This was a truth the Old Hokage had just realized: as he aged, his stamina dwindled, and his ninjutsu and chakra manipulation skills were no longer what they were in his youth.
In his youth, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had completely pinned his hopes for increasing his strength on mastering more varied ninjutsu.
Looking back now, that truly was the naivety of youth, a genuine lack of understanding.
He should have focused on developing his wisdom during his prime.
His stubborn pursuit of raw power and destructive force ultimately led him astray, risking losing the watermelon while failing to pick up even a sesame seed…
"Hokage-sama… the Kazekage, the Kazekage, he's indeed no longer in his designated resting area!"
Just as the Old Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had anticipated.
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, who had come to Konoha Village during the day, was indeed not the real one.
Looking at it now, it was highly probable that Orochimaru had disguised himself, using a transformation jutsu to impersonate him.
"I didn't expect that guy would still find a loophole!"
The Hokage didn't waste too much time regretting; he immediately issued orders.
"Immediately gather all high-ranking officials in the Hokage's office for a meeting!"
"Also, first call Asuma, Kakashi, and Kurenai here!"
Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai were already quite prominent talents among the elite Jonin in Konoha Village.
The meeting could be postponed for now.
Dealing with the unexpected situation on Luffy's side and resolving the traitor Orochimaru could not be delayed!
Sending Kakashi and a few others was a prompt reaction from the Old Hokage.
As for further arrangements, they would be slowly adjusted after Konoha's high-ranking officials had a discussion.
"Yes!" The Konoha Anbu ninja, wearing a fox mask, saluted and left.
Things moved very quickly. Not long after, Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai all arrived before the Hokage.
Kakashi was originally an excellent ninja in Konoha's Anbu, having already become a Jonin at a young age.
Asuma, originally named Sarutobi Asuma, was none other than the son of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
His strength was, of course, quite impressive.
Kurenai Yuhi was Asuma's lover, skilled in various types of genjutsu.
Dealing with a cunning individual like Orochimaru might indeed require using powers completely different from those used against ordinary ninjas.
"…Have you three heard anything?"
The Old Hokage didn't wait for Kakashi and the other two to respond. Instead, he gave a concise summary of the situation's development and the intelligence he had gathered.
"…According to my speculation, the person disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, must be Orochimaru…"
"If it's not him, then it's a monster that has appeared in the ninja world with strength no less than Orochimaru's and an equal level of cunning."
"In short… this time, when you go to support Luffy, you must be careful, extremely cautious. Absolutely do not fall into that brat Orochimaru's trap."
Although Orochimaru didn't seem much older than Kakashi and Asuma.
But in fact, he had been famous in the ninja world for many years. This guy completely used the body-replacement ninjutsu he researched, an imperfect immortality jutsu—first, by replacing bodies, to achieve his goal of eternal youth.
Speaking of which, Kakashi's teacher was the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
Minato Namikaze's teacher was Jiraiya, one of the Sannin.
And Orochimaru, like Jiraiya, was also a disciple of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi…
Within Konoha, there were relatively close connections between ninjas.
As a relatively "famous" rogue ninja from Konoha Village, the elite Jonin in the village had some understanding of Orochimaru's abilities.
Moreover, even before Orochimaru betrayed the village.
He had also left behind some disciples in the village and some records of his battles.
Therefore, dealing with Orochimaru, and the Konoha rogue ninjas he represented, had always been a mandatory lesson for Konoha ninjas.
"That's roughly the situation… There should still be Anbu ninjas tracking Luffy's location. You shouldn't have trouble keeping up. Act now!"
The Old Hokage issued the mission.
Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai immediately accepted the order and set off!
…
Just as the Old Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had said, the Anbu ninjas, although they couldn't sense Orochimaru's sudden attack at the first moment.
However, catching up to Luffy, who was causing quite a commotion, was not difficult at all.
Although Luffy had no chakra, traditional chakra detection methods couldn't pinpoint his exact location.
But the chaos he caused while pursuing the attacker was simply too conspicuous.
It was very easy to find his pursuit route.
So much so that the Anbu ninjas felt they didn't even need to bother leaving coded signals for the Luffy support team…
"…Where do you think you're going?!"
Luffy's speed was not slow. Even in this dense jungle terrain, he was actually gradually closing the distance between himself and the attacker ahead.
Orochimaru's mood at this moment was hard to describe.
He had originally thought this would be an easy "hunt." After all, this outsider didn't even possess chakra, and naturally had no way to defend against his sudden, hidden attack!
But he hadn't expected that, although this outsider had no chakra, he possessed another power system, a power no less inferior to the chakra energy used by ninjas!
Orochimaru could clearly perceive that the moment he attacked, it was as if he had triggered some switch within Luffy, instantly waking him from a deep sleep, and then Luffy delivered a punch to him with lightning speed!
That punch was incredibly heavy. Compared to the ninjas of Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning who practiced "ninjutsu", it was much more powerful.
Undoubtedly, this was the other power Luffy possessed, different from chakra in the ninja world.
And in fact, this other type of elemental power system was precisely the main reason Orochimaru was interested in Luffy, this outsider.
If he could acquire Luffy, this perfect "vessel."
Then wouldn't he, Orochimaru, also be able to wield this completely different power system?
Most crucially, Orochimaru could use Luffy to research the true nature of his unique or spiritual palm power system.
Perhaps he could even develop a new school of thought within the ninja world based on this!
From any perspective, Luffy, this outsider, held extremely significant research value and practical value for Orochimaru.
Now, it seemed there was only one problem to solve… and that was to defeat him…
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