Inside Root headquarters—
Within the dim underground corridor, a thin figure slowly walked forward.
He could have moved silently.
Yet instead, he deliberately allowed his footsteps to echo clearly.
Even so—
Despite fully knowing he was one of Konoha's highest-ranked missing-nin—
Even Root's most sensitive sensory shinobi acted as though they could not see him at all.
Allowing him to walk freely through the darkest place in Konoha.
"It's been quite a while since I visited."
The newcor shrugged mockingly while looking toward Danzō.
"What happened to your guards? Not getting paid enough to do their jobs?"
"Did Hiruzen-sensei stop allocating funds for you people to 'protect' Konoha?"
"... Orochimaru."
Danzō narrowed his eye while signaling subtly toward the elite guards beside him.
"For an S-rank missing-nin of Konoha to casually appear here…"
"You're far too bold."
"Capture him."
Yet before the guards could even move—
The pale-faced Orochimaru suddenly grinned sinisterly.
Then his body transford into several venomous snakes that scattered instantly in all directions.
"Hmph…"
Danzō coldly tapped his cane against the ground.
"Not the real body?"
Then he deliberately glanced toward the Root guards.
"Security needs strengthening."
"You couldn't even detect an infiltrator this dangerous?"
anwhile—
Outside Konoha—
Orochimaru's true body slowly absorbed the mories sent back from the dispersed clone.
Then thoughtfully narrowed his eyes.
"So Danzō is under surveillance now?"
"He didn't deny my words either…"
"Hehehe…"
"Looks like the old man Hiruzen has changed sowhat after all."
Nearby, Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his glasses slightly after hearing Orochimaru muttering to himself.
"So that explains why communication with him stopped for so long."
"Looks like directly pulling him in as an ally is impossible now."
"It doesn't matter."
Orochimaru licked his lips lightly.
"He was rely an insurance option to begin with."
"If he's unusable, then so be it."
"Still…"
A mocking sneer appeared across his face.
"It's rather disgusting how he deliberately imitates Hiruzen-sensei's self-righteous attitude now."
His snake-like pupils narrowed dangerously.
"Go to the village."
"Bring Kimimaro and the others."
"Then all of you head toward the hidden base outside Sunagakure and remain concealed while awaiting my orders."
Orochimaru's voice turned icy.
"Our target…"
"The Fourth Kazekage."
"And one more thing."
"If necessary, contact Sasori from Akatsuki at any ti."
"Hiss…"
Orochimaru's smile beca sinister.
"He still believes you remain under his control."
"Perhaps Akatsuki may prove useful later."
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama."
Kabuto accepted the orders before instantly disappearing.
Orochimaru slowly raised his head toward the moon.
"That beast inside Sunagakure…"
"I wonder if it went mad like the Three-Tails too."
"Originally I planned to obtain more information about these so-called Tailed Beasts through Danzō…"
"Better stay cautious and investigate personally first."
"After all…"
A strange gleam flickered within Orochimaru's eyes.
"If that father-son pair becos involved, things could beco troubleso."
The night remained silent.
Only the moon high above quietly watched the storm gradually approaching.
"Wait…"
Naruto blinked repeatedly while staring toward Kurama and Minato.
"So you both already knew?"
"Hmph."
Kurama snorted dismissively.
"When Kakashi attacked you back then, how do you think you escaped his final genjutsu?"
"If this old man hadn't intervened, you think you'd still be so free right now?"
"Additionally…"
Minato smiled warmly.
"During your battle this ti, both Kurama-sama and I already realized Kakashi was trying to point out your true weakness."
"And honestly, it really is your current flaw."
"I simply didn't expect him to use his own body as the teaching material."
"Ahahaha!"
Naruto scratched his head awkwardly.
"Kurama, you really love joking around."
"There's no way I'd seriously cut off Kakashi-sensei's arm!"
This ti, Naruto finally understood the entire situation completely.
