As Konoha Village launched an investigation into the Daimyo Mansion, its strange occurrences became apparent everywhere, officially drawing the attention of all Konoha executives.
Early the next morning, Uzumaki Raiden issued a secret order to recall all of Kun's personnel to the village. Shortly after arriving at the school office, he was summoned to the Hokage's office by Namikaze Minato for an urgent discussion.
When Uzumaki Raiden arrived at the office, he found that someone had already been there for some time.
"Mr. Sarutobi, I didn't expect to see you here."
"Minato, what happened now?"
Uzumaki Raiden entered the office, noticing Sarutobi Hiruzen sitting on the sofa. After a brief greeting, he sat beside him. At that moment, Hiruzen looked troubled, deep in thought, and didn't even respond to Raiden's greeting.
Hearing Raiden's question, Hiruzen's dazed eyes refocused. He rubbed his cheeks lightly and looked at Minato.
Minato, noticing Hiruzen's gaze, sighed and explained:
"The Third Hokage… he wishes to personally lead the team to the Daimyo Mansion."
"This is an important matter, so I called you here to discuss it together."
While speaking, Minato exchanged a quick glance with Nara Shikaku beside him. When they arrived at the office that morning, they had already found Sarutobi Hiruzen there, lost in thought. The moment he saw them, he immediately requested to personally lead the mission to the Daimyo Mansion. Even without him saying it outright, Minato and Shikaku had already guessed—something must have happened to Asuma Sarutobi, leaving the Third Hokage deeply unsettled.
Minato couldn't make the decision to send a former Hokage into such a dangerous situation on his own, so he had called Raiden to discuss it.
Based on their intelligence, the situation in Wufang City within the Daimyo Mansion was as obscure as a dense fog. Every ninja sent for reconnaissance had lost contact. Given the circumstances, Minato and the others had already heightened their vigilance to the maximum. They dared not send ninjas in recklessly anymore. Instead, they were waiting for Hatake Sakumo to return from the frontlines and for the elite forces under Uzumaki Raiden to return to the village before conducting further investigations.
Yet, at this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly proposed leading a team himself, putting Minato in a difficult position.
"Old man, you want to lead the team yourself?"
Raiden was surprised at Minato's words, his eyes widening in disbelief as he turned to Hiruzen.
"That reaction—what's with that look!"
Hiruzen seemed to regain his composure and glanced at Raiden, reprimanding him. Realizing his momentary lapse, Raiden quickly calmed himself. Then, with a playful tone, he draped an arm over Hiruzen's shoulder and said:
"The leader of the Daimyo Mansion investigation has already been decided—Hatake Sakumo, who specializes in Lightning Release and has extensive experience. He's the best choice."
"Old man, at your age, you shouldn't be running around."
"If you're worried about Asuma's safety, there's no need to go in person. Captain Sakumo will prioritize finding his whereabouts."
Now calm, Raiden quickly deduced Hiruzen's motive for wanting to lead the mission himself and tried to reassure him. To be honest, Raiden still had concerns about Hiruzen's strength. No one knew the current state of the Daimyo Mansion, and although Hiruzen was strong, his biggest weakness was his age.
The physical capabilities of the older generation had significantly declined. In contrast, Sakumo Hatake, a middle-aged ninja, was in far better shape. With his wealth of experience and mastery of Lightning Release, he was the most suitable candidate.
Most importantly, it would take time for Raiden's elite forces to return. Even if the Third Hokage insisted on taking on the mission, there were no available reinforcements.
"Bastard, are you saying I'm too old to fight now?!"
Hiruzen's expression darkened, and contrary to his usual calm demeanor, chakra flared violently from his body. The sudden burst of energy stirred strong winds inside the office, scattering the documents on Minato's desk.
"Well, teacher, don't be angry. That's not what I meant."
"If you're in such a hurry and insisting on leading the team yourself, you must have received some new information."
"Care to share?"
Seeing that Hiruzen was genuinely upset, Raiden softened his tone and spoke with a soothing intent. He had deep respect for Hiruzen—not only as his master but as someone who had played a significant role in his journey to becoming Hokage.
