Danzo and Orochimaru were up to something!

The daytime was as white as snow, and the sun blazed overhead.

The Forest seemed to be under a spell, dancing wildly, the sound of leaves rustling against each other echoing for miles.

Birds and beasts that inhabited the forest fled, their rustling footsteps seeming to compose a concerto of death.

The oppressive air felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, making it hard to breathe.

Three figures stood straight beneath the falling leaves, letting the dancing leaves land on their shoulders, the whistling wind rushing past their ears and whipping up the stray hairs hanging at their temples.

Tōka raised his head expressionlessly, his cold gaze falling on Danzo and Orochimaru.

"Is this the information you're talking about in the deal?" His tone, completely at odds with his youthful appearance, carried a hint of sarcasm.

Orochimaru had a barely perceptible sneer on his lips as he glanced sideways at Danzo's profile, where Danzo's old face had turned black.

Tōka suddenly smiled and continued, "However, I'd like to hear what kind of bargaining chips you're looking for."

Enraged, Danzo choked again, swallowing back the threatening words that were on the tip of his tongue.

Danzo looked hesitant, glancing sideways at Orochimaru as if to ask, "Is this kid reliable? Is it really okay to tell him the plan?"

Orochimaru grinned slightly and gave Danzo a reassuring look.

There are no permanent enemies in the world; only friends bound together by shared interests are truly trustworthy.

"We have what Tōka wants, and Tōka can help us achieve our goal." Orochimaru's hoarse voice was extremely seductive.

"We can achieve a win-win situation!"

Like a bewitching Demonic Sound, it seeped into people's hearts.

"Auditory Genjutsu? "Tōka stared at Orochimaru with a half-smile, Budong raising his eyes, a dark glint flashing in them.

Genjutsu have no effect on him!

"Oh? Is that so?" Tōka said calmly.

"The initial plan is as follows..." Orochimaru, ignoring Tōka's attitude, organized his thoughts and began to explain in detail.

In the grove behind the Ninja Academy's Teaching Building, hidden in the Tree Shadow of Small Woods, Black Vortex slowly spun, and then a cute little girl leaped out.

Tōka Hand Seals to dispel the Shadow Clone, and all the information the Shadow Clone had received was transmitted back to the Original Body.

Because of the sudden departure of the Third Hokage, the battles between the various classes came to an end, and Tōka quickly grasped this most important piece of information.

"Forget it, now that we know the Scroll of Seals is in Deforming Mountain, let's find a chance to get out and talk about it later."

The thought flashed through his mind, and Tōka hurriedly walked towards the classroom. He had just managed to deactivate his Shadow Clone Technique at the exact moment class ended.

Because every time class ends, the Shadow Clone would disappear into the toilet to urinate, only returning when class was about to start again.

Therefore, Tōka wasn't worried about being discovered.

Ring ring...

As a bell rang urgently, Tōka strode into the classroom.

The classroom was arranged in rows of three, with Hanabi in the middle. When the snotty-nosed kid near the door saw Hanabi approaching, he quickly stood up and made way for her.

The noisy classroom gradually quieted down, and then Koizumi Aya, dressed in Chunin Vest, walked in.

"I'm so happy today! Why?" Koizumi Aya's eyes curved like crescent moons, Kakuzu stretched to her ears in a wide grin.

"Although the Lord Hokage had to leave unexpectedly, causing the battle to be terminated, Hanabi from our class still showed the spirit of our class!"

Koizumi Aya patted the lectern with her hands clasped together, as if she hadn't yet stepped down from the fighting platform.

Tōka's lips twitched; he really hadn't realized that Teacher Koizumi could be so violent.

Let's give Hanabi a round of applause!

Wow!

Upon hearing this, a burst of applause erupted. After a few moments, Koizumi Aya raised her hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down.

The noisy classroom gradually quieted down.

"Although the battle has ended, the rewards promised by the Lord Hokage will still be honored," Koizumi Aya explained. "Two rounds of battles were held, and only the top four were determined."

"Therefore, the Lord Hokage has decided to add one more person this time, to provide extra tutoring to four students for one day."

Hyuga Hanabi is one of the candidates!

Upon hearing this news, everyone in the classroom turned to look at Tōka with envy.

Tōka's face darkened instantly. His previous participation in the battle to gain the opportunity to receive guidance from the Third Hokage was based on the premise that the Scroll of Seals had not been stolen.

Now that everything has been decided, Tōka has absolutely no desire to see that Fox from the Third Hokage.

After the message was delivered, Koizumi Aya quickly got down to business—class.

Tōka, however, sat in his seat absentmindedly.

After returning home, Tōka still looked preoccupied after dinner, until night fell and the full moon hung high in the sky.

A dark figure silently infiltrated the Hyūga Estate.

Thump! Thump!

Knock knock knock...

A series of slow, deliberate knocks sounded on the door.

"Finally here!" Tōka flipped over with a somersault and grabbed a piece of clothing from the side and put it on.

With a soft creak, a dark figure darted into the Hanabi room, a hideous Oni Mask appearing even more eerie in the dim moonlight.

Tōka raised an eyebrow, looking at the newcomer with slight surprise.

If he hadn't used Transformation Technique, judging from his appearance, he should be a kid in his early teens. Why would Danzo send such a tiny little thing as a contact?

"Just you alone?" Tōka asked in a low voice.

"Yes," the little devil with the ghost face replied in a low voice.

"Did you bring the things?" Tōka asked Gate of Opening.

The little ghost with the grimaces remained silent, reached into his robes, took out a letter, and respectfully presented it with both hands.

Tōka didn't reach out to take it, but instead squinted at the other person, the Ice Blue flames flickering in his eyes, as if trying to see through the ugly Oni Mask.

The oppressive atmosphere felt like an invisible hand squeezing the space.

The little ghost with the ghost face felt his scalp tingle under Tōka's burning gaze. He couldn't believe that a little girl who was even younger than him could have such a powerful aura!

Even when facing Danzo, I did not feel such terror.

Cold sweat trickled down the little devil's temples, but he dared not move, keeping his hands still in the gesture of offering the letter.

"Did Danzo have any other message for you to deliver to me?" Tōka flicked her finger, and a surge of suction drew the letter away.

"Danzo only said to proceed according to plan." The demon-faced boy lowered his head, forcing himself to remain calm.

Upon hearing this, Tōka smiled.

They actually dared to use him as a pawn?

"Heh, go ahead." With a cold laugh that carried endless implications, Tōka waved his hand, signaling the other party to leave.

The little ghost with the masked face glanced at Tōka, then quickly disappeared into the darkness.

Although Tōka had his back to the departing Root member, his gaze remained fixed on him, and he naturally noticed the Secret Technique the member used as he left.

"No wonder they sent a kid who looked like a teenager; it turns out they're from the Nara Clan."

His unconventional use of shadow Secret Technique makes him a promising youngster worth nurturing.

Tōka glanced at the letter in her hand, but instead of opening it, she casually tucked it under her pillow.

The real show will begin tomorrow!