Escape From Konoha

"Senior Kai, I didn't expect the village to send you here."

Outside the castle where the Daming Mansion is located, the members of Team 7, led by Tian Zang, saw Team Kai rushing from the direction of the Country of Fire to the Daming Mansion of the Country of Chi.

So, Tianzang took the initiative to greet Kai, with a hint of helplessness on his face.

"It's you, why are you here? And... what's going on? If I remember correctly, this is the seat of the Daming Mansion of the Country of Chi? How did it become like this?"

After the team headed by Kai came here, they naturally saw the castle in a state of ruin after the war, and they all showed surprise.

Kai, in particular, opened his mouth wide and looked dumbfounded, as if he couldn't believe that this would be the famous palace of the Kingdom of Chi.

What's even more strange is that the city didn't look like it had been invaded at all along the way, but when we got here, it was full of the smoke of war.

Kai was puzzled by the occurrence of this scene.

Kai's question made Tenzo smile bitterly.

"There is no doubt that this is indeed the Daming Mansion of the Country of Chi. As for why our seventh team is here, it is a long story. In short, it is due to various chances and coincidences. Looking back now, I still feel I was so frightened that I broke into a cold sweat.”

Next, Tianzang told Team Kai about what happened last night in detail, trying to let the people in Team Kai understand the current situation of Daming Mansion in the Country of Chi.

Not surprisingly, the new ruler of the Country of Chi will soon change hands.

And the international trend will be tilted towards the country of ghosts.

It's just that this kind of thing is not something that he, a Konoha jounin, can decide or even stop. He can only let it happen under his nose.

After Tianzang's detailed description, Team Kai finally understood the current situation in the Country of Chi.

The Daming Mansion was attacked last night, and there was a shadow of manipulation from the Kingdom of Ghost behind it. The Daiming family of the Kingdom of Chi can basically be eliminated from the ruling group of the Kingdom of Chi. As a result, the members of Team Kai had solemn expressions on their faces.

On the one hand, they sympathize with the situation in the Country of Chi, and on the other hand, they are also concerned about the difficulty of the current situation. From this point of view, the task assigned to Team Kai by the Hokage is basically impossible to complete.

"Teacher Kai, what should we do next? The Daimyo of Chi Country is now someone else's prisoner. This is really not good."

Tiantian walked up and asked.

Neji and Xiao Li's eyes were also focused on Kai, as if the opinions of Kai, the leader of the team, were the main one.

Compared to them, Kai, who can become a Jonin, is obviously more experienced in dealing with these things.

Kai's brows rose, he touched his chin and said: "The task assigned to us by Lord Hokage is mainly to assist in the investigation. However, since the Daimyo of Ikeda has lost power, it is better to meet him due to circumstances and reasons."

Sympathy is sympathy, but as a Jonin, Kai obviously smelled something unusual from this mission.

His intuition told him that the Hokage might have predicted the situation here, but he did not tell his team clearly.

Moreover, if you really want to intervene in the affairs of Chi Zhiguo, you will not focus on the word 'investigation' in the content of the task, but focus on military assistance.

But facing a behemoth like the Demon Country, military assistance alone would not be enough to dispatch one or two Konoha squads. It would definitely be based on formed troops.

Therefore, Kai could only tell himself that this mission was a bit tricky, and it was best not to do anything other than the mission, and just report to the village after completing the 'process'.

"Senior Kai, do you want to see the Daimyo of the Country of Chi? I'm afraid this matter must be approved by the person in charge of the Country of Ghosts."

Tianzang said so.

"It doesn't matter. It would be best if it can succeed. If it doesn't work, just go back and report. Then, we will take the first step."

Kai turned his attention to the ruined castle.

He didn't know what the outcome of the subsequent negotiations would be. It would be best if he could successfully meet the name of Chi Country. There would be no problem if he couldn't meet him. Anyway, this 'investigation' task, formally speaking, has been completed... Well, It is forced to be completed.

"Okay, let's wait for you at the foot of the mountain, and then we can go back together to recover."

Tenzo nodded and made way for Team Kai.

Kai led the team members towards the castle. As expected, when he was about to enter the castle, he was stopped by the gatekeeper.

Kai didn't pay attention. He just told the gatekeeper why he came and wanted to talk to the person in charge here.

…

Less than ten minutes passed, and Kai finally met the person in charge of Daming Mansion in Chi Country. To his surprise, this person was no stranger to him.

"I remember you were..."

