"After dealing with this sickly fellow, I'll come back and slaughter them. The blood of those opposition members will be blasted everywhere with my Blastsword."
Munashi Jinpachi grinned, exposing his incredibly sharp teeth and letting out a cruel and bizarre laugh.
◎
Land of Fire, Konoha.
In the conference room where only three people were present, Hokage Hiruzen coldly stared at Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
Facing Hiruzen's gaze, the two Advisors hesitated for a moment, but before they could speak, Hiruzen questioned them first: "Why did you privately transmit my orders to search the Hyuga Clan?"
Initially, he was reluctant to believe it.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura dared to privately transmit his orders as Hokage to investigate the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan-related materials.
Upon learning of it, Hiruzen almost wanted to spit three liters of blood, his face furious beyond description.
If these two hadn't been his childhood comrades, he would've wanted the Anbu to lock them up in Konoha Prison immediately for a period of reflection.
As Advisors, do they really not understand the severe crime of falsifying the Hokage's orders?
One misstep, and they could even have their Advisor status revoked and be sent to Konoha Prison, with almost no chance of release.
Yet these two not only did it, but also chose this critical moment to do so.
If this matter causes the Hyuga Clan to be displeased with him as Hokage, then no matter how he tries to compensate in the future, it will be difficult to mend this rift.
"We did this for your sake, Hiruzen. The situation which was painstakingly balanced can't be disrupted because of the Hyuga Clan."
Utatane Koharu said.
"If you truly cared about me as Hokage, you wouldn't be doing these unnecessary things. The Uchiha situation was the same, and now even the Hyuga Clan is... Are you planning to push them all to the opposite side?"
Hiruzen furiously questioned the two.
His voice was so loud that even the Anbu guarding outside could clearly hear it.
It was their first time witnessing the usually gentle and benevolent Hokage erupt in such terrifying anger.
"Well... We didn't insist. In fact, when we went there, the Main Family quickly allowed us to browse the Byakugan-related materials without any dissatisfaction."
Mitokado Homura tried to steer the conversation to a different topic, attempting to calm Hiruzen down.
"...The problem isn't that. You..."
Hiruzen felt like his head was splitting, not knowing what words to use to reprimand these two comrades.
Why must they disrupt his arrangements every time?
"The matter of the Byakugan is of great importance. No matter what, we are doing this to protect the village of Konoha, and to uphold Fujima-sensei's principles."
Hearing the term 'Fujima-sensei', Hiruzen's face showed complexity. He obviously softened, letting out a sigh.
"Yes, only then can we find peace of mind. After all, the Hyuga's Byakugan has a well-proven impact on the battlefield, and we can't afford any mishap. During our talks with the Hyuga Clan this time, we indeed learned a lot about the secrets of the Byakugan. We will organize this information for you to decide."
Mitokado Homura continued to steer the conversation, mentioning the gains he and Utatane Koharu obtained during their visit to the Hyuga Clan.
"Let there be no next time."
Uttering these words, Hiruzen felt as though he had aged tremendously in an instant.
His body wasn't old yet, but he inwardly began to feel incapable.
"For your mistakes this time, I'll deduct them from your salaries over the next three years. Furthermore, no more private transmission of my orders!"
"We understand."
The two heaved a sigh of relief, the matter was reluctantly settled.
Just as the two were about to speak, there came a knock at the door.
"Come in."
An Anbu Ninja stepped in and reported to Hiruzen: "Hokage-sama, the Hidden Mist envoys request to see you."
"Hidden Mist?"
The trio of Hiruzen exchanged surprised looks, unsure of what purpose the Hidden Mist had for coming to Konoha at this time.
Afterward, the Anbu presented the letter from the Hidden Mist Ninja.
Hiruzen opened it and read its contents, frowning.
Subsequently, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura also read the letter, each frowning.
The contents of the letter were straightforward.
They hope one of the Sannin, Tsunade, could step in to treat the illness of the Seven-swords Ninja, Thunder Blade's wielder, Ringo Ameyuri, and that the Hidden Mist would like to open diplomatic relations with Konoha.
"What do you think?"
"Since they have a request, let's agree. With the war so intense right now, Konoha desperately needs a significant ally."
Although the recent reputation of Hidden Mist's 'Blood Mist Village' hasn't been good, these are the affairs of others, and as Konoha's high authority, they cannot judge them.
What they value is the attitude of Hidden Mist toward Konoha.
◎
Inside Konoha Hospital.
Tsunade holds the printed materials, on which not only are human anatomy diagrams drawn but also ominous black spots marked in many places. The more she looks, the deeper her frown becomes.
She gazes at the woman on the operating table, who feels like a cold corpse, with weak breathing, on the verge of death at any moment.
Then she sets down the documents and walks out of the operating room, into the adjacent room, where a Hidden Mist Female Ninja anxiously waits.
Upon seeing Tsunade enter, the female ninja immediately stands up, asking urgently, "Tsunade-sama, what is the situation with Jonin Ringo? Can she be cured?"
Tsunade can see the urgent mentality of this Hidden Mist Ninja and shakes her head, saying, "I'm sorry, I'm helpless. Her condition is not an incurable disease, but rather a long-term poison that has completely destroyed her body's functions. The fact that she's still alive is already a miracle."