Chapter 143: A Step Late

Shizune's life is terrible these days.

Thanks to Kyojuro, Tsunade successfully quit drinking three years ago and finally stopped wasting her life in a daze.

This long-lost sobriety gave Tsunade strong confidence, allowing her to devote more time to her favorite gambling table.

Unfortunately, Tsunade, who was not drunk, had worse luck than before.

After three years, the interest on the gambling debts owed by this big fat sheep has almost reached ten digits, which is equivalent to the reward of hundreds of S-level tasks.

Just a few days ago, she was visited by a dozen creditors and had to hand over the pig to them as collateral to get out.

However, that night, Tsunade won a small victory for the first time in a long time.

But not only did she not continue to play, but she became suspicious and immediately sent Shizune to steal the pig from the creditors. The two of them and the pig fled to the Land of Fire overnight.

Although Tuntun didn't suffer much during the time it was used as collateral, the pearl necklace and the specially customized clothes on its neck have been taken away by the creditor for money, and now it looks no different from an ordinary pig.

After arriving at the new place, Shizune made a bow tie for Tuntun, and the daimyo's guardian nin came to ask for help again.

Due to the patient's critical condition, the two had to rush to the Fire City to treat the daimyo's daughter-in-law who was seriously injured by the detonating talisman.

The long and tense treatment was over. Just when Shizune, who hadn't slept for more than 30 hours, thought she could finally rest, Sarutobi Hiruzen came.

Tsunade's special identity and bad temper, if she didn't want to see her, she could naturally refuse, but in that case, Shizune would have to answer many questions for her and hold on for half a day.

When the Third Generation was about to finish his rambling, the old man was suddenly called out by Kakashi. When he came back a few minutes later, his face was as gloomy as iron. Without saying a word, he rushed into Tsunade's room and shouted: "Something happened in the village!"

In this way, Shizune, who had dark circles under her eyes, could only eat Bingliang Pills to replenish her energy, and then forced herself to rush back to Konoha for more than 20 hours.

When she came back last night and saw the Hokage Building collapsed into a pile of rubble, she thought she was too sleepy and dreaming.

She followed Tsunade and the Third Generation in a daze to listen to what happened, and then went to the hospital to see the injured. When Shizune reacted again, she was already standing in front of the Uchiha clan's gate holding Tuntun.

[Why am I here? ]

"Ah..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at the figure on the wall of the Uchiha clan.

Among the ninjas on duty who looked at them coldly, no one wore Konoha's standard vests or forehead protectors, whether they were the older ones who had always been dissatisfied or the young people who had graduated in recent years and had a more gentle attitude.

It seems that the ambush by foreign ninjas at the Minamigagawa Shrine, where they were commemorating the dead, had made the Uchiha completely disappointed with Konoha.

Needless to say, the Uchiha who had always been rebellious had been trying to persuade Fugaku to take Konoha by force after discovering that the clan leader, the clan leader's wife, and Giyuu had such strength. They couldn't even enter the entrance hall because Giyuu was guarding the door.

Another group of clan members who had longed for the village in the past also showed a look of disillusionment as if they had seen through everything, as if they hoped that the clan members would follow the example of Uchiha Madara in the past and move out to find their own way out.

As for staying -

Who can guarantee that the same thing won't happen again?

They didn't do anything, but they were almost wiped out. No one can trust this village anymore.

"Hokage-sama..."

Under the fierce gaze of a pair of Sharingan, Shizune's originally drowsy brain instantly became much clearer.

"Really don't want any ANBU or village jonin followers?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

On the wall of the clan, a young clan member in his twenties chuckled and mocked: "Why don't you go back and call more people, and it's better to call all the ninjas in Konoha here! With only two of you and a pig, you can't even break in, right?"

"Enough."

A figure jumped onto the wall and stopped the former from continuing to speak. It was Uchiha Tiehuo who was on duty.

