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Hokage Office.

Shortly after Hiruzen returned to his office after his meeting with the Second Hokage, Inoichi came to see him.

"Tell me you have some good news for me Inoichi."

"I have news, Lord Hokage. But I'm not sure if it's good." The Yamanaka replied with a heavy tone.

"Nothing is today." Hiruzen sighed and nodded for Inoichi to continue.

"Guren had several defenses in her mind but they were placed a few years ago. Although they were strong they weren't as powerful as the ones Mizuki had. I was able to get through and get some information but the defensive measures Orochimaru put in place destroyed her mind and killed her before I could uncover everything."

"Orochimaru was always cautious. It is to be expected. What have you found?" The Hokage asked the blond interrogator.

"She was an integral member under Orochimaru. Based on what I learned she was a trusted member because of the loyalty she showed and her strength. Guren overlooked the construction of several hideouts in the Land of Fire during the last several months. She also oversaw the movement of several important shipments in and out of the country. Some were high end medical equipment but others are unknown."

Inoichi then handed several papers to the Hokage with locations, and roughly drawn blueprints on them. "The structure of the hideouts created under her supervision."

Hiruzen examined them and his eyes narrowed. "These are among the seven locations we found scattered across the country."

"Yes. From the memories I looked through, I was also able to get data on some of the defenses and measures they put in place. I've already shared that intel with Shikaku and the Analysis team."

"Good. Were you able to find out why they went after Daichi?" Hiruzen asked.

Inoichi nodded. "Yes sir. It's in the document in there." The man said, pointing to one specific sheet of paper.

"The base marked on that location is where Orochimaru instructed Guren to bring Daichi. According to my understanding Orochimaru has placed a great importance on the child and had asked to bring him to the location without inflicting much harm on him."

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair and narrowed his eyes. 'So I was right. Now we have the where. But why? Why is Daichi so damn important to him?'

"Have you found out why Orochimaru needs the boy?"

Inoichi grimaced at that question and Hiruzen had a bad feeling in his heart.

The Yamanaka slowly nodded and spoke. "Yes sir. And it's not good. Orochimaru has created some sort of a jutsu that can take over a person's body."

Hiruzen's eyes widened in horror as he quickly realized the implications. "He did it. He actually did it. A forbidden immortality jutsu."

The blond interrogator nodded. "Yes. From what I understood from Guren's memories, Orochimaru places special curse seals on those he deem worthy to become his new vessel. Surviving the curse seal itself is quite an ordeal because the success rate is low. But once the subject survives the Curse seal implantation, Orochimaru uses some kind of jutsu to take over their bodies. I'm unaware of the specifics."

"Will Orochimaru be able to use the abilities of the new body?" Hiruzen asked the man.

"From what I gathered, Yes. This Guren was powerful and was to become Orochimaru's next vessel but he changed his mind a few months ago. Guren believes that Orochimaru asked her to capture Daichi so that he could make Daichi his new vessel."

Hiruzen's fists clenched in anger as he thought about the moral implications of such a technique. 'To achieve something like that, you would need to attack not just the body but the soul as well… Orochimaru, have you truly gone so low…'

Hiruzen suddenly looked up. "What about Tsunade? Have you found any information regarding her whereabouts?"

Inoichi shook his head. "No."

Hiruzen clenched his fists and let out a deep breath of anxiety.

"But I don't think Orochimaru is currently in Fire country." Inoichi's sudden statement caught Hiruzen's attention.

"Why do you assume that?" The kage questioned.

"Based on the memories I saw, Orochimaru ordered Guren to capture Daichi and get to that location on the map. But he also informed her that he would only be able to join her several days later. And if she was successful in her mission and we were to trace her to that location before Orochimaru arrived he gave her instructions to use the special summoning scroll in that hideout and send Daichi to him."

"But it's possible Orochimaru could be in another location in the country. In one of the other hideouts." Hiruzen argued.

