Danzo Will Lead Root Out in Full Force

Zabuza Momochi, hiding in the shadows, had already gripped the Executioner's Blade. If Orochimaru dared make a reckless move, he would strike.

"Sharingan, Uzumaki Clan, Ice Release..." Orochimaru licked his long tongue. He felt incredibly lucky today; he had never expected that brat Nine-Tails to deliver so many great gifts to him.

To Orochimaru, anyone with a rare and unusual physique was excellent experimental material.

Just as Orochimaru could no longer hold himself back from making a move, Haku spoke. "Lord Danzo asked me to pass along a message."

Orochimaru's expression tightened, the excitement on his face replaced by shock, because he had heard an astonishing name.

Haku's words were shocking. "Orochimaru, you may do as you please in Konoha Village. Root will remain still and will not interfere with you."

Root, also known as the ANBU Training Department, was founded and led by Danzo Shimura. It was Konoha Village's most mysterious ninja organization, its deepest-hidden force, also known as Konoha's sword.

Orochimaru's heart trembled. He had not expected Danzo Shimura to know that he had infiltrated Konoha. It was simply unbelievable.

Orochimaru had secretly prepared for the Konoha Crush Plan for many years and had made ample preparations. Yet Danzo Shimura had somehow seen through it all. There had to have been a flaw somewhere.

"You're Danzo Shimura's man?" Naruto Uzumaki's face surfaced in Orochimaru's mind. Could Nine-Tails also be Danzo Shimura's man? Has Konoha's Nine-Tails already pledged allegiance to Danzo... What exactly is the Third Hokage doing? Why would Nine-Tails side with Danzo Shimura...

Orochimaru had been away from Konoha for far too long. He had never imagined that Konoha's internal situation had changed so drastically.

"Lord Danzo permits you to take Sasuke away. Konoha Village has no need for members of the Uchiha Clan," Haku continued. "But Karin in your hands must be left for Lord Danzo."

"Otherwise, Lord Danzo will lead Root out in full force and drive all of you Sound Ninja and Sand Ninja out!"

Orochimaru's pupils contracted. This pale-skinned boy had to be Danzo Shimura's man. Other than Danzo Shimura, who else in all of Konoha possessed such intelligence-gathering abilities, enough to uncover nearly every one of Orochimaru's hidden cards?

The Konoha Crush Plan was an alliance between the Sound Ninja founded by Orochimaru and the Sand Ninja of the Land of Wind. Together, they would attack Konoha.

"As expected of Danzo Shimura. I underestimated him. If he were willing to help the Third Hokage, Konoha Village truly would be invincible." Orochimaru was convinced. Looking at the bigger picture, he could not provoke Danzo Shimura. If Danzo Shimura emerged, the Konoha Crush Plan would certainly fail.

"You've seen through my plan, so you must have planted a spy by my side." Orochimaru probed, "I will find that spy."

"The spy you planted in Konoha was actually the spy we planted beside you," Haku said bluntly. In truth, he was panicking inside. He was afraid of saying something wrong and being seen through by Orochimaru.

Upon hearing those words, another face appeared in Orochimaru's mind: Kabuto!

Kabuto was the spy Orochimaru had planted in Konoha, gathering intelligence on Konoha and Sasuke for him. They had known each other for many years and shared a deep bond.

Impossible! The spy can't be Kabuto! Kabuto wouldn't betray me! Cold sweat finally beaded on Orochimaru's forehead. He recalled all his experiences with Kabuto. They were both master and friend, working together flawlessly. Orochimaru truly did not want to believe that Kabuto would sell him out.

"Will you trade?" Haku pressed. "Hand over Karin, and you can take Sasuke. Otherwise, Lord Danzo can ensure that you never obtain the Sharingan."

Orochimaru let out a deep breath and threw the red-haired girl in his hand away. Karin hit the ground and cried out in pain, "Ah—"

Orochimaru glanced to the side and discovered that others were lying in ambush nearby. They were likely ninjas sent by Danzo, though that person was actually Zabuza Momochi.

His plan to attack Konoha had been completely exposed, Sasuke was still in Danzo's hands, and Danzo had even arranged an ambush. Every link had been handled without a flaw. Orochimaru had no choice.

Haku dispelled Ice Release: Ice Rock Dome. The ice walls shattered inch by inch. Haku left Sasuke where he was, then flashed to Karin's side and fled with her. Zabuza Momochi fled as well.

"The plan has already been exposed. It can only be moved up, not delayed." Watching Haku leave with Karin, Orochimaru said calmly, "The longer it drags on, the more unexpected variables there will be." After saying that, Orochimaru walked toward Sasuke step by step.

Orochimaru gave Sasuke a simple examination and found that he had merely fainted because steel needles had pressed on his acupoints. Once the needles were removed, Sasuke would awaken.

Orochimaru removed the steel needles from Sasuke, and Sasuke slowly woke up. The moment he opened his eyes and saw a sinister face, he was startled and immediately leaped back.

"Hehehehe..." Orochimaru had finally met Sasuke. The joy in his heart was written all over his face. He wanted to test Sasuke first and see whether Sasuke was qualified to become his vessel.

Sasuke looked around and found himself alone in an unfamiliar place. A female ninja from Hidden Grass Village stood before him, and most importantly, an eerie, chilling aura radiated from her.

"Who are you? Did you use genjutsu on me?" Sasuke sensed that something was wrong. His mind was completely blank; he did not know why he had come here or when the person before him had appeared.

Orochimaru revealed a mocking, wicked smile. He did not want to waste words on Sasuke and immediately attacked, impatient to test Sasuke's aptitude.

Sasuke's face filled with terror, as though he had been targeted by a venomous snake.

Elsewhere, Sakura shouted, "Sasuke!"

Naruto also called out beside her in a performative manner, "Sasuke, can you hear me? Answer me!"

"Naruto, we should split up and search."

"Okay." Naruto nodded. "Be careful of enemies. We shouldn't get too far apart."

Sakura was frantic with worry. Ignoring Naruto, she went off alone to search for Sasuke.

At that moment, Zabuza Momochi and Haku appeared beside Naruto together. Zabuza Momochi said, "The mission you commissioned was quite thrilling, but we completed it smoothly."

"Of course." Naruto said proudly. "Orochimaru didn't make things difficult for you, did he?"

Haku said, "Orochimaru wanted to make a move, but when he heard Danzo's name, he became wary. Especially when Orochimaru heard that Konoha had planted a spy by his side, he immediately agreed to the trade."

In fact, Naruto had taught Haku all the tactics he used while speaking with Orochimaru.

Zabuza Momochi said, "You spent so much money and put so much thought into this, all for this girl? You even sold out your companion just to get her?" Zabuza Momochi looked at Karin, unable to see what was special about the red-haired girl.

"I would never sell out a companion," Naruto said. "Don't underestimate Sasuke. I know Sasuke's potential. I handed Sasuke over to Orochimaru because Orochimaru will be the one who dies in the end."

"Who are you people?" Karin suddenly shouted. Her voice was so loud that Sakura in the distance heard it as well.

"..." Cold sweat streamed down Naruto's face. He hurriedly said, "Gag her and take her back to my house. Don't mistreat her. From today onward, you are my companion."