After he stood still, he scanned the empty streets outside the clan and the Hyuga clan across the street, and indeed found no trace of other people.

And according to the news sent back by the scouting ninja cat, the ninjas stationed near Uchiha yesterday were all withdrawn early this morning.

Now that the Hokage has come in person, he only brought a medical ninja who has been away from the village for many years. This shows his basic sincerity, so Uchiha Tiehuo also behaved quite restrained.

"Third generation." Uchiha Tiehuo asked condescendingly: "Since you are here, it means that Konoha has a countermeasure, right?"

His tone was not aggressive, but the words he said were full of distance, and each word contained a vague hostility.

"It's Tiehuo..."

The third generation closed his eyes and slowly opened them, tilted his head and shook his head: "The so-called countermeasure is a plan against the enemy or to deal with troubles.

"Uchiha is not the enemy of the village, nor is it the trouble of the village. I cannot agree with using such words."

"Stop wasting time with those beautiful words! This is not the opening ceremony of the ninja school!"

Before Uchiha Tiehuo could respond, the young clan member had already spoken angrily.

"If they are not enemies, why are we surrounded by foreign ninjas in our own clan land?

"If they are not enemies, why did the village secretly capture Uchiha Itachi and Lady Mikoto?

"If they are not enemies, what about the thousands of ninjas stationed nearby yesterday? !

"If they are not enemies, why did you secretly monitor us for so many years? Why did you specially arrange us at the outermost edge of the village, right next to the Hyuga clan?!"

A series of parallel questions made the third generation open his mouth and was speechless for a while.

Although he had expected Uchiha to ask such questions, he still did not have a suitable answer.

After a silence of about half a minute, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke with an old look.

"If I say that this matter was Danzo's personal behavior from beginning to end, you probably won't believe it."

The Uchiha on the wall did not respond, and it was obvious that they did think so.

If Sarutobi Hiruzen pushed all the things on a dead Danzo, it would be too unreasonable.

"So, even if you regard me as Danzo's accomplice and think that I planned this action with him, I have no intention of refutation.

"I did set up a secret department, purchased a large number of advanced instruments, and sent Anbu to observe the Uchiha's every move.

"Many jonin in the Hyuga clan are indeed secretly carrying out the surveillance tasks signed by me.

"In addition, the multiple inspections of the guards, the restrictions on the number of Uchiha clan members promoted to jonin, and the assignment of tasks that Uchiha ninjas cannot accumulate combat experience... Each of these measures was formulated by me personally."

"Hokage..."

Shizune was stunned. She didn't know if this old man was crazy. He actually said such a big truth. It was too abnormal.

In fact, if she and Tsunade came back a few years earlier, they would find that although Sarutobi Hiruzen was getting older, his recent style of doing things has tended to return to his youth.

"Are you finally willing to admit it? "The Uchiha on the wall gnashed his teeth.

Each of them had been subjected to various difficulties in the ninja promotion assessment, and the assigned tasks were all chores that could be completed independently, with almost no chance to fight with others.

Otherwise, when facing those foreign ninjas the day before yesterday, they would not have been so passive without being able to use fire escape.

The tribe members had thought that this was intentional by the village before, but it was not confirmed until today.

"All of the above are manifestations of my unfairness towards the Uchiha, so I don't think there is anything wrong with you seeing me as an enemy."

Sarutobi Hiruzen continued: "But we are us, and the village is the village.

"You should know that the major ninja clans in the village, as well as the rest of the ninjas, have never had the idea of ​​​​eliminating the Uchiha.

"At least, the root must hide it from other people in the village and use foreign ninjas to do this. It is enough to prove this point, isn't it? "

The Uchiha exchanged glances on the wall. They agreed with this sentence.

If the village dared to use foreign ninjas to eliminate the Uchiha today, they would dare to use the same method to eliminate the Hyuga tomorrow.

Not to mention ordinary ninjas, at least the major ninja clans would never allow such a thing to happen.

"So, if you want to find the enemy of the Uchiha, there are only two people in this village, me and Danzo, no need to count others."

Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his head, and his voice was a little stronger.

"Now, Danzo, as an important insider, has died without any evidence, and I don't want to use the evil magic of Impure World Reincarnation to call him out to explain anything.

"Although I don't know everything he did, I saw most of it. Since I am a shadow, I naturally have an unshirkable responsibility.

"So, in order to calm your anger, even if you want me, the perpetrator, to commit seppuku, it's okay.

"But I have a request. At least before that, let me meet with Uchiha Fugaku to discuss and make up for the mistakes we made before. How about it?"

Uchiha Tiehuo observed the old man's gray face from three or four meters away, and noticed that the death determination in his eyes did not seem to be fake.

The other party came here, and he was indeed prepared not to get out alive.

"Now that it's said so..."

After a few seconds of silence, Uchiha Tiehuo raised his hand and ordered the people under the wall: "Then let him in."

"Deputy captain?" The others looked at him in disbelief, "Don't you notify the clan leader first?"

"No need." Uchiha Tiehuo shook his head, "Call all the clan members, gather in front of the clan leader's house, and listen to what he will say together."

Before going to see the clan leader, Yiyong would always send him back with all kinds of words that were not even a connection.

Now that he brought Sarutobi Hiruzen to the door, the clan leader had no reason to refuse to see him.

【Whether to leave or stay, it's almost time for Fugaku to make a decision! 】

Just like that, surrounded by more and more Uchiha, Sarutobi Hiruzen came to the center of the clan and knocked on the door of Fugaku's house.

"Fugaku, I am Sarutobi Hiruzen."

"I am here on behalf of the village to talk to you about the future of Uchiha and Konoha."

Shizune stood behind the old man, her hands tightly holding Tuntun's waist like two chains, and the latter's face gradually changed from pink to light purple.

But Tuntun also realized that the atmosphere was wrong, and didn't dare to hum at all, so he had to endure the discomfort and stay still.

The door opened.

A young man with short hair and his left eye covered by gauze opened the door. His purple-red Sharingan quickly scanned the people outside the door, and finally stopped on the face of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"You are a volunteer."

[What exactly did Orochimaru do to him to stimulate this child to this point? 】

Noticing the number of magatama in Giyu Sharingan's eyes, Sandai smiled stiffly, "I haven't seen you for a while. I heard that you went to the Water Country."

Originally, he planned to wait for the child to grow up, and perhaps rely on his gentle personality and his friendship with Naruto and Anjurou to resolve the conflict between Uchiha and the village naturally and peacefully...

But after listening to the report from Konoha Hospital, Sarutobi Hiruzen learned that among the people who were bitten by the water dragon bullets and fell from the sky the night before yesterday, all the Iwa ninjas were seriously injured, and all the Kumo ninjas died without exception. , I feel reluctant to call it a coincidence.

But whether it was Giyuu's brutal methods or the strength he showed, he attributed it to Orochimaru's cursed seal.

"Father asked me to ask you."

Giyuu had no intention of answering, and his eyes fell on Sarutobi Hiruzen's facial muscles as if through his skin.

"Do Uchiha and the village really have a future?"

This kind of scrutiny made Sarutobi Hiruzen feel a little stinging. Just as he was about to speak, Giyuu solemnly added: "If you tell lies, there is no need to go in."

"..."

Taking a deep breath, Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded: "I think so."

Giyuu's eyes moved away from his face and stayed at his heart for a while, "Have you heard about the black weirdo who killed Shimura Danzo?"

"I heard about it." Sandai's face turned slightly solemn. He felt that Yiyong cared about this issue far more than the previous one.

"Just when the teacher asked you about 'Uchiha Madara', that weirdo appeared and killed Danzo."

Yiyong asked again: "Do you know who he is?"

"I don't know." Sandai shook his head, "This is one of the things I came here to discuss with your father today."

"Since you didn't lie."

Yiyong nodded slightly, opened the door wider, turned sideways, "Then please come in."

"……Thanks."

The old man didn't know how Yiyong judged whether he was lying, but he still thanked the other party for his trust.

This was the first Uchiha he met today who was not hostile to him and was willing to trust him. This gave Hiruzen Sarutobi some extra hope that the matter would be settled.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shizune entered one after another, and when the Uchihas outside the door were about to follow them in, Giyuu returned to the middle of the door frame, blocking their way.

The clansmen stopped and looked at each other, no one dared to pass him and enter directly.

Just kidding, if the volunteers hadn't arrived in time on the day they were surrounded, they would have been reduced by at least half by now.

Everyone else in the village thought that the child was so strong because of the curse seal. Only Uchiha himself knew that was not the case at all.

Although no one said it clearly, Yiyong was so powerful at a young age that the clan members already regarded him as the only candidate for the future clan leader.

"The house can't accommodate so many people." Giyu pointed to the backyard, "Father will talk to the Hokage on the terrace. You go over there."

The tribesmen nodded and immediately flew away.

In this way, no matter how the two parties talk, they will know the result immediately and will not continue to live in hanging uncertainty.

By the time they got there, Uchiha Itachi had already served tea and placed it on the table on the terrace. Sandai and Uchiha Fugaku were on one side, but the former looked like an old tree that was about to die, while the latter was sitting upright with a look in his eyes. The cold light of scrutiny.

After the clan members and Shizune took their seats, Uchiha Fugaku spoke.

"I remember that with Itachi's speed, a trip to the Fire City would take twenty-two hours, not counting rest time. A round trip would be a little less than two days."

He turned his head and glanced at his eldest son who was kneeling behind him, "Is that so?"

Uchiha Itachi understood what his father meant and looked deeply at Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Yes, this is my fastest speed."

"That's weird."

Uchiha Fugaku turned around, put his hands into his sleeves and clasped them in front of his chest, "What happened that day happened at seven o'clock the night before yesterday.

"Even if someone went to the City of Fire to report at that time, and the Hokage-sama returned sleeplessly after being notified, he should have arrived in Konoha this afternoon.

"But as far as we know, Lord Hokage came back last night, which was a little more than a day after the incident..."

Speaking of this, Uchiha Fugaku's voice became cold: "Isn't this a bit too much of a coincidence?"

The implication is that Sarutobi Hiruzen had known about Danzo's arrangements for a long time, and Demura was just a double act between the two of them.

"That's reasonable doubt."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled bitterly: "But in order to get down to business as soon as possible, I'd better explain it a little bit."

Uchiha Fugaku did not respond, with a dark expression of "please perform".

“The reason why I left the village at this time is because the daimyo’s son was assassinated, so I went to investigate in person.

“After arriving at the Fire Capital, Kakashi and two Hyuga clan members went to the scene to investigate the situation, while I myself went to appease the angry daimyo.

"About ten o'clock the night before yesterday, Kakashi returned to the daimyo's mansion to report that he had found the whereabouts of the perpetrators. However, these murderers had also been killed by another group of people, and even the bodies had been burned. "

Uchiha Fugaku frowned, "You mean..."

"Yes, according to Kakashi's judgment, the way the perpetrator was killed is very similar to the way secret agencies in various countries destroy important intelligence personnel. But in fact, this method is the most important evidence."

The third generation nodded, "The only ANBU ninjas who can pass through the layers of investigation circles and operate in the heart of the Land of Fire are Konoha's ANBU.

"I know the whereabouts of every Anbu ninja. During the time when the Daimyo's son was assassinated, only Anbu people had gone out on missions, so I immediately thought of Danzo. Maybe this assassination was just a reason for him to let me leave Konoha. means.

"My guess at the time was that he was planning to do something bold against the missions of the Cloud Ninja and Iwa Ninja while I was away. Considering that Danzo might trigger a war, I didn't hesitate and took the people back immediately... "

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, "But I never expected that the one he wanted to eradicate was Uchiha."

Uchiha Fugaku sneered.

"Hokage-sama's next sentence, does he want to say that you were unaware of this matter from beginning to end, and the biggest mistake was just a lack of investigation?"

"..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his head tiredly, then glanced at Giyuu and Sasuke who were sitting in the corner, and suddenly said: "Fugaku, you should know about the child named Purgatory Anjurou, right?"

"Brother Anjuro?" Zuosuke straightened up suddenly and asked with surprise on his face: "What does this have to do with him?"

"Zosuke and Anjuro are very familiar with each other, and they should understand that the child is a person who radiates light anytime and anywhere.

"He can make the Uchiha people in the ninja school put down their arrogance and communicate with others, and he can also help the children of the Hyuga family get rid of depression and distress. Even I will be affected to some extent if I communicate with him for a long time."

Sandai said with some nostalgia: "I have always remembered two sentences of his very clearly. One is that if you use magic to cover up the road, you will eventually end up in a dead end. The other is, don't regard your fantasies as the enemy, and only solve the real problems. The problem."

"I know the second sentence!" Zuosuke was a little excited, "This is the first principle that Brother Anjuro taught me!"

Seeing Zuosuke's reaction, Uchiha Itachi curled his lips slightly.

[Why can’t you remember a few of the things I said? 】

Fugaku became a little impatient when he heard this, "So? What does this have to do with Hokage-sama's suspicion?"

"I mean, since I had several interactions with that kid, I gradually understood that communicating openly and resolving misunderstandings is sometimes more effective than those dark tricks.

"On the contrary, if you regard someone as an imaginary enemy in advance, then any behavior of the other party will look suspicious, and this suspicion will gradually grow. For so many years, I have been making these two mistakes with Uchiha. "

Sarutobi Hiruzen explained with some emotion: "So soon after, I took back part of the power that had been given to Danzo in the past. I did not let him act as he pleased like in the past. I also reduced the surveillance of Uchiha, and at the same time banned him. Feel free to investigate the ninjas in the village.

"After protesting to me several times, Danzo gave up his struggle and gradually restrained himself from acting recklessly. This is why I felt confident leaving the village to him a few days ago.

“But now it seems that my restricting his movements not only failed to serve as a warning, but actually drove him to the edge of madness.

"Fugaku, I am not saying these words to shirk responsibility for what happened before, but to prove that this matter was never ordered by the village from beginning to end.

"No matter what choice you plan to make, you must take this as a premise. I hope you will not regard the limitations of us old guys as the limitations of the entire village.

"If you imagine other people in the village that way, you are making the same mistake we made."

"so……"

Uchiha Fugaku heard the implication of Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Are you planning to retire from the position of Hokage?"

"After something like this happened, I no longer have the face or qualifications to continue to be the Hokage. Not only Uchiha cannot trust me, but Hinata, Nara, and Yamanaka are also the same. No matter what Danzo did, my share of the guilt is also It’s inescapable.”

Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his head in shame, "Before coming here, I have reported the results of the investigation of the assassination to the Daimyo. I believe that in three or four days, the new letter of appointment will arrive together with my revocation order. leaf."

"What?"

A young tribesman who sneaked in with the Jonin said in surprise: "Does the village mean to let the tribe leader be the Hokage?"

Every one of the Uchiha present heard this and silently turned their heads to the tribesman, so frightened that the latter did not dare to move.

Then, they turned their attention back to the third generation, obviously wanting to know if things were as the young man guessed.

"Frankly, that's not realistic."

In the disappointed and annoyed eyes of the clan members, the third generation shook his head: "Although the people in the village don't believe me, they won't believe Uchiha either. So I must find someone who can be trusted by everyone to take over. Naruto's position.

