vncnus Chapter 93 The Strongest Illusion
Chapter 93 The Strongest Illusion
Chapter 93 The Strongest Illusion
Inside the Hokage's office.
When Gen Takuno appeared at the door, a hint of heaviness unconsciously flashed across Minato Namikaze's azure eyes.
It wasn't that he disliked seeing this senior figure, but rather that the senior's appearance was often accompanied by urgent information—another incident had occurred at the border.
Minato felt a sense of unease. With Jiraiya still not back, he had to stay in Konoha and guard against the "men in black" who might still be lurking in the shadows.
Now is by no means a good time to start a war.
"Lord Hokage," Minamoto Takuno's voice broke the silence, "most intelligence regarding the border is now usually sent directly to you. As the deputy captain in charge of the intelligence department, it seems a bit odd for me to remain in the Anbu—"
It doesn't live up to its name.
His tone was calm, revealing no emotional fluctuation.
"You're mistaken, senior," Minato immediately interjected, his tone sincere and reassuring. "Your experience and judgment are crucial to the village's intelligence analysis within the Anbu. How could they be useless?"
"Minato," Takuno's address suddenly changed, becoming more intimate, which startled Minato slightly.
In this space that represents power, this form of address seemed somewhat subtle. In the past, even if he wanted someone to address him that way, they would refuse. But now—
Then, Yuan Tuoye made an even more unexpected move.
He slowly raised his hand and removed the mask that concealed his face.
His familiar face was revealed, now bearing a resolute expression.
"I've decided to go to the northern border, to the front lines where we meet the Land of Lightning, to help out," he clearly stated his purpose.
"What?!" Minato suddenly stood up, his face filled with astonishment.
Before the surprise of Yuan Tuoye calling his name had subsided, he was shaken by the decision of this person to take the initiative to go to the crucible of war.
"The border situation is tense, but it's far from requiring your personal visit! Senior, you don't need to—" Minato's voice was filled with anxiety.
In his mind, Senior Gentoku Takuno was a master of sealing techniques and a rare treasure of the village, but direct combat was not his forte.
If such an important figure were to perish on the front lines, it would be an immeasurable loss for the entire Hidden Leaf Village!
"Don't worry," a warm smile appeared on Gen Takuno's face, carrying a hint of composure after experiencing many trials and tribulations. "I am a man who crawled out of the smoke of the Second Shinobi World War and survived the Third Shinobi World War. I am not so easy to fall down."
He took a small step forward, trying to reassure the young but burdened Hokage.
"Besides, I'm not going there to charge into battle. The front lines need logistical support. I can set up stronger protective barriers to strengthen the camp's defenses; I can use medical ninjutsu to save more wounded comrades' lives. The logistical support position is much safer."
Finally, Gen Takuno's gaze fell gently but firmly on Minato Namikaze's face, the upward curve of his lips revealing his deep trust in the village.
"Furthermore, I have even more faith in the ninjas of Konoha. I believe in their abilities to keep the enemy out of the defensive line, protect the rear, and prevent enemy weapons from endangering the logistical personnel who provide support for us."
Minato Namikaze opened his mouth, but his throat felt blocked by something, and all his words of persuasion froze on the tip of his tongue.
The other party's reasons were so compelling, their determination so unwavering, and the trust in their eyes was like a mirror reflecting oneself.
Faced with such a senior who stepped forward, repeating words like "dangerous" and "unnecessary" seems so pale and powerless.
At that moment, a complex warmth welled up inside him.
The shadow of Shimura Danzo, Orochimaru's defection —
In recent days, a sense of unease and disillusionment with humanity has been plaguing Minato.
He never revealed it to anyone, but the weight was real.
At that very moment, the simple yet incredibly powerful request from senior Gen Takuno quietly dispelled the slight confusion deep within my heart.
It turns out that, besides those chilling betrayals and schemes, people like their predecessors are also deeply buried in the soil of Konoha.
They had the right to choose to stay safe and avoid danger, but they were willing to leave the comfort of the rear and resolutely go to the front line where blood and fire were intertwined on the eve of war.
Driven by the will of fire within them, they dedicate their strength to protecting their shared home.
Minato gazed intently at Gen Takuno before him, the solemnity in his eyes gradually replaced by a deep respect and warmth.
The office lights fell on the two men, one young and resolute, the other calm and reliable. The air was quiet, yet it seemed as if one could hear something called the "Will of Fire" resonating silently.
The atmosphere inside Minato Namikaze's office was somewhat somber.
As someone who bears the heavy responsibility of Hokage, after careful consideration, he finally nodded to Minamoto Takuno with a calm demeanor to confirm: "I understand, senpai."
He further elaborated on his considerations, his voice filled with concern: "Since you are personally going to the front lines, I hope you will primarily take on logistical and medical duties. As for sealing techniques—their effectiveness is often limited during a stalemate in battle."
Unless one reaches a state of consummate skill, the prerequisite for successfully executing a sealing technique is that the target is completely incapacitated.
On the battlefield, the sealing squad's job is usually just to retrieve the remains of fallen ninjas who possess special bloodline limits.
The situation is completely different once the target is still resisting.
