"Orochimaru, and the ones who previously launched a sneak attack on Konoha."
"At the same time, there was also a puppeteer from Sunagakure. We fought once before on the battlefield in the Land of Rivers."
"It was a chaotic melee."
Gekko Chizan put on a look as if recalling the past, then a trace of resentment appeared on his face.
"That damn bastard with the ringed eyes definitely had another objective. They were trying to rope in Orochimaru and the puppeteer. That puppeteer is the grandson of Chiyo from Sunagakure—very strong."
"But in the end, including me, no one achieved their objective."
After hearing this, Minato Namikaze did not doubt it, because he had personally gone to the Land of Rivers. The traces of battle there were clearly caused by multiple people fighting together.
The most obvious signs were the trench-like grooves all over the ground. In the shinobi world, only two people could cause such a situation, because their summoning beasts were both giant snakes.
Judging from the tracks of several snakes at the time, it made sense that Orochimaru and Gekko Chizan had both been present.
"The Rinnegan and a puppeteer..."
"I asked my teacher about it. He did indeed teach a boy who possessed the Rinnegan. It should be the same person."
"As for the puppeteer, it's probably Sasori of the Red Sand from Sunagakure, who disappeared many years ago—a genius puppeteer."
"Add in your teacher, Orochimaru. Every one of them is a powerhouse. It seems the other side really is carrying out some unspeakable plan. Otherwise, they wouldn't be recruiting strong people everywhere."
Minato Namikaze slowly stood up, his face full of gravity.
Although the shinobi world had already entered a period of peace, beneath the surface all kinds of struggles were still constantly erupting.
"Chizan, the current situation is very complicated."
"According to intelligence, problems have appeared within Kumogakure. The Fourth Raikage is personally leading efforts to seize secret techniques everywhere."
"Iwagakure and Sunagakure are relatively calm. As for Kirigakure, it's almost impossible to infiltrate."
"What surprises me the most is that Takigakure, which has always maintained neutrality, has actually started moving—not only are their shinobi continuously leaving the village to carry out missions,"
"but Takigakure's overall strength has also increased significantly."
When Takigakure was mentioned, Gekko Chizan almost laughed out loud. That was his other main base, after all.
Its core forces were all people he had recruited from various villages—Yahiko's leadership, Konan's support, Yugito's combat strength, Mei Terumi's decisiveness.
Any one of them could stand on their own, and when such people gathered together, of course Takigakure would flourish!
"After all, Takigakure is a village that possesses a tailed beast. When I previously went on a mission, their village head, Saibon, died an unnatural death."
"The new leader, Yahiko, is a good person. I figure it's a case of new people, new policies. Minato, what do you think?"
Gekko Chizan was very curious about Minato's thoughts. After all, he was the Hokage now, and his stance represented Konoha's attitude toward Takigakure.
Minato Namikaze nodded. He really did have a new idea.
"Given the current situation, the number of allies we can rely on is zero—whether we look at past wars or everyday affairs."
"Konoha has always been in a state of isolation. Of course, we aren't afraid of any difficulties."
"But the rise of Takigakure has given me a glimmer of hope. Takigakure also dislikes war, yet after this war they unexpectedly revealed their presence."
"Do you think we might be able to make contact? If we could communicate and improve relations between our two villages, that would be great."
Ever since Minato Namikaze came of age, Konoha had always been either at war or preparing for one. This man with grand ideals truly hoped his village could remain peaceful forever.
Takigakure showed him a new opportunity.
"Sure. Want to go?"
"Jiraiya-sensei has already gone."
When Gekko Chizan heard earlier that Minato had communicated with Jiraiya, he had already made his plans.
Since Jiraiya had appeared, there was no need to deliberately conceal the identities of Yahiko and Konan. After all, they were both Jiraiya's disciples.
"That's true. Jiraiya did train them back then."
"Yes. Sensei is also very curious about why the three who should have been in Amegakure ended up splitting apart—one becoming the criminal who attacked Konoha, while the other two became high-ranking members of Takigakure."
"So he personally went to Takigakure, hoping to bring good news back to Konoha."
Don't be fooled by Minato Namikaze's head of blond hair and seemingly carefree appearance—his meticulous mind was terrifyingly sharp.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have become Hokage.
"As long as you've arranged everything, that's fine."
"I'm heading back. Pakura's side can't do without someone, so I need to keep watch."
"Oh right, I heard about the ANBU matters from Shinnosuke earlier. I'll continue taking over those duties, and the Ninja Academy as well."
Since he had already returned to normal operations, Gekko Chizan couldn't avoid his main responsibilities. Rather than letting Minato say it, he might as well shoulder them himself.
As soon as he finished speaking, Gekko Chizan vanished. The Flying Thunder God came and went without a trace.
Watching his close friend leave, Minato let out a soft sigh.
"Chizan... you bastard..."
"So many important matters—are you planning to shoulder them all by yourself... Konoha's enemies aren't just your enemies alone..."
Though it seemed like he was talking to himself, Minato suddenly flashed to the side.
At the spot where he had just been standing, a Tiger Seal abruptly appeared, faintly glowing red beneath the night sky.
"Ahh, how did you know I hadn't left?"
"Hmph, I know you too well!"
Minato Namikaze shot Gekko Chizan a fierce glare.
"Chizan, next time you run into them, don't charge in alone. What if—"
"Hey, shut that crow mouth of yours. Come on, let me see how your little balls are coming along!"
Gekko Chizan was extremely superstitious about this sort of jinxing talk—words like that absolutely couldn't be spoken.
He extended one hand, chakra surging as a Rasengan appeared in the palm of his right hand.
Minato Namikaze was not to be outdone. The same Rasengan appeared as well.
"Huh???"
"Fuck! What the hell is that???"
The moment the two spheres formed, Minato Namikaze suddenly widened his eyes.
What was he seeing?
The Rasengan in Gekko Chizan's hand began to change color little by little, crimson flames igniting.
The Rasengan that should have been glowing blue directly turned into a burning cloud of fire.
Around the blazing crimson fireball, a layer of flame-cloud patterns even formed.
"Minato, you're still far from it!"
"Chakra nature transformation—you've learned it before, haven't you?"
"Tsk tsk tsk! Come on, let me show you my Fire Release! Rasengan!"
Looking at the shock on Minato Namikaze's face, Gekko Chizan was incomparably delighted!
After all, he wouldn't miss a single chance like this to rack up attributes!