In the northwest of Konohagakure, close to the Hokage Monument, lay an upscale residential district. Quite a number of Konoha's upper echelons lived here. Although Konoha was still home to many great clans, the repeated attrition of the shinobi wars had also seen a large number of powerful shinobi emerge from the civilian ranks.
These people were not bound by clan ties, nor did they possess ancestral compounds or clan lands.
As a result, through successive relocations, many of them eventually gathered in this high-end residential area.
Of course, not everyone living here was a civilian-born shinobi without background. Many powerful figures with clans or influential connections had also chosen to step out from under the protection of their teachers or families and settle here on their own. One such resident was none other than Orochimaru, one of the legendary Three Sannin.
On ordinary days,
Orochimaru's residence was rarely free of opportunists coming and going. Though he did not appear particularly approachable, as one of the strongest candidates for the Fourth Hokage, he genuinely had no shortage of supporters in Konoha. With the Third Hokage's tacit approval, he wielded considerable influence.
But—
today, those who arrived at Orochimaru's doorstep were clad in full battle gear. Leading them was the Third Hokage himself, dressed as though he were about to personally head to the front lines.
Behind him, stood Inuzuka Gaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, Aburame Shibi, and two squads of elite ANBU.
"What's the situation inside?"
The Third Hokage asked in a low voice, his expression dark as he stared at the tightly shut gates of the residence.
"There's a very strong, very fresh smell of blood inside!"
The one who answered was Inuzuka Gaku, a veteran powerhouse of the Inuzuka clan. He had once teamed up with Minato on the battlefield against Kumogakure's famed A–B duo. Yet now, this seasoned shinobi wore a bitter expression, clearly uneasy about today's mission.
If he had a choice, he would rather die than follow the Hokage to investigate Orochimaru!
Unfortunately, he had no choice.
He could only steel himself and accompany the Hokage to investigate Orochimaru, the Hokage's most favored disciple, silently praying that when gods fought, they would not drag little devils like him into it. Otherwise, surviving battles against Kumogakure only to die inside Konoha itself… that would be a death he could never accept.
"And you, Inoichi?"
Hearing Gaku's report, the Third Hokage's face sank, but he did not comment further. Instead, he turned to Inoichi.
"There's a barrier blocking my perception," Inoichi shook his head.
He was just as tense as Gaku.
If possible, he also wanted nothing to do with this mess. The conflict between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru… he truly wanted no part of it.
But once again, he had no choice.
Nearby, Aburame Shibi's face was hidden behind dark glasses and a high collar, making it impossible to read his expression. But in truth, his feelings were no different from those of Gaku and Inoichi. He, too, had no desire whatsoever to be dragged into this affair.
"Blood… a barrier…"
Lowering his head, the Third Hokage murmured to himself.
"Orochimaru, just what are you trying to do?"
Gaku, Inoichi, and Aburame Shibi all lowered their heads. If not for the two ANBU squads behind them, they would have dearly loved to cover their ears and hear nothing at all.
At that moment, the Third Hokage moved.
He raised his left hand to his mouth and bit down on his thumb, drawing blood. His hands rapidly formed seals, and using his blood as a medium, he slammed his right palm onto the ground, performing a summoning technique as he shouted:
"Come forth—Enma!"
Chakra burst out in a cloud of white smoke.
A cold wind swept through. As the smoke dispersed, a tall monkey with white fur and beard, a dignified countenance, and a tiger-skin loincloth appeared before them.
It was the Third Hokage's summoned beast—
Enma.
"Sarutobi, what's going on—"
Enma emerged in a combat-ready stance, speaking as he did. Seeing the Third Hokage clad in full battle gear the moment he was summoned, he instinctively assumed a powerful enemy required his aid.
But—
before he could finish speaking,
he noticed Inuzuka Gaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and the others, as well as the Hokage Monument not far away.
Confusion flickered in his eyes.
This was Konoha!
Why summon him here?
No—
more importantly, why was Hiruzen wearing armor he had not donned in years?
What had happened?
"Something wrong? Hiruzen, why did you summon me?" Enma asked.
"…It's Orochimaru."
After a brief silence,
the Third Hokage answered softly.
"I see."
Enma immediately showed a look of understanding and, without any restraint, spoke loudly:
"Hiruzen, you've finally seen through that crooked little brat's true nature? Good. It's not too late. So now you're planning to clean house, are you? Don't worry—I'll help you!"
As Enma spoke,
the Third Hokage's expression darkened further.
A chill radiated from him, warning all others to keep their distance.
He was not surprised by Enma's reaction. From very early on, for reasons unknown, Enma had disliked Orochimaru. He had often said that if Hiruzen did not deal with him sooner, he would eventually die at the hands of that wicked-minded child.
Because of this, the two of them had argued more times than he could count.
And today, cruel reality seemed to prove that he had been wrong, and Enma had been right.
Behind the Third Hokage,
Gaku and Inoichi were pale, on the verge of tears.
Damn it—
this really felt like something huge was about to happen today!
"There's no point in dwelling on the past. Now…"
The Third Hokage lifted his head again, stepped around Enma standing before him, and fixed his gaze on the gates of Orochimaru's residence.
"I want to question Orochimaru face to face," he said, then asked, "Enma, can you break this barrier?"
"Hiruzen, you really have grown old. The you of the past wouldn't have asked me something like that."
Enma bellowed.
The very next second,
he turned and charged straight at the tightly shut gates.
The powerful barrier enveloping the entire residence shattered with a thunderous crash. The thick solid-wood gates were smashed apart as well, exploding into fragments and revealing the scene within.
Lying just inside the entrance was a headless corpse.
Judging by the color of the blood pooling across the ground,
the decapitation had happened not long ago. Just as Gaku had said, the stench of blood was indeed frighteningly fresh.
"The wound is clean… no signs of poisoning on the body… only an injury at the neck. Hokage-sama, this person was killed by a single clean beheading."
An ANBU elite from the body-handling unit stepped forward, swiftly completed a preliminary examination, and reported his findings.