Konoha, Hokage Residence.
"Lord Hokage, we've searched the entire Konoha but haven't found Orochimaru!"
An Anbu Ninja knelt on one knee and reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hokage position.
From last night until now, Hiruzen Sarutobi has been active on the front lines. After dealing with Minato's matter, the first thing he thought of was Orochimaru.
He thought Orochimaru was too exhausted after the battle and had returned to the village to rest early. At that time, many people did see him return to the village.
Without much thought in that situation, Minato died after making his final arrangements.
Kushina held on a little longer, but she also passed away this morning.
From then on, the Fourth Hokage of Konoha and his wife fell one after another.
The news hasn't spread completely yet, and Hiruzen Sarutobi doesn't intend to make it public knowledge.
The people of Konoha are already in a state of panic, and if this incident is amplified, the villagers will likely fall into further panic.
"Are you sure you've found it? What did Danzo say?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked somewhat haggard, his old face, already covered in wrinkles, had heavy dark circles under his eyes, and his hair was half white, as if he had aged more than ten years overnight.
He was puffing on his pipe, and his expression turned somewhat sinister after hearing the report from the Anbu Ninja.
"Hmph! I suspect that guy has already defected!"
Before the Anbu Ninja could reply, a menacing voice came from the doorway.
The newcomer was leaning on a cane, one hand was slinged across his chest with gauze, and his only remaining eye was filled with anger and murderous intent!
"Danzo! What did you say?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi arrive, not because he was surprised that Danzo would come, but because he was surprised by what Danzo said.
Last night, he witnessed Orochimaru's terrifying strength firsthand; it was no less than Minato's, and perhaps even stronger.
Now look what's happened, you're telling me first thing in the morning that the person ran away?
Is it because I've been staying up all night and my eyes are blurry, or is it because I have tinnitus, or did Danzo eat gunpowder?
How can someone with a 37-degree mouth say such cold things? You can't just spout such nonsense.
"The Root has already searched his house thoroughly; it's long since deserted!"
At this point, Danzo angrily kicked the kneeling Anbu Ninja.
"Uh-huh?"
Caught off guard, the ninja was kicked aside and then glared angrily at Danzo.
What did you do to deserve this? If you're going to vent your anger, don't take it out on innocent people. Do you really think you're some stray dog on the street? You think you can just kick someone because you don't like them?
However, when he met Danzo's ferocious, abstinent face, he swallowed the words that had just reached his lips to insult Danzo's mother.
"Tell me in detail what happened?"
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi could no longer sit still and immediately stood up, his eyes fixed on Danzo.
He knew that Orochimaru had great ambitions and might be somewhat dissatisfied with not becoming Hokage before.
But now that Minato has died in battle, shouldn't this be the best time for him to take over?
None of these are the most important things. The most important thing is that if a ninja with terrifying strength like Orochimaru really defected, it would be a huge loss for Konoha.
If Orochimaru harbors resentment towards Konoha, the consequences will be unimaginable!
"The laboratory I provided for him was burned down last night, and the Root ninja guarding the laboratory is nowhere to be found!"
Danzo said through gritted teeth, slamming his fist on the desk in anger as he spoke.
"His disciple named Anko also disappeared with him. I'm certain he defected!"
There was one more thing he didn't mention: the Byakugan he had gone through so much trouble to get last night, he hadn't even had a chance to enjoy it before giving it to him.
I thought today would be a good day, not only because the Fourth Hokage was dead, but also because there was hope for my Sharingan arm.
To my surprise, my office desk was not only empty this morning, but I also learned from my subordinates that the laboratory had been burned down.
This is how Orochimaru, that shameless snake, repays me!
At the crucial moment, he suddenly turned around and attacked me, then disappeared without a trace!
You can imagine how furious he is right now; if this weren't the Hokage's office, he would have flipped the table.
"Is it possible that he went out on business?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was still reluctant to believe that Orochimaru would defect, because the image of him fighting the Tailed Beasts alone last night was truly unforgettable.
He stood up to save Konoha last night, and today he's defected.
One moment he was a hero of Konoha, revered by all, the next he was a heinous traitor.
"Do you even believe what you're saying? I've always known Orochimaru was no good, a traitor at heart, and I never imagined he'd actually become a double agent!"
Danzo spitting as he spoke, and when he got excited, he pointed directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi's nose and cursed him.
Anyone would be qualified to say this, but can you imagine that it came out of Danzo's mouth with such righteous indignation?
"What kind of disciples did you teach? They either don't care about the village or run away every few days. Now look what's happened, they just disappeared without a word!"
When Hiruzen Sarutobi heard Danzo call Orochimaru a traitor, his face turned ashen. After all, he was the disciple Danzo had trained, so he was in the wrong.
But when he heard him also criticize Tsunade and Jiraiya, he finally couldn't sit still anymore.
"Enough!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi his hand on the table and shouted to stop him!
The two old men looked grim, glaring angrily at each other with dark expressions.
Logically speaking, having lived to such an old age, one should have good self-control and not easily lose one's temper.
So much had happened overnight that both of them felt a tightness in their chests, and continuing to argue wouldn't lead to anything.
"Well...!"
After a long stalemate, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed heavily, his face appearing as if he had aged several years.
Why are my three prized disciples so troublesome?
Tsunade ran away from home, Jiraiya failed at a crucial moment, Orochimaru did step in when something happened, but then he caused this mess afterwards.
"It's so hard for me! Sigh! I guess I'm really getting old. The fledgling has grown into a mighty eagle, and I can't control it anymore!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe again and started smoking. Danzo sat opposite him, saying nothing, and the atmosphere fell silent once more.
That Anbu Ninja had long since disappeared. When gods fight, mortals suffer. Being kicked for no reason was already bad enough!
"A group of dragons cannot be without a leader. The most urgent task is to elect a new Kage to lead Konoha. The village cannot be allowed to fall into chaos!"
After a long pause, Danzo spoke first, showing that he was still determined to Hokage position.
He's just Spokesperson, Danzo has no choice but to Danzo!
If Orochimaru were still in the village, he would very likely become the next Hokage based on his feat of fighting the Nine-Tails last night.
But now that the place is deserted, Danzo feels a little fortunate, thinking that maybe he can still take a gamble.
Even if he is still in Konoha, he cannot become Hokage.
Why? Because it's against the rules!
If Orochimaru knew what Danzo, he would definitely slap him twice.
"Last year they said I wasn't qualified, this year they say I'm not following the rules! Saving Konoha is less worthwhile than saving a dog; at least a dog wags its tail!"
"I intend to return to the village and continue leading Konoha until a suitable candidate for Hokage appears!"
Before Danzo could achieve his Danzo motives, Hiruzen Sarutobi's words pulled him back to reality, plunging him into despair once again!