Escape From Konoha

In Konoha Hospital, medical staff rushed to the operating room with hurried expressions.

The reason is that Jiraiya, one of the three ninjas, went out on a mission and was seriously injured and was in critical condition. This was by no means an easy matter. Naturally, it attracted the attention of Konoha's top management and gathered Konoha's best medical staff here to try their best to save himself. Come to life.

Jiraiya is not only the disciple of the previous Hokage, but also the mentor of the current Fourth Hokage. He is also a Konoha ninja who has made outstanding contributions to Konoha.

If something really happened to Jiraiya, it would be a huge loss to Konoha.

Outside the operating room, many people gathered.

As the Fourth Hokage, Minato also declined his afternoon work from his busy schedule and rushed here as soon as possible to understand the situation.

Teacher Jiraiya is dying, and as a disciple, Minato should stand here to take care of him without any shirking his duty.

I don't know how much time passed, but the door of the operating room finally opened, and Tsunade walked out of it with a pale and tired face.

"Tsunade-sama, how is Jiraiya-sensei doing?"

Minato stepped forward with an anxious look on his face, wanting to know what was going on inside.

Tsunade glanced up at Minato.

"It's you Minato. Don't worry, Jiraiya's injury has been initially suppressed and will not worsen. But the next step of surgery is still needed to allow him to recover."

Tsunade replied tiredly.

The feeling of surgery was disgusting to her. Although she was not the surgeon, she still felt a chill in her heart.

But Jiraiya has become like this. As a friend, I must go all out to heal Jiraiya's injury.

"Is that so?"

Minato let out a sigh of relief, then looked at Tsunade gratefully and said solemnly: "Thank you very much, Tsunade-sama."

"No, this is what I should do."

She failed to save the lives of her lover and brother in the first place, and if even Jiraiya's life could not be saved this time, Tsunade would not be able to forgive herself at all.

"Speaking of which, I need a ninja from the Aburame clan and a ninja from the Hyuga clan to come and assist."

Tsunade stated her request.

"Aburame and Hinata?"

"Yes. Jiraiya's injuries were probably caused by some kind of special explosive bug. I need the Aburame clan's knowledge about bugs. In order to ensure that the operation is completed safely, I also need the cooperation of Byakugan."

Although there is a high probability of completing the operation with her own ability, Tsunade wants to complete the operation as much as possible.

Besides, there are these resources within Konoha, and it would be a waste not to use them.

"I see."

Minato nodded and asked the two ANBU accompanying him to go to the Hinata and Aburame clans respectively.

Just as the ANBU left, another person came to visit Jiraiya. It was the former Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen who had retired.

When he heard that his disciple Jiraiya was dying, he immediately put down what he was doing and rushed over in a hurry.

"Minato, Tsunade, how are Jiraiya?"

"The deterioration of the injury has been suppressed, and there will be no major problems with subsequent surgeries."

Tsunade didn't say that it would be 100% successful, because the explosive bug in Jiraiya's body was really weird, and it had become one with Jiraiya's body. It was not that simple to remove it safely.

Even Tsunade, who has seen a lot, saw this kind of injury for the first time.

Inviting ninjas from the Aburame clan and Hyuga clan would be to avoid more risks.

"Is that so?"

Hiruzen relaxed slightly.

Then, he looked at Minato and asked, "Speaking of which, Minato, why did Jiraiya become like this?"

Hiruzen only knew that Jiraiya was seriously injured and dying, but he didn't know the specific reason.

Tsunade also looked at Minato with a curious expression. She was also curious about who hurt Jiraiya.

Among the famous ninjas known to the five major countries, not one of them used this kind of explosive bug inhabiting the human body to kill their enemies.

Therefore, after treating Jiraiya, she also wanted to record this injury in Konoha's medical system to prepare for any problems.

Minato said without hiding anything: "It's the Xuan Yu Zhong, a bounty hunter group in the underground black market."

