Chapter 269: Isn’t My Life A Life Too?
Peace talks ended.
After leaving the town, Mito Mon’en was extremely cautious: “Be even more careful after the peace talks end.
Normally, warring armies don’t kill envoys, but ninjas have low sense of morality, so Cloud Ninjas might seek revenge.
Cloud Ninjas have done this before, ambushing the Second Hokage teacher who was going to peace talks and us few.
Fox, stay vigilant; we can’t relax now.”
These memories made Mito Mon’en tense.
“I understand! Lord!”
Yoru carefully guarded Mito Mon’en and left the Land of Moon.
Only after entering the Land of Hot Water did Mito Mon’en’s condition improve somewhat.
Mito Mon’en’s worries were unnecessary; this time, the Cloud Ninjas had no intention of killing the peace talk envoys.
Konoha won, and Mito Mon’en was aggressive in the talks, but choosing the Land of Moon as the location proved Mito Mon’en wasn’t as strong as he appeared.
In the Second Ninja War, Hidden Cloud Village fought Konoha Village and Hidden Stone Village in two battles, while Konoha fought five battles against four great nations plus Hidden Rain Village.
In terms of losses, Konoha suffered the most among the five great ninja villages.
Especially Konoha’s genin, with heavy casualties, needing years to replenish the number of grassroots ninjas.
Yoru sent Hanashika to the temporary camp to bring the squad, then followed Mito Mon’en to meet the Land of Hot Water daimyo and report the end of the conflict.
The Land of Hot Water daimyo, hearing the border conflict had ended, complained bitterly to Mito Mon’en.
Many nobles died on the border, and the Land of Hot Water suffered heavy losses.
Mito Mon’en could only say the conflict was over, and there wouldn’t be large-scale noble casualties again.
Afterward, Fox Squad followed Mito Mon’en directly back to Konoha.
Unable to have a final chat with Sakumo Hatake, not knowing how things were on Sakumo Hatake’s side.
On the road, Mito Mon’en said: “Fox, with your guard, I feel much safer.”
“Lord, we’re almost at the Land of Fire; Cloud Ninjas won’t come here. Could anyone else dare to attack Konoha Village’s Hokage Advisor?”
Mito Mon’en said: “There’s a force that’s been targeting Konoha, posing a greater threat to the village than Hidden Cloud Village.
Root and the Shimura Clan, even the Sarutobi Clan, have frequently been assassinated.
You’ll see it when you return to the village; Danzo has been eager to bite at something lately, and I don’t even want to see him.
Can’t blame Danzo for his rage; that force strikes too ruthlessly. The Shimura Clan has already lost 2 jonin and several special jonin; Root hasn’t recovered its vital energy in half a year.
If they target me, it’d be bad; I don’t have as many subordinates and clansmen as Danzo.”
Yoru thought to himself, Mito Mon’en, your worries are unnecessary; I’m not interested in you for now.
Mito Mon’en intentionally communicated more with Fox. Fox’s strength and reputation warranted Mito Mon’en’s attention.
Escorting Mito Mon’en to the Hokage Building downstairs, Mito Mon’en had Yoru go upstairs with him to report to the Hokage.
Entering the Hokage’s Office, Yoru felt something was off.
Where was Orochimaru?
In the past few months, Orochimaru had always stood beside the Third Hokage, learning how the Third Hokage handled Konoha affairs.
Now Orochimaru’s figure was nowhere to be seen; had Orochimaru lost power?
Mito Mon’en’s next question resolved Yoru’s doubts.
Mito Mon’en first asked: “How is Orochimaru’s secret investigation in the Land of Rain going?”
Not mentioning the Land of Hot Water conflict first, but Orochimaru’s secret investigation; it seemed the high-ranking officials cared more about Orochimaru’s progress.
The Third Hokage said: “No progress. After entering the Land of Rain, the Uzumaki Remnants vanished like they disappeared.
The incessant rain in the Land of Rain erased all traces; no method could find the Uzumaki Remnants.
Orochimaru sent word that Hanzo has noticed him.
