Naruto uchiha

chapter 14

Once Itachi finished accounting the details of his team's mission, he stood quietly in his place, awaiting further orders from the Hokage.

"And you're certain you were told that it was the Tsuchikage who had authorized an attack on your unit?" Minato asked impassively, to get the facts straight. Based on the details provided by Itachi, it certainly added further backbone to the information he received from his sensei. His face portrayed the disbelief as even he hadn't expected Ohnoki to make a move against Konoha so soon. Similar thoughts were racing through the minds of Shikaku as well as Tsunade.

"Minato, we have to start building medical outpost or assign a medical ninja at all of our Patrol outposts near the borders of Hi no Kuni. Considering the stunt which Ohnoki pulled, I wouldn't be surprised if he has more of his shinobi scouting our borders which we don't already know of. And if fighting does ensue on the borders, a medical ninja or a team will be helpful in saving the lives." Tsunade advised wisely. The dreadful memories from the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars were still fresh in her mind. Had Konoha accepted her suggestion to form a medical unit in those times, maybe… maybe her brother, Nawaki and lover, Dan could still be alive. Tsunade sighed as she realized that there's point in bringing those memories up at this point. Minato glanced towards the Slug Sannin and nodded his head approvingly. He understood what the woman meant and felt. He had heard from his sensei about the loss Tsunade had gone through.

"You don't need to worry Tsunade-sama. I will let you choose which personnel would be best suited to send to the borders. Although, sending a team to each outpost would be difficult right now. I believe, one medical ninja per outpost seems more plausible currently. We can't send inexperienced shinobi to the frontlines so soon." Minato replied, easing Tsunade's worries. A few minutes later, both Itachi and Tsunade left the Hokage's office to get back to their work. Minato glanced towards Shikaku who had been awfully quiet since the arrival of Itachi.

"What's your opinion, Shikaku?" Minato asked curiously.

"I assume, you came to the same conclusion?" asked the Nara Clan head calmly. Making a single hand seal, Minato activated the privacy seals in the room.

"Hai. Even though I'm certain that Itachi isn't telling us false news, it's a bit hard to believe that Ohnoki took such a direct approach, all by himself. If he is already amassing his shinobi near the borders of Takigakure, Kiba no Kuni and Kusagakure, it doesn't do him any good to attack a single Konoha Anbu team in the Land of Birds. Moreover, Anbu missions are strictly confidential and if Ohnoki had knowledge of such information, there is only one thing I can assume. We have a…" Minato voiced his thoughts.

"We have a traitor or a spy among our ranks." Shikaku concluded. Minato gave a slight nod as he too had the same thought in his mind.

"I have a feeling that Danzo is colluding with the Tsuchikage to bring down Konoha. It's not beneath him to do so. When Sarutobi-sama disbanded the Root, he also made Danzo hand over the root shinobi under his command. At least, that's what Danzo made him believe. Those shinobi were then reinstated into the regular Anbu forces. And there's no telling how many of them are still secretly working for Danzo." Minato stated as he walked behind his chair and towards the window. As he looked over the village, he had a bad feeling building up within himself. He knew there was a storm coming and Konoha could very fall, if they are not well prepared. Despite having several powerful shinobi in their village, if caught off guard, there's no telling what could happen.

"Then the possibility of Danzo working with Orochimaru is also very plausible. Considering how both Orochimaru and Danzo fled the village on accounts of treason, its not very fetched." Shikaku stated.