Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

Taking the list Shikaku handed him, the Third Hokage's hands trembled as he looked at the familiar names written across it.

The ANBU were the Hokage's most trusted subordinates.

They had access to secrets that even many jōnin within the village would never learn.

The entire ANBU force only consisted of around seventy members.

And now, nearly sixty percent of them had been compromised.

No one knew whether the remaining ANBU had also been infiltrated.

More frighteningly—

Was it possible that the enemy had not only affected the ANBU?

What if there were others within the village as well?

Once the seed of suspicion had been planted, no one could guarantee anyone's safety until absolute proof was found.

"...The elite shinobi of each clan have temporarily taken over surveillance duties throughout the village and are screening suspicious individuals."

"As for the remaining ANBU, although we've reviewed all of their mission records over the past year and found no documented contact with Uchiha Shisui..."

Shikaku paused.

"My personal recommendation is that, if possible, we avoid using them for the time being."

After conducting a comprehensive analysis of the intelligence, he continued:

"The ANBU are your direct force, Hokage-sama."

"Once there's a problem within them, they can no longer be trusted."

He let out a breath.

"In any case, if Team Seven hadn't discovered this in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

Forty ANBU had been captured at the scene alone.

Subsequent investigations confirmed that every one of them had previously participated in missions issued by the Third Hokage to investigate the disappearance of Shisui's corpse.

However—

Those missions had not been conducted simultaneously.

"In other words..."

Shikaku concluded gravely.

"We still cannot determine whether more controlled individuals remain hidden within the current ANBU ranks."

The Third Hokage rubbed his temples.

For perhaps the first time in years, he felt utterly exhausted.

Shikaku quietly waited for a decision.

After a long silence, Hiruzen finally spoke.

"...Summon everyone."

—

Soon, nearly every jōnin and clan head involved in the incident gathered in the conference room.

Everyone understood the severity of the situation.

They had all been waiting for this meeting.

"Years ago, Uchiha Shisui informed the village about his ability."

"The stated cooldown period was at least ten years."

The Third Hokage looked around the room.

"But clearly... whether through deception, concealment, or some unforeseen circumstance, that information was inaccurate."

"We must prepare for the worst."

"He may be capable of activating that ability at any time."

His voice became stern.

"We cannot allow such a threat to remain within Konoha."

The room instantly fell silent.

The Third Hokage slowly surveyed the gathered shinobi.

"Therefore, in the name of the Hokage, I hereby issue the following orders."

"First."

"Form three Special Operations Units."

"Each team must have no fewer than three jōnin serving as its core members."

"Your mission is to locate Uchiha Shisui at all costs."

"Find him."

"Dead or alive."

Shikaku immediately stepped in to organize the assignments.

"I recommend that Hyūga Hiashi, Aburame Shibi, and Inuzuka Tsume oversee the formation of these units."

"We will also recall as many jōnin currently outside the village as possible."

"Select the most capable personnel available."

"Understood!"

The three clan leaders accepted the order without hesitation.

"Second."

"We will strengthen village patrols."

"This will require cooperation from every clan."

"We will establish a temporary communications center responsible for monitoring and receiving real-time reports from all patrol units."

"At all times, in every part of the village, there must be a point of contact capable of receiving immediate updates."

"Yamanaka."

The Third Hokage turned toward Inoichi.

"You will organize the sensory division."

"I have already instructed the Barrier Team to modify Konoha's sensory barrier network."

"You'll have a difficult task ahead of you."

This real-time feedback system would allow sensory ninja to remain stationed in one location while continuously monitoring patrol units throughout the village.

Under such a framework, any attack or anomaly could be reported immediately.

As a surveillance measure, its effectiveness was undeniable.

However, it placed an enormous burden upon sensory-type ninja.

In essence, it treated these highly valuable shinobi as expendable resources.

Normally, such tactics would never be employed outside of major wartime operations.

But the current threat was different.

An enemy capable of altering minds and moving with extraordinary mobility represented a danger comparable to an outright war.

The ever-reliable Yamanaka Inoichi accepted the order without complaint.

"Understood."

"And third..."

The Third Hokage hesitated briefly before continuing.

"In the near future, the Three-Nation Joint Chūnin Exams will be held under the sponsorship of the Land of Fire."

"The Land of Wind and the Land of Water will also participate."

"To ensure the event proceeds smoothly, I intend to make several adjustments to the security and examiner arrangements."

Immediately, objections arose.

"Hokage-sama, I must disagree."

One of the jōnin stood.

"Before this incident, perhaps."

"But after everything involving Uchiha Shisui, the intelligence suggesting the Fourth Mizukage once joined the Akatsuki is practically confirmed."

"We now know that the Fourth Mizukage—and perhaps even Kirigakure itself—may have ulterior motives."

"After all, it was Kirigakure that returned Shisui's body to us."

"Perhaps the Akatsuki are operating out of the Hidden Mist."

"This looks very much like an attempt to destroy Konoha from both inside and outside simultaneously."

Others quickly voiced their agreement.

"Exactly."

"If Team Kakashi hadn't discovered this in time, Konoha would have suffered catastrophic losses."

"The Chūnin Exams should be canceled."

"Or at the very least, Kirigakure should be barred from participating."

Most of those present had dramatically changed their opinions regarding the Hidden Mist.

Opposition spread throughout the room.

Yet throughout all of it—

Shikaku remained silent.

As Konoha's chief strategist—and effectively the Hokage's advisor—he had already noticed something important.

The Third Hokage hadn't presented this as a discussion.

He had presented it as an order.

"...The Chūnin Exams will proceed as scheduled."

The Third Hokage's voice instantly silenced the room.

Seeing the confusion on everyone's faces, he offered a brief explanation.

"At present, we possess no evidence with which to formally accuse Kirigakure."

"The invitations have already been distributed to allied nations."

"If Konoha cancels the event—or unilaterally excludes Kirigakure—we will face criticism and pressure from the daimyō."

A ninja's duty was to obey orders.

No matter how many doubts remained, once the Hokage had spoken, the matter was settled.

One by one, the assembled shinobi accepted their assignments and departed.

Many still believed the decision strange.

Wasn't this simply handing ammunition to the enemy?

—

"Shikaku."

Once everyone had left, only the Third Hokage and Shikaku remained.

The old man's exhaustion seemed etched into every line of his face.

"Has Kakashi departed?"

"Yes."

Shikaku nodded.

"After discussing the matter with me last night, Kakashi and Asuma left immediately."

"The situation is too serious."

"Once Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama receive their message, I believe they'll return to the village at once."

After a pause, he asked:

"Hokage-sama... are you certain you wish to proceed with Kakashi's proposal?"

"You think it won't work?"

Shikaku shook his head.

"It's an extremely bold move."

"But if events unfold as he predicts..."

A faint smile appeared.

"It may actually be the best counterattack available."

The Third Hokage closed his eyes.

"Then proceed."

"Handle it, Shikaku."

"I'm tired."

"...Understood."

Shikaku bowed and left the office.

The room grew silent once more.

Alone, Hiruzen stared at the photograph hanging on the wall.

The picture showed the Fourth Hokage smiling brightly.

For a long time, the old man simply looked at it.

Then he murmured softly:

"That was your idea, wasn't it, Minato?"

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