The Bizarre Disappearance

Hokage Building

In the Hokage Office, Naraku in the Hokage's chair, holding a letter, reading word by word the mission report from the Northeast Stronghold.

"Third Hokage, Namikaze Minato is leading his ninja forces in a stalemate with the Kumogakure, resulting in some casualties on both sides."

Because the battle took place within the Land of Lightning of Land of Lightning, it inevitably caused damage to many towns and cities, leading to Land of Lightning devastation and displacement of many people.

Heh, I heard that the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning rebuked the Fourth Raikage, demanding that he expel Namikaze Minato's forces and end the war as soon as possible.

As long as Namikaze Minato maintains the stalemate, there's no Kumogakure.

Naraku smiled as he spoke of the counterattack against Kumogakure, which he had strongly supported. Namikaze Minato had led his troops for fifteen days, causing severe damage to the Land of Lightning.

This makes the peace negotiations undertaken by the previous Third Hokage appear incredibly cowardly and utterly incompetent in comparison.

The battle reports from the Land of Lightning further enhanced the reputations of Konoha's Third Shinobi World War, the Fourth Hokage Uchiha Nara and the Yellow Flash Namikaze Minato.

This is especially inspiring when compared to the numerous half-hearted attempts to negotiate peace with Hidden Sand and Iwagakure during the reigns of the Third Hokage emperor.

Before Naraku became Hokage, his leadership of the Asura of Konoha Hidden Mist negotiations greatly enhanced his reputation in Konoha. After becoming Hokage, his counterattack against Kumogakure made the Konoha proud and extremely happy.

"Minato is indeed outstanding. He is worthy of being the Hokage's assistant personally chosen by you. The Fourth Hokage's ability to recognize and appoint capable people is truly a blessing for Konoha."

However, peace is hard-won; where there is fighting, there will be sacrifice. The loss of loved ones on both sides will fuel hatred, and as the war escalates, this hatred will only deepen.

Fourth Hokage, if Kumogakure peace and can stabilize the situation as soon as possible, then so be it. Although we currently hold the advantage, Konoha cannot afford a defeat at this moment."

The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, with a pipe in his mouth, agreed with Naraku's words and then offered his advice. The dossier in the Third Hokage's hand was a backup of the mission report sent from the Northeast Stronghold.

Regarding the battle between Konoha and Kumogakure, Namikaze Minato's powerful attack and excellent results impressed and satisfied Sarutobi Hiruzen.

The Third Hokage of the family lived a stable and prudent life, rarely attacking other major powers. They were always peace-loving and willing to yield whenever possible.

Little did they know that such actions and signals would lead other countries to look down on Konoha, believing Konoha to be weak and easily bullied, resulting in repeated frictions and tragedies.

"Yes, the Third Hokage is absolutely right. Konoha needs stability right now, but as the saying goes, 'A single punch can prevent a hundred more.' This Kumogakure is the chicken used to make an example of them."

Naraku disregarded the Third Hokage's advice, but did not argue or Third Hokage.

He nodded slightly in agreement and expressed his own opinion.

"A single punch can ward off a hundred more, brilliant! But it's best to be careful with the degree of this 'killing the chicken to scare the monkey' tactic."

The Third Hokage's eyes lit up slightly at Naraku's classic quote, opening a new Daimon to his thinking; however, being the composed man he was, he ultimately decided to prioritize stability.

"I understand. With the assistance of the Third Hokage to maintain the balance, I believe there won't be any problems with the counterattack against Kumogakure."

Naraku a compliment, then turned to the scrolls to handle official business.

"Third Hokage, in the past half month, there have been a number of missing villagers, including many Chunin and Genin, and even one Jonin has gone missing. This seems to be something that ordinary people cannot do."

The Criminal Investigation Division of the Security Department worked overtime for a week to investigate the missing persons case, and finally found some clues and collected files on previous missing persons cases.

