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Upon returning, Yoichi first went home for a bit before heading to the Hokage Building.
The second failed mission had hurt Konoha's foundation, costing them many elite ninjas, including Minato.
When Yoichi arrived at the Hokage's office, Sakumo had already gathered Konoha's higher-ups.
The first time Nagato killed so many ninjas could be attributed to insufficient intelligence.
However, during the second mission to capture him, they had adequate information and even brought specialized ninjas. Despite this, they still failed, and even Minato was killed.
"Yoichi-kun, you're back."
"I have some things to report, but the Rinnegan matter is more pressing. Let's address that first."
After Yoichi spoke, everyone in the room turned their attention to Jiraiya and Shikaku.
Forty elite ninjas were dispatched, but they lost over ten. Considering their intelligence on the Rinnegan, such heavy losses seemed improbable.
"Our intelligence was also leaked. The enemy knew our usual tactics inside and out. They knew everything about my, Inoichi, and Choza's strategies, as well as other ninjas' secret techniques," Shikaku explained, shocking everyone in the room. They had gone to great lengths to gather intelligence on the enemy, only to find their own information exposed.
"The enemy also had numerous summoned creatures, one of which could turn invisible. This invisible lizard caused us to lose several comrades in the first encounter."
"Additionally, Nagato had six more body clones, which appeared to be disposable. The masked enemy's space-time ninjutsu was formidable, giving even Minato a hard time, and there was another enemy proficient in Fire Release, covered in white wood."
As Shikaku described the battle, it became clear that their own tactics were entirely compromised.
Even Minato's Flying Thunder God markings were known to the enemy. The Konoha Jonin's specialties were also exposed.
It was one thing for the enemy to know about the Ino-Shika-Cho trio's secret techniques, but knowing their battle habits indicated a severe intelligence leak.
Moreover, the masked enemy's space-time ninjutsu was terrifying. Their attacks passed through him as if he were intangible, and he could also use the technique to teleport them away.
Even Minato nearly fell for it.
Nagato's Rinnegan abilities had also increased. When they destroyed two of his body clones, he summoned a mask to repair them.
Not to mention the bizarre giant summoning beasts that required three ninjas to handle each one.
At this point, Shikaku realized the situation was dire and suggested a retreat. However, the enemy wasn't keen on letting them go, making the retreat extremely difficult.
The masked enemy used space-time ninjutsu and Wood Release to ambush and protect his allies. Minato saved Jiraiya, who had been knocked away by Nagato, but was impaled by the masked enemy's Wood Release: Piercing Branches.
Jiraiya and his summoned creatures' combined Fire Release techniques finally forced the enemy to retreat, allowing them to escape.
After Shikaku finished, the room fell silent.
Then Sakumo asked, "Yoichi-kun, any thoughts?"
"Given the intelligence leak and the Fire Release proficiency, Shikaku, did that person use techniques like Great Fireball, Dragon Fire, or Majestic Destroyer Flame?"
Yoichi asked, knowing that while many ninja were proficient in Fire Release, the Uchiha clan were the true masters. The techniques he mentioned were signature Uchiha jutsus.
Shikaku nodded. "Indeed, there were techniques similar to the Great Fireball and dragon-shaped Fire Release techniques."
Yoichi sighed. "Uchiha clan's Fire Release techniques, knowing village ninja's secret techniques, it must be Fugaku, the renegade."
Everyone realized immediately. As the former Uchiha clan head, Fugaku knew their strategies and secrets.
Sakumo asked, "Yoichi-kun, are you saying that person was Fugaku?"
"There's no one else it could be. The Uchiha clan has been looking for him, but it seems he's hiding in the Akatsuki."
Yoichi continued, "As for the one using space-time ninjutsu and Wood Release, I'm not sure. Though I have Wood Release through genetic grafting, all instances and names of Wood Release users can be provided to the Fourth Hokage."
Orochimaru added, "The list of Wood Release recipients from me can also be provided to the Fourth Hokage."
Hiruzen's eyelid twitched, realizing his clan's two Wood Release users could no longer be kept secret.
"If it's not someone from the village, then Wood Release abilities must be circulating outside," Sakumo said, feeling troubled.
Twice they had failed to capture the enemy, who now held a deep grudge against Konoha. They had to find a way to eliminate this threat.
Yoichi asked, "Do we have any more intelligence on them?"
Shikaku shook his head. "No, last time it was likely a deliberate exposure of information. Though we anticipated this, we didn't expect them to know our tactics so well."
"Continue gathering intelligence. I'll handle them next time," Yoichi said. "I understand their tactics now. When they appear again in the ninja world, I'll capture them."
"Yoichi-kun, the Rinnegan and space-time ninjutsu..."
"Don't worry, Fourth Hokage. I never take on tasks I'm not confident in."
Yoichi added, "I fear death, but if I say I'll handle it, I'm fully confident."
While he had hoped to let the Akatsuki serve as a disruptor to gather the tailed beasts, they had gone too far, forcing Konoha to decide on their elimination.
