Danzo was preparing to conclude this unpleasant meeting when a Root shinobi soundlessly appeared beside him, whispering several sentences near his ear.
Danzo looked toward Orochimaru irritably. "Where else did you go? Now Tsunade already knows you came. The village's alert level has increased."
Amber serpent pupils flickered slightly in dim lighting. The corners of Orochimaru's mouth pulled into an amused smile.
"Merely happened to pass by the Chūnin Exam venue." His tone was languid. "Seeing a former subordinate, I could not help but look a bit longer. Truly... nostalgic presence."
Danzo immediately understood the reason. His expression grew uglier. "Leaving behind such troublesome things, you actually did not handle it cleanly back then. You have also grown weak, Orochimaru."
He mentally calculated countermeasures. If news merely originated from Mitarashi Anko's uncertain curse seal reaction without more conclusive evidence, then maneuvering room still existed.
"Heh, merely a failed experiment's residual insignificant connection." Orochimaru's tone was indifferent. "If you find it troublesome, just dispose of her."
"Before receiving my next instructions, you stay here!" Danzo turned toward shadows beside him. "Jin, you remain here."
That Root shinobi acknowledged orders, guarding nearby.
Danzo's figure vanished into the passage's darkness. He had to return and prepare to handle Sarutobi Hiruzen's possible inquiries.
Orochimaru seemed to develop interest in this long-abandoned experimental facility, leisurely pacing. His fingertips traced across dust-covered operation tables, producing slight rustling sounds.
Time slowly flowed amid silence. Only within several rays of faint light cast through ventilation openings did dust silently dance.
Jin remained statue-like, motionless. All muscles maintained optimal explosive states. The shinobi before him was one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru. Absolutely no carelessness was permitted.
After a while, Orochimaru suddenly halted, turning his head. His gaze seemingly casually swept across Jin's direction.
Merely a glance.
Jin's entire blood seemed frozen.
The scene before his eyes violently twisted and transformed. His body grew abnormally heavy. Tearing pain came from his chest. He looked down in disbelief, seeing a pale hand piercing through his chest, gripping a faintly beating heart. Warm blood gushed forth.
This is genjutsu...
Though knowing this was genjutsu, he still could not move a single finger.
Jin stood rigidly in place. His body seemed tightly bound by invisible shackles.
The corners of Orochimaru's mouth hooked into a contemptuous arc, seemingly finding this silent contest boring. His body, as though melting into water, slowly sank into the ground beneath his feet without stirring a single ripple, completely vanishing.
The Chūnin Exam venue's fervent atmosphere had not completely dissipated, yet the upper echelon area already revealed several traces of unusual tension.
Uchiha Fugaku had already hurriedly departed mid-match—when news of Orochimaru's possible infiltration arrived, as Konoha Police Force captain, he had to immediately return to deploy, strengthening clan grounds and important area vigilance.
Advisors Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado assumed responsibility accompanying various nations' daimyos and distinguished guests, ensuring this Chūnin Exam held for these important customers would not end anticlimactically due to sudden circumstances.
Exchanges with foreign village shinobi teams inevitably simplified considerably. After all, they all suffered defeat. Even with mental preparation, watching Konoha's Uchiha Itachi easily achieve victory inevitably soured moods. They also lacked spirit for much conversation with Konoha people.
The finals were fought between Uchiha Itachi and Hidden Cloud's C. Lightning Release's visual effects proved good. Fire Release also proved good.
Both sides' special effects collided. Itachi's kunai and C's blade clashed twice. Then came the Uchiha combo—seizing opportunity, Sharingan eye contact, utilizing genjutsu-brought momentary stiffness, then finishing.
Simple, efficient.
Hidden Cloud and Sunagakure teams planned resting one night. After wounded conditions stabilized, they would depart. Kusagakure's Muen would stay several additional days. At that time, Konoha envoys would return with him to handle subsequent matters.
Not long after Danzo returned to Root headquarters, Sarutobi Hiruzen's summons already arrived.
In the Hokage's office, both Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade were present.
"Hiruzen, what matter?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his eyes. "Danzo, you know about Orochimaru infiltrating the village, correct?"
Danzo's single eye showed no ripples. "Where did the news originate?"
