Konoha, reported by the Fourth Hokage at the start.

Chapter 481 Something's Wrong

"This huge crater was created at least six months ago!"

"This one too..."

Minato quickly surveyed his surroundings and discovered that many of the signs of battle were from a long time ago; there hadn't been any fighting in this area between Sunagakure and Iwagakure for at least a month.

"The war has truly ended!"

Now, Minato is basically certain that Sunagakure and Iwagakure have truly ceased hostilities, otherwise the battle traces around them wouldn't be so old.

in the afternoon.

Minato infiltrated the Land of Wind and discovered that there were very few Sand Ninja stationed on the border; most were small ninja squads that routinely patrolled the border.

Minato overheard the conversations of several squads and learned that the Sand Village and the Iwagakure had retreated to their respective countries after the death of the Third Tsuchikage and had ceased large-scale battles.

A month ago, a ceasefire was declared.

Of course, the two countries did not sign a ceasefire agreement, but there were no small-scale battles, which was no different from a ceasefire.

"Let's go visit the Land of Earth again!"

Having confirmed the situation in the Sand Village, Minato was still not at ease and went to the Land of Earth.

late at night.

Minato, who invaded the Land of Earth, used his powerful chakra to sense the infiltration of the toads of Mount Myōboku and successfully overheard information about the "ceasefire".

Li Yao was right; he issued the ceasefire order in his capacity as the Fourth Tsuchikage.

At this time, Iwagakure had already sent an envoy to Sunagakure to negotiate a ceasefire.

Therefore, Sunagakure and Iwagakure have truly ceased hostilities.

Upon confirming the information's authenticity, Minato immediately used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to the command post where Amegakure and Iwagakure were engaged in battle, and reported the mission.

"What?!"

"Lord Danzo has already returned to Konoha?"

Minato overheard from the mouth of the Root ninja who remained that Danzo had also left and returned to Konoha after Minato's departure the previous day.

call out!

Having completely lost all hope in Danzo, Minato, not wanting to have any further interaction with him, used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to Konoha.

The bright moon hangs high in the sky.

The moon in the ninja world is different from the moon on Earth; it's man-made. As long as there are no dark clouds at night, it can generally be seen and is very bright.

The leaves under the moonlight were serene.

Regardless of the wars outside, the tranquility of Konoha always instilled in Minato a strong determination to protect that peace when he returned to Konoha.

shhhhhh!

Instead of using the Flying Thunder God Technique to return home, Minato went to find the Third Hokage immediately. However, when he arrived at the Hokage Building, he found that the Third Hokage had already left and the lights were off.

"Strange...the Hokage shouldn't be leaving so early, right?"

On the previous occasions when Minato returned to the village, the lights in the Hokage Building were always the last in Konoha to go out. At this time, various night shops on the streets of Konoha were still lit up, and although there were few pedestrians on the road, there were still some. Normally, the Hokage should still be in his office.

Minato had some doubts, but only some doubts, and did not delve into them. After all, no one stipulated that the Hokage had to work until the very end.

However, the information about the ceasefire between Sunagakure and Iwagakure is very important.

The information that Li Yao is still alive and has become the Fourth Tsuchikage is even more important.

Minato immediately rushed towards the Sarutobi clan's territory.

soon.

Minato arrived at the Sarutobi clan's territory, only to be told that the Third Hokage had not yet returned.

"Please tell me where the Third Hokage is? I have important information to report."

Minato spoke to the guard ninjas at the entrance of the Sarutobi clan's main gate.

"I'm sorry, I don't know where the clan leader is either," the guard ninja said, shaking his head. Although he knew the clan leader hadn't returned for two nights in a row, there was no need to say it.

"Then... if the Hokage returns, please inform Minato Namikaze that there is important information to report."

"it is good."

The guard ninja recognized Minato Namikaze and knew that he was from the same lineage as the clan leader and his disciple, so he was willing to pass on the message and would not refuse.

"Thanks!"

Minato politely thanked them, then prepared to leave to find the two advisor elders, who should know where the Third Hokage was.

Li Yao's information is too important to be reported to the Third Hokage immediately.

Minato thought to himself, but just as he was about to leave...

Bang!

The door opened from the inside, and Biwako, dressed in a black house dress, walked out.

"Lord Biwako!"

A hint of surprise flashed in Minato's eyes. He had seen Lord Biwako a month ago. Although Lord Biwako was well-maintained at that time, her aged appearance was something that could not be resisted by maintenance alone.

But now, Biwako-sama appears before him.

My skin seemed to be rejuvenated. Although I didn't look much younger, the rosy and dewy appearance made me look more than ten years younger.

And that woman's mindset has clearly made her much more energetic.

Whether in terms of physical health or mindset, Biwako-sama seems to be only thirty-five or thirty-six years old now, not old at all.

What happened?

Minato secretly wondered what was going on.

"Minato, what brings you here?"

Seeing the water gate appear at the door of a house, Biwako was puzzled and asked with a smile.

"I'm here to see the Hokage." Minato hadn't forgotten his own business and asked closely, "Do you know where the Hokage is?"

Biwako asked, "Do you need to see him about something?"

Minato glanced at the guarding ninjas at the entrance and said, "Very important information."

Biwako's gaze sharpened; knowing the information within the water gate was crucial, she immediately said, "Follow me."

The two left and headed towards the Anbu base. On the way, Biwako mentioned that the Third Hokage had been interrogating an important prisoner at the Anbu for the past few nights, which was why Minato couldn't find him.

"I see!"

Minato suddenly realized what was going on, and then wondered what kind of criminal deserved the Hokage's attention and personal interrogation, but he didn't ask.

soon.

The two arrived at the entrance to the Dark Guard base.

"You can't go in."

The ANBU ninja guarding the gate let Biwako in, but not Minato. This made Minato frown, and he said, "I have important information that I must report to the Hokage as soon as possible."

The ANBU ninja said coldly, "We will inform the Hokage. You wait here for now."

Minato frowned even more deeply as he looked at Lord Biwako, only to hear Lord Biwako say to him, "Minato, you wait here for a while, I'll go and have Hiruzen let you in."

Something is wrong!

Looking at Lord Biwako entering the Anbu base, and then at the attitude of the Anbu ninja in front of him, Minato felt a strong sense of unease.

He was part of a battlefield support squad and could freely enter various battlefields; this was the mission given to him by the Hokage.

Therefore, he has the right to directly meet with the Hokage to report on his mission.

In the past, when he went to see the Third Hokage, he had never encountered the rule of "wait a moment".

And then there's Lord Biwako. He himself said it was important information. Based on what he knows about Lord Biwako, he should have taken him directly to see the Hokage, instead of making him wait for the Hokage's notification first.

"in the end……"

Minato frowned, unable to figure out what was wrong.

(End of this chapter)