Naruto: In the name of the Senju, he made the ninja world tremble.

"Thank you for your hard work, Genji. You did a great job on this mission. You'll receive your reward the day after tomorrow. Get some rest when you get back."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone remained as gentle as ever, making Genma Shiranui even think that the rumors he had heard along the way were false.

However, looking through the thin smoke at those bloodshot eyes, he realized that the Third Hokage must be under tremendous pressure at this moment.

However, being of low status, he could only leave behind the words, "Take care, Hokage," before turning and departing.

After Genma Shiranui's figure disappeared from sight, the Hokage's office remained silent for a long time, with only the increasingly thick smoke expressing Hiruzen Sarutobi's inner turmoil.

Seemingly having finally made a decision, Hiruzen Sarutobi got up, walked to the window, pushed it open, and let in a blast of cold air that swept away the smoke in the room.

He tapped his pipe lightly against the outer wall, and a few sparks of smoke drifted down to the base of the wall, reminding Hiruzen Sarutobi of the Will of Fire he followed.

"Kakashi," the voice fell, and a silver-haired ANBU member wearing a dog-shaped mask appeared in the office, awaiting the Hokage's orders.

"You take your team and keep a close watch on Orochimaru's close associates. If there are any unusual movements during the surveillance," Hiruzen Sarutobi's sharp, piercing gaze returned as he looked towards the distant forest, "you may take appropriate action!"

Sensing the coldness in the Third Hokage's voice, Kakashi Hatake was about to leave when the voice came again, "Take Yamato with you, let him know that we are different from Danzo."

When there was no one behind him, Hiruzen Sarutobi's disappointment and pain gradually turned into dissatisfaction with Danzo Shimura. He should limit Root's power.

The attack on his way to the daimyo's residence, the unauthorized development of the Wood Release: Yamato, the leak of Orochimaru's experimental information, and Shisui's recent attack all filled Hiruzen Sarutobi with helplessness towards Danzo.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi also felt a sense of relief. It was fortunate that the person who did these things was Danzo Shimura, his familiar old friend. If it had been anyone else, it would have caused Konoha a huge loss.

All of Shimura Danzo's actions will only be used by Sarutobi Hiruzen to make Konoha more stable. The only thing that troubles him is his own disciple.

Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at the wardrobe next to him, where his battle uniform was placed. He had rarely used it since the end of the Second Shinobi World War.

"Three days, Orochimaru, don't disappoint me," Hiruzen Sarutobi finally decided to give his most talented student a chance. As long as he came to confess, there was still room for maneuver.

At the very least, it could save his life; this was Hiruzen Sarutobi's bottom line.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi never truly understood his three students in his entire life, so how could he be sure that Orochimaru would act according to his wishes this time?

Setting aside the blood-soaked scalpel, Orochimaru methodically continued stitching up the wounds on the corpse. At this moment, there was no trace of composure in his eyes, only a fanaticism for the experiment.

"Lord Orochimaru," a subordinate's soft call brought a flash of clarity to Orochimaru's eyes. He casually covered the broken corpse with a white cloth, even though it was a village ninja, in his eyes it was nothing more than a failed experiment.

"Is everything ready? You can leave now and wait for me in the Land of Fields," Orochimaru said as he removed his rubber gloves and washed his hands.

"Everyone has their own ambitions. There's no need to force those who are unwilling to leave. They choose their own paths, so be careful to distance yourself from them."

Upon hearing Orochimaru's order, the subordinate did not immediately get up and leave. Instead, he looked up with some difficulty and asked, "Lord Orochimaru, Anko...?"

Orochimaru, who was wiping his hands, involuntarily stopped. A carefree face flashed through his mind: "Leave her to me. You just need to do your job."

"yes!"

Teacher, I am not "White Teeth". I will cut off your naive idea with my own hands for the sake of my eternal ideal.

As Orochimaru's figure disappeared into the darkness, only shattered mirrors remained where he had just stood.

Tonight in Konoha Village, figures could be seen flashing by in various dark corners, instantly sobering up several drunkards who were vomiting at the alley entrance, who then staggered away.

Sensing the impending storm, the various ninja clans hurriedly restrained their members to prevent them from getting involved in the turmoil, especially those who had previously served under Orochimaru.

The Uchiha clan, residing in a remote area, found themselves in a secret room. Fugaku Uchiha watched the elders arguing amongst themselves and was unsure of what to do. In the end, he could only order that they wait for Shisui Uchiha to return before questioning him in detail about the matter.

The Hyuga clan, the largest clan in Konoha, is slow to react, much like its aging family, living in its own little world, waiting to be broken up from the outside.

That night, countless people who knew the inside story tossed and turned, worried about the future of Konoha.

"Hmph, ha, hmph hmph, ya..."

As the sun rose in the early morning, a childish voice rang out in the backyard of the Senju clan. The voice was full of reluctance. Karin Uzumaki had never expected that her mother would drag her out of bed for morning exercise.

"Ouch!"

Her mind was racing with random thoughts, which inevitably caused her to veer off course. Then, a green pine needle struck her arm, and with a cry of pain, she saw a broken pine needle lying on the ground.

"If you can't finish this set of movements ten times before breakfast, breakfast is canceled." Sitting under the eaves, Chiyu rubbed pine needles with his hands, a faint chakra flowing on them, and he looked at the sulking Karin Uzumaki with a smile.

"Friendly reminder: Aunt Chanel specially made delicious grilled meat and pork cutlet rice for breakfast, so what would you like to eat?"

As expected, the power of food is boundless. The next second, little Karin straightened her posture and began to practice meticulously.

Upon seeing this, Qianyu nodded slightly. The amount of chakra and the powerful physique of the Uzumaki clan should not be wasted if they only practice sealing techniques. At the very least, they should have a strong chakra burst ability.

However, Qianyu quickly frowned, looking at the pine needles torn into pieces in his hand, and sighed helplessly. Is it really that difficult to change the nature of wind attribute?

Just as Chiyu was about to get more pine needles, Uzumaki Kana walked softly to his side and whispered information from the front hall into his ear.

Chiyu looked at her with some surprise. After confirming that it was Granny Momoka's order, Chiyu handed over the task of supervising Karin's cultivation and got up to leave.

Seeing that her supervisor had become her mother, Karin Uzumaki's little eyes darted around, and her hands involuntarily began to slack off.

"Snapped!"

A sound like tearing air rang out, and Uzumaki Kana, who had somehow pulled out a soft whip, flicked it into the air and stared at her expressionlessly.

Thus, with tears welling up in her eyes, Karin Uzumaki could only obediently continue her training, daring not to be perfunctory in the slightest.