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Hiruzen Sarutobi contemplated how to deal with Orochimaru.
This matter… he would handle it himself. Danzō, Koharu, and Homura didn't need to know.
After all, Orochimaru was his student. For a teacher to kill his own disciple—it wasn't something to be proud of if word got out.
Hiruzen sat in silence for a long time. Then, he thought of Kakashi.
He trusted Kakashi now. Well, "trust" was relative. The boy had been Qianyu's disciple.
But since joining the ANBU, Kakashi had been nothing but diligent. Every mission executed flawlessly. Hiruzen felt a surge of satisfaction. His decision to win Kakashi over had been a masterstroke. Not only had he weakened Qianyu's influence, but he'd also gained a promising shinobi for himself.
He sent for Kakashi.
Soon, the silver-haired ANBU, wearing his cat mask, entered the office.
Kakashi knelt on one knee. "Lord Third."
Hiruzen looked at him, a deep satisfaction settling in his chest. "Kakashi. You have grown into a pillar of Konoha. It pleases me."
Kakashi dipped his head slightly. "I owe it to your guidance, Lord Third."
Hiruzen nodded, his expression hardening. "Kakashi. You and Qianyu used to frequent Orochimaru's laboratory often, did you not?"
Kakashi's heart tightened. Had he been exposed? He used the snakes to communicate with Qianyu periodically.
He forced calm into his voice. "Yes, Lord Third. We visited his lab frequently in the past."
Hiruzen pressed on. "Tell me, then. During your visits, did you ever notice any rooms… like a hidden chamber? A sealed room?"
The tension bled out of Kakashi instantly. He wasn't exposed. This was about Orochimaru. Qianyu had mentioned this—Orochimaru was prepared to leave Konoha at a moment's notice. There was no need to lie here.
Kakashi pretended to think for a moment. "A hidden chamber? I'm not certain. The lab itself was rather… sparse. Not many rooms. But…" He paused for effect. "There was one door. Sealed with a powerful formula. If there was a secret room, it would be there."
Hiruzen's eyes turned sharp. A sealed room within his own lab. It had to be important. That was it. That had to be the room for his forbidden research.
Hiruzen took a slow draw from his pipe. "Kakashi. You can guess why I'm asking these questions."
Kakashi's voice was flat, professional. "ANBU protocol dictates we execute the Hokage's orders. We do not question the reasons. As an ANBU operative, I do not speculate. I only perform my duty."
Hiruzen's satisfaction deepened. Perfect. "No need for such formality here, not now."
He leaned forward, his face grave. "Kakashi. I said I would give Orochimaru and Qianyu a chance. Qianyu has remained quiet. His past… I am willing to let it go. But Orochimaru…" He let out a weary sigh, thick with false regret. "He remains obsessed. His experiments continue. He has become a destabilizing force for Konoha. As his teacher… I cherished him. To see him like this… it pains me."
He placed his pipe down with finality. "But for the sake of the village, for the Will of Fire… I must be resolute. Tomorrow night, I will lead a team of ANBU elites. We will assault Orochimaru's laboratory. We will eliminate this threat. Kakashi. You will join me. We will remove this instability for good."
Kakashi bowed his head. "Understood. I will follow the Hokage's will! Protect Konoha!"
At home, Qianyu was playing with his son.
Uzumaki Cang M was over a year old now. He could talk—a little—and was just starting to walk. He toddled unsteadily toward Qianyu, tiny arms outstretched.
"Daddy, hold me."
Qianyu laughed, scooping the boy up. He gently pinched a chubby cheek. "You like Daddy more, don't you, Cang M?"
Cang M tilted his head, considering. Then, he suddenly wriggled out of Qianyu's arms and scampered—as fast as his unsteady legs could carry him—toward the bedroom.
"Cang M? Where are you going? You didn't answer me!"
Just then, Kushina emerged from the bedroom. Cang M wrapped his little arms around her leg. "Mommy! Daddy said I like him more. But I like you both the same!"
Kushina picked him up and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Good boy."
Cang M blinked his big eyes. "Then, Mommy… can I have more of the fried things tonight?"
The "fried things" were tempura. Kushina usually limited it—he was still too small.
Kushina laughed and kissed him again. "Since you're such a good boy, of course you can."
Qianyu stared, dumbfounded. "This kid… he's got a scheming mind already?"
Kushina shot him a look. "Takes after his father. But it's not a bad thing. Means he won't get taken advantage of, right, Cang M?"
Cang M sucked his thumb thoughtfully. "Mommy, what's 'taken advantage of'? Is it yummy?"
Kushina chuckled, giving his cheek a light pinch. "It's like a very, very bitter thing. Even more bitter than that bitter melon you tried last time."
Cang M's face scrunched up in instant horror, his head shaking furiously. "No! I don't want it! I won't get 'taken advantage of'!"
The memory of the bitter melon juice had clearly left a deep scar. Qianyu watched the scene, a warm smile on his face. Then, his gaze shifted.
To the corner of the room.
A small hole was carved into the base of the wall—a passage he'd left specifically for Orochimaru's or Kakashi's messenger snakes. A slender serpent slid through now, weaving its way to his feet.
A small scroll was tied to its belly.
Qianyu bent down, untied it, and unrolled the message.
Just three words.
Tomorrow night. Orochimaru. Action.
Qianyu raised an eyebrow.
Tomorrow night. A bit sudden, but it made sense. He'd actually expected Hiruzen to act sooner. The old man must have been itching to do this for a while now.
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