"Just who carried out the killings?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked down at the scroll and said:
"A Fire Release expert, particularly skilled at infiltration...
Although Shimura Sumi and Sarutobi Yutaka's abilities were somewhat lacking, to kill them and their guards so decisively requires at least Jōnin, or even Elite Jōnin, level skill.
The ones guarding Sarutobi Yutaka were an Ino–Shika–Chō team. This combination has both offense and defense, yet they were killed by Fire Release without even reacting..."
After pondering, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Among the Senju clan's Jōnin, there are no particularly skilled Fire Release users. It doesn't seem like them.
The Senju clan now mainly operates around Konoha Hospital; their combat power isn't as formidable as before.
Hatake Sakumo's subordinates have alibis. Kawatora is at the border outpost in the Land of Waves direction; Yamashiro-dera and Gekkō Sō are both in the village.
Although Hatake Sakumo is ambitious and wants to implement his opinionated policies, he wouldn't go so far as to kill people from the same village for his goals.
The Uchiha clan's Jōnin... Could it be the Uchiha clan?
First, check where the Uchiha clan's Jōnin have been recently."
After a moment's thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "I will speak with Tsunade, Hatake Sakumo, and Uchiha Kane in turn, requiring them to prove their innocence.
Simultaneously, the ANBU and Root will investigate in secret. We cannot overlook any clue."
Sarutobi Yutaka's death pained Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart.
That was his own nephew, a very promising young man, an important aide he had intended for his son.
Danzo asked again: "Should we kill a few more? They are too arrogant, daring to fight back."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and said: "First, investigate the truth. First determine who the killer is. Once the truth is verified, use it to force them to yield.
Killing people recklessly now, if others seize evidence of it, could easily put us in a passive position.
The struggle is long-term; don't be impatient for immediate results."
Danzo felt disdain internally but didn't voice opposition, turning and leaving.
After leaving the Hokage Building, Orochimaru didn't return to the Root base, but went to Konoha Hospital.
On the rooftop of the hospital outpatient building, Orochimaru waited for Tsunade.
"Orochimaru, what did you need? By the way, since you returned to the village, it's like you vanished; I never see you."
Seeing the playful look in Orochimaru's eyes, Tsunade looked down at herself. There was nothing unusual about her today; looking down, she still couldn't see her shoes.
Orochimaru said: "Tsunade, I underestimated you. I never expected your counterattack to be so explosive."
"Counterattack? Who did I counterattack?"
Orochimaru said: "Whether you did it or not, they will decide it was the counterattack by you, Hatake Sakumo, and Uchiha Kane."
"I don't understand. What am I counterattacking?"
"Shimura Sumi, Sarutobi Yutaka. Two Tokubetsu Jōnin about to participate in the Jōnin assessments. One died in the Land of Grass, one died in the Land of Hot Water."
"What does that have to do with me? The Jōnin Platoon is conducting rounds of assessments. Why weren't they staying in the village? What were they doing in other countries?"
Orochimaru explained: "The Guardian Ninja Jōnin in the Land of Rivers is from the Shimura clan. The Guardian Ninja Jōnin in the Land of Hot Water is from the Sarutobi clan.
They went to help their clans stabilize the situation. In the Jōnin assessments, the Shimura and Sarutobi clans are scheduled last; they had ample time."
Tsunade frowned, immediately realizing the severity of the problem:
"This is slander! I was indeed angry because the Sandaime vetoed my recommendation, but how could I possibly assassinate people from my own village?
Even if they are from the Sarutobi or Shimura clans, I wouldn't kill them.
Could it be that the Sarutobi and Shimura clans offended someone else, and that someone is taking advantage of my conflict with the Sandaime over the Jōnin recommendation to carry out the killings, using me as a shield?
I've become a scapegoat?
No, I need to go see the Sandaime. This matter has nothing to do with me."
With that, Tsunade directly jumped from the rooftop towards the Hokage Building.
Orochimaru shook his head repeatedly. After half an hour, Tsunade returned, fuming.
"Anyway, I explained clearly enough. I didn't do it, and I won't take the blame for this."
Orochimaru thought to himself, Was that you explaining? That was you rubbing salt in the wound.
He could imagine Tsunade arguing with Hiruzen-sensei.
Orochimaru ignored the matter of the Sarutobi clan being targeted for revenge and asked directly: "Tsunade, do you support me becoming the Yondaime Hokage?"
"Who? You? Orochimaru? You want to be Yondaime Hokage?" Tsunade said incredulously:
"Give it up. Might as well let Jiraiya be Yondaime Hokage."
"I'm asking if you support me."
"I can only say I don't oppose it."
"Don't oppose it?" Orochimaru said: "That's enough. Your non-opposition is the greatest support for me."
"You really want to be Yondaime Hokage?"
Orochimaru raised his hands, staring at them as he said:
"I need power. I need secret techniques.
Right now, the village's power, the village's secret techniques, are held by Sandaime-sensei.