After calming down, he also realized the good intentions behind everything.
"Naruto."
Minato's expression beca serious again.
"You're already a shinobi now."
"Although unlike my era, this can barely be called a peaceful ti, so you won't imdiately walk onto a battlefield…"
"Still…"
Minato quietly looked toward his son.
"The path of a shinobi is always accompanied by blood and tears."
"Even though we all know you're already incredibly outstanding…"
"As your father…"
"There's still sothing I need to ask you after today."
"Are you truly prepared…"
"To take another person's life?"
The question struck sharply.
Previously, Naruto never truly possessed a concrete understanding of that concept.
But today was different.
Today—
For the first ti—
Naruto genuinely experienced what it ant for his own strength to seriously injure another person.
So what exactly did he feel?
"... Honestly…"
Naruto lowered his head slightly.
"I don't know."
"But…"
"If it's truly necessary…"
Naruto slowly clenched his fists.
"Then I already understand what I need to do."
He didn't answer imdiately.
Both Minato and Kurama could clearly tell Naruto had spent the entire day thinking about this question.
"Dad…"
Naruto suddenly looked up.
"Can you tell how you got through it back then?"
"Of course."
Minato smiled gently.
"The first ti I stepped onto a battlefield…"
anwhile, Kurama quietly watched Naruto excitedly listening to Minato's stories beneath the endlessly bright inner world sky.
A trace of lancholy quietly surfaced within the fox's heart.
Thinking back…
In the previous life…
How did Naruto truly feel back then?
The next morning—
The Hokage's office welcod a visitor unusually early.
As the Third Hokage leisurely walked into the office, he looked toward the figure already waiting inside and deliberately revealed a surprised expression.
"Danzō Advisor?"
"What brings you here so early today?"
"Orochimaru infiltrated Root headquarters last night with unknown intentions."
"What?!"
The Third Hokage widened his eyes dramatically.
"Orochimaru actually appeared?"
"That's truly troubleso."
Danzō expressionlessly watched Hiruzen's performance.
With how many spies Hiruzen planted around him, he probably already dispatched ANBU to investigate Orochimaru long ago.
Yet here he stood acting completely unaware.
"I'm already inford."
Hiruzen calmly sat down.
"I'll arrange people to investigate."
"But shortly, it'll be ti to assign missions to the new Genin…"
"Traditionally, mission assignnts for new Genin squads must be reviewed by the advisors first."
Danzō coldly reminded him.
"Of course, of course."
Hiruzen nodded cheerfully.
"That's why I already reviewed these assignnts with Homura and Koharu beforehand."
"They're perfectly suitable as introductory missions for the new Genin."
"Then what about ?!"
Danzō finally exploded.
Slamming his hand against the desk, he roared:
"Hiruzen!"
"Do you even still consider the Hokage Advisor anymore?!"
"You hold etings without informing !"
"You discuss ANBU operations without consulting !"
"And now even Genin mission assignnts are hidden from ?!"
"I rely considered how hard you've been working lately training Root mbers."
Hiruzen slowly lit his pipe.
"So I thought minor matters didn't need troubling you."
"However…"
A faint smile appeared on the Third Hokage's face.
"Since you still seem eager to contribute to Konoha…"
"How about this?"
Hiruzen pulled out a mission scroll he had clearly prepared in advance and handed it toward Danzō.
"Orochimaru's matter…"
"I'll leave it to you."
"How does that sound?"
Danzō opened the scroll.
The report detailed everything.
Even the exact number of tis he tapped his cane against the floor yesterday was recorded clearly.
Instantly—
Danzō understood everything.
After shooting Hiruzen a furious glare, he didn't bother saying another word.
Instead, he slamd the office door open and stord out imdiately.
"That man…"
The Third Hokage sighed while shaking his head.
"He's becoming increasingly unable to remain calm."
Then, without turning around from the window, Hiruzen suddenly spoke again:
"Kakashi."
"You can co in now."
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