Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, silently smoking his pipe. His gaze rested on a snake coiled on the table and the intelligence scroll it had disgorged.
"Fabricating souls? Shaping bodies?" His tone remained even. "What a truly mad clan. I suspect Minato's assessment is correct—this clan has dwindled to almost nothing."
"Hmph." Homura Mitokado's expression turned cold. "Even if such a mad clan genuinely joins Konoha, they'll only cause trouble."
"Moreover, we cannot determine whether their intentions are sincere."
Koharu Utatane's face scrunched as she studied the intelligence in her hands. "Furthermore, quite a few of our people have gone missing on the Land of Bears front. Members of the Hyuga Main House and the Uchiha clan among them. If this matter isn't clarified, neither clan will let it rest."
"When that happens, not only will it fail to strengthen the village—it will aggravate internal conflicts."
"Absurd." Danzo Shimura's voice carried weight. He jabbed a finger at the nearby map. "Look carefully. This is the Land of Bears—directly adjacent to the Land of Fire's heartland, surrounded by sea on three sides."
"If we don't deal with this mysterious clan, they could become a bridgehead for hostile nations at any moment, bringing war directly into Fire Country."
"Such a situation is absolutely unacceptable. This clan must be dealt with."
Homura and Koharu both stiffened.
"Danzo, the war is ending," they protested. "We absolutely cannot provoke new incidents."
Danzo didn't yield an inch. "If military force won't work, then use other methods. Stop making excuses."
Hiruzen couldn't help glancing at his old friend.
Based on decades of understanding, Danzo had probably set his sights on something specific.
"Danzo makes a valid point." Hiruzen spoke up. "To put Orochimaru at a disadvantage so quickly, this person's strength likely approaches my own."
The other three reacted with visible shock—especially Homura and Koharu.
They simply couldn't believe anyone possessed such power.
"Hiruzen, you're not joking?" Danzo's gaze sharpened.
After a slow draw from his pipe, Hiruzen nodded.
"However, his condition appears poor. According to Minato's report, during their encounter, Zenshu gave the impression of being severely constrained."
"What if he was faking it?" Danzo frowned deeply.
"Then have Tsunade make a trip." Hiruzen's voice carried decisive finality.
"With both Tsunade and Orochimaru present, we can properly assess the situation."
The other three raised no objections.
Everyone understood exactly how formidable Tsunade's medical expertise was—not to mention Orochimaru's presence as backup.
"Now we must discuss this matter of 'sincerity.'" Hiruzen's frown deepened slightly.
"Without any contribution, what more does he want?" Koharu spoke dismissively. "A Jonin position should be more than sufficient."
"Don't forget the seven ninja swords." Danzo's frown matched his displeasure. "Based on that alone, a single Jonin position is insulting."
This old woman is so stingy—how does she expect to recruit anyone?
Even when luring a dog, you had to offer a bone. Let alone a clan possessing multiple secret techniques.
"A single Jonin position is indeed insufficient." Hiruzen nodded slowly. "We can add two Special Jonin positions. Appoint him as Deputy Director of the Technical Research Institute, with authority to independently propose research projects without reporting to Orochimaru."
"Additionally—their Barrier Techniques appear quite distinctive. We could also have him join the Barrier Team and lead a squad."
As Hiruzen finished, both Homura and Koharu frowned.
Before either could voice objections, they met the Hokage's gaze.
"It's decided. I'll have ANBU deliver the orders and locate Tsunade."
Homura and Koharu could only remain silent.
Danzo cared nothing for these positions—none held real importance.
On the contrary, the relatively minor role of Barrier Team squad leader made him slightly attentive.
Land of Bears. Frontline camp.
Tsunade arrived at the command post and immediately located Minato and Orochimaru.
"Where is he?" Her brows were knitted, eyes showing obvious reluctance.
She produced a scroll and tossed it to Minato.
He unrolled it, scanned the contents quickly, and breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Commotion erupted outside the tent. Fugaku Uchiha and a Hyuga Jonin entered.
Fugaku frowned slightly, shooting the Hyuga an annoyed glance.
"Lord Minato!" The Hyuga's voice rose sharply the moment he entered. "Lord Hyuga Soka's whereabouts remain unknown. Suspicion points directly at that mysterious clan. When exactly will we infiltrate and rescue him?"
The outburst made Tsunade, Orochimaru, and the others frown.
Minato's expression tightened. "There's currently no evidence proving Hyuga Soka was captured by Zenshu. Don't jump to conclusions."
The Hyuga Jonin knew this perfectly well—but he had no choice.
Ever since the clan learned of this news, the Fourth Elder—who'd lost his heir—had nursed a grudge against this mysterious clan, convinced they were responsible.
He'd issued multiple orders for covert investigation.
This time, he'd gone further: a private directive to sabotage any alliance, or even conduct a secret assassination.
"But the only parties with capability and motive are Hidden Mist and this mysterious clan." The Hyuga pressed forward. "Yet throughout this war, Hidden Mist hasn't produced a single ninja with a transplanted Byakugan. Obviously, it wasn't them."
"That leaves only this mysterious clan. They conduct research—"
A wave of cold chakra cut him off mid-sentence.
Orochimaru wore his expressionless smile. His deep, eerie voice emerged slowly.
"Research? You believe research constitutes motive?"
The Hyuga Jonin's mouth snapped shut. A thin layer of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
The gap between Jonin and Kage-level was stark. Reaching that tier required meeting two conditions.
First: the ability to defeat—or instantly kill—a Jonin in short order.
Second: the ability to handle, defeat, or kill multiple Jonin simultaneously.
Though the current Orochimaru hadn't reached his peak, he already qualified as Kage-level.
A mere Jonin didn't dare retort under that pressure.
"While Hidden Mist hasn't produced a Byakugan wielder, that doesn't prove innocence." Minato stepped forward smoothly.
"As for Zenshu's clan—we need further investigation before drawing conclusions."
"Then for the next contact, can you bring us along?" The Hyuga breathed a sigh of relief and spoke quickly.
This had been his goal all along. Whatever he intended to do, he could only act after making contact.
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