Kai saw Kazuhime's face that resembled that of his former teacher Uchiha Ruri, and he had met Kazuhime many times during the Chuunin Exam finals in the Kingdom of Demons, so he immediately recognized Kazuhime's identity.

"Although I knew Konoha would send someone here, I didn't expect it would be you."

When Ichiki saw Kai and the other members of Kai's team, she raised her eyebrows slightly, and then a light smile appeared on her face, as if she was a little surprised by the arrival of Kai's team.

"It's a pity that your trip was in vain. If there is nothing important, you can just go back and forth from where you came."

When saying this, Yi Ji's tone was quite impolite, and her eyes were locked on Kai.

She learned from her mother that this thick-browed Jonin with a watermelon head would be an extremely difficult ninja.

And maybe Konoha is the strongest, stronger than Naruto.

This is probably the saying that people should not be judged by their appearance.

He obviously looks like an inconspicuous guy, and his appearance looks quite weird, but to get such a comment from her mother, he is definitely not a simple guy.

If it weren't for the fact that the time was a bit inappropriate, I really wanted to have a passionate fight with such a powerful ninja.

"This is not possible. We came all the way here and we can't return empty-handed like this. If you don't mind, could you let us visit the Daimyo of Chi Country? We need to learn some things from him."

This is a lie. The reason why Kai chose to see the Daimyo of the Country of Chi was just to confirm the current situation of the Daimyo of the Country of Chi and whether he died in the chaos last night.

After all, there are many uncertain elements in Tianzang's words. Before seeing the facts with his own eyes, Kai prefers to find the truth through his own investigation rather than based on other people's oral accounts.

After Kai said this, Yiji narrowed her eyes slightly and looked at Kai from bottom to top, seeming to be considering something.

"Is that okay? I guarantee that the formal contact with the target will not exceed fifteen minutes, and you can also arrange for someone to accompany you throughout the process."

Kai continued.

Ichiji continued to stare at Kai, and finally nodded and said: "Okay, for mother's sake, I will let you go over and meet the Daimyo of Chi Country. However, only you can go there alone, and the other three cannot."

Kai agreed without hesitation: "No problem, I can do it alone."

Neji and the three people behind him had no objections.

"Come with me."

Yiji left these words and turned back to the castle.

"You three meet up with Team 7 at the foot of the mountain and wait for me there."

Kai turned his head and said this to Ningci and the other three, then followed Kaichi into the castle to meet the Daimyo of the Country of Chi.

…

In less than fifteen minutes, Kai walked out of the castle and met the members of the team and Team 7 at the foot of the mountain.

"How is it, Senior Kai, how is the status of the Daimyo of the Country of Chi?"

Seeing Kai coming down from the mountain, Tenzo took the initiative to step forward and asked.

Kai replied: "At present, the Daimyo of Chi Country and his family are not in serious trouble. Except for the restriction of freedom, other aspects have been properly arranged."

Although Konoha and the Kingdom of Demons where he was located were on opposing sides, he had to praise the Kingdom of Demons for its disciplinary requirements for its subordinates.

In terms of discipline, even Konoha where he was was probably far behind them.

Especially in this situation, it can test the time and energy a country or a ninja village usually invests in discipline.

He had seen this kind of thing countless times during the Ninja World War, where the victor completely ravaged the defeated party.

Even as an enemy, the Demon Country is an enemy worthy of his respect.

"Is that so? In this case, you can go back and return to the Hokage properly."

Hearing this, Tianzang breathed a sigh of relief.

Although freedom is restricted, no matter what, the country of ghosts still treats each other kindly and will not die unexpectedly.

Perhaps the Kingdom of Oni was concerned about its reputation and saved the Daimyo of Chi Country and his family, but no matter what the reason was, it is an indisputable fact that the Daimyo of Chi Country was treated well.

As for whether the follow-up can be consistent, it depends on the disciplinary requirements of the Kingdom of Ghosts.

"Yes, I didn't expect that I would have to return to the village immediately after arriving here... This mission is a complete failure. I don't know how the Hokage will react when he finds out."

Kai thought about how to explain the mission process to Tsunade after returning home.

"Then I don't know. Anyway, let's leave this place of right and wrong quickly."

Although they didn't sleep all night, the members of Team 7, headed by Tenzo, were still energetic enough to continue their journey.

Team Kai also arrived overnight and didn't get much rest throughout the night, so they still had a lot of energy left. But as Tianzang said, the Country of Chi is now a place of right and wrong. It is not suitable to stay in this place for a long time. Leaving as soon as possible is the best choice.

