Two Old Recluses Plot

It was already noon on the third day, and Bing San frowned as he watched the ninja forces returning from outside, looking as if they were clocking in and out of work, their expressions like students going home happy after an exam.

They walked back in twos and threes, shoulders hunched, and occasionally one or two would boast about how many people they had killed or how tragically others had died.

Bing San narrowed his eyes, feeling that their mental state was wrong, very wrong, extremely wrong!

Bing San, using a clone from One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones, went back and forth through the main camp, inside and out, three or four times, but couldn't figure anything out. He could only return to his own territory to ponder slowly.

Bing San tapped his fingers, constantly contemplating what he had seen and heard these past few days.

As he pondered, Bing San suddenly slammed his hand down on the scabbard he was holding and cursed, "Damn it, I'm not here to fight anyway. Who cares if they're normal or not? As long as they don't threaten my life, they can do whatever they want."

Suddenly, Bing San felt his perspective shift. His intelligence clone had been summoned by Orochimaru. Bing San focused his spirit.

Bing San glanced at the dusty people in the tent and immediately understood. Orochimaru had something to discuss with him while on the march.

Bing San rubbed his face and put on a fawning smile, saying, "Teacher, what are your orders?"

Orochimaru said in a hoarse voice, "I heard that Bing San-kun captured a ninja from the Land of Water's Mizuki Clan?"

Bing San nodded and said, "There is such a person, but he surrendered on the spot, and I handed him over to Uncle Takeo Akimichi for safekeeping. Are you interested, Teacher?"

Orochimaru licked his lips and said, "Of course I'm interested. The few I captured are already useless."

Bing San's brow furrowed. His eyelids twitched a few times before he calmed his mood slightly and said, "He was taken away by Uncle Feng. Of course, since Teacher wants him, I'll give him to you."

However, it seems this guy was cursed by someone from Root. I hope Teacher doesn't mind."

Orochimaru smiled at Bing San and nodded slightly, indicating he didn't mind.

The two chatted idly for a few more sentences. Bing San couldn't help but think, Orochimaru has been on the march for over a month and hasn't returned home yet. Could he have some ulterior motive?

However, Bing San was too insignificant to ask.

Bing San merely pretended to be humble and asked Orochimaru about Ninjutsu, and also mentioned the strangeness on the Land of Water front.

Of course, Bing San didn't dare to mention his suspicions about Madara Uchiha. He only said that he felt the Third Mizukage was acting strangely.

Orochimaru tapped the table with his finger, frowning in thought for a long time. Suddenly, Orochimaru licked his lips, leaned his face closer to Bing San, and said, "Bing San-kun, what do you think of the Uchiha's Sharingan?"

Bing San's hand trembled, and his heart rate instantly quickened. He's targeting the Sharingan now?

Bing San didn't dare to delay and quickly replied, "It's a very useful eye."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and said, "Do you want it? Teacher can help you get it."

Bing San quickly shook his head, thinking, You want to set a trap for me again. Don't think I don't know you just want to use me as an experiment.

Seeing Bing San's expression, Orochimaru pouted and thought, This guy has gotten smarter. He's not as easy to fool anymore.

It seems I need to find another one. But where can I find a good test subject? Should I experiment on a few more children?

But that's too slow. I should just capture a few children.

And so, Orochimaru slowly trudged towards Konoha, answering Bing San's questions while plotting where to find children for his experiments.

Meanwhile, Danzo, after hearing the report from Bing San's clone, secretly conferred with the Third Hokage several times. However, seeing Danzo's face as black as the bottom of a pot every time he returned, it was likely he hadn't gotten the results he wanted.

Today, Danzo finally couldn't hold back and argued fiercely with Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Monkey, you are too soft. Fugaku Uchiha is clearly using his position to protect himself.

Look, look at the reports from the Land of Water front. How many Uchiha are on the casualty list? Very few."

The Third Hokage felt bitter, but he couldn't say it. He took a puff of his pipe and said slowly, "Danzo, don't be so dark-minded.

I still trust Fugaku very much. Even his cousin, who cared for him the most, died in battle. He couldn't have any dirty dealings with the Land of Water."

The Third Hokage's eyes darted slightly. He took another puff of his pipe and continued, "However, the Land of Water front has been fighting for so long, it's time to let Fugaku come back for a rest. Who do you think would be suitable to replace him?"

Danzo thought, You suspect Fugaku Uchiha of having ill intentions too, yet you pretend to be trusting. It's just the two of us, who are you trying to fool? But despite his inner complaints, the task still needed to be done.

Danzo glared with his small eyes and said in a businesslike tone, "Orochimaru is on his way back. Why not let him go after Orochimaru returns?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes narrowed, sensing something was wrong. Orochimaru and his student had made great contributions on the Sand Ninja front, and their prestige was growing. If they won the war in the Land of Water, wouldn't that old man's seat be up for grabs? Moreover, given Danzo's personality, how could he help Orochimaru?

Suddenly, the Third Hokage saw Bing San, who was serving tea to Danzo, and his eyes narrowed slightly. The dim yellow in his eyes slowly receded, and his gaze sharpened. The kind old man who smoked a pipe disappeared, replaced by the formidable ninja Sarutobi Hiruzen.

No wonder Orochimaru is dragging his feet and unwilling to return. So this is his plan. No wonder as soon as I mentioned it to Danzo, he had Shimura Bing San replace him and lead Root to the Land of Water front.

So that's it! It all makes sense now!

The Third Hokage tapped his pipe and said decisively, "Orochimaru has been traveling for so long and hasn't returned yet, yet you want to send him to the Land of Water to continue fighting. That's not appropriate.

Let Homura Mitokado take over. The Rain Country front doesn't require as many ninja forces since the Sand Ninja surrendered and the Rock Ninja have retreated. Besides, Hanzo of the Rain Country has also expressed his willingness to cooperate with us against the Land of Earth."

Danzo saw that Sarutobi Hiruzen was determined not to let Orochimaru go and had even assigned Homura Mitokado. His eyes rolled, and he said, "Jiraiya is struggling to hold the line on the Rock Ninja front. Why not let Homura go to support Jiraiya? I'll personally go to the Land of Water front to take charge."

The Third Hokage heard this and knew Danzo was set on the Land of Water front. Due to environmental issues, the Land of Water front wouldn't yield results anytime soon. This meant both sides were exhausted, and whoever took charge would earn great merit.

But Danzo couldn't go. What if Danzo and Orochimaru, with their great victory, directly threatened him?

These two were plotting in the Hokage's office, completely selling out Fugaku Uchiha, who had been appointed to a critical mission. Poor Fugaku, when he had no one else available, was tricked into having his entire clan defend the front lines. Now that he was free and had enough troops, they wanted to remove him.

Bing San stood by, pretending to be invisible, as if he didn't exist. In reality, Bing San was constantly complaining in his heart: No wonder the Uchiha were so resentful later on. Who wouldn't be fed up with this?

In the end, the two old schemers reached a backroom deal. Homura Mitokado would lead the ninja forces from the Rain Country front to replace the Rock Ninja garrison under Mitarai Zixiao, and Jiraiya would lead the Konoha ninja forces retreating from the Sand Ninja to replace Fugaku Uchiha.

As for the confrontation between the Taijutsu master Hyuga family and the muscular Third Raikage of the Land of Rivers, it was deliberately ignored by the two of them. It had to be said that large clans were targets for weakening during this period.

(End of this chapter)

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