Who is the traitor? Sarutobi frowned deeply as he studied Nara Shikaku's handwritten letter.
The enemy knew the movements of Konoha ninjas all too well, which meant someone must be leaking information.
There wasn't just one informant. Each camp, including those within the village itself, had been compromised. The mastermind was a high-ranking official of the village.
Countless names flashed through Sarutobi's mind, only to be dismissed one by one. He found it difficult to believe any of these people could betray the village.
Yet the facts were undeniable.
Konoha's consecutive failures stemmed from this betrayal. If this person weren't identified, Konoha would be like meat on a chopping board, at the mercy of its enemies.
"Lord Hokage! This just arrived from the front lines."
A ninja knocked and entered, delivering another urgent letter.
It reported that Inuzuka Tsume had been ambushed by Iwa ninjas while transporting supplies, though Minato and Kakashi had arrived in time to help.
However, while Minato was away assisting Tsume, the field hospital was attacked.
This news further confirmed the authenticity of Nara Shikaku's confidential letter.
In such difficult times for the village, someone had turned traitor. This filled Sarutobi with unusual anger.
Homura Mitokado pushed open the door and entered. Seeing Sarutobi's bloodshot eyes, he frowned and said, "Hiruzen, you should rest."
"How could I possibly rest now?" Sarutobi replied, his voice hoarse.
He looked down at Shikaku's letter, which he had read countless times.
"Homura, don't you find it strange?" he asked.
"You mean the situation at the front?" Homura replied. "I was just coming to discuss that with you."
Sarutobi raised his head to look at Homura.
"A traitor," Homura said expressionlessly.
"The Iwa ninjas couldn't possibly know our every move unless someone was feeding them information."
Sarutobi slowly closed his eyes, exhaling heavily.
"Who do you think it is?"
"It could be anyone, Hiruzen. You're the Hokage, you can't afford to be soft now.
"If the traitor isn't eliminated, Konoha will face ruin."
...
Hyuga Hizashi was injured and sent back from the front lines.
It was said he'd encountered Iwa's main forces and was wounded protecting Hiashi.
Shinji bought some gifts and went to visit him at the hospital, where he found Ayari and Ayano already there, along with a white-haired elder.
Hizashi lay on the hospital bed, bandages extending all the way to his neck beneath his clothes. His injuries appeared severe.
Without his headband, the green curse mark on his forehead was plainly visible.
"Shinji, you've come," Ayari said, walking over to take his gifts.
"I'm here to see Lord Hizashi," Shinji said, then bowed to the others in the room.
"Lord Takaguya, Lady Ayano."
The corner of the room was already stacked with gifts; Shinji wasn't the first visitor.
The atmosphere in the room was strange. Shinji hadn't heard anyone speaking when he approached.
"That's thoughtful of you," Takaguya said calmly, his gaze fixed on Shinji.
"I should go now..." Shinji said after placing down his gifts, intending to leave.
"No need," Takaguya stopped him, "We're all clan members here. No need to be so formal."
Ayari brought Shinji a chair for him to sit.
Having no choice but to stay, Shinji suddenly found himself the center of attention. After a moment's thought, he asked with concern, "How is Lord Hizashi?"
Hizashi responded calmly: "Don't worry, I'm not going to die."
Takaguya glanced at him: "If you're that eager to die, why did you bother coming back?"
Hizashi gave a cold laugh: "Sorry to disappoint you by staying alive."
Takaguya struck the floor heavily with his cane, glaring with his whiskers quivering: "Your death would've saved me the trouble."
Seeing this, Ayano quickly tried to smooth things over with a smile.
The relationship between father and son seemed quite strained, no wonder Shinji had felt the uncomfortable atmosphere in the room.
Shinji felt awkward, thinking: 'Is it appropriate for you two to argue like this in front of an outsider?'
Ayari sat at the edge of the bed, peeling an apple.
Shinji had assumed it was for Hizashi, but she began eating it herself.
Noticing Shinji watching her, Ayari cut the apple in half and offered it to him.
Shinji "..."
He felt embarrassed, unsure whether to accept it or not.
He gave Ayari a subtle look, only to see her watching him with a mischievous expression as she took a bite from the half-apple.
If he wasn't uncomfortable, someone else certainly was.
"Ayari, why don't you peel one for Hizashi?" Ayano suggested.
"He doesn't like apples," Ayari replied.
Hizashi opened his mouth, then said resignedly: "I... really don't like apples."
Having grown up together, they all understood each other's temperaments well.
"Shinji, I hear you've been reading a lot lately," Takaguya suddenly asked.
Shinji wasn't surprised by the question and respectfully replied: "I've encountered many questions during my training and hoped to find answers in books."
Takaguya nodded: "It's rare to see such diligence in young people these days."
Shinji said: "Iroha, Tokuma, and Tetsu all work hard. Kaito is fighting for the village at the front lines. I'm the only one with nothing to do in the village."
Takaguya responded: "There's no need for such modesty. I know those children's characters quite well."
Shinji turned to Hizashi: "Lord Hizashi, how is Kaito doing at the front lines?"
Hizashi considered for a moment before answering: "That boy stays close to Lord Hiashi. He's performing adequately."
Shinji sighed with relief: "I'm glad he's okay."
Takaguya's eyes flickered: "You seem very concerned about him."
Shinji smiled innocently: "We're friends, so I worry about how he's doing."
Seeing the sincerity in the young man's expression, Takaguya felt somewhat reassured. Having bonds within the clan was good, as people with attachments were easier to control.
Sitting nearby, Ayari tilted her head curiously, wondering when Shinji and Kaito had become so close.
Come to think of it, his relationship with Iroha and the others had been quite ordinary before, but now they were often together.
Young people's friendships could indeed be mysterious.
Takaguya then said: "If you enjoy reading, Shinji, you're welcome to visit my place. I have quite a collection of books."
Ayano seemed surprised at this offer but said nothing.
Hizashi gave a brief glance, then looked away.
Shinji immediately showed excitement: "Really, Lord Takaguya?"
Takaguya smiled faintly: "Books are meant to be read. They're just gathering dust in my study at the moment."
"Thank you, Lord Takaguya!"
After leaving the hospital, Shinji didn't immediately go home.
He wandered around the village buying various items, noticing the villagers' depressed mood. Even the shopkeeper calculating the price of groceries seemed distracted, making mistakes.
Everyone was worried about the situation at the front lines.
The continuous stream of bad news from the battlefield made Shinji think that Orochimaru might be going too far.
The village leadership was likely already suspicious of a traitor. If this matter wasn't resolved, even if Orochimaru eventually became Konoha's savior and won the war, he as the ultimate victor would certainly fall under the Third Hokage's suspicion.
If such actions were ever exposed, all of Konoha would no longer allow him to live in this world.
5 more chapters will be uploaded today. Have a great day/night!