Escape From Konoha

Chapter 304: 297: Assault

Land of Demons, Yakiniku Restaurant.

"Your ordered ingredients is ready, guests."

A female waitress announced as she placed fresh meats and vegetable ingredients on a table.

"Leave it to us; we'll take care of it!" Choza exclaimed, eyeing the fresh meats with anticipation while completely ignoring the vegetables.

She waitress nodded, She said"Then enjoy. Feel free to order anything if you need assistance, guests." before exiting the single room to give them privacy.

"At last, a big meal. Yakiniku in a foreign country is truly something to look forward to." Choza exclaimed, as a meat enthusiast, he was eager to indulge in the delicious offerings.

As a lover of meat, especially the fresh and flavorful Yakiniku from this foreign land, Choza considered the business trip well worthwhile.

"Hey, even though the funds given to us should be enough, don't spend them too quickly... And.. these ingredients are quite expensive." Shikaku remarked as he eyed the itemized bill with a raised eyebrow, clicking his tongue.

"Does it matter? Shikaku, you must be tired as well. You've been on a non-stop journey to the Land of Demons for several days without much rest." Inoichi said, offering a sympathetic smile.

"What a drag." Shikaku complained, shaking the cup in his hand. He poured himself sake bottle, gulping in one go. Indeed, they were now in a foreign country—the Land of Demons—on the other side of the continent, with a culture vastly different from the Land of Fire.

The Land of Fire was steeped in monk culture, with the Fire Temple being the source of this influence. In contrast, the Land of Demons was dominated by the culture of the Miko. Throughout their journey, they had encountered various shrimes, even in neighboring countries where the mikp from the Land of Demons often roamed.

"Speaking of which, the 'alternative plan' you mentioned..." Choza started to inquire while flipping the meat with his chopsticks.

Shikaku responded with a 'shush' gesture, hinting at the need for discretion. Realizing the sensitivity of the topic, Choza refrained from probing further and focused on the yakiniku.

Both Choza and Inoichi seemed concerned, and Shikaku already had an idea of why they were worried. After all, there was just the three of them.in the trip to the Land of Demons. If they attempted making trouble, they would definitely be attacked, arrested and imprisoned in an instant. His friends were anxious that this so-called "alternative plan" involved military action.

To allay their worries, Shikaku reassured them, saying, "Don't worry, our only objective here is to coexist peacefully with the ninjas in the Land of Demons. There won't be any conflicts. Moreover, the person we're waiting for is almost here."

"Who are we waiting for?"

Choza and Inoichi exchanged puzzled glances, seeking clarification.

Shikaku picked up his cup, seeming to seriously savor the foreign wine and discern if it differed from Konoha's vintages.

The smell of meat filled the room. Soon, the first batch of yakiniku was ready. Just as Choza moved to pick up a piece with his chopsticks, a familiar voice sounded outside.

"Where's the place?"

Hearing the slightly familiar voice, Choza maintained his posture of holding the meat, turning his head to look at the room's door. Inoichi also tilted his head, mirroring Choza's movement.

Only Shikaku smiled. "Looks like she's already here, just in time for the barbecue." he said.

The room's door opened, and two women walked in from outside. The lead, a blond woman, had a fiery look and wore lighter clothes, giving off a carefree vibe. The woman following her, around 20 years old with shoulder-length black hair, held a pink piglet in her arms as she respectfully followed behind the blond woman.

"Tsuna- Tsunade-sama!?"

The unexpected guests were Tsunade and Shizune.

Choza and Inoichi were surprised; they didn't expect that the person Shikaku was waiting for was one of the Sannin. She had been away from Konoha for almost eight or nine years, and meeting suddenly under such circumstances left the two feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Seeing their shock, Tsunade waved a hand, "Don't look at me like that, brats. I'm just here as a favor for someone. That old man has some nerve asking this of me when I didn't want any part in this stuff. No wonder I've been on a winning streak gambling lately – I'm just preparing for the day when I lose everything!"

She seemed resentful at her "misfortune" being linked to the village's arrangements.

