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Konoha Cemetery—
Today, the air around the cemetery was somber as men and women dressed in black gathered there. Konoha Cemetery was the final resting place for the shinobi of the village, well, for the ones whose corpses were recovered and brought back to the village. And today, people had come to pay their respects for the burial of a Konoha shinobi — a prominent one at that. He was a Jōnin named Sarutobi Hihi.
As the Hokage and the Patriarch of the Sarutobi Clan, Sarutobi Hiruzen stood at the forefront of the ceremony.
Since Sarutobi Hihi only had a pair of twin daughters and no son, the rites that were rarely performed by daughters were carried out by Hiruzen, being the Patriarch, himself. He did so with a heavy, dignified expression, his face showing the weight of both personal and clan loss.
There were also other figures of the Sarutobi Clan present, such as Hiruzen's eldest son Shinnosuke, who stood rigidly beside his mother, Biwako, with a face that barely contained his anger and sorrow.
Other Sarutobi clansmen also filled the area, their heads bowed in mourning.
Naturally, the Sarutobi clansmen weren't the only people gathered for the funeral. Shinobi from other clans of Konoha had also come to pay their respects.
After all, the death of a Jōnin wasn't a small matter. It was only natural for a Jōnin to be acquainted with many shinobi and Jōnin of other Clans; thus, for the funeral of Sarutobi Hihi, a significant crowd had gathered… perhaps more than he deserved… but oh well…
Once the rites concluded and the funeral pyre burned steadily, the mourners approached Hiruzen and the bereaved family one by one. They offered words of sympathy, clasping their hands or bowing deeply.
"Hokage-sama, our deepest condolences to the Sarutobi Clan for the loss of Sarutobi Hihi…"
"I once had the honor of performing a mission with Hihi-san. He was a fine shinobi, he taught me a lot… the village has suffered a great blow…"
Along with the bereaved family, Hiruzen accepted each condolence with a solemn nod, his weathered face etched with the heavy burden of leadership and personal loss. The lines on his face seemed deeper today, carved more prominently by sorrow and simmering anger, highlighting just how unhappy he was with this funeral.
And why wouldn't he be unhappy? After all, this was already the second such funeral in the past week. Just a few days ago, another solemn ceremony had been held for the death of Sarutobi Ejiro, another capable Jōnin of the Sarutobi Clan. Today, it was for Sarutobi Hihi. Having lost two Jōnin from his own clan within such a short span of time, how could Hiruzen feel anything but deep grief and frustration? The weight of these consecutive losses pressed down on him like an invisible mountain, making the usually composed Sandaime Hokage feel helpless.
This loss of two prominent and loyal shinobi of his Clan within a week, coupled with the recent rumors swirling about him and Elder Advisor Utatane Koharu, as well as secret affairs with other women involving illegitimate children, that had already strained his household, added fuel to the growing fire in his chest.
Hiruzen really felt targeted.
As for who was targeting him and his Sarutobi Clan? Who else could it be…? Uchiha Kanzou! Hiruzen didn't need anyone to tell him. The pattern was too clear, the timing too convenient. Two Jōnin of the Sarutobi Clan died within a single week. It reeked of deliberate malice, and in his heart, the Sandaime Hokage already knew the hand behind it.
At that moment, the crowd of mourners parted like water before a blade as two figures approached the center. The moment Shinnosuke caught sight of the man at the front, his face twisted into a deep scowl. "What is that bastard Uchiha Kanzou doing here?" he growled under his breath, fists clenching at his sides.
Uchiha Kanzou was the last person any of them wanted to see at the funeral of their clansmen. Shinnosuke moved forward at once, intending to shun the man away, with several other Sarutobi ninjas falling in behind him.
But Hiruzen raised a hand, stopping them firmly. "Let him come…"
Whether as the Patriarch of the Uchiha Clan, the Captain of the Konoha Military Police Force, or simply as a prodigious shinobi whose name now carried weight across the village, Kanzou naturally drew many eyes. Some gazes were wary, others openly curious about his intentions, while a few burned with outright resentment. Ignoring them all, he walked forward with his usual unshakable confidence, each step deliberate and unhurried as he approached Hiruzen.
And he wasn't alone. Hazuki followed at his side, her expression solemn and composed.
By the way, neither Kanzou nor Hazuki was dressed appropriately for the funeral. Instead of somber black attire, they wore their usual Konoha Military Police Force uniforms, appearing completely out of place.
