Even though the one in charge of Konoha now is the Third Hokage, his age means he can't hold the Hokage position for long, and this position is bound to belong to Orochimaru.

Kakashi could foresee such a thing.

However, Orochimaru's actions exceeded his imagination.

Betrayal... this is not a good sign.

"A brand-new path... is that what this means?"

Kakashi murmured softly.

At first, Kakashi thought it was some new ninja technique idea discovered by Orochimaru, but he didn't expect it to mean this.

Thinking seriously about it, such a thing was indeed unexpected. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Even though Orochimaru was somewhat sinister, his relationship with the village had always been good, nowhere near the point of betraying the village.

Defecting from the village in such an abrupt manner was entirely illogical behavior.

For what kind of new path could be more important than Konoha, a village he grew up in?

Kakashi couldn't imagine it.

But his level of vigilance towards Orochimaru elevated by a notch.

Heading towards the Anbu Headquarters, three team members also arrived here one after the other to meet up.

It wasn't just their squad; two Anbu ministers also stood in front of the Anbu Headquarters Tower, and almost all available Anbu had gathered here.

There were a total of thirty-two people.

More than half of them were powerful Jonin.

A massive charge, even one of the Sannin, couldn't withstand it.

Not to mention, it seemed even the two ministers had been alarmed this time.

They would also join the team to capture Orochimaru.

Kakashi's thoughts weren't wrong, as he heard the Anbu minister issue orders in a steady voice: "One of the Sannin, Orochimaru, has harmed his colleagues and captured villagers and ninjas from the village for evil human experimentation. The evidence is conclusive. Proceed with the arrest immediately; he must be apprehended before leaving the Land of Fire!"

The tone was absolutely resolute, clearly indicating that they were serious this time.

Kakashi's gaze flickered; he didn't expect that the missing persons cases in the village were indeed caused by Orochimaru.

But... Orochimaru had already placed spies in the Anbu, so why ask him to reveal Anbu information? It seemed unnecessary.

Verify the accuracy of the information... or test his loyalty?

Kakashi thought either was possible.

Apart from these two possibilities, Kakashi couldn't think of any other possibilities.

If he didn't pass the Anbu information to Orochimaru this time, or deliberately conveyed wrong information, Orochimaru might abandon him.

Such a cunning serpent, Kakashi thought to himself.

Next, thirty-two Anbu, plus the two senior and deputy ministers, a total of thirty-four people, went together to the village outskirts to pursue Orochimaru.

◎

"Hiruzen... what did you do about Orochimaru? Why did this happen?"

In the office of the Hokage Building, the sky outside had darkened.

Advisors Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura looked at Hiruzen with stern expressions, revealing anger and sorrow.

As one of the Sannin, Orochimaru was a leading figure among the younger generation of Konoha.

The only candidate for Fifth Hokage.

Such a ninja harming colleagues and using Tong Village Ninjas for human experimentation, becoming a notorious renegade ninja... if this were known to other ninja villages, they might secretly laugh at us.

Moreover, if Hidden Cloud learned of this, their attack on the Land of Fire might become even more terrifying and reckless.

Thinking of this, the two advisors' faces showed worry.

Hiruzen remained silent, a melancholy look in his eyes, the wrinkles on his face seeming deeper, appearing exceptionally frail, making it hard to see he was once the spirited Ninja Professor.

Now he was just an ordinary old man powerless against a disciple's defection.

"I will take responsibility for this matter."

Hiruzen stood up from his seat and looked out the window as he spoke.

"If it's about responsibility, we all bear some fault for not noticing Orochimaru's anomaly in time..."

Mitokado Homura looked at Hiruzen's state and also felt a little compassion, sighing softly.

On the other side, Danzo, as unmoving as a mountain, spoke coldly: "I heard you found Orochimaru's lab with your subordinates from the beginning, why didn't you capture him then? Subduing Orochimaru shouldn't have been difficult for you."

Hiruzen didn't answer, just looked out the window, but it was faintly visible that his old body seemed even more bitter, silently trembling.

Seeing this, Danzo secretly sneered in his heart.

This hesitant posture is so pitiful.

And it pained him.

The decisive and fierce personality you had during the First Ninja War, it's all gone now, thrown in the trash, isn't it! Danzo thought to himself.

Because of reluctance and excessive benevolence, Orochimaru was let go.

Now the burden of capturing Orochimaru is handed to the Anbu... how many excellent Anbu Jonin must be sacrificed to recapture Orochimaru?

What is the cost of bringing a Sannin to justice?

Danzo found it hard to imagine.

On one hand, he was eager to see such a situation, for the Anbu's weakened strength to allow Root to develop better.

On the other hand, the Anbu's fragility was unfavorable to the village's stability.

Danzo also furrowed his brow slightly, pondering the next step.

Should he continue to seize power from Hiruzen or consider the threat from Hidden Cloud first?

Orochimaru's sudden betrayal had also caught him off guard.