Half a month later — Hokage Meeting Room
The Third Hokage set down his pipe, exhaled a puff of smoke, and looked around at the gathered village elders and clan leaders. His voice was slow and heavy.
"We've just received word. The Kumogakure envoy who came to Konoha for peace talks… was beheaded yesterday by bounty hunters. His head was turned in for a reward on the black market."
The room instantly stirred with unease. Murmurs spread as surprised looks were exchanged.
Bounty hunters and black market operatives were notorious, but few dared provoke two of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, especially like this.
"Don't underestimate these outlaws," Sarutobi added grimly. "The culprits were two S-rank rogue ninja: Kakuzu and Sasori of the Red Sand."
He shot a stern look at Tsunade.
"It's bad enough this happened, but in the Land of Fire? Unacceptable. These criminals must be taught a lesson."
No one voiced objection. Most bounty hunters were weak, little more than troublesome chuunin-level threats. But the black market itself—if rooted out—could yield rewards rivaling those of war.
"The Uchiha, Hyuga, Nara, and other major clans will each send elite shinobi to form task forces. Their mission is to eliminate the black market's influence."
Sarutobi paused, then continued:
"Danzo will serve as commander. Jiraiya will be his second-in-command and assist in overall coordination."
The two Hokage advisors were absent, remaining behind to safeguard the village. With Orochimaru unaccounted for and Tsunade and Jiraiya better suited to direct combat than tactical hunts, Danzo—veteran of covert operations—was the most logical choice.
Fugaku Uchiha frowned. He disliked Danzo and didn't want his clansmen under his authority. But with no support from the others, and Orochimaru missing, he chose to remain silent.
Surprisingly, it was Danzo who raised a protest.
"Jiraiya as second-in-command? I disagree. His priority is to protect the Nine-Tails' host. He shouldn't be distracted by minor tasks."
Danzo tapped his cane and pointed to the empty chair at the long table.
"Orochimaru… where is he?"
Since leaving the lab weeks ago, Danzo had been quietly trying to track Orochimaru's movements. But so far, the man had vanished without a trace.
Danzo suspected either another trip outside the village—or more concerning, a new round of secret experiments. The latter could interfere with his plans. Now was the perfect chance to dig deeper.
"He's training," Jiraiya replied casually. "He can't be disturbed."
"Training? More important than a mission from the village?" Danzo sneered. "Or is he experimenting again?"
Fugaku's expression briefly changed but quickly returned to calm. He wasn't afraid—this time, Uchiha had nothing to do with Orochimaru's work.
But Danzo's insinuation had already planted seeds. The other clan heads exchanged curious, suspicious glances with Jiraiya.
After all, the recent strange changes in Uchiha Shinsuke had caught many eyes—not just Danzo's. If a technique or surgery existed that could enhance one's power… why should Uchiha be the only ones to benefit?
Jiraiya groaned inwardly. He didn't actually know what Orochimaru was doing, and the "training" excuse had just been a bluff.
Danzo's eyes gleamed with quiet pride.
"Jiraiya, you clearly don't understand. If you can't find Orochimaru directly, then ask his subordinates. Kabuto—"
"That won't be necessary."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, interrupted with a light cough, silencing Danzo. His gaze swept over the assembled clan heads and elders.
"Orochimaru is indeed in training. He's reported his whereabouts to me personally. The reason he hasn't shown up… is because he's practicing Senjutsu."
The room fell silent.
"Senjutsu?" someone repeated under their breath.
The term was foreign even to Konoha's most elite shinobi. Whispers broke out across the room, faces pale with disbelief. Few had even heard of such a thing, let alone seen it.
Was Konoha about to gain another shinobi who wielded that kind of legendary power?
Danzo's eyes narrowed. He didn't know much about Immortal Arts himself, but he could tell the Third was deflecting the issue. Still, without proof, he had no grounds to challenge him.
If I want to learn Orochimaru's whereabouts… I'll need to approach Kabuto myself.
A cold glint passed through Danzo's eyes.
Satisfied that no one had more to say, the Third nodded and resumed issuing assignments for the black market purge across the Land of Fire.
---
Uchiha District - Nearby Training Grounds
On a dusty training platform not far from the Uchiha compound, Kabuto knelt, breathing heavily. Sweat dripped from every inch of his body as if he'd been hauled out of a river.
But moments later, his breathing evened out. A fresh surge of energy flowed through his exhausted limbs, and he stood, ready to train again.
Might Guy watched with amazement.
"First Aunt Aoi, now you too… That's some insane physical potential."
He wasn't exaggerating. As someone with a keen eye for taijutsu talent, Guy could tell that neither of them used supplements, nor did they force themselves through sheer willpower. It was their bodies—uniquely gifted.
Being praised by a taijutsu master made Kabuto a bit uncomfortable. But there was nothing he could explain. He trusted Guy wouldn't leak secrets deliberately, but the man's blunt honesty could easily let things slip.
Besides, Orochimaru never intended for Guy to be involved in the cell fusion project. Mentioning it would only bring complications.
After several more rounds, Guy finally said,
"That's it for me today. I've got a mission starting tomorrow—can't afford to overtrain."
Kabuto nodded and packed up, following Guy toward the village center.
"Not continuing?" Guy asked, puzzled.
"Lord Orochimaru instructed me to rest," Kabuto answered calmly.
"Ah, then it's Orochimaru-sensei's orders. Got it."
Guy accepted the answer without a second thought. Kabuto sighed inwardly. The truth was, as someone with ties to Root, he had to remain cautious. Even this close to the Uchiha compound, he couldn't afford to let his guard down.
Last time, he'd been caught by the Uchiha Police.
He couldn't let it happen again.
As they walked, Kabuto studied Guy out of the corner of his eye.
A simpleminded man like this... and yet he's refined taijutsu to such a level.
Ordinary cell fusion solutions weren't suitable for Guy—they'd only ruin his natural physique. But if Orochimaru could perfect full cellular compatibility, he might make an exception… and Kabuto wouldn't be surprised if Guy became his next subject.
Orochimaru valued Guy highly. Even Kabuto—usually indifferent—couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
Then he looked at the grinning, energetic man walking beside him, cheerfully chatting about dinner plans.
Kabuto couldn't stay annoyed.
You really can't hate a guy like this.
Pushing up his glasses, Kabuto gave a small sigh and followed Guy with a quiet leap.
Unnoticed, a minuscule insect—no larger than a speck of dust—clung to the fabric of his sleeve.
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