Konoha's Mission Master

After exchanging a few brief greetings with Shyvana, Kushina Uzumaki turned her gaze back to Yakumo, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

"What has happened in the past two years?" Yakumo asked.

"A lot has happened in the past two years, let's talk about it later."

The group arrived at the wooden house that originally belonged to Kakashi, which is now Kushina Uzumaki's home. The house was very clean, but there were many pink plush toys in the living room, which looked very girly.

Judging from the traces, Yakumo knew that Kushina Uzumaki had been living here for a long time, at least eight months.

Yakumo detected his own presence on her wrist; it was a wooden plaque with messy carvings. This was the reason why Kushina Uzumaki hadn't been attacked.

Mori Masako and Yuuki Chiyuki decided to show Shyvana around Konoha, so they activated the key and left the secret base. Only Yakumo and Uzumaki Kushina remained in the living room, sitting at the round wooden table.

A fruit platter was placed on the wooden table, the fruit in it looked very fresh, and next to it were nuts and other similar items, clearly indicating that Kushina Uzumaki was being treated quite well at the moment.

There were also a few storybooks on the table to keep you entertained.

What exactly happened in the past two years?

Kushina Uzumaki's gaze sharpened slightly as she slowly spoke.

"About two years of events took place during this period."

"Firstly, Senju Nawaki represented the Senju clan's comeback and quickly gained many followers, but his influence was still weaker than that of the Hokage at the time."

"But last year, the Hokage suddenly announced the establishment of a swordsmanship class, with Kakashi as the instructor, to teach the Hatake Secret Swordsmanship to all eligible children in Konoha."

"That's why things started to go wrong."

Yakumo nodded. He could roughly guess what was going to happen next. The Hatake Secret Technique was a secret manual that directly pointed to the Kage level. If it was not curbed, Konoha would have many strong people who used swordsmanship as their main fighting method in a dozen years.

These powerful individuals will establish new ninja clans and share in the benefits of those people.

"Seizing the opportunity, Senju Nawaki won over the ninja clans, including the Third Hokage."

Kushina Uzumaki took a couple of sips of her herbal tea and continued.

"In the end, Sakumo Hatake lost, the swordplay hall was forced to close, and Nawaki Senju became the Fifth Hokage."

How could that be?

After learning of Hatake Sakumo's idea, Yakumo foresaw this situation, which is why he used mutual benefits to bind the Uchiha clan to Hatake Sakumo.

Uchiha Tsuru fused with Hashirama's cells, enhancing the power of his Mangekyou Sharingan. Combined with the ability to recover his eye power, his strength was definitely at the pinnacle of the Kage level.

Wait... Yakumo suddenly realized the flaw in his prediction.

That is, he underestimated Senju Nawaki's strength.

"Could it be... that Senju Nawaki is very strong?"

"Yes."

Kushina Uzumaki nodded, her pupils slightly contracting in lingering fear and disbelief.

"With a single move, the Uchiha clan's elder... was defeated."

"He recreated the Wood Release technique of the First Hokage, which is why everyone was willing to support him to become the Fifth Hokage. He also showed a tough approach beyond his years."

Yakumo roughly understood the situation. Hatake Sakumo had lost his position as the Fourth Hokage, but if that was all... it shouldn't be enough to make Uzumaki Kushina so worried.

"What happened to Minato-nii?"

"That bastard Nawaki is convinced that Minato colluded with Kumogakure and is currently being held in Konoha's prison awaiting the final investigation."

Kushina Uzumaki clenched her fists abruptly, a real fire of anger flashing in her eyes. Her chakra suddenly erupted uncontrollably, and Yakumo sensed the fox's aura emanating from her.

“Brother Minato, after all, he is a member of the Jonin team. We need evidence to prove that he colluded with Kumogakure. We can’t just frame him out of thin air.”

Although Yakumo's expression did not change, he felt a surge of anger. If it were just a power struggle between two factions, it wouldn't have angered him. But using such methods to restrict Minato Namikaze's freedom did indeed ignite his fury.

"Six months ago, Minato and the Fourth Raikage had a battle on the border of the Land of Fire... Minato did not kill him and let the Fourth Raikage go."

"This... sigh."

Yakumo sighed. It was indeed Minato Namikaze's fault. Even if heroes admire each other, they are still enemies. Letting him go would easily give others cause for gossip.

But this problem is not enough to put a war hero in jail.

"The main problems within Konoha stem from power struggles, and the biggest source of these problems is that the Senju Nawaki is not a problem for me."

After listening to Kushina Uzumaki's description, Yakumo finally understood the whole story and had several plans in mind that could be carried out.

He was certain that the current Senju Nawaki was actually Orochimaru; only this could explain how he had improved to such a level in less than two years.

"The threat from outside the village... comes from Uchiha Madara?"

“That’s right.” Kushina Uzumaki nodded.

