"He really does have some skills."
In the prison, Orochimaru was a bit surprised to see someone arrive in the neighboring cell, it was none other than the Akatsuki member known as the "tailless tailed beast," Kisame. He couldn't help but speak up.
"Has he finally taken action against Akatsuki? For him to show such boldness... what a surprise."
"Orochimaru." Kisame's expression was dark, his already terrifying shark-like face now looked even more menacing. As someone known for his brute strength and ruthlessness, realizing that his comrade was actually a spy hit him hard emotionally.
"You were captured alive... What about Itachi? Don't tell me he's dead?" Orochimaru's tone carried a trace of amusement, clearly more interested in Itachi's fate.
At the mention of Itachi, Kisame's face grew even uglier. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke, "He was always a Konoha ninja."
A flicker of surprise crossed Orochimaru's eyes, followed by a smile. "How unexpected…"
After that exchange, no matter how much he tried to probe, Kisame no longer responded. He simply sat coldly in the corner, staring darkly at the ground.
In truth, he wasn't calm either. He looked down at his hands, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the wall, thinking to himself: Such a limited life, wasted in a place like this… ridiculous.
Since his capture, only Jiraiya had come by to mock him, even solemnly warning, "Behave yourself. If you try anything, it won't just be prison time next."
Naturally, he dismissed Jiraiya's words as nonsense. Yet even now, he hadn't found a way to escape this prison.
Kabuto still hasn't made a move… he muttered, fingers unconsciously tapping the ground.
And as for Hiruzen, what would his next move be?
---
I'm coming to save you!
Kabuto was currently gathering intelligence in Konoha. Ever since his strategic retreat, he knew he was the last remaining Oto ninjas.
However, after days of investigation, he had found nothing, and nearly exposed himself several times. As a result, he had to constantly switch disguises: restaurant server, street vendor, passing traveler…
Whether Orochimaru had left behind any other spies in Konoha, he didn't know either.
Please be patient a little longer. With that thought, he walked into a restaurant.
Time to eat first.
Swish!
A shuriken laced with an explosive tag came flying at him.
He dodged to the side just in time, but the shockwave from the unexpected blast still injured his left arm.
Three sharp blades of light followed immediately. He managed to dodge the strikes with unbelievable agility, and even counterattacked, landing a kick on one of the ANBU operatives.
"Ugh…" The ANBU member clutched his chest and stumbled back, then blew a whistle. "Stop watching, move in!"
In an instant, several ANBU wearing animal masks emerged from the shadows, surrounding Kabuto.
"Kabuto! You've been exposed!" the leading ANBU barked coldly.
Kabuto quickly formed a chakra scalpel with his right hand and glanced around, more ANBU were closing in from the street, rooftops, trees, even the restaurant.
It's over. I've been completely exposed… His heart sank. He had to break out. With his chakra scalpel, he launched an attack at the squad leader.
Take him out first to gain momentum.
The leader rapidly formed hand seals.
"Captain Yamato!" the surrounding ANBU quickly stepped back, clearing space for the jutsu.
In an instant, the ground shook violently. Countless thick trees erupted from below, spreading rapidly and enclosing the entire battlefield. Kabuto was forced to retreat again and again. He barely managed to cut through a few vines with his chakra scalpel, but more and more trees wrapped tightly around him.
Wood Release!
This was an organized capture operation. Clearly, he had been exposed much earlier than he thought.
Yamato clapped his hands together, and more vines surged up from the ground, binding Kabuto's feet tightly.
Kabuto gritted his teeth and tried to slice through the vines with his chakra scalpel, but Yamato was already closing in.
Suddenly, Kabuto threw out several smoke bombs, and thick smoke quickly filled the area. Yamato swiftly retreated, forming hand seals again.
A wooden wall rose from the ground, blocking off Kabuto's possible escape route. At the same time, the surrounding ANBU hurled kunai laced with explosive tags toward another potential escape direction.
All routes were completely sealed. Kabuto cursed inwardly. Am I really going to become cellmates with Orochimaru-sama today?
Four massive wooden pillars rose from the ground, dispersing the smoke. The pillars rapidly closed in, forming a cage that trapped Kabuto just as he was dodging the incoming shuriken and explosives.
While Yamato's Wood Release was like a firefly next to the full moon of the First Hokage's mastery, it was still Wood Release. If he were a missing-nin, he'd easily qualify for Akatsuki just on the strength of his unique skills.
And the current Kabuto was no match for Yamato, backed by a full ANBU squad and a Konoha elite himself.
In Yamato's view, the Hokage's prior warnings had been a bit exaggerated. A traitor like this, who harbored no loyalty to Konoha, could never be compared to someone like Kakashi.
The trap had been fully laid. The moment the ANBU reported signs of Kabuto, the Third Hokage had authorized the capture operation, and to ensure its success, he had specially assigned Yamato to lead it.
---
That night, Orochimaru watched in speechless silence as Kabuto was dragged into the cell next to his. Kabuto was covered in bandages, looking slightly disheveled.
"Orochimaru-sama, I did my best," Kabuto said with a bitter smile, his tone full of regret.
Orochimaru nodded, acknowledging all Kabuto had done for the "Orochimaru Company."
"Even you got caught… That does put us in quite a bind."
"There's still—"
"Kimimaro doesn't have the strength," Orochimaru shook his head. "At this point, we can only wait for the Hokage to decide our fate."
---
In the Hokage's office, Yamato was giving his report to Hiruzen, who praised him highly, saying he was truly one of Konoha's most valuable elites, and perhaps even a future Hokage.
"You flatter me, Hokage-sama," Yamato replied, a bit embarrassed. Ever since the Third Hokage had used a secret technique to temporarily restore his strength, he'd been especially generous with praise.
Originally, Yamato was called Tenzo, but the Third Hokage had suggested he change it to Yamato, saying it would help him build stronger relationships with his comrades in Konoha.
"You really do carry the Will of Fire. I think you're a strong candidate to be the next Hokage. For now, why don't you temporarily lead Team 7 in Kakashi's place?"
Yamato, thinking himself unworthy, especially since Kakashi hadn't even become Hokage yet, replied nervously, "I've never considered such a thing."
"Eh, a ninja who doesn't want to be Hokage isn't a good ninja. If everyone had your and Kakashi's Will of Fire, Konoha would only grow stronger. As Konoha flourishes, so does the eternal fire."
Such a wise and benevolent ruler… how could one not wish to serve him faithfully, right?
After Yamato left, Hiruzen sat back, puffing on his pipe and jotting notes in a draft notebook while contemplating his next moves.
Orochimaru should have lost any delusions by now. Let him stew for a few more days, then I'll go visit him.
After that… I'll have Jiraiya go fetch Tsunade. There have been far too many complaint letters from the women's bathhouse lately.
And next… the Hyūga clan. True, inviting them right after they made their donation might seem a bit ungrateful, but Hiashi does still possess the Will of Fire. Surely he'll understand my good intentions.
He left a message for Ace, saying he'd be sending someone over soon, and to get the treasure ready.
Settling comfortably into his Hokage chair, he entered the hyperspace and left a message for Ace, saying he'd be sending someone over soon, and to get the treasure ready.