The next day, the Third Hokage was in very serious trouble.
The Sunagakure's Chūnin candidates who came to compete had disappeared.
This is not the most troublesome thing. The most troublesome thing is that this candidate is actually One Tail Jinchūriki!
And he went missing in their house, Konoha!
From the Third Hokage's perspective, this can most likely be the trigger for a war between Konoha and Sunagakure.
If this situation is not handled well, Konoha will be besieged by other ninja villages again.
"Third Hokage, you have to explain it to me. Why did Anbu from Konoha come to attack our Sunagakure's ninja last night and he is still an examinee. Does that mean that you are going to attack our Sunagakure's Jinchūriki?!"
Baki questioned Third Hokage angrily, asking for an explanation.
Last night, after Gaara's strange disappearance, he searched for the whole night, but there was no news.
It's as if they disappeared out of thin air... Although they did disappear out of thin air, someone must have done it and it must have been done by a certain force.
But the result was that there was no clue at all!
Gaara, as the Jinchūriki of Sunagakure, is also the top priority of the Konoha plan this time and absolutely nothing should happen to him.
The only clue is the masked Konoha Anbu ninja.
For this reason, Baki brought a group of Sand Ninjas to find Third Hokage early in the morning and asked him to be responsible for this matter.
"Don't get excited. In fact, we didn't even know that Gaara was One Tail Jinchūriki. Besides, we, Konoha, also have Nine Tails Jinchūriki, how could we covet yours?"
Third Hokage had no choice but to explain more.
"Also, you just said that it was our Anbu ninja from Konoha who did it, but you just heard that none of our Anbu ninjas from Konoha have been to the place where your Sunagakure lives last night and they all have witnesses."
"Therefore, this incident may be caused by some people who want to provoke a war between Sunagakure and Konoha. We can't mess this situation up!"
Third Hokage argued vigorously.
"I don't care. Our Jinchūriki disappeared in your Konoha, you must help us find him. Otherwise, when our Kazekage-sama arrives, it will be up to us to decide whether to start a war or not!"
Baki also realised that something was wrong. When Konoha held the Chūnin exam, they made a move on Sunagakure's Jinchūriki. What were they trying to do?
They have Nine Tails Jinchūriki. In terms of combat power, it is much stronger than One Tail. Thus, they would not do such thankless things.
But even so, Gaara had disappeared in Konoha. And now Sunagakure is short of manpower, so they could only pull Konoha into the water first. Otherwise, if something really happened to Gaara, then he, Baki, will have to take the blame. And He really can't face the Fourth Kazekage!
"Don't worry. I just sent all the Anbu ninjas and Elite Jōnin to search for Konoha. If there is any news, I will tell you as soon as possible."
"I also know the importance of Gaara to you and I know that this may affect the friendly relationship between our two countries. Thus, I will definitely not ignore it!"
Third Hokage earnestly promised.
"That's the best. It's not too late now. We're going to find Gaara. Let's say goodbye."
Seeing Third Hokage's serious look, Baki nodded slightly. Then he went out with Sunagakure's ninja who were with him.
"What do you think of this matter?"
After Baki left, Third Hokage asked the remaining Jōnin.
"It looks like it's not a self-directed drama. Something has really happened to Gaara." Kakashi said solemnly.
He doesn't like this kind of thing to happen the most. Because in this way, war may break out. What Kakashi hates most is war.
"Yes, there must be someone in the dark targeting us and Sunagakure."
"However, I remember that Anbu said just now that the chief examiner of the Third round of qualifiers, Hayate Gekko, was also missing. But that Sand Shinobi was not surprised at all when he heard it. He didn't doubt it and didn't even ask about this matter. Could it be related to them?"
"Hmm... I have sent someone to look for Hayate. Now the focus is on Sunagakure's One Tail Jinchūriki. Since you are temporarily on vacation for the Chūnin exam, I would like you to help me find him. Also, look for some clues."
"The importance of this matter, as you heard me say, is as important as the task of protecting Konoha. I will leave this task to you!"
Third Hokage said with a heavy face.
"Go!"
"We swear to protect Konoha!!"
"Don't worry Hokage-sama!!"
Not long after, the door of Hokage's office was pushed open again.
The three high-level members of the Konoha visited one after another.
"Hiruzen, what's going on? I heard that Sunagakure's One Tail Jinchūriki is missing?"
Danzo asked as soon as he entered the door.
"Yeah, Hiruzen, what's going on?"
Both Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado watched Hiruzen solemnly.
Third Hokage didn't speak, just smoked quietly and looked at Danzo.
"What? Are you doubting me? Is there any Root ninja who can easily take down OneTails Jinchūriki of Sunagakure? Use your brain, please!
Pretending to be Danzo, Naruto's avatar looked at the Third Hokage speechlessly.
Danzo is indeed the strongest suspect. No matter what happens, the Third Hokage suspects him immediately, making Naruto almost think that he has been exposed!
"Hm..."
Third Hokage also realised that if Danzo had this ability, he would probably have kicked him off his Hokage's seat and sat on it by himself. Alas, he is getting old and confused. He really wanted to go to the doctor now.
"Hiruzen, what should we do now?"
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado did not doubt Danzo either and as they had seen this scene countless times and they were already used to it.
"Now Anbu and Jōnin have been sent to search together. Danzo, don't look for Orochimaru for the time being. Go find One Tail Jinchūriki first. If you can't find it... a war may come."
"I know." Danzo nodded.
"You guys should go back first. It's no use worrying about this matter. If there is any news, I will let you know."
The Third Hokage said to them.
"Okay, well go first."
"Don't worry too much. Things will always turn around."
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado turned away, but Danzo did not move.
"Do you have anything to say?", Third Hokage asked with a frown.
"Didn't you get the message?"
"What message?", Third Hokage was even more puzzled. Was there something he didn't know?
"Now there are rumours in Konoha Street that in order to stabilise Hokage's position, you conspired to destroy the Senju clan of First and Second Hokage."
"What?!"
The Third Hokage stood up in shock and looked at Danzo in disbelief.
"When did it happen? Who is spreading rumours!!"
"Don't get agitated..."
"Didn't we do this together? Why did you say I conspired it?!"
The words of Third Hokage made Naruto's clone get stuck, unable to say a thing.
'I forgot!! I was also one of the culprits!!'
...