Konoha Notes

Chapter 139 Choice
Having agreed on how to handle the aftermath, the primary task now is to inform Shisui, who is far away outside the village, about Orochimaru's situation.

This is a tricky matter. Ordinary communication methods are too risky. If Shimura Danzo and Orochimaru join forces, Konoha's usual communication system and ciphers will be useless to them.

Sending out ninja hawks might result in them being intercepted en route, and the message might never reach Shisui's hands.

Sending a ninja to deliver the message personally is a difficult task, requiring careful selection. The messenger must be strong enough to handle potential interception and even risk their own safety.

At this sensitive time, with the Chunin Exams just concluded and foreign delegations not yet fully departed, the village's high-level combat forces were almost entirely tied up with heavy guard duties and diplomatic affairs, making them difficult to mobilize easily.

After careful consideration, there were very few suitable candidates.

Shuji calmly said, "I'll go."

“You’ve just been targeted by Orochimaru, and now you’re leaving the village on your own initiative…” Tsunade hesitated noticeably. “Outside the village, he won’t have any more scruples when he acts.”

“I can handle it,” Shuuji said.

Even outside the village, he wouldn't be too restrained in a fight.

Shuji continued, "During this time, you must also pay close attention to the opinions within the village. If any rumors arise about the Uchiha ANBU squad encountering misfortune, especially 'all members killed,' you must suppress and clarify them immediately. You must not allow them to fester, lest they shake people's morale and agitate the emotions of the Uchiha clan."

"At the same time, we should communicate with the head of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku, as soon as possible. We can tell him what we know and what we suspect. Of course, we should emphasize that this is Orochimaru's conspiracy, pointing the finger at an external enemy, temporarily easing any internal suspicion and antagonism, and maintaining the current cooperative situation."

"Regarding the specific details of selecting which Uchiha clan members to enter the Ninja Academy or other positions, you can directly ask Itachi for his opinion."

“He had already spent some time sorting out and assessing the situation of the clan members, and should have a fairly detailed list and information in hand, which could provide valuable reference.”

Tsunade gazed at Shuuji, the morning light streaming through the window, dancing on her golden hair. She took a deep breath, her eyes hardening.

“I understand,” she said solemnly. “Leave the village affairs to me.”

Tsunade walked to her desk, quickly wrote out a permit to leave the village, and stamped it. At the same time, she handed Shuji an encrypted scroll containing the latest known location of the Shisui Squad, their planned patrol route, and emergency contact information.

"Be careful," she concluded.

Shuji took the scroll, nodded, and disappeared from the office.

After watching Shuuji leave, Tsunade didn't linger. She turned around, took firm steps, and walked straight to the Hokage's office next door.

As Tsunade took on more and more responsibilities, the mountain of documents piled up in front of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, seemed to have shrunk a bit. He was engrossed in the files when he heard the door being pushed open rather forcefully, and he looked up.

"Old man," Tsunade's voice betrayed her obvious displeasure, "I believe it is necessary to reconsider the resolution regarding the establishment of Otogakure!"

She is currently unaware of the exact connection between Otogakure and Orochimaru, but she knows that this matter represents a debt the Third Hokage owes her.

Previously, she could have temporarily set it aside, but now, in order to counter Shimura Danzo, she decided to find a breakthrough here.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his disciple with some surprise: "Tsunade? The matter of Otogakure has already been discussed..."

"I believe there are still many doubts!" ​​Tsunade interrupted him bluntly, continuing to press him. "Also, how long do you intend to let Shimura Danzo and his Root organization remain unchecked?"

The Third Hokage put down his pen, sat up slightly, and his expression turned serious: "Tsunade, calm down. What happened to make you so agitated?"

Tsunade slammed her fist on the solid desk, the dull thud echoing in the room: "Last night! Orochimaru showed up at the old house in the western suburbs and went straight to Shuji!"

"How could someone who has long since defected from the village and is theoretically completely unaware of the recent situation in the village be found unless they obtained intelligence through some special channel?"

