After returning to the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately issued his first order: mobilize every available ninja in the village who wasn't currently on a mission.
Not only those stationed near Konoha, but even those spread across the Land of Fire.
Although he had temporarily managed to appease Aizen and Sunagakure with food supplies and ninjutsu, as long as Orochimaru remained at large, the risk of war breaking out was dangerously high.
Yet Nara Shikaku, Konoha's brilliant strategist, carried doubts in his heart that he couldn't explain.
The inn where the Kazekage resided was only a hundred meters away from the hotel where Aizen stayed.
No matter how deadly Orochimaru's assassination skills were, there was no way he could kill the Kazekage without causing any disturbance—especially when the body had been nailed to the hotel's high wall for all to see.
Even the slightest movement should have been enough for Aizen—a man standing at the pinnacle of Kage-level power, capable of contending with a tailed beast—to notice immediately.
Yet he hadn't.
But with the situation pressing down on them, Shikaku had no time to dwell on it.
The most urgent task now was to draw Orochimaru out.
From the intelligence provided by Mitarashi Anko and Hatake Kakashi, one of Orochimaru's key targets was Uchiha Sasuke.
Thus, Hiruzen ordered Kakashi, who was personally training Sasuke, to remain by his side. The moment Orochimaru appeared, Kakashi was to report back without delay.
What Hiruzen failed to realize, however, was that in his haste to find Orochimaru and offer Sunagakure an explanation, he had pulled part of Konoha's defensive forces away from the village.
The security around Konoha had already begun to show cracks.
In a hotel on Konoha's southeast street, dozens of Sunagakure shinobi knelt on one knee before Aizen, including Jōnin like Baki.
Temari frowned, lifting her head as she asked,
"Teacher, did Orochimaru really kill my father?"
Standing at the forefront, Aizen's expression remained cold.
"Konoha has no plausible explanation. The likelihood is more than eighty percent."
"Master Aizen!" Jinnaruo raised his head, voice heavy with anger.
"If that's the case, we should cut ties with Konoha immediately and tear Orochimaru apart!"
"Yeah!"
"Master Aizen, let's cancel this plan and kill Orochimaru!"
"We've already secured plenty of food from Konoha. There's no need to keep this alliance!"
Several others raised their voices in agreement.
"Silence!"
Aizen's low growl cut through the room like a blade. Instantly, everyone bowed their heads and fell silent.
His gaze swept over them as he spoke:
"Whether Orochimaru is the culprit or not is still uncertain. But one thing is clear—the plan cannot be abandoned."
Temari's eyes widened.
"Why, teacher?"
Aizen's tone was calm, but sharp as steel.
"We've already slipped into the Land of Fire. At this very moment, Konoha is conducting a massive search for Orochimaru. Tell me, how long before they stumble upon our people? A week? Three days? Perhaps even less?"
A cold realization spread among the shinobi. This wasn't something they could just walk away from.
"If Konoha discovers us here," Aizen continued, "how will we explain it? What conclusion will they draw? Once they uncover our true plan, do you think they'll still hand us food and ninjutsu so generously?"
"No."
Aizen's voice rose, sharp and commanding.
"Not only will they refuse us, they'll accuse us of starting the war first, seizing the political advantage in these negotiations. In the end, not only will Lord Kazekage have been murdered, but Sunagakure will also be left with nothing!"
A chill ran down every spine in the room.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
At that moment, Jinnaruo slammed his forehead into the ground, tears streaming down his face.
"This fool nearly brought disaster upon us! Aizen-sama, punish me heavily!"
"Don't blame yourself," Aizen said calmly. "Your grief for Lord Kazekage clouded your judgment. That is all."
The Sand shinobi looked at him with reverence, as if gazing upon a god.
"Master Aizen, what should we do now?" asked a Jōnin known as Kanmaru.
"The plan continues," Aizen replied. "And do not tell Pakura about the Kazekage's death. On the day of the finals, I will disguise myself as Lord Kazekage to maintain morale. You will all act according to the original plan."
"Then… what about Orochimaru, and the grudge for Lord Kazekage's death?" Jinnaruo pressed.
"Of course we'll take revenge," Aizen said, his voice steady. "But not now. For the first time in years, Sunagakure has a chance to rise. If Lord Kazekage were alive, he would support this choice. Orochimaru can wait."
His eyes glinted coldly.
"Once we've used the Sound to weaken Konoha, we'll seize the Land of Fire's territory, allowing Sunagakure to flourish like never before. As for Orochimaru—when the time is right, I'll personally twist his head from his shoulders and offer it to Lord Kazekage's spirit!"
"Yes, Aizen-sama!"
The shinobi roared in unison, their conviction renewed.
That night, under the pale glow of the full moon, two figures stood atop the Kazekage's inn.
On the left was Aizen, his expression unreadable.
On the right, the Sunagakure Jōnin "Kanmaru."
Kanmaru let out a strange laugh.
"Too much, don't you think? You pinned the blame entirely on me."
Aizen glanced at him indifferently.
"You intended to assassinate him anyway. Now you're simply bearing the consequences."
The next moment, Kanmaru's face melted like wax, revealing his true form—
Orochimaru.
"It was you," Orochimaru hissed, his golden eyes narrowing. "Even I was deceived by your act. But tell me… what are your plans now?"
His lips curled into a faint smile, voice cold.
"Don't conceal things from me any longer. If you stir chaos beyond control, even I may not be able to fix it."