Naruto: Konoha’s Kanpu

Chapter 852: Military Preparedness?

Under the gaze of thousands of Kumogakure’s Shinobi, Minato walked out of Yugakure’s entrance like he was taking a leisurely stroll, and smoothly joined up with the waiting Kanpū’s group of three people… No, group of four.

As soon as Minato came out, Shikuro’s sense of existence decreased at a terrifying speed!

For a seasoned driver who often go to Ichigo Hot Spring to ‘work’, Kanpū is really envious with this passive skill.

‘If I could acquire it and combine it with Transparent Release…’

‘No, I shouldn't think about it. I’m a serious Shinobi, not a pervert…’

While Kanpū was lost in thought, Minato had already left with the group, so Kanpū hurriedly followed after coming back to his sense.

On the way, Shikaku asked Minato about the outcome of the negotiations.

Minato said solemnly: “According to the intelligence from Kumogakure, Akatsuki is a mercenary organization for war, so Yondaime Raikage does not believe me.”

At the same time, Minato finally understands why Akatsuki could produce 100 billion Explosive Tags!

Minato smiled and shook his head: “In a war between two Great Shinobi Villages, although the outcome is determined by the comprehensive strength of both sides, sometimes peak combat power can also influence the balance of war. There’s only one Kumogakure’s peak combat power now, which is the Yondaime Raikage, and Nibi’s Jinchuriki is barely one, but there are more than two in our Konoha, so Yondaime Raikage dare not start a war easily!”

‘Peak combat power…’

‘Minato was talking about me…’ Kanpū showed a shy and embarrassed smile.

‘Hokage-sama is talking about me…’ Shisui smiled reservedly. After he removed the shackles of Mangekyo Sharingan’s blindness, he already possessed the combat power to contend for the peak of the Shinobi World!

‘Yondaime-sama must be hinting at me…’ Shikuro felt the nano-sized venomous insects in his body and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth under the high collar. Unable to resist showing his presence, he said: “Yondaime-sama, although war will not break out easily, Kumogakure won't give up on retrieving the Hachibi’s Jinchuriki.”

‘What you said makes sense…’ Minato nodded slightly, then looked at Shikaku and asked: “Shikaku, what do you think Kumogakure will do next?”

Shikaku pondered for a moment and said, “They won't invade, but they won't retreat either. I think the most likely scenario is maintaining the status quo.”

“Maintaining the status quo? They plan to settle in Yugakure?” Kanpū was a little confused. The development of the situation in the Shinobi World seemed to be deviating from the original work, and he couldn't quite understand it.

Shikaku said: “Not only that, they will definitely station a large number of troops at the border. Once the situation in the Shinobi World becomes chaotic, Kumogakure will be able to invade our country immediately!”

Hearing this, Minato frowned slightly. If Kumogakure really stationed a large number of troops at the borders of Land of Hot Water and Land of Fire, then Konoha would also have to station corresponding troops at the borders to maintain the balance between the two sides.

And if this balance wasn't handled properly, it could easily escalate into a military buildup between the two Shinobi Willages!

However, with Konoha's current economic and military strength, Minato is not afraid at all!

“Shikaku-sama.” The compassionate Shisui also foresaw this situation and hurriedly asked, “Is there a way to get the Kumogakure’s army to leave Yugakure?”

Nara Shikaku nodded and immediately provided two solutions. The first solution is to find Hachibi’s Jinchuriki, Killer B, and calm Yondaime Raikage’s anger. this way, the Kumogakure would naturally withdraw from Yugakure.

The second solution is to declare of war on Kumogakure, and directly drive them away by force!

With Konoha’s strength, such thing is entirely feasible!

‘Find Killer B, or start the war first…’ Shisui is biased towards the first solution, but even if they find Killer B, could they really send him back to Kumogakure?

Shisui looked towards Minato.

Minato was also contemplating.

‘Start a war?’

‘No!’

‘Now that it's clear that Akatsuki kidnapped the Hachibi’s Jinchuriki, if it is Konoha declares war on Kumogakure, we would only be playing into Akatsuki's hands!’

It is not wrong for Minato to think so. After all, anything can happen in a war. What if Akatsuki takes advantage of the chaos to kidnap their Kyubi’s Jinchuriki?

Currently, Konoha has two Kyubi’s Jinchuriki, one being his wife and the other being his son. And both cannot be lost.

So, the first option is ruled out by Minato.

As for finding Hachibi’s Jinchuriki, Killer B…

Well, Minato was planning to collect all nine Biju anyway, so it's a good opportunity to openly search for him!

As for whether they would return Killer B to Kumogakure or keep it for themselves after finding Killer B, well, that’s for the future.

On the side, Kanpū quietly listened to their conversation. For some reason, he felt uncomfortable, so he discreetly slipped behind Shikuro, hoping to hide himself using Shikuro’s ‘passive skill’.

But it’s useless. Kanpū was such a charismatic man that no matter where he hid, he was like a firefly in the night, so bright and outstanding!

His melancholy eyes, handsome appearance, and the amazing Konoha-Style Kenjutsu all deeply attracted the people around him.

“Kanpū.” Minato turned his head and looked around, and found Kanpū hiding behind Shikuro.

“Hokage-sama, what’s the matter?” Kanpū forced a smile.

Minato can’t see it, and said with a smile: “The task of finding Hachibi’s Jinchuriki, Killer B, is entrusted to you.”

He hoped that Kanpū can use Abyss ‘connection’ to gather intelligence on Killer Bee from Akatsuki.

“Alright… then.” Kanpū reluctantly agreed with a forced smile.

Next, Minato looked towards Shikuro and Shisui.

If the situation really develops as Shikaku said, then for a long time to come, the border between the two countries will be unstable. In order to avoid the worst-case scenario, addition to sending a large army of Konoha’s Shinobi, Minato also planned to station a peak combat power here in here to deter the Kumogakure’s Shinobi!

‘Aburame Shikuro?’

‘Although he has mastered nano-sized venomous insect and his strength was formidable, his venomous insect may not be able to deal with A.’

‘Shikuro is indeed very strong, but he has not yet reached Shinobi World’s peak.’ Minato thought to himself.

‘Then, it can only be Shisui.’

‘Shisui is proficient in Body Flicker Technique, Genjutsu, and also owns Mangekyo Sharingan. Even if he faced A, he had the strength to fight!’

‘With him sitting on the border, I can be reassured.’

“Shisui, if the situation develops as Shikaku said, then I'll trouble you to guard the border.” Minato said with a slight smile.

“I understand, I will definitely protect the border!” Shisui readily agreed. As for the Military Police Force, he believes Kakashi could handle it.

And as expected, the situation developed as Shikaku had predicted. The Kumogakure’s Shinobi neither attacked nor retreated, but instead occupied Yugakure. They occasionally sent people to provoke Konoha’s Shinobi at the border, causing minor friction.

Seeing this, Minato left behind five thousand Shinobi and Shisui, then took back the Anbu’s teams he had sent out earlier with peace of mind.

Kanpū’s sixth team also left with them. As for the search for Hachibi’s Jinchuriki, Kanpū planned to wait until he returned to the village before asking his shadow clone, Hyōketsu to see if Killer B had really been captured by Akatsuki or not.

Meanwhile.

The White Zetsu’s clones, who were searching for Kushina, finally found their target. Unfortunately, by now, the border between Land of Fire and Land of Hot Water had returned to ‘calm’. And Minato and Kanpū had also returned to Konoha in a high-profile manner.

Upon receiving this information, Nagato decisively abandoned the idea of capturing Kyubi now.

After all, you have to eat one bite at a time.