Chapter 214 Konohamaru's Crisis
Uchiha Touko's Versailles-like remarks caused Onoki and A's lips to twitch, but they had nothing to say about the results of this assessment.
With no one from their village advancing to the third round, there was no point in them staying in Konoha any longer.
However, before leaving, A glanced at Uchiha Touko, who was being flattered and surrounded by the leaders of a group of smaller ninja villages, and thought to himself, "A cradle of geniuses? Heh, I hope that Sarutobi clan kid won't disappoint me."
The third round of the competition would begin in two weeks. Because no ninjas from the Land of Earth or the Land of Lightning advanced, the daimyo of both countries sent a letter to the Land of Fire canceling their trip the day after the survival assessment ended. As for the daimyo of the Land of Water, let alone the Chunin Exams held in Konoha, even if a joint Chunin Exam were held on their own territory, the daimyo of the Land of Water, who was obsessed with women, probably wouldn't attend.
Three days later, after Kurotsuchi and the others finished their treatment, Onoki had no intention of staying in Konoha any longer and returned directly to Iwagakure with his genin. It was also on this day that A bid farewell to Uchiha Touko.
That night, A returned to the hotel where he had previously met with the spies from the Land of Lightning.
"Is everything arranged?" A asked directly after meeting with the head of the Kumogakure spy network in Konoha.
"As you instructed, everything has been arranged," the other nodded. "We have completely ascertained the target's whereabouts and habits. This time, we will utilize half of our undercover agents, which should ensure the operation's success."
"Tomorrow afternoon, we will officially depart for Kumogakure. You will make your move then, and I will personally meet you at the outskirts of Konoha," A said solemnly.
"Yes!"
The following afternoon, at the entrance of Konoha Village, Uchiha Touko, dressed in formal attire, shook hands with A in farewell according to protocol.
"Thank you for Konoha's hospitality during this time," A said.
"Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality during this time, Raikage," Uchiha Touko said with a smile as he shook hands with A.
"You flatter me, Hokage. Konoha has treated our Kumogakure with great courtesy; there's no question of any inadequacy in our hospitality," A replied. "Next time Kumogakure holds the Joint Chunin Exams, Hokage, please do us the honor of attending."
"Certainly, certainly," Uchiha Touko nodded with a smile.
The two shook hands again in farewell, and then the group from Kumogakure embarked on their journey.
After seeing the Raikage off, Uchiha Touko returned to his office, where Nagato and Konan had been waiting for quite some time.
"I've kept you waiting, both of you." Upon returning to his office, Uchiha Touko immediately brewed tea. "How was the previous match?"
Because of Onoki, and with the Akatsuki members still grappling with the Five-Tails, the two were temporarily unable to appear. Therefore, the Amegakure ninja had been watching the matches in the VIP room through a designated person in charge. However, to demonstrate his sincerity in cooperating with Nagato, Uchiha Touko had specially prepared a secluded room for the two to watch the Chunin Exams.
"The Hokage's disciple possesses such strength at such a young age; he will undoubtedly become a powerful figure in the future," Nagato said.
"Tsunade has already examined you, right? How is it?" Uchiha Touko asked, looking at the slightly weak Nagato.
"Not very optimistic, but it shouldn't affect our future cooperation." Nagato, in his wheelchair, raised his withered arm and touched his eye socket. "If I can hold on until the day I see true peace, then I will die without regrets."
"Nagato..." Konan, beside Nagato, pursed her lips, hesitant to speak.
"That day won't be too far off," Uchiha Touko said.
Just then, there was a knock on the Hokage's office door, and a loud, boisterous voice called out, "Hokage-san, I'm coming in!"
The door was pushed open, and Deidara swaggered in.
These past few days, Onoki had been staying in Konoha, confined to Kakashi's house, which was undoubtedly torture for a social climber. So, as soon as Onoki left, Deidara immediately went to find Yamato. In just a short time this morning, Deidara had already visited two construction sites. And if Uchiha Touko hadn't insisted that he come, the kid would probably still be at a construction site mixing explosives.
"Hokage-san, what do you need me for?" Deidara asked casually.
"Didn't we say we'd arrange a job for you? This will be your future boss," Uchiha Touko said.
"Is that so?" Deidara glanced at Nagato. He didn't say anything about Nagato's wheelchair-bound appearance; after all, as long as it didn't interfere with his art research, working anywhere was fine.
