Chapter 77: Yamanaka Inoichi's Evasion
At this moment—
The expressions of the frontline camp's high-ranking members, including Yamanaka Inoichi, became exceptionally serious. Not a trace of joy from Ritsu's triumphant return remained visible. Deep in their eyes lay only helplessness and headache from being dragged into a new storm.
They weren't fools.
Combined with Aburame Torune's earlier actions, even thinking with their backsides, they knew exactly who the "certain people" and "bastards" Ritsu was talking about were.
But the problem was—so what if they guessed it?
Guesses alone couldn't convict anyone.
Moreover, standing behind Aburame Torune was Hokage Advisor Shimura Danzo. Even if they obtained concrete evidence, could they secure a conviction? Unlikely.
The filthy deeds Shimura Danzo had committed over the years had been exposed more than once, yet he remained the Hokage Advisor—second only to one, above ten thousand. His power and status hadn't been shaken in the slightest.
The reasons behind this—they didn't dare investigate deeply.
However—
This young Hyuga clan head named Hyuga Ritsu was no easy target either. He'd led the Branch family to overthrow the Main family, unified the Hyuga clan as one, repeatedly established merit on the frontline battlefield, and earned the fearsome title "White Yaksha"—a name that made Mist ninja retreat three steps.
Then there was Team Kakashi. The team leader, Hatake Kakashi, was White Fang's son, Yellow Flash's student, and himself a famous genius in the village. And his team members—setting aside Nohara Rin and Hyuga Akiba, Uchiha Aika represented the Uchiha clan.
In short—
These accusers weren't easy to placate either.
Furthermore, because they hadn't anticipated this situation, they hadn't dispersed the spectator ninja in advance. Now popular sentiment ran high. If they couldn't provide a reasonable response, once the news spread, it might cause morale to crumble across the frontlines.
Gazes focused on Orochimaru. At this moment, they felt especially grateful for Yamanaka Inoichi's earlier decisive action in bringing Orochimaru back. Otherwise, if Aburame Torune were standing here now, he would undoubtedly make things worse!
At this moment—
Under everyone's attention, Orochimaru's expression didn't change. He said composedly: "Ritsu-kun, Kakashi, the situation you've described is extremely serious. I will certainly investigate it thoroughly. However, you should also understand this isn't something that can be clarified in a short time. So before the truth comes to light, the overall situation must still take priority!"
Then he swept his gaze around and said without room for argument: "All of you disperse as well! When the truth comes to light, it will be publicly announced. For now, go do whatever you're supposed to do. Stop gathering here to watch the excitement."
Orochimaru's prestige ran deep. With his word, after looking at each other, the crowd truly dispersed. No one doubted his credibility.
After the spectators retreated, everyone breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Orochimaru also looked at the thoroughly bound and gagged Suikazan Fuguki. After examining him twice, he instructed: "Inoichi, the interrogation work is entrusted to you."
Orochimaru then looked at Ritsu, asking with a smile: "Ritsu-kun, are there any additions you'd like to make to this arrangement?"
"I trust your arrangements, Lord Orochimaru, and I trust that Inoichi will submit a sufficiently detailed report with no omissions!"
Ritsu looked deeply at Yamanaka Inoichi, placing heavy emphasis on "no omissions."
Yamanaka Inoichi's mouth twitched slightly after hearing this.
He knew this job wouldn't be easy. Not because he lacked confidence in reading useful intelligence from Suikazan Fuguki's brain, but because he worried there would be too much intelligence. If he truly read certain names, what should he do? Speaking them out might bring disaster upon himself.
But looking at Ritsu's attitude—
If he dared conceal part of the intelligence, they'd probably become mortal enemies!
Before even beginning the interrogation, Yamanaka Inoichi fell into deep difficulty. He licked his lips and said: "Lord Orochimaru, Clan Head Hyuga, I cannot guarantee I'll definitely be able to extract useful intelligence through interrogation. If Suikazan Fuguki's brain has seals in place, forcibly reading his brain might not work—there's a risk of failure!"
Hearing this, Orochimaru immediately narrowed his eyes, looking deeply at Yamanaka Inoichi.
At this time—
Ritsu spoke up and asked: "If you're not confident in forcibly reading Suikazan Fuguki's brain, could you use genjutsu to induce him to voluntarily confess?"
"If the caster's genjutsu is sufficiently skillful, it's completely feasible." Yamanaka Inoichi hastily answered.
"In that case, Lord Orochimaru, why not call for Shisui and have him try first?"
Ritsu suggested.
If he had a choice, he actually wasn't happy to have Yamanaka Inoichi read Suikazan Fuguki's brain either, because the Ino-Shika-Cho clans were deeply bound to the Sarutobi clan and were important supporters of the Third Hokage. Having him read Fuguki's brain created the very real possibility he'd cover up information unfavorable to the Third Hokage.
In comparison—
He'd much rather involve the Uchiha clan.
"In that case, let's proceed as you suggest, Ritsu-kun. Call Uchiha Shisui back."
Orochimaru agreed.
Yamanaka Inoichi's intent to evade was obvious. Forcing the issue would only make everyone unhappy. Better to proceed as Ritsu suggested.
Then—
"Let's go inside to talk! Standing here, we'll only obstruct traffic." Orochimaru invited Ritsu to return to the command tent to talk.
"Perfect. There's another important matter that requires a sufficiently secure location to discuss."
Ritsu looked back at Team Kakashi. "Kakashi, you all follow along too."
"What matter?"
"It's extremely important with a rather high classification level. Too many eyes and ears here—not suitable for discussion."
Hearing this response—
Orochimaru looked at Ritsu with some surprise, but indeed didn't press further. The group headed toward Orochimaru's tent. Kakashi and Uchiha Aika dragged Suikazan Fuguki together while Hyuga Akiba carried the pole with Ao's severed head.
After they entered Orochimaru's tent, he finally asked: "Ritsu-kun, what else is there that cannot be spoken?"
"Nohara Rin is now the Three-Tails Jinchuriki."
Ritsu's simple statement directly made the frontline camp's high-ranking members in the tent first freeze, then their expressions drastically changed. As though facing a great enemy, they immediately distanced themselves from the girl. If not for the tent's constraints, each would have retreated ten meters away.
Kakashi frowned, displeased as he swept his gaze over these people.
Nohara Rin lowered her head, somewhat sad.
"Three-Tails Jinchuriki?"
Orochimaru didn't move. Instead, his eyes widened, and interested light floated in those golden vertical pupils. He looked up and down at Nohara Rin, this most unremarkable girl, while asking: "Ritsu-kun, explain in detail. What exactly did you encounter last night?"
****
50+advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces