Escape From Konoha

Konoha 45, mid-December.

The two and a half year long Rain Country War finally came to an end with the signing of an armistice agreement between Konoha and Sunagakure.

The day after the armistice agreement was officially signed, the Sunagakure ninjas who had lost a large amount of strategic supplies had no choice but to withdraw from the Country of Rain and return to the Country of Wind to recuperate.

Konoha also did not stay in the Land of Rain for long. Under the mobilization of Orochimaru, one of the three ninjas, the defense line quickly retracted back to the Land of Fire, leaving only 500 ninjas to defend the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain. , the remaining nearly two thousand ninjas followed Orochimaru back to Konoha Village, ending their long war career.

In the latter part of the same month, the Kumogakure ninjas invaded the Fire Country through the Land of Yu, and officially declared war on Konoha.

Konoha's former Hokage Senju Tobirama disciple Akimichi Takafu was the commander, leading three thousand Konoha ninjas to attack the Kumogakure ninjas on the border between the Kingdom of Fire and the Kingdom of Yu.

This news puzzled many strategists from other villages. Even many jounin within Konoha expressed doubts about the decision of the senior officials.

The biggest contributor to the lightning-quick ending of the Rain Country War was undoubtedly Orochimaru, one of the Sannin.

Logically speaking, we should maintain this wave of victory and let Orochimaru take command again to repel the Kumogakure ninja stationed in Yuno Country.

However, the commander who led the Konoha ninjas against the Kumogakure ninjas was not Orochimaru, but Akimichi Tofu.

This is not to underestimate the strength of Akimichi Kaifeng. As a disciple of the previous Hokage Senju Tobirama, he is from the same sect as the Third Hokage and other high-level Konoha masters. He is also a secret ninja of the Akimichi clan, so his strength is naturally extraordinary.

With his fame, strength, and political background behind him, there is no doubt that he is a ninja from the Naruto faction worthy of entrusting him with important tasks.

However, one thing that is criticized is that Akimichi Tofū is too old. He is already over fifty years old. No matter how you think about it, Orochimaru is young and energetic, and one of the candidates for the Fourth Hokage. , more suitable to take his place.

No matter how suspicious outsiders may be, Konoha's top brass didn't reveal the slightest bit of news. It once made people wonder if this was a conspiracy by Konoha's top brass, such as a secret change of commanders, ostensibly led by Akimichi Tofu, but secretly secretly sending Orochimaru to the front line, catching Kumogakure off guard.

Kumogakure had to stop the offensive and wait and see Konoha to see if Orochimaru secretly came to the front line and changed the position of Akimichi Tifeng's leader.

◎

The land of grass.

The war between Konoha and Sunagakure in the Land of Rain is over, but the war between Konoha and Iwagakure in the Land of Grass is still in full swing.

In the dimly lit forest, Yamanaka Kaiichi, Nara Shikaku, and Akimichi Choza were moving forward quickly.

The three of them are the newly promoted young jounin of Konoha Ninja Village, and they are all from the first-class secret art ninja clan. The name of the three of them as "Inaraka Butterfly" has gradually spread in the ninja world, and they have become the name of Konoha Ninja. A leader of the younger generation.

"I didn't expect that the general who will deal with Kumogakure is not Orochimaru-sama. This is a bit unexpected, Shikaku."

Yamanaka Haiichi sighed.

In his mind, the battlefield facing Kumogakure on the other side should be led by Orochimaru, who defeated the Sunagakure ninja, rather than Akimichi Takafū, who is over fifty.

Although saying this is a bit rude to the elder Akimichi Tifu, even if Akimichi Tifu defeated Kumogakure, his position in Konoha would no longer be promoted. Once he loses the war, his reputation will be ruined. Regardless of winning or losing, it is not a good thing for Akimichi to take the wind.

On the contrary, the young Orochimaru needs this war to completely establish his position in the village and make final preparations to serve as the fourth generation Hokage.

Therefore, Yamanaka Kaiichi could not understand the actions of the village's senior officials, and it was obvious that letting Orochimaru deal with the Kumogakure ninja was the best strategy at the moment.

To be honest, Akimichi Tifeng will be a ninja for a few more years before he can retire and take care of himself. At this time, he really shouldn't be allowed to go out against the Kumogakure ninjas, especially in such an important position as a commander.

"Anyway, there are pros and cons."

Shikaku sighed softly.

"Oh, what do you say?"