The discovery of these past and present disappearances seems to be closely related to Orochimaru, one of the Sannin Orochimaru.

These cases involved Orochimaru, a well-known Jonin in the village. The Criminal Investigation Division did not act rashly, but submitted the materials and evidence here, requesting the Hokage's decision.

"Third Hokage, please take a look at these files. I don't know what Orochimaru's intentions are in kidnapping the villagers. What do you think is the best way to handle this incident?"

Naraku up from the Hokage's desk, gathered a large pile of small scrolls in his hands, walked to the Third Hokage's desk, and placed them on the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage was quite surprised to hear Naraku's words, and a bad feeling crept into his heart.

He flipped through the scrolls handed to him by Naraku one by one, carefully observing each word. The more he read, the more his brows furrowed. When he reached the last page, the Third Hokage's expression turned angry, as if he had thought of something.

"Orochimaru has always been obsessed with ninjutsu and immortality, showing no regard for ninjutsu or living beings. Could it be that he...?"

The Third Hokage had a guess in his mind, but he wasn't sure. The contents of the scroll were shocking. The Fourth Hokage, Naraku, had been more subtle in his words, but the contents of the scroll were much more explicit.

Villagers and ninjas were kidnapped. The Criminal Investigation Division sent people into some of Orochimaru's strongholds, but they only found some cruel instruments of torture and chains, which seemed to be used to imprison hostages, but they did not find any hostages.

It is suspected that these types of strongholds are experimenting with forbidden techniques, the hostages have been killed, and the bodies have even been disposed of.

Furthermore, Orochimaru's whereabouts are elusive, and he has not shown his face in Konoha for a long time. The Criminal Investigation Division ninjas speculate that Orochimaru is currently hiding in some base. The Criminal Investigation Division staff believe that the villagers who have been missing for nearly half a month may still be alive, but they urgently need to be rescued.

The report from the Criminal Investigation Division ninjas also included a map showing the approximate location of Orochimaru, which the Criminal Investigation Division had investigated. The scroll concluded with a request for the Hokage to make a decision as soon as possible.

"Fourth Hokage, leave Orochimaru's case to me! If Orochimaru is researching forbidden techniques and wantonly harming the Konoha, I will personally kill Orochimaru as a warning to others!"

After reading all the scrolls, the Third Hokage stood up and shouted at Naraku, his eyes filled with anger. It seemed that the Third Hokage had made a connection to something.

"Good! Third Hokage, Orochimaru has fought and died for Konoha for many years, completing numerous S-rank missions, and is also your esteemed student, Third Hokage."

I hope you can give me an answer to this case as soon as possible.

Naraku in the Hokage's seat, glanced at the Third Hokage, and answered in a deep voice before continuing to peruse the scroll.

"Fourth Generation, thank you for your consideration. I will go to the stronghold to search now!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen understood that because Orochimaru was involved, the Fourth Hokage was giving him face and letting him handle it. After the Third Hokage finished speaking, he hurriedly opened the door and left.

Naraku watched the Third Hokage's departing figure, his face gentle and a smile playing on his lips. Naraku couldn't recall when Orochimaru had defected.

However, Orochimaru's defection at this time was orchestrated by Naraku, whose half-month of planning and manipulation led to the current situation.

"The title of the Third Hokage, Konoha Sannin, has long since become that of the Legendary Sannin. These legendary Chunin, who harmed villagers and experimented with forbidden ninjutsu, are now considered legends."

What's even more intriguing is that Orochimaru is your top student. When the case is revealed, you, as Orochimaru's teacher, will likely be held accountable.

The saying goes, "Like father, like son; like teacher, like disciple. "Orochimaru is evil and cruel, wantonly trampling on life.

As his teacher, what will the villagers think of you? Heh heh heh... Hahahahaha!

Naraku was muttering to himself, but then he seemed to remember something and couldn't help but laugh, finally bursting into loud laughter.