What? The Akatsuki Organization?

The conference lasted for a full five hours, from the first light of dawn at five o'clock in the morning until the sun was high in the sky at ten o'clock.

During this time, the conference room windows spewed out thick smoke like chimneys.

If it weren't for the diligent work of the guards at the Hokage Building, concerned citizens would have rushed to help put out the fire long ago.

Because the cemeteries of various families were attacked, the gravekeepers were almost all killed or wounded, many graves were dug up, and the remains of the ancestors were made a mess. They argued about this for a full five hours.

Everyone supported the pursuit of the tomb raiders, but the point of contention lay in whether to conduct a large-scale search or a covert investigation; these two different choices sparked debate.

Most families demanded that the perpetrator be brought back and torn to pieces, but as someone in the know, Orochimaru knew very well that no matter how many people were sent out, it would be impossible to capture Senju Zen. Over the years, the Anbu hadn't been idle; they hadn't found anything of any use either.

If they hadn't shown up on their own, Orochimaru didn't think he could have put an end to the Madara Uchiha affair before he stepped down.

Furthermore, there is another problem: ordinary ninjas have no chance of defeating the Senju Zen, and their numbers are meaningless in the face of the Senju Clan's ninjas.

Moreover, this time, even the Senju Clan was questioned, because the grave guardians at the scene were basically killed by Wood Style Jutsu. Nawaki had to repeatedly assure them that the Senju Clan would do their best to hunt down Zen in order to calm the restless people.

In the end, with the full support of the Anbu Orochimaru Root, as well as the support of the Third Hokage and Katsuki, and the neutrality of the Senju and Uchiha, Orochimaru managed to control the conflict and prevent it from escalating further.

This led the clan leaders to abandon their plans for a large-scale operation and to promise to recall the clansmen they had sent out.

"Worn out!"

Orochimaru lay in the chair like a snake with its bones removed, lazily yawning.

"It's really tiring."

Minato also looked exhausted. He had been running around all day yesterday and spent the night traveling between various cemeteries in the village. Then he had been in a meeting since early morning, only drinking some water and eating a few snacks, without having had time to sleep.

I was completely exhausted!

This kind of high-intensity work is no less demanding than fighting on the front lines; both can leave you exhausted and wishing you could lie in bed and sleep for three days and three nights straight.

Apart from Katsuki and Nawaki, who were both incredibly energetic, everyone else was yawning incessantly, relying solely on the bitter tea that could make one lose their sense of taste to stay awake and barely manage to continue this small meeting.

If large meetings are used to coordinate conflicts between various parties, then these smaller meetings are the real decision-making stage.

"Orochimaru, the news about Madara Uchiha must not be leaked, lest it cause even greater turmoil. Although we've persuaded those clan leaders, what exactly are your plans? If you can't produce results, the next meeting won't be easy to get through."

The Third Hokage, pipe in mouth, continued to puff out clouds of smoke; it seemed that nothing but death could make this old man give up his pipe.

Perhaps it was the tobacco that kept him awake, but although the Third Hokage looked tired, he was noticeably better off than Minato and Kakashi, who were constantly yawning.

"Teacher, what else can we do? We can't even get a glimpse of the enemy. Besides waiting for them to show themselves, all we can do is try our best."

Orochimaru reached out and pressed his brow, and a white snake, as thick as a teacup, coiled around his body and slithered slowly.

"What I'm more worried about now is that we've collected so many cells from powerful dead individuals. What if they were all Impure World Reincarnation using Edo Tensei...? It would be a disaster."

The thought of the First Hokage and Second Hokage being resurrected and then turning around to attack Konoha is enough to give anyone a headache.

The old man who Katsuki sat on the sofa drinking tea, not participating in the conversation.

The Impure World Reincarnation meant nothing to him. He didn't take the First and Second Hokage seriously because they couldn't unleash their true power. Moreover, the closer their strength was to their original state, the less he thought the caster could control them.

However, the view before us is quite amazing!

The Fourth Hokage Orochimaru, is troubled by the possibility that he has mastered an enemy Impure World Reincarnation... This is something he could never have imagined when he first arrived in this world.

Looking at the assembled crowd— Orochimaru, Nawaki, Minato, Kuyue, Kakashi, Itachi—among them were those who should have died on the battlefield long ago, those who would have strayed into evil paths, those who should have been buried in history, and tragic heroes who yearned for the light despite being in darkness... They had all now embarked on completely different paths.

"Knock knock!"

There was a knock on the window.

"Yo, Orochimaru, long time no see."

The window opened from the outside, and a man with long white hair, dressed in a kabuki-like outfit, waved and greeted everyone inside with a smile.

"Phew! Master, you're still so vigorous for your age... Minato, you don't look too well. You should take care of your health... Katsuki and Nawaki, you two seem quite relaxed... The rest of you are all unfamiliar faces! It seems Orochimaru, you've done a great job! So many talented people here!"

"Jiraiya, you idiot, if you want to come in, then get in here! Your filthy feet have dirtied my windowsill."

Orochimaru turned his head and glared fiercely at Jiraiya.

Of course, such a glare wouldn't faze Jiraiya at all.

"Don't be so formal. Besides, you're the Hokage, shouldn't you have professional cleaning staff to take care of things? You don't have to lift a finger." Muttering to himself, Jiraiya jumped down, half-resting his bottom on the windowsill, and looked around at everyone. "Let's continue the discussion!"

"Jiraiya, stop with the nonsense. Forget about everyone else, when are you coming back... Never mind, just tell me, have you found any news about Madara Uchiha, or even about the Senju Zen technique?"

The Third Hokage looked at the nonchalant Jiraiya with expectant eyes.

"It's not that easy! Along the way, I not only had to gather information and collect data, but I also often worked late into the night to finish my drafts. You have no idea how terrifying my editor was. I clearly managed to shake off the people from the Anbu, but I couldn't shake off that editor no matter what I did. He's practically a demon, a monster..."

Listening to Jiraiya spouting nonsense, the Third Hokage slapped his forehead, regretting his impulsive question.

To actually have hope for that idiot Jiraiya... he must be getting old; has his heart become so soft?

"However, we have managed to gather some intelligence. In recent years, there have been guys calling themselves Akatsuki Organization in small countries like the Land of Grass, the Land of Rice, and the Land of Stone." After finishing his rambling, Jiraiya finally got to the point.

"What the hell? The Akatsuki Organization?"

Katsuki couldn't sit still any longer. This was unbelievable! Nagato was Nagato, Yahiko and Konan had been married for over ten years, their daughter was twelve years old, and Yahiko was now the leader of Amegakure. Akatsuki Organization? According to his intelligence, that organization had long since disbanded. (To be continued)