Chapter 48: When the News Reaches Konoha (1/2)

This was Orochimaru's emergency communication method.

It was only used in extreme circumstances!

Whenever Orochimaru undertook high-risk missions, the Third Hokage would remain in the Hokage's office as much as possible. Even if he had pressing matters elsewhere, he would leave ANBU waiting at the office to avoid missing any urgent information or distress signals from Orochimaru.

The Third Hokage quickly cleared his desk and retrieved a prepared scroll from beneath it, spreading it out on the surface.

The small snake immediately climbed onto the scroll, leaving several special markings after wriggling across the paper.

"Ryūya has been rescued... Encountered... Five-Tails Jinchuriki!?"

The Third Hokage's heart skipped a beat. How did Orochimaru's mission end up involving Ryūya? Wasn't that a B-rank rescue mission?

Five-Tails Jinchuriki? Encountered!?

But there was no time to be surprised. The Third Hokage shouted into the air, "Quickly notify the Ino-Shika-Cho and Minato's team! Hurry!"

No one responded immediately, and a shadow swiftly left the Hokage Tower.

The small snake continued to wriggle, and the Third Hokage kept his gaze fixed on it, decoding the message.

"Wakaho-sama... Captured... Five-Tails."

The Third Hokage blinked, rubbed his eyes, and re-read the message. Still not understanding, he quickly retrieved his glasses and checked the codebook with Orochimaru's encryption.

Rapid comparison and re-decoding confirmed the content.

Wakaho... captured... the Five-Tails?

So, had Orochimaru been in such a state of confusion due to danger...

The child was only seven years old! How could he have captured the Five-Tails?

This had to be a distress signal.

The Five-Tails Jinchuriki wouldn't be acting alone; Orochimaru might be surrounded by the Five-Tails Jinchuriki and Iwagakure ninjas!

"What is this child (Orochimaru) trying to tell me?"

Distracted by concern, the Third Hokage found it difficult to understand the straightforward information from Orochimaru.

It was actually quite literal...

"Quickly... Support... Iwagakure direction..."

This time, the Third Hokage understood, but only half of it.

Quick support was clear, but the exact location?

Iwagakure direction?

Where exactly?

"Forget it!"

The Third Hokage waved his hand decisively. "Notify the Jonin teams, assemble!"

The signal for Jonin assembly had just been sent out when several ninjas rushed into the Hokage's office.

But they weren't there for assembly; they were there to report urgently!

"Third Hokage-sama! A massive Iwagakure assault, with over five thousand troops!"

"Third Hokage-sama! Iwagakure has deployed Jinchuriki, with five tails, and they've crossed the border!"

"Third Hokage-sama! Iwagakure has deployed Jinchuriki, number of tails unknown, advancing towards Konoha!"

Each urgent battlefield report thundered through the Hokage's office.

The Jonin were astonished to see their Third Hokage already in full battle gear, donning the armor of the era!

True to form, the Third Hokage had evidently been aware of Iwagakure's movements in advance!

"Scout ahead!" the Third Hokage commanded.

Figures swiftly assembled. Within minutes, all available Jonin in Konoha were gathered!

The frontline reports and Orochimaru's urgent message now perfectly aligned.

Clearly, Orochimaru's hasty transmission was meant to alert Konoha!