Becoming the Tsuchikage in the Naruto World

Chapter 281: Konoha's Response

After dividing the spoils, Ishiro and the three Akatsuki members finally had time to talk about other things. Ishiro first introduced Kanako to Konan.

When Kanako saw Konan, she immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Teacher Konan, thank you for your guidance."

Konan was also very happy to see Kanako; seeing this little girl was like seeing herself as a child. Watching the two of them walk to the side to whisper secrets that only girls who study art could understand, the three men decisively did not approach.

Ishiro then called over Takuhiro Uchiyama and said to Nagato, "Nagato, this is Takuhiro Uchiyama, a disciple from my fourth squad. I have taught him gravity ninjutsu. He has now learned the Light/Heavy Rock Jutsu but has not yet learned Bansho Ten'in. Help me see where the problem lies."

Hearing this, Nagato was very envious of Ishiro. He had also taken on disciples over the years, but unfortunately, the disciples he took were all normal disciples. None had a talent for gravity, or a talent for souls, or a talent for summoning jutsu. His disciples were all normal ninjutsu or taijutsu ninjas.

Ishiro couldn't help Nagato with this matter. It was by pure chance that Ishiro had taken Takuhiro as a disciple. If he were asked to find another with a talent for gravity, he wouldn't be able to.

Nagato likewise took Takuhiro to the side. Ishiro and Yahiko sat at the main entrance of the building, chatting idly while watching the ceaseless rain.

As for Ishiro's disciples, they began to spar with the members of the Akatsuki.

Of course, no one from the Akatsuki went to challenge Kawakita. Ishiro had taken Kawakita to the Land of Rivers before, and the people of the Akatsuki all knew him and his strength; the two sides were not on the same level.

The Akatsuki members mainly challenged the three familiar faces from Ishiro's second squad, while some others challenged members of the third and fourth squads. On the other hand, newly graduated Genin like Deidara received no attention, which made Deidara very unhappy.

But having just witnessed the world-destroying power of Ishiro and the others, he didn't dare to be too presumptuous. Deidara secretly resolved in his heart that when he returned and learned a few more moves from the old man, he would definitely teach these clueless people a good lesson next time he came.

Seeing that the disciples from both sides were getting along well, and that Kanako and Takuhiro had also gained a lot, Ishiro simply stayed in Amegakure for a few more days.

A few days later, Ishiro bid farewell to Yahiko and the others, then set off on the return journey with his group of disciples, who had now struck up friendships with the little rascals of the Akatsuki.

On the way back, Deidara carefully asked Ishiro, "Big Brother Ishiro, will we come back to the Land of Rain next time?"

Ishiro asked curiously, "What's wrong? Do you still have some business here?"

Deidara said, "I lost when I fought with the Akatsuki this time. Next time, I want to get my revenge."

Ishiro shook his head and said, "I don't know when we'll come next time. But you can come by yourself. At that time, you can go to the new Village Hidden in the Rain, or the new Village Hidden in the Rivers, to find the person you're looking for."

"New Village Hidden in the Rain?" Deidara was a little confused. He looked back at the ruined Amegakure and thought that Ishiro probably meant the rebuilt village.

"Kanako, Takuhiro, how was your harvest this time?" Ishiro hadn't paid much attention to the two's training these past few days and was now a little curious.

Kanako said with an excited face, "I've almost mastered the true Paper Release! In the future, I'll be able to create paper directly with chakra just like Teacher Konan!"

Takuhiro also said with a smile on his face, "Teacher Ishiro, I'm also about to learn Bansho Ten'in. And Teacher Nagato also gave me the training method for Shinra Tensei."

Ishiro smiled and said nothing. It seemed Nagato was still bothered by the fact that he didn't have a suitable disciple.

Finding a suitable disciple was a matter of fate. In fact, although Ishiro had taken on many disciples, there wasn't a single one who was a perfect match for him. There were a few who were similar, though.

For example, Ogura Saki was developing a Kekkei Genkai like Ishiro, and Yuran Kawazoe was skilled in sealing jutsu. But they were only similar to Ishiro in part.

As for Kanako and Takuhiro, whom Konan and Nagato envied, they were not actually Ishiro's ideal disciples.

While Ishiro and his group were slowly walking back to their village, Konoha had already received the news that the Village Hidden in the Rain had been captured by the Akatsuki together with the Village Hidden in the Stones.

Tsunade convened a high-level meeting with a grave expression.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the intelligence, took a sharp breath, and then sighed helplessly, "Another hidden village has been annihilated. Another Kage-level has died in battle."

Tsunade was silent. The last hidden village to be annihilated was Uzushiogakure. Uzushiogakure was her grandmother's family home, and its destruction also had the factor of Konoha's rescue being too late.

As for Hanzō's death in battle, everyone was not very shocked. Hanzō was already old. This oldness referred to his heart being old. Like the current Hiruzen; because of the Uchiha matter, his mentality had already aged.

However, the focus of the Konoha higher-ups was not this, but the strength of the Akatsuki and their relationship with Iwagakure.

The Akatsuki had two Kage-level individuals, and Iwagakure already had three. If they were to advance and retreat together with the Akatsuki, then their high-end combat power would surpass Konoha's. Not to mention, Iwagakure also had two Tailed Beasts, and both of their Jinchuriki were in their prime.

As for Konoha in terms of Tailed Beasts, they only had a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki who was still an infant, and a Seven-Tails that needed to be returned. As for Kage-level individuals, the public-facing ones in Konoha were only Hiruzen, Danzō, and Tsunade.

