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Shizune did not return.
Tsunade waited anxiously all night, but there was still no news of Shizune. Before dawn the next day, she knocked on the Hokage's door.
Sarutobi Hiruzen hurriedly opened the door, and upon hearing Tsunade's words, he felt a chill run down his spine.
"What? Shizune is missing!?" Hiruzen's face paled in shock.
Shizune was not only Tsunade's disciple but also the niece of Kato Dan—Tsunade's lover, who had died for Konoha during the Second Shinobi World War.
If something happened to her, not only would Tsunade be devastated, but he, too, would be consumed by guilt.
Upon receiving the news, Hiruzen immediately summoned the Anbu and Danzo for an emergency meeting.
"We must find Shizune! Alive or dead, we need to see her," Hiruzen said, already considering the worst-case scenario.
Tsunade clenched her fist and slammed it onto the conference table, leaving a deep dent in the wood. "There's definitely something wrong within Konoha! If I find out someone is behind this—no matter who they are, even if they're sitting in this very room—I'll kill them."
"Ahem, mind your tone. The Hokage is present," Danzo coughed lightly.
"The Hokage would agree with me. Anyone who bullies a girl is scum, unworthy of living. And Shizune is Dan's niece. If we don't get answers, how can we expect others to sacrifice their lives for Konoha in the future?" Tsunade demanded.
"Dan wasn't the only one who bled for Konoha. Shizune isn't special. If others can die, why can't she?" Danzo sneered.
"Because she didn't die on the battlefield. If people can just disappear within the village, how can we guarantee the safety of our citizens? And even if we ignore that, what if there's a traitor among the shinobi? Shouldn't we root them out before they cause more harm? Lord Danzo, you're awfully opposed to this… Do you know something?" Tsunade tightened her fist, glaring coldly at Danzo.
Danzo's face flushed red as he glared back.
This madwoman bites at everyone she sees…
Tsunade's gaze swept over Hiruzen's face before shifting to the village advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane. "It's been two months since the first shinobi went missing. With the Chunin Exams approaching, if we don't act now and foreign shinobi end up assassinated… is Konoha ready for another Great Shinobi War?"
"I understand your feelings, but the more urgent the situation, the calmer we must remain. Kakashi…"
Kakashi straightened up.
"Take a team of Anbu and investigate the last known location where Shizune was seen. Search every building in the surrounding area, regardless of the occupants' status or rank."
After Tsunade's outburst, Hiruzen felt a pang of shame.
For so long, there had been no leads. He, too, sensed instability within Konoha.
"Understood," Kakashi nodded.
"Everyone present must cooperate fully. If anyone objects, we'll start the search at their residence," the Hokage said, his gaze lingering subtly on Danzo.
Danzo's face darkened, but he remained silent. Upon returning to his estate, he hung two Root operatives from the ceiling and whipped them mercilessly.
He had only ordered them to capture shinobi outside the village. Yet, upon returning, they had been tailed by Shizune—and instead of disposing of their captives, they had brought her back.
If you're caught, why not ditch the prisoners? Did you really have to bring back such a troublesome problem?
Orochimaru emerged from the basement and, seeing the bloodied Root members, quickly intervened, "Don't kill them. They're useful to me."
"They're useful to me too," Danzo retorted, eyeing Orochimaru warily.
He was angry, but he hadn't actually intended to kill them.
Raising a loyal operative wasn't easy.
Orochimaru sighed in disappointment.
After all, Root members were selected through brutal trials, making their physical conditioning exceptional—perfect for experiments.
"What about Shizune?"
"I left her with my apprentice," Orochimaru replied with a smirk.
"I'll kill her," Danzo said darkly.
Tsunade had humiliated him in front of the Hokage, and he couldn't stomach it.
What's so special about Shizune? Or Dan? Back then, he had fought alongside the Second Hokage, nearly dying in the Great War. He had been ready to sacrifice himself to save the Second and Hiruzen, only to be stopped at the last moment.
He was willing to die for Konoha at any time. But these youngsters nowadays had no sense of sacrifice.
Tsunade, you want Shizune back? Fine. I'll kill her, burn her to ashes—let's see if you can recognize her then!
"Don't," Orochimaru quickly stopped him. "She's still useful."
"How?" Danzo eyed him suspiciously.
"The Chunin Exams are coming up soon, aren't they?" Orochimaru grinned. "I can use her as a hostage."
"She'll talk," Danzo warned.
"I know. But I won't give her the chance." Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. "Wouldn't you love to see Tsunade kill Shizune with her own hands?"
"Can you make that happen?" Danzo asked, surprised.
"Of course. For me, it's child's play. So be patient until the day of the Chunin Exams. I promise you a memory you'll never forget." Orochimaru chuckled.
Danzo's expression softened. "I'll be waiting for that day. By the way, when will you transplant the eyes for me?"
"Don't rush. Once I get my hands on Uchiha Itachi, I'll perform the surgery immediately. Don't worry—I have an ace up my sleeve this time. One hundred percent confidence." Orochimaru thumped his chest confidently.
Danzo snorted. "Don't disappoint me."
---
When Shizune realized she had been captured, she was completely dazed. Upon seeing Orochimaru, her anger flared, and she demanded he release her.
Orochimaru, annoyed by her noise, stuffed a rag into her mouth and injected her with a sedative to silence her.
When Midorima found Shizune, she was already bound tightly with ropes, limp and no different from the other "test subjects" locked away. He quickly removed the gag and slapped her cheeks lightly to rouse her, but she remained groggy, unable to hold a proper conversation.
He had no choice but to use the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique to draw out as much of the toxin as possible—anything Orochimaru injected into a person was never good. He feared that if too much time passed, the poison would be absorbed into Shizune's system, making it impossible to remove.
By then, even if Tsunade could bring the dead back to life, she might still be powerless to save Shizune.
As for letting Shizune die here…
If Tsunade ever found out he was involved, she would probably haunt him beyond the grave.
Shizune slowly opened her eyes again, only to see a white-masked figure standing before her. Though still weak, her mind was now somewhat clearer.