Chapter 69: Plan
"By enduring what others cannot, Jiraiya, you have proven your worth to Konoha."
With these words, both Minato, who had been belittled on the battlefield in the Land of Grass, and Jiraiya, who had been slapped, felt a warm sense of recognition.
In that moment, they understood that all their sacrifices and patience had been worthwhile. At the very least, they had received collective praise from Konoha's high command and cordial recognition from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Old man, this is what I must do," Jiraiya replied after a few seconds, hiding the pain in his cheek behind a facade of serenity. "It's all for the village of Konoha. After the war, I'll take a good rest. This mission in the Land of Grass has really worn me out."
As he mentioned this, Jiraiya's eyes couldn't help but show a longing look, as if he was already visualizing himself enjoying meals, relaxing baths, and the company of beautiful women.
"Excellent!" Hiruzen nodded without hesitation. "After the war, you can rest all you want."
"By the way, is it true that the Five-Tails and its Jinchūriki really wanted to surrender and join our Village of Konoha?" asked Hiruzen, his tone reflecting some disbelief.
"That's right!" confirmed Jiraiya, showing no shame. "The Five-Tails was terrified by Luo Lei's beating. It offered to join the Village of Konoha in exchange for Luo Lei sparing its life, but Luo Lei eliminated it without mercy."
"What a shame... the tailed beast simply vanished."
Upon hearing this, not only Hiruzen, but also Danzō, Homura, and Koharu showed an expression of regret.
As strategic weapons in the various villages, tailed beasts are incredibly valuable. The idea that a tailed beast had voluntarily offered to join the Village of Konoha, only to be eliminated, gave them a sense of loss equivalent to tens of billions of Ryo.
"This Luo Lei is completely unscrupulous," Homura spat bitterly, his face contorted with frustration. "He doesn't seem to consider Konoha's interests as a priority. Does Konoha even exist in his worldview?"
"Aren't you talking nonsense?" Koharu replied, shooting an exasperated look at Homura. "If he really had Konoha in his heart, he wouldn't act this way."
Danzō, with narrowed eyes, addressed Jiraiya: "How did the battle unfold? The Five-Tails Jinchūriki, Han, was eliminated, but what happened to the other Iwagakure ninjas? And what were our casualties?"
"Well..." Jiraiya rubbed the back of his neck, his expression suddenly uncomfortable, hesitating to continue.
"That's enough beating around the bush," interrupted Hiruzen, shaking his head as he took his pipe. After a deep puff, he turned to Minato: "Tell me, what's the real situation of the combat?"
"Hokage-sama, why don't you... see for yourself?" Minato replied, visibly uncomfortable, as he handed Hiruzen a scroll sealed by Jiraiya.
"Huh?" Hiruzen looked suspiciously at Minato before taking the scroll and beginning to read it.
At first, his expression remained neutral, but as he progressed in reading, his countenance began to transform, becoming rigid with surprise.
Clang! Clang!
In a moment of carelessness, both the scroll and the pipe escaped from his hands, falling onto the desk without Hiruzen seeming to notice.
"What's happening?"
At this scene, Koharu, Homura, and Danzō involuntarily frowned. What could have disturbed Hiruzen so much? Were Konoha's losses in the Land of Grass so devastating?
Intrigued, the three took the scroll and began to read it together.
Hmm!
After a few seconds, their expressions froze, just like Hiruzen's. It was as if they had witnessed something unimaginable; their minds were buzzing and their hearts seemed to have stopped.
Impossible.
They would never have imagined that the battle in the Land of Grass would become Luo Lei's one-man show.
Now they understood Jiraiya and Minato's abnormal expressions.
It turned out that, from beginning to end, they had not had any participation at all. Luo Lei, by himself, had defeated an Iwagakure army of more than 2000 troops. Konoha's forces had only needed to shout and celebrate the victory.
But... how could Luo Lei's power be so terrifying?
It was simply inconceivable.
For a moment, they felt deeply uncomfortable.
Although Konoha had triumphed over Iwagakure, they couldn't feel truly happy. Once again, Luo Lei had thwarted their plans, and his power seemed to have become even more formidable.
"The world... is about to turn upside down again!"
After a long silence, Hiruzen finally composed himself. Collapsing into his chair, he declared: "Once this news spreads, Luo Lei's prestige will reach unprecedented levels throughout the world."
"A single man annihilating an entire Iwagakure army... what a monstrosity," Koharu murmured, her voice tinged with awe.
