Chapter 661: Changing the Future
Chapter 661: Changing the Future
Upon returning to Konoha, Orochimaru headed straight to the Hokage's office to report on his mission.
Enma, seeing Orochimaru rush in with an anxious demeanor, had a bad feeling.
Orochimaru had returned too quickly, and his appearance didn't seem to indicate a successful mission.
"Teacher Enma, the negotiation has failed. The Shinshu's attitude is extremely unreasonable," Orochimaru said gravely.
Even though he had anticipated this, Enma couldn't help but sigh inwardly upon hearing Orochimaru's words.
"Describe the negotiation process in detail," Enma said.
Understanding the reason for the breakdown was crucial, as it would determine whether they could attempt a second negotiation or devise an alternative strategy.
"The Shinshu's attitude was unyielding, inexplicably so. They seemed unafraid of going to war with Konoha."
Orochimaru recounted the entire conversation he had with Kakuzu during the meeting.
Enma's brows furrowed after hearing Kakuzu's first statement; his attitude was indeed suspicious.
When had a small country dared to challenge a powerful ninja village with the words, "Whether we go to war depends on you," where did they find such courage?
Was it because they had fewer ninjas, or because their ninja's abilities were inferior?
Enma couldn't help but take out his pipe, light it, and take a few puffs, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
"Feint tactics?"
Enma tapped the table rhythmically with his right hand, his expression contemplative.
Konoha could certainly intimidate the Shinshu and threaten them with war.
Konoha had the strength to do so, but Enma preferred a cautious approach, seeking to survive and develop.
If the Shinshu was using feint tactics against Konoha, they were gambling, betting that Konoha's guns had no bullets.
"Teacher Enma, I suggest we send a small team to investigate the Shinshu in detail first," Orochimaru recommended.
There was no benefit to Konoha rushing into a war with the Shinshu, and Orochimaru didn't think Enma was keen on starting a war either.
Enma nodded.
Before taking the next step, they needed to determine if the Shinshu's confidence was genuine or just a bluff.
...
After returning to Konoha, Asuma created Shadow Clones and set them off to invite Kakashi and the others to the Southern Forest to discuss the Shinshu.
"What do you think we should do?" Asuma asked after explaining the situation.
All four of them fell into deep thought, and no one spoke for a while.
"Actually, the Shinshu problem might be more serious than you imagine, Asuma," Kakashi said after some thought.
"The leader of the Shinshu killed our Konoha's high-ranking official. Even if the facts are as the Shinshu ninja claimed, and Danzo Shimura was plotting something and was killed in self-defense, the outcome would still be the same."
What is a ninja village? It's a military group hired by everyone, not a guardian of justice in the ninja world.
Regardless of the circumstances, Konoha would hold the Shinshu accountable for the death of their high-ranking official.
"A conflict of this magnitude cannot be resolved; either the Shinshu compromises, or both sides go to war."
When the news of Danzo Shimura's death spread, Kakashi had already contemplated the situation regarding the Shinshu.
However, at that time, Konoha was engaged in multiple battles, so Kakashi didn't bring it up. Compared to the Shinshu's connection with the Akatsuki Organization in the future, Yuyu Mumu's safety was more important.
"Then, the Shinshu is destined to perish," Deidara said with a regretful expression.
He had a good impression of Yahiko from the Shinshu.
"That's right. Even if Yuyu Mumu were to intervene, it would only complicate his position," Kakashi nodded in agreement.
If the conflict between the Shinshu and Konoha was a minor issue, it would be natural for Yuyu Mumu, as the Hokage's advisor, to mediate. However, the deceased was a former Hokage's advisor.
Asuma carefully considered the situation and realized that, as Kakashi had said, Yuyu Mumu was indeed unsuitable for resolving the conflict between the Shinshu and Konoha.
Yuyu Mumu became the Hokage's advisor after Danzo Shimura's death. Logically, he should actively seek revenge for his predecessor.
"Damn it! If I were the Hokage, I'd be the first to clean up anyone who dares to assassinate the leader of another power!" Deidara clenched his hair in frustration.
The feeling of knowing that something bad was about to happen but being unable to stop it made him feel terrible.
Moreover, the war had just ended, and another one might break out, initiated by their own village, which made Deidara even more uncomfortable.
