Konoha: Starting with Sage Mode.

Chapter 52 Colluding with each other

Regardless of the reason, betraying one's own people is unforgivable.

Kirito stared coldly at Senju Unte, Senju Raido, and Senju Shimizu, who were acting as accomplices. He had already memorized these three people, and in order to prevent these three traitors from causing even greater damage in the future, he planned to tell Mito about it immediately.

It is not too late.

At the same time, Senju Unten, Senju Raido, and Senju Shimizu, who were helping the ANBU ninja break the sealing barrier, suddenly felt a chill run down their spines. They looked around nervously, but found nothing amiss. They also saw the sensory ninja who was keeping watch shake his head, and only then did they feel relieved again.

The three of them knew perfectly well what they were doing. If this were discovered, they would be secretly executed, expelled from the clan register, and forever nailed to the pillar of shame of the Thousand Hands clan.

Their families will also be implicated.

However, they had no regrets. They firmly believed that everything they were doing was worthwhile. As long as they could protect the village, they could give up their families, relatives, honor, and so on. They were the roots of Konoha, and protecting the village was their everything.

Danzo, who inherited Tobirama's will, is the one they can trust and the one they should be loyal to.

"Hurry up, I have a bad feeling."

Thousand Hands Cloud Hands whispered to the Root ninja beside him who was responsible for breaking the sealing barrier.

Ninjas' intuition is often very accurate, especially that of powerful ninjas.

Upon hearing this, the Root ninja beside him nodded and said, "I will try my best. However, although Orochimaru's method is very good, the process is far too complicated. This is the first time I've done something like this, so I must be careful."

Orochimaru?

Kirito, who was hiding in the shadows, frowned when he heard an unexpected name mentioned in the conversation between the two.

No wonder these Root ninjas were able to bypass the senses of the sealing barrier set up by Mito herself and destroy it; it turns out they had Orochimaru, a master of sealing techniques, helping them.

He's a guy you shouldn't underestimate.

It has to be said that this guy is a ninjutsu genius; no wonder he was able to break the powerful S-rank soul sealing technique, the Reaper Death Seal, later on.

However, since Orochimaru is also involved in this matter, and he is in cahoots with Danzo, the seriousness of this matter immediately increases several levels.

Orochimaru was the Third Hokage's most outstanding disciple.

So here's the question.

Was this a collaboration between Orochimaru and Danzo, done on Orochimaru's own initiative, or was it secretly instructed by the Third Hokage?

To be honest, he found it strange that he unexpectedly encountered Orochimaru at the hospital a few days ago.

He originally thought it was because the war in the Land of Rain was about to end, but that wasn't the case. According to the intelligence brought back from the battlefield by the Senju clan, although Konoha had gained the upper hand, they still needed to work hard to completely defeat the Rain Ninja.

Who has the ability to bring Orochimaru back from the battlefield of the Land of Rain at this time?

The answer is self-evident.

"Third generation, don't make a mistake. I hope this has nothing to do with you."

Kirito left quietly with a heavy heart.

This matter was far too serious for his small shoulders to bear, so Mito had to step in.

. . .

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was still working late into the night reviewing documents, just like always.

Suddenly, the Third Hokage stopped writing, looked up at a shadowy spot in the room, and asked, "Is that Orochimaru?"

"Sarutobi-sensei, you're still as perceptive as ever."

The next moment, a hoarse voice appeared, and Orochimaru slowly emerged from the shadows, revealing half of his face. On the other half of his face, which was still in darkness, golden eyes gleamed with a cold, faint light.

Upon seeing Orochimaru again, the Third Hokage frowned slightly.

Ever since Orochimaru returned from the battlefield, he has become increasingly unable to understand his prized disciple.

The Orochimaru of the past was never as cold-blooded and unfamiliar to him as he is now.

That cold, indifferent gaze that disregards life was all too familiar to the Third Hokage; it was the same look in the eyes of his good comrade-in-arms, Danzo.

The war ultimately left a deep mark on his disciple, causing his growth to deviate from his expectations.

"Orochimaru, don't you understand? A person who disregards life can never become Hokage."

The third generation sighed inwardly, but did not offer any direct reminder.

Geniuses are always arrogant, and his disciple is even more so. His lecturing now will only backfire.

Some things can only be understood and experienced through personal experience.

He must erase the feelings of master and disciple from his heart and return to the Hokage he should be.

The Third Hokage's expression turned serious, and he questioned, "Orochimaru, what do you want with me so late? I remember you were supposed to return to the Land of Rain battlefield tomorrow. Why aren't you getting some rest tonight? If you want to say goodbye, you can do it tomorrow."

Orochimaru returned because he was seriously injured on the battlefield, and Tsunade had other missions to attend to and couldn't leave, so she had to secretly send him back to Konoha for treatment.

Now that his injuries have mostly healed, it's time for him to return to the battlefield and play an important role.

Since Orochimaru was seriously injured and left the battlefield of the Land of Rain, the Rain Ninja immediately showed signs of a counterattack, which shows how important Orochimaru was on the battlefield of the Land of Rain.

"I'm planning to return to the battlefield now, so I came here specifically to say hello."

Orochimaru smiled slightly.

"I see, I understand. I'll help you keep your departure a secret."

Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage immediately understood Orochimaru's meaning and nodded in agreement.

The fewer people who know that Orochimaru is leaving the village, the better, so as to keep it from those despicable traitors in the village.

The thought of a traitor made the Third Generation unpleasant.

Recently, the battlefield situation on the Sand Village side has become increasingly unfavorable. It seems that many of their plans were known to the Sand Village in advance, resulting in either meager gains or complete failure.

Even if he doesn't want to admit it, he has to admit that there is a traitor within his own ranks.

Catching the traitor is now a matter of urgency.

Unfortunately, the traitors were too well hidden, and we couldn't afford to create panic within our ranks by trying to catch them, which could lead to even greater setbacks in the battle.

He's really having a headache right now.

"Then I'll leave to you, teacher. I'll take my leave now."

Seeing that the Third Hokage understood, Orochimaru prepared to leave.

But as soon as he turned around, he added, "Sarutobi-sensei, you'd better not let Danzo get away with this too much."

After saying this, he suddenly turned into a wisp of white smoke and disappeared.

"Danzo, what kind of scheme are you plotting now?"

The Third Hokage felt a warmth in his heart upon receiving Orochimaru's reminder, but his expression turned serious as he thought to himself.

He knew about Orochimaru's secret meeting with Danzo, but he didn't intend to ask directly, hoping Orochimaru would bring it up himself.

Judging from the current situation, his disciple still has his heart set on him, which makes him very gratified.

Orochimaru is now warning him to be wary of Danzo, which suggests that Danzo is secretly doing something shady again.

Hopefully it's not something too serious.

"Someone come here."

A moment later, the third generation immediately spoke.

The next moment, an ANBU ninja appeared before the Third Hokage, kneeling on one knee.

"Go and find out what Danzo has been up to lately?"

The third generation issued a command.

"ha."

The ANBU ninja immediately responded respectfully, then used the Body Flicker Technique to leave.

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(End of this chapter)