Chapter 107. Concerns

Chapter 107. Concerns

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At this moment, the day agreed upon for negotiations with Kirigakure is drawing closer.

And in these past few days, the higher-ups of Konoha have been feeling quite the headache.

After all, it seems now that achieving peace is not going to be so simple.

Especially since the Third Mizukage died at the hands of Konoha, and their Three-Tails is also in our possession. What if Kirigakure makes exorbitant demands?

Even if we can argue that the Third Mizukage died in the war and that Konoha ninjas are not responsible for his death, what about the Three-Tails?

This Tailed Beast has to be returned!

This was the policy established by Hashirama-sama!

We can't just seize it and not return it, can we?!

If that happens… what will the other villages think?

That Konoha has become ambitious, no longer desiring peace, and is preparing to collect Tailed Beasts to wage war!

That would be disastrous!

Therefore, for the sake of peace in the ninja world, we have no choice but to return the Three-Tails!

If we don't return it, probably… Kirigakure won't end the war so easily. And with the ongoing war against Kumogakure… the impending peace might just be the prelude to another war.

If we keep fighting… and other villages make moves…

Konoha really can't handle it anymore!

But Kakashi…

[Perhaps it really will come to that…] Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed wistfully as he put down his smoking pipe, sneaking a glance at Danzo, and said, "What do you all think we should do?!"

As soon as he finished speaking—

"Hmph!"

What was that look just now?

Danzo snorted coldly.

"Once it's in Konoha, it belongs to Konoha. There's no reason to return it! Defeat is defeat! If they have more demands, then we'll keep fighting!"

What?

They failed in their sneak attack and now want compensation?

They really don't take the Darkness of the Ninja seriously!

However—

"That's not appropriate!" Hiruzen shook his head, frowning slightly, his expression very grave. "We can't keep fighting anymore!"

"Indeed, we can't keep fighting anymore!" Utatane Koharu, sitting beside him, also nodded in agreement. "The war has gone on long enough, but Kakashi…"

At this point, her eyes showed some concern.

"Sakumo has already sacrificed himself for Konoha. It would be really inappropriate to sacrifice Kakashi for this," Mitokado Homura also expressed his concern. "Kakashi is a genius of Konoha!"

"I feel the same way," Hiruzen nodded deeply in agreement. "We already made a mistake with Sakumo's incident. Are we going to sacrifice Kakashi this time? Remember… he became like this for the sake of Konoha. We absolutely cannot do this! But what should we do now?"

"The Three-Tails is inside Kakashi… can it be extracted?"

"There's no way!" Hiruzen shook his head with a bitter smile. "Once someone becomes a Jinchuriki, if the Tailed Beast is extracted, the Jinchuriki will die!"

"Is there really no way?"

The three of them talked back and forth, their faces full of worry as they discussed possible solutions.

And Danzo… seeing this, felt somewhat relieved. At least it seemed everyone's goals were aligned.

Indeed.

Everyone is working for Konoha!

However—

Not long after—

"Perhaps it's not as troublesome as we think," Mitokado Homura frowned again and spoke up. "After all, the Third Mizukage died in the war, and Kirigakure can't really say much about that. And the Three-Tails… it was Kirigakure that sealed it inside Kakashi."

"But we still have to return it to Kirigakure."

"We could offer compensation! Buy the Three-Tails."

"A Jinchuriki? How much do you think that's worth? Even if Kakashi is from Konoha, I'm afraid 100 or 200 million wouldn't be enough!" Hiruzen coughed and spoke seriously.

"Back when the First Hokage sold the Tailed Beasts, they weren't that expensive. Surely we can't double the price and still not manage? Maybe we can negotiate," Homura suggested.

"Impossible. Even if we could, Konoha doesn't have that kind of money right now!" Utatane Koharu looked troubled.

As soon as she finished speaking—

Suddenly—

The three of them turned their heads and sneaked a glance at Danzo.

"…"

Immediately, it became a bit awkward, and they quickly looked away.

It was involuntary.

They just suddenly remembered that Konoha actually has some money.

However—

"…"

Get lost!

Danzo didn't believe it!

It's all excuses!

You're just after my body!

His face darkened, the previous sense of relief completely gone. He crossed his arms, placed them under his chin, and said grimly, "Let's just give up! For the sake of Konoha! As ninjas of Konoha, we must make sacrifices!" He paused, scanning the group. "Hand over the Three-Tails to Kirigak—"

Before he could finish—

"No!" Hiruzen directly cut him off, frowning. "Danzo, you just said—"

"That was then! This is now! Ninjas can't be judged by common sense!" Danzo said seriously. "This is all for peace!"

"Give me a bit more time. Maybe there's another way!"

"It's come to this—what other way do you have?"

"We can't do that!"

"You'll regret it, Hiruzen!"

"I am the Hokage, Danzo!"

At this moment, the two of them started arguing again.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura looked on helplessly but didn't say much.

They were used to it.

However—

They really didn't mean it earlier.

Danzo… was being a bit sensitive.

After being together for so long, don't they understand him?

Suddenly—

"Hiruzen! Konoha will be destroyed in your hands!"

At this moment, Danzo felt deeply hurt inside.

The mouth of a close friend—the lies of a devil!

Things have truly changed after all!

Indeed—

Only power is real!

Is he afraid of sacrifice?

No!

He's not afraid!

It's just that Konoha still needs him!

Danzo angrily slammed the table, stood up, and prepared to return to his Root base.

He didn't want to see Hiruzen for a while!

At least…

He would only calm down after the Kiri ninjas left!

…

On the other side—

Team Minato.

After successfully retreating, the four of them headed toward the Konoha camp.

Especially Obito… who had single-handedly gone deep to rescue Kakashi, broken out of the encirclement, killed the Third Mizukage, and successfully retreated with Kakashi.

Now, he walked with such swagger, quite arrogantly, even putting his arm around the frowning Kakashi.

"Hahaha, I saved you! No need to thank me!"

As soon as he finished speaking—

"Idiot." Kakashi rolled his eyes and pushed Obito's hand away. But seeing Obito's optimistic mood, he felt a bit better inside.

However—

The Three-Tails…

Just as Kakashi was worrying—

Thud~

A hand slapped his shoulder.

"???"

"Don't worry!" Minato said with a smile. "Relax, your teacher is here!"

He was aware of what Kakashi was concerned about. This was indeed a problem!

As Kushina's boyfriend, he knew that once someone became a Jinchuriki, the Tailed Beast couldn't be separated from them.

And the Third Hokage… although kind-hearted, loving the village, and protecting the ninjas… was ultimately the leader of the village.

If it was for the sake of Konoha…

Minato's brow furrowed slightly, but as he looked at the camp ahead, it relaxed again. [I'll ask Jiraiya-sensei later—maybe he has a solution?]

Then, he looked up at Obito ahead, his eyes also filled with concern.

[Where did Obito get that strange power…?]

At this moment—

Obito, who had been cheerful earlier, suddenly stopped, staring at the billboard ahead…

Wearing a mask!

Making the Tiger Seal!

[When I drink this cup of milk tea, you've already lost!]

It's still there?!

That bastard!

I'll make him go bankrupt sooner or later!

It makes me angry every time I see it.

His eyes involuntarily began to shift, and in his pupils… a strange pattern seemed to appear.

Minato, who was behind him, saw Obito's body seemingly distorting and was slightly startled, quickly calling out—

"Obito!"

As soon as he finished speaking—

Obito shuddered and returned to normal, turning his head to look at Minato strangely. "Sensei, what's the matter?"

He didn't seem to notice what had just happened.