The Pot Is Too Big, Only Danzo Can Carry It

Whoever could mask Orochimaru's perception was the culprit.

Although Shiro Uchiha was not exactly a good person, his competence was beyond question; his judgment was precise, and he had provided Kawadera Uchiha with a vital reminder.

The focus of the investigation had to be on who possessed the ability to mask Orochimaru's perception.

What did Orochimaru use to perceive enemies? What was his sensory technique?

As he struggled to recall details from the manga, a voice startled him.

"Stop right there!"

Kawadera Uchiha turned his head to see Ken Aburame standing by the side of the tent.

His heart tightened, but he quickly reasoned that since Shiro Uchiha had used a secret technique to vanish and no one had seen him go to the latrine with Shiro, he shouldn't be exposed.

"What are you shouting for in the middle of the night!"

"Where did you go, and why were you gone for so long?"

"If I told you I have a strong bladder and a high flow rate, would you, an Aburame ninja whose pipes are clogged with bugs, get jealous?"

"You!"

Ken Aburame, unused to such vulgar language, was so incensed that dozens of Kikaichū flew out from beneath his sunglasses.

"I've heard some bugs like urine stains to replenish sodium and potassium salts. You don't happen to raise those kinds of bugs, do you? Is that why you were stalking me while I used the latrine?"

Ken Aburame knew he wasn't quick-witted enough to out-argue Kawadera Uchiha, so he angrily flicked the curtain aside and stormed into the tent.

So filthy. How can there be such a disgusting ninja?

This Ken Aburame clearly had a major issue with him, and Kawadera Uchiha wasn't about to offer a warm face to a cold backside; he would retort whenever necessary to keep his thyroid functioning smoothly.

He continued to ponder: what method could possibly mask Orochimaru's perception?

The next day, Seigetsu Senju's squad left the tent and began their mission: protecting Nawaki Senju.

During the day, Nawaki Senju trained in the practice grounds outside the camp.

Kawadera Uchiha watched from the shadows with great interest; Nawaki Senju's training focused primarily on taijutsu, consisting of the most fundamental techniques.

His original self had relied too heavily on genjutsu and had severely neglected taijutsu.

At dusk, Orochimaru, having finished his duties as deputy commander, arrived at the training grounds.

His tall, slender figure cast a long shadow.

The setting sun shone upon Orochimaru as he stood on the far side of the training ground, yet his shadow stretched for dozens of meters, reaching the very base of the camp wall.

Kawadera Uchiha, hidden behind the wall, frowned slightly; the mere fact that the shadow had reached him made him nervous.

Orochimaru was watching him!

It wasn't just him behind the wall; Ken Aburame on the watchtower, Kureya Inuzuka in the tree canopy, and Seigetsu Senju, who had merged with the rocks, were all locked onto by Orochimaru's gaze in turn.

Kawadera Uchiha peered cautiously at Orochimaru through a gap in the tree trunk behind the wall.

What kind of technique was Orochimaru using to perceive them? Why had he pinpointed all four of them so accurately and instantly?

As a reconnaissance squad, they each possessed their own unique specialties.

Ken Aburame's chakra flow was peculiar, unlike a normal person's, as all his chakra resided within his Kikaichū.

Kureya Inuzuka emitted no scent, so it was impossible for him to be exposed by smell.

Seigetsu Senju's Earth Release concealment technique was of a very high level.

How on earth did Orochimaru do it?

A hoarse voice suddenly rang out from behind him.

Through the gap in the tree stump, he was staring directly at Orochimaru, yet another Orochimaru had appeared behind him like a ghost.

Kawadera Uchiha's Sharingan spun frantically, unable to discern which was the real body and which was a shadow clone.

"Are you the squad Tsunade mentioned to protect Nawaki? How redundant, a waste of manpower, truly foolish...

Do not expose yourselves, and do not let Nawaki know you are around him. Otherwise, should danger arise, my Nawaki would still have to protect you useless lot."

Seigetsu Senju had no choice but to use the Body Flicker technique to appear behind the wall.

Seigetsu Senju said, "I understand, Orochimaru-sama."

