Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart jolted.
Missing?
What kind of joke was that!
This was Konoha—the strongest village in the shinobi world. Its perimeter was protected by a massive barrier, with the Sealing Corps standing guard twenty-four hours a day. Inside, Anbu and the Military Police patrolled constantly, bolstered by the vigilance of every great clan's watchmen.
And most importantly—the one missing was none other than the Anbu Captain.
True, Shinnosuke's strength was nothing compared to his own Kage-level power. But within the scope of ordinary shinobi, he was still an elite Jounin.
Even if he had encountered trouble, could he really not have had the time to fire a signal flare?
And so—
The ominous feeling in Hiruzen's heart grew heavier.
There was also the matter of Shinnosuke's sudden departure.
The only way someone could contact him without any intermediary and pull him out so quickly… was through summoning.
A special communication technique that only the Sarutobi clan's core disciples could wield.
The Monkey Clan!
Did this mean… the Sarutobi clan itself was involved?
The more he thought about it, the worse it felt. Without delay, Hiruzen pulled up Anbu's surveillance reports on his three "old friends."
And when he read them, his blood ran cold.
That very night, both Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had secretly gone to meet with Danzo in Root.
After that—
Ninjas from Root and the Utatane clan had begun covert movements. The specifics were unknown, but their methods were every bit as sharp as Anbu's. Considering these were elders, the Anbu hadn't dared press the surveillance too far.
But what shocked him most—was Homura.
According to Anbu's findings, this man had slipped quietly into the Sarutobi clan grounds.
What was this supposed to mean?
A Konoha elder, sneaking into his clan in the dead of night?
And he hadn't even come to see him!
Hiruzen's gaze flickered, his thoughts unsettled.
After a long pause, he waved a hand.
"That's enough. You may leave," he said coldly. "Tonight's events—don't let a single word slip."
"Yes!"
The Anbu bowed low and withdrew.
Only once he was outside did he breathe out a long sigh of relief.
He'd made it out alive!
This whirlpool involving the Hokage and the three elders? He didn't have the courage to touch it. One misstep, and he'd lose his life.
So—
This Anbu decided that first thing after tomorrow's shift, he'd put in for leave.
At the very least, he wouldn't come back until this mess was truly settled.
But Hiruzen had no attention to spare for one Anbu's private fears.
After the man left, he summoned the Sarutobi clan's secretly trained intelligence chief.
Yes.
Although he, as Hokage, controlled the Anbu directly, they were not his blood. He would never trust them completely. Over the years, he had quietly fostered a Sarutobi-only intelligence branch.
Unlike Anbu, however, their role was limited. To avoid drawing suspicion, they only monitored the clan's own members, never outside affairs.
Before long, a middle-aged man entered. "Clan Leader!"
"Shunen, sit," Hiruzen said with a smile. "No need to be so formal in private. If anything, I should be calling you elder brother."
Sarutobi Shunen waved his hands quickly.
He knew full well how ruthless this Hokage was. He would never dare take advantage of him, even in words.
Rising to bow, he said hurriedly: "Clan Leader, please don't say such things. I could never presume!"
"No need to be so frightened. Sit and drink some tea," Hiruzen replied, still smiling. "I only called you here at this late hour to ask one thing. Today, when Homura snuck into the Sarutobi compound—who exactly did he meet with?"
Shunen's reaction pleased Hiruzen.
Yes—this was how a subordinate should behave before him.
After that brief "reminder," he got to the heart of it.
"Sarutobi Ran," Shunen answered without hesitation. "But their meeting lasted no more than ten minutes. Other than that, there was nothing. And since Ran never left the compound today, I didn't see the need to report it immediately."
"Clan Leader, I…"
He didn't hold back.
Though he had no idea what Ran had done, the fact that Hiruzen himself was asking about it in the dead of night meant only one thing—
This was something that could shake the heavens.
In such a matter, he dared not even hint at shielding Sarutobi Ran.
All he wanted was to wash his hands of it entirely.
But unfortunately—
Hiruzen cut him off before he could finish.
"That's enough."
"I don't care to hear excuses. Bring Sarutobi Ran here at once."
"Take plenty of men. If he resists, seize him by force. Life or death—irrelevant."
"Go."
His tone was flat, merciless.
Of course he knew what Shunen was trying to say—nothing but an attempt to clear himself of blame.
On another day, Hiruzen might have humored him.
But not now.
With his eldest son's fate unknown, he had no patience for games.
The look on Hiruzen's face chilled Shunen to the bone.
This wasn't interrogation—this was a man about to devour someone alive.
Without a second thought, Shunen bowed and hurried out.
The teahouse fell silent once more.
Lighting his pipe, Hiruzen drew hard, exhaling thick clouds of smoke.
His brows furrowed deep.
At last, he spoke coldly:
"Anbu."
"Go immediately to the Yamanaka clan. Bring Inoichi here at once."
"This matter is urgent—tell him he must come quickly."
In the shadows, a hidden guard bowed and vanished into the night.
Hiruzen's hands trembled faintly.
Even within a single pipe's worth of tobacco, he had already choked several times.
In his eyes, shadows swirled—deep, violent flames of fury rising within.
"Saru—tobi—Ran!"
"This had better have nothing to do with you. You have such a brilliant future ahead—don't you dare throw it away on foolishness!"
"Shinnosuke treated you like his own elder brother!"
"Koharu, Danzo, Homura…"
"Since the day I rose to power, I have never once shortchanged any of you."
"For heaven's sake—don't bring trouble to my door!"
"Shinnosuke… are you still alive?"
"…"
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