Itachi spent the entire afternoon in the ANBU archives.
Keno's file number belonged to Root's internal system and was not publicly accessible, but records of former members were transferred to ANBU for filing. Under the regulations, every ninja who left Root had to undergo three months of behavioral observation, reporting to ANBU at regular intervals during that time. His file should have contained his basic information, his reason for leaving, his guarantor's signature, and three check-in records.
When Itachi received the file, he turned to the last page first. There was only one check-in record, dated two months earlier. The next two fields were blank, stamped in red with "Failed to report by deadline."
He frowned. Missing a check-in meant the person in question had slipped out of surveillance, yet the file contained no record of subsequent action. No investigation report, no notification to the Jonin Commander, no follow-up measures of any kind. That alone was abnormal. According to procedure, a single missed check-in should have triggered an investigation, with ANBU sending someone to verify the person's whereabouts and report back. But Keno's file stopped right there, as though someone had deliberately cut it off.
Itachi closed the file and asked the Chunin in charge of the archives, "Who has accessed this file recently?"
The Chunin flipped through the register and pointed to an entry. "Someone came to look at it last week. The signature is... Temple."
Temple. Him again.
Itachi put the file back and left the archives. He walked toward Root's base, stopping just short of the entrance. Danzo was now barred from contact with Root personnel, but the base itself had not been sealed off. Under the Third Hokage's decision that day, Root's operations required approval, but its day-to-day activities continued. Temple was inside.
Itachi did not