On the one hand, the members of the sealing squad generally have weak combat abilities and are easily put in danger;
On the other hand, the success rate of forcibly breaking the seal is extremely low.
Minato Namikaze looked directly at Takuno Minamoto and said, "I don't want you to take on these risky tasks."
In contrast, logistical medical outposts are typically the safest areas on the entire battlefield.
Yuan Tuoye had no objection to this arrangement and nodded.
"OK."
This arrangement was also within his ideal position.
After all, in the medical field, since the legendary Tsunade left Konoha after the Third Shinobi World War, there are almost no people in Konoha Hospital who are of similar status to her or who require her special attention.
However, Minato Namikaze then made a new request: "Furthermore, please stay in Konoha for a while before setting off."
This sudden news caused Genjiro's handsome eyebrows to twitch slightly: "Oh? Could it be—Konoha has decided to formally declare war on Kumogakure?"
"That's not the case." Minato Namikaze shook his head decisively, his words revealing his confidence in Konoha's strength. "If it's just a border skirmish that turns into a war of attrition, with the Land of Fire's geographical advantages and abundant resources, we will definitely have the upper hand."
"
That is indeed the case. The Land of Fire's unique geographical location endows it with a resource reserve capacity far exceeding that of the Land of Lightning.
In the past, Konoha only faced a shortage of resources when a full-scale ninja war broke out and Konoha was forced to open up multiple main battlefields.
With only the provocation of the Land of Lightning, Konoha's logistical supply lines are now rock solid.
Therefore, if the Hidden Cloud Village really wants to wage a protracted war of attrition, it will play right into the hands of the Hidden Leaf Village.
"I see—" Gen Takuno nodded in understanding, then a new question arose in his mind: "Then why do I need to wait a few more days?"
A genuine smile appeared on Minato Namikaze's handsome face as he answered, "Senpai should know my teacher, Jiraiya, right?"
"Lord Jiraiya?" Takuno's eyes widened in surprise, and he instantly realized a possibility: "Could it be—?"
"That's right!" Minato Namikaze replied confidently. "I've successfully contacted Jiraiya-sensei. After learning about the situation at the front, he's rushing back to Konoha. My plan is for you, senior, to travel to the front with Jiraiya-sensei."
Yuan Tuoye's eyes returned to calm, and he nodded knowingly.
"Understood."
He had actually guessed this arrangement to some extent, but he didn't expect Minato Namikaze to have him travel with Jiraiya.
Looking at Konoha's core fighting force at present, there are very few people who are capable of standing alone and commanding a main battlefield.
Aside from Hokage Minato Namikaze, who had to be stationed at the center, there was only Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin.
Another of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade, also possesses the talent of a commander, but her almost insurmountable hemophobia makes it nearly impossible for her to fulfill her command duties on the ever-changing, cruel, and bloody front lines.
In addition, Minato Namikaze possessed Jiraiya's unique communication methods, yet he had almost no way of knowing Tsunade's whereabouts while she was adrift.
This medical expert's official return wouldn't come until the "Collapse Plan," when Konoha suffered a devastating blow.
Of course, deep down, Minamoto no Takuno did not doubt Tsunade's attachment to her homeland.
If the situation truly becomes so dire that the Cloud Village army is at the gates of Konoha, she will definitely return to provide aid.
However, the Hidden Cloud Village attacking the Hidden Leaf Village's headquarters? Such a scenario is almost impossible.
Looking back at the original story, even without Minato Namikaze, Konoha only suffered setbacks and was far from being seriously injured.
With Minato Namikaze, at the peak of his career and known as the "Golden Flash," personally overseeing the situation, the situation will only become more stable.
Therefore, Minato Namikaze, as the highest leader of the village, cannot be moved lightly. At present, the most suitable person to go to the front line of Kumogakure to take charge of the overall situation is none other than Jiraiya, who has returned from his travels.
However, the variables in war are always unpredictable. If Iwagakure, another powerful enemy from the Land of Earth, were to take the opportunity to intervene in the battlefield later on, Minato Namikaze would probably have no choice but to personally take up arms and fight.
"Finally—" Minato Namikaze's smile vanished, his handsome face now filled with solemnity as he once again earnestly warned, "On the battlefield, please be extremely careful, senior!"
Sensing the Hokage's sincere concern, Genji Takuno smiled calmly and reminded him once again.
"Don't worry, Minato. I'm a veteran who survived two devastating Shinobi World Wars. I know a thing or two about how to save my life. Besides, I'm just helping out in the logistics and medical area."
"Hmm." Minato Namikaze nodded deeply, feeling somewhat relieved.
But at that moment, a decision had quietly formed in his heart.
When you see Jiraiya-sensei again, be sure to entrust him privately and ask him to take extra care of Minamoto Takuya's safety.
If Minamoto no Takuno knew what the Hokage was thinking, he would probably find it both funny and frustrating, or even a little troubled.
Admittedly, he was nominally affiliated with Konoha's intelligence department, but Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, was in fact an intelligence master who had infiltrated every corner of the ninja world.
If he gets too close to him, Yuan Tuoye can't be sure that his secrets might be inadvertently discovered by this "Toad Sage" with amazing insight.
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