Chapter 103: The Assassination of the Sarutobi Squad, Susanoo Appears Again

Over the next half month, a subtle discourse quietly emerged within Konoha Village.

It was said that the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had secretly conducted experiments on the transplantation of the First Hokage's cells, resulting in the deaths of many ninjas in the village.

Not only that, the disappearance of the Senju clan, the death of the White Fang of Konoha, the defeat in the Third Great Ninja War, and even the deaths of the Fourth Hokage and his wife were all his responsibilities during his tenure.

At this stage, although no conclusive evidence had been presented, the parties involved, Sarutobi Hiruzen, along with the two elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, felt unprecedented pressure.

If this were just baseless rumors, it would be one thing.

But they all knew that these rumors were not false; they spoke the truth.

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't understand where he had slipped up, only knowing that if things continued this way, not only would he fail to groom Asuma as his successor.

Even his position as Hokage might not last much longer.

In the Hokage's office, a heated discussion was underway.

"Hiruzen, this can't go on."

Hearing Koharu Utatane's words, Sarutobi's brow furrowed tightly.

"I understand, but with the Second Hokage still around, it's easy to invite the gods but hard to send them away. I want to do something, but I'm bound hand and foot, and with the Root organization gone, it's difficult, very difficult."

Homura Mitokado, looking thoughtful, slowly spoke up.

"I think the key issue lies in the source of the leak. If we can find the person who leaked the information and eliminate them, even if the villagers remain suspicious, there would be no witness."

"The source of the leak..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped the desk, pondering incessantly.

Most of the Root organization's members were already dead.

As for Danzo Shimura, he probably wouldn't do something so foolish, since he was also involved in the human experiments, and later conducted another experiment in secret with Orochimaru.

Dragging himself down would only result in mutual destruction; what good would that do Danzo?

Sarutobi Hiruzen kept thinking, and suddenly, a figure appeared in his mind.

"Could it be... Yugao Uzuki?"

The more he thought about it, the more he felt his speculation was close to the mark.

Yugao Uzuki, as a former member of the Hokage's direct Anbu, had heard many rumors.

Moreover, she had a very obvious fondness for Night Star. It's quite normal for a girl her age to lose her head and not keep her mouth shut.

The most critical evidence was Yugao is sudden, unexplained resignation from the Anbu.

Now it seemed that Yugao might have already leaked the information to the Uchiha clan at that time, hence her decision.

Thinking this, a hint of killing intent appeared in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.

It seemed that despite his efforts to suppress Uchiha Night Star is reputation, he had underestimated the other's capabilities.

Even a loyal Anbu member like Yugao Uzuki had defected to the other side.

Although the previous assassination attempt by Root members had failed, given the current situation, waiting any longer was not an option.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up and instructed Shiranui Genma, who was guarding the door.

"Call Kakashi over."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

After a short while, Hatake Kakashi, dressed in Anbu uniform, quickly entered the office.

Seeing not only Sarutobi Hiruzen but also the two elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, in the room, he couldn't help but feel puzzled, wondering what matter required the presence of all three.

"Kakashi."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled at the most talented and loyal genius of the Hokage's lineage, speaking slowly.

"The village has an S-class confidential mission that requires your personal attention."

Kakashi didn't hesitate and directly replied.

"Hokage-sama, please speak. I will do my utmost."

"Good."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction, looking directly into Kakashi's face, word by word.

"Kill the rogue ninja, Uchiha Night Star."

Hearing this, Kakashi's pupils shrank in shock, and after a long pause, he responded noncommittally.

"Hokage-sama, it's not that I'm refusing, but with my abilities, it's really difficult to contend with Night Star, let alone kill him."

"That can be managed."

Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand, speaking in a deep voice.

"I have decided to send an elite force composed of Sarutobi clan ninjas to support the front lines in the Cloud Village."

"At that time, I will have Night Star accompany them. With the help of nearly a hundred elite Sarutobi ninjas, you only need to guard against his Sharingan genjutsu and deliver a fatal blow at the critical moment. Can you do it?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt that his plan and choice of personnel were simply flawless.

Sending the main force of the Sarutobi clan to the battlefield would, on one hand, boost his prestige and quell the restless voices within the village.

On the other hand, even Uchiha Night Star couldn't possibly take on nearly a hundred elite ninjas alone.

Moreover, there was also Hatake Kakashi, who possessed the Sharingan.

Kakashi and Night Star were classmates at the ninja academy. Even if they weren't friends, they knew each other, and Night Star would never expect Kakashi to suddenly betray him.

"Hokage-sama, I..."

Kakashi hesitated, seemingly wanting to say something, but under Sarutobi Hiruzen's intense gaze, he finally clasped his hands and replied.

"I understand, Hokage-sama."

"Good, go and prepare."

After Kakashi left, the smile on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face instantly disappeared as he looked at Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.

"Arrange for the elimination of that former Anbu member, Yugao Uzuki. I suspect she is the source of these rumors."

"Understood."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the bustling streets of Konoha Village, silently smoking his pipe, a hint of smugness in his eyes.

He refused to believe that, with everything arranged so meticulously, Uchiha Night Star could still survive this time.

Without Night Star, the Uchiha clan would be like lambs to the slaughter.

Three days later, outside Konoha Village, at the border of the Land of Demise.

Uchiha Night Star, who had been specially promoted to elite jonin by the village higher-ups, was leading the Sarutobi clan's troops alongside Kakashi.

The ninja force composed of nearly a hundred Sarutobi clan members, once arriving at the Cloud frontlines, would undoubtedly change the situation between the two sides.

But Kakashi knew that day would never come.

Such a large force was assembled for one purpose only.

That was to kill Uchiha Night Star.

Thinking this, he took a deep breath and said in a low voice,

"Listen to me, don't turn your head."

"The village higher-ups want to kill you. Later, I will use an earth-style jutsu to cover for you. Take this opportunity to return to the Uchiha clan's territory immediately."

Night Star indeed didn't turn his head, only calmly asking,

"You're an Anbu member, loyal to the Hokage's faction. Why are you warning me?"

Kakashi's eyes were complex as he murmured,

"You let me see Rin again, erasing the guilt of killing my comrade that has haunted me. I'm just repaying a favor."

Night Star smiled slightly, looking at Kakashi's profile,

"This proves that what you said in Gai's hospital room, that all of this was meaningless, was wrong."

Seeing him suddenly turn to speak with Kakashi, the Sarutobi clan ninjas immediately halted.

A breeze swept by, lifting a few dead leaves from the ground.

The atmosphere gradually filled with a murderous intent.

Kakashi's pupils contracted slightly, whispering,

"Didn't I tell you? Get out of here!"

Night Star remained calm, saying indifferently,

"You seem to have misunderstood something."

"It's not these Sarutobi clan ninjas who are planning to kill me."

"But me, who is going to kill them."

With that, Night Star turned around, facing the nearly hundred-strong Sarutobi clan force, the pattern of the Mangekyou Sharingan appearing in his eyes, as he spoke word by word,

"Susanoo."

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