Chapter 59: The Unfortunate Scapegoat

The entire Hokage building was in chaos.

Soon enough, the medical team from Konoha arrived to provide emergency treatment for all the female patients.

Due to the suddenness of the incident and the numerous suspicious points, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his advisors were deeply concerned.

Inside the meeting room, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado sat with furrowed brows, waiting for the medical team's report.

As one of Konoha's core leaders, Natsuhane Uchiha was naturally called over by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep puff of smoke and asked, "This incident is very peculiar. Do any of you have any thoughts?"

Homura Mitokado adjusted his glasses and said, "So many people getting stomachaches simultaneously, and they're all females in the office building, even including the cleaning staff. I don't think it's food poisoning. It's very likely the work of an enemy village aiming to weaken our high-level logistics force."

Koharu Utatane added, "To strike in Konoha's most secure location, I believe the culprit is someone within the building. It seems we have a spy among us."

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "Which force do you think is responsible?"

Koharu Utatane snorted, "Who else but the Hidden Cloud Village? Only they would stoop to such despicable acts with no bottom line whatsoever."

Homura Mitokado agreed, "Yes, ever since the end of the Third Great Ninja War, the Hidden Mist Village has closed its borders, the Hidden Sand Village has signed an alliance agreement with us, and although Ōnoki of the Hidden Stone Village is not a decent person, he wouldn't resort to such low tactics."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement but remained silent, pondering for a moment before turning to Natsuhane. "Natsuhane, what are your thoughts?"

Natsuhane coughed lightly and declared loudly, "I believe the senior advisors are correct. It must be those Hidden Cloud scoundrels! To target our lovely high-quality ladies, they're nothing but a bunch of perverts!"

Hearing the term "high-quality," Koharu Utatane felt a bit aggrieved. "Speaking of high-quality, I am the most outstanding woman in this building..."

Homura Mitokado chimed in, "Maybe the culprit didn't dare touch you, fearing your strength and getting caught."

Koharu Utatane's mood lightened instantly. "That makes sense, Homura. You understand me well."

"Alright! Since you've all spoken, let me share my thoughts," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, putting down his pipe and interrupting the exchange between Koharu and Homura. "I don't think this incident was the work of the Hidden Cloud Village."

"I interrogated Danzo, and he confessed to collaborating with Orochimaru, planting a spy within the village."

"What?" Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were shocked.

Koharu Utatane exclaimed, "What was Danzo thinking, working with a traitor of the village?"

Homura Mitokado asked, "Who is this spy? Did Danzo reveal their identity?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, "Yes, he did. The spy's name is Kabuto, currently posing as a genin in the village. Recently, I have assigned the ANBU to secretly follow him. His counterintelligence skills are excellent, and he is highly skilled."

Homura Mitokado responded angrily, "Just following him? Hiruzen! Since we know he's a spy, we should apprehend him immediately!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "Catching him is pointless. I want to uncover Orochimaru's true intentions. There will always be more spies. Instead of catching one after another, it's better to uncover the root of the conspiracy."

Koharu Utatane argued, "We have Morino Ibiki, a master interrogator, and Yamanaka Inoichi. If we capture Kabuto, they can make him talk. Besides, we have Yamanaka Inoichi!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, "It's no use. I found Kabuto's records in the Root organization's files. He grew up in the village's orphanage, is a rare medical ninjutsu genius, and has earned Orochimaru's deep trust. Anyone trusted by Orochimaru has a very tight lip and will likely find a way to commit suicide before we can extract information."

Koharu Utatane felt disappointed. "Hiruzen, while I understand your approach, we cannot let a spy run rampant in the village! Today's incident might be his doing! He's our prime suspect!"

Homura Mitokado nodded in agreement. "Yes, we must find a way to quickly uncover his objective!"

Natsuhane, observing from the side, sneered inwardly: These two old geezers are such fence-sitters, agreeing with whatever they hear.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly turned to Natsuhane with a "kind" smile on his face. "Natsuhane, you've heard the situation. There's a spy in the village, and my ANBU cannot handle him. As the head of the Root organization, I believe you are the most suitable person for this task."

"Remember, don't alert the enemy. You must find out Kabuto's mission without Orochimaru noticing. If possible, trace back to Orochimaru's secret hideout. If necessary, you can kill Orochimaru without reporting back."

This was Hiruzen Sarutobi's true intention.

Since Danzo's death, he had become a completely different person.

To eliminate threats, he was willing to do anything, putting aside comradeship and mentorship.

With two tigers fighting, one would inevitably get injured.

He intended for Natsuhane and Orochimaru to fight each other, regardless of who won or lost, he would benefit.

Appointing Natsuhane as the head of the Root organization was all part of this plan.

Koharu Utatane immediately objected, "Hiruzen, you're assigning such an important task to a young boy? I strongly disagree!"

Homura Mitokado added, "Yes, Hiruzen, this is a serious matter and needs careful consideration. Natsuhane is capable, but this task requires more than just brute strength."

Hiruzen Sarutobi paid no attention to his colleagues' objections and looked deeply at Natsuhane. "No, you don't need to persuade me. I believe Natsuhane can handle this."

"Alright! I accept!" Natsuhane did not hesitate.

As the head of the Root organization, he had to accept the Hokage's mission.

But it was only a formality. Natsuhane already had plans to slack off.

Just then, a medical ninja in a white uniform burst in. "Ho...Hokage-sama, they...they're pregnant!"

"Hmm? What broke?"

"Not broken! Pregnant!"

"Who is pregnant?"

"All...all of them!"

...