"No, you don't even have time to rest?"

As a girl, it is inevitable to complain every day.

Rushing to the Country of Chi overnight, she sacrificed her sleep time, but ended up not having time to rest during the day. If this situation continued, I'm afraid she would have to be prepared to rest after returning to the village.

Even if her physical strength allowed it, she didn't like the feeling of rushing around night and day.

"There is nothing we can do about it. Okay, stop complaining and have a good rest after you go back. Team Kai, let's go!"

Kai patted Tiantian on the shoulder and gave her a thumbs up. His white teeth were shining in the sun, and he had a serious excess of energy.

"Oh...well, that's all."

Tiantian nodded dejectedly.

"Then let's work hard here."

Tenzo also encouraged Naruto and the three of them, telling them to cheer up and rest as long as they returned to the village.

In this way, Team 7 and Team Kai set off together, heading towards the Land of Fire.

◎

"Hokage-sama, this is the summary report of this mission."

After a long journey of more than twenty hours, Team Kai and Team 7 returned to Konoha without any hindrance.

The Jonin Kai and Tenzo who led the team returned to the Hokage, while the team members dispersed and returned home to rest and get some sleep.

"Thank you for your hard work."

Tsunade looked at the mission report handed over by Kai.

The handwriting is rather sloppy. It should be a report written while running on the road.

Because the mission 'failed', the content of the mission report was also very concise. It only took less than two pages to complete the content-based report.

Tsunade didn't have any dissatisfaction with this.

After all, she had guessed the result from the very beginning, that is, Team Kai's mission would 'fail' in some special way.

But one thing she didn't expect was that the Kingdom of Ghosts would act so quickly and resolve the matter in the Kingdom of Chi before Team Kai arrived.

Although this kind of thing happened, there was no difference in the outcome, but the Demon Country's mobility and exposed minions... made Tsunade secretly frightened.

Is there no need to hide one’s true nature anymore?

If this is the case, the arrangements made by the Kingdom of Ghosts in secret may exceed everyone's imagination.

Perhaps, the war that will be launched next is, in essence, an extremely wrong decision.

But she couldn't stop it.

With the investment of a large amount of resources, time and even energy, the arrow is ready to go.

Even with the will of the Hokage, it is difficult to shake.

"I am very satisfied with the results of the investigation. What happened was an accident. This time it will be regarded as Team Kai's mission being successfully completed."

After Tsunade finished speaking, she picked up the Hokage's special seal, stamped it on the mission report, and concluded the mission.

really. Kai saw that Tsunade gave this matter such a formal and final conclusion, and he knew that there was something fishy about this mission.

The reason why he agreed to the request of the Daimyo of Chi Country and went to Chi Country to conduct a so-called 'investigation' was probably just a cover. Although Kai cannot see through the purpose of this, as long as this is confirmed, then there may be follow-up 'tasks' for this incident and it will not end here.

"Do you have any questions about what happened in the Kingdom of Chi this time?"

After Tsunade stamped the mission report, she leaned on the loose seat and stared at Kai and Tenzo, wanting to hear their opinions.

Kai and Tenzo glanced at each other, both seemed to see the intention in each other's eyes, and turned to Tsunade at the same time. Tenzo spoke first:

"Lord Hokage, I have some questions. Does the village plan to use the country of ponds as a breakthrough to complete any arrangements?"

Over the past six months, some parts of the village have revealed an abnormal atmosphere.

Since April this year, although Hokage is still trying his best to take back the power that should belong to Hokage, the intensity of the attack seems to be fierce, but in the end, no substantial progress has been made.

Using ANBU's channels, he faintly sensed that there was an undercurrent surging behind the village.

Even he, a high-ranking member of the ANBU, had his past concealed, which shows the importance of the matter.

"Yes, the village will indeed have an important action next, and it will be large-scale. As Jonin, you should pay more attention to the situation inside and outside the village, especially the changes in the international situation. This will be good for you."

Tsunade conveyed something to the two of them in a subtle way.

The preparations for the war were led by the Ninja clan and were fully responsible.

The people involved were all core members of the ninja clan, and even the ANBU directly under the Hokage were not qualified to intervene.

The participants of the Ninja clan used Konoha's various channels to confuse the public and hide it from the eyes of outsiders.

Even if someone senses something is wrong, they cannot decipher the mystery. They just feel that something is happening inside Konoha.

But as long as the staff involved do not disclose it, it will be difficult for outsiders to obtain the information.

"Anything else you want to ask?"