"If you were to lead Konoha, the village would likely be forced to reduce its ninja numbers within a few years," Kakashi sighed.
Deidara had indeed improved compared to before, but his ideas were still too idealistic.
If Konoha only accepted 'just' missions, how could it develop and grow?
Rin Haruno wanted to speak but held back, ultimately unable to voice her thoughts.
In the past, enemies had invaded Konoha, but now Konoha was targeting other powers.
"Forget about that. Let's have a battle of youth and passion! Strength is always an advantage, no matter when," Might Guy noticed the somber atmosphere and abruptly stood up, flashing his bright white teeth in a wide smile.
He didn't have the meticulous thoughts of Kakashi or Asuma, but he believed in Yuyu Mumu and his teammates. He was confident that with their continuous efforts, they would succeed.
"Now that you mention it, it has been a while since we had an intra-squad battle due to various reasons," Deidara said with interest.
Their intra-squad battles weren't solely for combat but to motivate each other and enhance their strengths.
Therefore, with the war's end, the civil war was put on hold.
Battling on the battlefield was far more thrilling than intra-squad fights, fulfilling their desire to improve their skills.
Now that the great war was over, the ninja world had temporarily regained peace, and his strength had significantly improved. It was the perfect time for an intra-squad battle.
"You're not planning to use your Divine Might during the civil war, are you? There's an affordable eyewear store on Konoha's commercial street. Should I take you there later?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
He wasn't worried about losing the battle but was concerned that Deidara might misuse his Sharingan, damaging his vision and becoming nearsighted.
"I don't need it! I don't need any glasses," Deidara couldn't help but glare at Kakashi. He felt belittled, and he wouldn't misuse his Sharingan.
"My Divine Might is very versatile. If I only use the right eye's ability a few times, the side effects are minimal."
Both eyes had the ability of Divine Might, but due to their different effects, Deidara gave them aliases for distinction.
He named the right eye's ability, which allowed him to move between reality and the Divine Might space, as Ethereal Divine Light.
The left eye's ability, which could forcibly twist and send parts of an enemy's body into the Divine Might space from a distance, he named Distorted Divine Light.
Based on Deidara's combat experience, the Distorted Divine Light consumed significantly more than the Ethereal Divine Light, affecting both visual power and chakra.
On Saturday morning, Yamato woke up early and went for a half-hour run. After that, he bought a baked pancake for breakfast, eating it as he made his way towards the Southern Forest.
"Even without considering the Divine Might, my strength far surpasses that of my predecessors!" Deidara couldn't help but show a smug smile.
After evolving his Sharingan, Deidara's use of the Divine Might was not as frequent. His chakra reserves, which were already limited, had become even more scarce.
"Plus, my Sharingan has evolved, and my abilities have improved significantly. Compared to the Three Jewels, my foundation is much stronger!"
Deidara's words were not without reason. His recent training had unlocked the Mangekyo Sharingan, a power that far exceeded the Three Jewels.
Kakashi couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in Deidara's growth. Since the evolution of his Sharingan, Deidara had become more cautious in using the Divine Might, and his overall chakra control had improved significantly.
"You're right, Deidara. Your strength has indeed surpassed that of your predecessors. But remember, the Divine Might is a double-edged sword. It's not something to be used lightly." Kakashi reminded him.
Deidara nodded, understanding the risks associated with the Divine Might.
"Hey, I have a suggestion," Deidara said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Let's have a ranking battle among ourselves! It's been a while since we've had a proper sparring session, and I'm eager to test our skills."
Kakashi considered Deidara's proposal. "That's a great idea, Deidara. It'll be a good opportunity to gauge our progress and identify areas for improvement. I'll talk to Yu Sheng Mu Yue later today and see when she's available."
The group had grown significantly stronger over the past four years, surpassing the capabilities of ordinary Jonin. Engaging in full-power battles without supervision could be dangerous, so having a ranking battle under the watchful eye of a strong mentor was a wise decision.
Deidara's heart raced with excitement at the prospect of finally showcasing his strength. It was time for Uchiha Madara to prove himself as the strongest disciple of Yu Sheng Mu Yue.
Kakashi, on the surface, seemed to have benefited from the version's advantages, being the only disciple capable of utilizing all his techniques. However, this was also a testament to his weakness, as he was so feeble that he wasn't even restricted by the rules.