"P-please have a sit, Tsunade-sama." Choza and Inoichi stood up, offering their seats to Tsunade respectfully.

Most of the ninjas in Konoha had received Tsunade's favor, especially those often active on the battlefield. Many had their lives directly or indirectly saved by Tsunade. Even the InoShikaVho clans had received numerous favors from Tsunade in the past.

Tsunade, not one to stand on ceremony, sat down directly.

"Excuse me." Shizune said before sitting down with Tsunade.

Tsunade looked at the table full of rich barbecue ingredients and was a bit speechless. "You three came to the Land of Demons to handle important diplomatic matters. But to outsiders, it would seem like you're here for tourism."

Shikaku smiled bitterly, "After being rejected by the Miko, eating good food is all I can do to lift my depressed mood."

With their funds still sufficient, there was no need to cut corners. Even if diplomatic success eluded them, at least there was good food to enjoy.

"Isn't that to be expected?" Tsunade scoffed. "With your capabilities, whatever you've considered, he's already arranged countermeasures. Whether medical ninjutsu or otherwise, he's the overtly cautious type."

Whenever she thought about it, it made Tsunade mood sour all over. Shikaku didn't speak immediately; he didn't know much about Shiraishi's information. A lot of information was from more than ten years ago, and after so long, he's behavior or strength could not be judged accurately.

The most crucial point was that he didn't have much communication with Shiraishi in the past, only to some extent that he knew this person. Only known because he had a good teacher-student relationship with Tsunade, had close contacts with the Uchiha clan's genius, and was also a part of the White Fang team's as the medical ninja. Beyond that, there seemed little of note about the man.

"So why did the old man ask me to cooperate with you brats?" Tsunade continued. "Let me be clear upfront - don't ask me to fight. But if you've got any hidden afflictions, I can examine them."

After listening to Tsunade's words, The three men felt somewhat embarrassed hearing about "hidden afflictions." With their children each already in ninja academy, where would they get such things?

Shikaku coughed and said, "It's nothing like that. Actually, I failed to negotiate with the Miko earlier, so we hoped the village could send someone more influential to discuss matters with her. After deliberation, only you, Tsunade-sama, met that criteria."

The village's council would not easily dispatch someone as important as Tsunade as an envoy to the Land of Demons. As Konoha's Jonin squad commander, even Shikaku failed to negotiate, making the Sannin the first choice.

"Even my coming here won't change anything. You're the think tank of the village. If you can't do anything, then it's even more impossible for me to accomplish anything here." Tsunade remarked, pouring himself a cup of sake, taking a sip as she squinted at Shikaku.

"You have to give it a try... at least." Shikaku interjected with a natural smile.

Tsunade continued to scrutinize Shikaku's face, seemingly seeking something in his expression. At first calm, under her gaze Shikaku felt mounting pressure. His face gradually tensed up, turned awkward.

"Is something the matter, Tsunade-sama?"

"It's nothing," Tsunade said, looking away again. Setting her glass down, she glanced to Shizune beside her. "Shizune, let's go."

"Eh?" Shizune reacted in surprise. They had just arrived, so why were they leaving already?

"I'm suddenly not in the mood for eating," Tsunade said, standing up and heading towards the door of the private room with Shizune following. As she was about to leave, she paused and added, "I won't leave here for the time being. You can find me at the closest hotel. if you have anything comes up you can look for me, but you can deal with the rest yourselves. I have no time your games."

"Of course, Tsunade-sama." Shikaku acknowledged wryly. As expected, his little trick hadn't fooled a ninja of her caliber. Even if she hadn't immediately caught on, thinking things over later would have clued her in to the village's covert maneuvering.

However, this battle wasn't just about the Land of Wind's frontal battlefield; they were in the Land of Demons and needed to provide the front-line surprise attack troops with information determining the direction of the battlefield.

If the negotiation with the Miko failed, the frontline battlefield became the crucial key to victory. For Konoha, this surprise attack had to be successful.

.....

The next morning.

Shizune bought breakfast outside and returned to the hotel. Just as she was about to use the key to open the door, a voice suddenly stopped her from opening the door.

