Kamishiro, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara were going back to Konoha.
Kamishiro was packing his things in his tent.
However, Kamishiro was deep in thought.
Since they were meeting up with Minato Namikaze this time, it was very likely that a series of events would take place.
First, the Iwa - nin would crush Obito with rocks. Then, Madara Uchiha would rescue Obito and brainwash him.
During the brainwashing, Rin Nohara was turned into the jinchuriki of Isobu, originally intended to destroy Konoha, but Kakashi intercepted and killed her.
Finally, with Rin Nohara's death, Obito turned evil and Kakashi became withdrawn.
That was the general sequence of events.
If things went smoothly, if Obito wasn't crushed by the Iwa - nin's rocks, none of the subsequent events would happen.
But Kamishiro didn't believe things would go that smoothly.
Obito was chosen by Madara Uchiha. It was impossible for Madara to simply give up on Obito so easily.
If the first attempt failed, there would surely be a second one. If the second one failed, there would be a third. Madara wouldn't give up on Obito so readily.
So he had to keep an eye on Obito at all times.
No, it couldn't just be Obito. He also had to watch over Kakashi and Rin Nohara.
In case they couldn't succeed with Obito, they might use Kakashi and Rin Nohara as a breakthrough.
Hey, wait a minute. What about him? He might also be used as a breakthrough.
When they got back to Konoha, they should be able to rest for a few days. By then, he had to find a way to make some preparations.
Kamishiro couldn't help but feel nervous.
After all, Madara Uchiha's Fang Daimyō was really well - known. Even if he was now an old man with no teeth, he was still terrifying. Moreover, there was a faithful minion by Madara Uchiha's side to help him.
After packing his things, Kamishiro met up with Kakashi and the others and immediately set off for Konoha.
A few days later.
Kamishiro, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara finally arrived in Konoha.
Everyone first went to see Hiruzen Sarutobi because Orochimaru had given them a Scroll and asked them to deliver it to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe while looking at the Scroll sent by Orochimaru.
Hiruzen Sarutobi exclaimed in surprise, "So it was you, Kamishiro, who started those rumors. You did a great job. After Chiyo left, the new commander of the Sunagakure Village ninjas has been very conservative in battle. It can be said that because of your rumors, after Chiyo's departure, the tense situation of the three - way ninja battle melee among Konoha, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure at the border has been greatly relieved."
Kamishiro shrugged and puffed out his chest proudly. "Hokage, I gotta tell you about the time we attacked Chiyo."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kamishiro in surprise. "You attacked Chiyo?"
Just as Kamishiro was about to start speaking, Kakashi quickly took out two things and stuffed them into his ears. Rin Nohara's eyes began to lose focus, and Obito covered his ears with a pained expression.
Kamishiro's mouth twitched. What did these three guys mean?!
They didn't want to listen, and he didn't want to tell them either!
Kamishiro began to tell Hiruzen Sarutobi in great detail and with exaggeration about the process of his attack on Chiyo.
Since it was the first time he heard it, Hiruzen Sarutobi listened quite intently.
However, when he heard that Kamishiro used Sakumo Hatake, Chiyo's son, daughter, grandson, and the Third Kazekage to prevent Chiyo from concentrating on The Battle, and that she even got slapped by Kamishiro, his expression became rather subtle.
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't witness the process, just by listening to Kamishiro's account, he could feel how frustrated Chiyo was during The Battle with Kamishiro.
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew very well how crazy Chiyo was when she learned that her son and daughter were killed during the Second Ninja World War.
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Kakashi and was really glad to see that Kakashi had walked out of the shadow of Sakumo Hatake.
Hiruzen Sarutobi also felt very sorry about what happened to Sakumo Hatake.
At that time, with signs of war and Konoha and Kumogakure starting to have frictions, Hiruzen Sarutobi spent every day discussing the situation and making arrangements with Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Tanzō, completely unaware of the public opinion in the village.
By the time Hiruzen Sarutobi noticed it, it was already too late.
This was also the first time Hiruzen Sarutobi realized how terrifying public opinion could be. It could even drive a powerful ninja like Sakumo Hatake to commit suicide.
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "Kamishiro, is it really Sasori who caused the disappearance of the Third Kazekage?"
Kamishiro said with certainty, "Yeah! I'm sure it was Sasori!"
"Sure?"
"Well, because I have no evidence!"
"Uh..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't understand how Kamishiro could be so confident while admitting he had no evidence.
Hiruzen Sarutobi shifted his gaze back to the Scroll in his hand. "No wonder Lord Orochimaru thinks so highly of you. He wrote in the Scroll that you have good talent in technology and that he wants you to be his assistant after the war."
Kamishiro was taken aback. "Huh? What? Lord Orochimaru still remembers this?!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked in confusion, "Huh? You're not willing? Orochimaru is my disciple. I know him very well. He doesn't take in disciples easily. So far, he's only taken one disciple and he's very responsible. Even if you're just his assistant, you can learn a lot from him."
Kamishiro forced an awkward smile. "Well, it's not that I'm not willing. I just think I'm not worthy of Lord Orochimaru, so let it go."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said seriously, "Don't underestimate yourself, Kamishiro. You're a Konoha ninja now, and we're all comrades. Since Lord Orochimaru thinks highly of you, I'll make a decision. I'll propose that Orochimaru take you as his disciple directly. But you have to perform well, got it?"
Kamishiro suddenly felt like crying.
This wasn't how things were supposed to go. How did he suddenly change from an assistant to a disciple!
Kamishiro still wanted to try and negotiate. Being an assistant wasn't so bad. At least as an assistant, he could slack off. Orochimaru might give up on him if he thought Kamishiro wasn't making progress.
But Kamishiro's 'three good friends' clearly didn't want to let him off the hook.
Rin Nohara whispered and urged, "Kamishiro, quickly agree! That's Lord Orochimaru, one of the Sannin!"
Kakashi also advised, "Idiot, this opportunity is extremely rare. Don't be stupid. You won't get another one."
Obito was even more straightforward: "Hokage, Kamishiro said he's willing! And he said he'll definitely perform well!"
Kamishiro looked at Obito in disbelief.
What the hell? Since when did he say he was willing and that he'd perform well?!
Just as Kamishiro opened his mouth, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and said, "Good that you understand. I'll talk to Orochimaru about this. Train hard under Orochimaru in the future. I have high hopes for you, Kamishiro.
Well, you probably want to see Minato. He should be at home now. Go ahead. When there's a mission, just go with Minato."
Kamishiro stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi with his mouth wide open, stunned.
No, he didn't say a word! It was Obito who said those things!
Kamishiro wanted to object, but Obito had already grabbed him and left the office with Kakashi and Rin Nohara excitedly to find Minato Namikaze.