Konoha Notes

Chapter 214 Bait
The only reason Mizuki can stay safely in Konoha is that he may be connected to Orochimaru.

Otherwise, the fact that he arbitrarily executed his incapacitated comrade and deliberately concealed the truth in the mission report would be enough to get him kicked out of the ninja ranks, or even face more severe punishment.

Perhaps, the seriously wounded ninja will ultimately not escape death, or be captured by the enemy.

But none of this justifies Mizuki overstepping his bounds and taking the life of his companion.

Shuji left Mizuki in place mainly to see if Orochimaru, having lost a stable source of intelligence and internal support after Shimura Danzo's downfall and the significant shrinkage of his Root intelligence network, would devote more attention to Mizuki, who was originally just a nobody.

Consider it a bait to see if we can set up an ambush.

As for the other bait, Otogakure Village, this village that was once approved seems to remain only on paper.

According to intelligence, the sign has been put up, but it is not yet in operation.

So, is Orochimaru currently searching for new test subjects, or has he already joined Akatsuki?
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Orochimaru has already joined Akatsuki, and is also looking for new test subjects.

Despite being assigned to a team with Kakuzu, he and Kakuzu had terrible compatibility, not in terms of combat, but in terms of hunting targets.

Kakuzu was inclined to kill him for money, while Orochimaru felt that some of them could be kept alive, as they would be of greater use.

After several clashes, the two reached a tacit understanding: until their leader, Pain, gave a clear collective mission, they would act independently and not interfere with each other. Kakuzu continued his bounty hunting, while Orochimaru pursued research materials that interested him.

Having just finished processing a promising experimental subject and sealing it into a scroll, the familiar yin-yang face silently appeared on the tree trunk beside him.

"Isn't this amazing? You're now in a group with Shennong."

"You too, Orochimaru. Kakuzu isn't here." Black Zetsu's deep voice rang out. "You've brought trouble to the organization."

"Heh..." Orochimaru chuckled deeply. "When you invited me, it wasn't like this. Was it Jiraiya who came knocking on your door?"

"It's not just Jiraiya. Konoha has also dispatched Uchiha Shisui and a Hyuga clan member. Their target is clear: they are tracking you."

Jiraiya, Uchiha Shisui, and one Hyuga?
Is this a mission to kill me?

Orochimaru had this thought in his mind, but then he erased it.

It shouldn't be this big. Even when Danzo was most eager to kill him, there wasn't this kind of scene.

Orochimaru remained unmoved, still chuckling, "That's exactly why I have a reason to join the organization, absolutely."

"The organization has no plans to directly confront Konoha, Orochimaru."

The Konoha S-rank rogue ninja wore a half-smile: "So, what do I need to do to ensure the organization still chooses to protect me? Absolutely."

"Since it wasn't Payne who came forward, the organization probably hasn't made up its mind yet."

White Zetsu interjected, "This is a question you should answer, Orochimaru. After all, you know Konoha best."

"After all, Konoha is very powerful in the current ninja world, and it seems... they don't have a single decent enemy."

"No enemies? That's hard to say... After all, in this ninja world, there are only enemies for whom you can't find an opportunity to strike, not eternal allies." Orochimaru chuckled. "At least the Tsuchikage and the Kazekage should have their own thoughts on the current situation." "Perhaps, we could also include the Mizukage, right, Zetsu..."

Black Zetsu remained silent for a moment, ignoring the probing in his words: "The organization needs a concrete and feasible plan, Orochimaru."

"Hehehe... Alright." Orochimaru chuckled, already understanding the situation.

As expected, it wasn't me who was being targeted, but Akatsuki itself. Orochimaru understood what was going on.

"The idea is actually quite simple," Orochimaru said calmly. "As I just mentioned, the reason why the ninja world has been able to maintain this fragile peace is simply because it lacks a sufficiently significant opportunity, or rather, some people lack the confidence to make the first move."

"Then all the organization needs to do is provide some assistance."
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"The final mission. Go to Loulan and find Queen Sara of Loulan, or her direct descendants."

By the dim candlelight, Yakushi Nonou once again confirmed the instructions on the note. With a slight pressure of her fingertips, the thin, brittle note crumbled into tiny scraps that fell softly from between her fingers.

The final task...

She silently repeated the word to herself. The Fifth Hokage had been in office for quite some time, but her situation remained unchanged. The village still needed spies lurking in the shadows, and Danzo was still issuing orders.

She couldn't remember how long it had been since she had breathed the air of Konoha or seen the smiling faces of the children in the orphanage.

What sustained her were only those slightly yellowed photos that had been delivered through special channels and after many twists and turns. In the photos, the children seemed to have grown taller, but their smiles were still radiant.

At least, judging from the photos, the children seem to be doing well. At least, the village is becoming more prosperous and stable.

that's enough.

She suppressed the faint ripple in her heart, her eyes regaining their calm and serene expression. Loulan… yet another name buried by time and dust. Lord Danzo's search for the royal bloodline of Loulan was certainly not for anything simple.

But she had no choice.
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"A roster of ninjas?"

Inside the Hokage's office, Kakashi nodded firmly: "Yes. According to my investigation, some Jonin, and even some senior Chunin, were seconded to Danzo's command at some point in the past to carry out special missions. However, they were not officially part of Root, nor were they marked with the Tongue Annihilation Seal."

"Some of these people have now retired, or their records show that they are on long-term missions abroad. However, it is impossible to determine the authenticity of this information, or whether there is a possibility that they are using fake missions as cover to actually continue to serve Danzo."

After further investigation of the roots, Kakashi found a new approach.

The Root organization has a limited number of official staff, and even including those who are overstaffed, it is far from being able to support the kind of influence that Danzo Shimura once demonstrated, as well as that extremely wide-ranging intelligence network.

"Therefore, I believe it is necessary to review the complete roster of all Jonin, and even some key Chunin, along with their recent activity records, and cross-reference them to clarify the 'Root' that is hidden under the normal organizational structure but is actually still under Danzo's control."

Of course, Kakashi knew this was one of the village's most confidential pieces of information, so he added, "We can have Shuji come over to assist me with the verification, or have Shizune supervise the entire process."

Tsunade shook her head, decisively rejecting his suggestion: "No need for that. I'll give you the appropriate permissions. Just follow your line of thinking and investigate freely."

"Make sure to pull out those 'roots' that are still hiding in the shadows, one by one."

　I have a stiff neck.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)