Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

Stepping out from behind the tree, Uchiha Shisui looked at the bodies scattered on the ground in shock.

It was his first time witnessing the power of a hand grenade.

Shūichi Hoshita was quite satisfied with the grenade's debut, smiling as he said, "Just a small design, Shisui, you'll understand more about it in the future."

Uchiha Shisui immediately understood and nodded without asking further questions.

As he walked forward, Shūichi opened his mouth and unleashed a Great Fireball, engulfing and incinerating all the bodies.

Given the amount of chakra he had, he couldn't melt the steel balls, but it was enough to destroy the evidence on the battlefield, ensuring no one could uncover the mystery behind the hand grenade.

After finishing this, Shūichi and Uchiha Shisui turned and pursued Kurama Sanyō.

Ten minutes later.

Shūichi and Shisui reunited with Kurama Sanyō and his companion, then retraced their steps, entering the Land of Fire, where they were met by a squad of ANBU operatives.

Unlike Sarutobi Shinnosuke's team from before, these ANBU members all wore animal masks. Unless you were familiar with them, it was hard to identify who they were.

These ANBU operatives didn't engage in any conversation with Shūichi and his group; instead, they spread out around them, ensuring their protection.

While Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sanyō rested, Shūichi popped another soldier pill and continued treating Koichi Hatada's injuries.

His proficiency in the Mystical Palm Technique wasn't particularly high, so it took more time for him to heal the deep wounds on Koichi Hatada's body, which also meant consuming more chakra.

As for Minato Namikaze and Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Shūichi wasn't sure of Shinnosuke's exact strength, but he trusted Minato and his Flying Thunder God technique.

Time passed slowly.

An hour later, the ANBU operatives suddenly reacted, with two of them heading west.

Shūichi and Shisui exchanged glances, both showing signs of happiness.

Sure enough, not long after, Minato Namikaze appeared within their sight.

"Sensei!"

All three of them hurriedly approached.

Minato smiled and said, "You all did an excellent job on this mission."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke, having completed his handover with the ANBU squad, also came over and said to Shūichi, "Shūichi, I'm sorry, I couldn't retrieve your kunai."

Shūichi quickly responded with a well-rehearsed line, "Ninja tools are just consumables, but comrades are not."

This statement made everyone turn their heads in surprise. As Minato and the others silently pondered his words, Kurama Sanyō enthusiastically exclaimed, "Shūichi, that was spot on!"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke also nodded in approval, genuinely believing that his father hadn't misjudged Shūichi.

Minato patted Shūichi on the shoulder, smiling as he said, "You've all done well. Rest up, and then we'll head back to Konoha."

The three of them nodded in agreement—they definitely needed the rest.

However, the ANBU squad, having completed the handover with Sarutobi Shinnosuke, was the first to set off, taking Koichi Hatada back to Konoha.

While resting in the woods, Kurama Sanyō couldn't resist asking, "Sensei, was it Sand Shinobi?"

Minato glanced at Sarutobi Shinnosuke before nodding. "Yes, it was Sand Shinobi."

"It's related to our previous mission. There are signs that Sand Shinobi and Hanzo might be joining forces, likely due to their interest in the Land of Rivers."

Uchiha Shisui quickly asked, "Sensei, could Sand Shinobi be planning to ally with Hanzo to compete with us for the Land of Rivers?"

"If they do, what's in it for Sand Shinobi? Even if they take over the Land of Rivers with Hanzo, they'd have to share the benefits."

Minato nodded. "You're right, Shisui, but Sand Shinobi has the upper hand against Hanzo, while they're at a disadvantage against us, Konoha."

"Additionally, the Land of Rivers hasn't aligned itself with Konoha."

What?

Both Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sanyō were stunned, unable to comprehend this. After all, the evidence from their last mission was clear—how could the Daimyō of the Land of Rivers ignore Sand Shinobi's atrocities?

Shūichi, however, pondered, "Sensei, could this be more than just a struggle for missions in the Land of Rivers?"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke was surprised, but Minato smiled. "You really are something, Shūichi."

"Moreover..."

Shūichi looked at Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sanyō. "To the Daimyō of the Land of Rivers, that village might not be important at all."

