"Creak..."
The sealed doors slowly opened, and a faint beam of light shone into the office, which had been silent for some time.
"As for Orochimaru, he actually appeared before Anko during the second test. And according to Anko's report, he most likely showed himself deliberately."
With that faint ray of light, three figures filed inside. What followed was the Third Hokage's statement.
"What? He showed himself during the second test, and deliberately at that? Hiruzen, why did you keep this from us? A rogue ninja like Orochimaru appearing during such a critical Chunin Exam—and doing so intentionally—must be plotting something. At a time like this, we should be—"
Hearing this, Mitokado Homura stopped before the Hokage's desk and looked at the seated Third Hokage, speaking almost reflexively.
His words carried considerable reproach.
"On guard, is that it?"
Before he could finish, the seated Third Hokage cut him off.
"Homura, don't make things difficult for Hiruzen over this. I believe he had his reasons for keeping it from us. Besides, you and I both know Konoha's current situation. Some relatively unimportant posts are being guarded by inexperienced Genin. Hiruzen is under great pressure as well. And since Orochimaru openly appeared before Anko and didn't kill her afterward, it naturally couldn't have been out of consideration for his former student. That alone is highly suspicious."
The Third Hokage said nothing in response. Utatane Koharu spoke instead.
Utatane Koharu supported the Third Hokage on this matter. As for why he had not told her, he naturally had his reasons.
Besides, even if they had known, there was very little they could have done.
As the village's elder advisors, they knew Konoha's situation well. They were already at an age when they should have stepped back from the front lines, but because the