"You are.. Shizune. My my, how you've grown in the blink of an eye."

Shizune hadn't noticed anyone approach. She jumped aside in surprise, quickly assuming a defensive stance as she stared at the newcomer. Seeing the appearance of the unexpected guest, Shizune froze.

"You are…"

It would be a lie to say she didn't know newcomer in front of her. In the past, when she and that man worked as Tsunade's teaching assistants at Konoha's academy, she had seen this woman who shared some inexplicable connection with him.

Hyuga Ayane. The name suddenly came to mind.

Shizume's expression became a little nervous. Although her appearance hadn't changed much from more than ten years ago when they defected fr Konoha, the gentle smile and the iconic pair of pupils proved her identity.

The rogue ninja had unraveled the caged bird seal of the Hyuga clan, leading some ninjas from the Hyuga branch to defect as well, and killing many of Konoha's ninjas during the chase. Her betrayal caused discord between the Hyuga clan and the village's leaders. The crisis of trust between the two parties was successfully restored with huge efforts.

However, her betrayal had caused Konoha significant losses in the third Ninja World War. For instance, as a bounty hunter, assisting Iwagakure brought trouble to the Konoha troops stationed in the Land of Grass. She also fought against the Fourth Raikage in the battlefield for Iwa, defeating the Raikage several times. As one of the top ninjas in the ninja world, able to contend with the five present Kage, running into Ayane was naturally panic-inducing for Shizune.

Although Ayane didn't seem intent on doing anything, Shizune was already speculating about the purpose of Ayane's visit. The Land of Demons was already a country controlled by th. If Ayane caused trouble here, she didn't care. However, if something happened to Tsunade here...that would be terrible

When she had the thought, Shizune gritted her teeth stubbornly, staring at Ayane without saying a word, she was ready to fight at any time.

Compared to Shizune's vigilance, Ayane stood there very casually, using a smile to dispel Shizune's tension.

"Oh, don't worry. No matter what, you're still a distinguished guest who have come from afar. I won't do anything to you. I still know a little bit of hospitality."

But Shizune's wariness didn't abate. In fact, Ayane's words only heightened her vigilance. She had always felt that the smile on her face was a bit strange. It was kind, gentle even, yet conveyed no actual warmth at all. Shizune wouldn't be surprised if this woman greeted you nicely one moment before violently tearing you apart the next. It might just be her nature.

The tense, gloomy atmosphere made the hallway feel especially oppressive. Just then, the door opened from inside.

"Shizune, it sure took a while just to go buy breakfast..." Tsunade began, then trailed off seeing the scene. Following Shizune's guarded gaze, her eyes locked onto Ayane and she froze up much like her student had earlier.

Ayane seemed to want to ease the atmosphere here. She looked away from Shizune, her gaze landing on Tsunade, as she greeted with a smile: "Tsunade-sama, I haven't seen you for a long time. You don't seem to have aged at all. You're still as young and beautiful as I remember."

Tsunade bristled, angered but unable to express it. Because, she couldn't tell if Ayane's words were genuinely complimenting her still youthful beauty, or mocking her for being an almost fifty-year-old woman. But judging by that bright smile, it was likely meant as praise.

"You don't seem much different from back then," Tsunade stated flatly. Except for not wearing a Konoha's forehead protector, Ayane had hardly changed in over a decade. Time itself appeared frozen for her after leaving the village.

Facing Tsunade's lukewarm words, Ayane smiled very familiarly: "Oh? Won't you invite me in for a bit?"

"I'm just here as a tourist. I have no intentions of getting involved with anything troublesome," Tsunade dismissed.

"Is it because Shiraishi-kun isn't here?"

"It has nothing to do with him. I just hate trouble. If possible, please treat me as an ordinary tourist." Tsunade insisted.

Ayane's lips quirked in a slight smirk. "I wouldn't dare treat one of the Legendary Sannin as a mere tourist. Maybe I would have believed you before, but with things as complicated as now, your appearance here seems far too coincidental, wouldn't you say so?. Who sent you? Is it the same Hokage who had recently flexed his power over the Uchiha clan, perhaps?"

