So that's how it is.
Jokichi understood.
He had wondered earlier why, when he was clearly acting in self-defense (playing the victim), and complaining wouldn't be useful anyway, Baki had still come to complain.
At first, he thought he was stupid, but he didn't expect this underlying intention.
He must be worried that a Wood Release ninja like himself would affect their subsequent plans!
"So, what exactly did you do to make them so wary?" Hiruzen said slowly while biting his pipe.
"Nothing much." Jokichi scratched his head. "I just used Wood Release."
"..."
Hiruzen rested his elbows on the desk, supporting his chin with the backs of his hands, and said in a deep voice, "Jokichi, Ryohei has carefully taught you for two or three years now. You should understand what ninjutsu means to a ninja."
"Ninjutsu is a ninja's trump card. Once it's known by too many people, it's easily countered. So, it shouldn't be easily displayed in front of others."
"Since you know this yet still did it, you must have a compelling reason for doing so!"
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe. The smoke filled the entire office, making their expressions unclear to each other.
"Of course." Jokichi said frankly, "This was originally just a minor conflict, but during the conflict, I discovered something unusual about that guy."
Hiruzen's eyes focused, and he pressed, "What is it?"
"A situation similar to Naruto's."
"Similar to Naruto?"
Hiruzen was taken aback at first, then realized Jokichi was referring to Jinchuriki.
However—
"You actually understand Naruto's situation as a Jinchuriki too. Did Ryohei tell you?" Hiruzen inquired.
"No." Jokichi shook his head slightly. "Having interacted with Naruto for so long, one can always notice some minor clues. Combined with the knowledge I've learned, I could somewhat guess."
"Mhm!" Hiruzen nodded. "Then you go back first. This matter has nothing to do with you anymore."
"Will Sunagakure come looking for trouble with me again?"
"At least the village won't cause trouble for you. However..." Pausing, he continued, "You must be careful of those guys attacking you secretly. Although I don't know what they're thinking, trying to obtain information about you through such matters means they harbor certain thoughts about you."
"I understand."
"Then you go back!"
"Mhm!"
Jokichi nodded, said his goodbyes, and left.
In the office.
Hiruzen fell into deep thought alone.
He understood Jokichi's strength very well, so he wasn't too worried about his safety.
However, regarding the information Jokichi provided...
Sending a Jinchuriki to participate in the Chunin Exams by Sunagakure was extremely confusing.
Although the Chunin Exams are a show for various countries to flex their muscles and concurrently observe the strength of other countries, it is still only a contest between Genin.
It's more about referencing the future, rather than the present.
What exactly are they trying to do by sending a Jinchuriki, equivalent to a nuclear weapon, to participate in this kind of competition?
Hiruzen had a bad premonition.
"Someone come."
"Whoosh!"
An Anbu appeared in front of the desk.
"Lord Hokage."
"Have Kakashi's squad head to the border of the Land of Wind to investigate. Keep a close eye on the mobilization of Sunagakure's large forces on the border."
"Yes."
"I hope I'm just overthinking everything!"
...
It was night, a crescent moon hung high.
Konoha, on a certain tall building.
Baki met with a mysterious person wearing a mask and completely wrapped in a cloak.
"I was kicked out of the office by the Hokage while I was listing that guy's crimes." Baki said. "This clearly shows the Hokage saw through my intentions and is protecting him."
"After all, he is the number one among this batch of new Genin, and he also knows Wood Release. It's only natural he would have such a position, right!" the masked mysterious person chuckled lightly.
"Wood Release can suppress the power of Tailed Beasts. With that guy around, our plan cannot succeed." Baki questioned, "Given how much the Hokage values him, it will be hard to find an opportunity to strike at him. This plan is practically considered a failure."
"Don't be in such a hurry to jump to conclusions!" The mysterious person laughed. "That guy will be dealt with by our Otogakure. Sunagakure only needs to cooperate with us when the time comes."
"You make it sound nice, but if we don't see your Otogakure taking action, we Sunagakure won't make a move."
"Rest assured, you will see it when the time comes."
"Then I'll wait and see."
...
The silver moon poured down, illuminating the quiet courtyard.
Jokichi sat cross-legged on the veranda, holding the Book of Omniscience in his hand. On it, the image of Baki and the mysterious person in the ancient building located in a remote corner of Konoha was being displayed.
And the name displayed above the mysterious person was exactly "Yakushi Kabuto."
"It really is that guy Orochimaru!"
The corners of Jokichi's mouth curled up slightly, tracing a light chuckle.
Although he couldn't hear what they were saying, combining it with Baki's complaint during the day, he could roughly guess what they were plotting.
He had once set a bait for Orochimaru, and that was the blood of his Sage Body.
When he was five, he caught a cold.
When he went to the hospital for treatment, the one who gave him an IV drip was none other than Yakushi Kabuto.
At first, he was worried his blood would be obtained by Orochimaru, so he refused the suggestion of drawing blood for a checkup.
However, thinking about it carefully, with Orochimaru's current technology, even if he got the blood, he couldn't do much.
Instead, it could serve as bait to lure him to find himself.
He craved excellent vessels, and didn't he himself crave his body tissues?
As one of the legendary Sannin, whether it was his own potential or the memes circulated in his past life, they were very strong. He would definitely be able to forge powerful items.
As for when Orochimaru would come, and whether he wouldn't be a match...
At that time, he already had the Ring of Kurama and the Mangekyo Sharingan. Although his body's strength couldn't withstand the full power of both, he possessed a perfect Sage Body, so even if his body collapsed, he could recover quickly.
More than enough to deal with Orochimaru.
Moreover, Orochimaru had only just defected from Konoha at that time; it was simply impossible for him to return to Konoha in the short term.
Thus, he feigned ignorance about getting distracted later, which led to blood backflow, leaving blood in the syringe.
Of course, Jokichi also wondered if doing so was superfluous.
After all, Orochimaru would come to Konoha during the Chunin Exams. Finding him then would be the same.
However, Jokichi couldn't predict what the future would be like.
Because he harbored many secrets himself, and Konoha also held much darkness, especially with that old schemer Danzo still around.
He wasn't sure if his secrets would be exposed, nor was he clear if he would still be in Konoha when the time came, much less what the future would actually turn into.
But Orochimaru was famously cunning. He betrayed both Konoha and Akatsuki successively, yet no one could find his whereabouts.
If the future didn't develop as expected, it would be very difficult for him to find Orochimaru.
However—
"Although many things are different, it is still within expectations." Jokichi nodded slightly.
A thick cloud drifted over. The full moon hid within the clouds, and the world instantly plunged into darkness.
Jokichi put away the Book of Omniscience and went inside to rest.