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The capture of Konoha's battlefield commander had a significant impact on the Konoha forces. Orochimaru was forced to take over as temporary commander.
He immediately dispatched a messenger to inform Hiruzen, leaving the decision of whether to exchange the One-Tails Jinchūriki for Danzō to the Hokage.
Hiruzen was currently in the Land of Water, but not at this battlefield. He was at the Konoha-Iwa front.
Originally, Sakumo Hatake had been leading the Konoha forces against Iwa, and they had been gaining the upper hand.
But when the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, arrived with Rōshi, the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, the Konoha forces were pushed back.
Hiruzen was forced to go to the Iwa front himself.
There had been an agreement between the villages not to use Tailed Beasts, but those agreements were meaningless in times of war.
Hiruzen didn't hesitate to use the One-Tails Jinchūriki to exchange for his "good friend" Danzō.
He also sent Sakumo Hatake, ordering him to ensure Danzō's safe return.
Sending Sakumo away would put more pressure on the Konoha forces facing Iwa, but Hiruzen was willing to endure it for his friend.
Besides, the Uchiha and Hyūga Clans were also fighting Iwa. They could handle it for now.
Sakumo relayed Hiruzen's decision to Orochimaru, who had no choice but to comply.
He sent a message to Suna, agreeing to the exchange, then went to find Shin.
"Orochimaru-sama, what are you doing here at the logistics base? I have to focus on guarding the supplies, or I'll be blamed."
"Ugh, that creep is here. I hate him," Kushina whispered to Mikoto.
She and Mikoto disliked Orochimaru. His sinister aura and his affinity for snakes made them uncomfortable.
"Shin-kun, I'm here to ask for your help," Orochimaru said.
"Yes. Tomorrow, we're exchanging the One-Tails Jinchūriki for Danzō. I don't think Suna and Ame will let this exchange proceed smoothly." Orochimaru's eyes gleamed.
If he were the Third Kazekage, he would try to eliminate Danzō during the exchange.
"Shin-kun, you're wasted here."
Orochimaru's intentions were clear. He wanted Shin's help.
"Sure, I'll go with you, Orochimaru-sama. I'd love to witness such a grand event," Shin said with a smile.
Orochimaru was surprised. He hadn't expected Shin to agree so readily.
Shin was simply bored.
Orochimaru left, satisfied. Kushina and Mikoto looked at Shin with sparkling eyes.
"Shin, we want to go too! It's so boring here!" Kushina pleaded.
"You agreed?" Mikoto was surprised.
Shin sighed. "I'm afraid you'll sneak off to the battlefield if I don't."
"I wouldn't do that. You're probably thinking of Kushina," Mikoto said, glancing at Kushina.
"Shin-nii, what about me?" Konan asked with puppy-dog eyes.
"As cute as you are, Konan, I can't take you." Shin patted her head.
"Oh..." Konan looked down, disappointed.
The next day, Shin and his team went with Tsunade. Konan stayed behind.
Shin wasn't worried about her safety. He had implanted his Mangekyō Sharingan abilities in her eyes with the Transcription Seal.
Almost all of Konoha's forces were mobilized. Sakumo Hatake was leading them; he was the commander again.
Orochimaru had been demoted once more.
They brought Bunpuku, the One-Tails Jinchūriki, to the exchange point, facing off against the Suna and Ame forces. The Third Kazekage stood beside Danzō, who was bound.
"So many Shinobi..." Kushina gasped. She hadn't realized how terrifying the battlefield was until now.
"If each of them used a C-rank Jutsu, the combined power would surpass an S-rank Jutsu," Mikoto said, her expression grim.
The combined Suna and Ame forces numbered over five thousand, while Konoha had less than three thousand.
Being outnumbered was normal. Konoha was fighting Suna, Iwa, and Ame simultaneously.
But Konoha Shinobi were individually stronger, especially compared to the Ame Shinobi.
"Konoha Shinobi, release Bunpuku first, or Danzō dies." The Third Kazekage's voice was cold.
Hanzō of the Salamander stood beside him, wearing a mask with a breathing tube.
Hanzō could release poisonous gas with his breath. He wore the mask to prevent others from being poisoned.
He had gained this ability by having a poisonous salamander's poison sac implanted in his body as a child.
Sakumo Hatake glared at the Kazekage. He wouldn't obey.
What if they released Bunpuku and Suna didn't release Danzō? He might not like Danzō, but his mission was to ensure his safe return.
"We release them together."
Sakumo said firmly. The Kazekage didn't hesitate and agreed. He knew Konoha wouldn't release Bunpuku first.
According to the intel, it was that Uzumaki Shin brat who had captured Bunpuku.
The Kazekage wanted to tear Shin apart.
Because of Shin, Suna had suffered heavy losses. And now, because of Shin again, they had been forced to use Danzō to exchange for Bunpuku.
"Danzō, go." The Third Kazekage glared at Danzō.
Danzō scowled and walked towards the Konoha forces. Bunpuku also started walking towards Suna.
Sakumo and the Kazekage watched closely, wary of any tricks.
Danzō and Bunpuku met in the middle and passed each other. As Danzō was about to return to Konoha, the Kazekage looked at Hanzō.
Hanzō formed hand seals, and the ground shook. A giant salamander emerged from the earth, grabbing Danzō and throwing him into the air. It opened its maw to swallow him whole.
Danzō, his Chakra sealed, was helpless. Just as the salamander was about to devour him, Sakumo Hatake appeared beside him, using the Body Flicker Jutsu. He had saved the man who would one day be responsible for his death.
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