The intruder's figure vanished in an instant, and then a sharp wind noise echoed from behind Kagetsu.
Thud!
The blade collided with Kagetsu's neck, producing a heavy, dull sound.
What's this?
The eyes visible through the intruder's mask showed a flash of confusion. The next moment, his body lost control. His feet were glued to the ground, and his entire body stiffened.
Shadow Imitation Technique!
In the dimly lit alleyway under the cover of night, shadows gained strong concealment and extension capabilities. At such a close range, there wasn't even time to dodge.
The intruder had attacked with the intention of landing a single, decisive strike. His position had placed him directly onto Kagetsu's shadow.
But what truly shocked the intruder was what happened next—a dense series of runes began to spread from the darkness under Kagetsu's feet, snaking along the shadow and covering his body.
"This is... Curse Mark Binding Technique!" The struggle in the intruder's eyes intensified.
The combination of Shadow Imitation Technique and Curse Mark Binding was a skill Kagetsu had mastered to the point of near-instantaneous casting.
Originally, this combo technique was developed to counter Jugo's berserk outbursts. When facing a rampaging Jugo, the only option was to instantly apply strong, continuous control.
This sense of timing and control was something Kagetsu honed during the months of back-and-forth combat practice with Jugo.
In the beginning, he had needed to team up with Anko to seize the right moment and engage in dangerous battles to achieve his goal. But as he became more proficient in this process, dealing with Jugo's berserk state became much safer and easier.
Releasing the Shadow Imitation Technique, Kagetsu turned around and faced the attacker, who was half a head taller and dressed in an Anbu uniform. The man's body was now covered in curse marks, which had spread all the way to his exposed fingertips.
"Using the back of your blade? It seems you didn't come here to kill me. So, what do you want to capture me for?"
Looking at the back of the blade that had attacked him, Kagetsu confirmed the odd sensation from before—it had felt more like a blunt impact.
"You managed to corner me in this secluded place, so you were specifically waiting for me, weren't you? You're very calm... You knew I often take this route home after training, right?
"This means you're familiar with the road layout of Konoha and have some knowledge of my daily routine.
"Judging by your attire, you belong to the Anbu, an organization that serves the Hokage and only follows the orders of the Hokage himself. If the Third Hokage wanted to see me, he could just ask that lazy father of mine; there's no need to resort to such measures.
"I've heard from Orochimaru-sensei that within Konoha, there's another Anbu organization known as Root. It serves as a training institute for the Anbu, but this branch of the Anbu is under the control of a certain advisor named Danzo...
"Your emotions finally wavered—seems I hit the mark."
Kagetsu maintained eye contact with the intruder the entire time as he spoke, observing every subtle change in his emotions, using some mental observation techniques he'd learned from the Yamanaka clan.
After he mentioned Danzo's name, he caught a fleeting emotional reaction from the intruder. Kagetsu sighed, no longer interested in probing further. He knew that what happened next should be left to those more capable of handling it.
"Quite surprising."
Not long after, a figure suddenly appeared in the darkness and landed on the scene with a rush of wind. The familiar, magnetic, raspy voice made Kagetsu, who was hiding in the shadows, finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Anbu? No, it has the scent of Root," Orochimaru said as he examined the intruder, who was still bound in place by the Curse Mark Binding Technique and had been reinforced twice. His golden eyes narrowed into slits.
"Orochimaru-sensei." Kagetsu greeted his teacher.
"It seems he didn't intend to kill you." Orochimaru also noticed the reversed blade position, instantly deducing the general situation and reconstructing the events of the battle.
"He tried to knock me out, but couldn't break through my Armor Mode's defense," Kagetsu explained simply.
"Leave this to me. You can tell Shikakichi about it."
Orochimaru paused for a moment, then summoned a large snake that swallowed the attacker whole. The snake disappeared with a puff of smoke.
"Is there trouble?" Kagetsu asked, looking up.
"It's just a warning from a petty old man. You were caught up in it," Orochimaru explained.
Orochimaru had already figured out the cause and reason for the attack, but he didn't plan on explaining it to Kagetsu just yet. He took Kagetsu's hand, "Let's go. I'll take you home first, and then I'll go meet my old teacher."
After safely escorting Kagetsu back to the Nara clan grounds, Orochimaru left immediately, leaving behind Kagetsu and Shikakichi, who sensed that something was amiss.
Following Orochimaru's instructions, Kagetsu explained everything that happened today to Shikakichi in detail. Shikakichi, his face somewhat grave, thought it over before letting Kagetsu go and rest.
…
In a dim underground location.
An old man leaning on a cane watched his subordinate kneel before him, revealing his one good eye in the candlelight.
"You said Orochimaru went to see Hiruzen?"
"Yes! We monitored Orochimaru entering the Third Hokage's residence. He stayed there for a long time before leaving," the kneeling ninja responded respectfully.
"I see." The old man nodded, watching his subordinate rise and leave quietly.
…
"Hiruzen."