"Sandwiched between great nations, the best strategy is to remain neutral, reaping benefits from all sides rather than fully siding with one—unless that side possesses absolute power."

Despite saying this, Shūichi couldn't help but suspect that Danzo might be involved in this.

It wasn't that he wanted to slander Danzo, but the guy was an extremist.

Hiruzen Sarutobi often delegated dirty and tough tasks to Danzo, giving him the opportunity to amass his own power and ambitions.

Would Danzo simply present evidence to the Daimyō of the Land of Rivers and gently persuade them to abandon Sand Shinobi?

Now, Shūichi was more inclined to believe that Danzo would use a tough stance to pressure the Land of Rivers.

In fact, if he were to be more cynical, could Danzo even be trying to stir up conflict on purpose?

...

Upon hearing Shūichi Hoshita's words, Uchiha Shisui fell into deep thought, while Kurama Sanyō remained puzzled.

Politics—he didn't understand it. (T/N: Me too bro!)

Shūichi Hoshita didn't fully grasp it either, but he knew a little.

After resting for about two hours, Shūichi and his group of five set out for Konoha, arriving late at night.

After completing their mission and reporting to the Hokage at the tower, Minato Namikaze announced a three-day vacation.

Once they were dismissed, Shūichi headed home, enjoyed a long bath, and then went out for a big meal.

As he exited the restaurant, he happened to spot Tenka in a kimono. Her graceful figure was a sight to behold, so he immediately approached her. "Sister Tenka!"

Tenka turned around, surprised and delighted to see Shūichi. "Shūichi, didn't you say it would take half a month?"

Shūichi smiled, "The mission ended earlier than expected."

He glanced up and down at Tenka's curvaceous figure and teased, "You look so beautiful, Sister Tenka. Are you going on a date?"

Tenka's face flushed slightly, and she huffed, "Do I look like someone who needs to go on a date?"

Then she added, "I'm out with my sister—she's about to get engaged."

"Sister? Engaged?"

This was the first time Shūichi learned that Tenka had a sister. He quickly smiled and offered his congratulations.

Tenka wrapped her arm around Shūichi's shoulder and said, "If you're in the village, you must come. You'll be a guest of honor for our family."

Shūichi agreed immediately; he had no objections to getting closer to Tenka's family.

...

Back home, Shūichi tossed his bags onto the floor and flopped onto the sofa. "Sure enough, no matter where you are, shopping with women is the most exhausting thing."

After spending an hour shopping with Tenka, he felt more tired than he did during a mission.

But Tenka also bought him a bunch of stuff—clothes, shoes, a magatama pendant, and so on.

After resting for a while, Shūichi sorted through the gifts from Tenka and then went to sleep.

He planned to go to bed early today since tomorrow would mark the beginning of three days of intensive training.

As for taking a vacation? That was out of the question!

However, while Shūichi was peacefully asleep, the lights in the Hokage's office were still burning brightly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado were gathered there.

"Danzo, you shouldn't have pressured the Land of Rivers like that—they have a Daimyō after all," Homura Mitokado complained.

Danzo replied calmly, "But the truth is, our methods have been too soft."

"The Third Kazekage has helped the Land of Rivers discover iron ore, so it's inevitable that they'll side with the Sand Shinobi."

"Unless we make the Daimyō of the Land of Rivers understand that without Konoha, they won't be able to mine that iron ore peacefully."

"You should know, the Land of Rain is currently filled with numerous ninja organizations. If the Sand Shinobi and Hanzo can hire them to fight against us, then it's only natural for these ninja organizations to enter the Land of Rivers."

"So, resolving this matter completely is not difficult."

Koharu Utatane agreed, "Danzo has a point. Now is not the time to discuss who's at fault."

She turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Hiruzen, how do you plan to handle this?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke and said in a low voice, "We cannot afford to lose the missions from the Land of Rivers."

"Moreover, we must prevent Hanzo and the Sand Shinobi from joining forces."

"Danzo, I'll leave this matter to the Root division."

Though he felt a tinge of disappointment, Danzo nodded in agreement.

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "As for the cooperation between the Land of Rivers and the Sand Shinobi, I'll have Sakumo investigate it thoroughly."

(End of Chapter)

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