"Hikaji, we warned you!"
"Look at you, insisting on discussing this with Orochimaru, almost causing a great disaster!"
"We Uchiha don't lack geniuses. If we don't have the Mangekyo Sharingan, then we don't. It doesn't hinder the Uchiha's position in Konoha."
After Orochimaru and her group left, the elders all began to pressure Uchiha Hikaji.
Uchiha Hikaji's gaze swept over the faces of the elders one by one. He took a deep breath and slowly said, "I think the Uchiha are doomed sooner or later."
"Hikaji! What nonsense are you talking about!"
"Our Uchiha Clan is thriving! Is there any Ninja Clan in the entire Ninja World more famous than us Uchiha?"
They didn't like it when Uchiha Hikaji said that.
Almost no one in the entire Ninja World didn't know the Uchiha Clan, although the way they knew them was a bit strange, mostly through television... Uchiha Hikaji felt tired listening to the elders' words. He wanted to find an excuse not to retire. Whoever wants to be Clan Head can be Clan Head, whoever wants to be the captain of the Uchiha Military Police Force can be the captain. He might as well learn from Akimichi Torifu.
He had not given up on his dream of awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan for so many years with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
At this moment, he decided to give up. He was already so old.
He might die on the battlefield next time, and even if he didn't die on the battlefield, he felt he would die from exhaustion.
He didn't want to deal with this mess of the Uchiha Clan anymore!
On the way out of the Uchiha Clan's territory, Orochimaru carried Uchiha Hikari on her back and looked at Jiraiya, whose attention was drawn to the beautiful Uchiha Clan women on the street.
"Jiraiya, thank you for this time."
Orochimaru didn't think Jiraiya's decision was made on a whim. He seemed carefree but was actually very cunning.
"Why say such formal words? We are friends!"
Jiraiya scratched his head and said with a smile.
He really looks like a toad... Tsunade took a step back, looking at Uchiha Hikari, who was sprawled on Orochimaru's back. Remembering what Orochimaru had said earlier, she inexplicably felt that Uchiha Hikari, sprawled on Orochimaru's back, looked very much like a small toad.
"Pfft..."
Tsunade covered her mouth and let out a chuckle.
"Hmm?"
Uchiha Hikari turned her head to look at Tsunade in confusion, feeling like she was laughing at her.
"I just thought of something funny."
Tsunade didn't want to say what she had just thought of.
At the Land of Fire border, patrolling Konoha Ninja discovered Chiyo entering the Land of Fire from the Land of Rain.
"Chiyo of Sunagakure, what is your purpose in coming to the Land of Fire?"
The Konoha Ninja stopped Chiyo and watched her warily. Although her recent actions against Konoha had been thwarted, her strength was undeniable. If it came to a fight, they wouldn't be Chiyo's opponents with their current strength.
"I am Sunagakure's envoy appointed by Lord Kazekage, ordered to go to Konoha."
Chiyo was surprised, her gaze falling on the Hyuga Clan Ninja in the patrol team. A hint of understanding flashed in her eyes. It was not surprising that she was discovered with Hyuga Clan Ninja present, and she hadn't concealed her tracks.
This time, going to Konoha with such fanfare would achieve a deceptive effect.
The Konoha Ninja, after learning of Chiyo's intentions, did not obstruct her much but reported the news upstairs.
Konoha, Hokage Building, an intelligence eagle landed on its perch. The intelligence squad Ninja quickly stepped forward, opened the message tube on the eagle's leg, took out the paper, and quickly delivered the intelligence to the command room.
"Is Sunagakure's envoy Chiyo...? What exactly is the Third Kazekage's intention?"
Homura Mitokado couldn't understand what Sunagakure's intention was in sending Chiyo as an envoy.
If it had been anyone else, it would have been fine, but sending Chiyo, who not only lost to Konoha's forces in a clash but also had a Tailed Beast Jinchuriki captured alive, was perplexing.
"What's the big deal? It's just giving her a chance to atone for her mistakes. Coming to Konoha must be for Ichibi. Sunagakure cannot give up a Tailed Beast."
Utatane Koharu said with certainty. She didn't believe Sunagakure would come to discuss cooperation or alliances.
"Hiruzen, we cannot easily return the Tailed Beast to Sunagakure."
Utatane Koharu also felt that too many Tailed Beasts in Konoha were a threat to Konoha.
Ichibi was to be returned to Sunagakure, but they had to carve a deep piece of flesh from Sunagakure!
To make Sunagakure feel the pain!
Only then would Sunagakure know the price of acting against Konoha!
Next time they wanted to act, they would have to weigh the consequences.
"I know."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was very clear that this was an opportunity to gain benefits for Konoha. He wouldn't be so foolish as to return the Tailed Beast to Sunagakure for nothing. In his heart, he was still hoping that Chiyo, as Sunagakure's envoy, wasn't just coming for Ichibi.
It would be better if it was to discuss cooperation or an alliance with Konoha.
However, whether there was an alliance or not was no longer so important after Kumogakure moved against Iwagakure. Iwagakure, caught between two fronts, could not fight Konoha for a long time.
Konoha only needed to destroy Iwagakure's supply lines. Once the Iwagakure forces on the front lines lost their supplies, their only choice would be to retreat.
And for the person to execute this important mission, Hiruzen Sarutobi had not yet decided on a candidate.
Is this... the Sky Ninja's Air Fortress?
Chiyo was shocked to see the ruins of the Sky Ninja's Air Fortress outside Konoha, overgrown with moss and weeds. She had only seen it in photographs before; this was her first time seeing the real thing.
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