"Letting Lord Orochimaru face Kumogakure is indeed the best strategy, and it is also the choice that is most in line with Konoha's current overall interests. However, it is in line with the overall interests of the village, but it may not be in line with the interests of the village's top leaders. You must recognize these two things. difference."

The people who control the general direction of the village are always the high-level Hokage, consultants and others.

This is the battle between old and new factions in Konoha.

Therefore, it is not incomprehensible not to allow Orochimaru to fight against Kumogakure ninjas and to cool down his reputation for a while.

Haiyi and Ding Zuo were stunned, and then fell silent.

The Sannin became famous during the Second Ninja War, and Orochimaru was the best among them. Looking at every war that Konoha has experienced in the past ten years or so, Orochimaru has gone to the most dangerous battlefields and front lines, large and small. Having fought hundreds of battles, winning more and losing less, he is one of the few practical ninjas in Konoha who can hold the position of general.

The tactical style does not stick to conventional theories, and any means that can lead to victory, no matter how despicable and vicious, will be used at all costs, just to ensure Konoha's victory.

Therefore, the process will bring huge and indelible trauma to the surrounding countries, especially the small countries, but it will also establish the stability of the Fire Country and Konoha. In Shikaku's view, Orochimaru can be said to have made an indispensable contribution.

As for the trauma suffered by the small country, it is just a true portrayal of the ninja world and is not within the scope of Konoha's concern.

Those who can achieve victory for Konoha are worthy heroes of the Fire Nation and Konoha.

Especially in this battle with Sunagakure, Orochimaru harmed the interests of Raingakure and the Country of Rain, but restored Konoha's decline in one fell swoop and made a huge contribution to Konoha.

"Since ancient times, most transitions between old and new power have been accompanied by bloody political struggles. The Third Hokage has ruled Konoha for too long. For so long, something has become deeply ingrained, and someone must break it. Only when there is a stalemate can Konoha introduce new vitality. The current village may seem prosperous, but in fact it has lost its indomitable spirit."

Shikaku said meaningfully.

What he said was not a baseless guess, but a conclusion drawn based on the shared information obtained by the Nara clan, the Yamanaka clan, and the Akimichi clan.

As far as he knew, most of the important positions in Konoha now contained more or less ninjas from the Sarutobi clan.

Take the ANBU minister and deputy minister, for example. Since the Third Hokage came to power, these two high-ranking positions have been held by ninjas from the Sarutobi clan.

Here comes the complication.

The next Hokage succeeds to the throne, and the Hokage, who is controlled by the Sarutobi clan, is directly under the ANBU. Should he listen to the words of the third generation Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, who is also a member of the Sarutobi clan, or the instructions of the fourth generation Hokage?

Although the above are all speculations, Lu Jiu is very worried that it will become true.

In his opinion, the positions of ANBU minister and deputy minister should not have any family characteristics and should be filled by civilian ninjas with outstanding abilities to prevent the monopoly of familialism.

"Shikaku, do you want to..."

Haiyi and Dingzao looked at Shikaku's back in surprise, and were slightly shaken, hearing what Shikaku meant.

As Shikaku's close friends since childhood, they knew very well that although Shikaku seemed to be a person who disliked trouble, he was by no means the kind of outstanding ninja who wanted to live a life of mediocrity.

His intelligence has been highlighted since the Chuunin era.

As close friends, the two of them can naturally feel the lofty political ambitions that Shikaku wants to show in his heart at this moment.

Shikaku has his own dream... no, rather it is his ambition to truly demonstrate his abilities in the environment of the ninja world.

I want to join the new Hokage's camp and introduce new vitality to the village.

That would inevitably lead to questioning and targeting from the Sarutobi clan.

"Don't worry, my family is my family and I am me. I will recognize the boundaries between the two."

Shikaku turned back and smiled at the two of them, his face full of energetic confidence.

How can young people lose their ambition to move forward because of fear of failure?

As for recalling the past, that is what one should do in his old age.

In his later years, it turns out that he doesn’t have any glorious past to brag about, which is probably the most tragic thing.

"Shikaku, I thought you were always a troublesome person."

Haiyi sighed helplessly, with a smile on his face.

Ding Zao also smiled and said: "Yes, this is not your style at all, Shikaku."

"Even if you are a troublesome person, you still want to achieve something. There is no conflict in this. After all, we are still young. If we don't give it a try, how will we know that we can't succeed? If we succeed, we will not be able to walk when we are old. , you will have bragging rights with your grandson."

