Meanwhile, inside the Hokage's office.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi examined all the intelligence on Ye Feng. Even every conversation he had while out had been recorded in detail. This also demonstrated the Third Hokage's terrifying control over the village.
"Shinnosuke, what do you think?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked the Anbu operative standing opposite him. This Anbu operative was Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eldest son and the commander of the Anbu.
"I've already gone to see this boy. There was only a faint chakra response inside his body, but his physical strength was astonishing. I investigated him as well. Just over two months ago, he was still an ordinary child, with nothing unusual about him. For him to change this much in just over two months is truly astonishing. If we could obtain the secret behind this transformation, the benefits to the village would be enormous," Sarutobi Shinnosuke replied after some thought.
"Everyone has their own secrets. How would forcibly demanding them make us any different from bandits? From this boy's words and actions, we can see that he is different from ordinary members of the Uchiha Clan. He has his own methods and principles, and that is what I value more."
"You mean you want to recruit Uchiha Yefeng? But he's a member of the Uchiha Clan. Haven't you and the other three advisers always been at odds with the Uchiha Clan?" Sarutobi Shinnosuke asked in surprise.
"Uchiha Yefeng's conduct is more in keeping with the Will of Fire. Now that his talent has emerged, the Uchiha Clan will certainly put him in an important position. If we could secretly bring him over to our side..." Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped halfway through.
"You want to turn Uchiha Yefeng into a spy planted within the Uchiha Clan?"
"Why not? With such talent and temperament, he will certainly become a pillar of the village once he matures. Besides, with him inside the Uchiha Clan, all their movements will be laid bare to us. Then the Uchiha Clan will no longer be a threat," Hiruzen Sarutobi said confidently.
Inside an underground building on the outskirts of Konoha.
The information the Third Hokage had read, along with his conversation with Sarutobi Shinnosuke, had all been recorded.
A person dressed similarly to an Anbu operative knelt on one knee before a one-eyed man in gray-white robes, with bandages wrapped around his forehead and half his face. This one-eyed man was Shimura Danzō, known as the "Darkness of Konoha." The kneeling person was a member of Root, which Shimura Danzō commanded.
After reading the intelligence submitted by this Root member, Shimura Danzō chuckled.
"Hiruzen, you're still as hypocritical and naive as ever. Only when powerful strength is in your own hands can you rest easy. Send someone in the Hokage's name to bring Uchiha Yefeng to see me."
By then, Ye Feng was already in class. Obito Uchiha had once again arrived late because he had helped an old lady cross the road, and the teacher had punished him by making him stand.
During the break, Obito Uchiha heard about Uchiha Yefeng's battle record. Surprised and curious, he grabbed Ye Feng and peppered him with questions. Ye Feng brushed them all aside by saying that Obito Uchiha was lazy and did not train diligently.
Just then, their homeroom teacher, Sato Ichiki, walked in, accompanied by someone dressed similarly to an Anbu operative.
"Uchiha Yefeng, Lord Third Hokage has sent someone for you. Go with him," Sato Ichiki called to Ye Feng.
Ye Feng looked at the man and noticed the sinister air he exuded. His mask was also slightly different from those of regular Anbu. Familiar with Naruto, Ye Feng immediately determined that this man was definitely not one of the Hokage's Anbu and was probably from Root. He thought to himself:
Looks like I got a little carried away this time. I've actually caught the attention of the Darkness of Konoha. Once I get to Root, things will be out of my hands. I have to find a way to save myself.
"All right, coming, Mr. Sato Ichiki!" Ye Feng replied loudly, while whispering to Obito Uchiha, "Go out and find Lord Orochimaru right now. Tell him I've been taken away by Root and hope he'll help. If Lord Orochimaru isn't willing to help, tell him the word 'immortality.' Hurry!"
With a harmless expression on his face, Ye Feng skipped along after this "Anbu" operative.
After leaving the school, Ye Feng still felt uneasy. If Obito failed to bring Orochimaru before he reached Root, he would be in trouble. So Ye Feng began stalling for time. First he kicked a stone and stopped to rub his foot, then he urgently needed to find somewhere to pee, then his stomach hurt and he wanted to go to the hospital. At first, this "Anbu ninja" waited patiently, but later he seemed to realize that Ye Feng was doing it deliberately. He immediately spoke to Ye Feng in a feigned gentle voice:
"If we waste any more time, we'll both be punished by Lord Hokage. How about I carry you?"
"No, no. Being held by strangers makes me uncomfortable all over, like I'm being pricked with needles."
Now Ye Feng knew he could not stall any longer, and he slowly followed the "Anbu ninja" onward.
Meanwhile, although Obito Uchiha did not know what had happened, he knew it was no simple matter. He immediately went to Orochimaru's residence, only to be told that Orochimaru had gone out with Jiraiya and Tsunade. Unable to find Orochimaru, Obito grew anxious and went up to every ninja he encountered to ask about Orochimaru's whereabouts.
His efforts finally paid off. A Jonin told him that Orochimaru was at an izakaya with Jiraiya and Tsunade, and Obito immediately rushed over.
Soon afterward, Obito Uchiha found Orochimaru and frantically explained Ye Feng's situation to him.
Given who the Sannin were, they immediately knew that Shimura Danzō was the one who had sent for Ye Feng, and they also guessed his intentions. They simply did not care. Even Orochimaru, who had some interest in Ye Feng, did not want to offend Shimura Danzō over him.
Seeing their reaction, Obito Uchiha knew that, just as Ye Feng had predicted, Orochimaru was unwilling to intervene. He hurriedly said to Orochimaru:
"Ye Feng asked me to give you one word: 'immortality'!"
At that word, a sharp gleam visibly flashed through Orochimaru's eyes, and he stared straight at Obito. Under that gaze, Obito felt as though a wild beast were watching him, and a chill ran through his whole body.
Then he heard Orochimaru's voice. "All right, I agree."
Jiraiya and Tsunade also looked astonished, surprised by Orochimaru's sudden change in attitude, while also pondering what the word "immortality" meant.
Before you continue