After Uzumaki Mito's death, and before Raiden had fully grown into his power, Hiruzen had protected both him and Kushina. For that, Raiden felt not only a strong emotional bond but also deep gratitude.
That's why, from the bottom of his heart, Raiden didn't want his master to risk himself unnecessarily.
"The situation in Wufang City is worse than you can imagine."
"After last night's meeting, I used a summoning beast to contact Asuma and gather intelligence on Wufang City."
"The entire area is now under the control of demons!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, picked up his teacup from the coffee table, took a sip, and continued. As he began discussing serious matters, everyone in the office focused their attention on him.
"The Daimyo's family and several retainers have been expelled from the mansion. Currently, the Daimyo's daughter, Tongu, holds power over the mansion."
"Wufang City has been completely sealed off. While we don't know what method they used, what we do know is that anyone can enter—but no one can leave."
"Moreover, anyone who enters is placed under surveillance from the moment they arrive. The monitoring is extremely covert, suggesting the enemy possesses a special ability."
"Wufang City has become a demon's paradise. The people who once lived there are nothing more than livestock raised for slaughter—they are merely food for these demons!"
Hiruzen provided a concise overview of the critical information he had gathered. Even he didn't know much about Wufang City. While his summon, the Monkey King Enma, had managed to speak with Asuma, uncovering the full truth would require infiltrating the city.
However, what he did know was that the two strongest demons currently residing in Wufang City were Heijian, a former member of the Guardian Twelve Ninja, and Tongu, the Daimyo's daughter. Based on Asuma's descriptions of their strength, they weren't entirely unbeatable—the real issue was their undead nature.
But for Asuma and his team, these enemies were beyond their capabilities.
"Is that so?"
"Does this demon, Tongu, have any distinguishing features?"
Raiden leaned back into the sofa and asked in a low voice. The sudden emergence of demons in this world piqued his curiosity. He wanted to know if the demons in the Naruto world shared the same characteristics as those from his understanding.
Surprised by Raiden's keen observation, Hiruzen gave him a curious look. He hadn't expected his disciple to catch on so quickly—it was as if Raiden had already suspected something.
"In terms of appearance, there's nothing particularly abnormal. She looks like an ordinary human, but her eyes are different. One of her eyes has the kanji for 'Upper Rank' (上弦), while the other has the kanji for 'One' (壱)."
"Asuma and his team have taken to calling her the Upper Rank One demon."
"In addition, they encountered another demon, 'Upper Rank Two,' who was once their former comrade—Kuroma, a former Guardian Twelve Ninja."
"Since Asuma and the others discovered the demon, they have been fighting against it, but they have no way to kill it. After the death of the barrier ninja on their team, they have been completely forced into a defensive position."
"If reinforcements don't arrive soon, they won't last much longer."
When Sarutobi Hiruzen said this, an unmistakable sorrow appeared on his face. His eldest son had already died on the battlefield, and if his younger son suffered the same fate...
Minato and Nara Shikaku remained silent for a long time, lowering their heads as they processed the information Hiruzen had just revealed. Meanwhile, Uzumaki Raiden quickly assessed the strength of the demons.
"In terms of combat power alone, Hatake Sakumo should be enough. Even if it's a demon, it means little in the face of Sakumo. However, I'm concerned that Lightning Release might not be effective. If conventional weapons prove useless, sealing techniques will be our last resort."
"It looks like this mission..."
Uzumaki Raiden pondered for a moment before smiling and saying:
"Teacher, if we let an old man like you take the battlefield again, what would that say about us young people?"
"I understand your concern, so how about this—have Sakumo and Itachi return as soon as possible. Until they arrive, I'll head to Wufang City myself."
"When Itachi and the others arrive, they can come to support me."
"Teacher, you can stay in the village and wait for my report. What do you think?"
Raiden suggested this because he understood why Sarutobi Hiruzen was so eager to lead the mission—he was afraid of losing his son. Instead of letting his aging master take the risk, Raiden decided to go himself.
To be honest, he was quite intrigued by these demons that could seemingly live forever.
"Hmm..." Hiruzaru Sarutobi hadn't expected his disciple to volunteer so decisively. While he trusted Raiden's strength completely, he had other concerns.
