1:00 PM — Hokage's Office
Hiruzen Sarutobi finished reviewing the documents and stretched his stiff arms.
His gaze drifted to the photo album on his desk, a faint smile surfacing.
In the picture stood five people: Hiruzen, Biwako, Shinnosuke, Ruri, and Asuma.
"Shinnosuke is the ANBU Commander… and Ruri is his deputy," he murmured.
"Once the two of them marry, control over ANBU will finally be completely secure."
A wave of emotion welled up inside him.
Since taking office, he had governed with devotion — stabilising the village internally while projecting power externally. And now, with ANBU firmly in his grasp…
"Hiruzen Sarutobi… you truly deserve the title of the strongest Hokage in history."
Praising himself quietly, he turned back toward his endless paperwork.
Whoosh!
An ANBU shinobi suddenly appeared.
"Hokage-sama! There's an anomaly at the ANBU base!"
"Oh?" Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.
With Shinnosuke presiding over the base, what could possibly go wrong?
"This should have been reported to the ANBU Commander first," he said displeased.
"This is overstepping your authority."
In his eyes, this ANBU was clearly trying to bypass Shinnosuke and curry favour directly — which only irritated him.
"The Commander… isn't at the base," the ANBU replied hesitantly.
"He's not?" Hiruzen frowned.
Today was Team Nine's first day reporting to ANBU — Shinnosuke should have been training them.
"Did he take them elsewhere for instruction?" he muttered.
"There's heavy black smoke in the base… and a strong smell of blood."
"What?!"
Hiruzen shot to his feet.
Smoke meant little.
Blood did not.
ANBU Base
Standing inside the hall, Hiruzen observed the drifting black haze. It carried a corrosive tinge, and the metallic stench of blood lingered in the air.
After brief contemplation, he issued commands.
"Bring me Director Heiji from the hospital. And find Shinnosuke immediately."
Moments later, Heiji arrived.
"Hokage-sama."
"Analyse this smoke. Tell me what it contains."
"Yes."
Heiji formed seals and used a medical technique to condense the particles. The black smoke vanished where his chakra passed, leaving behind a dark-red droplet floating in his palm.
His expression grew grave.
"This is snake venom — highly corrosive. Mixed with blood."
"Snake venom…?" Hiruzen's brows drew together.
Instinctively, one name surfaced in his mind.
Orochimaru.
After Heiji departed, Hiruzen waited anxiously for news of his son.
"Hokage-sama… the Commander has not been located."
His heart clenched.
He had issued no mission to Shinnosuke today. The only thing on his agenda…
Team Nine.
His eyes narrowed.
Hokage Tower
When Team Nine was summoned again, the familiar procedure awaited them.
"Only one person enters at a time."
The ANBU's voice was cold and emotionless.
"Drake, you go first."
Inside the office stood Hiruzen… and Danzo.
"Drake," Danzo said in his usual low tone,
"Tell us exactly what Team Nine did this morning."
"Uh… we waited outside the ANBU base all morning," Drake replied calmly.
"Outside?" Hiruzen's gaze sharpened. "You never entered?"
"No one opened the doors for us," Drake shook his head.
The two elders exchanged a glance. Unsatisfied — yet not surprised.
Kakashi was questioned next.
Then Anko.
Then Rin.
Then Yugao.
All gave the exact same answer.
Finally — Yamato.
"Yamato," Danzo said quietly, "did your team enter the ANBU base?"
"…No."
Once he left, both elders turned toward the corner of the room.
Swish.
Inoichi Yamanaka revealed himself, expression conflicted.
"Well?" the two demanded.
"Drake didn't lie," Inoichi said.
"The others… did."
The room froze.
Same testimony. Two different truth readings.
Danzo narrowed his eyes.
"This again…"
Hiruzen frowned.
"The same situation as before. Are you certain your clan's technique is flawless?"
"It is," Inoichi replied stiffly.
"I've tested it extensively since the last incident. There has been no error."
The implication was obvious.
Drake… had once again been deceived by his teammates.
Inoichi withdrew, leaving only the two elders behind.
Another ANBU appeared and delivered the final report.
"Search complete."
The document was handed over.
Hiruzen skimmed it, his hand tightening.
"No signs of combat. No structural damage. No evidence of intrusion."
"So Shinnosuke was killed by someone he trusted," Hiruzen whispered painfully.
Snake venom… familiar surroundings… no resistance…
Only one possibility remained.
Danzo folded his arms thoughtfully.
"Orochimaru infiltrated the base, killed Shinnosuke, and erased the body."
He then continued, voice steady.
"Afterwards, he encountered Team Nine and threatened them. That is why they concealed his identity."
He glanced sideways at Hiruzen.
"As for Drake… he is known to arrive late to every gathering."
"So when this happened, his teammates chose to shield him. Once again, he was kept in the dark."
Hiruzen closed his eyes slowly.
Drake… misled.
Deceived.
Protected by ignorance.
And Orochimaru?
Already carrying yet another sin he never committed.
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