Chapter 13: Serpent Shadow
Bru give review It will help it..
"Shisui, what did you want to talk to me about?"
The rooftop of the Hokage Building in Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood with his back to the Hokage Rock, gazing out over the entire Village, while Uchiha Shisui knelt on one knee behind him.
Uchiha Shisui had rushed back to Konoha after completing his mission and reported on the situation of the operation.
To be honest, Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat surprised after listening.
"That kid Makoto, he's actually that capable?"
Ao was an elite Ninja from the Hidden Mist, and he possessed the Byakugan, which had caused considerable losses to Konoha!
Who would have thought that after he agreed to let Kakashi take Hyuga Makoto out to avoid the main family's scrutiny, they would run into this?
And Hyuga Makoto actually killed the person!
"Hizashi, you've nurtured a fine prospect..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but sigh inwardly; he already knew about the abilities Hyuga Makoto used.
In his view, this was all taught by Hyuga Hizashi!
Furthermore, he was extremely pleased now; perhaps Hyuga Makoto could truly achieve what Hyuga Hizashi had wanted to do...
"Hokage-sama, I deeply lament the mistrust between the Uchiha and the Village."
Just as he was feeling happy, Uchiha Shisui spoke, which immediately dampened his spirits.
"Me too..."
"I want to rebuild the relationship of trust between the Uchiha and the Village."
Shisui was unaware of what Hiruzen Sarutobi was thinking; he lowered his head and said softly.
"Hokage-sama, can you assign this mission to me?"
"Do you want to stop taking regular missions?"
Although somewhat frustrated, Hiruzen Sarutobi patiently inquired.
The Uchiha were indeed a major problem for Konoha at the moment!
"Yes."
Shisui nodded, looking seriously at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"And, could you grant me some authority, so that..."
"I understand. I will announce externally that you have been dispatched by me to execute a confidential investigation mission."
Hiruzen Sarutobi understood Shisui's meaning and agreed immediately without hesitation.
"If anything unexpected happens, report my name, and I will bear all responsibility."
"Thank you very much, Hokage-sama!"
Shisui paused for a moment before speaking excitedly; he hadn't expected it to go so smoothly, but Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled nonchalantly.
"Looking at you reminds me of my former friend, Uchiha Kagami."
"You flatter me..."
Shisui lowered his head, his gaze becoming resolute.
"Hokage-sama, I absolutely will not repeat the mistake of being irresponsible to the Village and my comrades!"
"Hmm?"
This time it was Hiruzen Sarutobi who was stunned, feeling somewhat puzzled.
"What do you mean by that?"
"It was the accusation from that Hyuga Anbu..."
Shisui did not hide anything; he recounted the entire event seriously before continuing with his head bowed.
"I have been thinking these past few days, and this was indeed my mistake. I didn't mention it initially because I was worried I wouldn't get this mission. Please forgive me, Hokage-sama!"
"You..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a mix of laughter and tears; he hadn't expected this twist.
However, he didn't care about this small stratagem from Uchiha Shisui; what he found interesting was Hyuga Makoto!
"Thinking this way about the Village and the comrades within the Village..."
He could now be completely certain that Hyuga Makoto was a child possessing the 'Will of Fire'!
"Moreover, this child might be able to do even more..."
...
"Achoo!"
Inside the Land of Whirlpools, within an underground laboratory.
Hyuga Makoto couldn't help but sneeze, which made the nearby Yamato look over curiously.
"What's wrong? Can't stand this place?"
"A little."
Hyuga Makoto nodded; he had to admit Orochimaru's laboratory was quite sinister.
Although only the scattered equipment and various discarded experimental tools remained, just looking at it sent shivers down his spine.
He didn't dare imagine what this laboratory was like before it was abandoned!
"But, why do I always feel like someone is cursing me?"
Hyuga Makoto secretly grumbled to himself, but then Yamato suddenly leaned over, his voice turning eerie.
"Actually, this place isn't so bad."
"?"
"Because I've seen places scarier than this..."
"..."
Hyuga Makoto silently looked at Yamato, already thinking about what expression to make.
When Yamato saw Hyuga Makoto showing no reaction, he couldn't help but scratch his head.
"Sigh, why weren't you scared?"
"..."
Hyuga Makoto immediately felt a mix of amusement and exasperation; he thought Yamato was going to talk about his own background!
In the end, he was just trying to prank him like Naruto?
And trying to scare someone in a place like this—did he have a relaxed feeling about being home?
"Senior, you should use a flashlight and shine the light upwards from below; that would be scarier."
Hyuga Makoto said weakly, but the words made Yamato's eyes light up.
"Is that so? I should try it!"
"..."
Watching the eager Yamato, Hyuga Makoto felt his eyelids twitch.
"Stop chatting for now."
Fortunately, at this moment, Kakashi walked in carrying a stack of documents.
"Let's finish the mission quickly so we can go back sooner."
"Yes."
Hyuga Makoto and Yamato immediately became serious. However, after glancing at the organized stack of documents placed to the side, Hyuga Makoto couldn't help but ask.
"Captain, these documents should allow us to figure out what Orochimaru has been doing, right?"
"They certainly should, but Orochimaru is too dangerous."
Kakashi nodded, though his expression also turned solemn.
"Besides figuring out what he's doing here, we should also see if we can find any other information to help us track him."
"I understand..."
Hyuga Makoto pursed his lips; he actually really wanted to say that to find Orochimaru, they should try looking at Danzo!
Even though Orochimaru had defected for so long, their communication had never been completely cut off.
"Perhaps the funds supporting Orochimaru's research were provided by Danzo..."
It was just that he couldn't utter such foolish words, and investigating Danzo for the Third Hokage was quite difficult.
After all, Danzo's intelligence capabilities were top-notch, with his informants spread throughout the Ninja World.
Otherwise, the Third Hokage wouldn't have let him off after being assassinated by him.
Besides, his relationship with the Third Hokage was already extraordinary; perhaps this was friendship...
"Alright, it's almost over."
Kakashi patted Hyuga Makoto's shoulder and spoke softly.
"Use your Byakugan to check one more time and see if anything was missed."
"No problem."
Although Hyuga Makoto had already checked several times, he wouldn't object.
He wanted to finish quickly, mainly because he wanted to see what rewards this mission would yield.
"I hope I get what I want..."
As he pondered, his Byakugan suddenly activated, and everything around him became clear in his sight!
In this underground laboratory, only some rats were still running around; there were no strange, monstrous things in the experimental containers.
The entire laboratory only contained some scattered documents.
"Hmm?"
However, a moment later, Hyuga Makoto suddenly frowned and asked in a deep voice.
"Captain, are there any other Ninja squads near us?"
"What's wrong?"
Kakashi and Yamato both looked puzzled, but they immediately realized the problem.
"Did someone arrive?"
"Yes."
Hyuga Makoto nodded, sighed, and looked towards Kakashi.
"And, it's not some simple character!"
"Could it be..."
Kakashi's mouth twitched slightly, and Hyuga Makoto honestly stated.
"It's Orochimaru who has arrived."
"..."
"Not only him, but there are others who came with him."
"..."
An accomplice?
At this moment, Kakashi truly fell silent.
All the past misfortunes seemed to resurface before his eyes...