In the underground black market, there are both maverick individual bounty hunters and team-based bounty hunter groups. These bounty hunters known as groups are more difficult than lone bounty hunters.

"Xuan Yuan Zhong?"

Both Hiruzen and Tsunade couldn't help but frown when they heard this name.

If you remember correctly, these guys also appeared when fighting Iwagakure more than two years ago. They were hired by Onoki, the third generation Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, to attack Konoha's supply points several times and caused a lot of trouble to Konoha.

However, the Konoha ninjas who had fought against the Xuan Yuzu at that time had not suffered the same injuries as Jiraiya.

Are you hiding your clumsiness?

"Yes. There are a total of five people in the Xuan Yuan Zong. The bounty for each person is not very high, but the combined bounty of the five people is also among the best in the underground black market. According to the information collected by Konoha, when they first debuted, It should have been six or seven years ago. Because he has become more famous recently, he is called the 'Ninja Hunting Ninja' by many people. He has connections with many wealthy businessmen and high-ranking officials in the ninja world, and handles some shady things."

Minato told what he knew.

Hiruzen nodded, as he understood almost everything.

"Five people can hurt Jiraiya to this extent. This is not something that ordinary bounty hunters can do."

Tsunade looked cautious.

Generally speaking, bounty hunters are unattractive guys.

But there are also those free ninjas and samurai who are powerful and not affiliated with the country and the ninja village system, working in the underground black market.

Obviously, Xuanyuanzhong is such a group.

"yes."

Minato also sighed.

His teacher Jiraiya is one of the three ninjas after all, and is the most powerful ninja in the ninja world. There may be some carelessness in this, but being able to defeat Jiraiya also explains something.

The Xuan Yuanzhong are by no means ordinary ninja mercenaries.

The strength of the combination of five people is even higher than that of Sannin.

It was also the first time that Minato felt that the underground black market was really a hidden dragon and a crouching tiger. Although there are not many powerful bounty hunters like Xuan Yuanzhong, there are definitely many.

"Besides, I'm more worried about Kakashi's safety than Mr. Jiraiya."

Minato frowned, the clouds lingering.

"Kakashi? What happened to him?"

"In order to allow Mr. Jiraiya to escape safely, Kakashi alone diverted the pursuers of the Xuanmen. There is still no news."

Minato replied.

Both Hirazan and Tsunade fell silent.

If Jiraiya was seriously injured and unable to fight at that time, it would indeed be the best choice for Kakashi to divert the pursuers and let the rest of the ANBU safely return Jiraiya to Konoha.

But that was a powerful enemy that even Jiraiya, one of the three ninjas, could defeat. With Kakashi's strength, he was probably in danger at this moment.

Compared to Tsunade's sigh, Hiruzen's face not only sighed, but also felt guilty.

Konoha and him owe a lot to the surname Hatake.

Not long after, the Anbu returned and brought over the ninjas from the Hyuga clan and the Aburame clan.

Hinata Hizashi and Aburame Shiwei were the Hinata and Aburame ninjas brought over by the ANBU.

Tsunade led the two in and started the follow-up operation.

After Minato saw Tsunade and others entering, only he and the Third Hokage Hiruzen were left in the corridor, as well as the ANBU who were safely guarding the surrounding area.

"Sandaime-sama, I have something I want to discuss with you. Can you come over?"

Minato made a certain decision and said to Hirazan.

"Eh? Of course."

Hiruzen was stunned for a moment, followed Minato out of the corridor outside the operating room, and found a quiet and uninhabited place to stop.

"Here we can talk, Minato."

Hirizhan was very curious about what Minato would say to him.

Minato did not speak immediately, but took out a scroll from his arms and placed it in front of Hiruzen.

"This is the information brought back by Mr. Jiraiya and the ANBU, and I have sent people to the specified dens to conduct on-site investigations. I believe there will be results soon."