But what did Kanzou care about being out of place? He was just here to mock Hiruzen in the face and for that, he was dressed appropriately.
Soon, Kanzou came to a stop before Hiruzen. With both his hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket, he offered a shallow, almost dismissive bow and spoke in a mocking tone. "Hokagay-sama. Although you forgot to invite me, I still came on my own, aren't you glad?"
In all honesty, Hiruzen was not glad with Kanzou's arrival.
Not caring what the Hokage thought, Kanzou continued, "I would like to share in your grief. Although Sarutobi Hihi was an incapable shinobi, not even a quarter as good as me—"
"You!" Shinnosuke's scowl deepened instantly, his fists clenching at his sides as he took a furious step forward.
"Sshhhh… be quiet, manchild. Important people are talking here," Hazuki cut in sharply, shushing him with a condescending wave of her hand. The disrespect only fueled Shinnosuke's rage further. If not for Biwako firmly holding onto his arm, restraining him, he might have lost control and lashed out on the spot.
Ignoring the outburst, Kanzou continued with the same insincere lightness, "Although he isn't worth remembering much, I still would like to say that I am sorry for your loss…"
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened as he studied Kanzou, his eyes narrowing with the weight of suspicion and barely contained fury. For a long moment, silence hung heavily between them, thick with unspoken accusations and the raw tension of two powerful men facing off amid a field of grief.
The other mourners subtly drifted back, sensing the dangerous undercurrent crackling in the air.
"Uchiha Kanzou," Hiruzen finally spoke, his voice measured but laced with a sharp edge. "We have found several clues at the site of Hihi-kun's death… traces that seemed to hint at Uchiha Clan activity in the nearby areas at that time. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"
He wasn't fabricating anything. They truly had discovered such traces, broken ninja tools or threads, or other things around both Hihi's and Ejiro's death sites. The implication of his question was crystal clear, even if not stated outright.
And Hiruzen wanted to test whether those things were intentionally planted or if there was something else.
Murmurs rippled through the nearby clansmen like a gathering storm.
"Was something like that found…?"
"But… what does it mean?"
"Is the Uchiha Clan responsible for…?"
"Shhh… Are you an idiot? Don't say that out loud!"
Kanzou raised an eyebrow in apparent surprise, his expression one of genuine puzzlement as he tilted his head slightly. "Really? You found traces of Uchiha activity in the nearby areas?"
"Do you wish to see them for yourself?" questioned Hiruzen.
Kanzou shook his head, "No, I trust Hokagay-sama. If you say such clues were found, then that must be true. After all, the wise and noble Sandaime Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen-sama won't lie..."
Hiruzen pursed his lips, "Do you have nothing to say about those clues that point towards your Uchiha Clan?"
Kanzou tilted his head slightly, "I'd say that this is indeed quite concerning. However, all Uchiha shinobi have remained within the village boundaries recently. You can verify this through the official gate records and mission logs. No one from my clan has left Konoha in the timeframe of this tragedy. It would be impossible for any of my Uchiha ninjas to be responsible."
"So you are saying that the Uchiha Clan is not responsible?" Hiruzen questioned.
"If that wasn't the case, then I am sure Hokagay-sama wouldn't just be asking me in this manner..." Kanzou said with a smile.
Hiruzen clenched his fist. Kanzou was right. He would not be 'asking' questions here if Uchiha Kanzou didn't appear to be innocent despite those clues.
"Although.." Kanzou suddenly began at that time. He appeared as if he had thought of something and stated, "There is one possibility that might connect the Uchiha clan to the death of Sarutobi Ejiro and Sarutobi Hihi. The exiled Fugaku."
"Fugaku?" Hiruzen murmured... and so did the others.
Kanzou nodded, "Indeed, Fugaku. Although he was exiled, the techniques he had learned in his lifetime and the tools he uses... they all belong to the Uchiha Clan. Since no one from my Clan ventured out of the village, as can be checked in the records, Fugaku is the most likely person responsible for killing the ninjas of your Sarutobi Clan. My subordinates had reported that Fugaku had attacked them, and now your ninjas are being mysteriously attacked by someone who might be connected to the Uchiha Clan... I'd say Fugaku it is. He might be trying to sow discord between us."
Hearing Kanzou's explanation, the onlookers seemed to agree.
"It... makes sense."
