~~ After watching Naruto and Shikamaru leave, Kakashi finally felt the weight lift from his chest.
In a much better mood, he happily joined Might Guy in clearing out the Sound and Sand Ninja grunts.
They carried on with their daily routine: a competition.
Hao Shuai made full use of this rare opportunity to let Hinata gain combat experience against the grunts. He kept watch nearby, occasionally glancing over at the duel between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru.
Honestly, even someone as clever as Hao Shuai couldn't make sense of what was happening around the Four Violet Flames Formation.
The Third Hokage had been trapped inside the Four Violet Flames Formation by Orochimaru, yet the Anbu outside were spread around the barrier and didn't seem interested in breaking it to rescue him.
Rather than watching the fight, they seemed to be deliberately stopping anyone from trying to break the Four Violet Flames Formation.
Or perhaps these Anbu members had blind faith in the Third Hokage, believing he was the strongest Hokage in Konoha and could defeat Orochimaru all by himself?
No, that couldn't be right!
Hao Shuai frowned. As ninja, the Anbu knew that as the body aged, one's strength declined.
And although those Anbu appeared to trust the Third Hokage, their eyes gave them away.
That detached gaze, laced with disdain, wasn't the look a member of the Hokage's personal guard should have.
At that thought, Hao Shuai understood.
Those Anbu were all Danzō's people—or perhaps they were members of Root.
For a moment, Hao Shuai felt a little sorry for the old Third Hokage.
How did the highest leader in the village end up in such a state?
He had been taken hostage, yet his subordinates were all busy with their own affairs.
No one was even trying