"That has nothing to do with Sarutobi-sensei!"

Anger colored Tsunade's tone. But only she knew exactly who that anger was directed at.

The once-mighty Uchiha clan, wiped out by a mere thirteen-year-old boy from their own village? Ridiculous, no matter how one looked at it.

"Eh... it doesn't matter. I was merely making some unfounded guesses," Ayane shrugged. "Don't get angry, Tsunade-sama. After all, Hokage-ssma was once hailed as the professor, was he not? How wise and powerful he must be, to willingly cut off his own arm like that?"

Tsunade really wanted to punch Ayane's face to completely shut her infuriating mouth but she held back. She was unsure if this was deliberate provocation where Ayane wanted Tsunade to attack first to justify retaliation. Her words made her angrier..The white-eyed girl's words pierced like knives targeting the most painful spots. Truly an awful personality.

"What are you here for?" Tsunade asked with a helpless sigh.

Ayane glanced meaningfully at the corridor's end without answering. "It's impolite to eavesdrop on womens' conversation, Nara-san. Why not bring out the other two gentlemen as well?"

After Ayane finished speaking, a few seconds later, Shikaku, Choza, and Inoichi sheepishly emerged from hiding around the corner. Seeing through their concealment, the trio weren't surprised. Against the Byakugan, such stealth was pointless anyway. Rather than persist fruitlessly, openly appearing was better for transparency.

"Not only the Jonin commander, but one of the Legendary Sannin as well. I was wondering if the other two Sannin might show up as well..."

Realizing her misstep, Ayane saw Tsunade's darkening expression and hastily apologized. "Oh dear, I forgot Orochimaru-senpai had left the village after all. Among the Sannin, only you and Jiraiya-sama remain in Konoha now. Please forgive my rudeness in mentioning Orochimaru-senpai at such a time, Tsunade-sama."

"Enough,"

Tsunade replied, taking a deep breath, with a look of indifference on her face.

"That's great. Then please restrain yourselves a bit here," Ayane continued politely. "If you all cause a scene, the security force alone won't suffice to stop you. I'd rather not get violent with my former comrades."

Her reason was just an excuse. Shikaku had no doubt that beneath her smile, Ayane hoped very much for them to start a trouble here, just so she could "resolve" the trouble ay one. Considering her feats like defeating a Kage in combat, the deterrent effect of her words could not be underestimated.

"Of course, we are the same. We are here to negotiate with sincerity, so we wouldn't want anything unpleasant to occur here our former comrade." Shikaku added seriously.

"Nara-san, you didn't even blink your eyes while lying now," Ayane remarked.

"We're equal there," Shikaku shot back, unyielding.

"Well.. this will certainly prove interesting going forward. In short, I'm quite happy to entertain you all if you behave. But I'll be even happier if you do misbehave," Ayane smiled sweetly in parting before walking off.

Only after she had disappeared down the corridor did tbey breath easier, the tension leaving their bodies. Shizune seemed especially on edge still, her pig Tonton even trembling slightly despite Ayane having gone, as if sensing some deep terror.

Only Tsunade remained relatively calm, frowning pensively instead.

"Tsunade-sama that..." Shikaku began carefully.

"Enough with the manipulations, Nara brat," Tsunade cut him off with a sigh. "Your goal should have beeen achieved anyway."

Shikaku nodded. "True, but please don't leave the Land of Demons yet, Tsunade-sama."

Tsunade nodded perfunctorily, clearly unhappy.

"Also, regarding the Uchiha clan which Hyuga Ayane mentioned earlier," Shikaku continued, "the full reasons behind it are quite complicated, so Tsunade-sama needn't worry about it. After all, as a rogue ninja, she would undoubtedly make unsupported claims to discredit Hokage-sama, in order to justify her own defection."

"I can judge such matters for myself," Tsunade dismissed. "However, I'm surprised you've reconciled with Sarutobi-sensei so quickly."

Tsunade still remembered Shikaku had staunchly supported Minato, the Fourth Hokage.