"Yes, even though the Uchiha Clan is brazen, they wouldn't kill a ninja of the same village, right?"
"Of course, they wouldn't! Who in their right mind would kill a ninja of the Sarutobi Clan? Whoever kills a ninja from his Clan would have to bear the wrath of Sandaime-sama, who is the strongest Hokage...!"
Unlike the onlookers, Hiruzen almost scowled at Kanzou for so casually bringing up Fugaku. The mention struck a nerve.
Fugaku was currently placed in intensive care within the ANBU base. He had been discovered inside a sewer in a certain town, severely wounded and beaten to the point of resembling a swollen pig. Fortunately, he was still alive, and the Town Magistrate had contacted Konoha ninjas stationed in that town. That was how Fugaku had ended up under ANBU medical supervision.
But even though he was found almost a week ago and has been under intensive care, he has yet to regain consciousness, and they still had no clear idea what he had encountered or what exactly had transpired at Sora-ku. In this situation, Kanzou was already shifting blame onto Fugaku? It only deepened Hiruzen's suspicion of the Uchiha Patriarch.
Not caring what Hiruzen thought, Kanzou continued with a concerned expression. "For the sake of safety, I suggest Hokage-sama officially declare Fugaku a traitor and hunt him down. Allowing such a dangerous element to roam free might only invite more tragedy to Konoha, and in particular, the Sarutobi Clan."
Hiruzen's jaw tightened. He could see straight through Kanzou's deflection, the calculated suggestion, the feigned concern, and the disguised threat. The red herrings left at the scenes had been too convenient, too perfectly pointing toward Uchiha involvement while granting Kanzou plausible deniability. Yet without solid proof directly linking the current Uchiha Clan, there was little he could do.
"I will decide on that matter once the full investigation is complete," Hiruzen replied, his voice steady but edged with steel. He added, looking Kanzou directly in the eye, "We will not rush to judgment, and due justice will be served."
Kanzou shrugged nonchalantly. "Of course, Hokagay-sama. It is entirely up to you. Though I do hope you won't regret waiting too long… or failing to do what is necessary. The village, or the Sarutobi Clan, may not be able to afford more losses like this."
With that, he offered another polite bow, as did Hazuki. "Our condolences again. If the Uchiha Clan can be of any assistance in the investigation, please do not hesitate to ask."
Turning away, Kanzou began walking back through the crowd with Hazuki following close behind.
Hiruzen stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the Uchiha Patriarch's retreating figure.
Soon after Kanzou left, Hiruzen was approached by Shimura Danzō, who had unexpectedly emerged from his bill today.
Appearing beside the Hokage, Danzō directly spoke to him, "Uchiha Clan is getting too out of hand, Hiruzen. We can't wait or overlook them any longer. We should join all forces and eliminate the entire—"
Hiruzen scowled. "Danzō, if you cannot give any useful suggestion that actually makes sense, then you'd better go back to your base…"
Eliminate the entire Uchiha Clan? Do you think the Uchiha Clan would sit silently and let themselves get eliminated? If it were the Uchiha Clan of someone else… then that might have been possible, but the current Uchiha Clan, which is under the leadership of Kanzou… it wouldn't let itself get eliminated at all. Even if they go down, they'd fight to the bitter end.
And it's not that Konoha couldn't fight and eliminate the Uchiha Clan… they certainly could. However, the problem was the cost of doing that.
The entire village would likely be in ruins. After all, the Uchiha Clan did have that kind of power. And if the village was in ruins, then the other four great nations that were always watching the Land of Fire like hawks waiting to strike would immediately spread their talons and launch attacks with their full force.
So, in Hiruzen's opinion, Danzō's suggestion didn't make any sense at all!
But Danzō didn't see it that way. He just felt that Hiruzen was being too much of a coward. "Hiruzen, with increasing age, you really have lost your spine. I don't even think that you are fit to remain Hokage anymore… With all those rumors going on about you… It's high time you resigned and someone else took charge of the village. Someone who has a spine and can actually lead the village."
Hiruzen gave him a cold glare, knowing full well that this 'someone' in Danzō's words was Danzō himself. Thinking that his long-time 'friend' might be planning something, Hiruzen warned him, "Danzō, you'd better not be trying to make any waves…"
Danzō frowned. "What wave would I make…"
"Yeah, you better not," repeated Hiruzen and added, "Because even if I do retire, it'd not be your turn to be the next Hokage… so you'd better not make things difficult for me…"
Hearing that warning, Danzō was furious.
