45Test, the enemy is coming!AI Model: gemini-2.5-flashChapter 45: Testing, the enemy is coming!
"As expected, the mastermind behind this isn't simple."
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent, gazing at the pitch-black night outside.
The words on the intelligence report were clear in his mind.
Although there was still no concrete intelligence, he knew that the Konoha Village had been restless lately.
With morale scattered, the team was difficult to lead.
From the incident with Uchiha Shisui to the current attack on Konoha Village.
They still hadn't provided a definite reason.
No wonder everyone was in a state of panic.
"The person behind this is truly well-hidden."
Hiruzen Sarutobi unconsciously dangled his pipe, exhaling smoke, and waited quietly.
Creak!
Not long after, the front door slowly opened, and Danzo, leaning on his cane, walked in unhurriedly.
"Old man, you're finally going to cooperate with me."
Danzo leisurely walked to Hiruzen Sarutobi's side and sneered.
"Do you have any other choice?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's single sentence silenced Danzo.
Danzo's gaze was solemn.
The enemy this time gave them a feeling of being shrouded in mist.
They couldn't find anything, not even a single clue.
Was this normal?
This was not normal.
So there was an inside mole.
They didn't know who the mole was; everyone could be suspected.
But openly suspecting would be even more dangerous.
After much deliberation, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo thought of external aid.
At present, it seemed this was the only way.
"Who do you think is the mole?"
"Nara Shikaku!"
Danzo hesitated for a moment before spitting out the name through gritted teeth.
He had no definite intelligence, but theoretically, he was the only one in Konoha Village who could achieve this.
Because he was smart.
"Yes, I truly hope it isn't him. If it is, then it means Ino–Shika–Chō has betrayed us."
What a headache!
Annoying.
Ino–Shika–Chō, Uchiha.
These were the mid-level forces of Konoha Village.
If it really was Nara Shikaku, Konoha Villagewould truly struggle to endure it.
"I hope it's not."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply, and after a long while, he looked at Danzo and said in a low voice, "Last time you said the Akatsuki Organization's intelligence network was very powerful."
After pondering for a moment, he continued, "Let's try cooperating."
"Didn't you say just a few days ago that external enemies were the most important?"
Danzo sneered.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was unfazed: "That was just for show. To deal with external threats, one must first stabilize the internal situation. If the inside is unstable, how can we confront external enemies?"
"First, we'll lull them into a false sense of security, find them, and suppress them."
"Only then can we confidently deal with the Akatsuki Organization."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, with his pipe in his mouth, said lightly, "Moreover, I've already communicated with the Kage of the other Villages; they will be vigilant."
"You're a seasoned schemer. In that case, I'll make contact."
"Hmm, as soon as possible."
…
"Tsk tsk, it seems Hiruzen Sarutobi can't sit still either, actually asking for our help."
Nagato glanced at Zetsu, put down the letter in his hand, his expression grim.
What good was asking for help?
They still hadn't found anything.
It was as if the person behind this knew of Zetsu, acting with extreme caution.
To this day, Zetsu hadn't found a single trace or clue.
This situation had never happened before.
"Don't you have any intelligence?"
"A little."
Zetsu grinned, revealing his black and white teeth.
Nagato and Konan looked over simultaneously, and behind them, a person hiding in the shadows slowly raised his head.
Orochimaru.
He had only recently arrived and encountered this request for help from Konoha Village.
Orochimaru sneered inwardly.
They were truly decaying.
The Third Hokage was now reduced to asking the Akatsuki Organization for help; how ironic.
He was also curious as to who could have forced Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo to such a state.
"Although there's no definite intelligence, when I combine this series of events, I feel that Uzumaki Naruto is at the center of the whirlpool."
Mentioning Uzumaki Naruto again, Zetsu felt a peculiar sensation in his heart.
It was him.
It was him.
It was him.
The hidden hand in the dark was him.
Or rather, someone was behind him.
In short, he just felt that Uzumaki Naruto was problematic.
"Your intelligence has never been wrong, even if there's no definite information this time."
Nagato said coldly, "Better to kill a thousand innocent than let one guilty escape."
"Go and reveal some information, let them test Uzumaki Naruto."
Orochimaru watched the scene before him with interest.
Uzumaki Naruto?
That seemed to be the Fourth Hokage's son, and also the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Who could be scheming behind the scenes?
Orochimaru had a faint feeling that the person in the dark was finally about to surface.
No kidding.
Konoha Village was definitely headline news recently; everyone was paying attention.
Because everyone else was developing, with only occasional minor skirmishes.
Only Konoha Village had one thing after another, making it extraordinarily lively.
"I also really want to know who is behind this. Remember to notify me when you find out."
"Okay."
Nagato was very lenient with Orochimaru.
He was a true talent.
If it weren't for his funding, Orochimaru wouldn't have been willing to stay.
He wondered what Hiruzen Sarutobi was thinking, to discard such a good disciple.
His brain must be problematic.
…
"Uzumaki Naruto?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned.
He had never imagined that this matter would be related to Uzumaki Naruto.
Upon careful thought, it did seem to have some vague connection.
Danzo calmly looked at the intelligence in his hand and analyzed, "It's not necessarily Uzumaki Naruto."
"After all, he's only five years old; how could he lay out such a far-reaching plan?"
He paused, then continued his analysis, "Most importantly, we've been monitoring him, haven't we?"
If Naruto could act under their very noses, then his strength…
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
Both of them shook their heads in unison.
The idea was too absurd, too preposterous.
"So, just as the intelligence says, there's someone behind him."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a cold smile: "Instead of guessing, it's better to strike definitively."
"Tonight, we'll find someone to test him."
"Since this person uses Uzumaki Naruto as a link, then they must be nearby."
"A test run, and we'll be sure."
"Makes sense."
Danzo, leaning on his cane, sneered, "I'm good at this. I'll handle it."
"Good, I'll await your good news."
…
Midnight.
The darkness was inky black, making it impossible to see one's hand in front of their face.
Naruto happily moved vegetables in his space.
The Nine-Tailed's voice came: "You still have the mood to sleep right now."
"What's wrong?"
"What's wrong indeed." The Nine-Tailed was speechless: "Don't you think that the more you expand, the greater the risk of being discovered?"
"Don't worry, I have several contingency plans to ensure their suspicions won't point to me so quickly."
The Nine-Tailed: "???"
Naruto smiled mysteriously.
A cunning rabbit has three burrows.
He cherished his life very much, so he naturally had to plan for being discovered.
Hmm!?
Just as he was thinking, Naruto's extraordinary perception sensed several people silently approaching.
Their target,
was directly his old apartment…