From undercover in Konoha, to I am the Hokage!

Chapter 18 Sarutobi Hiruzen's Suspicion

Hokage's office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sat at his desk, frowning as he looked at the two messages that had just been sent back from secret channels.

After he finished reading all the contents on the document, he stood up, held his pipe in his mouth, took two deep puffs, exhaled long puffs of smoke, and turned to look at the Hokage Rock outside the floor-to-ceiling window.

After a long while, he turned to the Anbu who was half-kneeling in front of him and asked, "From which channel did this information come?"

The ANBU in a white cloak lowered his head and said, "According to the documents that my informant found from the Root, it should have been sent back from an ANBU who was buried in the home of a noble in the Land of the Earth many years ago."

"A great noble of the Land of Earth."

Sarutobi Hiruzen thought: "Since even people at this level know about it, then it should be possible to confirm that Iwagakure has learned about Tsunade's team."

"only."

His voice was a little hoarse: "The Iwagakure assassins who sneaked into the Hokage building last time should have been dealt with, right?"

"What does Danzo think about this?"

The white-robed Anbu continued, "According to Danzo-sama's analysis, there was a gap of about five minutes between the time Haisou and his subordinates escaped from the Hokage Building and were intercepted by the Sawara Chunin."

"If used flexibly, this period of time is enough to transmit intelligence back through other means."

"However, according to the trace inspection report from the Sealing Team, there is no sign that the information was opened and then sealed again."

"Therefore, Danzo-sama believes that it is more likely that there is an enemy insider among those responsible for intercepting the gray soil."

"During the Root meeting, Lord Danzo has stated that he will propose to you at the advisory meeting that a comprehensive search be conducted."

"The main suspects are Hatake Sakumo, Namikaze Minato, Aburame Nobuyuki, Akimichi Gochi, Yamanaka Takeshi, Sawara Kiri, and Hyuga Gakuichi, a total of 23 people."

After the white-robed Anbu finished speaking, he reminded: "These people all checked or stayed on the escape route of the Rock Hidden Death Warriors during the pursuit that night, or had a fight with them."

"Ah."

Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled softly, not caring about Danzo's little thoughts.

The vast majority of the names on the list drawn up by his old friend were from the Sarutobi clan. Hatake Sakumo and Namikaze Minato, who were listed at the top, were former Anbu chiefs and Jiraiya's disciples.

The idea of ​​clipping wings couldn't be more obvious.

However, a familiar name on the list caught his attention.

It has been two or three days since the night when the Hokage Building was attacked.

Thinking of the young man who stood in front of his desk and loudly accused him, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Once upon a time, he was also a young man who dared to sacrifice his life for the Will of Fire.

However, after decades of being tempered by reality, he eventually became a person that he hated.

Sometimes, he envied these children's courage to speak out about reality.

"Shikahara."

"I'm here." The Nara ninja with a pineapple-like hair stood up beside the desk.

"How's the situation with that kid Sahara Kiri recently?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked casually.

Nara Shikahara was meticulous: "Sawara Kirito was temporarily relieved of his post as a counselor at the Intelligence Agency three days ago to cooperate with the investigation of the incident. He is currently idle at home and has no position for the time being."

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned: "The investigation is not yet complete?"

"Danzo-sama refuses to cooperate."

In response to this question, Nara Shikahara simply nodded slightly and glanced at the letter paper on his desk.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile suddenly turned colder, and he blew out a smoke ring, seemingly nonchalant: "He is not at ease with these children."

"Luyuan, how do you think we should solve this problem?"

He didn't say whether he was referring specifically to Danzo's matter, or the matter of those people being under suspicion.

It seems like it's all included.

Nara Shikahara said calmly, "Recently, the promotion and investigation of Sawara Chunin should be carried out as soon as possible. In the war crisis, we can't let a young man with considerable combat power waste time in the village."

"really."

Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed on his cigarette and nodded slightly. Nara Shikahara continued, "With Sawara-kun's strength, promotion to jonin is a foregone conclusion. As his first appearance in the jonin circle, he naturally needs a candidate who is strong enough but young enough as a reference."

"Namikaze-kun is perfect for this."

"Ah."

Sarutobi Hiruzen listened quietly.

"In addition, Hatake Sakumo will be the referee. Please ask the two clan leaders of the Hyuga and Uchiha clans to bring their clansmen to witness the event. Our three clans, the Ino, Deer, and Chou, are of the same blood, and the elders in the village happen to have nothing to do at this time." Nara Shikahara's voice remained calm.

Sarutobi Hiruzen finally realized the problem: "You mean, for a special promotion ceremony for a young jonin, you're making such a big scene?"

Don't think that Konoha's jonin are cabbages grown on the roadside.

As a specialized executor of tasks above A-level, each jonin is the foundation of a village. Among these jonin are the top clan leaders and elders, who are a political force that can influence the helmsman of the entire Konoha military group.

Nara Shikahara's expression remained calm, and he went straight to the point: "Some people have lost their self-awareness and want to make unnecessary attempts on the power of the Hokage."

"Then let him see it."

"How many people are standing behind the Sandaime Hokage?"

From beginning to end, he never mentioned the specific people involved in Danzo's proposal, nor how to break his conspiracy.

Just a seemingly random move directly killed Shimura Danzo's plan at the planning stage.

At this point, he smiled and turned to Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Besides, I'm sure Sahara-kun will appreciate it too."

"He's a very smart kid."

Three birds with one stone.

"You."

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen even paused his smoking action, nodded at him with a smile, and without saying anything else, he made the decision:
"Just do it!"

"Yes."

The white-robed Anbu witnessed this scene quietly, and couldn't help but feel emotional when thinking of Elder Danzo's series of small actions.

It seems that as long as the third generation master is still alive, this elder will never be able to turn things around.

However, just as the two continued to discuss the follow-up details.

Suddenly, an Anbu appeared in the office, holding a scroll in both hands:
"Sandaime-sama, urgent news from the front line!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression changed. He took the information and quickly scanned it with a serious expression.

"The Third Raikage, who was stationed at the frontier between the two countries, has disappeared."

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Nara Shikahara looked at each other and realized the seriousness of the problem at the same time.

Team Tsunade is in danger.

"Sandaime-sama."

Nara Shikahara immediately spoke up, saying solemnly: "The only one in the village who can quickly support this dangerous situation is Lord Hatake Sakumo."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was exceptionally calm at this time and said calmly:
"No rush, let's solve the assessment issue now."

"Even if Ai, that bastard, wants to find Tsunade and the others, it will definitely not be a matter of one or two days."

"besides."

As he spoke, he tapped the pipe in his hand on the ashtray, his voice steady:
"These two young men are also high-speed types, which is just right for the battlefield of the Land of Lightning."

"After the assessment is completed, let them show themselves to the entire ninja world."

Hearing this, Nara Shikahara immediately stopped talking.

Although Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone remained flat, this smart man was able to keenly notice the ninja's unintentional scrutiny of Sawara Kiri in his words.

Loyalty must be practiced with blood.

He still couldn't trust Sawara-kun after all.

(End of this chapter)