Outside door 404, a figure quietly left…
"Kazuki, did you encounter any difficult enemies in the Forest of Death?"
After handling the matter with Karin, Sarutobi Hiruzen began to inquire about Orochimaru. If Orochimaru had clashed with candidates in the Forest of Death without causing casualties, then only Kazuki from the Gekko Clan would have that capability.
Kazuki knew what Hiruzen Sarutobi was asking, so he didn't hide anything and said, "I once encountered a ninja from Kusagakure Village who was very strong. Sasuke was no match for him and was forced to retreat."
Sarutobi Hiruzen captured two key points from Kazuki's account:
The ninja from Kusagakure Village!
And Sasuke fought him and managed to escape!
"Oh? You weren't there when Sasuke fought him?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked.
"At that time, Sakura, Ino, and I had gone to the other side. Sasuke was only with Shikamaru and Choji," Kazuki replied.
Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded to Anko behind him. Anko understood and left immediately, clearly going to find Shikamaru and Choji for further questioning.
"Was the Kusagakure ninja who fought you a companion of Karin?" Hiruzen Sarutobi continued.
"No. I killed two of Karin's companions, and that guy ran away."
Kazuki's expression remained cold and unbothered as he recounted these grim details. Sarutobi Hiruzen found it difficult to gauge whether Kazuki was truly loyal to Konoha or if everything he did was just a disguise.
Was Kazuki merely acting as Konoha's ally while plotting something else?
Kazuki's actions—killing Karin's companions and then inviting her to join him—were hard to comprehend. Even more surprising was that the girl agreed!
Could mere good looks really conquer all?
"Ahem, Kazuki, are you saying that you drove off the Kusagakure ninja who forced Sasuke to retreat?"
"Yeah."
"…"
So calm!
Do you realize who you might have driven away?
Orochimaru!
My proud disciple!
"Was he using a Summoning Beast that involved snakes?"
"Yes."
Sarutobi Hiruzen confirmed that the Kusagakure ninja Kazuki and Sasuke had faced was none other than Orochimaru, who had slipped into the exam!
He hadn't expected that Kazuki could repel Orochimaru, and that Uchiha Sasuke could also escape from Orochimaru's clutches!
Were the talents of these two young ninjas really that extraordinary?
Sarutobi Hiruzen began to worry if he could keep Kazuki and Uchiha Sasuke under his control.
If Kazuki and Sasuke were only at Jounin level, he wouldn't be too concerned. But if Kazuki's strength reached the Kage level, would he still be content to remain under Hiruzen's command?
Sarutobi Hiruzen feared Kazuki could become the next Orochimaru.
'Sasuke and Kazuki are too close. No, they must be separated after this Chuunin Exam!'
Kazuki's and Sasuke's talents made Sarutobi Hiruzen wary. Their bond worried him even more.
Sarutobi wasn't afraid of having many geniuses in Konoha, but he was afraid of unstable ones—those he couldn't control.
Initially, Kazuki had the backing of the Gekko Clan, making it easier for Hiruzen to trust him. But now, Kazuki seemed out of control!
If even Orochimaru wasn't a match for Kazuki, could such a powerful ninja still be loyal to Konoha?
Sarutobi also worried about Uchiha Sasuke. If Sasuke ever learned the truth about the Uchiha clan's massacre, would he still be an ally?
Would Kazuki side with Sasuke?
The more Sarutobi Hiruzen thought about it, the more he felt that Kazuki and Sasuke couldn't remain in the same team.
He deeply regretted not having separated them earlier. If they weren't so close now, Kazuki could potentially keep Sasuke in check.
Now, it was hard to say if separating them would even make a difference.
If Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara had maintained their alliance, would there have been a Second or Third Ninja War? Konoha might have already unified the ninja world!
After confirming Orochimaru's movements, Sarutobi Hiruzen left room 404 with a heavy heart. Back in his office, before Anko could report, he was confronted by an unexpected visitor.
"Sarutobi, I heard you're considering accepting a girl from the Uzumaki Clan into Konoha? Such talent shouldn't be wasted as just an ordinary ninja. Why not leave her to my Root? I will train her to become Konoha's weapon!"
Danzo's sinister tone made Sarutobi Hiruzen uneasy.
"Danzo, where did you hear that? There's no such thing!" Hiruzen snapped. Danzo's information sources were anything but legitimate, and Sarutobi wasn't about to confirm anything.
"Heh."
Danzo entered the Hokage's office, his bandaged arms and eyes making him appear even more frail.
"You know the truth, Sarutobi! It's wasteful to let this Uzumaki orphan stay in Konoha without fully developing her potential. I have secret techniques that can enhance the abilities of the Uzumaki Clan. Just leave her to me…"
"That's enough! Danzo!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen cut him off sharply. "I am still the Hokage until I step down! If I say no, then it's no! If you dare to take Konoha's ninjas without permission, don't blame me for removing you as the leader of Root!"
There was nothing more to discuss, and Danzo could only leave with a disgruntled snort.
"Sarutobi, you will regret this!"
Outside, Danzo clenched his fists tightly. "Hokage? You won't be one for much longer. Enjoy your power while you can!"
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+80 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
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