I, who just wanted to be lazy, was forced to become the Hokage.

Chapter 341 Master Men, the organization thinks highly of you!

"Under investigation..."

Inside the Hokage's office, Minato Namikaze fell into a brief silence.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's reply to Obito Uchiha was far more serious than he had anticipated.

Unless it involves very special information or events, ordinary Konoha ninjas are not specifically "investigated" by the village.

But Obito...

"Was it because he mysteriously disappeared during the battle in the Land of Hot Water that the village launched an investigation?"

Minato Namikaze raised his head, his deep blue eyes gazing intently at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Third Hokage, this may be presumptuous of me to ask, but I am, after all, Obito's mentor. May I inquire about the reasons for his investigation?"

"I was just about to tell you about this, Minato."

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up a pipe from the table, and wisps of smoke rose up, obscuring most of his expression.

"When Obito Uchiha was discovered by the patrol force of the Land of Hot Springs, he was found not far from the camp... But that's not the key point. The key point is that Obito Uchiha had very obvious signs of human modification on his body."

"Human modification?"

Minato Namikaze's pupils contracted slightly.

This information was completely unexpected.

Among ninjas, "human modification" is not a secret advanced ability.

On the contrary, there are quite a few ninjas who hope to gain greater power by modifying their bodies.

However, considering Obito Uchiha's disappearance, Minato Namikaze could easily conclude that Obito Uchiha becoming a "cyborg" was most likely not out of his own will.

"Yes, Obito Uchiha can now be considered half a 'cyborg,' and you are also very familiar with the origin of his 'half body,' Minato."

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly uttered two words.

"White Zetsu".

A tremendous wave of emotion surged within Minato Namikaze's heart once again.

If we say the impact of "Obito Uchiha being investigated" is 10%, then...

Then the impact of "Obito Uchiha fusing with White Zetsu" would be 100%, or even 1000%!

Minato Namikaze was indeed very familiar with White Zetsu. He had personally dealt with many White Zetsu, turning those strange white creatures into lifeless corpses.

The problem is that almost without exception, all of the White Zetsu discovered so far are related to Uchiha Madara!

Obito Uchiha, missing; White Zetsu; Madara Uchiha…

Several words collided in Minato Namikaze's mind, and his thoughts gradually became clearer.

"So, Lord Three..."

Minato Namikaze said with some difficulty.

"Was Obito's disappearance the work of Madara Uchiha?"

"No doubt about it, this is the truth, Minato."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and presented another intelligence report.

According to Obito Uchiha's account, he was accidentally kidnapped during the Battle of Hot Springs, and when he woke up, he was already in a cave base.

"That base has many White Zetsu, and most importantly..."

"Uchiha Madara is also in that base!"

"The village is investigating Obito Uchiha now in order to find out the exact location of Madara Uchiha's secret base from him, and also to explore the reason why Madara Uchiha released Obito Uchiha."

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's understanding, there was undoubtedly a very deep connection between Obito Uchiha and Madara Uchiha.

If the intelligence information collected so far is correct.

Obito Uchiha was likely abducted by Madara Uchiha during the previous battle in the Land of Hot Springs, and then underwent extensive human modification at Madara's secret base, transforming a large portion of his body into the shape of a White Zetsu.

Madara Uchiha did so many things for Obito Uchiha, he must have had his own intentions.

It couldn't possibly be that Obito Uchiha was accidentally injured on the battlefield, then coincidentally fell into Madara Uchiha's hands, and then coincidentally was healed by Madara Uchiha using White Zetsu, right?

Not to mention that Konoha already knew that Madara Uchiha was not a good person!

Moreover, Madara Uchiha is still plotting a massive conspiracy that will affect the entire ninja world!

Therefore, there must be a huge secret related to Obito Uchiha!

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't understand why Madara Uchiha, after doing so much to Obito Uchiha, would choose to release him back to Konoha...

Considering that the time when Obito Uchiha was discovered by the patrol force of the Land of Hot Water was close to the time when Madara Uchiha failed in his attack on the Third Mizukage of Kirigakure...

The only reason Hiruzen Sarutobi could think of at the moment was that "Madara Uchiha was too badly injured during the attack on the Mizukage to be able to maintain control over Obito Uchiha".

But this explanation still doesn't make sense!

Madara Uchiha's secret base doesn't just house Madara Uchiha; there are also an unknown number of White Zetsu!

Even if Madara Uchiha was seriously injured, it's impossible that all the White Zetsu were destroyed in the attack, right?

Furthermore.

According to Obito Uchiha's account, he didn't know how he was brought to that secret base, nor how he was later taken out of it.

It's as if the whole world has changed the moment you open and close your eyes...

Therefore, a comprehensive analysis is needed.

Obito Uchiha was probably "sent" to Konoha by Madara Uchiha!

Hiruzen Sarutobi told Minato Namikaze everything he knew, including his own speculations, without omitting a single detail.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi continued his narration, Minato Namikaze's brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

He originally thought Obito's return was good news, and that Minato's team could be reunited.

But I never expected that the other party would be involved in so many secrets...

What exactly is Madara Uchiha trying to do?!

"Watergate".

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Minato Namikaze temporarily suppressed the restlessness in his heart.

"Yes, Lord Sandai."

"Now I have another, no, two special tasks that I need to give you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe and said slowly.

"The first secret mission is still related to Obito Uchiha and Madara Uchiha."

"The locations where Obito Uchiha disappeared and was discovered were both within the Land of Hot Springs. It is highly likely that the secret base where Madara Uchiha took in Obito Uchiha was also located near the Land of Hot Springs."

"The Land of Soup, the Land of Frost, the Land of Iron..."

"The first secret mission is to secretly investigate these small countries and see if we can find Madara Uchiha's secret base, just like the waterfall base in the Land of Waterfall that we found before."

Since it was an official mission, Minato Namikaze naturally didn't hesitate.

What's more, this task also concerns his students!

"Yes, Lord Third Generation!"

"The second task, hmm..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment.

"The Five-Shadow Summit is about to be held, and you will come with me to attend it."

First update

(End of this chapter)