After deciding how to handle subsequent matters, the current priority was informing Shisui, far outside the village, about Orochimaru.
This matter proved quite thorny. Ordinary communication methods carried excessive risk. If Shimura Danzo and Orochimaru joined forces to intervene, Konoha's customary communication systems and encrypted codes would prove useless against them.
Dispatching a messenger hawk might result in mid-route interception. The message would never reach Shisui's hands.
Dispatching a shinobi to personally deliver the message made personnel selection even more difficult. The messenger's strength could not be weak. Otherwise, they could not handle possible interception, even struggling for self-preservation.
Moreover, during this sensitive period when the Chūnin Exam had just concluded and various nations' delegations had not completely departed the village, the village's high-end combat power was almost entirely tied down by heavy guard duties and diplomatic affairs, difficult to casually deploy.
Counting and recounting, available personnel proved pitifully few.
Shuji calmly spoke. "I will make the trip."
"You were just targeted by Orochimaru. Now actively leaving the village..." Tsunade's brow carried obvious hesitation. "Outside the village, he will no longer have any scruples when acting."
"I can handle it," Shuji said.
Not within the village, he would not fight with hands tied either.
Shuji continued, "Please also pay careful attention to village public opinion during this period. Once any rumors appear about that Uchiha ANBU squad encountering misfortune, especially 'total annihilation' type gossip, you must suppress and clarify with full force at the first opportunity. Absolutely cannot allow it to ferment, lest it shake morale and stimulate the Uchiha clan's emotions."
"Simultaneously, communicate with Uchiha Fugaku as quickly as possible. You can inform him of the situation and speculation we have grasped—of course, emphasize that this is Orochimaru's conspiracy, directing attention toward external enemies to temporarily ease internal suspicion and opposition, maintaining current cooperative posture."
"Regarding subsequent matters of selecting which Uchiha clan members to enter the shinobi academy or other positions, you can directly ask Itachi's opinion."
"He previously already conducted a period of sorting and evaluating clan internal personnel situations. He should possess relatively detailed rosters and information capable of providing valuable reference."
Tsunade gazed at Shuji. Morning light streamed through the window, dancing on her golden hair. She took a deep breath. Her eyes grew resolute.
"I understand." She said solemnly, "Village matters, leave them to me to handle."
Tsunade walked to her office desk, quickly writing a village exit permit and stamping it, simultaneously handing Shuji an encrypted scroll recording Shisui's squad's latest known position, scheduled patrol routes, and emergency contact methods.
"Be careful with everything," she finally instructed.
Shuji accepted the scroll, nodding before his figure vanished from the office.
After watching Shuji depart, Tsunade did not linger. She turned, striding with resolute steps directly toward the adjacent Hokage's office.
As Tsunade assumed increasingly more duties, the mountain of documents before Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen also seemed to have shrunk somewhat. He was buried among scrolls when hearing the door pushed open somewhat forcefully before raising his head.
"Old man." Tsunade's voice suppressed obvious displeasure. "Regarding the resolution approving Otogakure's establishment, I believe it requires reassessment!"
She currently did not know the exact connection between Otogakure and Orochimaru, but she deeply understood this matter itself represented a debt the Third Hokage owed her.
Previously, she could temporarily shelve it, but now, to counter Shimura Danzo, she decided to open a breakthrough here.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked toward his disciple somewhat surprised. "Tsunade? Regarding Otogakure's matter, it already underwent discussion..."
"I believe numerous doubts still exist within it!" Tsunade unceremoniously interrupted his words, continuing pressure. "Also, exactly how long do you intend to indulge Shimura Danzo and his unsightly Root?"
The Third Hokage set down his pen, straightening his body slightly, expression growing serious. "Tsunade, calm down. What happened to make you so agitated?"
Tsunade's fist slammed onto the solid office desk. The dull impact sound reverberated within the room. "Last night! Orochimaru appeared at the western suburbs' old estate, directly seeking out Shuji!"
"Someone who long ago betrayed the village, theoretically knowing nothing about recent village circumstances, if not through some special channel obtaining intelligence, how could he possibly target him?"
