Late at night, the Hokage's office was quiet.Hiruzen Sarutobi had just fallen asleep when he was awakened by a series of urgent knocks on the door.
He rubbed his temples, which were throbbing slightly from lack of sleep, and struggled to open his eyes, asking in a hoarse voice, "What is it?"
Outside the door, an ANBU ninja knelt on one knee and respectfully reported to the Third Hokage: "Lord Hokage, a fierce battle took place tonight on the third street west of the city center.When we arrived at the scene, we found the bodies of the ANBU ninja."
"What?" Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage was struck dumb, his eyes widening in astonishment.This sudden news was like a bucket of ice water, completely waking him from his slumber, and his headache vanished instantly.
Just after they had gotten rid of that troublesome Danzo Shimura, something unexpected happened—an ANBU ninja was brutally murdered inside Konoha!This incident was like a bolt from the blue, shocking the entire village of Konoha.
The ANBU, an elite force directly under the Hokage.However, the fact that members of this elite force have now been murdered within the village is undoubtedly a great insult to Konoha, as if someone has thrown Konoha's face to the ground and trampled on it wantonly.
Faced with such a serious incident, the Third Hokage's expression became extremely grave.He knew all too well the impact this incident would have on Konoha Village; it not only severely damaged the reputation of the ANBU, but also posed a huge threat to the safety of the entire village.
"Has the identity of the deceased been confirmed?What exactly happened at the scene?" The Third Hokage's voice betrayed a hint of anxiety and anger.He immediately issued orders, demanding that all ANBU members not currently on missions immediately commence a full-scale investigation.
"This matter must be thoroughly investigated!" The Third Hokage's tone was firm and resolute; he would never allow such a thing to happen again in Konoha.
At the same time, he urgently summoned the two elders, hoping they could discuss countermeasures together.After all, such a major event requires the wisdom and strength of all parties to resolve.
At the Third Hokage's command, the ANBU members sprang into action.Like a swarm of startled bees, they rushed toward the scene.
In addition to the ANBU members on duty at the Senju ancestral home, even those ANBU members responsible for monitoring the Uchiha clan were urgently recalled.The entire ANBU force of Konoha was mobilized, and a tense and serious investigation began.
As members of the Konoha leadership who share a common bond, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were awakened from their bed by the ANBU.After receiving the notification from the ANBU, they immediately endured their exhaustion and rushed to the Hokage's office.
Upon arriving at the Hokage Building, Mitokado Homura, who was usually quiet, asked first, "Hiruzen, what happened?Why did they send out all the members of the ANBU?"
Koharu, the girl in the tether, also looked at the Third Hokage with eager eyes.
The Third Hokage, his face grim, handed the preliminary report from the ANBU ninja investigation to the two elders.The two took the report and read it carefully.
Soon, Mitokado Homura seemed to have thought of something.He immediately said to the Third Hokage, "Hiruzen, do you have a map showing the area distribution of the village?"
Although somewhat puzzled as to why his old friend needed the map, the Third Hokage, seeing the determination in his friend's eyes, still took out the village map.
Mitokado Homura took the map and spread it on his desk.After looking at it for a while, he slammed his hand on the desk.Then he said sternly to the Third Hokage, "Investigate.We must investigate thoroughly."
Then, pointing to the location of the incident, and then to the Senju ancestral home, he said to the Third Hokage, "It's too close to the Senju ancestral home."
The Third Hokage and Koharu Utatane weren't fools.When Homura Mitokado pointed to the location of the incident and the Senju ancestral home, the hairs on their bodies instantly stood on end.
This is no longer a matter of the village's reputation, but rather a matter of the "foundation of the nation."
The Third Hokage, unusually, swore: "Damn it, they're after Lady Mito!Tsuru, transfer another squad from the ANBU to the vicinity of the Senju ancestral home.Nothing can happen there!"
Just then, members of the ANBU entered the Hokage's office."Hokage-sama!"
Xiaochun, turning to her new room, asked anxiously, "Any clues?"
The ANBU ninja hesitated for a moment, stammering without giving a proper answer.
Seeing the somewhat troubled expression on his subordinate's face, the Third Hokage knew that the results of this investigation were probably not very good.
He waved his hand dismissively and said, "Just tell me what you've found out!"
The ANBU ninja bowed and said, "The victim's brain was completely destroyed, making it impossible to extract any information.Judging from the traces at the scene, the murderer must have been a master of Lightning Style!"
"Lightning Style?" The three of them were all taken aback.Koharu Utatane was about to say something when the Third Hokage interrupted her with a look.
The Third Hokage asked, "Any other news?"
The ANBU ninja in front of him replied, "Third Hokage, I suspect the problem originated from within our ranks.Or rather, the person who did it is among us."
The Third Hokage glanced at the ANBU ninja before him and asked, "Reason?"
The ANBU ninja continued, "Third Hokage, there was an ANBU squad on a mission near the location of the incident (an ANBU squad stationed near the Senju ancestral home).I checked their schedule, and the incident occurred precisely when the ANBU patrolling the area were leaving.So."
The ANBU ninja in front of them didn't continue speaking, but his meaning was quite clear.They were waiting for the patrolling ANBU squad to leave before causing trouble.This kind of intelligence must have been obtained by a foreign spy planted within their ranks.
Third generationThe Hokage was silent for a moment, then waved to the ANBU ninja in front of him and said, "You've worked hard.Go and rest now!"
"Your subordinate takes his leave!" The ANBU ninja bowed and disappeared from the Hokage's office.
The Third Hokage picked up his pipe again and took a few puffs.He asked his two companions, "What do you think?"
Koharu Utatane said seriously to the Third Hokage, "Could they be from Kumogakure?These barbarians have been coveting the Nine-Tails for a long time.Last time they kidnapped Kushina, who knows if they're planning to attack Lady Mito this time?"
Mitokado Homura chimed in, "Hiruzen, if it really is an internal problem, then.then we need to prepare in advance."
After saying that, Mitokado Homura sighed.The trouble with his incompetent teammates wasn't over yet; now another ANBU ninja had been killed.Trouble really just kept piling up!
The Third Hokage nodded slightly, and after a moment of silence, he stood up and said, "Self-examination, starting with the ANBU!"
And so, by a twist of fate, the matter veered completely off course.Spies from various countries, hidden within the shadows, suffered an undeserved fate, becoming the biggest victims of this farcical incident.
However, the perpetrator was completely unaware of the serious consequences of killing the ANBU ninja.He was happily carrying the scroll of the "Yin Seal" and the wristband he had obtained from looting the corpse, heading towards his home.
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