Chapter 82 – Fame Across the Shinobi World
Several days after the battle in the valley, ANBU Squad Eleven—having undergone initial treatment at the Land of Fire's border—set out to return to Konoha.
After failing to eliminate Ryuya and the others, Kumogakure decisively abandoned the idea of continuing its standoff with Konoha.
The bulk of Kumogakure's forces swiftly withdrew from the Land of Fire. Aside from a small contingent still stationed within and around the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Frost, the rest retreated to the Land of Lightning to recuperate.
In response, Konoha's shinobi army also began withdrawing in batches.
For a time, the two great hidden villages reached a tacit ceasefire—no peace treaty was signed, yet neither side reignited the flames of war.
Ryuya and his teammates were among the first group of wounded soldiers to return to Konoha.
In just a few short days, intelligence regarding Konoha's ANBU Squad Eleven had been made public by Kumogakure.
Just as Jiraiya had predicted, the information caused a massive uproar throughout the shinobi world.
If described in modern slang, it would have been trending at number one.
Whether it was Konoha's ally Sunagakure, the neutral Kirigakure and Iwagakure, or even their recent enemy Kumogakure—every major power began gathering detailed intelligence on the four members of ANBU Squad Eleven. Tactical divisions across the nations attempted to formulate strategies tailored specifically to counter them.
Yet after extensive analysis, many reached a helpless conclusion:
To deal with ANBU Squad Eleven was not something a mere elite squad from another village could accomplish. It would require mobilizing the majority of a village's top combat forces.
At this moment, in the eyes of the leadership of the other Four Great Nations, Konoha's talent pool seemed absurdly abundant.
In the underground black market, all four members of ANBU Squad Eleven had been placed on bounty lists—and the prices were not low.
Among them, Uchiha Shisui and Ryuya carried the highest bounties: 30 million ryō each—figures comparable to high-ranking officials of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
Kakashi's bounty was slightly lower at 20 million ryō.
In the valley battle, despite being captain of ANBU Squad Eleven, Kakashi's brilliance had been overshadowed by his three teammates.
Due to the strain caused by Obito's transplanted Sharingan, Kakashi's poor stamina had been laid bare in that fight. On the battlefield, without his teammates' timely protection, he would have died several times over.
As for Guy, known as Konoha's Blue Beast, while opening the Seventh Gate granted him terrifying combat power, its duration was short and placed tremendous strain on his body.
These facts were well known among the upper echelons of the shinobi world.
After the valley battle, whether Guy would even be able to return to the battlefield remained uncertain.
Thus, his bounty was the lowest—10 million ryō.
Of course, the higher bounties on Ryuya and Shisui were also influenced by their clan backgrounds.
Both the Uchiha Clan and the Akimichi Clan were among Konoha's most powerful noble clans. They would never idly allow outsiders to hunt their geniuses and elites.
Hokage Office – Konoha
An ANBU wearing a dog mask knelt on one knee before the desk, reporting the detailed intelligence of the valley battle to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"You're saying that even the Two-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball couldn't break through Uchiha Shisui's Susanoo?" Hiruzen asked after a moment of silence, puffing on his pipe.
"Yes, Lord Hokage.
Not only did Uchiha Shisui's Susanoo withstand the Two-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball, but Akimichi Ryuya, in Butterfly Mode, also endured one head-on."
"He's different," Hiruzen said, shaking his head. "Ryuya likely possesses some kind of medical ninjutsu capable of rapidly restoring his injuries."
The battle in the valley had also delivered a tremendous "surprise" to Konoha's leadership.
While Kakashi and Guy's safe return pleased Hiruzen, the astonishing strength displayed by Ryuya and Shisui troubled him deeply.
Especially fourteen-year-old Shisui.
For a fleeting moment, Hiruzen felt as though another Madara Uchiha was rising.
The Hokage Office fell into heavy silence.
After several minutes, the dog-masked ANBU, receiving no further orders, vanished.
Half an hour later, footsteps sounded outside. Danzo Shimura entered together with Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
"Hiruzen, ANBU Squad Eleven will return soon. I demand they all be brought under Root's supervision."
"Absolutely not," Hiruzen replied calmly. "They are heroes of Konoha. They deserve a hero's treatment."
"Heroes?" Danzō's exposed eye narrowed coldly. "According to my subordinates, when the mission was first delivered, the four of them openly defied orders. Such behavior cannot be tolerated."
"That mission was indeed ill-considered," Hiruzen answered evenly. "Their emotions were understandable. In the end, didn't they complete it perfectly?"
Danzō stared at him before continuing, "Uchiha Shisui has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. You understand how dangerous those eyes are. While he is still injured, we must bring him under control."
Homura and Koharu voiced their agreement.
Setting down his pipe, Hiruzen met Danzō's gaze.
"Have you considered the Uchiha Clan's reaction if we move against Shisui? Rebellion could erupt instantly."
"If they rebel," Danzō said coldly, "Root will suppress them directly."
"No," Hiruzen said firmly. "The village cannot endure further turmoil.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru have not yet returned. Root and ANBU alone cannot suppress the Uchiha Clan.
We do not fully understand the abilities of Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan. Taking such a gamble offers no guaranteed victory.
If internal conflict erupts now, Kumogakure and Iwagakure will immediately return in force. With what would we defend ourselves?
Moreover, Shisui is Kagami's descendant. I believe he will not act against the village."
After Hiruzen finished speaking, Homura and Koharu fell into troubled silence.
"Hmph. You will regret this," Danzō said coldly before turning and leaving.
Behind him, Hiruzen's voice rang out:
"Danzō—without my permission, Root is not to act independently during this period."
Danzō paused briefly, then continued walking.
Soon, Homura and Koharu also departed.
The Hokage Office was left with Hiruzen alone.
"...No signs of Sage Mode being used?"
Flipping through the intelligence report, the Third Hokage murmured quietly.
For 70 advanced chapters,you can go to my Patreon: Patreon.com/Keiondir