บท 102: Shock in Konoha

The Raikage, who had just sealed Asuma's head in a sealing scroll after giving him a quick and unexpected death, couldn't help but swallow when he saw the massive bombardment that the Yamanaka patriarch received, somehow managing to seriously anger his friend.

He couldn't have been happier to have avoided using tough tactics the first time they met, although Onoki might need some sedatives if his spies reported what had happened.

As far as A knew, Onoki's granddaughter was still hanging onto Enel even after all these years, causing a massive headache for her grandfather to take her to visit the village of Seimeigakure.

But Onoki could only refuse over and over with helplessness because he had no idea where she was!

Damn, even he, the Raikage, who had been doing business with them for years, didn't know where that place was!

When they spoke during the confrontation of the Sand Village's jinchuriki and the Yuki clan child, he thought he had seen some strange variant of the fruits they traded, but this...

Were they still the same fruits?

But he didn't even think for a moment about trying to add whatever power that was to his shopping basket; without a doubt, it was one of the central secrets of Seimeigakure.

The researcher in Kumogakure had tried to replicate the SMILES, but all they managed to get were fruits with a terrible taste, no abilities or animal traits. So they stopped wasting resources trying to replicate this and invested in studying artificial Byakugan, hoping to obtain something useful.

They didn't get the expected results, much less, but there was a big breakthrough in the ophthalmology medical department...

"Maybe I can be the one to invite them to support me in a confrontation against Konoha?" The fact that they now had a greater grudge against this village fueled his idea.

But he really couldn't think of what to offer them, wait!

He remembered that before leaving, Mabui had informed him that the "adoption" of the seven-tails jinchuriki by Enel had been confirmed. Perhaps he could use the Turtle Island, which Kumogakure owned on the back of a large turtle named Genbu, as payment. They were of great help in turning a jinchuriki into a perfect jinchuriki.

But A frowned at the thought of the presence of the Slug Princess and her apprentice Shizune in Seimeigakure, which could complicate his plan to collaborate, as they would undoubtedly pose opposition.

Shaking his head, he considered taking advantage of the chaos and see if he could get some more loot before quietly leaving Konoha. After this display of power, he didn't believe that Enel and company would stay. He could exchange the head of the Third Hokage's son when they came to deliver the next SMILES order.

...Back in the Sand Village...

Enel's POV

Orochimaru and the Third Hokage resumed their fight when it was confirmed that I wasn't paying attention or providing support. Why would I?

Knowing what I know about Orochimaru or Sarutobi, I had no interest in helping either side, and everything would end soon.

Once Inoichi Yamanaka's death was confirmed, the three of us approached our group and reduced the power output of the Logias, getting closer to take a closer look at the rest.

"Nemu?" I asked after scanning with my eyes to make sure everyone was okay.

"Here," knowing what I meant, she showed me a universal capsule in the palm of her hand.

The capsule where Mikoto's body was stored.

I rubbed the back of my neck out of sheer frustration as I approached to comfort a tearful Fu, who hadn't stopped shedding tears since the incident. But now wasn't the time to linger.

I shifted my gaze to Tsunade, and she understood, shaking her head as she approached us. With a series of seals, Mariko performed a summoning technique for a large enough Kinton cloud for all of us, and we used it to leave, facing the incomprehensible gazes of the Sunagakure and Konoha ninjas.

There were no threats, no declarations, or farewells.

The culprit was dead, the one who gave the order was about to be tormented for eternity in the stomach of a strange entity. I could see how the Shinigami of the ninja world was struggling to tear Orochimaru's arms off, and I'm sure everyone in Konoha is clear that they messed up.

Now they know that my village is a force to be carefully considered, their high-ranking officials have died or disappeared, they have suffered a blow to their reputation that will affect the missions their village receives due to the loss of people's trust, the direct line of succession of the Sarutobi clan has been cut (Konohamaru is still a kid), the support of the Shimura clan is nowhere to be found from here to eternity, causing an internal hyena conflict to assume the position of power that will also significantly weaken them, the loss of their historic Seal Scroll...

And that's just the tip of the iceberg of the problems they will have in the coming months.

Who will take the position of the Fifth Hokage?

Because Tsunade certainly won't. The pale expression on Shikaku Nara's face betrays that he must have deduced what happened for his friend and ally Yamanaka to end up like this. Also, the fact that Tsunade Senju or Shizune Sato left with us.

They didn't even heal a single ninja from Konoha, so I can basically confirm that the last descendant of one of the two founding clans is so disappointed with the village that she openly deserted.

Forget the expression that shit will hit the fan when this news spreads around the world; it would be more appropriate to say that a septic tank has collided with a reactor.

The positive part is that Jiraiya's absence prevented me from killing him in the heat of the moment. I'm sure he would have tried to do something just with the situation, using his smile and humor to smooth things over, and frankly, I'm not in the mood to put up with his antics or prophecies.

At least Sasuke didn't witness his mother's death again; who knows how frantic he would have gotten.

Tsunade seems to think the same, but I know that even if she has given up on Konoha, Jiraiya has his own share on her conscience after so many years on the same team. I don't blame her; I know she'll be in a tough position.

The negative part is that Lee won't get Tsunade as a surgeon for the much-needed operation, and he'll have to stop being a ninja definitively. Because if he still insists on being operated on, the probability of death is enormous if I understand his case correctly.

(I'm one of those who support Lee for his effort and attitude of self-improvement despite the mockery of others, and leaving aside his strange personality, so I actually feel a little uncomfortable writing this outcome. But I never saw a fanfic where Lee does NOT recover, and I want to reflect on what would happen.)

To be honest, I wouldn't mind if he told me he wants to operate on him or had healed some of his friends. He would be taking care of his friendships instead of Konoha ninjas. But Tsunade seems to know that once she starts, she won't be able to stop, and I respect her decision.

Now I have to think whether to mess with Earth Pure or let Mikoto rest.