Shikaku was fantasizing about such a scene.

If his grandson asks him, "What great things did grandpa do when he was young?", he will be very proud to repeat these deeds to his grandson over and over again.

Thinking about it carefully, it’s really a bit exciting.

"Really? It seems that the two of us have no way to quit. After all, the three of us have always advanced and retreated together. The family is the family, and we are us."

Haiyi and Dingzuo looked at each other, nodded to each other, and made up their minds.

"Even if you want to quit by then, I won't let you go. Just be prepared."

Shikaku smiled.

"Of course. However, it will still be a few years before Lord Orochimaru takes up the position of the Fourth Hokage. It seems that we need to contact him in advance."

In the past, the three of them had only met Orochimaru a few times from afar, and basically had not spoken a few words.

Now in order to stir up a new trend in the village, it is necessary to get in touch with this genius among the three ninjas in advance.

Lu Jiu shook his head and said: "No, if my guess is correct, Lord Orochimaru should be strictly monitored by senior officials. Who will become the Fourth Hokage is now uncertain."

"how come?"

Haiichi and Dingzao were slightly stunned. If the position of the Fourth Hokage does not belong to Orochimaru, then who else in the village can be qualified?

Could it be the other two Sannin?

"Who knows about this kind of thing. And contacting Lord Orochimaru at this time will only arouse the suspicion of the higher-ups, and you will get nothing else. Besides, don't forget what the content of our mission is."

What is the mission?

Haiyi and Dingzuo looked at each other.

This time the three of them rushed to the Country of Grass to assist Yellow Flash's team and obey all the commands of Yellow Flash Namikaze Minato to carry out an S-class secret mission.

"Shikaku, you mean Minato?"

"No, it's impossible. Minato is too young."

Haiyi and Ding Zuo were both in disbelief.

"It is precisely because he is young and has no team of his own that it is easier to be controlled. Wait a minute, if after defeating Iwagakure, Minato is then transferred to Yuno Country to deal with Kumogakure, it is basically certain that the Third Generation is doing something for him. Minato has paved the way and is ready to give up on Orochimaru-sama."

Shikaku said calmly, with a light of wisdom that could see through everything in his eyes.

Haiichi and Choza still couldn't let go. The three of them were old acquaintances with Minato, and their usual relationship was very good. If it is true as Shikaku said, the position of the Fourth Hokage will probably fall on Minato. As a contemporary For a ninja, it was really shocking.

But from another perspective, Minato becoming the Fourth Hokage is probably a puppet pushed to the forefront by the Third Hokage. The real decision maker in Konoha will probably still be the Third Hokage himself.

This situation is really complicated. Haiyi and Ding Zuo shook their heads, not daring to think about it anymore.

I hope there won't be any trouble within the village over the position of the Fourth Hokage.

"They're coming."

Shikaku raised his head and stopped in front, followed by Haiyi and Dingzao.

In front, two figures, one large and one small, appeared.

It was Minato and Kakashi.

"Shikaku, Haiichi, Dingza, we haven't seen each other for a while."

Minato called out the names of the three.

"Yes, in the blink of an eye, you have become a famous yellow flash in the ninja world. I really belong to you, Minato."

Lu Jiu looked at Minato's young and energetic smiling face and sighed with admiration from the bottom of his heart.

It wouldn't be a bad thing if such a person became the Fourth Hokage.

Compared to Orochimaru, Minato was more knowledgeable to them, the age gap was not big, and it was easy to cooperate.

The three of them joined the team. Minato, who had no team, would also pay more attention to the abilities of the three of them. They could squeeze into the core layer at once instead of starting from the outside.

Kakashi also nodded to Shikaku and the others. Although these people were his seniors, he, who had been officially promoted to Jonin, was already on the same level as them, and there was no superior-subordinate relationship with them.

"Sorry, I can't catch up with you now. I'll treat you to dinner when I get back."

Minato felt slightly apologetic.

"You're welcome, this is an extraordinary period, and we all understand. So, what is the S-level mission this time?"

Lu Jiu waved his hand, telling Minato not to care.

Minato nodded, took out a scroll from his ninja tool bag, and spread it out on the ground so that Shikaku, the three of them, and Kakashi could all see it, with a map drawn on it.