Minato's nonsensical words made Hiruzen even more confused.

I had no choice but to take the scroll, open it and read the contents.

His face looked normal at first, but after a while, Hiruzen's face was covered with an ashen color, and he was so gloomy that he could not speak.

The surroundings fell into a dead silence, and the atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point.

Finally, Hiruzen closed his eyes tremblingly, closed the scroll, and clenched his fists tightly.

"I don't want to ask about the root matter, but Elder Danzo, I think we need to put some restrictions on it."

This means that if Hiruzen is thinking about his old relationship and is unwilling to take action, then he, the Fourth Hokage, will do the work.

At that time, it will not be a simple reprimand, but Danzo will be allowed to spend the rest of his life in prison, depriving him of all political power.

The meaning of Minato could not be clearer.

Hiruzen took a deep breath and said to Minato: "No need, leave this matter to me and I will give you a satisfactory answer Minato."

He knew Minato would gradually gather power, but he didn't expect it to be so quick.

And after he had enough evidence, he did not deal with the roots himself, but left it to him, the previous Hokage, to deal with it.

Hiruzen smiled bitterly inwardly.

I underestimated him.

Minato was better than he thought.

It's just that his other talents were overshadowed by his incomparable strength.

◎

Saying goodbye to Minato, Hiruzen took all the Anbu he belonged to and flew towards the base of Konoha.

In the lowest space of the root base, researchers wore white medical uniforms and white masks on their faces, and continued to conduct wood escape experiments in the research room loaded with research equipment.

The experimental subjects in this laboratory are all outstanding babies and children who have the ability to awaken the wood escape.

Danzo stood in front of a transparent cylinder filled with wood release solution, staring at the long-haired boy inside with feverish eyes.

Approximately eleven or twelve years old.

In the entire Wood Escape experiment, this is the Wood Escape experimenter who is currently closest to being an adult.

Moreover, even Orochimaru didn't know the existence of this child, so he deliberately concealed it and kept it to himself.

Orochimaru missed the opportunity with the Fourth Hokage and was no longer worthy of his cultivation. If Orochimaru knew that there was an adult among his experimental subjects, something unpleasant would definitely happen.

After all, at this time, he still needs Orochimaru's brain to cultivate more Wooden Ninjas for him, and he cannot fall out with Orochimaru for the time being.

When you don't need it, just kick it away.

When necessary, the Sannin is just a stepping stone for him to be promoted to Hokage.

As for this goal, I believe it won’t be long before it can be truly achieved.

Hiruzen is old. Although Namikaze Minato is strong, he is just a puppet who knows nothing and is pushed to the front by Hiruzen. As long as Hiruzen stumbles, Konoha will be in his hands.

The Fifth Hokage Shimura Danzo was none other than him.

"Lord Danzo."

A researcher comes over.

"What's wrong?"

"The rest of the experimental subjects are all dead. Do you want to start the next round of experiments?"

"All dead?"

Danzo was not satisfied with the result.

Although an adult made him happy, he would not have too many Wooden Ninjas. It would be better to say that the more the better.

So after hearing the researchers' results, he naturally didn't look good.

After investing so much manpower and material resources, and even risking imprisonment, only one adult was produced...

This made Danzo very dissatisfied.

"Yes. Also, there are not enough experimental subjects."

"A new batch of experimental subjects will be sent over soon, enough for your research. You only need to think about how to cultivate new adults, and you don't have to worry about the rest."

"yes."

The researcher nodded, walked to his work station, and started a new round of experiments.

It's really useless. Danzo secretly commented on these researchers in a few words.

If all these resources were thrown at Orochimaru, there would probably be new results already.

However, he couldn't let Orochimaru have too much contact with him. He not only wanted Orochimaru's help, but he also didn't want him to get too many things.

For Danzo, Orochimaru is a far greater threat than the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato.

