Naruto: I have an attribute panel

Chapter 482 The Village's Reaction

A month later.

Hiruzen Sarutobi finally led his expeditionary force back to Konoha.

When they went there, there was a large group of 2000 people, but when they came back, there were only 1628 people, including Taiyi's team.

Although the entire ninja world achieved victory in their joint battle against the demonic monster, the price paid by each village was extremely high.

This is still Konoha; other ninja villages would suffer even more casualties.

The main gate of Konoha.

The triumphant team had barely appeared when colorful fireworks shot into the sky.

The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, led the Konoha leadership out the gate to welcome the triumphant heroes.

This festive atmosphere and courteous treatment is the highest praise for the ninjas going on their expedition.

Taiichi walked at the front of the group, only one step behind Hiruzen Sarutobi.

From his perspective, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were narrowed to slits, and his face was full of wrinkles from smiling.

For so many years, he had been the one to welcome the triumphant heroes at the village gate. Today, he finally had the chance to experience being treated as a hero again.

Meanwhile, the three little ones also mingled up to Taiyi.

Jiang Tai, with his sharp eyes, spotted Nono and her friends from the orphanage in the crowd and excitedly waved to them.

Not satisfied with that, he grabbed Yami, who was also smiling, and pointed in the direction of Nono, shouting, "Over there, over there, that's the Dean, and Chizuru and the others, everyone's over there."

Yamei turned her head with delight, her eyes following the direction Jiang Tai was pointing, and immediately found the dean and others in the crowd.

"Ah, Dean, Dean, I'm here!"

Yamei waved excitedly at the crowd, which earned her cheers from her friends and a thumbs-up from the dean.

This was just a common scene in the triumphant procession, with similar things happening everywhere in the long line.

When the group arrived at the village entrance, Minato stepped forward first and helped Hiruzen Sarutobi with both hands, his face beaming with a bright smile.

"Welcome back in triumph, Third Hokage. Your victory has brought peace and development to the ninja world."

"Hahaha!" The Third Hokage revealed a reserved smile, took Minato's hand that was helping him up, and said modestly, "It's not my credit at all. It's all thanks to Taichi and all the ninjas who risked their lives that we were able to win this battle."

As he spoke, he turned around, his gaze sweeping over Taiichi and the group of ninjas, and the smile on his face turned into sorrow.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't bring everyone back; many children lost their lives in this battle."

Minato's expression also dimmed slightly, but he quickly composed himself. After all, this was a ceremony to welcome a triumphant return, and being happy was the main thing.

"Lord Sandai, you have done a great job. Let's go into the village. Everyone is waiting for you."

"Yes, yes, look at this old man, always talking about these unpleasant things."

Hiruzen Sarutobi also realized what was happening, and a smile immediately returned to his face. Together with Minato, he led the triumphant team through the gates of Konoha.

Along both sides of the street, villagers spontaneously gathered by the roadside, waving colorful ribbons and small flags in the air to express their welcome to the heroes.

On the rooftops of houses lining both sides of the street stood numerous ninjas, all there to welcome the team that was said to have saved the ninja world.

The entire procession, a long and impressive sight, marched from the village entrance all the way to the Hokage Building, before dispersing to their respective homes at the Fourth Hokage's command.

Taiichi, of course, couldn't just disband and go home like ordinary ninjas.

He looked down at his three disciples, whose three bright, sparkling eyes were also fixed on Taiyi.

After this experience, the three of them can be said to have undergone a complete transformation.

Jiang Tai has made a basic grasp of how to use the Immortal Mode.

Yami can use her superhuman strength in actual combat.

Itachi activated his Sharingan without any side effects.

Moreover, the energy and spirit emanating from the three little ones are like the rising sun, full of power and firepower.

Taiichi raised his hand and placed it on Itachi's head, giving it a good rub before saying to them, "Alright, you should all go home now and not worry your families."

Then he looked at Itachi, who was fixing his hair.

"Itachi, go back and tell your father that I'll visit him later to discuss your Sharingan."

Itachi paused in tidying his hair, but immediately nodded in agreement.

"Okay, teacher, I will definitely bring it."

He knew that his Sharingan awakening method was unique, and the clan would definitely pay close attention to it. This would not change because of his status as the clan leader's son. Whether it was good or bad, he should cooperate.

However, if there is a powerful figure like Taiyi supporting them, the outcome will often be in the best possible direction.

Watching the three little figures disappear into the crowd, Taiichi turned around and went to the two Hokage who had been waiting for him.