"These places are Iwagakure's most important supply points in the Country of Grass. Next, we will remove all these supply points within one day. Shikaku, you and Kakashi will act together and be responsible for attracting the enemy's Attention, I will do the action of destroying the supply point by myself. If you understand, start taking action now. Kakashi has a backup map with him and a specific course of action."

Minato looked serious.

"Understood. But, Minato, is it okay for you to act alone?"

Lu Jiu paused, and asked.

Minato nodded and replied: "Don't worry, I have already done the investigation in advance. According to my investigation, Hinata Ayane has stopped cooperating with Iwagakure. As long as she doesn't come to cause trouble, I will be enough by myself. Going too much People are wasting time."

This is where the drawbacks of the Flying Thunder God Technique lie.

Because of the fast action, in many cases, he can only fight alone, and the other Konoha ninjas cannot cooperate with him tactically.

Moreover, he needed to remove all of Iwagakure's supply points in the Country of Grass within one day, which proved that he could not be distracted from taking care of the safety of his companions, and must end the battle as quickly as possible.

"That's no problem."

Shikaku agreed and came down.

Haiyi and Ding Zuo are headed by Lu Jiu, and Lu Jiu agrees, and they naturally agree with Minato's division strategy.

"I'm counting on you here."

After Minato finished speaking, he disappeared from the spot.

"Come with me, I will make specific arrangements on the way."

Kakashi didn't say much, and started to act.

The three of Lu Jiu scratched their heads. The three of them always felt that it was a bit weird for the three adults to listen to a twelve-year-old child.

Normally, after Minato left, wouldn't the three of them take the lead?

Although the other party is also officially recognized by the village as a jonin, there is still something wrong.

"Forget it, let's follow. Anyway, the key point of the mission is at the water gate, we are all just dispensable pawns."

Lu Jiu smiled helplessly, and followed Kakashi's footsteps with Hai Yi and Ding Zuo.

◎

Moist Bone Forest.

In the bone-white bare forest, Shiraishi brought Obito and Rin here to teach the basics of natural energy.

Although the practice of natural energy can also be practiced outside, the density of natural energy in Shibone Forest is high, and it is easier to complete the basic practice of natural energy.

but……

Shiraishi looked at Obito who was sitting on the ground with a flushed face, and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Half a month has passed, and I have told him all the key points of natural energy cultivation, and even demonstrated it in person dozens of times. However, not to mention the control of natural energy, even the breath of natural energy has been ignored. Not sensed.

Shiraishi has never seen such a difference in talent for sensing natural energy.

Lin, who was practicing not far away, was already able to refine natural energy by herself and use natural energy to exercise her physical skills.

"Come out for me, natural energy!"

The impatient Obito yelled, but nothing happened and no natural energy was sensed.

"Ahhhhhh, why can't I sense anything?"

Obito fell to the ground and began to give up on himself.

"I've already said that you need to calm down and practice, and don't think wildly."

Shiraishi sighed.

Shiraishi suddenly regretted accepting such an idiot as his disciple.

I thought that Obito, who had activated the Mangekyō Sharingan, must have some special hidden talent, but after some testing, he was completely in despair.

This guy's hidden talent is that he is more talented when he reaches the level of Sharingan.

In addition, physical skills, fire escape, and illusion skills are all average levels that are better than above, less than below.

If this continues, the other abilities will not be able to effectively cooperate with the Mangekyō Sharingan, and will become a drag on the blood inheritance limit.

Therefore, Shiraishi planned to teach it from the most basic natural energy.

Taijutsu is the most basic and essential skill for ninjas.

If you master the natural energy, you can't be bad at physical skills.

"But I have tried hard to calm down and practice."

Obito looked like I was already practicing meditation seriously.

"Really? Isn't it really because Lin is not far away that I can't meditate?"

Shiraishi stared at Obito suspiciously.

"W-what are you talking about? What does this have to do with Lin? I think there's just something wrong with your teaching methods."

Obito excused himself with lame excuses.

From time to time, her eyes would peek at Lin who was not far away, and Lin would occasionally feel Obito peeking at her. She was confused for a moment, and then smiled tenderly at him.

This made Obito blush, and his heart was like a fawn, like a shy young girl in love.

"You are such an amazing pervert. You think about other girls all day long."

"I said no! Why am I a pervert?"

Although Obito tried his best to defend himself, Shiraishi had already concluded that he was a pervert.

"If you still can't cultivate natural energy, then you can only let Lin go somewhere else and practice alone. Otherwise, if this continues, you won't be able to calm down."

