Orochimaru's Laboratory

"Before you left Konoha, you must have heard about something. Recently, Konoha had been inexplicably losing newborn babies."

Long Ye nodded, anxiety on his face. "You mean Rin's disappearance was connected to whoever was behind the baby kidnappings?"

"I can't be certain, but there had to be a connection..."

"And in the month since you left, not only had babies gone missing—even several Genin had inexplicably vanished, as though they had evaporated into thin air. The investigation had turned up nothing."

Kakashi's words caused killing intent to spill from Long Ye.

"As a Jinchuriki, Rin was dangerous, but she was also a strategic reserve for Konoha. She was normally watched closely, yet she disappeared for no reason and those people didn't even notice."

After saying that, he had already guessed who was behind this.

At the same time, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Because if his guess was right, Rin should not be in mortal danger for the time being. The other party was clearly not targeting her.

He suddenly recalled the ambush he had suffered on the road when he left.

(Could it be that Danzo bastard? He sent people after me, only for me to wipe them out. Unwilling to accept that, he came up with this dirty trick?)

The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

But he had no evidence. It was only his own speculation. Even if he found Danzo, Danzo would not admit it. He might even twist the matter and pin all sorts of charges on him. That would only make things worse.

He calmed his turbulent thoughts.

(If they were targeting me, then now that I'm back, they would definitely make their next move. Rather than search around like a headless fly, I should wait and see!)