In the office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, rushed here overnight to deal with the sudden attack at Konoha Hospital.
Currently, two squads of Anbu are stationed at Konoha Hospital, handling the battle traces. As the newly appointed head of Anbu, Kakashi came to report to Hiruzen.
After listening to Kakashi's report, Hiruzen's furrowed brow slightly eased.
Because in this attack, there were no casualties, only Asami Shinsui, head of the pharmacy department, was attacked and suffered minor injuries, currently recuperating in the hospital.
As for the attackers... Hiruzen held the medical ninja files urgently transferred from the hospital.
——Ooyama Jun.
A graduate of the eighth medical ninja training class at the Konoha Ninja School, twenty-three years old, whose parents both died in wartime, making him appear solitary in personality. However, he had no bad habits and had diligently worked for the village since graduation.
If not for today's incident, Hiruzen would have truly believed this was a medical ninja loyal to Konoha.
"Can it be confirmed that he's affiliated with Chiba Hakushi?"
Hiruzen paused for a moment and asked Kakashi.
It's understandable why Hiruzen would think so.
Ooyama Jun was from the eighth medical ninja training class, while Chiba Hakushi was from the first. If Chiba tried to plant spies in the village, it would be easy to target someone like Ooyama Jun, especially since it's a familiar area for Chiba Hakushi.
Now with Ooyama Jun exposed, it's easy to associate this with the Land of Demons starting to make moves.
Kakashi answered frankly, "It's still uncertain. According to Asami Shinsui's testimony, Ooyama Jun appeared to possess the power of a Curse Seal. And when I pursued him... he was already blown up in the secret passage leading outside Konoha by an explosive tag, leaving only incomplete body parts."
"Curse Seal?"
Hiruzen's relaxed brows furrowed tightly again as he contemplated.
He wasn't sure if Chiba Hakushi had studied curse-type jutsus, but when it came to Curse Seal, he quickly thought of his disciple who had defected from the village, Orochimaru.
The opponent had deeply researched Curse Seal during his time in Konoha.
His disciple, Mitarashi Anko, had also exhibited signs of Curse Seal, and even sealing techniques couldn't completely suppress the erosion caused by the Juinjutsu.
A rather tricky jutsu, difficult to unravel.
"Yes. Specific analysis results will take some time. If it's determined that Ooyama Jun's Curse Seal power is of the same origin as Mitarashi Anko's, then it can be confirmed as Orochimaru's doing."
Kakashi replied.
Hiruzen nodded. Since it involves Curse Seal, one cannot help but suspect Orochimaru.
Moreover, Orochimaru indeed has the capability to plant personnel in the hospital unnoticed.
Compared to Chiba Hakushi, Orochimaru's fame during his time in Konoha was even greater, making it easier to recruit subordinates.
Now, with Orochimaru also involved, Hiruzen felt quite distressed.
Just as one wave subsides, another arises.
"Continue the investigation, strive to find more comrades of Ooyama Jun."
Both Chiba Hakushi and Orochimaru aren't easy people to deal with.
Spies lurking in Konoha must be excavated and eliminated as soon as possible.
Every day they remain, Konoha won't have peace.
"Yes."
Kakashi took his leave.
◎
Late at night.
This street is exceptionally desolate, the chilly night wind stirring the extinguished lanterns hanging in front of shops, the air filled with eerie whooshing sounds, creating a particularly bleak atmosphere.
This is the Uchiha Clan's abode.
Kabuto naturally knew about this place. After the clan's massacre, he snuck in several times but found nothing, so he didn't pay much attention.
The main issue was that Anbu and Root personnel frequently passed through here. If caught by them, explaining would be challenging.
After all, the Uchiha Clan of Konoha wasn't entirely wiped out; there's one last survivor—Uchiha Sasuke.
Kabuto didn't expect Orochimaru to bring him to this place, momentarily unable to fathom Orochimaru's intentions.
But recalling Orochimaru's failed surprise attack on Uchiha Itachi, only to be beaten off, Kabuto felt a slight apprehension.
Is it for the Sharingan?
Apart from the Land of Demons and Akatsuki, only Konoha has a Sharingan inheritor left.
Thinking this way, it's no surprise that Orochimaru has his sights set on Konoha's last Uchiha survivor.
Losing to a boy over thirty years younger, for a genius among the Sannin, is undoubtedly a shame and sorrow.
Even though no defeated emotion was visible on Orochimaru's face, Kabuto instinctively believed so.
Retreating in the organization, avoiding meeting Uchiha Itachi, stems from a deep-seated fear.
Kabuto followed Orochimaru quietly, leaping to the roof of a residential house, overlooking the view past the railing and adjacent windows. A boy could be seen sleeping soundly in his bedroom—Uchiha Sasuke.
The other's nostrils emitted steady breathing sounds, sleeping deeply, showing no signs of waking despite the attention from Orochimaru and Kabuto.
Kabuto adjusted his glasses on his nose, smiling as he asked, "Lord Orochimaru seems quite interested in this Uchiha clan orphan?"