Telling him that it'd not be his turn to be the Hokage was the same as hitting on the reverse scale. After all, in Konoha, if anyone were to create a list of people who wanted to become Hokage the most… then he, Shimura Danzō, would consistently rank among the top few… and Hiruzen was telling him that he'd not be the Hokage?
How could that not make him angry?
But… even if he was angry and clenched his fists in anger and frustration, that was all he could do.
In the end, he was helpless in front of Hiruzen, who was the Hokage.
"You'll regret this, Hiruzen," he snorted and left.
Watching his 'friend' leave, Hiruzen rubbed his temple, thinking that with this warning, Danzō would probably not be jumping around anymore.
...
It's a pity that the Hokage was wrong. While Danzō certainly took the warning to heart and wasn't going to jump around as he might have considered, the discussion with Hiruzen seemed to have given him some ideas, and on his way back to his Root Base, he began calculating in his mind.
'If Hiruzen retires… who else can become the Hokage?'
He thought of several candidates… Jiraiya, Hatake Sakumo, and Orochimaru… these three were the primary candidates in his mind with the most chances of becoming the Hokage.
In fact, Uchiha Kanzou was also a prominent candidate… but Danzō didn't even consider him. After all, it was an unwritten rule that the Uchihas could not be the Hokage.
Similarly, Tsunade-hime of the Senju Clan, who might have had the strongest claim to the position, had been orphaned during the Second Great Shinobi War. Grieving and disillusioned, she had left the village for many years, with no one having any clear idea of where she might be. As such, she was not considered a viable candidate either.
Namikaze Minato, who was still only a disciple of Jiraiya at the time, was not even in the picture yet.
This left Jiraiya, Hatake Sakumo, and Orochimaru, who are the heroes of the Second Great Shinobi War, as the only three candidates with the most realistic chances of becoming the Yondaime Hokage.
Of these, Jiraiya was the least likely to become Hokage… since the position of Hokage doesn't align well with his identity and personality.
The more likely candidates were Orochimaru and Sakumo…
'Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo…' he thought.
Personally, Danzō would want to become Hokage himself, but that was difficult to happen… so it was best to have a Hokage of his choice who would be under his control.
Of course, it's not that Hiruzen was going to retire anytime soon, but Danzō had this feeling that the way Hiruzen was being pressured, it might not be too surprising if Hiruzen ended up getting ousted from the position.
And if Hiruzen ends up getting ousted or retired, then the new one will be elected, and it'd most likely be someone between Hatake Sakumo and Orochimaru.
'Hatake Sakumo won't do… he is too loyal to Hiruzen and his principles would certainly conflict with mine…' Danzō thought.
While Hatake Sakumo understands the darkness of the Shinobi World, he is still an upright man. Such a man would not continue to stomach the existence of Root.
Different from Sakumo, Orochimaru had a darkness that was in line with Danzō's…
'Orochimaru will have to be the next Hokage…' he decided.
Although Orochimaru would be difficult to control, Danzō felt that he could still work with him. On the other hand, with Hatake Sakumo, things just weren't going to work out.
'However, Hiruzen should also know this… so if it comes to him retiring, he might choose Hatake Sakumo…' he thought.
Not only was Hatake Sakumo fiercely loyal to Hiruzen, but he would also be far easier to control. For Hiruzen, Sakumo represented the perfect puppet Hokage, a man of unquestionable talent and integrity who could be guided from the shadows while Hiruzen retained real influence.
Danzō knew his 'good friend' Hiruzen all too well. The Third Hokage was greedy for power and would not relinquish it easily. Even if he were to retire or resign one day, he would carefully choose a successor who could be manipulated, ensuring his own continued grip on Konoha's affairs. In that regard, Hatake Sakumo was indeed the ideal choice.
It was just that what might be the best option for Sarutobi Hiruzen was far from the best option for Shimura Danzō.
'I have to ensure that Hatake Sakumo doesn't have the chance of becoming the Hokage,' Danzō resolved inwardly, his mind mulling over various ways to sideline Sakumo and remove him from the succession race entirely.
...
On the other side, unaware of what his 'good friend' Danzō was planning, Hiruzen, after completing the Funeral rights of Sarutobi Hihi and dodging the unknown man protesting for his rights and benefits as the illegitimate son of Hokage, returned to the Hokage Building.
