The peace talks concluded.
After leaving the town, Mitokado Homura was extremely cautious: "We must be even more careful after the peace talks.
In principle, envoys should not be harmed during war, but ninja have low moral standards. We cannot rule out the possibility of Kumo-nin seeking revenge.
Kumo-nin have a precedent for this, ambushing the Second Hokage-sensei and the rest of us during peace talks back then."
These memories made Mitokado Homura tense.
"I understand, sir!"
Yōkō carefully escorted Mitokado Homura out of the Land of the Moon.
It wasn't until they entered the Land of Hot Water that Mitokado Homura's state improved somewhat.
Mitokado Homura's worries were unnecessary; this time, the Kumo-nin had no intention of killing the peace talk envoys.
Konoha had won the fight, and Mitokado Homura had been aggressive during the talks, but choosing the Land of the Moon as the venue proved he wasn't as strong as he appeared.
During the Second Great Ninja War, Kumogakure fought two conflicts against Konoha and Iwagakure, while Konoha fought five against the four great nations plus Amegakure.
In terms of losses, Konoha suffered the most severely among the five great villages.
Especially Konoha's Chūnin and Genin, who suffered heavy casualties; it would take years to replenish the numbers of lower-level ninja.
Yōkō sent Spotted Deer to the temporary camp to bring the entire unit, then accompanied Mitokado Homura to meet the Daimyō of the Land of Hot Water and inform him that the conflict was over.
Hearing that the border conflict had ended, the Daimyō of the Land of Hot Water poured out his grievances to Mitokado Homura.
Many nobles had died on the border, and the Land of Hot Water had suffered heavy losses.
Mitokado Homura could only say that the conflict was over and there would be no more large-scale noble casualties.
Afterwards, the Fox Unit followed Mitokado Homura directly back to Konoha.
Yōkō didn't get a final chance to speak with Hatake Sakumo and wondered how things were going on his end.
On the way, Mitokado Homura said, "Fox, with your escort, I feel much safer."
"Sir, we are almost at the Land of Fire. The Kumo-nin can't possibly come here. Are you suggesting others would dare attack a Hokage Advisor of Konoha?"
Mitokado Homura said, "There is a faction that has been targeting Konoha, posing a much greater threat to the village than Kumogakure.
Root and the Shimura clan, even the Sarutobi clan, have been frequently targeted by assassins.
You'll see when you return to the village. Danzo has been frantically trying to bite something lately; I don't even want to see him.
Can't blame Danzo for his rage. That faction's methods are too ruthless. The Shimura clan has already lost 2 Jōnin and several Special Jōnin. Root hasn't recovered its strength even after six months.
It would be terrible if I were targeted. I don't have as many subordinates and clansmen as Danzo."
Yōkō thought to himself, Mitokado Homura, your worries are unnecessary. I have no interest in you for now.
Mitokado Homura intended to communicate more with Fox. Fox's strength and reputation warranted Mitokado Homura's attention.
After escorting Mitokado Homura to the base of the Hokage Building, Mitokado Homura asked Yōkō to come upstairs with him to report to the Hokage.
Entering the Hokage's office, Yōkō felt something was odd.
Where was Orochimaru?
For the past few months, Orochimaru had always been standing by the Third Hokage's side, learning how he handled Konoha affairs.
Now, Orochimaru was nowhere to be seen. Had Orochimaru fallen out of favor?
Mitokado Homura's subsequent question cleared up Yōkō's confusion.
Mitokado Homura first asked, "How is Orochimaru's secret investigation in the Land of Rain progressing?"
He didn't mention the Land of Hot Water conflict first, but started with Orochimaru's secret investigation. It seemed the higher-ups were more concerned with Orochimaru's progress.
The Third said, "No progress. After entering the Land of Rain, the Uzumaki remnants vanished without a trace.
The incessant rain in the Land of Rain has erased all traces; no method can find the Uzumaki remnants.
Orochimaru sent word that Hanzo has already noticed him.