I've asked Hiruzen-sensei for the Scroll of Seals several times, and been refused every time.
Hiruzen-sensei says the knowledge contained in the Scroll of Seals is too powerful, that I cannot control it, that it will lead me astray.
I don't believe it. Is there any power I cannot control?
Since Hiruzen-sensei wants to push me to become Yondaime Hokage, then I'll do it.
Once the power is in my hands, I will make better use of it.
In this world, there is absolutely no power that I cannot control."
Tsunade knew then that she was definitely the one among the Sannin with the fewest issues. Looking at the slightly crazed Orochimaru, she said:
"The Sandaime has held the Scroll of Seals for many years. Have you seen him master any forbidden technique?
Forbidden techniques require talent, require opportunity. Rashly learning forbidden techniques, self-destruction is the lightest outcome.
Orochimaru, pursuing power is normal. Both you and I pursue power. However, do not pursue power you cannot bear.
Compared to learning unsuitable forbidden techniques, it's better to develop abilities suited to yourself."
Orochimaru suddenly looked at Tsunade's brow, seeing the diamond-shaped mark there.
"You... completed that technique?"
Tsunade nodded and said: "Yes, sealing away chakra daily to use in battle. Now I've achieved it."
As soon as Tsunade finished speaking, Orochimaru suddenly rushed forward.
Their figures briefly passed each other.
The rooftop floor tiles were shattered to pieces, covered in cracks.
Tsunade stood with her back to Orochimaru, the Yin Seal slowly retracting into the diamond mark on her brow.
Orochimaru's eyes showed dejection, then he glanced towards the Hokage Building, and Body Flickered away from the hospital rooftop.
He felt even more urgent inside.
Tsunade's strength had improved qualitatively, while he had not yet seen the dawn.
Shinma hurried with quick steps, rushing towards a training ground at the edge of the village.
In the training ground, Hatake Sakumo was instructing Minato and Kakashi.
Seeing Shinma waving at him from a distance, Hatake Sakumo had Minato guide Kakashi and went to Shinma's side.
"Sakumo-sama! Something big has happened!" Shinma said urgently:
"The final round of the Jōnin assessment is missing two people: Shimura Sumi and Sarutobi Yutaka.
I heard both were assassinated. They and their guards were turned into charred corpses."
Hatake Sakumo's first reaction was that the Sarutobi and Shimura clans had deep foundations, able to assign guards even to their Tokubetsu Jōnin clan members.
Then he remembered, wouldn't the village suspect him?
Shinma said beside him: "Hayama and I were recommended by you for Jōnin, but both had our qualifications revoked by the village.
Hayama was questioned by the Shimura clan, asking if his improved Vacuum Sword was stolen from the Shimura clan.
I was almost killed. If Gekkō Sō-nii hadn't arrived, I would be dead.
Now that the children and nephews of the village's higher-ups have been killed, wouldn't we become one of the suspects?"
Hatake Sakumo thought for a moment and said: "Shinma, you prepare an investigation report.
The report should contain the alibis for Gekkō Sō, Yamashiro-dera, you, Hayama, and 5 other Tokubetsu Jōnin.
Complete the report as soon as possible. I estimate the village will ask for it sooner or later."
An ANBU suddenly landed in the training ground.
"White Fang-sama, the Hokage-sama summons you."
Hatake Sakumo said: "Understood. I'll go now."
Entering the Hokage's office, Hatake Sakumo was questioned by the Hokage. After Hatake Sakumo stated he had been within the village the entire time,
the Sandaime Hokage demanded that Hatake Sakumo and his subordinates provide proof, submitting a report. Hatake Sakumo agreed.
It wasn't him, and he hadn't ordered it, so Hatake Sakumo wasn't worried inside.
Just after stepping out of the Hokage Building, Hatake Sakumo saw a mask, somewhat similar to but not Fox's.
He had been very firm in his belief that he had no connection to the deaths of Shimura Sumi and Sarutobi Yutaka.
But now, he suddenly felt some hesitation.
No... It couldn't be him, could it...
If it was him... Hatake Sakumo pondered incessantly, if it was Fox, what should he do?
Assassinating companions from the same village... Did he really do it?
After Shinma left the training ground, he went to find Hayama.
Hayama was practicing the Vacuum Sword in his backyard.
Through continuous hard training, Hayama, by chance, discovered the trick to releasing the Vacuum Sword with one hand.
The Vacuum Sword was simplified from three hand seals to half a seal with one hand. The hand holding the sword pressed the palm against the hilt, the fingers forming the seal. The wind blade flew out with the sword's edge, greatly increasing flexibility.
He was very suited to the Vacuum Sword technique.
Because of this, the Shimura clan questioned him for a long time. If Sakumo-sama hadn't vouched for him, he would still be under investigation.
The Shimura clan is the village's great Wind Release clan. They couldn't believe a civilian-born shinobi could master such a refined Wind Release.
Shinma came to Hayama's home and told him the news about Shimura Sumi and Sarutobi Yutaka's deaths.