Even if it meant waiting to collect the tailed beasts until after he had conquered other nations, Yoichi had to deal with the Akatsuki now.
This mission's failure was largely due to Fugaku's intelligence leak. Fugaku had long been a confirmed renegade, with a bounty on his head, so this wasn't tied to the Uchiha clan.
"Will there be any issues with Kushina?" Sakumo asked, concerned that the Jinchuriki might lose control in her emotional state.
Jiraiya, who had been silent in grief, finally spoke. "Let me tell Kushina. Minato died saving me... but I'll need the sealing team's help."
"Don't send the sealing team. Their skills aren't sufficient. Let Mina accompany Jiraiya," Yoichi suggested. "Mina can use the Adamantine Sealing Chains. If Kushina loses control and transforms, Mina can restrain her."
Sakumo agreed. "Alright, Yoichi-kun. The rest of you, recover and keep gathering intelligence. We're done here."
The rest, such as compensations and the memorial, would be handled by Sakumo. The loss of Minato, a prominent future leader, weighed heavily on him.
After the meeting, everyone left the Hokage building, including a sorrowful Hiruzen.
He had high hopes for Minato, even considering him for the Hokage position. Despite Sakumo becoming Hokage, he still valued Minato, seeing him as an improved version of Jiraiya. But fate had a cruel way of repeating itself, with Minato sacrificing himself for his comrades.
Jiraiya followed Yoichi to the Uchiha compound but did not enter.
Yoichi returned home just as Mina had come back. Since the arrival of Karin, Mina frequently cared for the child, often carrying her around joyfully.
Seeing Yoichi, Mina asked in surprise, "When did you get back, Yoichi-sama?"
"Just now. Mina, Jiraiya is waiting. Go with him to see Kushina."
Yoichi took his daughter, noting to himself that she seemed a bit heavier.
"To see Kushina? What's wrong?" Mina asked.
"Minato died on a mission. Kushina doesn't know yet. Jiraiya plans to tell her, and you need to go in case she loses control."
Mina understood, "Minato is dead... and Kushina is pregnant..."
"Though the chances are slim, there's still a risk. If she transforms, the baby won't survive. That's why you need to go."
"I understand. I'll leave now. I hope Kushina can handle it," Mina said, changing her clothes and departing. Yoichi sent a wood clone as an extra precaution to ensure no accidents happened.
When the wood clone arrived with Jiraiya and Mina at Kushina's home, they found many ANBU and barrier team members already there.
At that moment, Yugito appeared, her face lighting up when she saw Yoichi.
"You're back?"
(End of Chapter)
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That night, sadness filled Kushina's home.
Thankfully, nothing that Sakumo feared happened. Though Kushina was devastated, the Nine-Tails' chakra remained dormant. Even though she was pregnant, it wasn't yet time for delivery, so the seal hadn't loosened.
Later that night, a shadow clone of Mina returned, informing Yoichi that Karin needed to be taken care of, as Mina would stay with Kushina.
When Mikoto returned home, she also learned the news. Being friends with Kushina, she wanted to visit her but decided to wait until the next day since it was already late.
Mikoto took care of Karin, placing the crib beside their bed as they slept.
The next morning, after entrusting Karin to Mikoto, Yoichi headed to the police force headquarters for a small clan meeting, attended only by Uchiha clan Jonin.
The meeting had a single agenda: informing them about Fugaku's involvement with the Akatsuki and his indirect role in the death of Minato and other Konoha ninjas during the mission.
Those who had previously followed Fugaku hung their heads in shame upon hearing the news.
Yoichi clarified that he wasn't bringing this up to chastise the former peace faction members. Since the changes in the Uchiha clan, there were no longer peace or combat factions; everyone had become loyal to the clan leader.
His intention was to spread awareness about Fugaku and the Akatsuki's activities. The Uchiha clan was now focused on their business endeavors, which spanned the Land of Fire and were expanding into other countries. Although it was difficult for ordinary people to gather ninja-related information, there was always a slim chance.
"From now on, Konoha will likely be desperately searching for our information. If they send someone, it could be that person," said Obito to Nagato.
Things had escalated beyond Obito's expectations. In hindsight, he thought he should have dealt with Jiraiya earlier to avoid the current complications. Despite turning Nagato against Jiraiya, the resulting problems were still overwhelming due to the amount of intelligence they exposed.
Although killing Minato solved some issues, it also created new ones by revealing so much information.
Nagato, controlling his Deva Path, asked, "That person? Who is it?"
"Raijin of Konoha, probably the most troublesome person for you," Obito replied calmly. He believed in his Kamui, making him almost invincible, but he needed to maintain his composure in front of Nagato.
"Raijin is the current head of the Uchiha clan and potentially Konoha's strongest ninja. He played a significant role in Konoha's victory during the Third Shinobi World War," Nagato said nonchalantly. "It doesn't matter. Any ninja is the same to me with the Rinnegan's power."
Nagato had nearly fully harnessed the Rinnegan's power, utilizing his Six Paths and body clones. Even Jiraiya in Sage Mode struggled against his Six Paths.
