Chapter 77
"What did you say?"
"Someone broke into the secret prison where Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō are being held?"
In the Hokage's office, the acting Fifth Hokage's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the Intelligence Division officer who had rushed in.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. We just received this report."
"And the intruder's identity?"
Akimichi Torifu pressed the question.
"That's still unclear. The intruder's methods were extremely skilled. They used explosive tags to blast through a weak spot in the defenses and caused chaos with Water Clones. The guards haven't been able to identify them yet. But judging by the intruder's familiarity with the prison, they're almost certainly an insider—someone from ANBU or Root."
The Intelligence Division was responsible not only for gathering intel but also for analyzing it.
"An insider, huh?"
Having regained his calm, Torifu wasn't surprised.
That was the expected outcome. At this point, the only ones who would care enough about Hiruzen and Danzō—and have the ability to act on it—would be their own people. Whether the goal was to kill or rescue them... neither would be shocking.
"Mobilize the ANBU. I'll go check it out personally."
Torifu issued the order.
He needed to see for himself who had the nerve to make such a bold move. Was it the Uchiha? The Hyūga? The Aburame? Or some remnant of Root not accounted for? With a war against Kirigakure looming, internal chaos in the village was absolutely unacceptable.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
The ANBU stationed at the Hokage building sprang into action.
Not long after, a large ANBU contingent left the building with Torifu, heading straight for the secret prison located in the village's northwest corner.
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It wasn't just the acting Hokage who received news of the prison break. The prison was guarded by trusted elites from various clans—Uchiha, Hyūga, Aburame—handpicked by their respective clan heads. Almost immediately upon the intrusion, each group used their own methods to alert their leaders.
"The intruder... could it be Hatake Kakashi?"
Hyūga Hiashi narrowed his eyes.
He received the intel even earlier than the acting Hokage, and his information was more detailed.
Hatake Kakashi—the son of the White Fang, Hatake Sakumo; a student of the late Fourth Hokage; wounded during the Third Great War; and now in possession of a Sharingan from the Uchiha that was never reclaimed. He currently served in the ANBU.
Hiashi recalled everything he knew about Kakashi.
As head of the Hyūga clan, his vision extended beyond the clan to the entire village.
Someone like Kakashi, naturally, wouldn't escape his notice.
"The son of Hatake Sakumo... could it be?"
After a few seconds of contemplation, Hiashi had a vague suspicion. He gave orders to the Hyūga guarding the prison: suppress any intel linking Kakashi to the incident—just report they didn't get a clear look. And above all, do not obstruct Kakashi's actions.
Then,
Hiashi also set out for the prison.
This incident was definitely going to explode into something big.
The Hyūga couldn't afford to sit this one out!
The son of the White Fang, the genius jōnin Hatake Kakashi, avenging his father by killing the vile former advisor Shimura Danzō—this was far more satisfying than a public execution. Honestly, lopping off the head of a decrepit old man in his sixties wasn't much of a spectacle.
Some soft-hearted people who hadn't been hurt personally might even feel sympathy.
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Police Force HQ.
"Someone broke into the secret prison?" Rēn was still at the Police Force when he heard the news and was caught off guard. He instinctively looked at the floor beneath him—deep in the secret cells below, Jūzō Biwa was still unconscious.
What the hell? Who's stealing my job?
He was confused.
He had just been getting ready to act! How did someone beat him to it?
"Ranzan, what's the situation? Give me the details." Rēn turned to Uchiha Ranzan.
"So far, we don't have much. The intruder used Earth Release to enter underground, blasted open the barrier around the secret prison with explosive tags, and headed straight for Shimura Danzō's cell. The guards are trying to stop them, but no one's made contact yet. The intruder's identity remains unknown."
"The target is Danzō? Hmm... Wait! This might be an opportunity!"
Rēn's eyes lit up.
Whoever was targeting Danzō, this was a golden chance. While everyone's attention was on Danzō, the heat on Sarutobi Hiruzen would ease. That would help clear the way for Rēn's own plans.
"Ranzan, contact our clan members stationed at the prison. Tell them to be cautious—self-preservation comes first. Avoid direct confrontations. Also, reassign Uchiha stationed elsewhere in the prison to support the area—but with the same priority: stay safe."
The odd order made Ranzan frown repeatedly.
"Commander, are you...?"
"Stop talking and go deliver the message. Tell them: make a big scene if you have to, but don't be stupid enough to go all in."
After issuing his command, Rēn vanished with a Body Flicker, leaving Ranzan to sigh helplessly as he went to carry out the order, all the while wondering what Rēn was up to. Danzō had already been sentenced to death—they were just waiting to set the execution date. Surely this wasn't about Danzō...
Thinking back to the last part of Rēn's order—to reassign other stationed members—he suddenly had a guess.
Then, he quickened his pace.
If they could eliminate that "tumor" in one blow, it would be a true victory for the clan.
Meanwhile, Rēn had arrived in the secret cell beneath the Police Force HQ. He formed a hand seal, summoning a Shadow Clone. The clone used Transformation Jutsu for a makeshift disguise, grabbed the unconscious Jūzō Biwa, and exited through a hidden tunnel, avoiding the eyes of nearby clansmen. It surfaced in a forest not far from the Police HQ and rushed toward the prison.
Once the clone was gone,
Rēn casually returned to the Police Force, assembled a team, and dispatched them via different routes toward the secret prison.