Only a few months later, the disappearance of Third Kazekage was like a spark thrown into boiling oil, instantly detonating the tension in the entire Shinobi World.
In the first few months, the rumors only spread in the dark. But soon, this storm roared from the desert of Sunagakure to every corner of Shinobi World.
Konoha The air has become solemn from unknown time.
Senju Chen walked on the way to the Hokage building, keenly capturing these changes.
He had just returned from an escort mission. The mission itself was not difficult, but what he saw along the way all confirmed that the pace of war was approaching. Land of Grass The number of ninjas stationed at the border station doubled; on the caravan heading to Land of Waterfalls, the interrogation became extremely strict.
"Chen."
A cold voice sounded from behind.
Senju Chen turned around and saw Kakashi Hatake, who was wearing a ninja vest and his figure was getting taller and taller. Months of teasing cats and dogs had left us, a little ice cube, with an indescribable fatigue hidden in our sharp eyes.
"Kakashi, long time no see." A familiar sunny smile appeared on Senju Chen's face.
"Just finished the mission?" Kakashi's eyes swept over him, resting on the slightly dusty corners of his clothes.
"Well, the same goes for you." Senju Chen looked at the kitten in his arms and said while holding back a smile.
Kakashi didn't answer, which was regarded as acquiescence. He was silent for a moment, seeming to organize his words, and finally said in his signature cold tone, "There are more and more missions on the border. You... be careful."
After saying that, he hugged the cat and passed Senju Chen without looking back.
The smile at the corner of Senju Chen's mouth deepened. This awkward guy, since being attacked by his Chunin identity, has practiced like a madman. Minato Namikaze once "complained" to him, saying that Kakashi's current level of effort made him feel a lot of pressure.
It seems that the stimulation that night had an extraordinary effect.
Hokage's Office.
The smoke was filling the air. Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath from the pipe, and the smoke rings he exhaled were filled with an indescribable sadness. His wrinkled face was full of exhaustion and solemnity.
"Little Chen, you're here." He raised his eyelids, his cloudy eyes revealed a glimmer of scrutiny, "I read the mission report this time, and it was done very well."
"It's all Lord Hokage's guidance." Senju Chen bowed his head respectfully, keeping his attitude very low.
"Haha, you kid is still so good at talking." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled rarely, but the smile didn't reach his eyes, "But now is not the time for polite words."
He knocked his pipe in the ashtray and looked serious. "Sunagakure has formally lodged representations with us. They claim to have evidence that the disappearance of Third Kazekage is related to Konoha."
"Is it framed?" Senju Chen's tone was very calm, as if he was stating a fact.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flashed with surprise. He didn't expect that an eight-year-old child could hit the nail on the head without any emotion. He nodded and said solemnly, "That's right. This is a baseless slander and an excuse for them to launch a war. Iwagakure is ready to move at the Land of Earth border, Kumogakure has also sent additional manpower, and Kirigakure has blocked the sea area... The war is probably unavoidable."
The air in the office seemed to be frozen.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the entire Konoha.
"Konoha, we need unity at this time." He turned his back to Senju Chen, his voice was low and powerful.
Senju Chen understands in his heart. The time has come for the showdown.
"Your teacher Orochimaru will also go to the front line. I promised Tsunade to protect you, but now it's a war." There was a hint of weakness in Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice, "So, the village needs you."
Senju Chen understands what Hiruzen Sarutobi is talking about. He is now the flag being pushed out by Senju Faction. At this time, Hiruzen Sarutobi needs the absolute support of Senju Faction in order to give it a go in the next war.
Instead of being constrained by high-level officials after issuing an order, after all, war is all about the speed of soldiers.
"I understand, Lord Hokage." Senju Chen raised his head, his dark eyes clear. "The name of Senju and the power of Wood Release are honors and responsibilities. For the sake of the village and to protect the people I cherish, I have already made up my mind."
His voice is not loud, but it is loud.
I, Senju Chen, have been on the front line. You senior officials who usually use the banner of Senju can't just ignore everything. You need to provide money and people, and then just pray that I don't die on the battlefield.
He originally just wanted Senju Chen to express his position so that he could have a reason to manipulate the senior officials, but he did not expect that Senju Chen was actually prepared to join in and throw himself into this war.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the young man in front of him with mixed feelings in his heart.
After leaving the Hokage building, it was already dark.
Senju Chen turned into an inconspicuous alley and expertly tapped three long and two short codes on the wall. The stone wall in front of him slid open silently, revealing the cold stairs leading underground.
The further down you go, the smell of formalin mixed with the smell of disinfectant and blood becomes stronger, like the smelly mouth of hell.
The laboratory was brightly lit, and a row of huge glass culture tanks occupied the entire wall. They were soaked with various bizarre biological tissues, some of which were still twitching slightly.
Orochimaru is facing away from the entrance, admiring his "collection" obsessively. He is wearing a white research coat, and his golden vertical pupils reflect an inhuman luster under the light.
"Teacher."
Senju Chen's voice broke the eerie tranquility.
Orochimaru slowly turned around and let out a hissing laugh, "Hehehe...Little Chen, you're here."
He looked Senju Chen up and down, his eyes as sharp as a scalpel. "I smell like the old man on him. It seems that he has finally made up his mind."
The "taste" in his mouth does not refer to smell, but a unique smell that belongs to the center of power.
"Lord Hokage needs Senju to express his position. I told him that I will go to the front line." Senju Chen reported calmly, as if he was talking about a trivial matter that had nothing to do with him.
"Let you go to the front line?" The smile on Orochimaru's face deepened, with undisguised sarcasm and malice, "Hehehe... it's really interesting. If you die on the battlefield, those old guys will probably dig Hokage Rock in tears."
He paused and then changed the subject. "But you brat has quite an idea. Those old guys will definitely be roasted on the fire by you, and I'm afraid they will bleed profusely."
Senju Chen is noncommittal.
"The battlefield is a good place." Orochimaru's tone became solemn, "The withering and blooming of life only occurs in an instant. For you, it is the best catalyst."
I don't know what Orochimaru thought of, and his eyes suddenly dimmed.
"This time, you stay with me."
"Yes, teacher." Senju Chen's expression and tone did not fluctuate at all.
"That's right." Orochimaru straightened up, picked up a document from the experimental table filled with scrolls and bottles and jars, and threw it over.
Senju Chen Catch it steadily.
"The latest information from Land of Rain." Orochimaru's voice was full of amusement, "That old guy Hanzo of the Salamander is ready to join forces with us Konoha to deal with Sunagakure."
Senju Chen quickly opened the information and glanced at it.
Land of Rain, located at the junction of three major countries, has always been the meat grinder of war. And Hanzo of the Salamander is a legendary figure who single-handedly suppressed the entire Amegakure and gave Jiraiya and them the title of "Sannin".
Such a person would actually take the initiative to show favor to Konoha?
"Land of Wind has a big appetite this time and wants to swallow Land of Rain together." Orochimaru sneered, "Hanzō old man His village is about to be destroyed. Instead of being chewed to the bone by Sunagakure, why not drag us along and see if we can tear off a piece of flesh from Sunagakure."
"What does he want from us?" Senju Chen asked.
Orochimaru licked his lips, a dark light flashing in his eyes.
"He invited our elite Konoha to join Land of Rain and jointly build a line of defense against Sunagakure."
"Of course, this is just a superficial statement."
"Actually, the real purpose this time is, Land of Water--Kirigakure"