Chương 244: Chapter 243: Konoha's Preparations Before the Battle
Konoha Village.
"Good work, Shisui." Orochimaru put down the scroll in the Hokage's office.
"Is it really Obito secretly aiding Kirigakure?"
"There's no solid evidence yet, but Hiruzen-sama, Nara Clan Leader, and I all believe he's the prime suspect. Of course, there's also a chance it's the work of my former sensei."
"Honestly, I think it's also Obito." Orochimaru stood up, hands clasped behind his back.
"It has been two years since he disappeared from the village. Even though we couldn't completely eliminate him, he left behind a Rinnegan and both Mangekyō Sharingan. he will stop at nothing to reclaim his eyes… keeping the Mist's Water and Fire conflict going to sap our strength, then taking the opportunity to attack the village. It all makes sense."
The cold light in the golden snake eyes of the Fifth Hokage flickered.
"It's possible that right at this moment, his next scheme is already underway."
Shisui nodded in agreement.
"Hokage-sama, are you sure we shouldn't call back Hiruzen-sama?"
"The front lines can't be left unattended. With the two of us here, the village will be fine. You go adjust the personnel for defense and patrols, and limit the number of A and S-rank missions being issued. We need to ensure there are enough Jonin stationed in the village during this period."
"Understood, Hokage-sama." Shisui respectfully acknowledged the order and left the office.
...
Sae looked down at the small golden slug that appeared at his feet, he fell silent for a long while before finally sighing and handing over the scroll.
It was the fifth hour since the reinforcements had returned to Konoha. Just moments ago, he had received orders from Shisui. With just one glance, he realized that the village had increased patrols, seemingly preparing for something in secret.
The valuable intelligence, along with a series of actions by the ANBU, was all written on the scroll.
"Give it to him."
"Understood, Sae-kun." The voice of the slug was still mature and gentle.
"Just a gentle reminder, I can't absorb the scroll into my body if you don't let go."
"Ah? Oh, right..." Sae released his grip absentmindedly, feeling a hollow emptiness inside, as though he had lost something.
He knew that from this moment on, he had effectively become a rogue shinobi. From now on, he would reveal more and more secrets, making it harder to ever turn back.
If the day came when everything was exposed, the Hyuga clan might be branded as an "evil clan with betrayal engraved in its genes," forever despised with their thousand years of glory crumbling into nothing, with their reputation rotting away.
'But I don't care...' Sae took a deep breath, opened the door, and strode out of the room.
'Mom... Dad... I will definitely avenge you.'
After handing out the gifts he bought along the way, Sae chatted with Maya for a while. Looking at the admiration in the eyes of his clan members, he suddenly felt uncomfortable. He quickly packed his ninja tools and left the Hyuga estate in a hurry.
Following Shisui's orders, he left the village and went to a secret rendezvous point to meet up with a temporary team.
Inuzuka, Aburame, Uchiha… including Sae, all the members of this team were shinobi with excellent observational abilities.
"Our mission is to patrol the southern direction of the village. Two-person teams will work together, covering a five-kilometer radius. Every seventy minutes, we regroup here to report information. The code will change every round..."
The Jonin leading the team was a seasoned Uchiha clan member. He systematically arranged the tasks, and soon, the shinobi dispersed, watching for any movement.
By coincidence, Sae's teammate was Itachi.
They had crossed paths at the Ninja Academy and both worked in the ANBU. Though similar in age, both were reserved individuals. During their run, apart from necessary mission-related talk, they barely exchanged words.
"Sae..." Amidst the rustling of leaves, Itachi suddenly spoke.
"Your steps are uneven, sometimes light and sometimes heavy. Are you too tired?"
Sae, just nine years old, felt his heart skip a beat. Only minutes ago, he had leaked village information to that man, and naturally, his emotions were in turmoil. He thought he had hidden it well, but Itachi had noticed nonetheless.
'What sharp senses... Is he really only a year older than me?' Sae thought silently and after a moment, responded with a sigh.
"Itachi, who do you think the village is preparing for?"
"Anyone who could make the village this tense would either be from one of the other Four Great Shinobi Villages or Yuto Hyuga and Obito Uchiha."
"Exactly, I think so too. If it's Yuto Hyuga... I... I..."
Sae wasn't acting. In fact, he deliberately held back so as not to frighten his companion, but even so, Itachi could feel the unmistakable depth of Sae's hatred.
"I will definitely kill him! Even if I am crushed by him, I will use these eyes to stare him down! And if these eyes are destroyed, I'll curse him day and night from the darkness!"
The passion in his words was undeniable, and anyone would believe it. Itachi was no exception.
"Sae, don't let the flames of revenge consume you. Our patrol is essential for the village's safety, so please focus." the Uchiha prodigy, Itachi softened his voice.
"Take some time off after this mission."
"Alright... I'm sorry, Itachi." Sae exhaled in relief, realizing that Itachi's suspicions were now quelled. He focused his thoughts and pushed away the turmoil, concentrating on the mission at hand.
...
Late at night.
With a bang, the office door of the ANBU commander was violently flung open. Without even looking up, Shisui already knew who it was.
In the entire village, the only one who would dare barge in on him like this was that white-haired girl.
"Working late, huh, Captain?" Ruri pointed to the clock on the wall.
"It's almost midnight."
"I have no choice. I need to prepare for the possible enemy, I have too much to organize. Hokage-sama probably hasn't rested either."
"Hokage-sama? But there's no light in his office."
"He's not in this building, he's..." Shisui rubbed his temples. Ruri was not only a close friend but also the captain of ANBU's second squad—a true comrade. There was no need for secrecy, so he said directly.
"Hokage-sama is preparing that forbidden jutsu."
"Impure World Reincarnation?"
"Yes."
"Tsk..." Ruri sucked in a breath.
"Hokage-sama is really committed."
Shisui nodded, sighing.
"Indeed. when Obito vanished from the village, Hokage-sama blamed himself. Even though he lost his Mangekyō Sharingan and Rinnegan, everyone knows that he will return stronger. What kind of power he'll wield is anyone's guess. he is willing to pay any price to stop him."
"A wise choice." Ruri smirked, "Forbidden jutsu or not, if it kills the enemy, it's worth it."
"But Ruri, manipulating the souls of the dead will eventually lead to retribution. The Will of Fire must shine in the light."
"Hey, where did you learn to speak like that? Speaking formally to me now, huh?"
Shisui scratched his head, feeling helpless, "Let's not get into that... what brings you here so late?"
"Of course, there's a reason! Do you think I'd come to your office in the middle of the night for nothing?" The white-haired girl sneered and tossed Shisui a scroll.
"The Hokage's summon has been answered... Jiraiya-sama will be returning to the village, but he's not in the best shape. the ANBU have been tasked with retrieving him."
(End of Chapter)
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực