Konoha Notes

Chapter 135 Trading
In Konoha, inside a forgotten, abandoned experimental facility.

The air was damp and stuffy, filled with dust and a faint sour smell.

A slender figure silently swept into this dark space.

"What a memorable place."

"You've gone too far, Orochimaru."

Danzo Shimura, leaning on his cane, slowly walked out, his one eye fixed on Orochimaru.

"Who gave you permission to enter the village at will? You are now a rogue ninja."

"Hehehe..." Orochimaru let out a low, pleasant chuckle. "Wasn't it you who invited me here, Danzo?"

The application from Otogakure itself was an invitation. Orochimaru naturally understood this; at this point in time, when Konoha would inevitably withdraw its warning barrier, he could openly enter Konoha.

Danzo Shimura did not deny this, saying, "I want you to do something."

"Oh, so the root is no longer effective?" Orochimaru looked at him with interest. "Then, please tell me."

“Currently, four members of the Uchiha clan are on missions outside as members of the Anbu.” Danzo’s voice was low. “I want their eyes, to make them disappear completely from their missions.”

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly: "Uchiha, interesting. So Uchiha can join the Anbu now."

Danzo snorted coldly: "It's nothing but the wishful thinking of a fool. The rebellious nature of the Uchiha clan has never changed."

"These four happen to be the most radical members of the Uchiha clan, filled with resentment towards the village. Letting them die on the mission is the best outcome."

Their deaths will also make the Uchiha clan hesitant to join the Anbu, as four of the Uchiha's elite members have been lost in just one reconnaissance mission.

At that point, Tsunade's plan will be difficult to continue, and the village will ultimately have no choice but to use her solution.

"Uchiha Shisui will also be working with them on the mission. I will use intelligence to transfer him away first."

Uchiha Shisui was exceptionally strong, and Danzo, not wanting the news to leak out, had Shisui bring back information about Orochimaru's attack on the Uchiha team.

Only by making those four disappear without a trace can the radicals' suspicion and anger be maximized.

Orochimaru listened and chuckled, "What would you like to offer in exchange for my services?"

"I only want the Sharingan," Danzo said decisively. "As for what to do with the body, that's up to you."

Orochimaru merely scoffed, "Well, your plan is quite meticulous, Danzo."

Danzo stared intently at Orochimaru: "Doing what I tell you is your only option right now."

"Otherwise, I have a way to give you the qualification to establish Otogakure, and I can also take it back."

"Without the Hidden Sound Village, you will continue to face the pursuit of Konoha. Neither the Anbu nor the Root will show you any mercy."

This threat was somewhat useful, but not much. After leaving the Land of Fire, he only wanted to evade pursuit, and Orochimaru had plenty of ways to deal with that.

However, that would mean leaving the center of the ninja world, which was not what he wanted.

Leaving Konoha was his way of breaking free from constraints. That's why he acted so recklessly, targeting villagers and even the Anbu without restraint. Otherwise, even if Hiruzen Sarutobi knew Orochimaru was conducting forbidden experiments, he would have remained silent.

The reason for choosing Otogakure is that it is closest to the Land of Fire, making it the most convenient place to obtain resources.

But if they lose Otogakure, they can target other small ninja villages; it's the same thing, just that it will take more time and there might be more unexpected events.

"Heh, since you want to provoke the Uchiha clan, why not choose a better target?" Orochimaru chuckled, pointing out Danzo's intentions. "For example, Uchiha Itachi. I'm quite interested in that kid."

"He is Fugaku's eldest son, and his status is special. If he were to disappear unexpectedly, coupled with the loss of four elite Uchiha Anbu members... under such a double blow, your plan would likely proceed much more smoothly, wouldn't it?"

Danzo slammed his cane on the ground with a dull thud: "Don't do anything unnecessary. Itachi Uchiha is being watched by Tsunade and another guy."

"That's not someone you can easily kidnap."

"Oh? To be someone you're so wary of, even on par with Tsunade..." Orochimaru's interest grew, and his long tongue unconsciously licked his lips again. "This makes me even more curious."

"That is Shuji, who possesses the cells of the first generation of the Senju clan and is now the captain of Mitarashi Anko's former subordinate."

Red Bean's captain...

Orochimaru instantly recalled the figure he had glimpsed in the examination hall—the black-haired boy sitting quietly next to Anko.