"I know, just take it seriously. After all, you are just a guy who eats us Uchiha's soft rice, how dare you be so arrogant."

Damn, he knew how to threaten Lin. Obito, who couldn't resist a sinister person like Shiraishi, could only stare at him angrily.

"This is also for your own good, you know..."

Just as Shiraishi was about to say something, the sound of a live snake came from behind:

"Lord Shiraishi, I have your letter."

A live adult-sized snake squirmed behind Shiraishi and sent a message.

"I know, I'll be there right away."

Shiraishi nodded, then looked at Obito and said: "Continue to practice, I will leave for a while. If you dare to be lazy, I will leave the job of cleaning the wet bone forest to Lin alone this month."

"..."

Obito was so angry that his teeth itched, but he didn't dare to say anything.

You must become stronger and then punch to death this insidious villain who keeps persecuting Lin.

After bidding farewell to Obito, Shiraishi followed the living creature's clone to a simple-looking wooden house.

There is a black box-like machine wrapped in plastic in the wooden house. It is a remote communication device unique to the military of the Kingdom of Ghosts. In order to receive information from the outside world in a timely manner, Shiraishi was at the Shiggy Bone Forest when he came this time. Such a communication device was installed.

The white paper has been printed with text and is spit out from the machine.

Shiraishi looked at the information displayed on the paper and frowned.

"It's over too soon..."

He murmured.

"What ends too soon, Shiraishi-sama?"

The living creature asked curiously.

"On the battlefield of Grass Country, Iwagakure lost and Konoha won."

Shiraishi replied.

What is presented on paper is such a piece of information.

——The four Konoha Jonin Hatake Kakashi, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Kaiichi, and Akimichi Choza blew up the Kannabi Bridge, an important transportation channel in Iwagakure. Then Minato Namikaze took advantage of the situation and placed Iwagakure at five important supply points in the Land of Grass. Within two hours, they were all destroyed, and dozens of Iwagakure jounin were also killed in the yellow flash. hand.

The yellow flash Namikaze Minato used his unparalleled lightning tactics to completely end Iwagakure's dominant position in the Land of Grass.

This news has spread throughout the ninja world, causing people everywhere who are concerned about the war to be in an uproar and shocked.

No one expected that the yellow flashing wave Feng Minato would be so powerful, almost single-handedly overturning Konoha's disadvantage on the battlefield in the Land of Grass.

Not even Shiraishi expected that Iwagakure would fail so quickly.

Even without Ayane's help, according to Shiraishi's estimation, Iwagakure should not have ruined the good situation so quickly, and still had one person turn the situation around.

In this way, after the war, Konoha's weakening power is extremely limited.

"It's such a blessed village. Is this the true heritage left behind by the first and second generation Hokage? It's too scary."

Shiraishi smiled bitterly.

The three ninjas who can stand alone can already intimidate all parties, but now there is a yellow flash that is more troublesome and troublesome than the three ninjas. Shiraishi doesn't know what kind of incredible luck is needed in a Konoha with such a chaotic political situation. This kind of ninja who can turn the tide can appear every time in dangerous moments.

Makes people envious and jealous.

Even Shiraishi is a little jealous of the village of Konoha.

Don't give the rest of Ninja Village a way out at all.

"Does Master Shiraishi find it difficult? After all, Namikaze Minato is the son of the prophecy of Mt. Myogi, and it is certainly not comparable to ordinary ninjas. This is also expected."

The living beetle said this as if he was just talking about an insignificant matter.

To it, there is no difference between the prophesied children of Miaomu Mountain and all living beings.

"It's not that it's difficult. As long as Minato doesn't take the fourth Hokage position, there is no need to worry. Even if he takes the fourth Hokage position, it will be difficult for him to do anything within a few years. Now Konoha's vested interests The higher-ups will never allow the new Hokage to take away their part of the power."

Even if Minato wins the political struggle in the end, Konoha will become extremely weak due to too much political internal friction at that time, and it is impossible to recover in a short time.

Generally speaking, Konoha, who is now feared by many ninja villages, is the one Shiraishi is least worried about.

When it came to disappointment, the higher-ups in Konoha had never let him down.

This is the reason why Shiraishi is confident that Konoha will not pose a threat to himself and the Kingdom of Demons for a long time to come.

But confidence is confidence. When Konoha's political situation becomes chaotic, Shiraishi won't mind adding a little more trouble to Konoha.