Chapter 640: All Issues Point to Namikaze Minato!

Chapter 640: All Issues Point to Namikaze Minato!

Sakumo immediately noticed a critical point: before they had set out, the Third Hokage had already deployed all of Konoha's Anbu. This meant one very obvious thing: these people were not the Konoha's Anbu that he knew. Before heading to the Third Ninja World War, Konoha had not wanted him involved in the conflict, sensing the Third Hokage's strong apprehension about him, which prevented him from contributing to the village.

Back then, the Third Hokage made a suffocating decision—to send the village's Anbu into battle first. Anbu, typically tasked with covert operations, were not suited for open battlefields. Despite their ability to conceal themselves, they couldn't fully operate as assassins amidst large numbers, leading to almost complete decimation of Konoha's Anbu, with only two surviving. Now, facing individuals masked as Anbu, if they were not Anbu, then what could they be?

Sakumo's mind raced with this question.

"Root!"

Sakumo couldn't help but exclaim, realizing these ninjas belonged to Danzo's Root organization. Many ninjas present were unaware of Root, but for Sakumo, this was hardly a secret. As a significant figure in Konoha, he knew of Root's dark dealings, though he held no considerable power or official authority.

His tone was grave, and Sakumo captured everyone's attention, including the oncoming Root ninjas. The Root ninjas, recognizing Sakumo, also seemed to understand the situation had become problematic. The Konoha ninjas, however, freshly recalled from their roller-coaster of emotions, steadied themselves, sensing complexity in the unfolding events.

The situation was complex indeed!

Konoha's ninjas had thought they couldn't endure another twist. They longed for a peaceful return to Konoha to restart their once-neglected rigorous training. Yet, they found themselves adapting to continuous upheavals.

Momentarily, having faced so much recently, the Konoha ninjas calmed down, devoid of complaints. They awaited Sakumo's next words, their gaze turning cold and serious as they faced the Root ninjas.

"Why are Root ninjas out on a mission?" Sakumo demanded loudly, his foreboding sense growing. Root's usual protocol involved internal village affairs; they were kept from leaving Konoha or operating in the open. This unusual activity suggested a significant issue.

Whoosh!

"But..."

"They didn't find them!"

"With this development, I deduce that the Root's target is among our forces but not present here."

The conversation paused, but the implication was clear.

"Namikaze Minato!"

"Minato!"

"Is it Minato?!"

"Or Kushina?"

"It must be either Minato or Kushina!"

The Konoha ninjas stirred, their expressions turning solemn as they grasped the implications. Minato and Kushina were the only ones not among them. Given Sakumo's analysis, the Root's mission involved someone from their ranks, leading to one unsettling conclusion: All issues pointed toward Namikaze Minato.