"Haha, seeing that scene just now reminded me of Tsunade and the others when they were young. In the blink of an eye, even you, Taichi, have started taking on disciples."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled with his eyes narrowed, and after speaking, he didn't forget to take out his pipe and take a puff, looking as if he was enjoying himself immensely.

"That's right. It feels like just yesterday when I was leading Kakashi and the others."

Minato also showed a nostalgic expression, reminiscing about the past with the Third Hokage.

Taiichi couldn't help but purse his lips. He didn't know how the Third Hokage trained his disciples, but Minato, well...

"Minato-senpai, back then Kakashi and the others seemed to spend most of their time with my team, right? Someone didn't fulfill their duties as a teacher at all!"

"Ah, this—that—" Minato scratched his head awkwardly, "Let's hurry up and go, the two advisors are still waiting for us upstairs."

After saying that, Minato didn't turn around and strode straight towards the Hokage Building.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Taiichi exchanged a glance, both revealing knowing smiles, and then started walking after him.

The Hokage's office.

Minato sat upright behind his desk, his fingers interlaced under his chin, listening intently to Taiichi's report.

Not far to his side, there was another chair, the seat reserved for the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. He was puffing on his pipe, his eyes occasionally sweeping over Taiichi before turning away.

To the right and slightly in front of Minato, advisors Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado stood quietly, listening attentively to Taichi's report.

Throughout the entire office, only Taiichi's voice could be heard.

From investigating missing persons to quelling the rebellion in the Star Ninja Village, to supporting the Land of Demons, and finally sealing away the demon.

Although they had read written reports on these matters before, nothing beats the vividness of the person involved explaining it in person.

"So, you've brought back the physical body of the demon now."

Koharu was still somewhat incredulous. This was no good thing. From Taiichi's explanation, one could tell that this thing contained a potential threat.

"To be precise, it was only one-fifth of the demon's body. In order to prevent the demon from being completely resurrected in the future, and also to confirm that the Land of Demons was unable to keep this seal, we later divided the demon's body into five parts, with each of the five great ninja villages keeping one part."

Upon hearing this, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado both breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, this thankless task wasn't solely undertaken by Konoha; if all five great ninja villages kept a copy, the danger would be immense.

That means the cost is shared equally, and everyone has to contribute.

"Where is that seal that belongs to Konoha now?"

Koharu turned her head toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was sitting down. Logically speaking, something so important should be kept by Hiruzen.

Unexpectedly, Hiruzen Sarutobi spread his hands, indicating that he wasn't around, and then pointed at Taiichi.

At this moment, Taiichi also took out a scroll from his ninja tool bag.

"It's with me, but I hope I can keep it for a while. The body of the demon is very valuable for research and has given me a lot of inspiration."

Taichi's words made Mitokado Homura frown. How could such an important thing be entrusted to a person for safekeeping, even if that person was Matsushita Taichi?

Just as he opened his mouth to retort—

"No problem. Since it's helpful to you, you can take it first. That way, the village won't have to hire someone to guard it."

The Fourth Hokage readily agreed without the slightest hesitation.

"Minato, how could you agree to this so easily? This is an important asset of the village."

Mitokado Homura couldn't hold back any longer and questioned the Hokage's decision.

"Elder Mitomon, you must understand!" Minato's smile vanished as he pointed at the scroll in Taiichi's hand. "This was something Taiichi personally used to defeat the seal. Doesn't he have the right to study it?"

Mitokado Yan's expression froze, and he was immediately quite embarrassed, not knowing how to respond.

Koharu Utatane then smoothed things over, saying, "En was just impatient. Taiichi is certainly qualified to study for a while. No one in Konoha is more qualified than him."

"Heh—" Taichi tossed the scroll in his hand, glancing sideways at Mitokado Homura, "Then I'll keep this. I'll give it to the village after I've finished studying it."

"Alright, Taiichi, you should tone it down a bit too." Minato raised his hand and tapped Taiichi, signaling him not to press the matter further.

Once the office was quiet again, Minato tapped his fingers on the table, making a "thump-thump" sound.

"Next, let's talk about the Akatsuki organization. All signs indicate that the mastermind behind this Wraith incident is the Akatsuki organization."

However, during the most frenzied phase of the rampage, there was absolutely no trace of the Akatsuki organization appearing.

However, just as Moryo was about to be sealed away, the Akatsuki organization used methods to help Moryo's soul escape.

