At the Konoha village gate—
"Lord Hokage."
As Senju Mori appeared, two respectful greetings rang out at the same time.
As Hokage, Mori naturally didn't need to register his departure like an ordinary shinobi, but he still paused and looked at the two shinobi guarding the gate.
The prominent Uchiha fan crest and the distinctive pure white eyes showed their identities clearly—one was an Uchiha from the Police Force, the other a Hyūga sent by the Defense Division.
Compared with Kumogakure—which Danzo had once infiltrated with ease—Konoha's security was far more complete.
After all, a shinobi capable of deceiving both the Byakugan and Sharingan was rare even across the entire shinobi world.
And with the help of the Uzumaki clan, the whole village was covered by a gigantic spherical barrier as well.
Since taking office, Senju Mori had never interfered with the internal affairs of the Uchiha Police Force, only accepting regular reports from Uchiha Isshin, the clan head and Police Force captain.
This formed a kind of political understanding between the Hokage's administration and the Uchiha clan.
And after fighting side by side on the battlefield, the relationship between the Uchiha and other clans in the village had eased significantly—gone were the days of the sharp hostility seen under Madara and Tajima.
Though healthy competition still existed.
For instance, in front of Senju Mori, the two gate guards both stood perfectly straight, trying their hardest to present the best image of their respective clans—almost as if each feared being outdone by the other.
"You've worked hard."
Mori smiled, patting both of them on the shoulder before leading Tsunade and the others out of the village.
…
Being the most talented children of their age, Tsunade and her teammates progressed rapidly.
Whether ninjutsu, taijutsu, or kenjutsu taught by Mori, they absorbed everything quickly.
So when Tsunade began complaining noisily that the usual D-rank missions were too boring, Mori seized the chance to take a C-rank mission outside the village—clearing out a group of bandits.
A shinobi was ultimately a profession that lived alongside killing.
In Mori's view, only after being baptized by blood and facing death directly could one grow into a true shinobi.
It was the trio's first time leaving the village, and they were full of curiosity. Even the normally composed Orochimaru couldn't help but glance around repeatedly.
The outskirts of Konoha were vast forests, with only a single road—carved out long ago by shinobi—leading straight from the village gate to the capital of the Land of Fire.
Thanks to the nation's pleasant climate and fertile lands, most of the territory was covered in lush vegetation—perhaps the very reason it was always coveted by the other four great nations.
After looking around for quite a while, little Tsunade suddenly approached Mori with a pout:
"Sensei, the area around the village looks super peaceful. But Great-uncle always scared me, saying it was very dangerous outside the village, and that even within the Land of Fire there were lots of bandits and rogue shinobi…"
Mori smiled slightly, his gaze shifting meaningfully toward the dense forest on both sides of the road.
"Just because you don't see them doesn't mean they aren't there. For all we know, there might be rogue shinobi lurking in the woods right now."
"The Second Hokage wasn't wrong. Even within the Land of Fire, it's not safe. Bandits and rogue shinobi may not be as strong as Konoha shinobi, but they can still threaten you as you are now."
"So you must grow stronger quickly. Only with power can you protect yourselves—and the people you hold dear."
"Oooh—"
Tsunade deliberately stretched her voice in reply, widening her beautiful brown eyes while peering into the forest along Mori's line of sight.
But she found nothing at all.
Orochimaru lightly flared his nostrils, sniffing the air with careful attention.
Suddenly his expression tightened, the vertical golden pupils shifting slightly as he silently drew a kunai from his tool pouch.
His movement immediately drew everyone's attention—even the usually quiet Hatake Sakumo reached for the short blade on his back.
Senju Mori couldn't help but let out a helpless sigh.
"Don't be so tense. Do you really think anyone within the Land of Fire would dare attack your Sensei—the Hokage himself?"
…
Perhaps Orochimaru really was overly sensitive, for the group encountered no accidents at all.
They arrived smoothly at their mission site—a camp hidden deep within a valley.
The group stood on a high slope, looking down.
In the valley, the bandits' camp was built against a steep cliff wall.
A dozen shabby tents were scattered crookedly about, and the ashes of an extinguished campfire lingered in the central clearing.
A crude wooden fence marked the perimeter, and the only half-decent structure was a wooden hut partially embedded into the cliff—likely the leader's quarters.
A few figures strolled lazily around the camp.
Weapons lay discarded everywhere.
They seemed utterly unwary, utterly undisciplined.
Mori did not immediately give the order to attack.
Instead, he asked softly: "Before we move, tell me—what do you all see?"
Tsunade spoke first, her voice tinged with excitement:
"About twenty to thirty people. Most of them are lounging in the sun. Their weapons are tossed everywhere—they're totally slacking off!"
"That guy with the sword in front of the big hut—everyone around him looks scared of him. The leader must be inside!"
Orochimaru's golden pupils narrowed, his voice low and calm:
"The camp layout is scattered, but the path leading to the wooden hut has open sightlines on both sides—difficult to approach unseen."
"Also, behind the tents on the west side, the ground coloration differs slightly from the surroundings. Possibly a crude pitfall trap or tripwire. They're not completely undefended, but… very amateur."
Finally, Hatake Sakumo added succinctly:
"Three visible sentries, at elevated positions to the east, south, and north. No hidden guards detected. Threat level is low."
Mori nodded in approval after hearing their reports.
Tsunade had observed personnel distribution and the leader's location.
Orochimaru had analyzed terrain and potential traps.
Sakumo had precisely gauged sentry placement and overall threat.
Their combined observations covered most of the crucial intel needed for a raid.
"Go," Mori said calmly. "Let me see the results of your training."
The three disciples exchanged nods, then their figures blurred and vanished, darting down the mountainside like silent leopards.
Mori remained where he was, calmly watching their retreating forms.
…
As Mori stood on the slope, gazing after his students—
A figure suddenly appeared beside him.
"Brother Mori."
It was Senju Yoru of the Anbu. But he was not dressed in standard Anbu gear today.
Instead, he wore a dark mask and was shrouded in a pitch-black cloak.
As he approached, an intense, overwhelming smell of blood emanated from his body.
Mori did not seem surprised. He simply asked quietly:
"Is it all taken care of?"
"Yes. Everything has been cleaned up," Senju Yoru replied in a low voice.
"Mhm." Mori's gaze remained fixed on the valley below, but his tone was steady, unhurried as he instructed:
"Keeping this scum alive is a waste. They might as well contribute to Konoha's future."
"Transport them back to the village in batches. Secretly. Deliver them to… Advisor Momoka. She will arrange everything."
"Yes, sir!"
After their brief exchange, Senju Yoru vanished from sight.