Konoha, reported by the Fourth Hokage at the start.

Chapter 469 Li Yao is not dead

shhhhhh!

In the distance, the sound of ninjas leaping through the trees could be heard.

Minato got up and climbed down from the tree, waiting quietly.

Li Yao is not dead and has returned as a Hidden Stone Ninja. This information must be reported to the people in the Rain Country army immediately.

Otherwise, if Li Yao were to attack, his ninjutsu attacks, comparable to the Tailed Beast Ball, would result in heavy casualties.

"You are... Lord Minato!"

The five Root ninjas who surrounded him were about to make their move when they saw that it was the famous Minato Namikaze and were immediately taken aback.

Especially after seeing the injuries on Minato's hands.

This is the man who instantly killed more than fifty Iwagakure ninjas. Who could have injured him so badly?

"Take me to Lord Danzo immediately, I have important information to report."

The mission assigned to Minato's squad to venture deep into the Land of Earth and visit Iwagakure to investigate the disappearance of the Fourth Tsuchikage was given by Danzo.

Now that Li Yao has appeared, Minato must report the information to Danzo as soon as possible.

"Come with me."

Of the five people at the root, one stepped forward.

This area is full of explosive tag traps, and you need someone to guide you to get through safely.

Inside the valley camp.

Danzo stood in front of the desk, looking at the various intelligence reports on it, his eyes filled with thought.

"If the disappearance of the Fourth Tsuchikage is confirmed to be true, it will be a great opportunity for me to defeat Iwagakure first."

Danzo's eyes gleamed as he reorganized the intelligence in his hands, contemplating the most appropriate course of action.

He must seize this opportunity presented by the disappearance of the Fourth Tsuchikage.

"Orochimaru... White Fang, Yellow Flash, what right do you people have to run for Hokage? I've done so much for Konoha, only I am qualified to be the next Hokage."

Danzo's eyes flashed with a fierce light.

Over the past few years, Orochimaru, who mastered Wood Release, Sakumo Hatake, who developed the Destruction Lightning, the Yellow Flash, who possessed the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Jiraiya—these four gained immense fame in the war, making them strong contenders for the next Hokage in the eyes of many, completely ruling out Danzo.

Even though Danzo had single-handedly withstood a massive attack from Iwagakure, everyone's attention was focused on those four.

Danzo was very unhappy, but there was nothing he could do about it for the time being.

Those four people were indeed terrifyingly strong.

However, now, as long as he defeats Iwagakure first and brings huge benefits to Konoha, no one can stop him from becoming Hokage after the war ends.

"Lord Danzo!"

While Danzo was fantasizing about becoming the Fourth Hokage, a Root ninja entered Danzo's tent in the center.

"Lord Danzo, Minato Namikaze has returned."

"Hmm...so fast?"

Upon hearing his subordinate's words, Danzo's face behind the desk showed a hint of surprise.

"The guard force has located the injured Minato Namikaze on the outskirts and is currently on its way to Lord Danzo. They should arrive soon."

"Is Minato injured?"

Danzo was startled again and took a few steps to his subordinates.

"Is the injury serious?" The Third Hokage asked quietly, his eyes flashing.

"A layer of flesh was scraped off my right arm, but there were no other injuries."

"I see!"

Danzo was somewhat disappointed. If the injury was serious, he wouldn't mind taking the opportunity to eliminate Minato Namikaze, the biggest threat.

Compared to Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and the White Fang of Konoha, there are three others.

Danzo was well aware that each of the three had their own problems, and while they posed a threat to his becoming the Fourth Hokage, they weren't that significant.

On the contrary, Danzo, who knew his old friend Hiruzen's character, knew very well that Minato, who was easily swayed by personal relationships, couldn't bring himself to refuse, and was willing to listen to the advice of elders, was the biggest threat.

With a perfect character design, and most importantly, with the support of that bastard Hiruzen, Minato had a better chance than anyone else to become the next Hokage.

This is something Danzo wouldn't allow.

Unfortunately... Minato, who possessed the Flying Thunder God Technique and had a terrifyingly fast reaction speed, was too difficult to kill.

Even though his right arm was injured and he couldn't form hand seals, as long as he was clear-headed, Minato could still use the Flying Thunder God Technique, so no one could stop him.

But... who could possibly injure Minato?

Danzo, curious, then suddenly realized something and asked, "Besides Minato, are there any other people?"

"there is none left."

Hmm... Danzo's eyes lit up slightly. Minato was injured, but his comrades hadn't returned. This familiar plot reminded him of a certain move he had made in the past.

No rush, we'll talk about it when we meet Minato.

Danzo smiled to himself.

Not long after.

Minato followed the Root ninjas to Danzo's place.

Danzo, upon seeing Minato's injuries in person, narrowed his eyes, becoming even more curious about who had caused Minato's arm injury to be so severe, while also secretly frowning.

Someone who can injure Minato to this extent must be exceptionally strong.

"Lord Danzo, Li Yao is not dead, he has returned."

"Li...Li Yao!!!"

Danzo was initially taken aback and didn't react for a moment. Then, in an instant, he realized what was happening and his expression changed drastically. He took a few steps forward and reached out to grab Minato, but Minato dodged him.

Minato also knew something about this dark figure in the ninja world.

Although he loved and trusted everyone in Konoha, he also knew that there were some people in Konoha who needed to be wary of.

Danzo is one of the people he needs to be wary of, especially now that his arm is injured.

Danzo was completely oblivious to Minato's attempt to avoid him; he was utterly stunned by the meaning behind Minato's words.

"Say it again, what happened to Li Yao?" Danzo stared intently at Minato.

"He must have possessed a ninja from Iwagakure now..." Minato recounted the entire process of his encounter and battle with Lee Yo's Earth Release clone, Ishii.

Upon hearing Li Yao's Earth Release clone, Shi Yan, personally say "It's been a long time" to Minato, Danzo was certain that it was indeed Li Yao.

"That guy... he really didn't die!"

Thinking back to a few years ago, when Li Yao's son was taken away by a mysterious Explosion Release ninja at the Root base, Danzo had already made some guesses.

However, the strength displayed by that mysterious Explosion Release ninja was so unbelievable that Danzo didn't dare to pursue him.

He believed that if Li Yao was indeed that secret Explosion Release ninja with that terrifying strength, then he was fully capable of killing him and Hiruzen to take revenge on Konoha.

But the mysterious Explosion Release ninja did not do that.

In addition, the mysterious Explosion Release ninja completely disappeared.

Over time, Danzo stopped taking the speculation that Li Yao might not be dead and was actually that mysterious Explosion Release ninja to heart.

They believe Li Yao is dead.

After all, Danzo had witnessed the power of Dust Release; no one could withstand a direct attack from it without dying.

However, now that Danzo has heard the whole story of Minato Namikaze's encounter with that Iwagakure ninja, his previous guess has been confirmed.

That mysterious Explosion Release ninja from back then was Li Yao.

Although it is unknown why Li Yao did not kill him or attack Konoha back then.

However, the attack by the mysterious Explosion Release ninja on the three major hidden villages of Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and Sunagakure was a blatant act of revenge.

If it wasn't Li Yao, then who else had this intention?

"This is troublesome!"

The thought that Li Yao was still alive, and the speculation about Li Yao's abilities revealed when the Five Kage surrounded and killed him, made Danzo feel numb.

(End of this chapter)