The chunin's words left Kagami stunned, the implications slowly sinking in.
One of the legendary Sannin, Orochimaru, had betrayed the village - and taken a priceless artifact with him.
Around them, the Inuzuka compound erupted into a frenzy of activity. Clan members scrambled to follow the Hokage's orders, grabbing their ninken partners and preparing to deploy.
Kagami and Hana found themselves stuck in the middle, unsure what to do or where to go.
They were just kids, barely started in their training. What could they possibly do to help in a crisis like this?
Just then, an older man with a weathered, scarred face appeared beside Hana. She called him uncle, relief clear in her voice.
"Hana, you and your friend need to stay put," he said firmly. "We don't know what's going on in the village right now. It's not safe for you to be out there."
Hana protested, worry about her mother and infant brother clear in her eyes. But her uncle was firm.
"We'll take care of them," he promised. "You two find a safe place to hide and wait for me to come get you. Got it?"
She nodded reluctantly, but obeyed. With a final, stern look, her uncle disappeared into the crowd of shinobi.
In no time, the training ground was empty. Kagami and Hana stood alone, the sirens still wailing in their ears.
"We need to get out of the open," he said, scanning their surroundings with a wary eye. "Let's head back to where we were training. The trees will give us some cover."
Hana nodded, and they took off in a sprint, their chakra giving them a boost of speed and agility. They reached the copse in no time, scaling a leafy tree with ease.
Perched on a broad branch, hidden from view by the dense canopy, he tried to wrap his head around what was happening.
He'd heard of Orochimaru - a genius shinobi and one of the Third Hokage's own students. The idea that someone like that would turn rogue was unthinkable.
But the evidence was all around them. The blaring alarms, the scramble to organize search parties, the grim faces of the older shinobi.
This wasn't a drill or a training exercise.
This was the real deal.
----------
In the Hokage's meeting room, the atmosphere was tense. The village's top shinobi knelt before their leader, awaiting their orders.
He briefed them on the situation.
"Orochimaru's betrayal is confirmed," he said. "Our top priority is to capture him and retrieve the stolen Scroll of Seals."
A murmur rippled through the assembled ninja.
The Scroll of Seals was one of Konoha's most prized treasures, a collection of forbidden jutsu and secret techniques dating back to the village's founding.
In the wrong hands, it could unleash unimaginable destruction.
"Reports indicate that Orochimaru is still within the village perimeter," he continued.
"We have a narrow window to cut him off before he escapes. But be warned - he's extremely dangerous."
"If any search team makes contact, don't engage directly. Send up a signal flare and wait for Anbu reinforcements."
His gaze swept the room, his eyes hard and unyielding. "Understood?"
The shinobi responded in unison, "Yes, Hokage-sama!" before disappearing in a flash, off to join the hunt.
As the last of them departed, his shoulders sagged, just for an instant. Then he straightened, his expression grim.
He whispered, "Kakashi. I need you."
A figure emerged from the darkness, dropping to one knee before the Hokage. The silver hair and masked face were unmistakable - Kakashi, one of Konoha's most skilled operatives.
"The item Orochimaru stole," the Third Hokage said, his voice heavy with significance, "it's not the Scroll of Seals. It's the statue. The one from your last mission."
Kakashi's visible eye widened in surprise. "But how-"
"There's more," the Third Hokage cut in. "Motoki has disappeared from the hospital. We believe Orochimaru took him."
For a long moment, Kakashi was silent. The statue, the abduction... what was Orochimaru planning?
And how had he even known about the artifact's existence, let alone its location?
"I suspect," the Third Hokage said, as if reading Kakashi's thoughts, "that Orochimaru plans to escape to the Land of Water."
"Your experience with the statue makes you the perfect person to intercept him. Head to the eastern gate and support the search teams in that area."
Kakashi bowed his head. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
And then he was gone.
----------
"Haimaru! Haimaru, where are you?" Hana's voice echoed across the training field, high-pitched and panicked.
In the chaos, she had forgotten about her faithful ninken companions. Now, with the reality of the situation sinking in, her only thought was to find them, to make sure they were safe.
"Hana, wait!" Kagami called after her, torn between staying hidden and going to his friend's aid. "Come back! It's not safe!"
But Hana was already gone.
He muttered a curse under his breath, scanning the area for any sign of her return.
He knew he should stay put, that his limited skills would be no match for a threat like Orochimaru.
But the thought of Hana out there alone, searching desperately for her dog...
A flicker of movement caught Kagami's eye. A figure, darting across the open field at incredible speed.
It was only visible for a heartbeat, but he felt his blood run cold.
Even at a distance, even at a glance, he recognized that silhouette. The long, dark hair, the pale skin...
It was Orochimaru himself, speeding directly towards Kagami's position.
And towards Hana, who had no idea the danger she was in.
Adrenaline surged through his veins. He had to do something, had to warn Hana, had to get her to safety.
But what could he do? He was just a student, a child playing at being a ninja. Against one of the Legendary Sannin, he stood no chance.
Yet... he couldn't just leave Hana to face Orochimaru alone. She was his friend, his comrade.
They had trained together, laughed together, pushed each other to be better than they ever thought they could be.
If he abandoned her now, in her moment of greatest need... what kind of shinobi would he be? What kind of person?
Kagami's fists clenched. He would not run.
He'd stand and fight, even if it meant his life.
For that was the way of the ninja. The way of the friend.
As Orochimaru's dark form drew closer, as Hana's desperate cries echoed in his ears, Kagami leapt from his perch.
He hit the ground running, chakra pumping through his legs, propelling him forward at a speed he'd never achieved before.
Towards Hana. Towards danger.
Towards his fate, whatever it might be.
He had to try. For Hana's sake, he had to try.