"I'm not so sure about that. Orochimaru has men guarding those locations but they're not his best. Not the strongest or the brightest. I'd say they are there to slow us down or distract us." Inoichi told the kage his reasons.

Hiruzen crossed his arms and mulled over the information. "Maybe Daichi's theory has more merit than I gave it credit for." He muttered to himself.

Seeing Inoichi's curious gaze Hiruzen explained. "Daichi proposed a theory that Orochimaru might be in the land of Earth."

Inoichi frowned as he thought about their current situation with that country. "That could complicate things. The potential to escalate tension should anything go wrong is high."

"I'm aware."

As they were discussing the situation, an Anbu suddenly appeared. Hiruzen instantly recognized the man. Bear. The agent he tasked with infiltrating the Root.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Hiruzen turned to Inoichi and spoke. "Report everything you've learned to Shikaku and work on the remaining prisoners. Get as much information as you can out of them."

Inoichi nodded and quickly left the room. Hiruzen then turned his attention to his loyal ninja kneeling in the middle of the room.

"Bear. Did something happen?"

The Anbu stood and nodded. "My existence has been discovered. Danzo has made preparations to have me killed on a mission. But they don't know that I found out about that."

Hiruzen nodded. He knew it was only a matter of time before Danzo found the mole. "We always knew this day would come. I'm pulling you out of this mission. I have another task for you that's more important."

"Yes sir. But before that there is something you should know."

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the Anbu.

"Danzo has been recalling his agents from across the country. All those on active duty and on mission are being summoned. He made sure to keep it a secret from me but I've been keeping an eye on his secret communications channel. He's trying to bolster his forces. It's almost as if he's…"

"Preparing for war." Hiruzen finished the sentence.

"What should we do sir? Should I assemble a strike team and arrest Danzo?"

Hiruzen was silent for several seconds as he thought about his next move. He finally made his decision. He looked at his Anbu Shinobi and spoke.

"I've ordered Captain Ox to assemble a team to attack Orochimaru's bases. And with everything happening our manpower will be low. But still, Danzo's threat can no longer be ignored. Assemble a small team focused on heavy assault. Make sure two tracking ninjas are included as well. I don't want any rats to slip the net."

The Anbu nodded. But then he thought of the other problem. "He has his Root agents in our Ranks. If we start a counter attack they will cause chaos."

"Snow has given me a detailed list of all sleeper cell agents from Root. They'll be taken care of soon."

The masked ninja was surprised. 'Based on what I learned, only Danzo and his second in command has that intel. They personally trained the sleeper ninjas so their identities would be an absolute secrecy and finding that out would be extremely difficult. Snow must have found them out by analyzing their smallest behaviors, history and training patterns. He certainly is the best at that.'

"Sir, what should be done about Danzo?" Bear asked.

"I will personally deal with Danzo. He is my responsibility."

The masked ninjas nodded.

"Do you know the identity of Danzo's lieutenant?" Hiruzen asked. That was what he mainly wanted to know.

"Forgive me sir. But I was only able to meet him on two occasions in all these years. I failed. I'm not sure who he is." Anbu replied.

Hiruzen nodded. 'I suppose I can't expect everything to go my way.'

"Assemble the team. But do not make a move until I give the order. It's almost time to end this shadow war." Hiruzen gave his instructions and the Anbu ninjas vanished.

Once he was alone in his office Hiruzen thought about his student that was currently in the village. 'Last time, Jiraiya only used his Sage jutsu to power up the Reanimation counter seals. He didn't meet Tobirama sensei… It seems this meeting can't be avoided. He will certainly be shocked when he sees sensei.'

Hiruzen got up from his seat and headed out. It wasn't long before he reached the Analysis department. He looked at the analysts and enquired about the intelligence collected.

"Aside from the locations in the Fire country, where are the others situated?"

"Lord Hokage. Based on the information collected, we've identified bases in Land of Rice Paddies, Land of Hot water, Land of Rivers and Land of Mountains. Among these we're certain that Orochimaru is using the Land of Rice Paddies as his primary hideout." One of the Analysis ninjas replied.

