"What was the name of Kusagakure's Jonin instructor this time?"
After setting down the preliminary registration list and sensing that part of the shadow behind him seemed to have vanished, the Third Hokage, having finished issuing his orders, turned once more to his diligent assistant and asked with a grave expression.
"Kazune... Hada Kazune! It's Hada Kazune!"
Seeing the Third Hokage's stern expression, the diligent assistant was clearly startled by the sudden tension. He hurriedly picked up another scroll, spread it open to check, and quickly answered.
"The Hada Clan as well?"
At those words, the Third Hokage immediately furrowed his brow and murmured thoughtfully.
There were three examinees. In other words, an entire team had suddenly been replaced by three members of the Hada Clan, and even their Jonin instructor was from the Hada Clan.
The Hada Clan had risen abruptly, seemingly seizing control of Kusagakure's government overnight. There was likely far more to this than met the eye.
Although the Third Hokage did not wish to assume that Haneda Yu Ze harbored malicious intentions, or that this replacement was aimed at Konoha, it was difficult to trust someone like Haneda Yu Ze completely. He had managed to usurp Kusagakure's political power, forcing the Daimyo of the Land of Grass to seek outside help. Moreover, his scheming ran so deep that he had allowed the Daimyo of the Land of Grass to openly send out that plea for aid.
At the very least, the Third Hokage had always remained wary of him.
Kusagakure's current actions had undoubtedly aroused his deepest suspicion.
The Third Hokage knew very well that if such a person intended to harm Konoha, then even with the vast disparity in strength between Kusagakure and Konoha, he could still inflict tremendous damage. What was more, it was