Orochimaru Ignites a Storm!

Although the Scroll of Seals remained, most of the sealing scrolls within it had clearly been flipped through.

Given Orochimaru's talent, memorizing all of this was hardly a difficult task.

The only reason he didn't take it with him was to avoid giving Konoha any more reasons to pursue him.

Once he defected, he would undoubtedly be classified as an S-rank missing-nin.

If he had also stolen the Scroll of Seals, Konoha would likely spare no cost to hunt him down.

By killing Sarutobi Shinnosuke, he ensured that Sarutobi Hiruzen would not mobilize the entire strength of Konoha just for his own son.

Orochimaru understood his teacher very well.

"Now..."

"I will go!"

"I will definitely bring him back!"

A heavy expression appeared on Jiraiya's face.

He had already sensed that something was wrong with Orochimaru, but he hadn't expected...

"Hokage-sama, we have discovered several secret bases within the village; they are all Orochimaru's experimental labs."

"There is no one left, only some remaining corpses and experimental equipment..."

At this moment, an Anbu member appeared on the scene.

Upon hearing the Anbu member's report, a look of regret appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face.

Back then, he had actually discovered that Orochimaru was conducting secret experiments.

However, due to Danzo's protection and the fact that Orochimaru was his own disciple, he hadn't eliminated him immediately.

As a result, this situation had now come to pass...

"Issue an S-rank wanted notice. All Konoha ninja are authorized to attack on sight if they obtain intelligence on Orochimaru."

"If you are outmatched, report the information immediately."

"Captain Fugaku, the village needs a thorough purge; I leave that to you."

After Sarutobi Hiruzen finished speaking, he seemed to lose all his strength, turning around and leaving the area.

Inside a secret chamber.

"Is this also part of your plan?"

Danzo looked at the two people in front of him with some confusion.

"Unclear. This step was not in our plan."

"Furthermore, our two clans were already prepared, yet it started from his own side..."

Mitokado Homura was also completely bewildered.

At the very least, according to the intelligence he had received, there was no such plan.

Moreover, he didn't believe Sarutobi Hiruzen was capable of using his own son as a sacrifice.

"Regardless of what Hiruzen is thinking, since the first step has been taken, let's make preparations."

"Danzo, you had best ensure no one discovers any connection between you and Orochimaru."

Utatane Koharu looked at Danzo with suspicion.

Among all the high-ranking officials in Konoha, Danzo had the closest relationship with Orochimaru.

And that guy was like a madman, acting without regard for the consequences.

Both of them were afraid of being implicated.

"I did not participate in this matter."

"Disrupting the situation brings me no benefits whatsoever."

Danzo felt somewhat helpless.

Right now, the person most likely to be suspected was Danzo.

However, he hadn't participated, nor had he gained any advantage.

Instead, it had only created a rift between the high-ranking officials of Konoha and himself.

Danzo felt quite frustrated by the situation.

The three of them dispersed from the meeting, each harboring their own hidden agendas.

Within the Uchiha clan.

"Sarutobi Shinnosuke is dead?"

"Orochimaru has defected?"

Roy's voice emanated from the mouth of a crow.

"Yes."

"Furthermore, the Uchiha now have a status: that of purging spies from within the village."

"Is Sarutobi Hiruzen trying to scheme against us?"

Uchiha Fugaku asked directly.

The one controlling the crow on the side was Uchiha Shisui.

"Clan Leader, just follow the Third's arrangements regarding this status."

"Keep a close eye on those high-ranking officials, but regardless of whether they are problematic or not, do not take action for the time being."

Roy's voice came through once again.

"Understood."

"Roy, is your current mission nearing its end?"

Uchiha Fugaku asked again.

"Almost. In the next village, I should be able to obtain effective information."

"Clan Leader, the clan now possesses two pairs of Mangekyō, both of which are loyal to the clan."

"Recently, you must remain steady and avoid being drawn into the power struggles of the higher-ups."

"The training of the clan's ninja must continue; for those who refuse to obey, have Brother Shisui deal with them."

"Sometimes, within the Uchiha clan, violence can still solve a few problems."

Lu Yu thought for a moment before speaking directly.

"Me?"

Shisui was completely bewildered.

It was true that since he became the vice-captain of the Konoha Military Police Force, there had been some murmurs within the clan.

However, as far as Shisui was concerned, he didn't care about such voices at all.

As long as these guys didn't cause trouble during missions, it was fine.

"I understand."

"You all should also watch your own safety; a large number of Root and Anbu members have already left the village tonight."

After Uchiha Fugaku finished speaking, the crow before them turned into white mist and vanished.

Lu Yu watched the dissipating white mist, a grave expression appearing on his face.

Orochimaru has defected already?

If so, Orochimaru must have nearly completed his research on the Hashirama Cells by now.

He has likely mastered the Living Corpse Reincarnation as well.

It is hard to say regarding the Impure World Reincarnation, but having raided the Scripture Library, Orochimaru has certainly mastered it.

The current Orochimaru has become an extremely dangerous existence.

Moreover, this guy's target is very likely Uchiha Itachi, who is by my side.

Thinking of this, a confident smile appeared on the corner of Roy's mouth.

That guy Orochimaru... just thinking about that scenario made Roy want to laugh.

"Brother Roy, are we..."

"Don't worry about the problems within Konoha; let's execute our own mission first."

"Let's go."

After Roy finished speaking, the three of them vanished from the spot once again.

For a time, the entire ninja world was stirred into a frenzy because of Orochimaru's defection.

Land of Water, Kirigakure.

"Orochimaru defected?"

"Then, it is almost time to act; this guy should still be quite useful."

Obito looked at the intelligence in his hand, a look of pleasant surprise on his face.

"Go, this village has no more use; from here on, you are free to act on your own."

After Obito finished speaking, his Sharingan began to rotate.

Behind him, the eyes of the Mizukage, Yagura, shifted slightly before he faded into the mist.

Land of Lightning.

"Orochimaru has defected, and Konoha is currently in full pursuit."

"Now, the things left behind back then are also about time to be resolved."

After A finished speaking, several Kumogakure ninja vanished from the spot.

Iwagakure.

"Orochimaru?"

"That fellow Sarutobi Hiruzen actually got backstabbed by his own disciple."

"We can participate a little, but do not engage in a direct confrontation."

As Ōnoki spoke, he began to arrange his own ninja.

In an instant, the storm centered around Orochimaru began to slowly churn.