Undercurrents (2)

As Qingguang invited Tsunade to the Police Department to assist in the investigation of the batch of medicine, Hiruzen Sarutobi, accompanied by Hatake Sakumo, had already arrived at the office on the top floor of the Medical Department, behind Konoha Hospital.

"Hiruzen, why are you here?"

Inside the office, Utatane Koharu, who had just called Mitokado Homura over not long ago, saw Hiruzen arrive in person and her heart skipped a beat.

Mitokado Homura turned his head and saw that Hiruzen was actually followed by that white-haired Anbu ninja. He swallowed the flattery he was about to utter and silently closed his mouth.

Hatake Sakumo, a civilian ninja from the same generation as Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, became famous in Konoha during his academy days for his god-like, exquisite swordsmanship.

But later, he quickly disappeared and vanished from the village.

Since then, the only genius ninjas openly acknowledged in the village, besides Hiruzen Sarutobi's three disciples, was Senju Itsuki.

The common folk didn't know where Hatake Sakumo went, but how could the Hokage Assistant not know?

This prodigy had become Hiruzen Sarutobi's personal guard and concurrently the captain of the Anbu two years ago, at the age of 21.

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked forward slowly, his expression unreadable. "What, do I need to greet you before coming here?"

"Of course not, you can come whenever you like. Coincidentally, I have some matters here that I was planning to report to you with Homura," Utatane Koharu said, tidying a few documents in her hands as she walked towards Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Seeing her approach, Hatake Sakumo immediately blocked Hiruzen Sarutobi's path, his right hand already gripping the short blade named White Fang behind his back, stained with countless blood.

"If you have any documents, just give them to me. I will deliver them to Lord Hokage."

The icy words made Utatane Koharu's movements halt, and the air suddenly fell silent.

"This..."

"Just do as White Fang says. Protecting the Hokage was a direct order I gave him personally."

"The village has been uneasy lately. Even medicine and ingredients can send people to the hospital. Perhaps this paper has also been tampered with by someone with ulterior motives. It's good to have him inspect it."

These two sentences directly made Mitokado Homura, who was watching from the side, tremble with fear, as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

It's over. Hiruzen was truly enraged this time.

He shouldn't have been bewitched and persuaded by Utatane Koharu to entertain such crooked ideas of accumulating wealth through unorthodox means.

While the village's medicine was the responsibility of the Medical Department, ingredients and such were under the purview of his Civil Affairs Department!

"That makes sense." At this moment, despite her reluctance, Utatane Koharu could only hand the materials to Hatake Sakumo.

After a thorough inspection, the materials were handed to Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Lord Hokage, there are no problems."

Only then did a slight smile appear on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face, and he nodded at Hatake Sakumo. "Good, thank you for your hard work."

Hatake Sakumo nodded and continued to stand guard beside him.

Looking at the contents of the documents, Hiruzen Sarutobi only felt the passage of time and the changes it brought. His former comrades, who had once stood by his side and dedicated themselves to the village, were now beginning to get involved in such matters.

Even the name of the scapegoat was already written on this document.

"Homura, why are you here?"

"As Koharu said, do you also have something to report to me?"

"Hand it over here, let me take a look at it all."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

At this point, Mitokado Homura had decided to accept his fate. He took out the documents he had brought and even proactively handed them directly to Hatake Sakumo.

Since the matter had been exposed, he had no intention of resisting.

Within Konohagakure, as long as Hiruzen Sarutobi remained on the Hokage's seat for a single day, his primary identity was not that of his former comrade, but the Hokage of the village.

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly read through the documents of the two. The paper was crumpled in his hands.

After a long silence, Hiruzen finally spoke, "White Fang, you can leave now."

Hatake Sakumo's figure instantly disappeared from the room, leaving only the three of them inside.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze fell upon the two of them. "Do you have anything else to add?"

Mitokado Homura shook his head, and Utatane Koharu did the same.

Before this, she had called Mitokado Homura here to discuss countermeasures, but before they could even confer, Hiruzen had directly brought people to the Medical Department. Now, Utatane Koharu naturally felt it was best to act the same way as Mitokado Homura.

"Very good. Since you have quickly identified the mastermind, it saves the Anbu and the Police Department from wasting time investigating."

"However, having the Yamanaka Clan assist in the examination is still unavoidable."

"Koharu, remember to send those individuals to Root."

Root?

When this word was spoken by Hiruzen, the calm Utatane Koharu had painstakingly maintained instantly turned to panic. She hurried forward to Hiruzen Sarutobi's side, her words carrying a plea.

"Hiruzen, these individuals are, after all, my clansmen. For my sake, could you let the Anbu handle this matter, please?"

Mitokado Homura looked at Utatane Koharu's retreating back, his eyes filled with great doubt.

No, what exactly did you write on that document? Your clansmen? Wasn't this your idea?

Even now, you're still not being honest, trying to protect yourself?

"Koharu, your guts are… that big?"

"The Anbu are busy with missions right now and don't have time for these trivial matters. You know the current state of the ninja world, so you can rest assured about Root. When it comes to interrogation, they're even more outstanding than the Anbu and won't miss a single detail."

After speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and walked to the office door.

"Konoha isn't our Konoha; it's everyone's Konoha. This kind of thing must not happen again."

"White Fang, let's go."

Swish

The door was opened by Hatake Sakumo outside, and the two figures gradually walked away.

After they left, Utatane Koharu slumped into the chair, her palms trembling uncontrollably.

"Koharu, sigh… you're being foolish!" Mitokado Homura shook his head, disappointed.

"How could you… how could you be so insincere in front of Hiruzen?"

"But… isn't this something we all know? How could I have imagined Hiruzen wouldn't even consider our past relationship this time?"

"No, I have to go see Danzo."

As Utatane Koharu got up from the chair, wanting to leave, Mitokado Homura grabbed her arm.

"Don't go. It's useless. If even Hiruzen doesn't care about past favors, do you think Danzo will?"

"Then what else can I do! Do I have to kneel before Hiruzen like those subordinates!" Utatane Koharu said somewhat hysterically.

Mitokado Homura just shook his head helplessly upon hearing this. "Koharu, have you misunderstood something?"

"When Master Tobirama's will was established and Hiruzen succeeded as Hokage, we already became his subordinates…"