Chapter 155: How Can We Get to the Front Lines?
Minato didn't publicly reveal the Mangekyō Sharingan's weakness. Though this information might not be classified—various clans with sufficiently long histories might possess relevant records.
He simply emphasized Missing-nin Anonymous's considerable capabilities. Locating him promptly didn't mean everything would be resolved. Minato alone lacked confidence in capturing or killing him—or rather, even adding several more people might prove insufficient.
Because if they couldn't restrict his stealth technique that let him come and go through Konoha as if entering uninhabited territory, what good would arriving promptly at his crime scene accomplish?
Without killing the target in an instant, they'd ultimately watch helplessly as he escaped. After all, once he deployed that stealth technique, even Hyuga Ritsu's Byakugan couldn't trace any tracks.
"Therefore, to resolve Missing-nin Anonymous in one attempt as much as possible, I hope Hiruko-senpai, Hyuga Clan Head, and Uchiha Clan Head—the three of you—will spend time mastering a barrier technique."
Minato revealed his calculation.
Hearing this, everyone pondered thoughtfully. This was indeed a viable approach.
As long as barrier techniques restricted Missing-nin Anonymous's stealth technique, even if he possessed heaven-defying strength, he absolutely couldn't match the entire Konoha Village. After all, if he truly possessed strength to face an entire village alone, why not directly attack Konoha? Why bother with covert assassinations?
Hiruko frowned slightly. "Barrier techniques? If it's an ordinary barrier technique, it probably can't necessarily stop Missing-nin Anonymous, right?"
Minato nodded gently. "I judge the same. Though theoretically, any barrier capable of physically isolating should defend against Missing-nin Anonymous's stealth technique, he doesn't only flee. If the barrier's strength is insufficient, it could easily be broken."
"Therefore, the barrier technique I intend to master is the Four Red Yang Formation."
Four Red Yang Formation?
Everyone present possessed considerable knowledge. Even if they hadn't studied the obscure field of barrier techniques, they'd at least heard of them. Or rather, even if they hadn't, it didn't matter—Minato briefly explained.
"The Four Red Yang Formation is the most suitable among several high-level barrier techniques the village possesses. Though its might is inferior to the strongest Six Red Yang Formation, the Four Red Yang Formation's defensive strength can also withstand direct Tailed Beast Ball attacks with bidirectional internal-external defense."
"Of course, everything has two sides. Maintaining such high-intensity defense imposes quite stringent requirements on practitioners. Whether one can master this barrier technique is the first threshold—sufficient to stump the vast majority. The second threshold requires sufficiently massive chakra. Otherwise, even mastering the Four Red Yang Formation, one couldn't maintain it long."
Minato's explanation was simple and clear.
Even those who'd previously not heard of the Four Red Yang Formation or understood little now comprehended why Minato specifically entrusted Hiruko, Hyuga Ritsu, and Uchiha Fugaku among those present—because these three possessed massive chakra reserves.
Hiruko and Ritsu—master and student who'd both used the Chimera Technique—need not be mentioned. Their chakra was so massive it could be called "chakra tons." Though the Uchiha clan's chakra wasn't as tremendous as the Senju or Uzumaki, compared to the vast majority of ordinary people, the Uchiha clan's average chakra level far exceeded theirs. As an outstanding figure among the Uchiha, Fugaku's chakra quantity also qualified as massive.
"In my plan, not only Hiruko-senpai, Hyuga Clan Head, and Uchiha Clan Head will train in the Four Red Yang Formation—I myself, Kushina, Jiraiya-sensei, and Shisui will likewise exert maximum effort to master this barrier technique. When the time comes, four people will maintain the Four Red Yang Formation while the remainder participate in hunting Missing-nin Anonymous."
No one objected to Minato's arrangements.
Today's meeting essentially reached its conclusion at this point. Having formulated such a strategy with considerable feasibility regarding Missing-nin Anonymous, the meeting's purpose was basically achieved.
Afterward, they discussed several less important matters—for instance, the reparations extracted from Kirigakure had been delivered to Konoha. They deliberated on how to effectively utilize this wealth and resources to restore and strengthen the village's vitality.
When time approached evening, Minato finally announced adjournment.