Hanzo sent people to ask; he knows Jiraiya is in the Land of Rain, and now Orochimaru has entered too—is this meant to start war again?
I wrote to Hanzo hoping to explain, but I can’t tell Hanzo outright that Orochimaru is investigating Uzumaki Remnants, not targeting him.
We and Hidden Whirlpool Village are allies; can’t say we’re hunting Uzumaki Remnants.
Hanzo doesn’t trust me; he thinks Jiraiya and Orochimaru are both in the Land of Rain for only one reason: to find an opportunity to ambush him.
Orochimaru’s investigation is blocked and has to go underground, making progress very slow.”
Yoru, hearing Orochimaru’s investigation was stalled, breathed a sigh of relief.
The Third Hokage took a puff of smoke and said: “Another reason for Hanzo’s rage is that Orochimaru captured some children skilled in Earth Release and Water Style in the Land of Rain.
Most people in the Land of Rain have Water Style talent, making it easier to find those with Earth Release talent as well.”
Mito Mon’en’s expression changed, and he asked: “Have their research entered the final experiment phase?”
The “they” Mito Mon’en referred to were Danzo and Orochimaru’s secret experiments.
The village high-ranking officials all knew Danzo and Orochimaru were researching Hashirama Cells.
“Yes, so Orochimaru will return to the village soon.”
“Then what about Orochimaru’s investigation? The enemy forces are strong; two or three normal jonin aren’t opponents…”
As Mito Mon’en spoke, he turned his head and looked at Fox beside him.
The Third Hokage nodded and said: “Root’s Yamato died in the Land of Whirlpools; Root has no good hands left.
Danzo is unwilling to go personally and must send another elite jonin to lead the team.
Danzo may be extreme, but his actions are all for Konoha.
His Root and Shimura Clan taking revenge hits is blocking bullets for us.
Someone has to do the dirty work others won’t, right?
My meaning is, have Fox lead the team to the Land of Rain to take over from Orochimaru and continue the investigation.”
Yoru was stunned: Me investigating myself?
If Orochimaru investigates, Yoru worries what if they find where the Uzumaki Remnants are?
If I investigate, Yoru worries how to account for finding nothing?
Konoha’s F4 is too vicious; isn’t this putting me on the fire to roast?
Mito Mon’en thought briefly and said:
“Fox’s strength is sufficient; he can even withstand a strike from the Third Raikage, and Hanzo can’t do much to him in a short time.
When Orochimaru entered the Land of Rain, it stimulated Hanzo, who knows the Sannin’s strength.
If Fox goes, first, his methods are covert and hard to expose; second, Hanzo won’t be tense.
There are also Anbu from other ninja villages in the Land of Rain; who let Hanzo call himself a demigod, ambitiously wanting to become the sixth great hidden village?”
Yoru thought to himself: Isn’t my life a life?
What if Hanzo catches me and beats me up?
Yoru said: “Hokage, Lord Mito Mon’en, I will surely complete the mission assigned by you two lords.
However, Anbu has many duties; missions inside and outside the village are numerous. If I take the squad away for a long time, what about Lord Kiiroinu?”
Yoru positioned himself as Lord Kiiroinu’s top confidant; after staying in the Land of Hot Water for over two months, now heading to the Land of Rain again—how could he still be Lord Kiiroinu’s confidant?
The Third Hokage smiled and said: “I understand your loyalty; I’ll go talk to Lord Kiiroinu about it.
For taking over Orochimaru’s mission in the Land of Rain, you don’t need to bring the entire Fox Squad; just a small team will do.
In the Land of Rain, there are Root Ninjas and Lynx Squad; you go cooperate with Lynx, handling key battles only.”
“I understand, Hokage.”
Having others there is good.
Yoru’s mind stirred, and suddenly a brilliant plan arose…
First this, then that—wouldn’t Danzo suffer another bloody misfortune?
Thinking about the bad thing he was about to do, Yoru felt somewhat excited.
Leaving the Hokage Building, Yoru hurried to the Anbu Base to see Lord Kiiroinu.
