Chapter 278
Deep beneath the Yamaryū Village chief's residence lay a hidden base.
After mingling with the other Anbu operatives, Haruto Saito retreated to a small office carved into the side of the cavern. He requested paper and ink from the on-duty Infiltration Unit ninja and began writing furiously.
Unlike the other Anbu members deployed to the Land of Whirlpools, Haruto reported directly to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. His mission debrief would go straight to the Hokage—no need to explain himself to the Anbu chain of command.
Which meant this report had to be handwritten by Haruto himself.
He started by detailing the assassinations of Hyōga Rōba and Fujita Asa.
Then came the tricky part—fabrication.
Some lies were necessary. Certain things couldn't be explained.
Regarding his escape from the Seven Mist Swordsmen, Haruto crafted an elaborate story. He mentioned his underground movement technique, seeing no reason to hide that ability. As for its origin? He pinned it on Terumichi—claimed he'd copied the jutsu from the rogue ninja during their encounter. Not like Hiruzen could verify with Terumichi anyway.
(The man only spoke to Haruto, after all.)
For his survival, Haruto stuck to the story about the Swordsmen being lured away while he remained buried underground, severely wounded...
Next came his recent hunting of Mist Infiltration Unit operatives.