Capítulo 101: Сhapter 101
Sarutobi Hiruzen paid little heed to Danzo's threats. He had heard Danzo's complaints countless times but had always prevailed in their power struggles.
"Hokage-sama, Mitarashi Anko is back to report."
"Go ahead, Anko. What did Shikamaru and Choji say?"
"It matches Kazuki's story, but they noted that Kazuki fought off the Kusagakure ninja alone… They found it hard to believe since neither witnessed the fight firsthand."
"Oh? Did anyone else see anything?"
"According to Shikamaru and Choji, they hadn't seen Kazuki after encountering the Kusagakure ninja. It was Sakura and Ino who eventually saved them."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered this new information. Could it be that Kazuki's battle was exaggerated?
Anko Mitarashi, having been abandoned by Orochimaru, harbored a mix of hatred and admiration for him, especially for his strength. She found it hard to believe that a recently graduated ninja like Kazuki could defeat someone of Orochimaru's caliber.
Moreover, there were no witnesses.
Although what Anko said was a possibility, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't believe that Kazuki Gekko would brag and lie about such a thing! This was completely inconsistent with Kazuki's usual indifference to fame and fortune.
But could Kazuki, who was usually indifferent to fame and wealth, be hiding something beneath that facade?
Once suspicion arises, it doesn't fade easily.
At that moment, another ANBU appeared in the Hokage's office. The person wore a cat face mask, had long purple hair, and carried a long sword on their back.
"Hokage-sama, traces of Orochimaru were found in the back mountains of Konoha!"
Hearing the news, Mitarashi Anko said excitedly, "Hokage-sama! I think—"
"Anko, you are no match for him," Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. Although Anko was not a particularly outstanding Jounin, she was loyal to him, and he did not want her to die.
"I have a way to die with him!" Anko said with determination.
Looking at Anko's firm eyes, Sarutobi Hiruzen reluctantly agreed. "Then you go ahead. I'll let Yūgao—"
"No, Hokage-sama, I am enough!"
Anko left without waiting, leaving Yūgao with unspoken words.
"Yūgao, what else did you want to say?"
"It's like this, Lord Third. There are traces of Orochimaru's battle in an abandoned training ground in the back mountain, not too long ago. In addition, I also saw Konohamaru and Uzumaki Naruto!"
"Uzumaki Naruto? Konohamaru? Is Orochimaru's target a jinchūriki?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was shocked. "Have you seen the ANBU responsible for protecting Uzumaki Naruto? Where is Ebisu?"
"Hokage-sama, we didn't see that ANBU, nor did we see Ebisu!" Yūgao said.
Sarutobi Hiruzen could understand Ebisu's absence. His grandson was truly mischievous, and Ebisu often struggled with him. But the ANBU responsible for monitoring Naruto also disappeared? Was he killed by Orochimaru while protecting Naruto?
Hiruzen had to consider the possibility. Entering the Forest of Death to ambush the candidates and eliminating the 'Guardian of the Jinchūriki' in the back mountain of Konoha—it seemed that Orochimaru's original target might have been the jinchūriki!
He knew the true identity of the jinchūriki and was aware that Naruto would be graduating this year. Was he planning to imitate the masked man from years ago?
Although it was a stretch, this was the most plausible explanation for Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha.
"Yūgao, how many ANBU are stationed around Uzumaki Naruto now?"
"Everyone in our team except me is protecting Konohamaru and Uzumaki Naruto."
"Call Konohamaru back, and summon Shiranui Genma and his team. Let them ensure the safety of Uzumaki Naruto during the Chuunin Exam!"
"Yes!"
Orochimaru didn't know that Sarutobi Hiruzen had sacrificed a Jounin team to protect a jinchūriki that had been overlooked due to his skirmish with Kazuki in the back mountain. If he knew, he would surely laugh at Hiruzen's foolishness.
On Konoha's streets, Mitarashi Anko sped through the night, leaping across rooftops, heading towards the back mountain to find Orochimaru and exact revenge for all the grievances and unfair treatment she had suffered.
Suddenly, a dangerous aura rushed towards her. Sensing it, Anko stopped abruptly, looking towards the left, where a terrifying presence emanated.
"Orochimaru!"
Anko dashed toward him without hesitation, summoning snakes from her left hand to trap him.
Seal! Secret Technique: Twin Snakes Mutual Death!
But just as she was about to perform the lethal technique, Orochimaru's mocking voice echoed from behind.
"Tsk tsk, are you planning to die, Anko?"
A snake-like head slithered close to her face, speaking coldly. The Orochimaru she had attacked turned into mud—a mere clone!
"Are you still holding onto the past when I abandoned you?"
Anko's throat tightened, her curse mark throbbing painfully. She wanted to curse him, but the suppression of power was overwhelming.
"You're still using the jutsu I taught you, even as a Jounin of Konoha. Are you reluctant to let go of me?"
"Shut up! You're an S-ranked traitor! We've been enemies for a long time!"
"Hehehe," Orochimaru chuckled, caressing Anko's cheek. For a moment, she saw something resembling tenderness—the softness of her former sensei.
"Then surpass me and prove that leaving you was my mistake."
With a sly smile, Orochimaru's form dissolved into mud and vanished. Anko slammed her fist down in frustration, breaking a nearby roof.
"Who's there?"
"Dear, is someone on the roof?"
"Impossible, it's late. Maybe it's just some ninjas on a mission…"
"The roof exploded with gold coins!!"
Seeing the destruction, Anko left a bag of money to appease the worried residents.
Anko looked at the place where Orochimaru had vanished. The curse mark on her neck was aching, making chakra control difficult. Exhausted, she trudged back to the Hokage's office, knowing she had let Orochimaru escape.
"If only I'd listened to the Third and brought more allies… Orochimaru might have stayed."
Reflecting on her past, Anko realized her confidence had been misplaced. Since being abandoned by Orochimaru, her strength had stagnated. The jutsu she knew were still the ones he had taught her. She had been trapped in her fear of betrayal and suspicion for years.
"What do you want from me, Orochimaru? Did you abandon me because of my talent?"
Feeling powerless, Anko clenched her fists and covered the painful curse mark on her neck.
"Damn you, Orochimaru! I will definitely kill you!"
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