The Third Hokage's eyes sharpened. Last night showed no combat commotion. With Shuji's strength, even facing Orochimaru, he could not possibly suffer defeat silently.
Then only one conclusion remained: both parties made contact but did not erupt into conflict. Shuji should be unharmed.
He asked, "Where is Shuji?"
Tsunade did not answer but instead continued advancing her offensive. "You always knew Danzo's inclinations. Now he reconnects with Orochimaru. Besides the Uchiha, what other targets could there be?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen said gravely, "Matters concerning the entire village's stability and interests, Danzo would not do such things."
"Tsunade, this is no ordinary accusation. I know you dislike Danzo, but he likewise prioritizes the village's interests."
Tsunade said coldly, "What if not causing trouble within the village but instead targeting Uchiha outside? That squad's specific intelligence and patrol routes, old man, can you guarantee Danzo doesn't know them?"
This point, Sarutobi Hiruzen could not completely deny. However, that Uchiha squad, even from his perspective, proved difficult believing they would undergo positive changes.
Moreover, with Uchiha Shisui present, relying solely on Orochimaru alone...
"Where is Shuji?" The Third Hokage asked again.
"I dispatched him to remind Uchiha Shisui," Tsunade answered.
The Third Hokage picked up the pipe on his desk. He did not light it, merely slowly rubbing the pipe's surface with his fingers, falling into brief contemplation.
"Tsunade, evidence?"
"Danzo is a meritorious advisory elder. Saying he colludes with rogue ninja, betraying the village's ANBU—such accusations, relying solely on speculation and suspicion, cannot convince Koharu and Homura, much less convince the masses."
"Even if I personally incline toward believing your judgment, without conclusive evidence, high-level meetings also cannot pass any substantive sanctions against Danzo."
Tsunade braced her hands on the office desk, gaze burning as she stared at the Third Hokage. "Now is the most critical moment for the village to resolve the Uchiha's long isolation!"
"Old man, do you ultimately still believe Danzo's radical purging plan is correct? If truly so, then no need to continue dragging things out maintaining surface peace! I can leave the village right now. Whatever you wish to do, do it!"
"If you still approve the Uchiha matter can be resolved peacefully, right now, confine Danzo back to his Root!"
Watching the determination burning in his disciple's eyes like blazing torches, unyielding and steadfast.
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent for a moment. Finally, he sighed lightly.
The Third Hokage raised his hand, summoning direct ANBU who always guarded nearby.
"Go request Advisor Shimura to come over, saying there are urgent matters to discuss."
Before long, Shimura Danzo's figure appeared at the office doorway.
"Hiruzen, what urgent matters?"
Speaking thus, Danzo looked at Tsunade beside him with an unfriendly expression. An ominous premonition rose in his heart.
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his eyes, calmly watching him. "Danzo, the village currently has an important and urgent mission requiring mobilization of most of Root's forces."
Danzo's single eye narrowed slightly. "Oh? What mission is so urgent?"
"Specific mission details and deployment areas will subsequently be communicated to you by my direct ANBU and assist execution." The Third Hokage continued, "From now on, immediately recall all Root members executing non-classified missions outside, returning to base for centralized standby. This mission holds highest priority. All other activities postpone. There must be no errors."
Danzo's expression instantly darkened. This fundamentally was not mission assignment tone. This clearly was borrowing pretense to temporarily isolate and control his subordinate operational forces.
His gaze intersected mid-air with Sarutobi Hiruzen's calm yet resolute gaze.
The office's atmosphere abruptly grew tense and oppressive.
Danzo's fingers curled slightly, but ultimately, watching Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression leaving no room for negotiation, plus glancing at Tsunade glaring like a tiger beside him, he finally suppressed dissatisfaction and anger.
"...I understand." Danzo's voice proved somewhat low yet maintained composure. "Since it is the Hokage's order, Root will naturally comply."
Preparations he should make, he had already arranged, merely awaiting Orochimaru completing his assigned task.
Only, Hiruzen...
You are betraying our tacit understanding...
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild