Uchiha En, Asana, and Yamanaka Kagetsu arrived at the Hokage Office together.
At this time, Minato Namikaze and his three disciples were also in the Hokage Office.
"Hokage-sama, did you call for us?" Asana Hyuga asked respectfully.
"Yes, I just received news that a member of the Hyuga Main Family had an accident in the Land of Bears, and his Byakugan was stolen."
Uchiha En and Asana exchanged glances upon hearing this.
It had been almost a month since this incident occurred, so why was Hiruzen Sarutobi only mentioning it now?
Logically, Hiruzen Sarutobi should have received the news much earlier, right?
"Hokage-sama, when did this happen?" Uchiha En asked.
"About a month ago. It had been under secret investigation, and we only got results today."
"Were the culprits found?"
The Third Hokage nodded and said, "With the combined efforts of the Anbu and the Land of Bears camp, we've confirmed that one of the Byakugan is now in the hands of Ao, a Jonin from Kirigakure.
The other was taken away from the Land of Bears battlefield and is most likely in the hands of Taki Ninja."
"Hokage-sama, who attacked the Hyuga Main Family member?" Minato Namikaze asked from the side.
"It's a bit shameful to say, but the three who made the move were once Anbu members under me."
"Then, Hokage-sama, did you call us here because of these three people?" Minato Namikaze asked.
"Yes, they were once in my Anbu and know many of the Village's secrets. Now, one of the Byakugan has also fallen into their hands, so these three must die.
According to the intelligence returned by my Anbu, they are currently hiding in the Land of Waterfalls.
This time, I intend to assign this mission to your squad. Your squad will go to the Land of Waterfalls, eliminate them, and withdraw quickly after the mission is complete."
"Then, Hokage-sama, should we try to find out the whereabouts of that Byakugan from them?" Minato Namikaze continued to ask.
"From the intelligence brought back by the Anbu, they have already defected to the Taki Ninja. The other Byakugan is most likely in the hands of the Taki Ninja. The Taki Ninja are a force we need to win over at this stage, and they also possess the Seven-Tails, so it's best not to clash with them.
Let's put aside the whereabouts of that Byakugan for now!"
"I understand, Hokage-sama. Don't worry, we will eliminate these three without anyone knowing and then withdraw from Takigakure."
After hearing Minato Namikaze's words, the Third Hokage nodded in satisfaction.
This grand-disciple of his was truly a gift from heaven to Konoha. Without him, Konoha's war would have been much more difficult.
"Then what about us, Hokage-sama?" Uchiha En asked.
"En, your squad will primarily be responsible for providing support from the periphery. Takigakure is located between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, surrounded by four countries.
This country is made up of many waterfalls, and the massive waterfalls prevent invasion from other countries. Takigakure is hidden within one of these large waterfalls.
Such a geographical environment could easily lead to unexpected situations, so I need your assistance for Minato's squad. While Minato's squad is performing the mission inside Takigakure, your squad must be vigilant of the surroundings and try to eliminate any factors that could expose Minato's squad."
"Hokage-sama, don't worry, we know what to do."
The Third Hokage nodded and continued, "That's good! After this mission, En, your squad will directly change course and return to the Land of Bears battlefield. Minato's squad will handle reporting back to the Village."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
After leaving the Hokage Office, Minato Namikaze turned to Uchiha En and said, "En, how about we meet at the Village gate in an hour?"
"No problem."
"Alright, then let's go prepare!" With that, Minato Namikaze left with his disciples.
"En, Asana, I'll go back and say goodbye to my mother first." After saying that, Yamanaka Kagetsu also left.
Uchiha En and Asana left the Hokage Building together and went to their usual meeting spot, the 'old place'.
"Asana, aren't you going to say goodbye to your family?" Uchiha En asked.
"I'll just have a Summoned Beast deliver a letter back in a bit."
"I see! By the way, Asana, does Orochimaru know about this mission?" Uchiha En asked.
"He probably doesn't. If he knew, Teacher Orochimaru would have informed me in advance."
"Then do you want to tell him? These three Jonin are his people after all."
Asana nodded. She quickly wrote a letter, then summoned a small snake and had it deliver the letter to Orochimaru.
A moment later, Asana received a reply from Orochimaru, with only one sentence: "They have already resolved themselves to sacrifice."
Asana and Uchiha En both fell silent after reading Orochimaru's reply.
"Your teacher is truly a master of brainwashing! These three were once the Third Hokage's Anbu, yet your teacher managed to make them so loyal to him."
"Teacher Orochimaru is indeed very good at exploiting human weaknesses," Asana said.
"In any case, Asana, you must be vigilant of him."
"Don't worry! I'm aware of it."
An hour later, Uchiha En's squad and Minato Namikaze's squad met at the Village gate on time.
Destination: Takigakure.
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