Following the Third Hokage to his office, Raj was asked to report on the situation.
"Meow~ It took some time to locate them. They're a group of Rogue Ninja who recently arrived in the Land of Snow. An avalanche buried their original village, so their current location differs significantly from the coordinates you provided," Raj explained, leaping onto the desk.
"Do they have any strategic value?" the Third Hokage asked, his primary concern.
With Konoha having lost Danzo, a key combatant, the other four great ninja villages might unite or tacitly coordinate an attack.
War loomed, and the Third Hokage needed to assess the Land of Snow's military capabilities.
Raj shook his head.
"Their Ice Release is merely an adaptation to the Land of Snow's environment. Outside this region, it reverts to ordinary Water Release. Moreover, their overall strength is insufficient. Using the Land of Snow as a stepping stone might be feasible, but..."
"A stepping stone... That's unrealistic," the Third Hokage said, shaking his head.
Though he had anticipated this outcome, hearing it confirmed still brought disappointment, especially with war on the horizon.
Raj thought for a moment, then added, "But I stayed with them for a day and heard another rumor, meow. The leader of the Snow Ninja Village takes orders from a Land of Snow royal, someone called Doto Kazahana?"
"Doto Kazahana? That name rings a bell... But the Land of Snow holds no strategic value for us right now, so we don't need to focus on it. By the way, did you see any ship convoys on your way here?" the Third Hokage asked.
The Third Hokage wasn't surprised that Raj had stayed for a day.
His original instructions had been to "forge alliances whenever possible," so Raj's gentle and compassionate approach was perfectly in line with his orders.
"Meow?" Raj tilted his head, giving the Hokage a curious look.
The Third Hokage paused, then quickly explained the Akatsuki's betrayal in the Rain Country.
Raj shook his head.
"I stayed in the ship's cabin the whole time, meow. Kakashi went out occasionally-you could ask him if he saw anything."
"Thank you for your hard work. Go get some rest. In a few days, you might be leading a team to the front lines."
"Leading a team?"
"War is about to break out. Guy and the others... there's no choice. They have to go."
The Third Hokage sighed deeply.
If he could, he wouldn't send children to the battlefield.
But with three fronts opening simultaneously, Konoha's current forces were insufficient without deploying even the stronger youths.
Raj's squad was among the most capable.
Raj nodded silently, refraining from arguing.
Provoking the Third Hokage at this critical moment would be suicidal.
It was best to curb his usual insolence.
"So, Nagato sailed out to sea with Yahiko, and their current whereabouts are unknown?"
In an underground chamber, the strangely aged Madara sat in his basement, his face impassive but his fury palpable.
Before him stood Zetsu, his black-and-white form unchanging.
'They vanished in the blink of an eye?'
Madara felt an urge to strike someone.
Those were his eyes!
"According to White Zetsu's report, that's exactly what happened. Also, Danzo is dead. Not even ashes remain-he was blown to bits by Exploding Tags," Black Zetsu said with malicious glee.
"If Danzo had even half of Tobirama Senju's capabilities, he wouldn't have ended up like this. Hmph, but before you mock others, find Nagato first," Madara retorted, his dissatisfaction with Black Zetsu's incompetence evident.
Not only had he failed to kill Yahiko, but now he'd lost Nagato as well.
While White Zetsu's reconnaissance skills were formidable, the open sea wasn't their forte.
Locating Nagato and his companions would require a prolonged, exhaustive search.
"Yes," Black Zetsu replied, before vanishing into the earth.
Initially, only a few people knew of Danzo's death.
Konoha had strictly guarded the information, limiting knowledge to those within the village.
During this time, Konoha's barrier remained active, preventing outsiders from entering.
However...
In Amegakure, the news spread far and wide.
Most of the Amegakure ninja who had participated in the mission witnessed Danzo's earth-shattering explosion.
Upon returning, Hanzo, concerned about Konoha's potential retaliation, immediately began formulating countermeasures.
This activity alerted the Iwa Ninja spies lurking in Amegakure, who sensed something was amiss.
Konoha.
After only a day of mourning, Konoha removed its mourning attire and resumed normal operations.
Even Raj's team, who had just returned to the village, was immediately dispatched again.
They were headed to the Eastern Front.
Early that morning, Kakashi and his team waited at Konoha's gates.
But after an hour, Black Cat still hadn't appeared...
"Should we go get him?" Guy stroked his chin, his face deep in thought.
Kakashi, Genma, and Ebisu all turned to look at him, their gazes conveying an unspoken message: 'You go.'
Raj's morning temper was well-known throughout the village.
When it was weaker, it hadn't been a problem.
But now...
Anyone who dared disturb it before it woke up risked a trip to the hospital from a tail strike.
Last time, only Guy's quick reflexes had saved him from serious injury.
Otherwise...
Guy clearly realized the danger, his body shuddering slightly.
He slumped back, his voice flat.
"Never mind, never mind. Let's just wait."
'Cats were so much cuter when they were kittens.'
"Meow~ Sorry I'm late. A dog blocked my path on the way here, and it took some time to persuade it to move."
...
Where to even begin criticizing this excuse?
Genma Shiranui's lips twitched.
If not for the different voice, he would have sworn this cat was Obito in disguise.
Even the tone was eerily similar, as if the excuse had been carved from the same mold.
"Let's go," Kakashi said calmly.
Having worked with Raj for nearly a year, nothing seemed strange anymore, let alone a mere tardiness.
After all, the team had plenty of chronic latecomers.
From Minato to Obito, they were all notorious for their tardiness, each with their own flamboyant excuses.
But Raj's bizarre excuse was a first.
'Doesn't everyone in the village know the dogs avoid you now?'
"Meow!"
After completing the formalities, Raj left Konoha with Kakashi, Guy, and the others.
He didn't want to stay in the village for a while after Danzo's death.
He'd return once the resentment around the Hero's Memorial had dissipated.
With the Pot Shadow gone, who would take up his banner?
Whoever it was, they'd better not mess with him.
Anyone who dared to harm him or his friends...
Raj glanced back before leaping onto Guy's shoulder.
This was routine.
Guy didn't resist; instead, he sprinted excitedly, eager to reach the eastern camp at full speed.
Finally, he could join the front lines!
His fiery passion was boiling over.
Raj really didn't want to dampen Guy's enthusiasm.