Inuzuka's mother.
"There are a total of five shinobi squads for this escort," Tsume reported to Tsunade. "Everyone is accounted for."
"Let's move out," Tsunade nodded. The group set off toward the Land of Fire Capital.
Hoshikawa suddenly thought of Madara Uchiha. Would he show up now? But thinking about it, it was unlikely. In the original story, Obito Uchiha needed a long recovery period before he could move freely. And the real Madara couldn't leave his location; at most, he would send a Shadow Clone , which wouldn't be very strong.
Hoshikawa then thought of White Zetsu. For every Sensory jutsu, there was a corresponding hiding technique. The most exquisite in the entire shinobi world was White Zetsu's Mayfly, which allowed for high-speed travel by merging with the earth and plants. It was thanks to the Mayfly Technique that Madara and the Akatsuki organization could gather all kinds of intelligence on the shinobi world.
Hoshikawa wondered if his Mind's Eye could sense White Zetsu. His B-rank perk, 'Sensory Special Jōnin,' increased the effectiveness of his Sensory jutsu by 100%. In other words, his Mind's Eye was already one of the strongest Sensory jutsu in the shinobi world.
However, White Zetsu was special, and Hoshikawa was not entirely confident. Perhaps he would need the A-rank perk, 'Sensory Jōnin,' before he could detect White Zetsu.
.............
I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to those who support me on this journey. Your contribution make a real difference!
As a patron, you unlock:
Exclusive Access: Get advanced +100 chapters ahead of everyone else.
👉 Join now: P-a-treon/Chaos_God
(Just remove the- hyphen to access normally)
Thank You so much For your Support and for Reading!