He didn't need anyone to tell him otherwise; he felt more and more certain that these assassinations were related to Uchiha Kanzou.
'Is this revenge for the assassination attempt in the Land of This?' he wondered, and felt that this had to be the case. He had attempted to assassinate Kanzou's subordinates; now, Kanzou was returning the favor by assassinating his subordinates.
It's just that while his assassination attempt failed and even resulted in the death of ANBU ninjas, Kanzou's assassination attempts against his Clansmen are succeeding.
'Damn it!' Hiruzen clenched his fist and smashed it at the table in anger and fury.
What's more troublesome is that he doesn't know who is attacking his subordinates. After all, the Uchihas really haven't left the village in recent times. He hasn't issued them any Rank-S mission, and they haven't volunteered for anything either.
Thus, it's difficult to blame them despite there being signs that the assassinations involved a Uchiha.
If not for the fact that Fugaku was lying injured in intensive care, Hiruzen would have even believed that the assassinations were indeed being carried out by Fugaku... but... It's obviously not Fugaku.
'It has to be Uchiha Kanzou himself...' he concluded. Only Kanzou would have the kind of strength needed to assassinate his subordinates in that manner. After all, the Jōnin from his Clan... they were not weak chickens. And Kanzou also has a method of being able to leave the village without alerting anyone, so he can leave undetected, carry out the assassination, and return without alerting anyone.
'That must be happening...' he felt certain.
He also felt that Kanzou might be deliberately leaving signs of Uchiha activity in the nearby areas to show him that the Uchihas are responsible for the assassination, knowing full well that Hiruzen would have no real way of proving that.
'He is taunting me!' he gritted his teeth.
'Uchiha Kanzou… he really is too much of a problem…' Hiruzen thought.
Ever since Kanzou had become the Captain of the Police Force and the Patriarch of the Uchiha Clan, there had been too many direct or indirect attacks against him… and this was making Hiruzen feel increasingly threatened.
'This can't go on… I have to think of something…' he thought so for the umpteenth time.
In fact, if there were no threat of other shinobi villages, he'd have really wanted to accept Danzō's proposal. But with Kanzou's own strength and Might Duy's addition to Kanzou's forces, Hiruzen dared not risk the damage that could occur to the village if internal conflict against the Uchiha Clan and their Konoha Military Police Force broke out.
'But it's still a problem…' he thought.
Most of all, he had no idea what Kanzou was doing or planning… when he was moving, where he was going, and so on... and that was a serious problem. If he could figure that out, that would be a lot of help… but he wasn't getting any information like that.
Whether it was his spy in the Uchiha Clan or Uchiha Seiji, neither of them was able to bring in that kind of information.
'I really need a good spy within the Police Force…' he thought and decided to first arrange that.
But the question was who? Who could it be who'd be a good spy while not arousing much suspicion?
He began to think of many ninjas loyal to him while thinking of who could be the spy.
The spy would have to get somewhat close to Kanzou; it would have to be someone who wouldn't arouse any suspicions, and manage to get him the information he wanted…
'Such a choice person... who could it be?' he thought, stroking his chin.
After deliberating over many candidates, he had a name in mind. He hesitated for a few seconds before gritting his teeth and ordering the eagle-masked ANBU, "Call for Spider…"
...
In a certain training ground where the ANBU ninjas carried out their training—
A young Kunoichi with silver eyes and braided silver hair was carrying out combat training against a fellow ANBU ninja.
Clang! Clang!
The sound of metal colliding was heard as the Kunoichi's Katana collided with the other ANBU's blade, producing sparks.
Suddenly, amidst the combat, she pulled off a strange maneuver with her Katana. She suddenly dashed towards her opponent with great speed before attacking them with a quick lateral sword strike.
The tremendous speed left a trace of an afterimage in the process.
'Secret Sword: Moonlight!'
That was the name of the Kenjutsu Technique she used, and using it, she managed to defeat her opponent.
"It's my defeat…" the opponent surrendered, feeling the sharp edge of the blade against his neck.
"Haah… haaah…" the Kunoichi panted, withdrawing her Katana and sheathing it before extending out her hand to help the young ANBU ninja up.
"Thanks, Captain…" the ninja who had only recently joined the ANBU department bowed, stepping back.
At that time, there was clapping in the background.
The Kunoichi turned her head and noticed that the person clapping was none other than Sarutobi Shinnosuke, who seemed to have come to the training ground at some point while she was in the middle of the combat.
