klisemfg Chapter 547 I've Made Up My Decision
Chapter 547 I've Made Up My Decision
Two hands, one white and one black, representing the strongest warriors from two rival villages, clasped tightly together in this moment of mutual respect and understanding. This brief handshake transcended the boundaries between villages, showcasing the unique camaraderie among heroes in the ninja world.
After a long while, Lao Zi let go of his hand. He leaned against the boulder, looked up at the sky shrouded in smoke, and his eyes shone with an unprecedented light—a light of resolve and liberation.
“I’ve made up my mind.” Old Purple’s voice was hoarse but unusually firm. “I’m tired of fighting for the village, tired of being used as a weapon. From now on, I will no longer be a Jinchūriki of Iwagakure. I will leave Iwagakure, make the world my home, and pursue my own path.”
This sudden decision shocked all the Konoha ninja who heard his words. A Jinchuriki of a Tailed Beast was actually going to betray his own village? This was extremely rare in the history of the ninja world. However, Hatake Sakumo simply nodded calmly, seemingly unsurprised.
“Since you have made your decision, I will not stop you,” Sakumo said in a deep voice, “but this path is destined to be lonely and full of dangers.”
“I’ve grown accustomed to loneliness.” Old Purple gave a bitter smile. He struggled to his feet, his body weak, but his eyes were brighter than ever before. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Sakumo, and then, he took a faltering step away from Iwagakure, each step remarkably firm, as if he were leaving everything behind.
At Sakumo Hatake's signal, the Konoha ninja outside the barrier quickly dispersed to both sides, making way for Roshi. Although they were suspicious of this traitorous Jinchuriki, their trust in Sakumo made them choose unconditional obedience. Roshi's figure gradually disappeared on the distant horizon in the afterglow of the setting sun.
Minato and the others had also arrived at the edge of the barrier. They witnessed everything, especially Zhang Hai, whose eyes flashed with a thoughtful expression.
"Senior Hatake, you are truly amazing!" Zhang Hai walked up to Sakumo and began to flatter him without reservation, his tone filled with admiration. "You cut through the lava torrent with your bare hands and defeated the tailed beast-transformed Roshi. I'm afraid only you in the entire ninja world could have done that!"
Sakumo smiled faintly, not letting Zhang Hai's flattery go to his head. He looked sharply at Zhang Hai with a hint of approval: "You've done very well too. The commotion in Iwagakure will likely keep them preoccupied for a while."
“Of course, a mere half a mountain and an office building are enough to give them a headache.” Zhang Hai chuckled, then changed the subject, asking with a hint of confusion, “But, Hatake-senpai, Old Purple is the Four-Tails Jinchuriki. With your strength, you could have easily killed him back then, so why…”
He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was already very clear. Killing a Jinchūriki meant eliminating a village's strategic weapon, which was undoubtedly a huge victory in the war.
Sakumo's gaze deepened. He glanced at the Konoha ninja around him, then gestured for Akira, Minato, Kushina, and Dan Kato to move closer. Only when he was sure no one else could hear their conversation did he lower his voice, his tone tinged with helplessness and seriousness.
"Do you really think that killing a Jinchuriki can solve the problem?" Sakumo asked rhetorically, a glint of insight into the deep secrets of the ninja world flashing in his eyes. "Killing a Jinchuriki doesn't truly annihilate the Tailed Beasts. They merely return to the source of chakra temporarily, and before long, they will re-form somewhere, only to be reclaimed by an enemy village and resealed into another Jinchuriki."
He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Minato and Kushina, especially Kushina, who, as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, would have a deeper understanding of these words.
“Moreover,” Sakumo’s voice lowered further, tinged with awe at the unknown power, “the power of the Tailed Beasts far exceeds our imagination. Their existence is not merely a collection of chakra. Above them, there are even deeper… beings. We cannot fully provoke those beings now, otherwise, the balance of the ninja world will be completely shattered, and that would be a true catastrophe.”
Zhang Hai nodded thoughtfully. Although Sakumo hadn't explicitly stated it, he vaguely sensed that Sakumo was referring to a power even stronger than the Five Great Shinobi Villages, or perhaps some kind of constraint at the level of the Shinobi World's rules. This deepened his understanding of the world and the Tailed Beasts.
“I see…” Zhang Hai’s tone was one of realization, then he revealed a victor’s smile. “In that case, Senior Hatake, the threat from Iwagakure is completely gone. They will probably issue the order to retreat soon, after all, the Tsuchikage’s office has been destroyed, and they’ve lost all face.”
“Yes, you have indeed completed your mission exceptionally well.” Sakumo nodded affirmatively. “Iwagakure suffered heavy losses in this sneak attack and will be unable to fight again for a short time. I guess they will soon call it a day and withdraw completely from the Land of Fire.”
Sakumo's gaze swept around, taking in the Konoha ninjas who were on high alert, and then looking at Zhang Hai and his team.
“In that case, we can’t let them retreat safely.” Sakumo’s eyes sharpened, revealing the decisiveness of a battlefield commander. “The Iwagakure troops will soon begin their retreat. I’ve decided that I will provide cover for your squad, while you are responsible for a frontal assault, eliminating as many of their men as possible and giving them a painful lesson!”
Minato, Akira, and Kushina were all invigorated upon hearing this. It meant they could directly participate in the pursuit and attack on the Iwagakure forces.
However, Kato Dan's voice suddenly rang in Zhang Hai's mind at this moment, with a hint of solemnity: "Zhang Hai, you are not suitable to take direct action."
Zhang Hai was slightly taken aback and asked himself, "Why? This is the best opportunity."
“Your abilities are too unique and too conspicuous,” the broken voice explained. “What you showed before… was not ordinary Lightning Release. If you expose too much in a direct confrontation with the Iwa ninja, it will be difficult to hide your identity and abilities. This does not fit your infiltration plan. Your goal now is to return to Konoha, not to completely expose yourself here.”
Zhang Hai's eyes flickered as he weighed the pros and cons. Duan was right; he wasn't a true Cloud Village ninja. His identity and mission required him not to overly reveal his true strength and ninjutsu system. This attack was more about creating chaos and deterrence than about inflicting actual large-scale casualties.