Proficient in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and illusion, he can independently create ninjutsu and secret techniques. He is also a genius in research. Whether he is commanding battles, fighting enemies alone, or having a sense of politics, he is a first-rate ninja.

In addition to having a sinister temperament and easily scaring children to tears, Orochimaru can be said to be an all-around perfect being.

This is exactly what Danzo fears about Orochimaru.

Suddenly, there was a noise in the research room and the panicked shouts of a large number of researchers, which woke Danzo out of his thoughts.

When he turned around to look, he only saw a large number of ANBU appearing out of nowhere. There were ninjas wearing ANBU costumes in all directions. In an instant, they controlled the researchers in the laboratory and pushed them to the ground.

"Hir... Hiruzen..."

Danzo finally realized something when he saw this scene.

The fact that he was studying Mu Dun behind Hiruzen's back was once again exposed.

But he forced himself to calm down.

It doesn't matter, Hiruzen will miss his old relationship and will only give him a few gentle lessons.

Compared with the success of the Wood Release experiment, these painless lessons will not bring any trouble to Danzo.

But once again, Hiruzen's face did not have the hesitation and complicated expression Danzo hoped to see.

As if he was ignoring Danzo, surrounded by ANBU ninjas, he coldly gave Danzo an order:

"From now on, root ninjas are not allowed to leave Konoha even half a step, otherwise they will be killed without mercy!"

Shoot without mercy? Danzo stood there blankly.

What does it mean?

To leave Konoha even half a step and kill his subordinates without mercy?

What to do with the Wood Escape Experiment?

What to do with Yu Yin's filial piety?

"Hiruzhan..."

"Shut up!"

This was the first time that Danzo truly felt Hiruzen's anger, and his heart trembled with fear for no reason.

"From now on, I will let three classes of Anbu monitor you. Every move you make, including sleeping and eating, must be done under the supervision of the Anbu. Who do you want to see, what words you say, and what do you do? The ANBU will also record it truthfully and stay with us 24 hours a day."

"..."

"Just keep the basic maintenance funds for the roots. I will leave the affairs of Amegakure to others to manage. Danzo, you should have a good rest."

Hiruzen dropped these words and walked out.

Before leaving, he also issued instructions to the ANBU:

"All experimental subjects here have been recovered."

Danzo pursed his lips twice, but finally said nothing.

All experimental subjects in the laboratory, dead or alive, were recovered one by one by the ANBU.

In the end, three ANBU squads, a total of twelve people, were left to follow Danzo.

"Danzo-sama, I will ask for your guidance from today on. We will be inseparable when you sleep and eat."

"..."

Danzo knew that he was finished.

Looking at the determination Hiruzen showed just now, he would never be able to turn around.

Including Orochimaru.

If there is a problem with him here, Orochimaru will also be monitored by Hiruzen's ANBU.

The degree of monitoring is lighter than his, because the ANBU under Hiruzen's command cannot be so manpower-rich, but Orochimaru's actions will also be much restricted.

The roots... exist in name only.

Hiruzen's words determined the root's life and death.

Is this the power of Hokage? If I can gain such power, Konoha will definitely become stronger and stronger under my leadership! Danzo lowered his head, his body trembling, his eyes showing unprecedented desire and ambition.

Therefore, the matter is not over yet. As long as he is still alive, there is a possibility of turning over.

The temporary defeat was not enough to defeat him, Shimura Danzo.

◎

The changes at the root did not cause any big disturbance in Konoha.

Deep in Konoha, that is the realm of roots.

But just because it is a root, it cannot survive standing in the sun.

If the roots appear in the sun, it means that the big tree of Konoha has collapsed.

Of course, not only the roots, but also the consultants fell silent, as if they were restricted by something at the same time.

Because of this, Minato's work has become very busy recently.

Recruiting ANBU manpower, cultivating cronies, and establishing one's prestige in Konoha all require time and a lot of money.