"Ah, I was quite short-sighted in my youth, but I'd say I'm more mature now," Shikaku grinned sheepishly, looking rather put-upon.

"Is that so?" Tsunade said disinterestedly, already turning to go back inside.

But Shikaku spoke up again, "Actually, Hokage-sama has been weary for some time. Konoha needs a suitable successor."

The words seemed loaded with implication. Or perhaps certain desires still simmered within him, undefeated by harsh reality.

Complicated emotions flashed through Tsunade's eyes. Without answering, she strode directly into her room.

Shikaku sighed. Still no good? For him, Konoha's greatest crisis wasn't the lingering threat of the traitors, but the lack of an adequately enlightened leader. Rather than focus village power on eliminating the traitors, it was better to concentrate on self-improvement. As long as one was strong enough, any difficulty would cease to be problematic.

In Shikaku's eyes, the Hokage's heart had clearly grown chaotic. Was there some connection between the Uchiha massacre and scheming forces like Root? Or were there other dark waves churning behind the scenes?

In any case, the Hokage no longer seemed the unshakeable and confident professor from earlier days. He had become an old man eroded by time, his will slowly sinking. This was the real danger for Konoha, not lurking traitors.

....

The Land of Wind. Sunagakure Camp.

Sarutobi Takashi entered the tent where Jiraiya was, with a slightly relaxed expression on his face, as if something good had happened.

"What happened?"

Takashi couldn't help but smile and said, "It's been confirmed that Hyuga Ayane isn't on the frontline battlefield, but she's stationed in the Land of Demons."

"And what about Chiba Shiraishi?"

With Hyuga Ayane's location determined, only one unknown remained. Since they already knew Uchiha Ruri was at the battlefront, it was necessary to confirm the last person's position which would greatly aid in their surprise attack plans.

"There is no way to definitively determine Chiba Shiraishi's position, but according to Nara-san's judgment, he's more likely to be on the frontline. Otherwise, the Land of Demons wouldn't be so aggressive and violent on the on the Land of Wind. They must have something or someone to rely on for support."

In Takashi's view, this support was likely the third hidden person - Chiba Shiraishi - stationed on the frontline.

"So it isn't 100% certain? But for the surprise attack to succeed, we must account for uncertainties. Let's proceed with the decapitation operation under the assumption that both Chiba Shiraishi and Uchiha Ruri wil be in the battle." Jiraiya replied.

Knowing even one of the three missing was pivotal intel to Jiraiya. Removing just a single major piece would drastically reduce the attack's difficulty. If facing only two, he remained highly confident in coordinating with Suna for success.

"Yes."

"I will inform the Kazekage. You should also prepare yourselves. Don't let the enemy catch on. When they fall into our trap, that will be the moment for us to appear and take them down decisively."

After he finished speaking, Jiraiya left to inform Kazekage of the developments, he then transformed himself as a Suna ninja.

.....

In his office, Shiraishi chuckled thoughtfully while reading Ayane's latest intel report.

"Using Tsunade-sensei to hold one person back. It is a clever tactic."

Unfortunately, he never intended to let Ayane intervene on this coming battle from the very beginning. This wasn't only because Ayane was needed in the rear to guard against uninvolved ninja villages, but also because the frontline troops were already at full capacity without the need for her.

From Konoha's actions, Shiraishi sensed that the Hokage was starting to get anxious. Were they looking to settle scores after the war due to the Uchiha clan matter? Or was there an even deeper underlying reason?

One thing was clear - Konoha fully intended to intervene here on the battlefield, leaving no possibility of easing tensions between them now or in the future.

Suddenly, the earth shook with a terrible force. Shiraishi looked out the window reflexively as a huge shadow enveloped the sun, looming over the base's outer walls.

Oni shinobi peering down from the high walls saw a dense horde of Suna ninjas surrounding the base, bombarding the barrier with ninjutsu and explosive kunai.

Atop a swirling golden wave of sand cresting like a tsunami stood the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, face set firm with attacking intent burning in his eyes. He commanded the gold dust, sending wave after crushing wave against the outer wall's failing barrier.

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