"More than a monster," Homura replied. "He's a lunatic without scruples."
"Hiruzen, what course of action should we take now?" Danzō's voice betrayed an unusual tinge of fear, perhaps remembering his own encounter with Luo Lei in the Kikyo camp.
"What other option do we have?" Hiruzen replied, picking up his fallen pipe.
After a deep puff, he continued solemnly: "The events in the Land of Grass cannot be hidden. Our only option is to publicly announce Luo Lei's feats on the battlefield."
"In that case..." Homura began, but was quickly interrupted by Hiruzen.
"There's no alternative! We must announce it! Our priority must be the ongoing war!" Hiruzen continued, his tone firm: "Knowing Luo Lei's unpredictable nature, we can only passively adapt and please him. Otherwise, one misstep could provoke his return to Konoha."
"I agree!"
"Ah..."
"I agree too!"
At the mere mention of Luo Lei returning, Homura, Koharu, and Danzō felt their hearts shrink, expressing their agreement in unison.
The most important thing now was to keep Luo Lei stable, at least until the end of the war. The consequences of his premature return to Konoha were simply unimaginable.
"Jiraiya, Minato, head to the front where Tsunade is and assist in the fight against Kumogakure forces," Hiruzen ordered after a brief reflection.
"Minato, you couldn't prove your worth in the Land of Grass. This is your opportunity to shine on the battlefield."
"And you, Jiraiya," he continued, his tone more severe, "Your recklessness in the Land of Grass almost triggered a catastrophe. If Luo Lei hadn't appeared to thwart Iwagakure's plans, our forces could have been annihilated."
"Upon arriving at the front, you must coordinate with Tsunade and the Hyuga clan leader. Your priority will be to facilitate Minato achieving significant feats."
Hiruzen concluded with a tone of anticipation: "I hope that Minato can, somehow, eclipse Luo Lei's reputation. Minato, you must give your best."
"Understood," Jiraiya nodded, visibly dejected.
"I'll do my utmost!" Minato responded, although his expression reflected concern.
Deep down, after witnessing Luo Lei's overwhelming power, Minato sincerely doubted his ability to match such feats. However, he was determined not to disappoint Konoha's high command, willing to give his all on the battlefield.
"If Luo Lei gets impatient, I'll send him to the front in the Land of Waves, where Kirigakure has already concentrated its forces and the Uchiha clan alone cannot contain them," Hiruzen declared, massaging his temples as if trying to relieve a headache.
"Hopefully, some disagreement will arise between the Uchiha clan and Luo Lei."
This strategy could alleviate the pressure on Konoha's high leadership.
"Clever...," Danzō, Koharu, and Homura secretly murmured.
Hiruzen was still the same strategist as always. The Uchiha clan, although the most prestigious in Konoha, was also known for its rebellious spirit. An encounter with the unpredictable Luo Lei would likely generate conflicts, thus diverting attention from the village's high command.
"Well, that's all," Hiruzen concluded, taking a few puffs on his pipe.
Initially, his only goal was to win the war. Now, with Konoha seemingly at an advantage, his concerns focused on the long-term consequences. Luo Lei's exponential growth and his mysterious Kekkei Genkai, increasingly powerful, were cause for concern.
Moreover, Luo Lei's unpredictable character required careful handling. To ensure his cooperation on the Land of Waves front, Hiruzen knew he would have to offer something in return.
"I have no choice but to make a great sacrifice and show him that object...," he reflected.
He remembered how, during his time as ANBU vice-captain, Luo Lei had repeatedly requested access to the Scroll of Seals, expressing his desire to learn forbidden techniques.
At that time, he had always refused. Now, however, he considered offering him this opportunity. Would it be enough to satisfy his curiosity and ensure his cooperation?
"By the way, old man," Jiraiya interrupted, visibly uncomfortable but determined to be honest, "We also... eliminated some prisoners. After Luo Lei terrorized the Iwagakure forces, Minato, Shikaku, and I... executed some Iwagakure ninjas who had surrendered."
After a brief pause, he added: "Also, Luo Lei eliminated some ANBU and blamed Iwagakure."
"Fine," Hiruzen replied, frowning. "Those events never happened, understood? Remember, Luo Lei has always been Konoha's undisputed SuperHero, an example of bravery and brilliance."
"Understood," Jiraiya nodded, relieved that Hiruzen understood the delicate situation.
"The meeting..."
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