[Konoha Village, Hokage's Office]
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sat uneasily at his desk.
Danzo had already left for many days. Ever since his last communication from Amegakure, there had been no further news.
And what was worse, Hanzo had recently killed quite a few ninja from the Five Great Shinobi Villages operating in Amegakure.
Hanzo's previous ban was no joke, he really dared to kill without mercy.
He gave no face to Kumogakure, no face to Iwagakure, and their Konoha… he gave no face either.
'Could it be that Danzo too...', At that thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen dared not continue, and at the same time, a surge of anger rose within him.
"Hanzo, what are you trying to do? Could it be that you still dare to declare war on three major countries at once, just like in the Second Shinobi World War?"
If Konoha weren't still at war and understaffed, Sarutobi Hiruzen would have personally led the Konoha forces to march on Amegakure.
But the anger didn't last long; Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned to worry again.
He muttered, "Danzo, you took so many Root members with you, even if Hanzo wanted to kill you, it shouldn't be that easy, right?"
Though he said that, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt no confidence in his heart.
After thinking it over, he called for an Anbu, "Have Team 7 come here. I have an urgent mission that needs to be carried out immediately."
The Anbu took the order and vanished with a body flicker.
Immediately, Minato, who was at home discussing with Kushina whether they should improve the sound-activated lights to avoid disturbing the neighbors, and Rin and Obito, who were on their way to the Nohara household, received the Hokage's message.
They had no choice but to temporarily set aside what they were doing and head to the Hokage's Office.
Not long after Obito, Rin, and Minato arrived, Kakashi was also brought in.
The members of Team 7 glanced at each other, and Minato quickly put on a serious face, looking toward Sarutobi Hiruzen, "Is it an urgent mission?"
Originally, having just completed the Battle of Kikyo Pass, they were supposed to be on vacation.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Indeed, there is a classified S-rank mission that needs you to undertake. I'm sorry, you'll have to make up the vacation later."
Obito and Rin looked at each other, 'Tonight's dinner... not happening?'
Sarutobi Hiruzen continued, "Not long ago, Hokage aide Lord Shimura Danzo went to Amegakure to carry out a mission. But now he's completely missing. I suspect something might have happened."
"Danzo is a pillar of Konoha. We can't afford to lose him. I need you to head to Amegakure immediately, investigate what happened, and find out Danzo's whereabouts."
"Then locate him, ensure his safety, and escort him back."
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, turned to look out the window at the Hokage Rock, and fell silent for a moment.
His voice suddenly aged a great deal in an instant.
"But if... you encounter the worst-case scenario, and Danzo has already perished, then do your best to find his remains and bring them back…"
After speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a heavy sigh.
For some reason, all the members of Team 7 looked at the lonely figure of the Third Hokage's back and suddenly found him a little pitiable.
They all knew, Danzo was already impossible to bring back.
But this kind of thing definitely couldn't be said outright.
Minato nodded and calmly said a single word, "Understood."
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned around, walked back to the desk, sat down, took out his tobacco pipe, and took a puff.
"In addition, I've heard that the Third Tsuchikage Onoki and the Third Raikage A have both led troops toward the Land of Rain. I need you to observe the situation and bring back as much intelligence as possible..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly exhaled a mouthful of smoke, "This mission is extremely dangerous. You may encounter Kage-level enemies from various villages, including Hanzo the Salamander. If things become untenable, preserving your lives is the priority."
Minato said, "I understand."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Minato, a glimmer of hope in his eyes, "Minato, what do you think about the proposal from the Fourth Kazekage Rasa?"
Minato was stunned, then realized what it was about, "Lord Hokage means… Kazekage-sama proposing that I become the Fourth Hokage?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and said, "Minato, you're still too slow-witted."
"Forming an alliance with Sunagakure is very much in Konoha's interest. The Kazekage needs a step down, and we can definitely offer it. Your qualifications are sufficient. This position, do you want it or not?"
Minato showed a resolute expression, "Of course I want it. My dream has always been to become Hokage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. The negative emotions that had built up over Danzo were finally suppressed.
At last, he showed a faint smile, "After the war ends, I'll recommend you to the Daimyo, and also initiate the Jonin trust vote to ensure you become the Fourth Hokage."
"Konoha's future will be handed to you, I feel more at ease that way. Do well. Don't let me down."
Minato looked slightly moved at this moment.
He responded firmly, "I will. Thank you for your trust, Lord Hokage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand.
The future could wait, what mattered now was finding Danzo.
For that, he was willing to deploy his trump card.
He urged, "Go now, the sooner the better!"
Everyone nodded and disappeared with a body flicker.
———
By sunset, Minato's team was already en route to Amegakure.
Everyone dashed through the forest; the surrounding trees quickly receded. Along the way, Obito noticed Minato looking a little down and asked, "Minato-sensei, are you feeling guilty about letting down Lord Sarutobi's trust?"
Minato replied, "Yes. Lord Hokage just talked about appointing me as the Fourth Hokage, and now we immediately set out on a mission like this…"
Beside him, Rin and Kakashi also wore odd expressions.
It was already the second time. They'd been sent on a mission that seemed dangerous and difficult on the surface, but in reality, was just going through the motions.
'Isn't Amegakure now basically Obito's home field?'
Even though there were countless strong people there, far more than what the Third Hokage imagined, they were all Obito's people, every single one of them.
This mission was essentially a sightseeing trip.
Obito comforted, "Minato-sensei, no need to feel guilty. Danzo has brought too much harm to Konoha, if he isn't eliminated, the danger is too great."
"Everything we're doing is for the sake of Konoha."
Kakashi rolled his dead-fish eyes, 'Why does that sound so familiar?'
'Isn't that exactly Danzo's line?'
'Once sensei becomes Hokage, is Obito planning to turn into the new Danzo?'
Even Rin couldn't help laughing, even though she probably shouldn't have at this time.
Minato also nearly lost it.
Although he knew Obito was just joking to relieve his guilt...
He thought for a moment and asked, "Obito, how should we report this mission to Lord Hokage in the end?"
Obito replied, "Just report the truth. The Akatsuki collaborated with Hanzo the Salamander to ambush Danzo. Danzo and all Root members were completely wiped out."
"Anyway, I was wearing an Akatsuki cloak at the time. Saying Akatsuki did it is perfectly reasonable."
"As for Danzo's remains… Sarutobi Hiruzen is quite pitiful. I thought about it, might as well dig them up and send them back to Konoha."
"That way, the Third Hokage has something to remember him by, he won't feel too lonely."
Everyone sweat-dropped.
Minato asked with concern, "Aren't you afraid that once the Third Hokage knows, he'll mobilize troops to attack Amegakure and try to wipe out Akatsuki?"
Obito shook his head, his eyes deep,n"The Third doesn't dare do that."
Minato became curious, "Why not?"
Obito said slowly, "Because soon, two major shinobi villages are about to help the Third Hokage test the waters."
"The waters of the Land of Rain, due to the constant rain, are quite deep."
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