News of Uchiha Ying Yue and the others' return to Konoha spread quickly throughout the village. Their encounter with more than a hundred enemies who had tried to surround and kill them drew particular attention and sparked widespread discussion.
While villagers and shinobi were stunned by Uchiha Ying Yue's formidable strength, they were also deeply unsettled by the leak of Konoha's intelligence.
"Ying Yue Squad nearly got silenced. How on earth did that information get leaked?"
"Our shinobi can be hunted by enemy-village ninja while carrying out missions? That's terrifying!"
"If this information could get leaked, could we be next?"
These discussions gathered momentum, eventually turning into doubts about Konoha High Command.
Shinobi and villagers began voicing serious concerns about the intelligence leak. Some even demanded a thorough investigation to uncover any possible spies.
It wasn't long before the news reached Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
At the time, he was already troubled by the incident. The pressure of public opinion in the village made him realize that its impact might be far more serious than he had expected.
What weighed on him even more was that Uzumaki Mito had also learned of the incident.
As Senju Hashirama's widow, Uzumaki Mito had always been one of the spiritual pillars of Konoha.
She cared deeply about Uchiha Ying Yue. When she learned that he had nearly died because of the intelligence leak, she summoned Hiruzen Sarutobi and demanded a clear explanation.
"Hiruzen, this matter must not be brushed aside. Ying Yue is someone I care about, and he nearly died at the hands of the enemy. You must get to the bottom of this intelligence leak and give me and the village an answer." Uzumaki Mito's voice was firm, her authority impossible to defy.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart sank. He knew Uzumaki Mito's