"Ritsu, come to my office."
Hiruko immediately called out to Hyuga Ritsu.
Ritsu followed along, arriving at Hiruko's office in the Hokage building.
Hiruko pointed at the water dispenser. "Pour water yourself. If you want tea, the tea leaves are under the table—find them yourself."
This wasn't Ritsu's first visit. With practiced familiarity, he poured himself tea, simultaneously dumping out the tea leaves in Hiruko's cup and brewing fresh tea.
Hiruko lifted his teacup, taking a sip and sighing. "Ritsu, the solution for breaking the Caged Bird Seal will likely take more time."
Hyuga Ritsu didn't feel disappointed.
He sat on the sofa, smiling. "Sensei, no need to rush this matter. Honestly, lifting the Caged Bird Seal on a large scale now might not necessarily be good. I haven't yet found an alternative method to protect our clan's bloodline from covetous eyes!"
This was unvarnished truth. While the Caged Bird Seal placed Branch Family life and death in Main Family hands, it also served to protect the Hyuga clan's bloodline.
Hearing this, Hiruko nodded. "Since it's not urgent, I'll temporarily slow research in this area. My biggest current problem is that my Chimera Technique remains incomplete. Everything relies on the Wood Release bloodline limit's tremendous vitality maintaining a quite precarious balance."
Hearing this, Ritsu's smile faded, his expression becoming serious. "Sensei, is the situation severe?"
"No need for such gravity. The situation hasn't reached the point of threatening my life. However, because the Chimera Technique is incomplete, my training progress never accelerates. I've researched and understood this period—my situation differs from yours. Without completely perfecting the Chimera Technique, hard work alone will struggle to achieve much."
Ritsu frowned slightly. "If that's the case, we must find a way to quickly reach the Yu no Kuni front lines... Speaking of which, Sensei, regarding the intelligence I asked you to investigate recently—any results?"
"You mean the Gold and Silver Brothers' clan situation, right?"
Hiruko rotated his thoughts briefly, remembering this matter. "Currently, we've indeed found some things, though not much. We only know the Gold and Silver Brothers definitely have surviving clan members in Kumogakure. However, apparently because these brothers launched a coup killing the Second Raikage years ago, this clan's circumstances in Kumogakure aren't ideal... Oh right, it seems the current Cloud ninja supreme commander at the Yu no Kuni front is from the Gold and Silver Brothers' clan."
Hyuga Ritsu's eyes immediately brightened.
He hadn't expected the prey he needed was right there at the Frost Country border. His mood instantly lifted, requiring tremendous effort to suppress the urge to cheer jubilantly.
He lifted his teacup, moistening his lips to calm his brain. After pondering moments, he said, "If that's the situation, Sensei, I believe we must rush to the Yu no Kuni front before Cloud ninja choose withdrawal."
By now, everyone understood clearly—the probability of Cloud ninja advancing south had become negligible. Based on intelligence transmitted back by spies lurking in Kumogakure, Konoha judged that Kumogakure's purpose in stationing thousands of Cloud ninja at the Frost Country border—beyond testing whether Konoha would show vulnerabilities—was primarily to facilitate the Fourth Raikage's control over Kumogakure's internal situation.
As long as Konoha didn't expose exploitable opportunities, the possibility of Cloud ninja advancing south approached zero.
Therefore, if Hiruko and Ritsu intended doing something regarding Cloud ninja, acting before their army withdrew from the Frost Country border was most convenient. Otherwise, once Cloud ninja withdrew, attempting anything might require penetrating deep into the Land of Lightning—not only drastically increasing danger but becoming very troublesome!
Whether Hiruko or Ritsu, both master and student's identities destined their movements would attract many people's attention. Vanishing would prove very troublesome.
"I understand this too. But the problem is there's currently no suitable reason for us to go to the front. Compared to the front-line battlefield where fighting is essentially impossible, with the village's current situation, we truly can't extricate ourselves."
Hiruko sighed deeply, his face full of helpless frustration.
Hearing this, Ritsu couldn't help scratching his head. He too racked his brains yet remained empty-handed. He held his teacup, slowly sipping. Watching the tea drain, inspiration suddenly flashed through his mind.
"Sensei, perhaps an opportunity exists!"