Hanzo sent someone to ask, 'He knows Jiraiya is in the Land of Rain, and now Orochimaru has entered as well. Do you want to start another war?'
I wrote to Hanzo hoping to explain, but I can't explicitly tell him that Orochimaru is investigating Uzumaki remnants, not targeting him.
We are allies with Uzushiogakure; we can't very well say we are hunting Uzumaki remnants.
Hanzo doesn't believe me. He thinks that with both Jiraiya and Orochimaru in the Land of Rain, there's only one possibility: they are looking for an opportunity to ambush him.
Orochimaru's investigation is blocked and he had to go underground. Progress is very slow."
Hearing that Orochimaru's investigation was blocked, Yōkō breathed another sigh of relief.
The Third Hokage took a drag from his pipe and said, "Another reason for Hanzo's rage is that Orochimaru captured some children in the Land of Rain who are skilled in Earth and Water Release.
Most people in the Land of Rain have an aptitude for Water Release, making it relatively easy to find those who also have an Earth Release aptitude."
Mitokado Homura's expression changed. "Has their research entered the final experimental stage?"
The 'they' Mitokado Homura referred to were Danzo and Orochimaru's secret experiments.
The village leadership knew Danzo and Orochimaru were researching Hashirama Cells.
"Yes, so Orochimaru will return to the village soon."
"What about Orochimaru's investigation then? The hostile force is powerful; two or three ordinary Jōnin are no match..."
As Mitokado Homura spoke, he turned and looked at Fox beside him.
The Third nodded and said, "Root's Otsu died in the Land of Whirlpools war. Root lacks capable hands.
Danzo is unwilling to go personally. We must send another Elite Jōnin to lead the team.
Although Danzo is somewhat extreme, his actions are all for Konoha.
His Root and the Shimura clan are suffering retaliation is also taking the heat for us.
Someone has to do the dirty work others are unwilling to do, right?
I intend to have Fox lead a team to the Land of Rain to take over from Orochimaru and continue the investigation."
Yōkō was stunned. Investigate myself?
If Orochimaru investigates, Yōkō worries what if he finds the Uzumaki remnants' location?
If I investigate, Yōkō worries about how to account for finding nothing.
The Konoha F4 are too vicious. Aren't they putting me on the spot?
Mitokado Homura thought for a moment and said:
"Fox's strength is sufficient. He can even withstand a strike from the Third Raikage; Hanzo probably can't deal with him quickly either.
Orochimaru's entering the Land of Rain stimulates Hanzo; Hanzo understands the Sannin's strength.
If Fox goes, firstly, his methods are discreet, less likely to be exposed. Secondly, Hanzo won't be as tense.
There are plenty of ANBU from other villages in the Land of Rain too. Who told Hanzo to call himself a demigod and ambitiously try to become the sixth great village?"
Yōkō thought, Is my life not a life?
What if I get caught by Hanzo and get beaten up?
Yōkō said, "Hokage-sama, Mitokado Homura-sama, I will surely complete the task assigned by you both.
However, the ANBU also has much work. There are many missions inside and outside the village. If I am away with my unit for a long time, what about Yellow Dog-sama?"
Yōkō styled himself as Yellow Dog's number one confidant. Having been in the Land of Hot Water for over two months, and now seemingly heading to the Land of Rain, how could he remain Yellow Dog's confidant?
The Third Hokage smiled and said, "I understand your sentiment. I will speak to Yellow Dog myself.
To take over Orochimaru's mission in the Land of Rain, you don't need to take the entire Fox Unit. Taking one squad is enough.
In the Land of Rain, there are the Root Ninja and the Lynx Squad. You will cooperate with Lynx and be responsible for key battles."
"I understand, Hokage-sama."
Having other people is good.
Yōkō's heart stirred, and a brilliant plan suddenly arose in his mind...
First like this, then like that... Wouldn't Danzo be in for another world of hurt?
Just thinking about the mischief he was about to cause made Yōkō somewhat excited.
Leaving the Hokage Building, Yōkō hurried to the ANBU base to see Yellow Dog.
***
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(Chapter End)