klisemfg Chapter 530 Something bad has happened!
Chapter 530 Something bad has happened!
“Unless he’s not even in the village,” Zhang Hai interjected, his tone becoming somewhat excited, but he quickly suppressed it, leaving only contemplation. “This is…a very interesting discovery.” For Zhang Hai, the Third Hokage’s absence was undoubtedly a rare “opportunity.” He recalled the power struggles and conspiracies depicted in the anime, which always surfaced at the most unexpected moments. And now, the Third Hokage’s absence might just be the beginning of some kind of scheme.
Just then, a rapid fluctuation of chakra came from afar, and a Konoha messenger ninja rushed to their side at an extremely fast speed, his face showing undisguised anxiety and exhaustion.
"Lord Minato! Lord Zhang Hai! Something terrible has happened!" the messenger ninja reported breathlessly, "The Land of Earth... the Land of Earth has also declared war on us! They launched a large-scale attack from the western front, and Konoha... Konoha has been forced to open a second front!"
This news came like a bolt from the blue, instantly turning Minato and Kushina pale. Konoha was already overwhelmed by its wars with Kumogakure and Iwagakure (although no formal war had been declared, border skirmishes were ongoing), and now the Land of Earth had launched a full-scale war, which was undoubtedly adding insult to injury.
"What?!" Minato's voice was filled with disbelief.
The messenger ninja continued to report: "The Third Hokage... After receiving the news, the Third Hokage has personally led an elite force to the western front to command! He has ordered all combat-ready ninjas to rush to their respective battle lines as soon as possible to support the operation!"
Now, Zhang Hai's doubts were completely resolved. No wonder the Third Hokage's crystal ball didn't give any warning; it turned out he wasn't in the village at all, but had personally gone to the front lines to direct the battle. This certainly reflected the responsibility and commitment of a Kage, but in Zhang Hai's view, it also meant that the village had temporarily lost the direct control of its highest authority, providing fertile ground for potential upheavals.
Minato's expression turned incredibly grave. He knew this meant Konoha was facing an unprecedented crisis. As an elite Jonin of Konoha and a future Hokage candidate, he had an inescapable responsibility.
"Kushina, you go back to the village first. Zhang Hai is here, it's safe." Minato glanced apologetically at Kushina, then turned to Zhang Hai, "Zhang Hai, I'm entrusting Kushina to you. I must head to the western front immediately!" His tone was firm, with a hint of determination.
Kushina grabbed Minato's arm tightly, her eyes filled with worry and reluctance. "Minato, wait! I want to go too! I want to go to the front lines with you!" Her voice trembled with tears, and her eyes reddened again. She knew the heavy burden on Minato's shoulders and didn't want him to face danger alone. Besides, the power of the Nine-Tails within her could come in handy at crucial moments.
Minato gently stroked her red hair and softly advised, "No, Kushina. It's too dangerous there. That's a battlefield, not a place for you."
“But…” Kushina wanted to argue.
"No buts!" Zhang Hai suddenly spoke, his tone unusually serious and firm. "Kushina, I know how you feel, but the battlefield is not child's play! You are a Jinchūriki, the village's core secret. Your every move could be used by the enemy. If you appear on the front lines, you could become their primary target! Minato needs to fight; he can't be distracted by protecting you. Besides, you were just captured, and now you're going to the most dangerous place. If something happens to you again, who will be responsible?"
Although Zhang Hai's words were harsh, they were all reasonable, directly pointing out the risks brought about by Kushina's special status as a Jinchūriki. Minato nodded in agreement: "Zhang Hai is right, Kushina. If you go, you will only become a burden to me, preventing me from fighting with my full strength. Listen to me, go back to the village and wait for me."
Kushina bit her lip. She knew they had a point, but she just couldn't accept it. She didn't want to be the one who could only be protected, and she didn't want Minato to face danger alone.
"Now that the Third Hokage has gone to the front lines, who's in charge of the village now?" Zhang Hai suddenly asked, subtly giving Minato a meaningful look. The look was extremely understated, but Minato instantly understood.
Minato's heart skipped a beat; he understood Zhang Hai's intention. Currently, those in charge in the village were merely the advisory elders or some senior Jonin. Kushina's status as a Jinchuriki meant her actions required permission from the village's higher-ups. If they inquired, perhaps they could find a compromise, or at least calm Kushina down.
“That’s right!” Minato immediately chimed in. “Kushina, I understand your desire to go to the front lines, but this isn’t something the two of us can decide. Let’s go to the village and ask the person in charge. If they agree, I’ll take you. But if they don’t agree, you have to understand.”
Kushina hesitated for a moment. She was unwilling to give up going to the front lines just like that. But Minato and Zhang Hai's words made sense; her identity was indeed special. Asking the person in charge of the village now was at least a chance to fight for her. She also knew that although Minato was usually gentle, he would never compromise on matters of principle, especially when her safety was involved.
"Okay... alright." Kushina finally nodded, though her tone still carried a hint of reluctance, but she didn't insist on going to the battlefield immediately.
"Let's go then." Minato breathed a sigh of relief and took Kushina's hand.
Zhang Hai followed behind them, a flash of deep meaning in his eyes. He knew Minato was inquiring with concern for Kushina and a serious sense of duty as Hokage, but for Zhang Hai, meeting "the person now in charge of the village" might be another opportunity he had been hoping for—an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Konoha's core power structure and even influence its future. He wouldn't let it slip by.
Zhang Hai and Minato exchanged a glance, both seeing complex emotions about the future in each other's eyes. Kushina gripped Minato's hand tightly, a mixture of unease and anticipation in her eyes, and the three of them left the valley.
Zhang Hai repeatedly processed the previous intelligence in his mind: the Cloud Ninja's retreat direction was not from the Hidden Cloud Village, but rather they were going to bypass the rear of the battlefield. This indicated that the enemy had a thorough understanding of Konoha's internal defenses, and even had a precise judgment of the Hokage's movements. Before he could say anything, Minato had already given chase. When he sensed three Jonin ahead, Minato rushed forward like a golden streak.
Although Zhang Hai was inwardly criticizing Minato's reckless nature, he still tacitly blocked the retreat of the three Cloud Ninja.