Orochimaru sank into the earth, the ground rippling like water, demonstrating his superior control over Earth Release chakra.

Through the gap in the wooden stake, Kawadera Uchiha saw Orochimaru over there evaluating Nawaki's progress, yet he still couldn't tell which was the clone and which was the original.

They monitored in two shifts: Kawadera Uchiha and Kureya Inuzuka in one group, Seigetsu Senju and Ken Aburame in the other.

For five consecutive days, Nawaki did only one thing: train.

Without Orochimaru's accompaniment, Nawaki would not leave the main camp to execute missions; Orochimaru's care for Nawaki Senju was meticulous.

What comforted him was that Seigetsu Senju was extremely patient; she did not question the reliability of Kawadera Uchiha's intelligence and patiently monitored Nawaki Senju.

Ken Aburame, however, grew increasingly irritable.

He felt that monitoring a child here failed to reflect his true value.

His insects were becoming increasingly noisy, buzzing around his ears like mosquitoes.

Kawadera Uchiha finished his surveillance for the day and said to Seigetsu Senju during the shift change:

"Captain Seigetsu, Princess Tsunade and Lord Orochimaru have provided impeccable protection for Nawaki. I believe it is impossible for Young Clan Leader Nawaki to be harmed within the main camp.

However, Young Clan Leader Nawaki did not come here to gild his resume; he will inevitably head to the front lines to fight.

If he leaves the main camp, he will have only Lord Orochimaru as a protector.

Anyone harboring malicious intent toward Young Clan Leader Nawaki must certainly have a way to deal with Lord Orochimaru.

Therefore, whoever possesses intelligence on Lord Orochimaru is likely the enemy lurking in the shadows."

Seigetsu Senju nodded repeatedly. After several days of surveillance, Nawaki was very safe, and there had indeed been no opportunity to strike.

Kawadera's analysis made perfect sense; to deal with Nawaki, one had to get past Orochimaru first.

Seigetsu Senju said, "How about this: the three of you will rotate in shifts to protect Nawaki, and I will go find Princess Tsunade.

I will serve as an assistant by Princess Tsunade's side; since she is also a deputy commander, it will be the perfect position to observe Lord Orochimaru."

That evening, as Seigetsu Senju followed Tsunade out of the command tent, she saw Orochimaru in the distance, accepting a test tube from an Anbu operative.

Seigetsu Senju whispered, "Princess Tsunade, does Lord Orochimaru have dealings with the Anbu as well?"

Tsunade glanced over and said, "That is not the Anbu; that is Root."

"Root?"

Seigetsu Senju had only ever seen the Anbu and could not tell the difference between them and Root.

These people wore no forehead protectors and rarely used ninjutsu or secret techniques that might reveal their identities, relying primarily on taijutsu and explosive tags in combat.

When Seigetsu Senju told Kawadera Uchiha that Orochimaru had been in contact with Root, Kawadera Uchiha realized everything in an instant.

This pot was too large; only Danzō could be the one to carry it.

Within his sea of consciousness, Kawadera Uchiha said to Tobirama Senju, "Lord Second Hokage, if nothing goes wrong, your older brother's own grandson is about to be killed by your disciple, Shimura Danzō."

"Impossible! This is groundless speculation, and you have no evidence. Just because Orochimaru had contact with Root, does that prove Danzō wants to kill Nawaki?"

"Do you not believe in these eyes of mine that can see through the future?"

Just as Kawadera Uchiha was about to hoodwink Tobirama Senju, he suddenly spotted a secret signal—it was the code used by Shiro Uchiha.

Following the signal to find Shiro Uchiha, Shiro Uchiha said:

"Kawadera! After you mentioned that Nawaki Senju was suspected of mastering a forbidden technique, I mobilized every spy the Uchiha Clan has embedded on the front lines, and we finally obtained intelligence.

In two days, Orochimaru will take Nawaki's squad out to execute a mission!

We must kill Nawaki Senju at all costs and nip this danger to our clan in the bud!"

Kawadera Uchiha was stunned; had he guessed wrong?

In the sea of consciousness, Tobirama Senju said:

"Evil Uchiha, you are indeed Uchiha!"