The next day.
Konoha Year 43, November 1st.
Before dawn had even broken—before the roosters had crowed—
Shimizu was already up and heading straight to the ANBU headquarters.
Orochimaru, it seemed, was past the age of diligent training and was no longer waiting for him at the window.
Hah... middle-aged men.
But Shimizu truly had business to attend to. This was something he had arranged the day before.
At first light, his entire ANBU unit had already assembled.
Today, he would inspect his subordinates and familiarize himself with his team.
He had also confirmed that Team One's captain was genuinely capable—extremely efficient and flawless in executing assignments.
Except for that genin who had vanished into thin air.
That, unfortunately, was beyond anyone's control…
As for Orochimaru, who would soon realize he'd been stood up again in a few hours—
Hopefully he didn't have morning temper.
Shimizu had already prepared his excuse:
ANBU captain. Heavy workload.
His position wasn't honorary; it came with real responsibilities. Everything was perfectly reasonable.
And even if Orochimaru didn't accept it—so what?
Would he really dare to do anything?
The killing intent that had enveloped him last night had likely been mere intimidation.
Moreover, ANBU deployments had been unusually frequent these past two days. One could often see ANBU entering and exiting Konoha's gates.
The last time missions were dispatched at this pace…
Had been on the eve of the Second Great Ninja War.
Because in war, intelligence was paramount.
…
…
…
Hokage's Office
"You believe the one who stole the letter and the one who attempted to assassinate Minato are the same group?" the Third Hokage asked in a low voice, frowning.
Jiraiya replied with certainty, "And very likely the same individual. Their escape methods were identical."
After meticulous investigation, Jiraiya had concluded that the person who stole the letter and the one who ambushed Minato were most likely the same.
Both had used that mysterious Earth Release technique—appearing and disappearing without a trace. In Jiraiya's judgment, it resembled a high-level ninjutsu akin to a bloodline limit.
If it were a clan possessing such a bloodline, they could not possibly remain unknown in the shinobi world.
Therefore, it was highly probable—
That it was a single individual.
"The disappearance of the Third Kazekage… the stolen gold… and now these two incidents…"
The Third Hokage already harbored an almost unthinkable suspicion.
"So there is a force we know nothing about deliberately provoking a war between Konoha and Sunagakure?"
"That's the only explanation," Jiraiya replied firmly.
But who?
And to what end?
"What about Amegakure? Are there signs of this force's involvement there?"
"If their goal is to incite conflict… then they've already succeeded…" Jiraiya's tone left little room for doubt.
"You have evidence?" the Hokage asked, surprised.
"…No. Has Danzo said anything?"
"He seems unaware as well. Root suffered heavy losses this time. And it was he himself who proposed removing certain Root designations. Losing Hanzo's support benefits neither him nor Konoha."
The Land of Rain was now under total lockdown. No useful intelligence could be obtained.
It had effectively closed itself off from the outside world.
To isolate itself at a time like this—what was Hanzo thinking?
If war erupted between Sunagakure and Konoha, did he truly believe Amegakure could remain uninvolved?
"…So Danzo is also a victim this time," Jiraiya muttered, somewhat incredulous.
Danzo, that old fox, suffering a silent loss?
"…What about Sunagakure?" Jiraiya asked, more concerned about this now.
The Hokage's recent policies were clearly preparing for war.
War—everyone in Konoha knew it was inevitable.
But when would it begin?
"They have detained the envoy I dispatched. Even the Fire Daimyō's intervention was ignored. ANBU scouts have reported large numbers of Sunagakure ninja gathering along the southeastern border. They appear to be preparing supplies."
"So only the last shred of decorum remains…"
"So blatant? Are you planning to strike and eliminate that force first?" Jiraiya asked.
"Let's wait. We're still awaiting consolidated intelligence from the western and southern borders."
"Any movement from Iwagakure or Kumogakure?"