At that moment Ibiki arrived after completing his interrogating Rinji. Hiruzen turned to him and motioned for him to speak.

"I've questioned Rinji and the other prisoners."

"What did you learn?"

"Orochimaru uses the Land of Rice Paddies as his main base of operations but he's constantly on the move. He subdued several small clans in that region and created a network of labs. He calls it the Hidden Sound village. Many of them have curse seal abilities and many were used as experiments. They have modified bodies and with their numbers they are strong enough to create trouble for Chunins and even Jonins. Rinji was a spy Orochimaru planted in his hideouts to gather information or eliminate uncertain factors. The rest of the prisoners were just pawns. They didn't have any valuable intel. I believe they were intended as sacrificial pieces." Ibiki informed with a neutral tone.

The Hokage nodded and soon left. He met with the Second Hokage and informed him of everything he learned. Tobirama frowned when he heard that Danzo preparing to strike against the village but other than that he showed no other emotion.

"So that's why he wanted the child. He's created some sort of body transfer jutsu huh. It will no doubt be a forbidden jutsu with certain risks involved." Tobirama had also conducted several human experiments to create the Forbidden Reanimation jutsu so he knew a similar jutsu would have dangers involved to the user as well.

"Yes. Daichi's potential and strength is extraordinary for a child his age. If Orochimaru gets such power, he'll be a much bigger threat."

"Yes. The urgency with which Orochimaru ordered his people to go after the boy. I believe it has something to do with Tsunade. But unfortunately we still have no idea on her location." Tobirama frowned at the lack of information.

"I already have Jiraiya gathering intelligence on the movements in the Earth country. I'm sure he'll get us something. But we'll need some more time." Hiruzen replied to alleviate his sensei's worry.

"That's not a luxury we have, Hiruzen. We need to move now." Tobirama crossed his arms and spoke.

"The squads are being assembled. We'll attack all the locations in the Fire country first. The seven locations will be deemed secondary targets. Even if they're merely there as decoys, I can't ignore them." Hiruzen laid out his plan to his former teacher.

"You're right. We need to make sure nothing happens to the stability of this country. Even if Tsunade is not there we'll have to get rid of them all." Tobirama agreed with that battle plan.

"The subterranean building with the two powerful chakras… That will be our primary target. I will be sending Jiraiya and another Anbu. But I would also like for you to be present during the raid on that base."

The Second Hokage nodded. "Give them one of my markers. I'll join when he's reached the location."

The old Hokage's expression then turned slightly solemn. "Sensei. I've decided to execute Danzo. During the Anbu attacks on Orochimaru's base I'll lead a team to attack the underground Root facilities. It's time to end this tug of war between us."

"I would like to be present when you see him. There are a few things I want to know from him."

Tobirama's eyes contained disappointment aimed at both Danzo and Hiruzen and the old Kage could see that. "I understand. I will make the arrangements."

—-

2:45 am.

Time went by and soon several teams were assembled and present atop the Hokage tower. There were several ninjas wearing flak jackets and Anbu gear present.

The Hokage stood in front of the large crowd of ninjas and spoke. "This will be a Joint operation between the Anbu and Jonin squads. Your task is to infiltrate and eliminate the targets you've been assigned. This mission is critical to the stability of the village and the future. So failure is not an option."

The Anbu in the crowd were standing like statues but some of the Chunins and even a couple Jonins were nervous at the tense atmosphere. They realized that this was probably one of the most important missions of their lives.

"Go." Hearing the Hokage's orders the teams vanished in several directions.

The Hokage then turned to the lone Anbu remaining atop the tower. It was the Anbu commander Ox. Hiruzen came near him and gave him a scroll. "You'll be heading to the primary location. Once you reach the area, use the kunai in that scroll. Help will arrive. Do not engage before you do that."

"Understood sir." Anbu Commander Ox nodded and disappeared.

Hiruzen turned his attention to the night sky and let out a tired breath. 'It will take a while for them to reach the hideout… I hope everything goes alright…'

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