Zhi Shui's Moon Reading, due to the rules, couldn't be used, and the God Emperor's ability was too important to be employed in a disciple battle. As a result, his full strength couldn't be unleashed.
Might Guy, with his Eight Gates and Rock Breath combination, was formidable, but as long as one avoided his Golden Horizon and Day Tiger techniques, he wasn't much of a threat.
"It seems you've already secured your first victory," Kakashi teased, noticing Deidara's barely contained excitement.
Deidara, realizing his smile had become too obvious, quickly composed himself. "Ahem, I have no idea what you're talking about," he said, feigning ignorance.
The group then discussed whether they should inform Yu Sheng Mu Yue about their plans. After some deliberation, they agreed to share only a portion of the information with her.
They decided to disclose the Nine-Tails' rampage and the Uchiha clan's annihilation but keep the Dark Akatsuki's involvement a secret for the time being. This was to prevent Yu Sheng Mu Yue from getting caught up in moral dilemmas and internal conflicts.
In the evening, the disciples visited Yu Sheng Mu Yue's residence together. While Kakashi alone could have asked for her presence to witness their battle, they wanted to be honest about their future plans, and having more people present seemed like a better idea.
Coincidently, Yu Sheng Mu Yue had just returned from a meal at Tsunade's house.
"What brings you here at this hour? Have you eaten?" Yu Sheng Mu Yue welcomed them with a smile, inviting them in.
The Great Black Heaven, a convenient Sharingan technique, proved useful for preserving hot dishes due to its time-stopping effect. Yu Sheng Mu Yue had stored various freshly cooked meals inside, ready to be enjoyed whenever desired.
The disciples shook their heads, feeling unworthy of accepting her hospitality. They had come after finishing their dinner, knowing they had betrayed her trust.
"We're sorry, Teacher," they apologized in unison.
"We've let you down," Kakashi explained. "When we were in Loulan, we secretly asked Captain Yamato and the others about the future."
Yu Sheng Mu Yue, who had been curious about their reason for the visit, now understood. She lightly tapped each disciple's head with her index and middle fingers, her expression turning wry. "I thought it might be something important, but it's fine. Just don't spread the word, and I trust you won't use this information for any malicious purposes."
Yu Sheng Mu Yue was aware that Kakashi and the others had some misconceptions about the other world, but it was challenging to explain. From their perspective, the other world seemed like a future version of their own, with familiar figures like Namikaze Minato and the Third Hokage.
The fact that Naruto and the others didn't know Yu Sheng Mu Yue was easily explained by her early death in history. It was only natural that Naruto wouldn't recognize her, given that he didn't even know his father was the Fourth Hokage.
Yu Sheng Mu Yue decided to let them keep their secret, seeing no harm in it.
"See? I told you Yu Sheng Mu Yue is understanding and won't blame us," Deidara said, rubbing the spot where she had tapped his head.
"Don't worry, Teacher. We won't tell anyone else," they assured her.
Kakashi continued, "In the normal timeline, the Third Shinobi World War ended when Namikaze Minato was 23 years old. He then became the Fourth Hokage. However, a year after his appointment, the Nine-Tails went on a rampage, and Namikaze Minato sacrificed himself to stop it."
"Eight years after the Nine-Tails' rampage, Uchiha Itachi, for reasons unknown, slaughtered the entire Uchiha clan, sparing only his younger brother."
Deidara quickly explained the relevant information about the Nine-Tails' rampage and the Uchiha clan's annihilation.
"Teacher, we can help with the Uchiha situation, but we're at a loss regarding the Nine-Tails. We're counting on you for that," Deidara said earnestly.
Yu Sheng Mu Yue's expression became slightly complex as she gently tapped Deidara's head. "Don't worry; the events you're concerned about won't happen. I'll make sure everything is taken care of."
Given the current circumstances, even without Yu Sheng Mu Yue's intervention, the Nine-Tails' rampage was unlikely to occur.
As for the Uchiha clan, Yu Sheng Mu Yue had devised a new plan to alleviate tensions and facilitate their integration into Konoha.
PS: There will be another chapter, also around 4k words, coming around 2:00 PM.
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(End of Chapter)
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