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Chapter 145: Post-Battle Investigation
.....
Border of the Land of Fire.
A team of ninja wearing animal masks and radiating a gloomy aura leaped out of the forest with swishing sounds.
The Root Jonin leading them stared with trembling eyes, shocked by the partially shattered ice mirrors scattered across the ground.
Judging from the melting traces, each ice mirror was at least 20 meters long.
The ground within a kilometer radius was filled with a massive number of melting ice mirrors.
They still emitted visible white mist, transmitting a bone-chilling cold.
"How can there be such a terrifying Ice Release? Who on earth was fighting here?!"
Ice Release...
The Root Jonin immediately thought of the Yuki clan from Kirigakure, but then shook his head.
That kekkei genkai clan had been destroyed over a decade ago.
Moreover, Root had once secretly captured members of the Yuki clan to study the Ice Release kekkei genkai, and it was absolutely nowhere near as powerful as what lay before him.
"Captain," a Root ninja beside him said coldly, "We should report the battlefield situation to Lord Danzo as soon as possible. The anomaly here is beyond our ability to handle."
"You're right." The Root Jonin nodded. "Collect some of the unmelted Ice Release samples to bring back to Root for research immediately."
He glanced back in the direction of Konoha. "Quick, those dogs will be here soon!"
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The Root team immediately jumped next to the ice mirrors, using sealing scrolls to preserve some of the ice chunks.
Then, they changed direction and sped away from the battlefield.
Three seconds later, another ninja team leaped out of the forest.
With the iconic mask and silver hair, it was none other than Kakashi Hatake, the Jonin of Konoha!
After receiving reports of a terrifying battle occurring at the Land of Fire's border, he immediately led an Anbu squad to investigate.
Kakashi landed in front of a damaged ice mirror and looked at the battlefield, which was almost entirely frozen, with a solemn expression.
"This is..." He examined the size and arrangement of the ice mirrors in detail, instantly recalling Haku of the Yuki clan whom he had encountered in the Land of Waves three years ago.
"Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals! How can they be this huge?!"
According to the mission report, the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals Haku used covered a range of only a dozen meters.
But here, as far as the eye could see, the ground was covered in shattered ice mirrors, spanning a terrifying range of at least a kilometer.
He pulled down his mask (headband) and observed the ice mirrors with his three-tomoe Sharingan.
Then he extended his index finger and gently touched the ice surface.
Hiss!
A stinging cold pain instantly shot through his fingertip, and Kakashi moved his finger away like lightning.
Raising it to his face for a look, his expression grew even heavier.
His fingertip was purple and bruised, with a layer of ice crystals on the surface—clearly frostbitten.
Just a touch caused frostbite, and judging by the melting traces, it had obviously been left for quite some time, yet it still possessed such power.
Who was the user of this Ice Release?
Three years ago, an orphan of the Yuki clan using Ice Release had appeared. Could there be more remnants of the Yuki clan in the ninja world today?
Kakashi focused his gaze on the ice mirrors.
An Ice Release of such scale and power was extraordinary, far exceeding Konoha's past research and estimates of Kirigakure's Ice Release.
The village had been completely destroyed not long ago, and only a small part had been rebuilt.
Now, a terrifying battle with an unidentified party had occurred at the border. It was truly a troubled time.
An Anbu beside him interrupted Kakashi's contemplation. "Captain Kakashi, what should we do next?"
"Collect Ice Release samples and bring the intel back immediately," Kakashi ordered coldly.
He didn't know who created this battlefield.
But he was certain the opponent was extremely strong. To prevent accidents, the village had to be put on high alert.
Kakashi prayed silently in his heart:
Lady Tsunade, please wake up soon...
.....
Konoha, Root Base.
In the underground hall, Danzo looked gloomily at the intelligence sent back first by the Root Jonin from the Land of Fire.
"Hmph!" The intelligence report in his hand was shredded by sharp Wind Release chakra.
"Ice Release! I didn't expect there to be remnants of the Yuki clan in the ninja world!"
He subconsciously touched his left eye under the bandages. "Such powerful Ice Release... if I could control it..."
Although he couldn't permanently rewrite a person's will, he could influence it briefly.
If he could make the opponent give up resistance and plant Root's unique "Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal," he could acquire an incredibly powerful combat asset.
"Fu."
"Lord Danzo." Fu Yamanaka stepped out from the shadows.
"Make arrangements immediately. Have Root keep an eye out for the owner of this Ice Release at all times."
"Yes."
Danzo leaned on his cane and said coldly, "Since that old fool the Raikage is so anxious to convene the Five Kage Summit, reply immediately. In the name of the Acting Hokage, I agree to convene the Five Kage Summit immediately. The location will be the Land of Iron. I will personally attend on behalf of Konoha."
Hokage... A flash of fervent desire passed through his eyes.
I have finally taken a step forward. With Tsunade in a coma, the only one who can represent Konoha at the Kage Summit is me!
Teacher, I will prove that your choice back then was wrong.
Konoha will only become more glorious under my leadership!
The aged face that looked like a monkey when smiling floated in Danzo's mind.
"Hiruzen, I am the Hokage! Heh heh heh."
Fu Yamanaka silently retreated, and Danzo's excited and hearty laughter echoed in the underground hall.
.....
On the other side of the Land of Fire's border.
High in the sky, the Sky Fortress hovered silently.
Concealed by the thick mist created by a large-scale Hidden in Mist Technique.
Like a white cloud, it floated inconspicuously in the sky.
On the deck.
Kameda, Honoka, Samui, and Shion—the group of four waited anxiously.
Honoka paced back and forth incessantly. "Uncle Kameda, it's already dark. Why hasn't Lady Konan returned yet? Could something have happened? Should we go to the battlefield to investigate?"
"Don't act rashly." Kameda shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Lady Konan said before that if there is a battle, we should go to the assembly point and wait, and not investigate on our own."
Honoka opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't say it in the end.
She could only sigh silently.
Kameda comforted her, "We must have faith in Lady Konan. Has there ever been a battle where Lady Konan didn't beat the enemy to a pulp and return safely?"
"Indeed." Samui nodded in agreement. "Honoka, you don't need to worry too much."
Even her own village, Kumogakure, along with the Raikage and Killer B, couldn't take down Lady Konan. There was probably no one or faction in this ninja world that could pose a threat to Lady Konan.
Shion looked at the white mist close at hand, remaining silent.
She prayed inwardly that Lady Konan would return safely.
She didn't want to lose her current life, and she certainly didn't want to return to her previous life in the Land of Demons.
Whoosh!
Just then, a figure pierced through the thick mist, bringing trails of mist with it as it landed on the deck.
It was Konan!
"Lady Konan!"
Kameda had keen eyes. He went to her side and handed her a glass of freshly squeezed juice he had prepared earlier.
"You've worked hard. This is premium tangerine juice I freshly squeezed. Please have a taste."
Konan took it and sipped it.
The taste was indeed good, very sweet.
Having fought for so long without a drop of water, a glass of tangerine juice was very nice.
After finishing the drink, Konan briefly comforted the group with a few words, then asked Kameda, "Has Ryuzetsu sent the latest intelligence on Konoha?"
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