Hiruzen Sarutobi's Suspicion

Hokage's Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, studying the two reports that had just arrived through covert channels, his brow deeply furrowed.

After reading through the documents in their entirety, he rose to his feet, drew deeply twice on his pipe, and exhaled a long stream of smoke before turning to look at Hokage Rock beyond the floor-to-ceiling window.

Only after a long while did he turn back and ask the Anbu kneeling on one knee before him, "Which channel did this intelligence come through?"

The Anbu in a white cloak lowered his head. "According to files our informants retrieved from Root, it was likely sent back by a planted agent embedded years ago in the household of a major noble in the Land of Earth."

"A major noble in the Land of Earth."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered this. "If even someone at that level knows, then we can confirm that Iwagakure obtained intelligence on Tsunade's Team."

"However."

His voice was slightly hoarse. "The Iwagakure Suicide Squad that infiltrated the Hokage Building last time should all have been dealt with, correct?"

"What does Danzo think about this?"

The white-cloaked Anbu continued, "According to Lord Danzo's analysis, there was a gap of approximately five minutes between Ash Soil and his subordinates escaping the Hokage Building and being intercepted by Sahara Chunin."

"If used flexibly, that time would have been enough to transmit the intelligence back by other means."

"However, according to the Sealing Team's trace inspection report, there were no signs that the intelligence had been opened and then resealed."

"Therefore, Lord Danzo believes it is more likely that there was an enemy mole among those responsible for intercepting Ash Soil."

"At the Root meeting, Lord Danzo has already stated that he will propose a comprehensive search at the Advisory Council Meeting."

"The primary suspects are Hatake Sakumo, Namikaze Minato, Aburame Shin, Akimichi Gochi, Yamanaka Takeshi, Sahara Mizu, Hyuga Takeichi, and twenty-three others."

After finishing, the white-cloaked Anbu added, "All of them either inspected or remained along the Iwagakure Suicide Squad's escape route during the pursuit that night, or fought with them."

"Heh."

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled softly, paying little mind to Danzo's petty schemes.

Most of the names his old friend had listed belonged to the Sarutobi Faction. Hatake Sakumo and Namikaze Minato, ranked first and second, were respectively the former Anbu Commander and Jiraiya's disciple.

His intention to cut away Hiruzen's wings could not have been more obvious.

Still, one familiar name on the list caught his attention once more.

It had been two or three days since the night the Hokage Building was attacked.

Remembering that young man who had stood before his desk and loudly accused him, Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help but sigh inwardly.

Once upon a time, he too had been a young man willing to lay down his life for the Will of Fire.

Yet after decades of being ground down by reality, he had ultimately become someone he himself despised.

At times, he even envied these children for having the courage to speak plainly about reality.

"Shikahara."

"At your service." The Nara ninja with a pineapple-shaped ponytail rose from beside the desk.

"How have things been with that child, Sahara Mizu, lately?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked casually.

Nara Shikahara answered with meticulous precision. "Sahara Mizu, Chunin, was temporarily relieved of his position as an Intelligence Agency Advisor three days ago to cooperate with the investigation. He is currently idle at home and holds no post."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. "The investigation still isn't complete?"

"Lord Danzo's side has refused to cooperate."

In response to the question, Nara Shikahara merely gave a slight nod, his eyes flicking toward the letter on the desk.

The hint of a smile on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face immediately turned colder. He blew out a smoke ring and said seemingly offhandedly, "He certainly doesn't trust these children."

"Shikahara, how do you think this should be resolved?"

He did not specify whether he meant Danzo's matter or the suspicions hanging over those people.

Or perhaps he meant all of it.

Nara Shikahara said calmly, "Sahara Chunin's promotion and vetting should also be carried out as soon as possible—war is at hand, after all. We cannot let a young man with considerable combat power waste away in the village."

"Indeed."

Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe and nodded slightly.

Nara Shikahara continued, "With Sahara-kun's strength, becoming a Jonin is a certainty. For his first appearance among the Jonin, he naturally needs someone sufficiently strong, yet young enough, as a benchmark."

"Namikaze-kun would be suitable."

"Mm."

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened quietly.

"Additionally, Hatake Sakumo can serve as referee. Invite the clan heads of the Hyuga and Uchiha, along with their clansmen, to bear witness. The elders of our Ino-Shika-Cho clans currently in the village also happen to have nothing pressing to do." Nara Shikahara's tone remained calm.

Hiruzen Sarutobi finally realized there was a problem. "You mean to make such a grand affair out of a special promotion ceremony for one young Jonin?"

Do not mistake Konoha Jonin for cabbages growing by the roadside.

As dedicated executors of A-rank and above missions, every Jonin was part of a village's foundation. And the clan heads and elders who stood at the very top even among those Jonin were a political force capable of steering Konoha's entire military establishment.

Yet Nara Shikahara's expression remained unruffled as he struck directly at the heart of the matter. "Some people have forgotten their place and wish to test the Hokage's authority in ways they should not."

"Then let him see for himself."

"Just how many people stand behind the Third Hokage."

From beginning to end, he never mentioned exactly which people Danzō's proposal involved, nor how he intended to break his scheme.

With what seemed like a casual move, he had directly smothered Shimura Danzō's plot at the proposal stage.

At that, he smiled and turned to Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Besides, I imagine Sahara-kun will appreciate it as well."

"He's a very clever child."

One stone, three birds.

"You..."

Hearing that, Sarutobi Hiruzen even paused mid-drag. Smiling, he pointed at him, then said no more as he made the final decision:

"Then it's settled!"

"Yes."

The white-robed Anbu silently witnessed the scene. Thinking of Elder Danzō's series of little maneuvers, he could not help but sigh inwardly.

It seemed that so long as Lord Third remained alive, that elder would never be able to rise again.

However, just as the two continued discussing the follow-up details—

An Anbu suddenly appeared in the office, presenting a scroll with both hands.

"Lord Third Hokage, urgent report from the front!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression changed. He took the intelligence report and swiftly scanned it, his face growing grave.

"The Third Raikage, previously stationed at the front between the Land of Earth and Land of Lightning, has gone missing."

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Nara Shikahara exchanged a glance, both immediately realizing the severity of the situation.

Tsunade's Team was in danger.

"Lord Third Hokage."

Nara Shikahara spoke at once, his expression solemn. "The only one in the village capable of quickly reinforcing such a crisis is Lord Hatake Sakumo."

Yet Sarutobi Hiruzen was particularly composed at a time like this. He said coolly:

"No rush. Resolve the matter of the assessment first."

"Even if that bastard Ay wants to find Tsunade and the others' trail, it won't happen in a day or two."

"Besides..."

As he spoke, he tapped the pipe in his hand against the ashtray, his voice steady.

"Those two youngsters are both speed-types. They're perfectly suited for the battlefield in the Land of Lightning."

"After they complete the assessment, let them make an appearance before the entire Ninja World as well."

At that, Nara Shikahara immediately fell silent.

Though Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone had not changed, the intelligent man still keenly sensed the casual hint of scrutiny toward Sahara Mizu in the Shinobi Hero's words.

Loyalty had to be proven with blood.

In the end, he still could not trust Sahara-kun.