Their gazes intersected mid-air. The office fell into brief silence.
Tsunade spoke. "It was Anko. Her curse seal produced intense reactions."
"Mitarashi Anko?" Danzo snorted lightly. "A little girl abandoned by Orochimaru. What can her reactions prove? Merely based on such uncertain sensing, easily raising the entire village's alert level?"
"Acting so ostentatiously will only make staying various nations' distinguished guests and shinobi villages feel Konoha's internal emptiness, jumpy at shadows, pointlessly inviting suspicion and criticism."
"Acting so recklessly without considering consequences, Tsunade."
Tsunade's eyebrows shot up, glaring at Danzo furiously. "You!"
"Enough." Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted the about-to-escalate conflict. He glanced at his furious disciple, then looked at Danzo. "Anko's curse seal reaction is a signal requiring attention."
"Danzo, Root immediately cooperate with ANBU. Together conduct thorough investigation of all village suspicious areas, focusing on abandoned facilities Orochimaru previously used or might be familiar with."
"I will personally lead ANBU to investigate!" Tsunade immediately continued, gaze burning as she stared at Danzo.
The Third Hokage did not object. After brief silence, Danzo could only comply. "Understood."
He had already made arrangements. Tsunade could not possibly investigate anything.
Simultaneously, outside the venue, crowds gradually thinned.
Shuji watched Uchiha Mikoto approaching with her two sons. Sasuke excitedly surrounded Itachi, his small face flushed red as he gestured animatedly.
"Brother truly is strongest. That Hidden Cloud guy had absolutely no resistance before the Sharingan."
Itachi smiled gently, lightly patting his younger brother's head.
"Senpai, Anko-senpai."
Itachi politely greeted them but noticed Anko's expression seemed somewhat stiff.
"Congratulations, Itachi," Shuji said. "Very splendid match."
Then he quite naturally joined Uchiha Mikoto, Itachi, and Sasuke's group with Anko.
Sasuke continued chattering nonstop. Mikoto occasionally responded gently to her younger son. Her gaze mostly remained on Shuji and Itachi.
The group headed toward Uchiha clan grounds' direction. Shuji and Itachi fell slightly behind.
Shuji said quietly, "Recently, even while within Uchiha clan grounds, be more careful."
"Orochimaru may have infiltrated Konoha."
Itachi's steps paused. "Orochimaru? That Legendary Sannin..."
"Mm." Shuji's gaze swept across gradually thinning crowds around them. "Various nations' distinguished guests have not yet departed. The warning barrier cannot operate. Rooting him out will likely prove difficult."
Root's investigation results regarding Otogakure also indicated Danzo had already resumed cooperation with Orochimaru. With Root's cover plus Orochimaru's methods.
Finding him these next days proved slim hope.
Previously, Danzo had also attempted using Itachi as a breakthrough point. With Orochimaru entering this time, he might target him.
"Orochimaru may hold interest in the Uchiha clan."
"Your performance today proved outstanding. Therefore, be careful."
A trace of gravity flashed through Itachi's eyes. "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, senpai."
Nothing more needed saying. Not until reaching Uchiha clan grounds did Uchiha Mikoto express gratitude toward Shuji and Anko.
After Fugaku departed, she guessed incidents occurred, knowing Shuji's accompanying them this entire way stemmed from protective intent.
Watching the Uchiha mother and two sons enter Uchiha clan grounds, Shuji turned around, saying to Anko beside him, who had remained somewhat silent since leaving the venue, "Let us go. Tonight, come back with me to the western suburbs for temporary stay."
Anko froze momentarily. "Eh? No, no need, right? I can just return to my apartment..."
"Your current state, I am not at ease with you staying alone."
Though saying Orochimaru had long abandoned Anko, merely leaving a backup, this could not guarantee that returning this time, he would not whimsically check the Cursed Seal of Heaven's effects.
This risk need not be taken.
"The old estate has many empty rooms. No need to feel intrusive."
Anko opened her mouth, still wanting to say something. However, seeing the insistence in Shuji's eyes, she ultimately swallowed her refusal, lowering her head somewhat awkwardly.
"...Understood. Then... pardon the intrusion."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild