Revitalizing the Uchiha clan starts with becoming a Kage.

The other two members of the Dark Guard on either side also showed a hint of horror on their faces hidden beneath their masks, and they subconsciously took two steps back.

64. Initial Investigation

"How about that? Is that enough?"

Even through the mask, one could still sense a slight change in aura. After putting away his kunai, Si asked leisurely.

"Greetings, Captain! Please forgive my previous offense!"

The gaunt ANBU member immediately knelt on one knee and spoke in a respectful tone.

"Greetings, Captain!"

The two secret agents on either side also knelt down on one knee in unison, bowing and saying hello.

"Hehe, get up. From now on, we'll all be comrades in the same trench. No need for so much formality. Let's introduce ourselves first. It doesn't need to be too long, just your code names and your strengths!"

Jiang Si waved his hand slightly, walked to the head seat, looked at his three subordinates below, and spoke in a calm tone.

"Yes!"

The identities of those in the shadows need to be kept secret, but when facing their direct superiors and teammates, it is generally impossible and unacceptable to keep secrets. Especially in a team, the captain must understand the abilities and strengths of the three team members as much as possible in order to better lead the team. Only in this way can the responsibilities of each member be reasonably allocated during missions.

After the three responded in unison.

Let's start with the gaunt ANBU member who provoked us first: "My codename is Star. I specialize in Wind Release techniques. In past missions, I've usually been responsible for providing direct support."

Then came the ANBU member who was initially on the left, the most robust and muscular, with a slightly deep voice, who said, "My code name is Bear Eye. I specialize in Earth Release techniques and am usually responsible for cover and flanking attacks."

Finally, there is the only female ANBU in the Si team. Judging from her slightly immature voice and exposed snow-white skin, this female ANBU is no more than 20 years old. Moreover, from the first impression, this female ANBU has the strongest murderous aura. Judging from this point alone...

This person is likely the strongest of the three.

"My code name is Xi. I am skilled in water escape techniques and swordsmanship, and I also have some knowledge of barriers."

Moreover, he is clearly the one with the best overall qualities in the team.

'Knife skills?'

Jiang Si's eyes lit up slightly as he looked at Xi, who was carrying a short sword on her back, and thought to himself.

The female ANBU member named Yu also glanced at Shoji's back when she uttered the words "swordsmanship." ANBU members who are equipped like this are usually skilled in swordsmanship!

If the commander's intuition is correct.

at that moment.

One of his subordinates seemed to have a hint of eagerness in his eyes as he approached.

"Alright, let's leave the pleasantries for now. Today, the squad leader has issued a mission, a mission personally assigned by the Hokage that requires our utmost vigilance. The mission is to uncover the truth behind the recent disappearances of people in the village. We've been instructed that the person behind it is very likely a spy from one of the four great villages. During the mission, we must be extra cautious and meticulous!"

"Dead or alive, it doesn't matter! Do you understand?"

Ninjas are different from ordinary people.

Even from a corpse, a ninja still has ways to extract the information they want. Of course, this doesn't apply if a special sealing technique has been set up beforehand. Capturing the victim alive is always the best outcome, but in ninja battles, let alone battles between equals, even if one is slightly stronger, it doesn't guarantee capture. Sometimes, trying to capture someone alive can backfire, allowing the opponent to escape, or even resulting in being killed by a weaker opponent!

Therefore, unless there is a significant difference in strength between the two sides, ninjas will not readily use the term "capture alive" in a battle.

Especially the tasks that the secret service needs to carry out.

"This is the area we need to scout. Make sure we don't lose any useful information, understand?!"

He passed on the intelligence he had been given to his three subordinates to review one by one, and before setting off, he gave the order in the most serious tone.

"Yes, Captain!"

"Then, let's go!"

"whoosh"

"whoosh"

"whoosh"

"Whoosh!"

Immediately afterwards.

The group was led by Jiang Si.

After leaving the Konoha ANBU base, they sped towards the easternmost corner of the village, the area assigned to their sixth squad by their squad leader for reconnaissance. This was also Shoji's first mission since joining the ANBU.

Konohagakure (Hidden Leaf Village)

Although it is a 'village'

But in reality, its area is comparable to that of the capital of the Land of Fire.

Although it cannot compare to the metropolises of Shoji's previous life, Konoha, which can accommodate hundreds of thousands of people, is already a giant 'city' in this world. This is only considering the central area where the population is concentrated. If we include the Death Forest, the Eastern Forbidden Zone, and other special training grounds for Konoha ninjas, as well as remote areas where no one lives, we would be mistaken.

The area of ​​'Konoha Village' will expand several times over!

At this moment, the area that Jiang Si's team needed to scout was a dense forest located in the eastern part of Konoha Village. There was a long road from here to the bustling residential area of ​​Konoha. Ordinary people would never come to this place under normal circumstances. Further out, there was a giant city wall built by Konoha and a barrier set up.

Those who come here are mostly Konoha ninja on patrol.

It was in this sparsely populated area that four ninjas went missing. They were patrolling ninjas from the same squad. Although these people were not very strong, the Konoha ninjas who were assigned to patrol at night were basically Chunin. Even if they were not the best Chunin, under normal circumstances, even if a Jonin could easily defeat four Chunin, it would be quite terrifying to prevent four Chunin from sending a signal.

This is also the largest number of people to go missing at once in the past six months.

Because there might be a very powerful culprit hiding inside, and considering that Konoha cannot have any more negative news right now, the Third Hokage did not send out an open investigation team, but instead let the Anbu take over the case.

"This is the area where the intelligence indicated that the patrol team was last seen. Spread out and search, making sure to check every nook and cranny. But be careful not to spread out too far apart. Report any information immediately, remember that!"

We arrived at the area where the missing person was last seen.

He glanced at the scene before him, taking in the view in front of him.

He spoke these words in a deep voice to his three subordinates.

"Yes!"

65. Risk and Benefit Assessment (Please save this!)

Not surprisingly.

The person behind this disappearance case should be Orochimaru.

Given Orochimaru's personal strength and methods, it would be almost impossible for him to leave any trace at the scene. In the original work, it is highly likely that Orochimaru himself lost control of himself later, or that he did it intentionally, increasing the frequency and number of his own ninja comrades' captures and killings. When the frequency and number of such acts increased too quickly, it would be easy for him to slip up.

Humans cannot always guarantee that they will always be at their highest level of concentration and complete the same task. Orochimaru is human and no exception. Of course, it is also possible that because his personal power and bases abroad have reached a certain scale, he felt that it was time for him to leave the village, which is why he seemed so unscrupulous. However, Orochimaru obviously underestimated the strength of his elderly teacher and overestimated his own strength.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't been so indecisive in the original story, ultimately unable to bring himself to harm his most valued disciple, then Hiruzen Sarutobi, who still retained about 70% of his peak strength at that time, would have had a very high probability of killing Orochimaru on the spot.

It can only be said that fate plays tricks on people.

The commanders haven't yet determined whether Orochimaru's actions will be beneficial or detrimental to the Uchiha clan, so for now they can only follow the orders from above and carry out the investigation.

Search mission.

It's all just for show; whether we find any clues or not doesn't matter.

The most crucial thing is what role one should play in this event.

"However, gathering firsthand information is never a bad thing. What to do next is another matter. Observing is one option, while contacting and negotiating is another. We'll have to see how things develop!"

Jiang Si leaped up and landed on a large tree, gazing at the distant village with his eyes slightly narrowed as he thought to himself.

Orochimaru.

As a famous figure in Konoha Village.

Not only was he a direct disciple of the Third Hokage, but he also became famous throughout the ninja world during World War II and was known as one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha. Although this title may not have been what Orochimaru wanted, it undoubtedly proves Orochimaru's strength.

In the original work, he seems to have been easily defeated by Itachi Uchiha with just a glance, making him seem like a weakling.

However, analyzing the plot, this is probably due to the elemental advantage of each other. Orochimaru, who had already begun researching the Reanimation Jutsu, likely developed some kind of soul deficiency after experimenting on himself. The Sharingan is effective against this, which is why Itachi could easily defeat Orochimaru, but it doesn't necessarily mean that Orochimaru was weak.

The title of the Three Ninjas is no joke.

In addition, he knows various forbidden and secret techniques, and has a certain understanding of bloodline limits and Yin-Yang Release. Orochimaru is definitely a top-tier existence among Kage-level beings. It's just that for some reason, Orochimaru didn't learn the Sage Mode of Ryuchi Cave, otherwise his strength could have been even greater!

However, that strength was something Orochimaru only possessed much later on.

Orochimaru during this period was indeed someone that ordinary ninjas would have to look up to, except for Shoji. Even though Orochimaru at this stage was only in the early research stage of the Reanimation Jutsu and his soul was probably not a problem, his resistance to genjutsu was definitely not high. He already had the Mangekyou Sharingan, which was a clear advantage. Considering that Orochimaru was able to escape only because the elderly Hiruzen Sarutobi had to be reluctant to fight, Orochimaru was probably the weakest among the Kage-level ninjas at this time.

I should have the strength to suppress others.

However, these are ultimately just one-sided speculations. If they are wrong, the risks involved will be very high. Therefore, before taking any action, one must carefully consider: 'What are the benefits of doing this? And can the benefits outweigh, or even exceed, the drawbacks?'

'If I really have to say, it can only be Wood Release cells, Orochimaru. This is probably the most likely way I can obtain Wood Release cells. If possible, I can give it a try!'

Jiang Si took a deep breath, gently touched the pupil area inside his cold mask, and thought to himself.

Searching requires patience and meticulousness.

Especially since the mastermind behind this is a person who is both powerful and extremely meticulous.

In such a large area.

We want to complete the search thoroughly.

It still took the General's team several hours to finish.

Unfortunately, there was no gain at all, which was not beyond Jiang Si's expectations. It only deepened his fear of Orochimaru. Handling traces is also a skill that can reflect a ninja's strength and cultivation. Although it is not directly proportional, generally speaking, a ninja who can handle the scene so cleanly is definitely not weak. Elite Jonin is a minimum standard.

The general's subordinates could understand this as well.

Therefore, when they returned after the first phase of the search, even though their faces were covered by masks, it was clear from the surrounding atmosphere that the three of them looked very serious and solemn.

"How about it?"

"I'm sorry, Captain, we found nothing. There were only some traces left by the original four patrolmen. Apart from that, we found no trace of the fifth person."

Xing said in a very solemn tone.

"It's the same on my side, Captain. We haven't gotten a single useful piece of information along the way."

Same as above.

Bear Eyes and Evening, who were on either side, responded in kind.

"This was to be expected. Examining the scene was merely to ensure there were no oversights. The fact that they dared to arrest people directly in our village means they must be very strong. Disposing of traces is to be expected, so you don't need to worry about it. What we need to do next is to expand the search area and focus on where they might be hiding. In the past year, over a hundred people, including ninjas and civilians, have mysteriously disappeared from the village. These people couldn't have vanished into thin air!"

"They must have been left somewhere in the village so you could become familiar with the scent and characteristics of these 'persons involved,' so that we can make the most of this information during the upcoming search!"

Jiang Si said calmly.