Chapter 51: Tsunade: The Kingdom of Whirlpool? I Also Need to Go!
1 additional chapter because 700 power stones have been reached.
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Fire Nation, Konoha Village.
An emergency high-level meeting was held in the Hokage office. This time it was a top-level meeting with only four attendees: Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, Root of Konoha Shimura Danzō, and Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu of the Elder Council.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in the main seat, his expression heavy. "Uzumaki Kushina has been discovered by the Kingdom of Whirlpool."
Utatane Koharu asked, "When Anbu brought Uzumaki Kushina back, it was done secretly. She never left the village after coming to Konoha. How could she have been discovered by the Kingdom of Whirlpool?"
Mitokado Homura frowned, "Did the Uzumaki Country place spies in Konoha so quickly?"
Shimura Danzō, with a gloomy expression, said, "I already suggested that if Uzumaki Kushina was handed over to Root, these problems wouldn't have occurred!"
The other three subconsciously ignored Shimura Danzō's words. His ulterior motives were all too apparent.
Sarutobi Hiruzen knocked on the table, "Alright, now is not the time to dwell on these issues. We need to discuss how to respond to the Uzumaki Country!"
Shimura Danzō crossed his arms and huffed, "We cannot hand over Uzumaki Kushina. Konoha must not lose the Nine Tails Jinchūriki!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "..."
Was there any need to state the obvious?
The tailed beasts are war weapons that determine a ninja village's strength. Losing one means losing a key element of power and balance. The only way to control and seal a tailed beast is through a Jinchūriki. The current Nine Tails Jinchūriki is Uzumaki Mito, wife of the First Hokage. But with her age, she could pass away at any time. Therefore, a successor must be prepared. Uzumaki Kushina is the only suitable candidate for Konoha. If she returns to the Kingdom of Whirlpool, Konoha would be powerless against the Nine Tails without a Jinchūriki's seal.
Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his temples, "We can't let Uzumaki Kushina go, but Konoha is still at war. It would not be wise to be too tough with the Uzumaki Country..."
Although the conflict with the Rain Country ended early due to the intervention of the captain from the Kingdom of Whirlpool, the war with Sunagakure is ongoing, leaving them little time to deal with the Kingdom of Whirlpool...
"Delay them!"
Shimura Danzō suddenly suggested coldly, "We'll stall for time. The Uzumaki Country didn't specify when to hand her over, so let's delay it!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded slightly.
At this moment, Utatane Koharu reminded, "What if the Kingdom of Whirlpool suddenly attacks us without reason?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was taken aback, recalling the Kingdom of Whirlpool's tyranny after its reconstruction.
That could indeed be problematic...
Mitokado Homura suggested, "How about we explain the actual situation of Konoha's Nine Tails Jinchūriki to them? As allies, the Uzumaki Country should understand."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, and Utatane Koharu looked at him like he was a fool.
Since Konoha's last request for help from the Kingdom of Whirlpool was met with a curt dismissal, they understood that the alliance might be over.
After the Kingdom of Whirlpool rejected Konoha's plea for help, the relationship deteriorated...
Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly regretted not agreeing to help the Uzumaki clan. Otherwise, they could have benefited from the current strength of the Kingdom of Whirlpool.
Who could have predicted that the Kingdom of Whirlpool would survive the simultaneous onslaught from Cloud Shinobi Village and Kirigakure and emerge even stronger!
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed in regret.
Utatane Koharu suddenly sighed, "It would have been better if we had not rejected the Kingdom of Whirlpool..."
Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura all turned their gaze to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face twitched, "What are you looking at? Don't forget we all decided to reject the Kingdom of Whirlpool together."
After he spoke, the others turned away, acting as if nothing had happened.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was a little tired. These guys always had suggestions but were quick to shift the blame when things went wrong.
Returning to the issue at hand, Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered Mitokado Homura's proposal. It was feasible but needed some modification. The situation couldn't be directly disclosed to the Kingdom of Whirlpool; otherwise, Konoha would be at a disadvantage. But they could send someone to negotiate and discuss terms.
Perhaps they could use other conditions to keep Uzumaki Kushina in Konoha. This would protect the Nine Tails Jinchūriki and prevent conflict with the Kingdom of Whirlpool.
When necessary, they could also use emotional appeals through Lady Mito.
With the right conditions, Sarutobi Hiruzen believed there was nothing that couldn't be negotiated.
He shared his thoughts, and after careful consideration, the others agreed this was the only viable plan. Using other resources to keep the Nine Tails Jinchūriki wouldn't be a loss for Konoha.
The question now was who to send for the negotiations. The position was too sensitive for just anyone; it required someone with significant influence.
Utatane Koharu suggested, "Aren't Tsunade and Orochimaru back from the front lines? I think we should choose one of them."
The others agreed. As direct disciples of the Third Hokage, they were likely future candidates for the Fourth Hokage. Their status was certainly adequate.
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought it over and decided to send Orochimaru. Tsunade could be too impulsive, especially considering her past grievances with the Kingdom of Whirlpool. She might cause trouble.
"Only Orochimaru," Sarutobi Hiruzen finally decided.
Orochimaru, who had just returned to Konoha for training, was given this important task.
"Going to the Kingdom of Whirlpool?"
Orochimaru's eyes sparkled with interest. This mission suited him perfectly. Since his last encounter with the captain of the Sixth Division from the Kingdom of Whirlpool, he had been very curious about the place. This mission was the perfect opportunity to learn more about the mysterious Kingdom of Whirlpool.
Next to him, Tsunade overheard Orochimaru's self-talk and frowned, "You're going to the Kingdom of Whirlpool?!"
She suddenly recalled the figure in the Kingdom of Whirlpool who resembled Nawaki and declared, "I'm going too!"
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