Hiruzen Sarutobi was thinking about how to deal with Orochimaru. He intended to handle the matter himself, without involving Danzo, Koharu Utatane, or Homura Mitokado.
After all, Orochimaru was his honorable disciple. As a teacher, killing one's own student would be disgraceful enough without others knowing about it.
Hiruzen sat in silence for a long while, eventually turning his thoughts to Kakashi.
At present, Hiruzen had developed considerable trust in Kakashi—though this trust was relative, considering Kakashi had once been Chinya's student.
Ever since joining Anbu, Kakashi had worked diligently, completing every mission flawlessly. This made Hiruzen feel that his earlier decision to turn Kakashi against Chinya had indeed been wise. He had not only weakened Chinya's influence but also gained a promising ninja who could serve Konoha's future well.
Hiruzen sent someone to summon Kakashi.
Before long, Kakashi arrived at the office wearing a cat mask.
Kakashi knelt on one knee before Hiruzen. "The Third!"
Observing Kakashi now, Hiruzen spoke with deep satisfaction. "Kakashi, you have grown into a pillar of Konoha. I am truly pleased."
Kakashi slightly bowed his head. "It is entirely due to the Third's guidance."
Hiruzen nodded, then his expression hardened. "Kakashi, you used to frequent Orochimaru's hideout together with Chinya, didn't you?"
A sudden tension gripped Kakashi's heart; his first thought was whether he had been exposed. Because from time to time, Kakashi communicated secretly with Chinya using snakes.
Still keeping his composure, Kakashi replied, "Yes, I used to visit Orochimaru's hideout frequently with Chinya back then."
Hiruzen continued, "Then tell me, Kakashi, during your time there, did you notice any rooms resembling secret chambers?"
Instantly understanding the situation, Kakashi realized he hadn't been exposed—the Third must be planning to move against Orochimaru.
Ever since secretly communicating with Chinya, Kakashi had learned from him that Orochimaru had detailed plans and was always ready to abandon Konoha at any moment.
Therefore, Kakashi saw no need to deceive Hiruzen on this matter.
He pretended to think for a moment before replying, "Rooms similar to secret chambers? I'm not exactly certain, because Orochimaru's hideout is quite simple, with very few rooms. However, I do recall one particular room locked with a Sealing Formula. If there really is a secret chamber, it is likely inside that room."
Hiruzen's eyes sharpened like blades.
A room locked with a Sealing Formula—within his own base, no less—must be of utmost importance. There was a high chance this was where Orochimaru conducted his forbidden research.
After puffing his pipe for a while, Hiruzen said, "Kakashi, I think you probably already understand why I'm asking you these questions."
Kakashi's expression turned solemn. "One of the core principles of Anbu is to carry out the Hokage's orders without question. Therefore, as an Anbu member, I will not speculate about the reasons behind the Third's inquiries—I will simply fulfill my duty!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt increasingly pleased with Kakashi and spoke to him warmly, "There's no need to be so serious here."
Then he grew solemn. "Kakashi, I've told you before—I'm willing to give Orochimaru and Chinya a chance. Chinya has kept a low profile lately, so I've decided to put the past behind us.
"But unfortunately, Orochimaru remains stubbornly blinded by his ambitions, continuing those inhumane forbidden experiments. He has become an unstable element within Konoha. As his former mentor, I once truly cherished this student deeply—but now that he has gone down this path, I feel only guilt and sorrow.
"However, for the sake of Konoha, I must harden my heart. Therefore, tomorrow night, I will personally lead an Anbu strike team into Orochimaru's hideout to eliminate him. We must uphold the Will of Fire!"
"Kakashi," Hiruzen continued, "you will accompany me tomorrow. We must remove this threat to Konoha immediately!"
Kakashi nodded respectfully. "Understood, Hokage. I will uphold the Will of Fire and protect Konoha."
...
At home, Chinya was playing with Uzumaki Sōnagi, who was already over a year old, could walk steadily, and had just started calling "Dada."
Wobbling toward Chinya, young Uzumaki Sōnagi opened his little arms wide and said sweetly, "Dada hold me."
Chinya smiled as he picked up Uzumaki Sōnagi and gently pinched the child's cheek affectionately, asking playfully, "So, little Uzumaki Sōnagi, you like Papa better, right?"
Uzumaki Sōnagi tilted his tiny head slightly at Chinya's question, then suddenly climbed down from Chinya's arms and made his way straight toward the bedroom.
Chinya asked puzzledly, "Where are you going, little Uzumaki Sōnagi? You didn't even answer me yet!"
Just then Kushina Uzumaki walked out of the bedroom, and Uzumaki Sōnagi ran directly to her, hugging her leg tightly while declaring, "Mommy, Papa says I like Papa more, but I like Mama and Papa the same!"
Kushina picked Uzumaki Sōnagi up happily and kissed him on the cheek. "Such a good boy, Sōnagi."
With big blinking eyes, Sōnagi asked innocently, "Mama, can I eat more of the crispy vegetables tonight?"
The "crispy vegetables" Sōnagi referred to were tempura—a Japanese dish of deep-fried batter-coated veggies. However, since he was still very young, Kushina normally wouldn't allow him to eat too much.
She gave him another kiss on the cheek joyfully. "Since my little Sōnagi is such a good boy today, of course you can!"
Chinya looked on in disbelief, muttering, "This kid's not even two yet and he already knows how to play both parents?"
Kushina rolled her eyes at Chinya teasingly. "Well, obviously he learned that from you! But it's fine to be clever—it'll keep him from getting taken advantage of in the future, right, little Sōnagi?"
Frowning and sucking his thumb, Sōnagi asked, "Mama, what's getting taken advantage *like*? Does it taste bad?"
Gently pinching his cheek again, Kushina laughed. "Getting taken advantage of feels really bitter—way worse than that bitter melon juice you tried last time."
Shaking his head frantically, Sōnagi protested, "No thank you! I don't want to taste anything that bitter!"
He'd only tasted a drop once, and his cute little face scrunched up all day afterward—he'd never forgotten it.
Seeing the adorable look on Uzumaki Sōnagi's face, Chinya couldn't help but smile. Suddenly, he turned his gaze toward a corner.
There was a small hole in the wall of that corner—a deliberate gap Chinya had left for Orochimaru's or Kakashi's snakes to slip through.
A snake slithered through the hole and made its way to Chinya's side.
A small note was tied to the snake's belly.
Chinya bent down, untied the note, and opened it.
Tomorrow night, Orochimaru, commence operation.
Chinya raised an eyebrow after reading the message.
So they're moving tomorrow night already? A little sudden, but it made sense.
He'd figured Hiruzen Sarutobi would've acted sooner. Holding back this long—he must be chomping at the bit by now.
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