Chapter 26: Sarutobi Hiruzen's Decision!

The team split into two groups. Uchiha Shisui carried the prisoner as Hoshita Shūichi and the others bid farewell to Namikaze Minato under the moonlight. They retraced their steps, stopping to rest at the foot of the mountain where the rogue ninjas' hideout was located.

Kurama Sanyō couldn't hide his unease. "Shisui... is it really alright for Minato-sensei to face a jōnin and two chūnin alone?"

Shisui fell silent. He understood Sanyō's fear—their previous team leader and another teammate had died during a mission where they'd split into two groups. It was during that tragedy that his Sharingan had awakened.

Shūichi observed their troubled expressions and spoke thoughtfully, "Sanyō, Minato-sensei's plan is the most logical. Transporting this prisoner requires at least two of us. If we paired up, any one of us accompanying him would likely become a liability."

He paused, then added with conviction, "As for his strength... did you notice his speed during the fight? His Body Flicker Technique is unparalleled in the shinobi world. Even if outmatched, escaping alone would be effortless for him."

Shisui smiled, nodding. "Shūichi's right. Have faith in sensei."

Sanyō wasn't irrational—just overly worried. He took a deep breath and straightened. "Then let's hurry to our destination."

Thirty minutes later, they resumed their journey, taking turns carrying the prisoner. By the time they crossed the border and located the patrol squad, dawn was approaching.

The patrol leader, a jōnin named Sakai Itsuki, listened intently to their report. Without hesitation, he ordered his three subordinates, "Shinichi, alert the other two squads immediately."

The border was long, and three patrol squads—twelve shinobi in total—guarded this stretch.

As they waited, Shūichi closed his eyes to rest, mentally reviewing the day's events.

Suddenly, Sanyō's voice broke the silence. "Shisui... what do you think the Third Hokage will decide?"

Shūichi's eyes snapped open, locking onto Shisui, who leaned against a tree opposite him.

Shisui exhaled slowly. "This involves three nations. Given how recently the Second Shinobi War ended, Lord Third will likely proceed with caution."

Personally, he dreaded another war. But the fault lay entirely with Sunagakure, and Konoha now held irrefutable evidence. The Land of Rivers would have no reason to side with Suna.

The real question was: Would Sunagakure dare escalate this into war?

Sanyō pressed further, "And what about that village?"

Shisui stiffened. Not because he hadn't considered it—but because he'd avoided considering it.

"Lord Third... will probably assign that to the ANBU."

His gaze shifted to Shūichi. "What do you think?"

Shūichi tapped his fingers against his knee. "With three nations involved, caution is inevitable. As Shisui said, neither we nor Suna want another war—not when Amegakure would profit from it."

After all, the Land of Rivers had been taken from Hanzo's grasp.

"But we hold the advantage now. Securing Rivers' missions is highly possible." He hesitated, then added grimly, "As for the village... I suspect Root will handle it."

Technically, Root was part of ANBU. But in Shūichi's mind, Root belonged solely to Danzō.

The Third Hokage could strip Danzō of his title with a word, yet Root remained under his iron grip—reinforced by the cursed seals he placed on its members.

Both ANBU and Root dealt in shadows, but Shūichi had no illusions about which branch would be deployed... or what methods Danzō might employ.

A heavy silence settled over them.

Here they were—a six-year-old and two eight-year-olds—forced to confront darkness more twisted than death itself.

Morning arrived with the crunch of ration bars. Sakai assigned the trio to patrol duty, but their radios soon crackled with an alert: the bandits had been spotted.

By the time they reached the ambush site, the battle was already over.

Twelve figures lay unconscious—the two rogue ninjas and ten villagers.

Temple of Nirvana Technique? Shūichi guessed, recognizing the genjutsu's handiwork.

As the other patrol squads arrived, Minato—having returned from Konoha—delivered the Third Hokage's orders:

"The prisoners are to be handed over to Root."

Sakai Itsuki smirked. "Then they're your responsibility, Minato."

Once the patrols dispersed, Minato turned to his students. "Bind them all. Shisui, you'll accompany me to retrieve the remaining Suna prisoners."

Shisui's Sharingan gleamed. "Understood."

(+20 Chapter ahead)

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