The next day, at dawn.
Konoha seemed as though nothing had happened.
The sun rose as usual. People bustled through the streets, while children chased and played in the alleys.
However, a few observant people still noticed that something was off.
"Eh? Why isn't Uncle Hashimoto's ramen shop open today?"
"Yeah, and the Black Iron House next door that sells ninja tools is closed too."
"I heard the Police Force arrested quite a few people last night."
"Shh! Keep it down! Don't talk nonsense!"
Rumors quietly spread in private, but they were soon suppressed by an invisible force.
Deep within the Torture Department of the Hokage Building.
This place never saw daylight year-round, and the air was filled with a faint scent of blood.
Inoichi Yamanaka walked out of an interrogation room, pale-faced and drenched in sweat.
"Lord Inoichi, are you all right?"
An ANBU member hurried forward to support him.
"I'm fine."
Inoichi Yamanaka waved his hand, leaned against the cold wall, and panted heavily.
After using the Mind Reading Secret Technique continuously for more than ten hours on dozens of strong-willed spies, even he was struggling to endure it.
"How... did it go?"
Ibiki Morino, the captain of the Torture Department, walked over and handed him a flask of water.
"Thank you."
Inoichi Yamanaka took the water and gulped down several mouthfuls.
A complicated trace of lingering fear appeared on his face.
"It's even worse than we imagined."
"Stone Village, Hidden Cloud Village, Hidden Sand Village, Hidden Mist Village... not one of them is missing."
"Over the years, they planted a total of one hundred and thirty-seven spies in Konoha!"
"Hiss—"
Ibiki Morino sucked in a sharp breath.
One hundred and thirty-seven people!
The number sent a chill down his spine.
These people were worms hidden within the