The Third Hokage's eyes narrowed. There was no sign of battle last night. With Shuji's strength, even against Orochimaru, it was impossible for him to be defeated silently.

Therefore, there is only one conclusion: the two sides made contact, but no conflict broke out, and Shuji should be unharmed.

He asked, "Where is Shuji?"

Tsunade did not answer, but continued her offensive: "You have always known Danzo's inclinations. Now that he has reconnected with Orochimaru, who else could he be targeting besides the Uchiha?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "This concerns the stability and interests of the entire village. Danzo wouldn't do such a thing." "Tsunade, this isn't just a simple accusation. I know you don't like Danzo, but he also prioritizes the village's interests."

Tsunade said coldly, "What if they weren't causing trouble in the village, but instead targeting the Uchiha outside the village? Old man, can you guarantee that Danzo didn't know the specific information about that squad and their patrol routes?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't completely deny this. But even from his perspective, it was hard to believe that the Uchiha squad would undergo any positive changes.

Moreover, with Uchiha Shisui around, Orochimaru alone...

"Where is Shuji?" the Third Hokage asked again.

“I sent him to remind Uchiha Shisui,” Tsunade replied.

The Third Hokage picked up the pipe on the table, but did not light it. He simply stroked the surface of the pipe with his fingers and fell into a brief moment of contemplation.

"Tsunade, where's the evidence?"

"Danzo is a distinguished advisor elder. To say that he colluded with rogue ninjas and betrayed the village's ANBU is an accusation that Koharu and En cannot accept based on mere speculation and suspicion, let alone the general public."

“Even if I personally tend to believe your judgment, without solid evidence, the high-level meeting cannot pass any substantive sanctions against Danzo.”

Tsunade placed her hands on the desk, her gaze fixed intently on the Third Hokage: "Now is the most crucial moment for the village to resolve the long-standing isolation of the Uchiha clan!"

"Old man, do you still believe that Danzo's radical purge plan is the right one? If so, then there's no need to drag things out and maintain this superficial peace any longer! I can leave the village now, and you can do whatever you want!"

"If you still believe that the Uchiha issue can be resolved peacefully, then lock Danzo up back in his Root organization right now!"

Looking at the rekindled, unwavering will in his disciple's eyes, as firm as a blazing torch.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a moment, and finally, he sighed softly.

The Third Hokage raised his hand and summoned the Anbu who had been guarding the vicinity.

“Go and invite Advisor Shimura over. Tell him there’s an urgent matter to discuss.”

Not long after, Danzo Shimura appeared at the office door.

"Hiruzen, what urgent matter is it?"

As he spoke, Danzo glanced at Tsunade, whose expression was unfriendly, and a sense of foreboding rose in his heart.

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his eyes and looked at him calmly: "Danzo, the village has an important and urgent mission that requires mobilizing most of the Root's forces."

Danzo narrowed his one eye slightly: "Oh? What mission is so urgent?"

"The specific mission details and deployment area will be communicated to you by my direct ANBU members later, who will also assist in the execution," the Third Hokage continued. "From now on, immediately recall all Root members who are currently on non-top-secret missions to the base and await further orders. This mission has the highest priority; all other activities are to be suspended without fail."

Danzo's face instantly darkened. This was not the tone of assigning a mission at all; it was clearly an attempt to use this as an excuse to temporarily isolate and control his forces.

His gaze met Hiruzen Sarutobi's calm yet resolute gaze in mid-air.

The atmosphere in the office suddenly became tense and oppressive.

Danzo's fingers twitched slightly, but in the end, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression that left no room for negotiation, and glancing at Tsunade who was eyeing him menacingly, he finally suppressed his dissatisfaction and anger.

"...I understand." Danzo's voice was slightly low, but he remained calm. "Since it is the Hokage's order, Root will naturally obey."

He had already made all the necessary preparations; all that was left was for Orochimaru to complete the tasks assigned to him.

But, Hiruzen...

This is a betrayal of our mutual understanding...

(End of this chapter)