Tsunade arrived at Hiruzen Sarutobi's office.
She wasn't alone.
Kakashi, Team 7, Rin, and even the still-weak Sasuke were there.
"Your injuries haven't fully healed. Why are you out of the hospital?" Tsunade glared at Kakashi. "Especially you. Do you know how severe your wounds were? That reckless fighting style—if not for the potions, even I couldn't have saved you."
Sasuke's injuries were the most dangerous.
But Kakashi's were the hardest to treat.
The mix of secret techniques and drugs had erupted.
In the past, even if he survived, he'd have been crippled.
"I feel almost recovered…" Kakashi started, but under Tsunade's gaze, he swallowed his words. "I'm just here to report the details of that day's battle."
He'd given a brief report from his hospital bed.
Now, it was time for a detailed one.
Team 7 was there to fill in any gaps.
"Rin, keep an eye on Kakashi," Tsunade said, arms crossed. "Sakura, you too. Don't let Sasuke overdo it. No fighting until he's fully healed."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade!" Rin and Sakura said in unison, full of energy.
Tsunade checked their conditions, confirming significant improvement, and relaxed slightly.
Though her demeanor was rough…
She genuinely cared for her patients.
"I've got the gist of it," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, looking at Kakashi and the others, tapping ash from his pipe. "The true culprit of this battle was the Akatsuki, controlling Gato. This morning, I received news that Gato is likely dead."
"Dead?" Kakashi was surprised.
The Gato they saw had bought cans, becoming a Chamber member.
His strength was unknown.
Yet he was dead?
"Yes, evidence suggests the Akatsuki's handiwork," Hiruzen said, glancing at a file on his desk. "From the scene's traces, it was quite a fight… Kakashi, what do you think of Haku?"
His tone shifted, focusing on Haku.
In that battle…
Zabuza had died, his badge passing to his companion, Haku.
Now, Gato was dead too.
Outside Konoha, the only known can buyer was Haku.
"Haku…"
Kakashi recalled the scene, saying, "Though an enemy, her bond with Zabuza was touching. She'd likely do anything to revive him."
"That's what worries me," Hiruzen said, taking a puff. "The heart to protect a comrade makes one strong, but hatred and longing can lead to corruption…"
Hiruzen trailed off, seeming to reach a decision.
He skipped the topic, turning to Tsunade.
With a kind smile, he asked, "The ninja sent to find you this morning couldn't. Did something happen?"
"Orochimaru's back," Tsunade said bluntly.
Hiruzen's smile froze.
"Orochimaru?" Kakashi exclaimed.
Rin and Sakura gasped, covering their mouths.
One of the legendary Sannin alongside Tsunade, Orochimaru was one of Konoha's few S-rank rogue ninjas.
"He came to you?" Hiruzen's voice carried a bitter edge.
Orochimaru was a pain in his heart.
He'd once believed Orochimaru could inherit his will, but it ended in betrayal.
A gifted student, yet he abandoned Konoha…
"He wanted to know why I returned," Tsunade said, narrowing her eyes. "And… he's mastered a highly dangerous forbidden jutsu of my second grandfather. I gravely injured him, but he escaped."
Hiruzen's expression shifted repeatedly.
He knew Tsunade's strength—class-changed, enhanced, and equipped with items.
Yet Orochimaru still got away?
"He's become very dangerous. Extremely dangerous," Tsunade emphasized, her gaze dimming. "But my biggest worry is… Shen Mo might be interested in him."
At Shen Mo's name…
Hiruzen fell silent.
Indeed.
From known cases, like Zabuza and Gato, it was clear.
To Shen Mo, ambition and dark desires were also "unyielding defiance of fate." Orochimaru fit that mold perfectly. No one knew his talent and will better than Hiruzen.
"Teacher Kakashi, who's Orochimaru?" Naruto broke the silence.
"A very powerful… and troublesome person," Kakashi said, seemingly with a wry smile.
It felt like Konoha's troubles were multiplying, with even an S-rank rogue like Orochimaru, absent for years, returning.
"No matter the trouble or challenge, Konoha won't falter," Hiruzen said, regaining his kind, confident demeanor. "Kakashi, take Sasuke and the others to rest."
Kakashi nodded.
He knew Hiruzen had more to say to Tsunade.
After they left…
Hiruzen dropped his smile.
Puffing his pipe, he gave a bitter smile. "You mentioned a dangerous forbidden jutsu. Could it be…"
"Edo Tensei," Tsunade said, her expression heavy. "He used it to revive my first and second grandfathers."
"As I feared." Hiruzen took a deep drag, nearly choking. "I suspected he sneaked into my office and studied the Edo Tensei scroll. I didn't think he'd actually succeed."
Hiruzen now regretted it.
He shouldn't have been soft.
He let Orochimaru escape back then.
"That jutsu should've been destroyed!" Tsunade said, brimming with anger.
Seeing her deceased kin's souls manipulated, fighting her…
Even Holy Light wouldn't forgive such an act!
"Heavily injured, Orochimaru will likely hide for now, hard to find," Hiruzen mused. "The immediate threat is the Akatsuki. Tsunade, you know the upcoming Chūnin Exams are in Konoha, right?"
"Chūnin Exams…" Tsunade paused.
"I plan to entrust the exams to you and the Hyuga clan," Hiruzen said, a strange glint in his eyes. "I want to use this chance to negotiate an alliance with the Hidden Sand Village to jointly eliminate the Akatsuki!"
The war against the Akatsuki couldn't be Konoha's alone!