“If Uchiha has expectations for this position, he must start from now on to cultivate a Kage who can unite everyone in the village.

"If the Shadow of a Village is just a strong man who can defeat everyone, then you underestimate the qualities necessary to lead a ninja village."

"So, your choice is Tsunade?"

Glancing at Shizune who was holding the pig motionless, Fugaku made a guess.

"Yes." Sandai nodded, "I have already recommended her to the daimyo, I believe there will be no surprises.

"In addition, I have already explained to Tsunade that the two elders, Mito Monohan and Koharu Koharu, are getting older and are always ill, so it is time for them to step down from their positions.

"New elders, I recommend you and Nara Shikaku. Since the old Hokage Building is not suitable for Uchiha, then you young people should make new rules and build a new one."

Having said this, Sandai stared closely into Fugaku's eyes, "Fugaku, what do you think?"

This is the first time since Konoha established the village that the decision-making power of affairs has been handed over to Uchiha.

Uchiha Fugaku pondered for a moment, "I remember when the Fourth Hokage was here, you were still the one deciding all the affairs in the village..."

"There's no need to worry about that."

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head slowly: "When the handover ceremony of the new Hokage is completed, you will not see me again."

Everyone's expressions changed slightly, and they began to guess Sarutobi Hiruzen's plan. After all, combined with his previous statement of "committing seppuku"...

"Before I step down, I will cancel all the measures used to prevent Uchiha in the past, and I will also make necessary compensation for the village's past differential treatment and the damage caused by Danzo."

Sandai took out a document from his arms and said, "Here are the specific contents of the compensation. You can take a look."

Uchiha Fugaku silently took the document and glanced at it, but his mind was not on it.

He was still considering whether Konoha, led by Tsunade, was worth Uchiha's stay.

To be honest, he didn't think it was a good idea to go or go the other way.

On the contrary, there is no need to think too much. Even if they captured Konoha, Uchiha would still have to pay huge casualties, and it would be difficult to gain recognition from the daimyo.

If they are not recognized by the daimyo, then they are not a legal ninja village, and the ninja villages in other countries will definitely use this as an excuse to let them never have peace.

As for leaving, it is even more impossible.

After Danzo used Yin Zhenaki so many times in front of the envoys and ninjas of the two countries, it won't take long for the Uchiha people's eyeballs to become the most valuable in the money exchange under the propaganda of the two countries. commodity.

By that time, unless all clan members are by Uchiha Fugaku's side at all times, once they go out, what awaits them is the end of being hunted and hunted like prey.

But if the tribe really hides under the protection of the strong in order to protect themselves, is it still an Uchiha?

If you don't even care about the first and last tasks when you go out to accept commissions, how will the tribesmen make a living?

In this world, even Uchiha must find a shinobi village that can provide them with shelter. These are the rules of the new world.

At the moment, there is no need for the two countries of Thunder and Earth to think about it, as they have already formed a deadly feud.

The Country of Wind is so poor that it cannot even support itself, and the Kirigakure Village of the Country of Water is famous for being good at killing each other.

Xiaoren Village didn't even think about it, it couldn't provide shelter at all, and the clan members couldn't even look down on it due to their arrogance.

In fact, after much deliberation, only Konoha is the most suitable.

Although Uchiha once lived here unhappy, he has been operating for many years. When he becomes a decision-maker, he can slowly and gradually reverse the situation of his people.

Just when Fugaku was in a daze looking at the note, Giyu quietly came behind him and silently read the content on the paper.

He suddenly asked: "Can I add a few more?"

Fugaku turned his head and glared at him, but Giyuu was not moved at all.

Instead, Sandai showed a rare smile and asked: "What do you want from Yoshiyuki?"

He didn't think that with this child's character, he would make any unreasonable demands.

You know, even under the influence of something like a curse seal, he still let go of the Iwa nin who did less harm to Uchiha and maintained some rationality.

