Bang!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Amid the blasts of celebratory cannons, a sea of shoulder-to-shoulder spectators slowly poured into the enormous arena, which could accommodate tens of thousands. On every stand, conversations and clamor blended into a chaotic din, drowning the entire arena in an ocean of celebration.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood on the main viewing platform, gazing out at the spectators in the other stands. There was a hint of pride in his eyes, as well as concern.
According to the intelligence the Anbu had gathered over the past half month, Takigakure and Kusagakure had been ruled out as suspects among the allied nations. Otogakure had been confirmed as the ninja village established by Orochimaru. As for Sunagakure...
Suddenly, Hiruzen Sarutobi concealed the worry in his eyes and turned with a smile toward the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, who was slowly approaching from his left alongside several guards. His eyes narrowed slightly. "I thought you weren't coming. Hahaha, you must be tired after such a long journey, Fourth Kazekage."
"Not at all. It is fortunate that the venue is in Konoha." The Fourth Kazekage, disguised by Orochimaru, spoke slowly, opening with a cold jab. "Though you are still young, if you had been specifically required to travel to Sunagakure for this gathering, it would surely have been exhausting for the Third."
Houka, disguised as a guard and standing behind them with a face covering, nearly had his heart leap out of his chest the moment Orochimaru spoke. This guy's tone really was... sharp.
Was he afraid no one would get suspicious?
Orochimaru continued sharply, "I think you should decide on a successor soon. Otherwise, should some accident happen one day, great Konoha would be left leaderless."
"Hahahaha, don't treat me like an old man. I still plan to keep at it for