Seeing that he couldn't gain the upper hand, Mizuki on the other side adopted a strategy of stalling for time. For Kabuto, there was little he could do.
"You've just been dodging this whole time, senpai. That's a far cry from the arrogant attitude you had earlier," Kabuto commented coolly.
Still maintaining his composure, Mizuki replied with a sneer, "Resorting to childish taunts now? You think I'm that gullible? I'm an adult—try to act your age. Or have you spent so much time babysitting Genin that you've gone soft in the head?"
Kabuto narrowed his eyes. So that didn't work… Mizuki isn't as easy to manipulate as some inexperienced Genin.
Just as Kabuto was weighing his options, several kunai suddenly flew toward him from a distance. The unexpected attack brought their duel to an abrupt halt. Two ANBU operatives, faces concealed by animal masks, appeared at the edge of the clearing.
"You're fast… Looks like I've been under surveillance for a while," Kabuto muttered, unfazed despite being outnumbered.
Rather than flee, Kabuto suddenly surged forward, charging toward the cliff near Hokage Rock. One ANBU tried to intercept him but was caught off guard; Kabuto's chakra scalpel sliced across the operative's wrist. Without hesitation, Kabuto vaulted off the cliff and vanished into the wooded area below.
"Should we give chase?" Mizuki asked, brushing dust from his shoulder. "That man's no pushover. The Chakra Scalpel and Mystical Palm Technique… he's deadly up close."
"No need," one ANBU replied while tending to their injured comrade. "Kabuto Yakushi is already under surveillance. A special investigation unit is on his case."
Mizuki eyed the masked operatives warily. I don't recognize their gear or chakra signature. These aren't the standard ANBU I'm used to. Are they Root? Or something else entirely?
"Why were you fighting him in the first place?" one ANBU asked.
"He approached me on behalf of Orochimaru," Mizuki answered flatly. "Tried to recruit me. You saw the tail end of it yourselves. He also let slip something about targeting Uchiha Sasuke."
The ANBU exchanged glances. Mizuki's statement wasn't far-fetched—Orochimaru's interest in Sasuke had already been flagged by Intelligence. Planting spies and recruiting village traitors was typical of the S-rank defector.
"We'll report this. If further action is needed, we'll contact you again," the ANBU said before disappearing with their injured comrade.
Mizuki was left alone atop Hokage Rock.
"Hmph. Came up here hoping for some peace, maybe a quick fight to blow off steam… What a letdown."
The sun was nearing its peak. The spring air was warming. Time to head back for lunch.
---
Elsewhere, in a secluded courtyard deep within Konoha…
Orochimaru sat beneath a wooden pavilion, listening to Kabuto's report.
"Mizuki said that?" Orochimaru asked, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Yes," Kabuto replied with a nod. "Even I was caught off guard."
"Well, this is surprising. Lately, far too many things have escaped my grasp…" Orochimaru's voice turned pensive. Someone interfered in the Forest of Death, nearly ruining my test. That unknown saboteur could've killed my Sound team. And now Mizuki, who was once expendable trash, dares to speak as if we're equals? "Has the name Orochimaru lost its weight in Konoha?"
"Your reputation still looms large, Lord Orochimaru. The way Konoha reacts proves that," Kabuto offered respectfully.
"Save the flattery, Kabuto. And just so we're clear—I never told you to kill Sasuke."
Kabuto stiffened, cold sweat beading at his brow. He hadn't expected to be called out so directly.
"Relax." Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "Act as you see fit. But remember—this may be your only chance to stop me from claiming Sasuke Uchiha. Show me your resolve. Soon, I'll make my move. Prepare accordingly. There will be no room for hesitation when the time comes."
With that, Orochimaru disappeared in a blur, leaving Kabuto to exhale sharply.
Serving someone so capricious is exhausting…
---
Back in the Hokage's office…
The Third Hokage stood by the window, flanked by Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane. Danzo sat in silence, listening to the ANBU's report.
"Orochimaru's influence is spreading too far," Koharu said with a scowl. "This is getting out of hand."
"What do we do about Mizuki?" Homura asked, more measured in tone.
Hiruzen lit his pipe, contemplating. "It's not surprising that Orochimaru would target someone like Mizuki. He has a criminal past and a grudge against the village. That he turned down the offer is fortunate. But how many others might not be so principled?"
Orochimaru had little public support—villagers remembered his crimes, especially the human experiments. But among older shinobi who once served with him during the wars, there were those who still respected or feared him. If not for his descent into unethical experiments, many might have followed him willingly.
"Then what do we do? Just let it slide?" Koharu asked bitterly.
"There's no need to panic yet. Hatake Kakashi is personally guarding Sasuke. As long as Orochimaru doesn't act directly, he should be safe," Hiruzen replied. Then, with quiet intensity, "But if Orochimaru himself makes a move… no one else in the village can stop him. I would have to confront him personally."
The room fell silent.
If the Hokage had to act himself, it meant revealing weakness. That the chain of command had failed. It was not a decision taken lightly.
"What about the Chunin Exams?" Danzo asked, arms folded.
"I've already reinforced security around the venue," Hiruzen said. "We don't know what Orochimaru's real objective is. If it's only the Sharingan, he wouldn't need to create such chaos. Without solid intel, all we can do is concentrate our defenses around key individuals and scatter the rest of our forces."
"That'll stretch us too thin," Danzo said. "We don't have the manpower."
"Do you have a better idea?" Hiruzen asked quietly.
Danzo didn't answer. Though he once collaborated with Orochimaru in secret, their alliance was always one of convenience. Now that Orochimaru endangered the village itself, Danzo knew where he stood. His loyalty to Konoha—however ruthless—ran deeper than ambition.
"Secure the Ninja Academy," Hiruzen finally ordered. "Have the instructors begin evacuation drills. If the worst happens, preserving the next generation becomes our final duty."