"there is none left."

Getting this answer was enough for the jounin.

Since Tsunade did not respond directly to them, but responded to them sideways, it was enough to prove that their guesses were extremely correct.

The village was indeed planning something secretly, and it was done in an extremely secretive way, hiding it from both the ANBU and the jonin... One can imagine how huge the secret plan was.

The investigation mission of Chi Zhiguo may be just a link in the plan.

As for whether this link is important, only the Hokage knows the truth.

…

Leaving the Hokage's office, Tenzo and Gai walked side by side on the streets of Konoha.

"I thought that after coming back, I could finally relax for a while, but seeing how this situation develops, it will be impossible."

Tenzo sighed.

The vacation plan towards the end of the year was probably ruined.

Judging from the meaning revealed by Tsuna's watch, Konoha's next actions are more involved than anyone imagined.

"Don't worry so much. Since the village has decided to do this, it must have been fully prepared. I think that in the near future, a Jonin meeting will be held to explain some things."

Kai's attitude is very optimistic.

"Having said that, since the Hokage has revealed this to us, I hope we can make some preparations before the meeting."

As the ANBU directly under the Hokage, Tenzo had the psychological awareness to devote himself to Konoha from the moment he joined the ANBU.

For him, the Third Hokage and the Fifth Hokage were the ones he wanted to be loyal to.

"That's right, do your own thing and wait for notifications from above. That's all we can do."

Kai said earnestly.

His appearance was different from the usual Tiaotiao Passionate. Even he smelled an unusual atmosphere.

"Well, then, let's separate here. After traveling for such a long time, it's time to take a rest."

"See you."

The two said goodbye to each other, separated at the intersection, and went home.

◎

The black clouds that accumulated in the sky of the Kingdom of Gray have not dispersed for a long time.

The smoke of war is not only happening in the Kingdom of Chi, but the same thing is also happening in other corners of the ninja world.

The Ash Country, which was originally obsessed with pottery technology and famous in the ninja world for its pottery, also embarked on the road of civil war for some reason.

The fertile plain area was filled with corpses and became a bloody battlefield.

The flags representing both sides were broken and fluttering in the wind.

The rivers surrounding the battlefield became as red as wine under the baking of the fire and the baptism of blood.

Dark clouds cover the sky, and the fertile scene of the plain is no longer there. There are countless bombed holes, which densely extend into unknown directions.

If a living person witnessed it, he would definitely be affected by such a scene, leading to a gloomy mood.

Walking on a fragmented land, Jiraiya set foot on this battlefield with a heavy heart.

By the time he came here and tried to stop it, the war was already over.

The bodies left on the ground before they could be cleaned up were the best evidence.

Although the daimyo who represented the orthodoxy of the Kingdom of Gray were not completely defeated, the aristocratic group forces headed by the daimyo naturally suffered an unprecedented blow just like the Kingdom of Chi.

After the status is challenged, then there is the possibility of the so-called orthodoxy being shifted... and a new war will soon reignite in this country.

There were devastation everywhere, corpses everywhere, blood everywhere... Jiraiya seemed to be able to hear the lingering pain and wails of the dead on this battlefield.

Smelling the familiar smell of war again, Jiraiya recalled the two ninja wars he had experienced, and this memory brought him endless loss and depression.

Regardless of the scale of war, in essence, it means contempt for human life, trampling on and humiliating human nature.

He didn't understand why the Kingdom of Ghosts was starting wars all over the world.

I also don’t understand why the people of this country are willing to be used by the Kingdom of Ghosts, actively become their minions, launch a rebellion against their monarch, and sacrifice their precious lives at all costs.

He crossed this cruel battlefield and continued walking forward, and saw a makeshift camp.

Before they even got close, they heard wailing sounds coming from the tent.

The figures of wandering witches from the Kingdom of Ghosts were interspersed in the camp. They were holding medicine jars in their hands. Judging from their hurried steps, it was obvious that the medical work here was very busy.

The surrounding soldiers were not surprised by this, but looked at them with respect and admiration. In a camp full of men, as women, they undoubtedly became a beautiful sight, even with the haze brought by the war. , also dissipated a lot here. They obviously have a good status here and are trusted and recognized by these soldiers.

Seeing this scene, Jiraiya wanted to continue moving forward, but in the end, after thinking about something, he sighed with disappointment in his heart and chose to leave and stay away from this camp.

And the idea in his heart became more determined - only by eradicating the radical power of the Demon Country can the light called peace be added to the ninja world.