Anbu.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's Shadow Clone was 'broadcasting' the conference room's footage via the Telescope Technique.
In this Anbu workstation,
Kakashi, Inoichi Yamanaka, Yamato, and Masahiko had all arrived.
One could say,
all the important figures in intelligence and Anbu were now gathered.
Kakashi said, "The intelligence from the Hidden Cloud Village is very vague, and what's more—originally, they probably didn't believe it at all, merely using it as an excuse to attack."
"Hmm, but that guy also mastered the Lightning Release Chakra Mode?"
Masahiko frowned, "I've studied this technique; it's impossible to achieve that effect with just Lightning Release. How did he get the knack of it?"
Kakashi gently shook his head.
The Lightning Release Armor was so famous that he had, of course, 'copied' it. But as Masahiko said, a copied technique only gets its form, not its spirit.
To master the true "Lightning Release Armor," one must grasp its deeper mysteries.
No one in Konoha could do it.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's Shadow Clone sighed softly, saying, "The Hidden Cloud Village's secret technique was leaked, and our Multi-Size Technique couldn't be kept secret either. How exactly did this guy do it?"
He initially suspected the Black-Robed Man was a Konoha Ninja.
But combining it with the Hidden Cloud Village's intelligence—
Perhaps not.
Masahiko's tone was solemn as he said, "Could it be that they are an organization, not an individual?"
Everyone exchanged glances, finally looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had more information than they did.
His face was grave, and upon hearing this, he nodded, "It's not impossible!"
Everyone's mood grew heavier.
If the opponent was an organization rather than an individual, it meant that the enemy might have more accomplices!
Moreover,
with such enemies lurking beneath the surface, coupled with the news they received from Jiraiya—
It seemed an invisible net was slowly spreading across the entire Ninja World.
What was their purpose?
After a moment of silence, Kakashi's eyes showed gravity as he said, "If we take this speculation as a premise, then what we thought were two incidents by the same person might not be from a single individual."
As they were discussing,
suddenly, all five of them froze.
In the crystal ball, Kumogakure's Dodai took out a small scroll and unrolled it before them.
"This is a scroll that was dropped on us last night. I think your village should take a look to avoid future misunderstandings."
Part of the scroll's content was forwarded here via the crystal ball.
Hyūga Hinata, Hyuga Hanabi—
This information might not be hard for Konoha Ninja who live there long-term to access, but it would be difficult for foreign Hidden Cloud Ninja to learn immediately.
As Dodai said, someone delivered it, or was the Hidden Cloud Village trying to confuse them?
"Hokage-sama, I think we need to further strengthen the protection of Hinata and Naruto."
Kakashi said.
Masahiko nodded, "Regardless of whether the scroll is real, the Hidden Cloud Village might use this to fish in troubled waters, leaving us unable to refute them in the end."
"Dodai—the Hidden Cloud Village is thinking too highly of themselves."
The Third's Shadow Clone sneered.
Regardless, with this move, they'd have an explanation later.
He looked at Kakashi and Yamato.
"Keep a close eye on the infiltrating Hidden Cloud squad. If they truly make a move, control them immediately, and it's best to capture them alive."
"Yes!"
Konoha streets.
Hinata was on the street, occasionally glancing at Uzumaki Naruto in the distance.
Naruto had gotten stronger again!
She couldn't help but feel a little envious.
Naruto seemed to have found a goal and was working tirelessly, while she still didn't know what to do.
Thinking of her family's gazes and Neji's words, Hinata's eyes couldn't help but dim.
Either she or Hanabi would eventually become part of the branch family—
She sighed softly and continued sweeping.
Just then,
"Whoa! Who are you?!"
Naruto fell to the ground, clutching his forehead.
The other person scratched his head, looking lazy and somewhat surprised, "Ah, sorry, I was dozing off just now and didn't see you."
Oh
"You rotten guy!!"
Naruto glared angrily at the other person, then his eyes suddenly widened slightly, "? You're not from Konoha, are you? What are you doing in Konoha!"
He backed away with his broom, looking like he was entering battle.
Beside him, Shikamaru yawned and said, "Naruto, the Hidden Cloud Village is our ally, don't make such a fuss."
"Huh?"
Naruto stared at Darui's forehead protector.
Then, he understood a little.
"Oh, is this a Hidden Cloud Village forehead protector—"
They had, of course, been taught this in class, but unfortunately, Naruto either skipped these knowledge classes or zoned out, rarely paying attention.
"Kid, I'm Darui from the Hidden Cloud. I apologize for bumping into you just now, but what are you guys doing?"
Darui remembered—
According to intelligence, Konoha's Jinchuriki was only eight years old and still attending the Ninja Academy.
So, these kids must be Ninja Academy students, right?
He scratched his head, looking around in confusion, "Is Konoha so short-staffed?"
"No, it's just practical—"
Naruto was answering.
From a distance, a cold voice came, "dead last, why aren't you working honestly? What are you chatting about with strangers?"
"Got it! What's your name? I'll definitely finish my work before you!"
Naruto roared.
Then, he picked up his broom and glared fiercely at Darui, "I'm going to work, don't bother me!"
With that, he left with full vigor.
Darui looked up. The young man in the distance was staring at him, his face cold, his eyes fierce.
The symbol of a 'Fan' was embroidered on the other's clothes.
Uchiha, huh?
Just as the other person was about to walk over, a figure suddenly landed in front of Darui.
"This kind of thing—let me handle it."
Ebisu, wearing sunglasses, adjusted his glasses, then walked towards Darui with a serious expression, "My students are in class, please don't disturb them!"
"Sorry."
Darui came to his senses, apologized, and then turned to leave.
Ebisu's face was grave.
Then, he turned around, "Sorry, I stepped away for a moment and didn't see—"
"There's another one over there."
Sasuke reminded him coldly, then went back to sweeping.
Ebisu turned to look.
He saw a blonde kunoichi walking aimlessly on the street.
She wasn't wearing a forehead protector, but her appearance and attire didn't resemble a Konoha resident, and her figure was unbelievably curvaceous.
Ebisu stared for a second, then his expression became serious.
Hidden Cloud Village Ninja!
He glared at the other person with an unfriendly expression.
The kunoichi scanned her surroundings, her gaze meeting Ebisu's for a moment before calmly and indifferently shifting away, continuing from the street into a dessert shop.
Ebisu's face was grave.
Are the Hidden Cloud guys trying to make a move on the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?
His expression was solemn.
If the other party were to act here—
He realized the gravity of the situation and immediately went in front of Hinata and the others, raising his hand, "Everyone gather around, we're finishing early today, let's go back to school."
Inside the shop, Samui looked out and frowned slightly.
So cautious?
Well, it works out.
She was only observing, not intending to act. Since her objective was achieved, it was time to leave.
Samui bought an iced drink and headed out towards her lodging.
Ebisu led the group back to school, cold sweat beading on his forehead all the way.
Thankfully, nothing happened.
Otherwise, he, a mere Chunin, would probably have had to risk his life to stop them!
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