"I want data on all the experiments conducted by Root and Orochimaru."

When Yiyong opened his mouth, he gave the answer that no one expected, "Besides, there are a few ninjas at the root who must be handed over to me. The village is not allowed to interfere."

He still remembered the Butterfly Ninja's desire to learn the Aburame Clan's insect-control secrets, and there happened to be two Aburame Clan ninjas at the root.

Although one of them (Aburame Takene) had his hands cut off by him, this did not affect the knowledge he imparted in his brain.

Since Danzo's roots once destroyed the peace of the Rain Country, using these people's techniques to accelerate the Butterfly Ninja's research on cultivating Rain Country crops can be regarded as a kind of compensation.

"Yiyong, what do you want with these experimental data?"

Uchiha Mikoto was a little worried about whether Giyuu had witnessed some of Orochimaru's operations during his trip to the Water Country, so he learned it badly.

But before Yiyong could answer, Sandai had already filled in the answer for him.

"What you want to study is actually the curse mark Orochimaru left on your neck. Am I right?"

Yiyong, who didn't know how to explain it a second ago, blinked, "Yes."

In part, Sarutobi Hiruzen's guess was correct.

Uchiha Mikoto was relieved.

"If that's the case, you shouldn't have to worry too much."

Sandai smiled slightly, seeming a little pleased that this child was actually willing to give up the evil power he had obtained without any interference.

"Orochimaru once planted the same curse seal on one of his subordinates. But after I sealed the curse seal, I haven't seen anything abnormal for so many years..."

"Wait a moment."

Giyuu interrupted him with a stern expression, "Does the curse seal of Orochimaru's subordinate also have this shape?"

He leaned down and opened his collar, allowing Sarutobi Hiruzen to identify it carefully.

"Yes, the curse mark on Mitarai Anko's body is in this shape."

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't understand why Giyuu was so nervous, "It should be called the 'Heaven's Curse Seal'."

[With the same curse seal as mine, will there be traces of Orochimaru’s soul in it? 】

As soon as this idea came up, it lingered in Yiyong's mind.

Orochimaru's soul left in him was destroyed by the Butterfly Ninja, but there may not be such a powerful soul inhabiting the consciousness of others.

"Where does this person named Mitarashi Anko live?" Giyuu asked hurriedly, "Is she in the village today?"

"exist."

Although the topic was inexplicably dragged away, Sarutobi Hiruzen still gave an answer.

"I'm going to meet this guy."

After Yiyong got the address, he immediately flew out without any hesitation, stepped on the tree in the courtyard, and disappeared into a winding wave of water.

Looking at the confused Uchiha in the room, Sarutobi Hiruzen wiped the sweat from his forehead: "Fugaku, let's continue talking about what happened before..."

"Let me read the above content to the clan members first and discuss it before making a decision."

"That's fine." Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up, "I will come again at this time tomorrow."

Then he glanced at Shizune over there: "Then I'll leave first. Don't forget what Tsunade told you."

Shizune nodded quickly, but her brain was trying hard to dig out the memories before the fragments——

[Tsunade-sama asked me to come with you. Why on earth did you come? 】

On the other side, Giyuu arrived at Mitarashi Anko's residence in less than three minutes.

But no matter how hard I knocked on the door, no one answered.

He frowned, no longer waiting, and jumped directly into the wall. He didn't hear anyone in the room getting worse.

Then, he looked around and immediately noticed keenly that there were a few shurikens scattered in front of the dummy on the training ground in the courtyard, but no one was there.

Among the shoe prints on the sand behind the shuriken, one pair of shoe prints looked particularly wide, not much different from the ones printed on his family's recipe book.

【not good. 】

An ominous premonition jingled in Yiyong's mind.

He squatted on the ground, reached out and touched the shurikens on the ground, feeling the temperature on them.

Mitarashi Anko had just disappeared.

Just before he got here.