The Hokage Building was in complete chaos.
Medical ninjas from Konoha's Medical Corps rushed to the scene, tending to the numerous women who had suddenly fallen ill. The incident, both bizarre and unprecedented, quickly captured the attention of Sarutobi Hiruzen and his council.
Inside the conference room, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat with a solemn expression. Beside him were Koharu Utatane and Mito Kado, both equally distressed. They awaited the report from the medical team, their anxiety palpable.
Among the assembled leadership was Haruto, who, as a newly-appointed senior advisor, was summoned by Hiruzen himself.
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke, his tone grave. "This situation is unprecedented. What do you all make of it?"
Mito Kado adjusted his glasses, his voice calm but firm. "This can't be simple food poisoning. For all the women in the Hokage Building to suffer identical symptoms simultaneously—even the cleaning staff—it must be an orchestrated attack. I suspect it's the work of an enemy village, targeting the administrative backbone of Konoha."
Koharu Utatane's voice was sharp. "Agreed. This reeks of espionage. It's likely there's a spy in the building. Such a coordinated attack couldn't have been executed by an outsider without inside help."
Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Which force do you believe is responsible?"
Koharu's eyes narrowed. "Isn't it obvious? Yunyin Village. Their methods are always crude and underhanded. This aligns perfectly with their reputation as a village of thieves and bandits."
Mito Kado nodded. "It makes sense. Kirigakure has isolated itself since the war, and Sunagakure is nominally an ally. Iwagakure's Onoki is cunning, but this doesn't match his style. Yunyin seems the most plausible culprit."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took another drag from his pipe, silently processing their analysis. Then he turned his gaze to Haruto. "Haruto, what's your opinion on this matter?"
Haruto coughed lightly, pretending to be thoughtful before speaking with exaggerated conviction. "I fully agree with the senior advisors. Yunyin Village is definitely behind this. Only those lowly scoundrels would stoop to such levels, targeting our lovely and… uh… high-quality women."
At the mention of "high-quality," Koharu bristled. "High-quality? If anyone here embodies 'high-quality,' it's me. My reputation in this building is unmatched."
Mito Kado chimed in, "Perhaps the perpetrators didn't dare target you, Koharu. They likely feared your strength and cunning."
Flattered, Koharu's irritation dissipated, and she nodded approvingly. "You're quite perceptive, Kado."
Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted their exchange with a serious tone. "Enough. Let me share my perspective on this matter. I don't believe Yunyin is responsible."
His words stunned the room.
"What do you mean?" Koharu demanded.
Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pipe, his expression dark. "During my interrogation of Danzo, he revealed that he once collaborated with Orochimaru. To support Orochimaru's schemes, Danzo planted a spy within the village—someone who has been operating under our noses."
"What?" Koharu and Mito Kado exclaimed in unison.
Koharu was livid. "Danzo, that fool! How dare he betray the village like this!"
Mito Kado's voice was calmer but no less serious. "Who is this spy? Did Danzo provide a name?"
Hiruzen nodded. "His name is Kabuto Yakushi. He currently works as a genin within the village. I've had ANBU tailing him, but his counter-surveillance skills are exceptional. His strength and intelligence cannot be underestimated."
Mito Kado frowned. "Why haven't you apprehended him yet? Knowing he's a spy, shouldn't we act immediately?"
Hiruzen shook his head. "Capturing Kabuto would be shortsighted. He's just a pawn. Orochimaru is the true threat. If we arrest Kabuto, another spy will take his place. It's better to monitor him and uncover Orochimaru's plans."
Koharu disagreed vehemently. "We have specialists like Morino Ibiki and Yamanaka Inoichi who could extract the truth from him. Are you suggesting they'd fail?"
Hiruzen sighed. "Kabuto isn't just any spy. He's loyal to Orochimaru to the point of self-destruction. If we capture him, he'll likely take his own life before revealing anything of value. Orochimaru chose him for a reason."
Koharu crossed her arms, visibly frustrated. "Even so, we can't allow him to roam freely! He's the most likely culprit behind today's incident."
Mito Kado nodded in agreement. "Hiruzen, we must act before he causes more harm. At the very least, we need to understand his objectives."
Haruto watched the exchange with concealed amusement. "These old fossils are so predictable," he thought. "They'll chase any lead without questioning it, like moths to a flame."
Suddenly, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to Haruto, a calculating smile on his face. "Haruto, as you've heard, there's a dangerous spy in the village. My ANBU have been ineffective, and this matter requires someone with your… unique talents. I'm assigning you to investigate Kabuto Yakushi.
"You must uncover his mission and, if possible, locate Orochimaru's hidden base. Should the opportunity arise, eliminate Orochimaru. Report to me directly upon completion."
Haruto immediately recognized Hiruzen's ulterior motives. The Hokage was clearly using him as a pawn, hoping he and Orochimaru would destroy each other.
Koharu protested. "Hiruzen, entrusting such a critical task to someone so young is reckless!"
Mito Kado nodded. "Haruto's abilities are impressive, but this mission demands experience and subtlety. We need to reconsider."
Hiruzen dismissed their concerns. "I trust Haruto's capabilities. This decision is final."
Haruto smirked inwardly. "Fine, I'll play along for now. But don't think for a second I'll dance to your tune, old man." Outwardly, he nodded confidently. "Understood, Hokage-sama. I won't let you down."
Before the discussion could continue, a medic burst into the room, his face pale. "Hokage-sama, I have urgent news!"
Hiruzen frowned. "What is it?"
The medic stammered, "Sir, all the affected women… they're pregnant!"
"Pregnant?" Hiruzen repeated, incredulous. "What do you mean?"
The medic clarified, "Every single one of them! From clerks to janitors—they're all showing signs of pregnancy!"
The room fell silent. Koharu and Mito Kado stared at the medic, their faces a mixture of shock and disbelief.
Haruto fought to suppress a laugh. "This is even better than I imagined," he thought, a sly grin tugging at his lips.
Hiruzen's voice broke the silence. "This just became far more complicated…"
The chaos outside the conference room was nothing compared to the storm brewing inside. One thing was certain: this incident would shake Konoha to its core.
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