Even though Minato wanted to finish it quickly, he knew that this kind of thing couldn't be rushed.

Without two or three years, it will not be effective.

At the same time, Minato and the former Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen dispatched ANBU to go out to find traces of Kakashi.

Because Kakashi has not returned for a week, this makes them very worried about Kakashi's safety now.

Although he knew that Kakashi's hope of survival was slim, he was not willing to give up like this.

Therefore, we must also pay attention to the news about the underground black market. If Kakashi unfortunately dies, his body will definitely be sold to the underground black market by the Xuan Yuanzhong for money.

After all, Kakashi was worth fifteen million taels on the underground black market. With the greedy personality of a bounty hunter, he would never let go of such a huge sum of money.

The only good news is that after Tsunade's surgery, Jiraiya successfully removed the insect-shaped lump and was completely out of danger. He is still recovering in the hospital and will be able to get out of bed in half a month.

Not only that, in order to guard against the ninjutsu of the Xuan Yuzhong, Tsunade began to study the explosive insects of the Xuan Yuzhong, hoping to prepare a drug to restrain the explosive insects.

Ordinary ninjas may not need it, but those jounin who have high bounties on the underground black market will definitely need corresponding drugs to kill the explosive bugs in their bodies when fighting against the Xuan Yuzhong.

For this reason, Minato also generously funded Tsunade's drug research.

The Xuanmen are a group of fanatics who work hard for money, and they might even target Konoha ninjas in the future.

The drugs developed by then will have huge effects.

Among them, the Nara clan and the Aburame clan also made great contributions.

The Nara clan provided medicinal materials, and the Aburame clan provided knowledge about insects, which was of great help to Tsunade in her pharmaceutical work.

This also increased Minato's influence in the village.

◎

"Namikaze Minato...Namikaze Minato..."

In a remote place in the Uchiha clan, listening to the news collected by Li Huo, the Uchiha Quartet murmured to themselves.

In his plan, the appearance of this character was completely unexpected.

In fact, the war ended too abruptly, and this yellow flash seemed to appear out of nowhere.

After looking at Namikaze Minato's achievements, the elders from all directions were also surprised by this young man who was as old as Ruri.

But because Minato had just come to power not long ago, the elders from all four directions did not know what path Konoha would be led to in the future by this young Fourth Hokage.

But one thing is certain, that is, if the Third Hokage continues to be in power, the Uchiha clan in Konoha will be destroyed sooner or later. This is what he is sure of.

"What do you think of him?"

The elders from Sifang looked at Li Huo.

The other person is not young anymore and has some wrinkles on his face.

Li Huo thought for a moment and replied: "If you ask me, he is a pretty perfect ninja. He is decisive and can kill with one strike. His style is completely different from that of the Third Hokage."

"I didn't expect that there would be such a ninja among the Senju faction."

Elder Sifang had a strange face.

"Yes, he is a monster, just like Liuli."

"Then which one do you think is stronger, him or Liuli?"

"This... I can't judge. But in terms of speed, Namikaze Minato is definitely stronger."

nonsense! Elder Sifang said this in his heart.

After learning the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, if you can't gain an advantage in terms of speed, then Space Ninjutsu is too cheap.

"By the way, there's one more thing."

"explain."

"The Third Hokage visited Fugaku before. The two communicated for about three to four hours. I don't know what they said."

Li Huo said.

"Want to write a bad check again?"

"After all, it was us Uchiha who were defeated in the first place."

"Failure and dormancy are enough. There is no one who does not fail. Only the one who survives to the end may become the winner. The Senju is now dead in name only, and Uchiha... it depends on how the Fourth Hokage operates."

Elder Sifang said calmly.

Quiet away from the fire.

Not long after, a maid came over.

"Elder, Chief Fugaku wants to see you."

"Let him in."

The elders from Sifang nodded.

The maid went down, and soon Fugaku walked in, followed by a child.

Uchiha Itachi.