Her expression flickered for a moment before she came over to his side and greeted him. "Shinnosuke-sama… are you here to observe the training session of the ANBU ninjas?" she asked him.
"Hmm… yes," he nodded, his eyes setting on the Kunoichi whose forehead was covered in sweat and her fairly modest chest that was rising and falling from deep breathing. She looked arousing and beautiful, causing his heartbeat to quicken, blood rushing to his two heads.
He gulped, his gaze turning heated as many thoughts appeared in his mind.
The Kunoichi certainly felt his heated gaze upon her and shyly blushed before going for the towel on the side.
Using the towel, she wiped her sweat and also covered up her chest a little, putting a barrier between his gaze and her modesty, and felt a little relieved as she noticed his heated gaze shift. Sighing a little, she then asked him, "Is the funeral ceremony over?"
Clearing his throat, he nodded, "Ahem, yes…"
Somewhat feeling better, she said to him, "I am sorry for the loss that the Sarutobi Clan has suffered…"
"You don't have to be, Uroko," Shinnosuke sighed before clenching his fist in anger and saying, "It's obvious who the person responsible is… but that shitty old man… he isn't doing anything about it!"
Uroko hesitated and said, "Hokage-sama must have his thoughts…"
Shinnosuke snorted, "Yeah, right… all I see is a spineless old man…" and added, "At this rate, it's up to me to avenge the death of my clansmen…"
Unlike his spineless old man, Shinnosuke, the rightful heir of the Sarutobi Clan, and one who is destined to become the Yondaime Hokage of Konoha, was full of spine and conviction. He felt, deep in his bones, that as the future Patriarch of the Sarutobi Clan and the next Hokage, he should be the one to handle this matter. In his eyes, if his crappy old man would simply step aside and entrust him with full command over the ANBU ninjas, he could solve everything. He would track down the culprits, deliver justice, and avenge the fallen shinobi of the Sarutobi Clan.
Uroko's expression changed. "Please don't do anything reckless in these dangerous times…"
"Have some confidence in me, you know," Shinnosuke said, and then, with a dark expression, he swore, "I really have to get back at Uchiha Kanzou and the Uchiha Clan for everything…"
Her expression flickered for a moment, growing a bit darker as she warned him, "You won't be able to do that at all…"
Shinnosuke looked at Kurama Uroko, a bit surprised. "What do you mean?"
Immediately, her expression eased as she explained, "Even Hokage-sama has no way to deal with that person… I don't understand how you are so confident. If you do something stupid… that'll only make things more difficult. Don't try to get yourself killed. If something were to happen to you because of recklessness, Hokage-sama would be devastated…" paused, she added, "I'd be at a loss as well..."
Shinnosuke sighed in relief. For a moment there, he had felt a killing intent, and he had felt that it came from Uroko. But then he sighed inwardly, 'I guess I am just on too much of an edge. Why would Uroko direct her killing intent at me, after all, she is destined to become my wife…' At the thought of such a beautiful woman destined to become his wife, Shinnosuke blushed in excitement, forgetting his righteous indignation.
Thinking of the future that he is meant to have with her, Shinnosuke, blushing, cleared his throat. "Ahem," and asked her, "Say… Uroko… after this, do you want to…" he wanted to hang out with her. Just the two of them and no one else...
But before he could finish his words, the arrival of the Eagle-masked ANBU interrupted him.
The eagle-masked ANBU ninja first bowed to Shinnosuke, and without waiting for a response, he then informed Uroko, "Hokage-sama is asking for your presence."
"For me?" Uroko murmured and nodded, "I see…"
She apologized to Shinnosuke, "Forgive me, Shinnosuke-sama… I have to go," then, in the presence of Shinnosuke and Eagle, she wore her spider-themed ANBU mask as well as her ANBU cloak, then, pulling her hood, she left for the Hokage Building with Eagle.
Shinnosuke was left behind, scratching his hair, feeling a little awkward, and murmured to himself irritably, 'Did that crappy old man have to send in someone to call her at the moment… I was about to…'
But it was too late, and now, he could only sigh. 'I guess I'll have to wait for some other time…'
...
Hokage Building—
Soon, Spider was genuflecting before Hiruzen as he skimmed through a file…
It was her profile that had been maintained at the ANBU department. It listed her skills, her special abilities, her history, her mission records, her background, and so on…
Hiruzen was reading through it while she waited silently.
