At dawn, Konoha shinobi began gathering outside Konoha Gate. Fugaku stood atop a tall building, gazing into the distance.
Orochimaru's trip was bound to be fruitless. Fugaku wondered what expression he would wear when he returned to Konoha.
As if sensing Fugaku's gaze, Orochimaru turned. His snakelike eyes pierced straight into Fugaku's, but the sharpness in them faded when he saw who it was.
Fugaku smiled and waved. An amused look crossed Orochimaru's face. Perhaps he had guessed why Fugaku had come.
In just over ten minutes, the group had assembled. More than a hundred shinobi set off and gradually vanished from Fugaku's sight.
This trip to the Land of Rain would not be peaceful. At the very least, Fugaku doubted Iwagakure would stand by while Konoha searched for Danzo. They would surely get involved.
But that had little to do with him.
He had just turned toward the Security Force when he caught sight of Tsunade and Jiraiya nearby.
He vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.
"What brings you two here to see them off?" Fugaku asked in greeting.
"Haha, Fugaku! Tsunade's younger brother Nawaki went to the Land of Rain with Orochimaru this time. I came with her to see him off," Jiraiya said with a laugh.
Fugaku was a little surprised. If Jiraiya had not mentioned him, he would almost have forgotten Nawaki's name.
Nawaki had died so early in the original world that he had barely left an impression. Only Jiraiya's words had brought him back to mind.
"What brings you here, Fugaku?" Tsunade asked.
"It's a major group mission for the village, after all. I was on my way to work at the Security Force, so I stopped by to see Orochimaru off.
"How is the Medical Reform going? I've been too busy lately to