Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 43: Minato - This Time, I'm Not Alone

Several guards watched as Hyuga Miyuki and her group left. One of them suddenly asked, "The Hyuga clan usually doesn't use ninja tools, right? What are they doing with such a large storage scroll?"

His companion replied, "Maybe they've got a mission to deliver supplies to the frontlines. Why, do you think there's an issue with the Hyuga clan?"

"No, it's not that."

The confused ninja shook his head. No one believed the Hyuga clan would defect. The main family had no need, and the branch family lacked the power.

"I was just reminded of my friend's ninja tool shop. His daughter was just born, named Tenten, I think. Right now, the shop's running a sale, so there are discounts if you go buy something."

"You're really advertising now? That friend of yours wouldn't happen to be yourself, would it?"

The captain sighed and patted him on the shoulder. Looking toward the area where Katsuyu had recently appeared, he spoke earnestly, "We're just gatekeepers. Our job is to ensure no spies or dangerous rogue ninja come in or out. Don't overthink things."

Having lived for so long, he fully understood the importance of self-preservation.

The Anbu had only just warned them not to concern themselves with the village's commotion, and then the Hyuga clan left with orders signed by the Third Hokage. It was clear that the situation was far deeper than it seemed—better not to dwell on it.

Hearing the captain's words of wisdom, the others pushed their suspicions aside and prepared to continue guarding the gate. However, they soon spotted a blonde woman with a dark expression approaching from a distance.

"Tsu... Tsunade-sama?"

Hearing their voices, the woman raised her head and glanced at them. Her expression grew even darker as she walked out of the village without saying a word.

The gatekeeping ninjas could feel the powerful chakra emanating from her and swallowed nervously, not daring to stop her.

In the distance, figures from both the Anbu and Root flickered in and out of view. Only after watching Tsunade leave the village did they disappear as well.

"What is this? Am I actually being escorted out of the village?!"

A kilometer outside of Konoha, Tsunade finally vented her frustration by punching a tree. Her heart was filled with anger and resentment.

The proud princess of the Senju clan, one of the Legendary Sannin, was being "asked" to leave the village? How ridiculous!

Earlier, after realizing that no one would come to her aid, she had considered seeking support from certain ninja clans. But with the Anbu appearing, she knew it was pointless.

Most of the ninja clans had likely reached some kind of agreement. Otherwise, the two advisors, who represented the clans' interests, would never have allowed the Anbu to be involved.

The voices within the clans were divided—some of the younger generation embraced the Will of Fire, while the elders clung to the glories of the past. Whether they had come to a consensus or one side had completely overpowered the other, the situation was more dire than Tsunade had anticipated.

She didn't know whom she could trust, nor did she have the time to speak with each clan individually.

Originally, she had thought the Hyuga and Uchiha clans could serve as allies. The former's main family held centralized authority, and internal dissent was minimal, while the latter's arrogance isolated them from most other clans.

But now, with the Caged Bird Seal being one of the catalysts for the current turmoil, seeking help from the Hyuga?

That would only end in humiliation.

As for the Uchiha, their main forces were on the battlefield. The remaining ninjas weren't even sufficient for the police force. They were not an option either.

Among the clans that leaned toward the Hokage, there were potential allies. However, the appearance of that old geezer, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had crushed her hopes.

"Tsunade-hime, even if you gather people now, what will it accomplish? It will only create chaos, making Konoha a laughingstock for enemy spies."

"The village's defenses are already somewhat lax. If the other villages learn of internal conflict in Konoha, they'll undoubtedly seize the opportunity to strike. In this prolonged war, Kumogakure hasn't suffered as much as the others."

"This war has dragged on for too long. Both the villagers and the ninjas are tired. Don't let your anger drag Konoha further into the quagmire of the battlefield. The ninjas on the frontlines, who are fighting to end the Third Shinobi World War, would lose heart."

Ha! The older generation sure had a knack for speaking from a moral high ground.

It was Danzo and those advisors who had made the first move, and now they expected her to back down? How was that fair?

And they wouldn't even allow her to resist?!

Yet she couldn't ignore their words entirely.

Kumogakure had retreated because the Third Raikage had suddenly died. The Fourth Raikage needed to return to assume leadership and stabilize the situation. Otherwise, the war could have continued.

Among the other villages, Iwagakure had suffered considerable losses due to the war with Konoha and the siege on the Third Raikage. However, Ōnoki was a man who had the resolve to send ten thousand ninjas to surround the Third Raikage. He wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of any opportunity.

As for Sunagakure, although they were allies, caution was still necessary.

After considering all this, Tsunade could only send Katsuyu back and, with a heavy heart, leave the village under the watchful eyes of the Anbu and Root.

Staying in the village might result in her being ambushed. On top of that, she'd have to face those disgusting individuals every day. Leaving was the better option.

Did the old man really think his three friends wouldn't stir up trouble?

Sending them to the frontlines was one thing, but leaving no safeguards in place—he was growing more and more senile.

"Tsunade-sama, I-I'm sorry."

The last remaining part of Katsuyu appeared with Shizune. At only thirteen years old, Shizune looked down guiltily at the angry Tsunade and kept apologizing.

"It's all because of me. Tsunade-sama had no choice but to..."

"Enough."

Looking at the apologetic Shizune, Tsunade felt her anger gradually subside. Her expression softened, and a gentle smile appeared on her face.

She pulled Shizune into a hug and whispered, "As long as you're safe, that's all that matters."

One of the reasons she had left was her concern that Danzo might use Shizune against her.

Compared to targeting her, finding and capturing Shizune was far easier.

She couldn't bear to lose anyone else...

Tsunade's rarely seen tenderness stunned Shizune, but a faint smile soon appeared on her face as she hugged Tsunade back.

Tsunade-sama must be really worried about me...

Comforting each other, the two soon regained their composure. Tsunade looked at Shizune and said:

"We're going to the battlefield. If the old man caused this mess, he'd better come up with a solution."

As she spoke, Tsunade instinctively took out her dice, wanting to roll them to see whether her decision was good or bad. But remembering past events, she hesitated and put them away.

Relying on gambling to foresee the future was probably unreliable. After all, even when she lost, Shizune had still nearly died.

Even when she lost...

Tsunade thought of a certain someone who had once said that whether he won or lost depended entirely on whether he wanted to. Her expression turned strange.

That Hyuga Fuji kid... Could he have cheated somehow?

...

In the frontline command center, Jiraiya and Minato had been arguing over the same issue for a long time.

"Minato, you're the Hokage now. You can't take risks like you used to."

"Sensei, I understand. But this is how I fight."

Minato looked at Jiraiya, who opposed his plan to personally deal with the tailed beast unit, and shook his head helplessly. "Don't you trust me? I can retreat anytime I want."

"This isn't about trust, Minato. Have you considered your position?"

Jiraiya sighed. "Your presence on the battlefield is even more intimidating than the Third Raikage. If Ōnoki had the resolve to send over ten thousand ninjas against the Third Raikage, what do you think the Third Mizukage would do?"

The current Mizukage had been a member of the First Mizukage's personal guard. If not for the overwhelming strength of the Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu, he would have taken the position long ago.

Would someone with access to the full might of Kirigakure, who had likely witnessed the Flying Thunder God firsthand, not have considered how to counter Minato?

"This time, I'm not alone."

Minato glanced at Hyuga Fuji, his eyes full of trust, and smiled at Jiraiya. "I have Kakashi, Yakumaru, Fuji, and Kushina by my side. Don't worry."

(End of Chapter)