"A strange mask, the Sharingan..."
"It's almost identical to the description Minato gave before he died."
In the Hokage's office within the Konoha administration building, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, his gaze fixed on the portrait of the Fourth Hokage hanging on the wall.
"It's not necessarily the same person," said the half-mummified Danzō, standing coldly across the desk.
At this hour, it was usually the Kage of Konoha who was working overtime. The moment the Anbu received the news, Danzō Shimura had come over almost without hesitation. The two old comrades immediately began discussing the incident.
"Regardless of the process or the outcome, this whole affair is too strange."
"Even if they were just a few kids... a person capable of controlling the Nine-Tails and attacking Konoha wouldn't let Konoha ninja off so easily."
"That escort mission was only a C-rank mission. Root has already investigated; the client wasn't on any bounty list in the underground black market..."
His frown deepening, Hiruzen Sarutobi pulled his gaze away from the Fourth Hokage's portrait and looked at his old friend.
"Danzō... what are you trying to say?"
Danzō Shimura's gaze did not waver.
"Judging by the outcome, this... is very likely an incident staged by the Uchiha themselves."
"Staged?" Hiruzen's eyes turned cold. "Danzō, don't be so quick to judge by the outcome."
From the outcome, it was true.
Although the mission failed, Itachi Uchiha did indeed awaken his Sharingan. Konoha, it seemed, had suffered no losses other than the fee for a failed C-rank mission.
If one looked at it from that angle... the beneficiary was indeed the Uchiha clan.
"But you can't explain how they survived, can you," Danzō said, his tone growing more forceful, showing no sign of stopping.
"The client of a C-rank mission is meaningless to someone who intends to destroy Konoha."
"But a genius ninja who has awakened the Sharingan... you should know what that means to the Uchiha."
"All these years, what have we been trying to prevent at all costs? Why did we drive the Uchiha to the corner of the village?"
"Don't tell me you don't know."
The air gradually fell silent. The two had worked together for so many years; many things did not need to be spelled out.
"Then... what about the spatial vortex when the attacker left? The other two genin saw it as well." Hiruzen seemed unwilling to give up.
Danzō's eyes instantly turned cold!
"Stop being so naive, Hiruzen!"
"A simple Genjutsu is all it would take. With the Uchiha's Sharingan, it would be all too easy!"
Danzō was clearly dissatisfied with his old comrade's indecisive attitude.
However, seeing the lingering hesitation on Hiruzen's face, Danzō knew that there would likely be no significant outcome tonight.
"Let Root handle the interrogation of the children... Hiruzen." His tone softened slightly. Danzō sighed and said in a low voice, "If we don't start preparing, it will be too late."
"The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki is growing up. The tragedy from a year ago... I don't want to see that happen again either."
Hiruzen's expression immediately grew heavy. Clearly, the events of a year ago had also had a great impact on him.
After a long while, Hiruzen finally sighed.
"Fine... but any action must follow protocol."
"I hope you understand... until the matter is thoroughly investigated, preparations are just that—preparations."
"Danzō."
The conflict on Hiruzen's face vanished, replaced by an unquestionable seriousness. Their gazes met, neither backing down.
"I understand."
Finally, Danzō nodded and turned to leave.
.....
The next morning, Orochimaru, who was continuing his research in his laboratory, suddenly sensed two uninvited guests.
Root.
"Does Lord Danzō have new instructions?"
"Tell him... if he can't wait, then he should send more test subjects over."
For the past three months, in order to lie low, the progress of his experiments had been slow. This had given Orochimaru the time to teach his cute and interesting disciple a thing or two.
Now, things had quieted down. It was time for the experiments to get back on track.
"Your subordinate will relay Lord Orochimaru's request as soon as possible," a Root member replied coldly. "However, Lord Danzō's orders are for something else."
"Yesterday, Haruko Uchiha left the village without permission and happened to encounter Itachi Uchiha's team during their failed mission. Root needs to investigate."
"Lord Danzō sent me to ask for Lord Orochimaru's opinion."
"Will you conduct the interrogation personally, or will Root handle it on your behalf, so you may avoid suspicion?" the Root member said, using a tone of rare caution.
After all, as things stood, Orochimaru was one of Root's own...
Root's chief research expert on Wood Style cells was not a title to be taken lightly.
"Go and carry out the mission Danzō truly sent you to do."
"Don't waste my time with this..." Orochimaru said without turning his head, his work at hand completely undisturbed.
"Tell Danzō I need more test subjects."
"Yes! Your subordinate will take his leave!"
The two Root members exchanged a glance and then vanished.
Danzō's order was indeed just to inform him. Whether Orochimaru agreed or not, Root's interrogation would certainly proceed.
However, after the two Root members left, Orochimaru's movements also paused.
"I hope you have fun, Haruko..."
A sinister smile spread across his face.
His work at hand continued.
The Immortality Reincarnation Technique was nearing completion...
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