Ch.320 Codename ‘D’

Hokage's Office, Hidden Leaf Village. 

A group of Hidden Leaf's high-ranking officials gathered here. Some wore expressions of anger, others remained silent, and a few had grim faces.

Tsunade declared, "This matter must be thoroughly investigated to the end!"

The Third glanced at Danzo but didn't immediately respond, as if weighing something in his mind.

Danzo, though his face was dark, remained composed.

This time, using Yakumo's parents to lure her out of the village was indeed a scheme he had orchestrated in secret with Orochimaru.

But he had been extremely cautious.

The mission assigned to Kurama Murayumo was legitimate on the surface, and the news of Murayumo's team being in danger was spread to the Kurama clan through rumors.

Thus, while Danzo played a significant role in the affair, all he had done was pass certain information to Orochimaru.

As long as Orochimaru wasn't captured, no one could directly implicate him.

Without concrete evidence, even Tsunade couldn't easily bring down a village elder and advisor.

Realizing this, Mito Menma coughed lightly. "Ahem, let's put the internal investigation on hold for now. We need to figure out why Orochimaru targeted Kurama Yakumo and what his connection is to the Akatsuki!"

Koharu Utatane nodded. "Yes, we can't rush the internal investigation."

Tsunade immediately glared at Mito Menma and Koharu Utatane.

Though these two advisors often opposed Danzo on many issues, when it came to the authority of the elder council, their stance would immediately align with him.

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, the Third spoke up. "I'll personally oversee this internal investigation! Now, let's discuss other matters. Jiraiya, has it been confirmed that Orochimaru defected from the Akatsuki?"

Jiraiya replied, "It's confirmed! The Akatsuki even searched for Orochimaru's whereabouts on the black market. I'm certain that this plot targeting Kurama Yakumo had no collusion between Orochimaru and the Akatsuki. Their interests in Yakumo likely coincided by chance."

"It seems the reappearance of 'Wood Release' has caught the Akatsuki's attention," the Third said, nodding. He continued, "I've read the report, and it mentioned a peculiar Akatsuki member. What's the deal with that?"

Kakashi, standing on the periphery, stepped forward and described the situation in detail before saying slowly, "Based on my observations, the Akatsuki member who appeared in spiritual form likely possesses a space-time ninjutsu similar to the Fourth's 'Flying Thunder God Technique.'"

"What!?"

Mito Menma and Koharu Utatane paled simultaneously upon hearing this for the first time.

No one understood the implications of 'space-time ninjutsu' better than these advisors who had witnessed the Fourth's rise.

If a figure like the Fourth had emerged within the Akatsuki, it was undoubtedly terrible news for the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

The Third, his face stern, asked, "Can you confirm this?"

Kakashi shook his head.

The Third then turned to Tsunade. "What about Kurama Yakumo? She was the one attacked. She should be able to provide some intelligence, right?"

Tsunade replied, "I've already questioned her. The situation was chaotic, and the opponent approached her in spiritual form, striking instantly. She had no time to react, so she couldn't provide any useful information."

After a moment of contemplation, the Third said, "The fact that someone with the Koryugan like Yakumo couldn't react in time is already strong evidence. We can't afford to be complacent about this!"

Tsunade and Kakashi voiced no objections.

Clearly, they agreed with the Third's judgment. Though definitive proof was still lacking, based on the clues gathered, it was likely true that the Akatsuki had a member who wielded 'space-time ninjutsu.'

The Third then called out, "Intelligence Analysis Team!"

"Here!"

Yamanaka Inoichi stepped forward.

The Third issued an order. "Immediately devise contingency plans to counter spiritual forms and 'space-time ninjutsu'!"

"Understood!"

Yamanaka Inoichi responded and stepped back.

For a shinobi village like Hidden Leaf, even something as troublesome as spiritual forms and 'space-time ninjutsu' wasn't entirely without countermeasures.

The Third turned to Kakashi again. "Anything else to add?"

Kakashi said, "The mysterious Akatsuki member was wearing a hooded red-cloud cloak and a mask. They're likely distinct from Sasori and Deidara, belonging to the 'A' faction."

Mito Menma, hoping to avoid the emergence of yet another formidable enemy, asked, "Could they be 'A' themselves, or perhaps the already known 'B' or 'C'?"

Kakashi shook his head. "I've seen all three members of the 'A' faction. Though they always wear masks, I'm certain this new Akatsuki member isn't 'A,' 'B,' or 'C.'"

Koharu Utatane couldn't help but grumble, "How does the Akatsuki keep recruiting such troublesome people?"

Kakashi continued, "I suggest creating a special file for this new Akatsuki member, similar to the one for 'A.'"

The Third said, "Very well. Let's designate them as codename 'D' for now. Compile all intelligence related to 'D' and share it with the other villages as soon as possible."

"Yes!"

The group responded in unison.

After the meeting adjourned, Tsunade returned to Hidden Leaf Hospital.

As a precaution, not only were all four members of Kurama Murayumo's team admitted to the hospital, but even Yakumo, who appeared unharmed, was confined to a hospital bed by Tsunade.

Seeing Tsunade return, Shizune hurriedly approached. "Lady Tsunade, how's the investigation going?"

"Hmph!" Tsunade snorted coldly. "Investigate what? It's obviously that old fool Danzo!"

Shizune asked, "What did the Hokage say?"

"He hasn't made up his mind yet…" Shaking her head, Tsunade sighed. "Forget it. How's Yakumo? Have the test results come back?"

Shizune handed her a report. "We've checked her with various instruments. There are no markings on Yakumo's body resembling the 'Flying Thunder God Technique' formula. The opponent likely didn't have time to tamper with her."

"That's good!"

Tsunade breathed a sigh of relief. Her greatest fear was that the enemy had left some kind of marker on Yakumo, allowing them to attack her directly with 'space-time ninjutsu' next time.

Entering Yakumo's room, Tsunade asked, "How are you feeling?"

Yakumo said helplessly, "Lady Tsunade, I'm really fine!"

"Even if you're fine, you'd better stay in the hospital for a few days!" Tsunade briefly recounted the discussion from the Hokage's office, then added, "The Akatsuki member codenamed 'D' has set their sights on you. You need to be extra careful for a while!"