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Hokage Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat at his desk, his brows tightly furrowed as he looked at the two messages that had just arrived through a hidden channel.
After finishing reading the documents, he stood up, took a deep drag from his pipe, exhaled a long plume of smoke, and turned to gaze out at the Hokage Rock outside the floor-to-ceiling window.
After a long while, he turned back to the Anbu kneeling before him and asked, "Which channel did this intelligence come from?"
The Anbu, dressed in a white cloak, lowered his head and replied, "According to the documents our informant obtained from Root, it seems to have been sent by a hidden agent planted in a prominent noble family in the Earth Country many years ago."
"A prominent noble family in the Earth Country..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered, "Since even someone at that level knows, then it can be confirmed that Iwagakure has received intelligence on Tsunade Squad."
"However,"
His voice was slightly hoarse, "the Iwagakure suicide squad that infiltrated the Hokage Building last time should have all been dealt with, right?"
"What is Danzo's opinion on this matter?"
The white-robed Anbu continued, "According to Lord Danzo's analysis, there was a gap of approximately five minutes between Kira and his subordinates escaping the Hokage Building and being intercepted by Sawara Kiri, a Chunin."
"If exploited flexibly, this time would have been sufficient to transmit the intelligence through other means."
"However, according to the trace inspection report from the Sealing Squad, there are no signs that the intelligence was opened and then resealed."
"Therefore, Lord Danzo believes it is more likely that an enemy insider was among those responsible for intercepting Kira."
"During the Root meeting, Lord Danzo has already stated his intention to propose a comprehensive search to you at the Advisor meeting."
"The main suspects are Hatake Sakumo, Namikaze Minato, Aburame Shin, Akimichi Choza, Yamanaka Takeshi, Sawara Kiri, Hyuga Takeichi, and a total of twenty-three others."
The white-robed Anbu finished speaking, adding a reminder, "All these individuals were involved in the pursuit that night, checking or stopping along the escape route of the Iwagakure suicide squad, or had engaged in combat with them."
"Heh."
Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a low chuckle, unconcerned by Danzo's petty schemes.
Most of the names on his old friend's list belonged to the Sarutobi faction, and Hatake Sakumo and Namikaze Minato, listed first, were former Anbu commanders and Jiraiya's disciple, respectively.
The intention to clip his wings was blatantly obvious.
However, a familiar name on the list once again caught his attention.
It had been two or three days since the attack on the Hokage Building.
Recalling the young man who stood before his desk and loudly accused him, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh.
Once upon a time, he too was a young man willing to sacrifice his life for the Will of Fire.
But after decades of tempering by reality, he had, after all, become the very person he detested.
Sometimes, he even envied the courage of these children to speak truth to power.
"Shikahara."
"At your service." Beside the desk, the Nara Ninja with a pineapple-shaped hairstyle stood up.
"How has that child, Sawara Kiri, been doing lately?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked casually.
Nara Shikahara, however, was meticulous: "Chunin Sawara Kiri was temporarily relieved of his duties as an Advisor in the Intelligence Department three days ago to cooperate with the investigation. He is currently at home, without any assigned duties."
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, "The investigation isn't finished yet?"
"Lord Danzo's side refuses to cooperate."
Nara Shikahara simply nodded slightly in response to the question, his gaze briefly flicking to the letter on his desk.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile immediately cooled a few degrees. He exhaled a puff of smoke, seemingly nonchalantly, "He doesn't trust these children, does he?"
"Shikahara, how do you think this matter should be resolved?"
He didn't specify whether he was referring to Danzo's actions or the suspicion surrounding those individuals.
It was as if he encompassed everything.
Nara Shikahara calmly stated, "Recently, the advancement and assessment of Chunin Sawara should also be carried out as soon as possible—with the looming war crisis, we cannot let a young man with considerable combat power languish in the Village."
"Indeed."
Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, nodding slightly.
Nara Shikahara continued, "Given Sawara-kun's strength, his advancement to Jonin is a foregone conclusion. For his debut in the Jonin circle, he naturally needs a sufficiently strong yet young candidate as a benchmark."
"Minato-kun would be very suitable."
"Hmm."
Sarutobi Hiruzen listened quietly.
"Additionally, Hatake Sakumo will serve as the judge, and the heads of the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, along with their clansmen, are invited to witness it. Our Ino–Shika–Chō clans are united, and the elders currently in the Village happen to be free," Nara Shikahara's voice remained calm.
Sarutobi Hiruzen finally realized the issue, "You mean, to create such a grand spectacle for the special advancement ceremony of a young Jonin?"
Don't think of Konoha Jonin as mere roadside cabbages.
As specialists in A-rank missions and above, every Jonin is a pillar of a Village's strength, and among these Jonin, the clan heads and elders, who are at the very top, are a political force capable of influencing the leadership of Konoha's entire military.
Nara Shikahara's expression remained composed as he went straight to the point, "Some people have lost their sense of propriety and wish to make unwarranted attempts to challenge the Hokage's authority."
"Then let him see."
"Just how many people stand behind Lord Third Hokage."
Throughout, he never mentioned the specific individuals Danzo had included in his proposal, nor how he intended to thwart his scheme.
With just one seemingly casual move, he directly crushed Shimura Danzo's plot in the planning stage.
At this, he smiled and turned to Sarutobi Hiruzen, "Also, I believe Sawara-kun will surely appreciate it."
"He is a very clever child."
Killing three birds with one stone.
"You, you..."
Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen even paused his smoking, smiling and pointing at him, then said no more, deciding, "Let's do it!"
"Yes."
The white-robed Anbu silently witnessed this scene, and thinking of Elder Danzo's series of petty actions, he couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
It seemed that as long as Lord Third was alive, this Elder would certainly not be able to rise to power.
However, just as the two continued to discuss the subsequent details.
Suddenly, an Anbu appeared in the office, presenting a scroll with both hands:
"Lord Third, urgent dispatch from the front lines!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression changed. He took the intelligence and quickly scanned it, his face grave.
"The Third Raikage, who was stationed at the front lines between the Earth and Lightning Countries, is missing."
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Nara Shikahara exchanged glances, both simultaneously realizing the seriousness of the situation.
Tsunade Squad was in danger.
"Lord Third."
Nara Shikahara immediately spoke, gravely, "Currently, the only one in the Village who can quickly provide support for such a perilous situation is Lord Hatake."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, at this moment, remained exceptionally composed, calmly stating, "No rush. Let's resolve the assessment first."
"Even if that bastard A wants to find Tsunade and the others' whereabouts, it won't be a matter of one or two days."
"Besides..."
As he spoke, he tapped the bowl of his pipe against the ashtray, his voice steady:
"Both of these young men are high-speed types, perfectly suited for the Land of Lightning battlefield."
"After they complete their assessment, let them make their debut to the entire Ninja World."
Upon hearing this, Nara Shikahara immediately fell silent.
Although Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone showed no fluctuation, this intelligent man keenly detected the subtle, unintentional scrutiny towards Sawara Kiri in the Ninja Hero's words.
Loyalty must be proven with blood.
He still couldn't trust Sawara-kun after all.
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