He had some vague impressions of this person; before leaving the village, he had paid some attention to her because of Senju Momoka. His memory of her was that of a boring and uninteresting honor student at the ninja academy, with a sensitive background. Now, had she actually grown into a troublesome figure worthy of Danzo's special mention?
This is getting more and more interesting.
-
Tsunade's face immediately darkened when she received the urgent message from the Anbu.

She quickly explained a few words to the Third Hokage in a low voice, then hurried away from the main stage and walked to the temporary medical aid station set up next to the Chunin Exams venue.

This place was prepared for test takers, but it came in handy ahead of schedule.

"Orochimaru infiltrated the village?!" Tsunade practically spat out the words through gritted teeth, forcibly lowering her voice. "Tch, he actually picked this moment."

She immediately ordered the hidden guards waiting beside her: "Immediately send two more squads to guard the village's forbidden magic room closely. That guy is probably after the village's secret techniques."

Shuji reminded them, "We also need to notify all families with secret ninjutsu or bloodline limits to strengthen their defenses."

These are also important resources for a ninja village, and resources that Orochimaru would covet.

Especially the Uchiha clan, who knows, he might be planning to take two of them away with him during this opportunity?
Tsunade nodded and added an order to the ANBU beside her: "Immediately notify all the ninja clans, especially the Uchiha clan, and inform them of Fugaku's current situation."

The members of the secret service received the order and vanished from the spot in an instant.

After giving these instructions, Tsunade quickly went to the makeshift bedside to check on Anko's condition. Seeing that Anko was only slightly pale and confirming that there was nothing else wrong, she then looked at Shuuji.

"Shuji, you stay here and keep an eye on Hongdou's condition. I must go back immediately and explain the situation to the old man in detail."

Shuji nodded and watched Tsunade leave swiftly and decisively.

He found a place to sit down by the hospital bed, his gaze falling on the faint curse mark on the back of Hongdou's neck, his brows furrowing slightly.

Even with Sage Mode and a deeper understanding of sealing techniques and curse seals, he still lacked the means to deal with the Heavenly Curse Seal.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's sealing seal is the most effective solution within the known scope.

Even Itachi Uchiha could only seal Orochimaru by consuming Sasuke's chakra and forcing Orochimaru to reveal himself from the Cursed Seal of Heaven.

In other words, apart from Orochimaru withdrawing voluntarily, there is currently no other way...

Just as he was pondering this, the curtain of the medical clinic was lifted, and a new wounded soldier was brought in. Shuji looked up and saw a girl with long white hair, wearing a headband from Kusagakure on her forehead.

It's a dragon tongue.

Also following beside them were Wuwei and his son Wugou.

Ryuhe had obvious knife wounds on his body, and his clothes had charred marks, clearly caused by lightning release.

"Shuji, I feel much better." At this moment, Anko sat up straight, her complexion regaining much of its rosy hue. "Shall we go to the venue and take a look? Itachi's match shouldn't be over yet."

Upon hearing the name "Itachi," Wugou, who was standing nearby, instinctively looked over.

He said in a low voice, "Are you talking about Uchiha Itachi?"

"His words will surely lead to final victory."

Wugou's gaze fell on his slightly trembling hands, filled with resentment and frustration: "That was... a truly unattainable opponent." He hadn't even been able to cause the slightest trouble before being easily defeated.

Those eyes, that speed... He was once hailed as a genius, but perhaps he didn't have any talent at all.

Wuwei patted his son on the shoulder, remaining silent. The difference in strength was indeed too great.

"Are you sure everything's okay?" Shuji asked Hongdou to confirm.

"Yes! As a teammate, how can I miss his important moment!" Hongdou jumped off the hospital bed and stretched her arms and legs.

"Teammates?" Wugou looked at the two, who were clearly a few years older than Itachi, with some surprise.

Shuji met his questioning gaze and calmly nodded: "I am his captain."

Wu Gou murmured, "So that's how it is..."

Is this the reason why Itachi Uchiha was so powerful? By carrying out missions with teammates who were older than him.

"Then, we won't disturb you any longer." Wuwei spoke up at the right moment, leading Wugou to step aside and clear the way.

Shuji nodded slightly to the father and son, then left the medical clinic with Anko and headed towards the Chunin Exams venue.

(End of this chapter)