This is a simple deduction: Senju Nawaki has the power to instantly kill Uchiha Tsuru, but he can't solve the problems outside Konoha Village, which means that the opponent must be of the same level.

Looking across the entire ninja world, only Madara Uchiha possessed such strength.

Logically speaking... since Yakumo destroyed the Rinnegan back then, he shouldn't have regained his strength and regenerated his eyes so quickly.

"Has his eyes recovered?" Yakumo asked.

"No... He still has the Sharingan, but he is collecting the Tailed Beasts. So far, he has successfully captured the One-Tailed to the Eight-Tailed Beasts."

This is the reason for the chaos in the ninja world. Madara Uchiha has begun to implement his Eye of the Moon Plan and has already obtained the Tailed Beasts from the four great ninja villages.

The Nine-Tails inside Kushina Uzumaki was his ultimate target, which was also the reason she hid in the secret base.

According to her, the one who attacks the defense system should be Uchiha Madara, but if the Ten-Tails is added, the defense created by Wood Release should not be able to stop it.

Unless... the attacker is not Madara Uchiha.

Yakumo was unable to deduce the truth from the traces that had already been covered up.

This is much of the information provided by Kushina Uzumaki's mask. As for the other truths, Yakumo will have to find them himself... after all, hearing is believing.

The two discussed some more details, and overall, Yakumo did not find any loopholes, but these could not be considered the truth.

Yakumo stood up.

"I'll go see Uncle Hatake first."

"it is good."

With a flash of golden light, Yakumo left immediately.

The Hatake residence, study.

The decor here is no different from a few years ago, except that the number of bookshelves has increased from two to five, and the number of books is probably close to a thousand.

There are old books that look worn out, as well as newly published books.

Behind the desk, Sakumo Hatake was reading an old book, with a steaming teapot beside him, and he was wearing a pure white casual shirt.

At this moment, he didn't look like a ninja, but more like a refined intellectual, exuding only a scholarly air and without any sharp edge.

Sakumo Hatake picked up his teacup, took a sip, then turned the pages of his book with his right hand and continued reading intently.

Suddenly, golden light shone in the study, and Yakumo appeared out of thin air.

"came back?"

Sakumo Hatake put down the book in his hand and forced a smile.

"I'm back."

Yakumo nodded and sat down on the wooden chair opposite Hatake Sakumo. From his appearance... Hatake Sakumo was in good condition and seemed to be in good spirits, not discouraged by losing the position of Hokage.

"I never imagined that you would be gone for almost two years."

Sakumo Hatake smiled and sighed, his tone tinged with nostalgia.

These past two years have been extremely unforgettable for him, as he has discovered many things he didn't have before from these adversities.

"I want to hear about the secrets of the Thousand Hands Rope Tree."

"He reminds me more of... Orochimaru."

Sakumo Hatake continued, speaking in a speculative tone.

"His methods of handling things, as well as his hand seals and decisions during battle, are very similar to Orochimaru's."

Sakumo Hatake and Orochimaru were geniuses of the same generation. At that time, Jiraiya had not yet shown his talent, and many of the class's practical tests were between him and Orochimaru.

Therefore... he is very familiar with Orochimaru's fighting style.

“I suspect he’s Orochimaru too, but if he’s unwilling to admit it, who’s going to believe you and me?” Yakumo said.

"Jiraiya and Tsunade are more familiar with Orochimaru than I am."

Sakumo Hatake's words meant very well: since he could see Orochimaru's traits in Nawaki Senju, then... Jiraiya and Tsunade, who were more familiar with Orochimaru than him, would naturally be able to as well.

"Has he used any other methods besides Wood Release?"

"No, his Wood Release is enough to suppress everything."

Sakumo Hatake had witnessed the battle between Nawaki Senju and Madara Uchiha, a terrifying and violent battle that could move mountains and fill seas. It was because he had personally witnessed the enemy's strength that Sakumo Hatake was willing to relinquish his position and return home to study.

"Wood Release, huh..."

If he could fight Madara Uchiha using only Wood Release techniques, it would mean that his proficiency in Wood Release had also surpassed that of a Grandmaster.

Other combat methods are unknown…

"Uncle Hatake, what are your plans for the future?" Yakumo asked.

"I probably won't be Hokage anymore. Minato Namikaze is a good successor. I plan to work with him to reopen the Kendo Academy so that ordinary people can have a fair path to advancement."

Sakumo Hatake has not given up on his original ideals. He had lost everything and lived a life where he could only earn meager rewards for his hard work on missions.

So... he wanted to speak out for the vulnerable groups in this world and seek fairness.

"Anyway... I will support Uncle Hatake."

Yakumo answered without even thinking.

Even if I fail... someone will still step forward.

Sakumo Hatake believed that... in the future, someone would fight for fairness, just as the book said... oppression means resistance.

The two continued to exchange some confidential information.

Sakumo Hatake could not be certain who attacked the Wood Release artifacts that defended Ryuchi Cave, and it may be difficult to find out the truth.