"None reported so far. But I've ordered increased patrols along the borders."
Sunagakure had developed considerably in recent years, but compared to the long-established great powers of Iwagakure and Kumogakure, it still lagged behind.
The Land of Wind's geography was too remote, its resources too scarce.
Thus, the Third Hokage's greater concern was whether Iwagakure and Kumogakure would intervene in the coming conflict between Sunagakure and Konoha.
Because in such a tense situation—
Those two nations had remained completely silent.
No one knew their stance.
But surely, they were watching—waiting to see if they could bite off a piece of flesh.
And that flesh could only be Konoha.
For the Land of Fire occupied the most fertile lands on the continent.
As for Kirigakure—
Distant from the mainland, its influence on Konoha was limited.
Even in the previous two Great Ninja Wars, the clashes between Kirigakure and Konoha had been relatively minor.
So for now, the Third Hokage did not consider Kirigakure's threat a primary concern.
"If that person—or that force—can provoke a war between Konoha and Sunagakure, then naturally they could also drag Iwagakure and Kumogakure into it. The question is, what's their objective?" Jiraiya pondered.
The Third Hokage replied, "Whoever benefits the most is the true mastermind… We may only know after the war ends."
"As Konoha stands now…" The Third Hokage suddenly rose and walked to the window, gazing out at the prosperous village beyond. He sighed softly. "This is the legacy built by the First and Second Hokage. I cannot let it fall in my hands."
"Old man, you've got us," Jiraiya reminded him. He wasn't fighting alone.
"Hahaha…" The Third Hokage laughed heartily. "That's right. I still have you—the 'Three Legendary Sannin of Konoha.'"
"How are the war preparations progressing?"
"Everything is proceeding smoothly," Jiraiya answered.
With Jiraiya handling matters, the Third Hokage felt reassured.
"Once the frontline intelligence reports return, convene a Jōnin Assembly," the Hokage decided.
A Jōnin Assembly was a high-level meeting only called during major events affecting the village.
Because those present represented the elite core of Konoha's forces.
In a sense, convening the Jōnin Assembly was equivalent to issuing a mobilization order for war.
"Oh, and yesterday Shimizu reported that a genin went missing during the Chūnin Exams. No clues have surfaced so far."
"That happened?" Jiraiya asked in surprise. "Do you need my help?"
"I have another assignment for you. I've handed this matter over to the ANBU. It's somewhat suspicious, but we lack the manpower to investigate thoroughly right now. Let's see what clues turn up."
In the end, it was just one genin. While any disappearance was serious, compared to the looming war Konoha was about to face, such an incident could be considered negligible.
Still, the fact that the Third Hokage remembered it among so many reports was noteworthy.
…
…
…
Shimizu had barely stepped out of the ANBU building when Orochimaru caught him during that brief gap.
"Uzuki-kun, you know why I've come."
"Orochimaru-senpai, shouldn't you be assisting the Third Hokage in recruiting new sensory ninja?" Shimizu deflected.
"You are deliberately avoiding me." Orochimaru stated it as fact, not a question.
"How could I possibly avoid you, Orochimaru-senpai? Lately I've been quite busy. As you know, I've just become an ANBU captain. There are many matters requiring my attention…" Shimizu explained earnestly.
Stall. Just keep stalling until the war breaks out.
"Uzuki-kun, do you intend to break our agreement?"
"Ah? I've never thought of such a thing."
Though it lasted only a split second, Shimizu clearly felt that bone-chilling killing intent.
Was Orochimaru about to make a move?
Would he dare attack an ANBU captain within Konoha itself?
Surely he wasn't that unhinged… right?
"I believe I understand Uzuki-kun's meaning now…" Orochimaru suddenly revealed that eerie smile of his. Speaking to himself, he added, "After you finish your duties, I will come find you again."
"…Very well."
Shimizu had no idea what "meaning" the man had interpreted. In any case, he had fended him off again.
I am a genius.