"What is going on?"
His wrinkled old face was filled with deep bewilderment; Sarutobi Hiruzen simply couldn't comprehend what he was seeing.
Suppressing his surprise, the frail, elderly figure turned and walked into the distance.
Perhaps, times have truly changed.
Konoha has always practiced placing a member of the opposite sex in a three-person team to motivate or spur on the ninjas to keep moving forward.
But now, even though it's not time to be assigned to a class yet, Naruto has already found his rivals and friends.
'This is also your doing, Uchiha Huayue...'
With his eyes lowered, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a sense of disbelief and an unprecedented level of vigilance.
Historically, the Uchiha Clan has been virtually devoid of political talent, as evidenced by the fact that their two previous rebellions were easily quelled by Konoha.
But now, an outlier has emerged in the Uchiha Clan, which has always been driven by emotions.
Unmoved by external gains or losses, even in the face of such bloody and cruel scenes, no wavering or confusion could be seen in his eyes.
'What exactly is wrong with Konoha? How could the Uchiha Clan cultivate such a cold-blooded being, uprooting his weakness completely? Is this a blessing or a curse...?'
As the Third Hokage, he didn't know how long this peace, brought about by the sacrifice of countless people, could last.
"Even if there's a reckoning in the future, I hope you won't go too far, Uchiha Huayue. Otherwise, I'll risk my old life and use the Fourth Hokage's technique to drag you to the Yomi with me."
He left silently, like an invisible breeze, as if Sarutobi Hiruzen had never appeared, but buried his worries about the future of Konoha deep in his heart.
Konoha, the former headquarters of the Anbu training program.
Danzo's eyes flickered as he looked at the intelligence in his hand, his expression a mixture of satisfaction and regret.
"As expected of the most outstanding spies in the Anbu, the Wandering Shrine Maiden, and that child named Kabuto, are equally excellent..."
After saying this, Danzo shook his head slightly and handed the final order to his trusted subordinates, signaling them to immediately relay it to the two people hiding in Iwagakure.
A spy, if used well, is a sharp blade aimed at the enemy; if used poorly, it can wound you from the opposite direction.
The wandering shrine Yakushi Nonō, Yakushi Kabuto, are spies whose role in Konoha cannot be underestimated, but the risks they pose are equally significant.
Therefore, to avoid the risk of exposure, eliminating both of them would be the most advantageous decision for Konoha.
The cunning Danzo at the photos before him, a sinister smile creeping across his face.
"People's perception is too ambiguous. If it is slightly altered during the growth stage, even a foster mother who is as close as a mother and child will not be able to recognize who is in front of her."
"In the last six months, everything will come to a complete end in Iwagakure. Let the decay and darkness of Konoha rot completely in Ōnoki's village and be buried there."
His Danzo disappeared into the darkness. Danzo was now just a retired old ninja, waiting for the right time to step back into the limelight and take his rightful place.
Spring came and autumn went, and the disappearance of the Uchiha Clan did not cause much of a stir. Apart from a few scattered pieces of information circulating outside, no one cared about the rise and fall of a ninja clan.
Naruto and Sasuke also made rapid progress under Huayue's tutelage. The obvious hidden dangers seemed to have been completely resolved, and everything was moving in a positive direction.
However, outside Konoha, in a hidden corner that no one could detect.
"Are you sure it's today?"
"That's right, Danzo's scheme, which he's been planning for years, is about to begin tonight. Are you going?"
Konan was very puzzled. They were just two spies under Danzo. Why should he personally take action to save them?
"Why not? Whether for public or private reasons, they can provide me with some assistance. Besides, you also want to settle accounts with the mastermind behind the attack on Akatsuki, don't you?"
"' Hanzō the Salamander's right-hand man, Heiji the Rain-Dodger'— what an idea! That guy's long ago buried in some grave, dead as a shell, hahaha..."
At this moment, Konan's expression was slightly gloomy. When she was young and ignorant, she trusted others without even verifying their identities, which resulted in her falling into the tiger's den.
This humiliation and hatred remained etched in Konan's heart, waiting for the opportunity to take revenge.
"Speaking of which, you've been living in seclusion for so long, yet your skin has become increasingly fair and delicate, Konan..."
"Let me go..."
Huayue, who readily agreed, released her hands and disappeared into the darkness.
"Don't be impatient. Opportunities often come when you are most relaxed. Let the darkness of Konoha settle itself. Just wait and see."
Silence returned to the surroundings, and in the darkness, Konan's eyes dimmed, and she seemed slightly lost in thought.
' Yahiko, Nagato, you must live on. One day, we will meet again. As long as you endure, there will always be hope...'
That night, the moonlight was as clear as if it had been washed, and wispy clouds drifted by, adding a touch of coldness to the desolate night.
Near Iwagakure, a silver-haired boy dressed in Iwagakure attire was panting heavily. He glanced at the pursuers behind him and vaguely sensed something was wrong.
'What's going on? Why hasn't the contact person from Konoha arrived yet? What happened to Danzo's side?'
After barely calming himself down, he put a Military Ration Pill into his mouth, then opened the pocket watch in his hand. The gentle woman inside made his nerves, which were on the verge of breaking, feel a little better.
'I wonder how the Director is doing now. I hope he and Aqi are running the Orphanage better and better. I really want to go back and see him. Once this infiltration mission is over, I can go home...'
The sudden change in wind direction caused Kabuto to suppress his inner warmth, his keen intuition telling him that ninjas were lurking nearby.
After a moment of contemplation, Dou silently observed his surroundings, using his silver pocket watch as a mirror.
In an instant, a black shadow flashed by, and chakra burst forth beneath his feet. As the dust settled, a ruthless glint flashed in Kabuto's eyes.
'Why are these pursuers so troublesome? Are they the elite troops of Iwagakure?'
The Smoke Bomb in his hand flashed with Huo Guang and exploded silently in an instant. After enveloping the two figures, the Chakra Scalpel in his hand pierced the figure in the smoke with precision.
With a soft splatter, specks of blood splattered. Relying on his skills as a medical ninja, Kabuto was absolutely certain that the invisible Chakra Scalpel had pierced the enemy's vital heart.
The next second, a strong wind rose up, blowing away the dust and smoke.
The hazy moonlight shone exceptionally brightly, falling around the two of them. Behind the old-fashioned Toad Glasses, the smile in his eyes froze completely, and even his hands trembled.
" Director... how is that possible? So many years have passed, and the Director is still carrying out that mission?"
Blood gushed from the wound, and Kabuto, flustered, quickly laid Nonō flat on the ground.
" Director, I'll give you emergency treatment right away, you'll be alright!"
Under the Mystical Palm Technique, the pale green chakra barely managed to stop the gushing blood. Nonō barely opened her eyes, and the words she uttered left Kabuto stunned.
"Who are you?"