Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe-holding hand suddenly froze.
"Orochimaru?"
Smoke rose, obscuring the complicated expression on his face.
That name had once belonged to his finest student-and to one of Konoha's most dangerous missing-nin.
"Kazekage, please explain."
Rasa held nothing back.
He began with Orochimaru inviting Sunagakure to take part in the Konoha Crush Plan.
Then he recounted his firm refusal, and the figure hidden in a black trench coat whom Orochimaru had called his "latest creation," supposedly strong enough to take on Cangyue.
"Orochimaru has already infiltrated Konoha."
Rasa said gravely, "He hasn't disguised his face or changed his clothes. Hokage, I suggest you make preparations as soon as possible."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.
The Barrier Team had raised no alarm, and the Sensing Unit had detected nothing unusual.
If Orochimaru had really entered Konoha without concealing himself, as Rasa claimed, he should have left some trace.
Unless he had developed some new concealment technique.
"Someone, come here."
An Anbu appeared in the office instantly.
"Tell the Barrier Team to recheck the village barriers. Assign more people to monitor the Otogakure delegation, and put the Sensing Unit on alert."
"Yes, sir."
The Anbu departed with his orders.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, was not overly worried.
Compared to Orochimaru, the Akatsuki, who had openly walked into Konoha, warranted far more vigilance right now.
It wasn't that he had lacked the ability to stop Orochimaru from escaping back then. He simply hadn't been able to bring himself to do it because of their bond as teacher and student.
If Orochimaru remained unrepentant, he would show no mercy this time.
"Kazekage, thank you for the information."
Rasa said earnestly, "The Land of Wind and the Land of Fire are allies. It is only right that we look out for each other."
Those words were utterly sincere.