"If you keep up that arrogance, you'll die," said Zetsu with a laugh. "Regarding Raijin's strength, Fugaku can tell you more."
Both Nagato's Deva Path and Konan turned to Fugaku. Fugaku hadn't expected Zetsu to reveal his true identity, but it was too late to be angry. His power display and intelligence had already raised suspicions.
Fugaku removed the bandages from his head, revealing his true face. "I am Fugaku. Naka is the name of a river in our ancestral land."
"Ah, that explains the strong Fire Release a few days ago," the Deva Path noted. Fugaku had indeed proven himself a capable ally.
"That man's Mangekyo Sharingan has two abilities: one rapidly heals his injuries, and the other is unknown. His Susanoo reaches nearly a hundred meters tall. I'm unsure if he now possesses the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan," Fugaku explained, remembering his own eyes, which he intended for Itachi to merge with his Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan? I've heard of it, but the conditions for fusion are quite difficult," Black Zetsu remarked. He was skeptical, as he had altered the Uchiha tablet to prevent the fusion without Indra's chakra. He was unaware that Yoichi had acquired a star stone containing fragments of the Ten-Tails' body, enhancing his Sharingan's potential.
With Hashirama cells, Yoichi had the potential to evolve his eyes further. Combining this with Fugaku's ocular power could lead to the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, though the safest path was still obtaining Asura's chakra.
"No matter what his eyes are, they can't match the Rinnegan," Nagato stated confidently. Having defeated numerous Konoha ninjas and Jiraiya, his confidence had surged.
"If you think like that, you'll die, and the Akatsuki will be destroyed. If Raijin and the Third Hokage had joined, we would have been the ones fleeing," Obito warned.
"The Akatsuki needs to hide now. The Hidden Stone Village is hiring rogue ninjas. We share a common enemy in Konoha, so we should accept their offer to gather resources and grow stronger," Obito advised, pausing before continuing, "You hesitated when you had the chance to kill Jiraiya. That hesitation cost us."
Had Nagato not hesitated, Obito wouldn't have had to finish off Jiraiya, and Minato wouldn't have saved him only to die in the process. The mission had turned into a tragic confrontation.
As Obito left, Fugaku and Zetsu also departed.
Pushing his wheelchair out of the cave, Nagato said to Konan, "I did hesitate, but that was the last time. Next time, I won't hold back against Jiraiya."
"I will fulfill Yahiko's dream," he declared, though his words carried no teacher-student sentiment.
Konan, having not participated in the battle, could only support Nagato. "I understand, Nagato."
...
"Yoichi-sensei, you're back?" Rin exclaimed upon seeing Yoichi in the underground laboratory. She immediately noticed that this was his true body, not a wood clone.
She didn't have the Rinnegan's perception but had spent enough time with Yoichi to discern the subtle differences.
"Yes, a lot has happened in the village, so I had to return," Yoichi explained, frustrated that the Akatsuki's actions had cut short his time with Tsunade. Just as they had started their relationship, they had to part again, and it was all because of the Akatsuki.
Rin misinterpreted his expression as concern for the village and sympathetically offered, "Yoichi-sensei, how about a massage to help you relax? Like last time?"
"A massage? Maybe later. Rin, I actually came to tell you that you can leave now," Yoichi said, shaking his head.
He had planned to release her when Obito committed an unforgivable act. He hadn't expected it to happen so soon with Obito killing his teacher.
Even if Obito learned that Rin was alive and repented, he couldn't escape death. Therefore, Rin no longer needed to stay hidden.
"Leave? I can go out now?" Rin asked, surprised and unsure.
Yoichi nodded. "Yes, the organization that targeted you is now exposed. The village is actively investigating them. Minato died on a mission involving that group."
"What? Minato-sensei is dead? That organization is terrible and must be stopped," Rin exclaimed.
"Don't worry, I'll personally deal with them. But for now, you need to keep some things secret, like your time here," Yoichi instructed.
Rin, influenced by the Sage Seal and her time spent with Yoichi, was very obedient, almost to the point of blind loyalty.
"I understand, Yoichi-sensei. I'll follow your instructions," Rin assured him. However, she realized she might not get to spend as much time alone with Yoichi once she left.
"Yoichi-sensei, can I still come to you for ninjutsu lessons?" she asked hesitantly.
Yoichi smiled, patting her short auburn hair. "Of course, you're already my student."
Rin's face lit up with joy, but she quickly asked, "Then, can I give you a massage now? It might be my last chance for a while."
Yoichi initially wanted to refuse but remembered how enjoyable her medical ninjutsu massage was last time. "Alright, Rin. I'd appreciate that."
"Yoichi-sensei, follow me," Rin said boldly, grabbing his sleeve. She wouldn't have dared to do this outside, but here, alone with him, and about to leave this private space, she felt braver.
She led him to her room and had him lie on her bed as she started the massage with medical ninjutsu. The soothing pressure on his muscles was immensely relaxing.
After a while, Rin, slightly sweaty, paused her medical ninjutsu but didn't stop entirely.
"Yoichi-sensei, it's time for the front now," she said quietly.
(End of Chapter)
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