As for Fugaku Uchiha awakening his Mangekyō, let alone Hiruzen and the others not knowing, even if they did, it would only make them more uneasy.

Looking at Tsunade's ugly expression, Hiruzen comforted her, "Tsunade, Iwagakure's strong rise is not only seen by us, but also by the Sand and Cloud. We can use diplomatic means to restrict Iwagakure's development."

"At this time, we should win over the Cloud and stir up the relationship between the Sand and Iwa. As long as the other four great nations are hostile to each other, we will sooner or later recover our strength." This was correct. This was what the Third did when he first came to power. In the original story, after the Nine-Tails Rampage, the Third still did the same.

Although the Third was constantly engaged in internal friction, his political skills were still good. He was always fighting for opportunities for Konoha to rest and recuperate.

As a result, he did get what he waited for. He waited for Naruto, the savior.

Although the Third didn't see it when Naruto truly rose, the fact that Konoha could exist peacefully until the grand finale, Ishiro also felt, was inseparable from Hiruzen's methods.

At this time, Danzō also stood up to express his support for Hiruzen. Because Hiruzen had stabilized the country precisely through his cooperation with Danzō, one in the light and one in the dark.

If Tsunade also wanted to do as Hiruzen did, then she had to heavily rely on him, Danzō.

Tsunade thought for a moment and said, "Then let's do it that way. In addition, let's also hold a joint Chunin Exam. Invite the Sand, Cloud, and Mist to all participate."

"Let's put aside the problem of Iwagakure for now. What about the Akatsuki? The Akatsuki destroyed the Land of Rain, fully demonstrating the restlessness of this organization. We must take strong measures to strike at the Akatsuki," Danzō, seeing his proposal was finally adopted, immediately began to speak enthusiastically.

Tsunade frowned. It wasn't that she didn't want to destroy the Akatsuki; the problem was that their strength didn't allow it. She couldn't possibly, as the Fifth Hokage, lead the Third Hokage, Danzō this advisor, and a group of Elite Jonin to just charge over to their doorstep, right?

But if they didn't do that, it seemed they couldn't win either. The intelligence indicated that the Akatsuki might have two Kage-level individuals. Besides Nagato, who possessed the Rinnegan, their leader Yahiko might also have Kage-level strength. This could be seen from the fact that Rasa had previously preferred to offend Hanzō by marching through the Land of Rain rather than offending the Akatsuki by marching through the Land of Rivers. Rasa definitely knew something.

Seeing Tsunade not responding, his best buddy felt a bit awkward. Hiruzen immediately said, "Let's send people to properly investigate the Akatsuki's strength first."

The method Hiruzen adopted was consistent with his usual style. The method he adopted was to drag things out, to drag it out until Konoha recovered its vitality, to drag it out until more Kage-level individuals appeared in Konoha.

"How is Kakashi?" Hiruzen asked.

Tsunade shook her head and said, "He's still the same, with a look of having no attachment to life. I plan to have him join the Anbu. More missions might help."

Hiruzen had some hope. Originally, Kakashi was the genius in Konoha with the most hope of becoming a Kage-level in the near future.

"How is the Flying Thunder God training of Raidō Namiashi, Iwashi Tatami, and Genma Shiranui?" Hiruzen asked again.

"Progress is relatively smooth, but it will still take a considerable amount of time for the three to learn it. And even if they learn it, they can only teleport one or two people, or things. It's simply impossible to fully utilize the power of the Flying Thunder God like the Fourth did," Tsunade replied.

Hiruzen looked at Danzō again and asked, "How is the cultivation of the nano-sized poisonous insects going?"

Danzō's scalp tingled at Hiruzen's question. How did Hiruzen know he was researching this? Could there be a traitor in Root? But the members of Root were all controlled by curse seals; it was impossible for them to betray him.

After a long while, seeing Hiruzen still staring at him, Danzō's voice was hoarse as he said, "It's not successful yet. It still needs time."

Hiruzen nodded and at the same time gave Danzō a deep look. He had actually just been bluffing Danzō. He had no definite intelligence, just some speculation based on some of Danzō's actions. As it turned out, his guess was indeed correct. Danzō was indeed conducting research in this area.

No longer holding onto Danzō's vulnerability, Hiruzen continued to ask Tsunade, "What gate has Might Guy's Eight Inner Gates training reached?"

Tsunade also knew the power of the Eight Inner Gates and had also paid attention to this matter. She said, "He's reached the fourth gate. Progress is very fast."

Taking a puff from his pipe, Hiruzen asked again, "In the Uchiha clan, that one called Shisui Uchiha, what is his strength now?"

Tsunade was stunned. She really didn't know this. She didn't even understand why Hiruzen suddenly asked about this Shisui Uchiha.

Danzō's eyes flashed, and he cursed inwardly, "Damn it, this guy Hiruzen is one step ahead of me again."

Sure enough, he heard Hiruzen say, "This Shisui Uchiha is a successor of the Will of Fire. I heard he wants to join the Anbu. Tsunade, approve it. Let him be my guard."

At this time, Danzō really wanted to say that Shisui clearly wanted to join Root; he wanted to resolve the misunderstanding between himself and the Uchiha clan. But having just been scared by Hiruzen over the matter of the nano-sized poisonous insects, Danzō lacked some confidence at this moment.

Tsunade, however, didn't think too much about it. She also hoped that more successors of the Will of Fire would emerge from the Uchiha clan, so she nodded in agreement.

After setting the basic policy for dealing with the current situation, Tsunade announced the dismissal of the meeting.

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