Reading some points about her academy days, Hiruzen blinked. 'I knew it… she was in the same year…' he murmured inwardly before he raised his head and said to the ANBU, "Spider… how well are you acquainted with Uchiha Kanzou?"
She blinked in surprise at the question posed by Hiruzen, her eyes flickering for a moment before she replied, "Not much acquainted…"
"Really? There's no friendship either?" Hiruzen asked, surprised.
She shook her head. "No, there is no… friendship between us…"
"Even though you attended the academy at the same time as him and used to sit on the same bench as him?" Hiruzen asked again…
She shrugged. "If I recall correctly, that person graduated early, and I was a shy girl at that time, so even if we used to sit on the same bench, I didn't have much opportunity to speak to him or get acquainted with him…" She then paused and added, "At most, I woke him a few times when he fell asleep in the middle of the class… that's the extent of my interaction with him in the academy."
Having explained all that, she asked Hiruzen, "If I may ask, Hokage-sama, why are you bringing up my academy days all of a sudden?"
Hiruzen hesitated for a moment before answering her, "It's because this is related to your next mission…"
"Related to my next… mission?" she murmured, asking, "What is the mission?"
Hiruzen nodded. "I need you to join the Police Force and spy on them for me. Specifically, Uchiha Kanzou and his close subordinates…"
"To spy on him and his close subordinates?" She was surprised, not expecting to be given such an important and also dangerous mission all of a sudden.
Hiruzen nodded and said, "Uchiha Kanzou is too out of control and too unpredictable… and what's very annoying is that I have no one in the Police Force that can keep tabs on him and keep me updated. I really need someone to keep an eye on him… and keep me informed." Explaining the gist of the mission, he asked, "Can you do it?"
Although Hiruzen posed it as a question… the ANBU ninjas basically didn't have the choice of refusal. If the Hokage was giving them a mission, then even if it was a mission to die, there was no refusing it. The ANBU ninjas could only grit their teeth and accept the mission.
Therefore, for Spider of the ANBU department, there was no refusal. Even if sneaking into the Police Force as a spy might result in her brutal death should she get discovered, there was no refusal.
But despite knowing this and the risks involved, she bowed to Hiruzen. "If this is what Hokage-sama expects of me, then I shall do it…"
Hiruzen was satisfied and began to explain all the things she needed to do and keep an eye on…
After explaining everything, Hiruzen asked her, "Is everything clear?" he asked her.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," she nodded.
"Well, then… go… prepare…" he ordered, waving his hand.
"I understand," she nodded and withdrew.
Hiruzen watched her leave before taking a smoke from his tobacco pipe and sighed, exhaling smoke. 'Hopefully, this will get me something…' he thought.
However, he didn't know why, but he didn't think this was enough…
Having been defeated repeatedly by Kanzou, Hiruzen really felt that this might not be enough.
'Just sending her… if she gets caught, then this could be troublesome. Someone else needs to be sent as well…' he thought, and after some hesitation decided to send another ninja.
'Sending another ninja who'd deliberately make some mistake and reveal themselves to be ANBU would be better…' he thought.
If Kanzou and the Uchihas managed to catch the attempted infiltration, they'd grow confident and think that there were no more spies in the Police Force. But unbeknownst to Kanzou, Spider would already be weaving her web there.
As for whether an ANBU caught infiltrating into the Police Force would bring a problem for him? Hiruzen wasn't worried. He could just pretend not to know the ninja. That'll solve the problem.
'Yeah… let's send another ninja…' he nodded, but instead of sending one of his own from the ANBU department, he decided to order Danzō to send one of his Root ninjas. Anyway, the death of Root ninjas wasn't a loss. The Root ninjas, after all, are orphans and groomed to be loyal ninjas for the explicit purpose of being sacrificed for the sake of the village.
With that in mind, he ordered Eagle, "Bring a message to Danzō for me…" and gave the instructions.
The ANBU nodded, "Understood, Hokage-sama," and left to pass the order to Danzō.
Left alone in the office, Hiruzen sighed, exhaling smoke again as he murmured to himself, "With this… There shouldn't be any problem anymore…"
Kanzou didn't know that Hiruzen had already made his move to put a spy beside him… but even if he knew… he wouldn't care… or rather, he would laugh… as for why he'd laugh?
Find out in the next episode of Dragon Ba—ahem.
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A/N:
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