Death of Hayate

Konoha, noon, by the river.

Sasuke lay on a grassy slope, basking in the sun.

Not far away, Jiraiya sat beneath a tree, reading the sequel to Make-Out Paradise.

On the other side, Naruto stood on a stone slab, diligently developing his Summoning Technique, summoning tadpoles again and again—or rather, frogs with tails.

Several days earlier, after returning from Danzo's place, Jiraiya had concluded that Sasuke was likely to face danger again. He went to the hospital and demanded that Sasuke remain by his side twenty-four hours a day.

However, the dull life of keeping vigil at a hospital bed was truly unbearable.

Jiraiya had only held out for half a day before becoming convinced that Sasuke was already fully capable of being discharged.

After much pleading and pestering, along with solemn promises that Sasuke would receive sufficient rest and nutrition, master and student finally obtained his discharge papers.

A gentle breeze brushed across Sasuke's face.

At that moment, he rubbed the Heart of Animal Language hanging from his chest, feeling an indescribable calm within.

Besides communicating with animals, this accessory seemed to possess the power to soothe the heart and bring peace of mind.

Still, it had indeed been quite a long time. The birds had yet to bring back any news.

During that time, Sasuke had tried asking the system, "I was assassinated. Does anyone know who the assassin was?"

He had also listed the ninja's techniques in detail.

However, the system had informed him that the message failed to send, stating that it could only be used to offer advice and could not answer open-ended questions.

In truth, Sasuke had not held much hope to begin with.

There were countless ninja in the world, and there were surely plenty who used similar techniques.

Expecting the veteran users online to identify someone solely from the characteristics of their ninjutsu was indeed asking too much.

As he pondered, a Crow suddenly flew over to Sasuke's side, flapping its wings.

Sasuke quickly held out his arm. The Crow hopped onto it and spoke.

"Found him! Caw caw!

"We actually found that ninja a long time ago, caw! But he always traveled alone, so confirming his identity was extremely difficult!"

The Crow spoke proudly, claiming credit.

"Thanks for your hard work. Tell me the result."

Sasuke said gently.

"Caw! The Anbu ninja who attacked you that day was named Yakushi Kabuto!

"Yesterday, we saw him together with a Sand Ninja. The two of them talked for a long time! Caw! Also, we heard during their conversation that the Sand Ninja seemed to be named Baki."

A Sand Ninja?

Why had a Sand Ninja gotten involved too?!

Sasuke felt as though his head was about to split apart.

Earlier, after he had been discharged, Jiraiya had told him this.

The person trying to deal with him was most likely someone named Shimura Danzō.

"First, that man commands a special assassination force called Root. The ninja who attacked you that day likely came from there."

"Second, Shimura Danzō has always disliked the Uchiha clan. In Konoha's ninja ranks, at least when I was still active, that was practically an open secret."

"Why?" Sasuke had asked.

"Probably because of his teacher, the Second Hokage's stance. After all, Danzo admires Tobirama Senju more than anyone."

"The Second Hokage?"

Sasuke had only become more confused.

"Anyway, I can't really explain all that historical stuff. Ha, haha."

Jiraiya gave an embarrassed laugh.

Before this, Jiraiya had never paid much attention to matters involving the Uchiha clan. Even now, he only had a vague impression of it.

With Jiraiya's intelligence and the effects of the Heart of Animal Language, Sasuke's anger had gradually subsided.

Even now, though hatred still stirred in his heart whenever he thought of that night.

Reason told him that the urgent priority was to first figure out the basic question of who his enemy was.

Based on the intelligence brought back by the birds, Jiraiya's speculation had been overturned once more.

However, that did not prove that the Sand Ninja wanted to target him.

No matter how he looked at it, that idea was simply too absurd.

Besides, for some reason, the name Yakushi Kabuto sounded remarkably familiar.

"Caw! Besides that, we gained even more unexpected intelligence!"

The Crow deliberately drew things out, looking pleased with itself.

"What intelligence?" Sasuke asked.

"After Yakushi Kabuto left, that Sand Ninja fought another Leaf Ninja, caw! Then, that Leaf Ninja was killed. What a pity. His swordsmanship seemed quite good."

"What?!"

Sasuke was shocked.

The Crow seemed quite satisfied with Sasuke's expression and continued, "The Leaf Ninja who was killed should have been named... Hayate Gekko!"

It was actually the examiner from the preliminary matches!

Sasuke was still immersed in shock, while the Crow stubbornly refused to leave.

"Hey! No little bread this time? I even called my Cousin and the others over. Don't make me lose face!"

Sasuke came back to himself and hurriedly rummaged through the backpack beside him. In the end, he pulled out half a loaf of bread and a rice ball.

"Caw! That's more like it!"

The Crow happily flapped its wings and called its Relatives and Friends over for a hearty meal.

Konoha, Council Hall in the Hokage Building.

"Some of you may have already heard. Hayate Gekko's body was found near Kikyo Castle."

From the podium, the Third Hokage, dressed solemnly, delivered this terrible news to the assembled Jonin and Tokubetsu Jonin.

"My god, how is that possible..."

"Damn it!"

A stir rose through the crowd.

"Was it Orochimaru?" Anko Mitarashi asked loudly.

"Not necessarily. We can't jump to conclusions so easily," Kakashi replied. "Hayate was tracking that Sound Ninja Spy named Kabuto."

It turned out that Yakushi Kabuto's repeated withdrawals had drawn the attention of the Third Hokage and the Anbu as early as after the second round of the Chunin Exams.

"However, it probably has something to do with Orochimaru as well," Kakashi said thoughtfully.

"Then stop the Chunin Exams and arrest Orochimaru!"

A Tokubetsu Jonin could not help shouting.

"No. He made his identity clear in front of Anko and threatened that the exams could not be stopped," the Third Hokage replied.

"The Chunin Exams, where the Allied Countries gather together, are a major event attended by all sides. The stakes are significant," the Third said.

"So what exactly is going on now?"

Mitokado Homura, the senior advisor seated to the Third Hokage's right on the podium, interrupted him and prompted him to get to the point.

Understanding the hint, the Third turned and said, "Orochimaru possesses the ability to conquer a small country. I believe every nation has been watching him closely since he left the village."

"And he left Konoha bearing resentment."

"Every nation is interested in him? Don't tell me the Allied Countries are going to join hands with Orochimaru and betray Konoha?!"

That Tokubetsu Jonin caught on quickly. After hearing the Third Hokage's words, he immediately shifted the focus toward the Allied Countries and said nothing more about stopping the exams.

"Those alliance treaties are nothing more than verbal agreements. That was how the past ninja wars began as well."

Kakashi answered.

The sudden death of a colleague they knew well had already made everyone keenly feel the danger.

Now, with the Hokage and Kakashi playing off each other, everyone could practically smell the smoke of war.

"In short! We still do not have enough intelligence. But danger is right before us!" the Third Hokage said.

"The Anbu have already secretly dispatched people to gather intelligence from every country. Any rash move now will put us in a dangerous position, and our enemies are no doubt worried they will not find an excuse to start a war."

Utatane Koharu's words further cemented everyone's expectations of a coming war.

Next, it was almost time to begin mobilizing.

The Third Hokage thought to himself.

His imposing gaze swept across the hall. Konoha's strongest current forces were all gathered here.

The Third declared in a ringing voice:

"Most importantly, I have complete faith in all of you! Together, we will protect Konoha's peace!

"If the worst comes to pass, we will gather Konoha's strength and show the world our resolve in battle!"

Fight!!