"This one seems to be..." Konan looked at Deidara, her face showing confusion. As the second-in-command of a neighboring ninja village of the Land of Earth, and having recently fought against them on the battlefield, Konan naturally had some information about Iwagakure. This information naturally included Deidara, Onoki's personal disciple, and she naturally knew about his previous defection.
Konan looked at Deidara, finding the whole thing somewhat absurd.
After all, Deidara, a direct disciple of the Tsuchikage, defected to Konoha, and was then introduced by the Hokage to join their Akatsuki organization—it all seemed incredibly abstract.
"You don't need to worry about his strength. He's already reached the level of an elite Jonin. In another two years, even a typical Kage probably wouldn't be a match for him," Uchiha Touko said with a smile.
"You can come with us later," Nagato readily agreed.
After talking with Uchiha Touko that day, Nagato had thought a lot. The problems with Uchiha Touko's plan were indeed objectively real.
On the contrary, the unification war that Uchiha Touko spoke of, ending all conflict in one war, lingered in Nagato's mind. The scene of a unified ninja world described by Uchiha Touko constantly stirred his heartstrings.
Putting aside other considerations, the mere thought of unifying the Land of Rain and the Land of Wind, allowing excess moisture from the Land of Rain to flow into the deserts of the Land of Wind, thus enabling both countries to cultivate the land normally, was something Nagato simply couldn't refuse. The Land of Rain's previous struggles stemmed not only from its geographical location between three major powers, but also from its climate, which prevented it from growing crops, forcing it to spend vast sums annually on food imports – a heavy burden indeed.
Therefore, after several days of deliberation, Nagato tentatively approved Uchiha Touko's cooperation plan. He even brought Deidara under his wing, essentially babysitting his partner.
"Hokage, could you perhaps reveal a little more detail about the plan?" Nagato asked.
"Of course, come with me." Uchiha Touko smiled slightly, intending to lead Nagato to a secret room for further discussion. But just then, a rapid knocking sounded at the door.
"It's terrible, Hokage!" Uchiha Inahime knocked on the door and then pushed it open, rushing to Uchiha Touko's side and reporting in a low voice, "The Third Hokage's grandson, Konohamaru, has apparently been kidnapped, and his tutor, Ebisu, is seriously injured."
"What?" Uchiha Touko stood up immediately upon hearing this. "Konohamaru has been kidnapped?"
Uchiha Touko pondered for a moment before calmly telling Uchiha Inahime, "Go tell Kakashi about this. Have him lead the security forces to search the village. At the same time, send a message to the border troops to immediately seal off the border. Does the Third Hokage know about this?"
"Not yet," Uchiha Inahime replied.
"Send someone to inform the Third Hokage about this. Then, have Kakashi oversee the Hokage's office and have him try to calm the Third Hokage down. I'll go personally. Also, have Kakashi arrange for a team of Anbu to be ready to support me." After Uchiha Touko finished speaking, he picked up the Lightning Blade from the sword rack beside him.
"Where are you going?" Uchiha Inahime asked, somewhat puzzled.
"To rescue someone, of course," Uchiha Touko gritted his teeth.
"Do you already know who the kidnappers are?" Uchiha Inahime asked.
"In the entire ninja world, besides those bastards from Kumogakure, who else would be so keen on kidnapping someone else's child?" Uchiha Touko cursed.
"Hokage, do you need any help?" Nagato asked at this moment.
"No need. We should have treated you both well, but this unexpected situation in the village has already made us very apologetic. We wouldn't dare trouble you further," Uchiha Touko said.
"Hokage, I think our cooperation can begin now," Nagato said. "Konan, give the Hokage a ride."
Nagato then looked at Uchiha Touko, his Rinnegan eyes filled with sincerity: "If it's a pursuit, flying might be faster."
Uchiha Touko gave Nagato a deep look, then nodded, turned to Konan, and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Angel Lady."
"Hokage, please." Konan, knowing the urgency of the situation, went to the window, her hands rapidly forming hand seals. A series of white papers flew from her sleeves, converging in the air to form the shape of a large bird. The two jumped onto the paper bird, one after the other.
"Hey, Hokage-san, I'll go with you too!" Deidara then took out some clay and chewed on it, summoning a clay bird, then jumped onto its back.
Uchiha Touko glanced back at the other person, considering that someone would need to be responsible for rescuing them when they fought A later, so he nodded, "Go pick up Naruto and the other two first, then come with me."
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(End of this chapter)