"You're no longer planning to return to the village, are you?!"
Minato Namikaze also harbored some resentment toward the Third Hokage. That kind old man had met such a tragic end, yet the Third Hokage, who had been colleagues and friends with the elder he respected for over forty years, showed no intention of conducting a serious investigation. This left Minato Namikaze with certain feelings toward Sarutobi Hiruzen as well.
"I don't know what Jiraiya-sensei intends to do, but I believe he will still head to the battlefield in the Land of Water!"
Minato Namikaze's formulaic answer made Sarutobi Hiruzen smile bitterly and shake his head. He then rose to his feet, looked toward Kage Rock, and said to the three of them, "All right! You may leave. As for the mysterious man, since you are certain he is already dead, do not investigate this matter for now. Minato, go to the Land of Lightning as the Land of Fire's envoy. Deliver gifts to celebrate the Fourth Raikage's inauguration, and engage in friendly exchanges with them. At this stage, it seems the Land of Lightning has quite a few grievances against Konoha!"
"Understood! I'll go back and prepare immediately! Then we'll take our leave!"
The three left, and at that moment, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu slowly emerged from behind the screen. Mitokado Homura adjusted the glasses on his nose and spoke as he looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was still staring at Kage Rock.
"It is already obvious that Orochimaru planned this incident. Although he concealed his identity with a clone transformation technique, there was still a flaw. Before Wu died, he held a single character in his hand—the character for snake! I have investigated it. Three months ago, a group of around thirty A-rank missing-nin was gathered through