However, Asuna believed it was feasible, but not necessarily the best solution, as there were some unavoidable problems with this approach.
"The best way is to take Roshi to Shikkotsu Forest, but I'm not sure if the Slug Sage will agree to it, after all, Shikkotsu Forest isn't a place just anyone can go to," Asuna said.
The dwelling place of summoning beasts belongs to them, just as everyone has their own living space. Generally, those who can go there are either those who find their way there themselves, or those who have signed a contract with them. Bringing outsiders in is truly unheard of.
The previous two transfers involved her and Tsunade summoning the slug to the outside world, and then performing the transfer again, without bringing anyone into Shikkotsu Forest.
Although only the Slug Sage resides in Shikkotsu Forest, Asuna herself couldn't give a definite answer as to whether outsiders could be brought in.
"What if we can't bring Roshi in?" Kana Kurihara asked.
"Then there will be other problems. For example, to make a quick transfer, we would have to summon the slug outside, and then bring Roshi along. If we keep it with us, there's a risk of it becoming a burden—the slug's movement speed is very slow! And if we place it somewhere, it might be safer, but a summoning beast summoned by a summoning jutsu requires the user's chakra to maintain the jutsu in the outside world. Once the jutsu is interrupted, the summoning beast will disappear. As the distance increases, maintaining the jutsu also becomes very troublesome," Asuna replied.
"Moreover, where to place the summoning beast is also a problem. If its location is found by Iwagakure ninja, we would have to arrange personnel to protect it elsewhere, increasing unnecessary risks," Ken Uchiha said, pointing out another issue to be aware of.
"Looking at it this way, it really is safest to have the Jinchuriki taken to the summoning beast's dwelling place. With the suppression of sealing jutsu and medicine, as long as a shadow clone is arranged to watch over it, the danger can be minimized," Yuki Fujimura said.
Sakumo Hatake nodded slightly and said, "Indeed. Asuna, try to persuade them. If we can get permission, it will make things much easier for us."
Asuna agreed and then cast an inquiring glance at Sakumo Hatake. Sakumo Hatake nodded, indicating that she could go now. So, Asuna summoned a small slug, asking the slug in Shikkotsu Forest to reverse-summon her to Shikkotsu Forest, stating that she had something to say.
The summoned small slug then asked them what they were discussing. Sakumo Hatake briefly explained, asking, "I wonder if it's possible to agree?"
"Well, I'm only a part of the main body, and my thoughts aren't completely synchronized. I can't be sure what the main body is thinking," the small slug wiggled its antennae. "I think helping Lady Asuna should be no problem, but as for the specifics, it's hard to say."
"Then, we also need to be prepared for it not being allowed," Sakumo Hatake looked at the others. "While Asuna is talking, let's think about what approach we should take if it doesn't work out."
The others nodded and discussed with Sakumo Hatake. Using summoning beasts for quick transfers should be the best method. Having Roshi with them would always be a bit of a burden. If they had the flying contraptions from the village's plan, it would be much better. As long as they could fly with Roshi, no one in the ninja world, lacking flying capabilities, could catch up.
Unless Iwagakure could summon Onoki here, Onoki being the only one who could fly with people. But the problem was that he was being held up by Fumori Masaki.
Not long after everyone proposed several routes and selected some of the safer ones, Asuna was re-summoned by the small slug.
"What's the result?" Sakumo Hatake immediately asked.
Asuna smiled and nodded at Sakumo Hatake, saying, "It's possible. I can bring Roshi in. As long as he's closely monitored, there won't be any problems."
Although Roshi was an outsider, firstly, he was controlled by medicine and sealing jutsu, preventing him from acting recklessly. Moreover, the tailed beast within Roshi had some ties to the Slug Sage. Under the guidance of the Sage of Six Paths back then, they had met before, which is why the Slug Sage agreed.
Sakumo Hatake immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Since the Slug Sage agreed to let Roshi in, there was nothing to worry about. He looked regretfully at the draft in front of him and said, "It seems our efforts during this time were in vain. Oh well, let's just consider it as passing the time."
"No, it wasn't in vain," Ken Uchiha suddenly said. "Although bringing the Jinchuriki to the summoning beast's dwelling place is very safe, we can absolutely add another layer of insurance to make our journey even safer."
Sakumo Hatake was slightly taken aback, but looking at the manuscript in front of him and connecting it with what Ken Uchiha had just said, as a veteran ninja who had performed many missions over the years, he immediately understood his meaning. He said, "You mean we can deceive the enemy by pretending that we didn't bring Roshi in, but instead placed him somewhere else?"
"Yes!" Ken Uchiha nodded emphatically. "This can further reduce the enemy's already limited manpower. Even if they realize it later, we can buy enough time. Who knows, with good luck, we might arrive safely at Lord Hokage's side without even seeing a shadow of the Iwagakure ninja!"
"Good idea, Ken-kun, you truly are a genius!" Sakumo Hatake looked at Ken Uchiha with a hint of admiration in his eyes. Unlike the enigmatic Yuki Fujimura, Ken Uchiha's excellence was clearly evident. To think of using a plan that should have been abandoned as a double insurance shows his prudence.
Upon receiving the praise, Ken Uchiha simply nodded calmly. He had no intention of taking credit; his goal was simple: to make their journey safer.
Sakumo Hatake looked at the previous manuscript, then took out a useful part of it and said, "If we are to utilize these, it's not something we can decide. I need to have a good discussion with Lord Kagami. You all go back and rest. If I'm not mistaken, the Iwagakure ninja's attack will likely come very soon."
Afterward, Sakumo Hatake had a detailed discussion with Kagami Uchiha, completely finalizing the entire plan. Subsequently, the very next day, the Iwagakure ninja, acting on Onoki's orders, launched a fierce attack.