Can anyone guess why the Akatsuki is doing this?

This was not only Minato's question, but also the question of everyone present.

It all seems like a waste of time, but everyone knows that the Akatsuki must have a purpose in doing this.

After a long silence, it was the third generation who broke the silence.

"From a motivational perspective, terrorist organizations like Akatsuki are essentially enemies of the ninja world's order. Releasing the demons must be partly motivated by a desire to weaken the ninja world's strength."

Everyone nodded in agreement. This made a lot of sense. There were other ways to defeat an opponent besides improving oneself, such as weakening the opponent.

The third generation's words seemed to have given everyone a clue, and everyone immediately started talking.

"They saved the demon because they wanted to obtain its power."

"But that doesn't make sense either. If you need the power of demons, why not just save them from the beginning? How much power can you unleash by just saving a soul?"

"Perhaps it was because the complete demon was too powerful that they only managed to save a soul."

With everyone contributing their thoughts, they actually managed to guess the general idea behind the Akatsuki's plans.

"Does everyone remember—" Taiichi's words drew everyone's attention. "Back in Hoshigakure, the Akatsuki was also preparing to recruit that rogue ninja, Kurenai. This shows that the Akatsuki is short of manpower, and they are recruiting rogue ninjas throughout the entire ninja world."

So—these are their targets, and why only souls? Perhaps, as everyone says, only souls.

"Only demons with specific forms are easier to control."

"Whoosh!"

Minato's breathing became heavier, a clear sign of emotional instability; he was obviously very angry.

To achieve their own goals, they disregarded the safety of the entire ninja world. Such an organization should not exist.

As if he had made up his mind, Minato suddenly stood up, his eyes revealing a resolute look.

"The Akatsuki should be destroyed." Minato said decisively, "I will inform the other four great ninja villages and issue a joint announcement: the Akatsuki is a terrorist organization, and everyone in the ninja world has the right to kill it. For every Akatsuki member killed, the five great nations will jointly provide a huge reward."

Minato is no longer planning to act; he intends to expose everything about the Akatsuki organization.

This incident with the demons served as a lesson for him. It's true that the sooner such terrorist organizations are eliminated, the better; otherwise, who knows when they might pull a big surprise on you?

Everyone looked at each other, and ultimately no one raised any objections, so the decision was passed so easily.

When Taichi came out of the Hokage's office, it was already around 3 p.m.

Remembering that he had asked Itachi to inform his family about the visit, Taichi decided not to go home at all and headed towards the Uchiha clan's territory.

On the way, the joy of welcoming the triumphant procession had not completely faded, but the sorrow that had been masked by the celebration resurfaced.

They went to the streets.

Along the way, Taiyi had already seen several houses with white lanterns hanging in front of them.

That's a sign that someone in the family has died.

Judging from its brand-new appearance, it was only recently hung up, and it was most likely the home of a ninja who died in this punitive expedition.

As he passed by these houses, he heard sorrowful weeping coming from inside, and Taiyi dared not stop.

At this moment, he also felt the deep sorrow that Minato had just experienced.

A terrorist organization like Akatsuki should never exist.

With a heavy heart, Taichi also arrived at the Uchiha clan's territory.

As soon as he stepped into the Uchiha clan's territory, an Uchiha clansman came up to greet him, seemingly there specifically to wait for Taichi.

Sure enough, the man came up to Taiyi and began to introduce himself.

"Lord Taiichi, I am Shin Uchiha. I am here to await you on the orders of the Fugaku clan chief."

"Oh, thank you for your hard work." Taiichi looked at the Uchiha clansman in front of him. He couldn't see any Uchiha pride in the other person. Instead, he had a personality like Yohei's. Taiichi's mood immediately improved.

"Please lead the way, Xin. I'm a bit late today."

"Please, Taiichi."

Along the way, Taichi also observed the Uchiha clan's territory.

He was surprised to find that the place had changed a lot in the time he had been away.

The most obvious thing is that quite a few non-Uchiha clan members have appeared in the Uchiha clan's territory.

"Your clan territory has changed quite a bit. Who are these non-Uchiha clan members?"

Shin followed Taiichi's gaze and immediately knew who Taiichi was talking about, a happy smile appearing on his face.

"Those are all friends of the various tribes. Now the tribe promotes friendship and unity, and encourages everyone to bring their friends to visit the tribe."

"I see----"

It seems that the Uchiha reforms are progressing at an increasingly rapid pace, which makes Taichi feel gratified.