Chapter 22: Kazuya, You're Too Dominant! Entering the Secret Research Facility!
Kazuya responded calmly, his expression unchanging.
"I'll wait for you at the training grounds, Kazuya."
"Got it."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded and left the office with a heavy expression.
Yūhi Kurenai, who had been sitting in a chair, stood up hurriedly. She was an upper-ranked ninja and naturally needed to participate in the mission.
However, before she could act, Kazuya pressed her back down into her seat with one hand.
"Kurenai, you haven't finished your work yet. Stay put and focus on your duties."
"But..." Kurenai pouted, her face showing disappointment.
There were no outsiders around, so her normally calm demeanor softened, revealing a more playful and cute side.
"No buts."
Kazuya frowned. "Right now, I'm your superior. You only need to follow my orders!"
Kurenai pouted and looked at Kazuya with a mix of frustration and hurt, feeling a bit helpless.
In her heart, a tiny dark figure started ranting.
"You're too domineering!"
"Kazuya, you've changed!"
"You used to be so gentle!"
"Is this how you treat me before we're even a thing? What will happen after?"
Sigh!
"Men!"
Kazuya, however, was oblivious to Kurenai's inner drama.
He maintained a calm exterior, but inside, his heart raced.
Judging by the look on Sarutobi Shinnosuke's face, it had to be the Orochimaru incident!
Therefore, keeping Kurenai out of it was a must!
This time, they were dealing with none other than Orochimaru, the terrifying ninja who had even scared the wits out of Kakashi!
If Kurenai went along, she might not survive.
Losing her prematurely would be such a waste!
At the training grounds...
Five ANBU teams had already gathered.
Three teams were under Sarutobi Shinnosuke's command, while the remaining teams included Kakashi's Eleventh Squad and the Twelfth Squad.
As for Kazuya's own ANBU, most of them were out on missions. Only Kurenai and Uzuki Yugao's Seventh Squad remained.
But they… were out of the question!
If they went, they'd only be deadweight!
The assembled forces were all directly under the Hokage's command.
There were no Hyuga, Uchiha, Nara, or Aburame clan members involved—no elite clans.
"Even the Hyuga and Aburame clans, who are skilled in reconnaissance, aren't being brought in..."
"Looks like this is the Orochimaru incident!"
Kazuya scanned the assembled ANBU and quickly pieced things together.
Ha!
The old man didn't want the scandal involving his disciple to leak, so he was still trying to cover it up, protecting his reputation.
"Kazuya, we're ready."
"Move out!"
"Yes!"
"All squads, proceed to the Hokage's office!"
"Yes, Captain!"
In an instant, the 20 ANBU present vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.
Countless figures darted out of the ANBU base, heading towards the Hokage's office.
Within minutes, they arrived at the rooftop of the Hokage's office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, wearing his combat gear, was already waiting for them.
His face was dark, and his aura was so oppressive that the arriving ANBU felt a sense of dread.
"Lord Hokage!"
The ANBU saluted in unison.
Sarutobi Hiruzen scanned the group coldly before issuing orders: "Shinnosuke, Kazuya, you'll each lead a squad and follow me. The rest of you, follow the instructions in this scroll—monitor the Root and the Uchiha clan."
"Until I return, no one from Root is allowed to leave their base, and no Uchiha is to approach the mission area."
"Understood, Lord Hokage!"
One of the ANBU took the scroll and swiftly departed with their team.
Kazuya's eyes flickered.
It made sense to monitor Danzo's Root, but the Uchiha...
It was clear now. The tensions between the Uchiha clan and the village leadership had become undeniable.
"Shinnosuke, Kazuya, let's go!"
"Understood."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Moments later, several figures disappeared into the night.
At that moment, the ANBU accompanying Sarutobi Hiruzen felt the gravity of the situation.
For the Hokage to personally lead this mission, what kind of enemy were they about to face?
They couldn't help but speculate.
Could it be that the Nine-Tails' seal was acting up again?
The ANBU members' hearts sank further.
The last time the Hokage had personally intervened was during the Nine-Tails' attack!
Back then, more than half of Konoha's ANBU had perished—casualties were unimaginably high.
This time...
Would it happen again?
Fifteen minutes later...
The group entered the Forest of Death.
Training Ground 44!
This was the very place where Sasuke and Naruto would later participate in the Chūnin Exams in the original story.
"This brings back memories of youth…" Kazuya thought nostalgically.
Up ahead, several ANBU were violently dismantling the traps and barriers guarding the entrance to the underground lab.
Boom! Boom!
The sound of explosions echoed continuously.
"How's it going?"
The Third Hokage appeared in a flash, his expression grim as he asked.
"Hokage-sama, we've disabled the traps and barriers at the entrance. We're ready to enter at any time," replied an ANBU wearing a white cat mask respectfully.
"Good."
The Third Hokage nodded and said seriously, "Elephant, Shinnosuke, Kazuya, the three of you will come with me. The rest of you, seal off all the exits to the underground lab. Don't let anyone escape!"
"And another thing..."
The Third Hokage's voice dropped even lower. "The target of this mission is Orochimaru. Be careful, and if possible, capture him alive!"
Orochimaru?
Capture alive?!
What the hell?!
The ANBU present couldn't believe their ears.
No way!
The target they were tasked with capturing was none other than Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin and the Hokage's most favored disciple?!
Are you kidding me?
This was practically a suicide mission!
Capture Orochimaru alive?
With their limited abilities? Capture Orochimaru?
Damn!
Despite the fear and panic in their hearts, their loyalty to the Third Hokage prevailed. They accepted the order without hesitation.
Scared as they were, they couldn't hesitate when it was time to risk their lives!
Meanwhile, beneath his mask, Kazuya's expression was a little odd.
Elephant!
He recognized that codename.
This ANBU, Elephant, had once been a direct bodyguard of the Fourth Hokage, a trusted confidant among confidants.
In the Konoha Crush arc, he was the very ANBU who stood outside the Four Violet Flames Formation, calmly narrating the battle for the onlookers while doing nothing to help his Hokage.
What a guy!
Kazuya's eyes swept over Elephant without drawing attention.
Who would have thought that beneath that stoic exterior was such a master of the art of detachment?
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
The Third Hokage quickly performed hand seals and personally attacked.
Boom!
A massive fireball shot forth, instantly blowing apart the last wall in their path.
"Let's go!"
The Third Hokage didn't wait for the smoke to clear, charging straight in.
Behind him, Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Elephant followed without hesitation.
Kazuya, with a flick of his hand, left behind a specially marked kunai and used the Body Flicker Technique to follow them.