14 Ch-14 Sakumo's Failed Mission: The Uzumaki Clan's Power

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A few minutes later, Sakumo caught up and witnessed Nakamura's wretched state.

Sakumo suggested, "We should hurry towards Konoha to get you treated."

Nakamura gave a nod and headed towards Konoha.

As the first rays of sunlight illuminated the sky, Sakumo and Nakamura entered Konoha.

"We've finally made it," Nakamura said before fainting. Sakumo caught him just in time and rushed him to the Konoha hospital for treatment.

.....

At the same time inside Hokage office

"Lord Hokage, Captain Sakumo has returned to Konoha, but he's not with his team. Instead, he's accompanied by another ninja named Nakamura, who was part of the team responsible for monitoring Uzumaki country. Both of them have sustained injuries," reported the Anbu member as he knelt before the Hokage.

"Very well. Bring them to my office," instructed Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"After entering Konoha, Nakamura fainted and the captain took him to the Konoha hospital," reported the Anbu member.

"Thank you for informing me. You may leave now. I will go to the hospital myself to speak with Sakumo," said Sarutobi Hiruzen, as he prepared to leave for the hospital. However, before he could leave, a man with one eye entered his office - Shimura Danzo, the leader of Root.

"Hiruzen, I heard that Sakumo has returned," said Danzo.

"Yes, I'm on my way to the hospital to meet with him," replied Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"I'll come with you," offered Danzo.

Sarutobi Hiruzen simply nodded in response and quickly made his way to the Konoha hospital, with Danzo following closely behind.

Eventually, they arrived at the Konoha hospital.

"Can you tell me where Sakumo is?" asked Sarutobi Hiruzen of a nurse.

"Over there," the nurse pointed to one of the rooms.

Sarutobi with Danzo went inside the room and saw Sakumo being treated, after seeing Hokage enter Sakumo wanted to get up but was stopped by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"What happened? Why are you alone, and where are your teammates?" Danzo asked without showing any concern for Sakumo's injuries.

"Danzo, can't you see that he's injured?" Sarutobi chastised.

"Hmph, as a ninja, he's bound to get injured. So why sympathize with him?" Danzo remarked callously.

Sarutobi glared at Danzo, appalled by his lack of empathy for a fellow shinobi. "We are all human beings first, Danzo. As leaders, it is our responsibility to care for our subordinates and ensure their well-being," he retorted sternly.

"I agree with Lord Danzo. My injuries are not that serious, and I can speak," Sakumo said, acknowledging Danzo's earlier statement.

"Alright, if you're feeling up to it, please tell us what happened and where are the other Anbu members who were with you," Sarutobi asked, turning his attention back to Sakumo.

"As per your orders, I traveled to Uzumaki country with my team to retrieve all the sealing techniques and bring any orphans back to Konoha. However, upon arriving, we discovered that the Uzumaki country had successfully defended against the alliance army of three major villages. We were then discovered by a Uzumaki ninja team and I represented us as support sent by Konoha for Uzumaki country. However, due to their abilities with the Kagura heart eye, they saw through our ruse and learned our true intentions. I still maintained that we were there to support Uzumaki, as accepting otherwise would not have benefitted either of us. But then, I discovered that they had captured all the spies sent by the major villages to monitor Uzumaki country, including eight spies sent by Konoha. They were about to execute everyone, except for one person from each village, but I couldn't simply stand by and watch my fellow Konoha villagers be killed. I tried to reason with them that such actions would make them enemies of Konoha, but they refused to listen. So, we attempted to save them by force, but the man leading the Uzumaki forces was too powerful. He easily defeated my team and I was unable to even scratch him," Sakumo recounted, his guilt causing him to lower his head and avoid eye contact with the Hokage.

As they processed Sakumo's words, both Sarutobi and Danzo couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and fear towards the Uzumaki clan. They knew firsthand the strength of the major villages, and if they were to attack the Uzumaki village, it was almost certain that the Uzumaki clan would be wiped out. Yet, here they were, not only surviving but also possessing a powerhouse who could effortlessly defeat a team of twenty skilled ninjas. Even Sarutobi himself was unsure if he could come out unscathed in such a battle.

Sakumo's voice betrayed his despair, and Sarutobi could sense the guilt he was feeling for not being able to protect his team. It was clear that the man who defeated them was on a completely different level, and they needed to tread carefully around the Uzumaki clan.

Taking a deep breath, Sarutobi inquired, "May I know the name of this man?"

Sakumo took a deep breath before answering, "The man's name is Uzumaki Kagutsuchi. After we arrived in Uzumaki country, we conducted an investigation into how the Uzumaki family managed to escape their demise. The results were shocking, as every member of the family spoke of how Uzumaki Kagutsuchi single-handedly defeated an army of 4500 ninja. At first, we found it hard to believe, But after witnessing the strength of Uzumaki Kagutsuchi myself, I now believe that he is capable of such a feat. And for the details of battle you have to wait for Nakamura to wake up."

As Sarutobi Hiruzen was about to speak further, a woman with red hair and a hexagonal mark between her eyebrows interrupted him. "What name did you just say?" she asked.

"Mito-sama," everyone present in the room bowed towards her. Even Sakumo, who was sitting down, quickly stood up and bowed.

Mito asked, "Is he skilled in Fire Style jutsu?"

"Indeed, he can use fire style jutsu effortlessly as if he can control the flames," replied Sakumo with respect in his tone.

"Mito-sama, do you happen to know him?" inquired Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Certainly, I know him. He is my uncle, after all. You may not be aware of his true name, but you must have heard of his other name, 'Fire God'," Mito said.

"Yes the Fire God who destroyed Tetsukin clan which had one Kage level powerhouse."said Danzo.

Everyone listened intently as Mito spoke, "Even though it was narrated in that way, if I were to compare their strength to a clan, it would be the combined strength of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans during the warring states period. And now, your clan's strength is far weaker compared to that period. So, do not undermine his feat. He attacked that clan alone and even announced his motive beforehand - to take revenge for his son's death. They even prepared for his attack and had their secret technique of controlling metals, yet they were still destroyed. This should give you an idea of how powerful he truly was."

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