"How so?"
"Why do you think Missing-nin Anonymous risked killing the already-imprisoned Shimura Danzo?"
"Hokage-sama and Uchiha Clan Head both speculated Missing-nin Anonymous is either Uchiha Ryuji or Uchiha Tatsuhata—one of this father-son pair. Considering their son's and younger brother Uchiha Torajiro's disappearance, possibly revenge?"
"Sensei, you're correct. I also guess Missing-nin Anonymous came for revenge. Because the cause of Uchiha Torajiro's disappearance or death was precisely Danzo's betrayal plus Cloud ninja assault. Now Danzo has paid with his life for his actions. Do you think Missing-nin Anonymous will spare Cloud ninja?"
Hearing Ritsu's words, Hiruko's eyes also immediately brightened. Looking at Ritsu, he asked, "Ritsu, you mean Missing-nin Anonymous will likely provoke Cloud ninja?"
Ritsu spoke with considerable excitement. "High probability. This guy dared infiltrate our Konoha to kill Danzo. No reason exists to fear causing trouble in Kumogakure. We can observe several days. If Missing-nin Anonymous doesn't continue assassinating others in the village, he's very likely gone to Kumogakure."
Hiruko caught the thread, continuing, "And as long as Missing-nin Anonymous goes to Kumogakure killing people—as long as Cloud ninja detect his Sharingan and Wood Release—the border won't necessarily immediately erupt into war, but Cloud ninja definitely won't easily withdraw. Because Kumogakure's culture extremely worships the strong. If the Fourth Raikage dares choose withdrawal after the village suffers attacks from an unknown Uchiha, he'll absolutely suffer tremendous prestige loss."
Reaching this point, master and student's gazes met, seeing greedy colors flashing in each other's eyes. Both laughed simultaneously. Given the Uchiha clan's obsessiveness and extremism, such speculation would very likely come true.
However, after laughing, Hiruko frowned again. "Even if Cloud ninja won't easily withdraw, that doesn't mean we have opportunity to reach the front!"
"This..."
Ritsu was momentarily speechless.
After a pause, he finally said, "Sensei, let's take it one step at a time! If truly desperate later, we can only try asking the Fourth Hokage for a favor."
Master and student's conversation reached this point essentially concluded. Having said everything necessary, after Ritsu finished another cup of tea, he bid farewell and left the Hokage building.
Upon returning to the clan compound, he didn't idle. Arriving at the Tamaeda Shrine, he summoned all six elders, communicated today's meeting decisions, and announced the immediate dismantling of the compound's barriers.
The elders didn't resist Ritsu's decision.
The Branch Family members actually didn't much care whether clan barriers existed. They didn't believe their actions were shameful. Even formidable great barriers couldn't peek into everyone's private lives—something no one could accept. It merely monitored everyone's chakra locations and conditions.
The only troublesome aspect was that after dismantling clan barriers, over ten clan members would lose their positions. However, this matter didn't require his worry. Ritsu was a hands-off manager—clan administrative authority was jointly operated by the elders. Only matters they couldn't resolve reached Ritsu for judgment.
By contrast, the remaining major clans including the Uchiha were almost in uproar internally. Opposing voices abounded. Though they lacked the Hyuga clan's Main-Branch Family system, this didn't mean clan interiors were harmonious without the slightest grievance.
In fact, no clan's backside was clean. Various clan contradictions and struggles never lessened—they simply didn't explicitly divide into ruling and ruled classes like the Hyuga. The shameful grievances and contradictions that should exist were never few.
Of course, these matters bore no relation to Ritsu. They were things other clan heads and the Hokage should worry about. When evening reached past nine o'clock, Minato arrived bearing Danzo's Wind Release training insights and a copied transcript of the Four Red Yang Formation barrier technique.
The two conversed five or six minutes. Ritsu accompanied Minato around the Hyuga compound. After leaving sufficient Flying Thunder God formula marks, Minato bid farewell. Before departing, he also gave Ritsu a trident kunai to carry.
Ritsu glanced at the trident kunai, stuffing it into his ninja tool pouch. He returned to his bedroom, sat at his desk, and began burning midnight oil—hungrily studying the two scrolls Minato had brought.
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