Hayama, while practicing, said: "Such a thing happened? You didn't go tell Sakumo-sama first, did you?"
"I did."
"You did? Then Sakumo-sama didn't scold you for taking pleasure in others' misfortune? They are comrades of the village."
"I'm not stupid. How could I act like I was gloating in front of Sakumo-sama?" Shinma said:
"Tell me where you were half a month ago, and who can prove it. I need to write a report proving we all have alibis."
"What? The village suspects us?"
When he was humiliated by the Shimura clan, Hayama hated them intensely.
It was as if Wind Release belonged solely to the Shimura clan, and no one else in Konoha could practice it.
Now being suspected as murderers made Hayama even more annoyed.
They could harm their own people, but could Hayama do such a thing?
He sighed and honestly stated where he was half a month ago and who could prove it.
He hadn't left the village, so it was easy to clear suspicion.
Hayama thought for a moment and suddenly said:
"Shinma, last time you were in danger, someone secretly alerted Sakumo-sama. This time, someone killed Shimura Sumi and Sarutobi Yutaka. Do you think... these two people might be the same person?"
Shinma was stunned; he had never considered that angle.
Could it be?
Shinma said, "Has Sakumo-sama cooperated with some faction? A faction with effective intelligence, and ruthless in action?"
Hayama nodded; he thought the same. He said:
"If it's true, that would be good. Sakumo-sama is good in every way, except he's a bit too gentle.
I heard from Yamashiro-dera that during the Nidaime Hokage's tenure, Sakumo-sama carried out many extremely dangerous missions in the ANBU, sacrificing many comrades, which is why he values comrades so much.
But now it's different.
The ANBU during the Nidaime's era, their blades didn't turn inward. The current ANBU, can you still trust them?
I heard the current ANBU is extremely extreme, long since betraying the Nidaime's original purpose for establishing the ANBU.
Especially one called Copper Fox, who stands out for his extremity and brutality.
I fought alongside him in the Land of Whirlpools once, and he even saved me. At first, I thought Copper Fox was just a powerful ANBU member.
When he was interrogating Hōzuki Rinzuki, I heard Hōzuki Rinzuki's screams.
My impression of Copper Fox changed from gratitude to fear.
Those screams were like vengeful ghosts.
I was terrified at the time. I'm a Tokubetsu Jōnin, and I've never heard a shinobi scream so miserably."
If Yōkō were here, he would definitely want to defend himself a few words.
Back then, it was because he falsely accused Hōzuki Rinzuki of leaking the Water Gun Secret Technique, which is why Hōzuki Rinzuki wailed like ghosts and wolves; it really wasn't because he used such extreme interrogation methods.
Shinma nodded repeatedly; he had heard Copper Fox's name many times; he was indeed brutal.
While Shinma was writing the report to prove their innocence, Uchiha Kane was even more overwhelmed.
The Senju clan and White Fang's factions currently had fewer people, making it easier to prove their alibis.
The Uchiha clan was different; the Uchiha clan had over 900 clansmen.
Screening over 900 people and needing solid evidence was too difficult.
As soon as Uchiha Kane began the internal investigation, he discovered traces of ANBU and Root investigating the Uchiha clan.
For a time, within the Uchiha compound, everyone felt apprehensive, not knowing why the ANBU and Root weren't even pretending anymore, investigating Uchiha shinobi in various ways.
Especially the Uchiha clan's Jōnin and Tokubetsu Jōnin, who had to write personal statements proving they weren't in the Land of Grass or the Land of Hot Water half a month ago.
If they were only investigating these people, that would be one thing, but Root actually demanded that Uchiha Kane provide a list of Uchiha shinobi who had gone missing on the battlefield over the past ten years, to prove they weren't rogue ninja.
Perhaps some Uchiha shinobi used battlefield disappearances to secretly become rogue ninja, then turned against Konoha, assassinating Konoha compatriots.
In the First and Second Great Shinobi Wars, the Uchiha clan had at least 50 shinobi whose bodies were never found, i.e., were missing.
How could he possibly fulfill Root's demand?
Judging by Root's attitude, if the missing couldn't be proven dead, they would definitely be classified as rogue ninja.
At Hatake Sakumo's home.
Kakashi, tired from playing, like a child who had exhausted his energy, went upstairs to sleep as if powered off.
In the living room on the first floor, the ninken Pakkun stared at Hatake Sakumo across from him.
Hatake Sakumo had his eyes closed, arms crossed over his chest, lost in thought.
Pakkun waited quietly for half an hour, but Hatake Sakumo hadn't reached a decision.
Pakkun couldn't help but speak:
"Sakumo, you can't hesitate any longer. Shinma was almost killed, can't you see it?
If the Konoha higher-ups wish it, a single mission can send a Konoha shinobi to their death.
Do you want me to go see Fox or not? And if I do see him, should we break with him or not? Make a decision quickly."
***
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(End of Chapter)