"Raiden, I have full confidence in your abilities, and I appreciate your willingness."
"But you must not take on this mission. You are strong, but the world is filled with strange and unknown abilities. Rushing in without understanding the enemy is unwise."
"You are not only the Fourth Hokage but also the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. I must be the one to handle this mission."
"I know what you're worried about, but don't be. I not only know some Lightning Release ninjutsu and sealing techniques, but I also have other means at my disposal."
"Let an old man like me take on the risk of scouting ahead. Even if something happens to me, Raiden, Minato—I am at peace knowing that the village is in your hands."
Hiruzen's tone was firm and resolute. Seeing his determination, Minato and Raiden exchanged glances and remained silent. They both understood that once Sarutobi Hiruzen had made up his mind, not even Raiden could change it.
"If that's the case, then I won't try to persuade you."
"If you insist on this, then take this scroll with you."
"I have maintained three shadow clones in Mount Myōboku to continuously gather Senjutsu chakra."
"This scroll contains a partial summoning seal. Keep it with you—if you need assistance, just summon me."
"Actually, if you're that worried about Asuma's safety, wouldn't it be better to use reverse summoning to bring him back? Why do you need to go there yourself?"
Uzumaki Raiden sighed, took out a scroll from inside his robe, and placed it in Hiruzen's hands.
Hearing Raiden's question, Hiruzen simply shook his head and said, "Asuma isn't compatible with the Monkey King Clan."
His words were merely a form of self-consolation. The truth was that the Monkey King Clan had not accepted Asuma as a suitable summoning partner. These high-level summoning beasts naturally chose their own contractors, and Asuma's talent hadn't met their standards. Because of this, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no way to use reverse summoning to pull his son out of danger.
Raiden didn't press the matter further after hearing this.
With the decision now made, Minato had no choice but to swiftly arrange the details. Since Sarutobi Hiruzen would personally lead the mission into Wufang City, the team accompanying him had to be carefully selected.
Raiden did not participate in the next phase of planning and left Minato's office. Not long after he departed, several jōnin arrived at Minato's office. These were the individuals Minato had chosen to accompany the Third Hokage to Wufang City.
Akimichi Chōza of the Akimichi Clan, Yamanaka Inoichi of the Yamanaka Clan, Nara Shikadai, the younger brother of Nara Shikaku, Aburame Shibi of the Aburame Clan, and Uchiha Obito of the Uchiha Clan. Minato had gathered some of Konoha's top elites. With these individuals protecting Hiruzen, he believed they would be able to handle whatever enemy they faced.
On a hillside outside Wufang City, a thin man gazed at the city in the distance, his eyes burning with excitement.
"Daimyo Mansion… Wufang City… ho ho ho ho, what an interesting choice."
"Here, could we finally uncover the secret of immortality?"
Standing behind him was a girl with blue hair and a purple outfit. In her hands, she held a thick chain covered in intricate curse marks. On the other end of the chain was a bound figure.
Calling it a person wasn't entirely accurate. To be precise, the one restrained at the other end of the chain was a demon.
A being with the kanji for "Upper Rank" (上弦) and "Six" (陸) inscribed in one of its eyes.
"Lord Orochimaru, we just received word that Konoha has caught wind of the situation in Wufang City."
"They've already sent multiple teams of ninja to investigate."
"We need to act quickly, or Konoha's interference could become a problem."
The girl spoke softly, careful not to disturb Orochimaru's thoughts.
"Guren, there's no need to rush."
"This city is far more interesting than it appears."
"Let those Konoha shinobi scout the path for us first."
"Ho ho ho ho."
Orochimaru chuckled, slowly turning around as he fixed his serpentine eyes on the bound demon. The creature trembled as it sensed his gaze.
"What a fascinating existence."
"Truly intriguing."
"But an immortality that comes with shackles is not the eternity I seek."
"However… if I can obtain superior blood, I will finally unravel the true secret of immortality!"
Orochimaru carefully observed the demon before him, his tongue flicking out as he licked his lips, his eyes gleaming with obsessive fascination.
(End of Chapter)