The elderly man wrapped in bandages and leaning on a cane pushed open the door to the Hokage's office. His exposed eye glanced at the Third Hokage, who was working inside, and briefly at Nara Shikakichi, who was silently working on the other side. He then focused his gaze back on the Third Hokage, who looked up and met his eyes.
"Why did you call me here?" he asked.
"Last night, Orochimaru's disciple, Nara Kagetsu, was attacked by the ANBU. Danzo, do you have anything to say about that?" The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe, his aged face hidden behind a cloud of smoke.
"The ANBU's attack? What does that have to do with me?" Danzo snorted, retorting righteously.
"Do you know what Orochimaru did?" The Third Hokage, as if expecting Danzo's denial, rubbed his temples in frustration before speaking again.
"What could he have done?" Danzo stood in front of the Hokage's desk, his eyes sweeping over the silent Shikakichi with disdain.
"He handed over the attacker to the interrogation unit," the Third Hokage said, closing his eyes. "Yamanaka Inoichi, the head of the unit, interrogated the attacker personally. Do you want me to continue?"
"What could he have possibly found out?" Danzo narrowed his eyes.
"Orochimaru helped remove the numerous seals and restraints you placed on the attacker beforehand," the Third Hokage said, frowning as he exhaled a puff of smoke. He opened his eyes and stared at Danzo through the haze.
"What is he trying to do? I have a clear conscience!" Danzo snorted.
"Do you know why our teacher chose me as Hokage instead of you?" The Third Hokage suddenly asked an unrelated question.
"That's only because you were quicker than me in offering to stay behind!" At the mention of Sarutobi Hiruzen's question, the usually calm Danzo suddenly lost his temper and shouted angrily.
"No! It's because our teacher knew very well that you are someone who only understands ruthlessness and lacks the ability to compromise. You're cunning but ignore the bigger picture. Short-sighted and lacking long-term vision.
If someone like you became Hokage, you would only bring disaster to the village!" The Third Hokage answered slowly, each word full of weight.
"You're spouting nonsense!" Danzo slammed his cane on the ground several times, the veins on his hands bulging with rage. He was instantly infuriated by his old friend's accusations.
"Take a good look at what you've done! How dare you harm people in the village! First Sakumo, now Kagetsu, and then in the future what? Are you planning to come after me next?" Hiruzen retorted angrily.
Danzo stared deeply at Hiruzen's furious face but suddenly fell silent and calm.
"From now on, the village's security will be handled by the ANBU under my direct command as Hokage. Your Root will only deal with external matters. Additionally, due to your recent misconduct, Root's budget and personnel recruitment will be restricted," Hiruzen stated firmly, laying down Danzo's punishment.
"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!" Danzo's grip on his cane tightened. He would have preferred a scolding or being embarrassed in front of Shikakichi rather than this punishment, which significantly cut down his power.
"I am the Hokage, am I not?" Hiruzen responded coldly.
"Hmph!" Danzo turned sharply, flinging the door open and storming out of the Hokage's office.
"Does this punishment satisfy you and Kagetsu?" Hiruzen asked tiredly, rubbing his forehead as he watched Danzo leave.
"I have no objections, Lord Hokage," Nara Shikakichi replied respectfully, standing up and bowing.
"Teacher, what about your promise to me?" Orochimaru emerged from a hidden door, his eyes fixed intently on Hiruzen.
"The funds cut from Root will be allocated to you, and Danzo won't have a say in recruiting members from the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. You can discuss it and make your selections," Hiruzen confirmed.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed as he locked gazes with his teacher.
"This isn't what you promised me last night," Orochimaru murmured, licking his lips in dissatisfaction.
"Do you know how much manpower and money it takes to create a new department? The village's economy has improved, but we're still not in a position to spend recklessly.
"Even as Hokage, I need to hold a Jonin council vote to establish a new department.
"Tsunade's Medical Department wasn't built overnight either," Hiruzen shook his head.
"But in the end, it was proven that establishing the Medical Department was the right choice! Tsunade's proposal was correct! Your delays are meaningless and do nothing to help the village," Orochimaru retorted bluntly.
Hiruzen immediately lit his pipe.
"At the very least, show me and the other Jonin the value of this new department, alright? Based on your proposal, the Technology Development Department's cost in terms of money and manpower would be even higher than the Medical Department's. I just can't see how it benefits the village," Hiruzen said, troubled.
Looking at the village's chaotic finances, even the Hokage felt the strain. The Medical Department was only established a few years ago, and the investment hadn't yet paid off. Now, starting another money-draining project? You don't realize how expensive things are until you have to manage them yourself!
"This isn't what we agreed upon," Orochimaru's eyes narrowed further, resembling slits.
"How about this: I authorize the establishment of your department, let you recruit freely, and provide some initial funding. But if you can't deliver enough results, you'll have to bear the financial burden yourself. Is this solution acceptable?" Hiruzen paused, then proposed a compromise.
****
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