Mokgetsu couldn't accurately predict the trajectory of this matter, though he suspected it was the work of Uchiha Madara. However, this kind of conjecture was clearly not something that could be spoken aloud since, in the impression of the Konoha Ninja, Uchiha Madara had long been killed by Senju Hashirama.
Mokgetsu used a Shadow Clone to heal the disciples, then walked over to face Hoshigaki Kisame and the others.
"Tell me everything you know," Mokgetsu asked with a faint tone, putting away his gentle smile.
He didn't expect to get any useful information from the three, but this was a necessary procedure.
"Sorry, I'm just an abandoned pawn, I know nothing," Zabuza replied with a grin, coming back to his senses after the shock.
He had no fondness for the upper echelon of The Hidden Mist Village, but he truly knew nothing. The orders he received were simply to perform well in the Chunin Examination and suppress the Konoha Ninja.
"My task is to achieve good results in the exam, you can do whatever you want. Anyway, I really don't know why a Jonin would slip in," Kurozawa said straightforwardly.
Hoshigaki Kisame's response was similar to those of Zabuza and Kurozawa; all three appeared unaware.
As Mokgetsu anticipated, he didn't obtain any useful information, but he didn't care. The focus was not on his side, but on Sarutobi Hiruzen's side.
After Kakashi and others were completely healed, Mokgetsu straightforwardly took them back to the Central Tower.
However, since Nara Shiomizu's team hadn't yet gathered the Heaven and Earth Scroll, they didn't move with Mokgetsu and continued the exam instead.
Mokgetsu didn't terminate the Chunin Examination but dispatched Ninja to monitor all candidates from the Hidden Mist Village. Any suspicious behavior would lead to arrest.
Once inside the Central Tower, the disciples began discussing the recent events while Mokgetsu opened his panel to check the gains this time.
[Disciple Hatake Kakashi's Trust Level has increased; current Trust Level: Four]
[Detected four disciples with Trust Level Four; reward received—the disciple enrollment quota +1]
Seeing this reward brought a smile to Mokgetsu's face. In his view, this reward was far more precious than the Perfect Level skills.
If a disciple is cultivated from under the age of ten, the rewards they can offer once matured are immense, including a host of skills and vast Returning Master Chakra.
Mokgetsu prepared to research carefully whom to bestow this enrollment upon once back.
The quota was hard-earned and there was no telling if more quotas would be added later, so Mokgetsu needed to choose wisely.
Mokgetsu continued to review the system message and noted that, besides the Trust Level increase, Kakashi also earned a reward.
[Disciple Hatake Kakashi has gained considerable growth in strength under your diligent guidance; reward received—Earth Release: Lightweight Rock Jutsu (Master Level)]
Mokgetsu nodded in his heart, this was indeed a gratifying reward. Its significance to Mokgetsu surpassed the previously obtained Heavyweight Rock Jutsu.
Since Lightweight Rock Jutsu allows him to fly, which is a rare ability in the world of the Hokage where flight generally relies on Summoning Beasts.
The Heavyweight Rock Jutsu, although of the same tier as Advanced Earth Release, leans towards output, whereas Mokgetsu has superior methods for output.
...
By using the Telescope Jutsu, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew that Gen was having tea in a Konoha teahouse with several from the Hidden Mist Village.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had most of Anbu stand outside, then took a few elite Anbu inside the teahouse, entering the private room where Gen was.
"Hokage, what's the meaning of this?" Gen looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen who barged in directly with the Konoha Anbu following him, feeling something amiss.
"Do you know a Ninja named Ishijima Hideyuki?" Sarutobi Hiruzen began with a calm inquiry as he sat down.
"Yes, he is a Jonin from our Hidden Mist Village and part of the delegation visiting your village this time." Gen nodded and replied.
"Just moments ago, Ishijima Hideyuki infiltrated the Chunin Examination venue through unknown means and attacked our Konoha candidates. Do you have any explanation for this?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, releasing his immense aura towards Gen as he finished speaking.
Gen's complexion slightly changed. Although Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone was calm, Gen could feel the anger emanating from Sarutobi Hiruzen; the famed Third Hokage was furious.
"A true Hokage indeed, this terrifying aura, stronger than the Third Mizukage," Gen compared the strength of Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Third Mizukage in his mind.
The Jonin beside Gen couldn't help but shiver under the overwhelming aura, cold sweat flowing down his forehead.
"Lord Hokage, could there have been a misunderstanding somewhere? Our visit from the Hidden Mist Village definitely does not intend to be hostile towards Konoha." Gen maintained a composed expression.
Within The Hidden Mist Village, aside from the Mizukage, no one's authority surpassed Gen's; he was certain no order to assassinate the Konoha candidates was given.
"Misunderstanding? Come see if it's a misunderstanding," Sarutobi Hiruzen led Gen towards the Forest of Death, where both surveillance records and Ishijima Hideyuki's corpse awaited.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sensed something peculiar; therefore, despite his anger, he didn't act immediately but instead intended to hear Gen's explanation.
Upon exiting the teahouse, looking at the surrounding Anbu, Gen mostly believed Sarutobi Hiruzen's previous statement: Ishijima Hideyuki indeed attacked candidates at the Chunin Examination venue.
If such an incident hadn't truly occurred, Konoha would not suddenly enact such large-scale actions against them; Konoha was currently at war with two Great Ninja Villages, it would be foolish to initiate hostilities with the Hidden Mist.
"Who could have orchestrated this? Those from the hawkish faction?" Gen speculated internally.
He genuinely didn't wish to have a conflict with Konoha at this juncture, as he himself was still within Konoha.
Following this, Sarutobi Hiruzen led Gen to the Central Tower of the Chunin Examination and presented the surveillance recording of Ishijima Hideyuki attacking Obito and others.
Watching Ishijima Hideyuki continuously attack Obito and others on the screen, Gen furrowed his brows tightly.
Playing it for a few minutes, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Gen; if a satisfactory answer wasn't obtained, Gen wouldn't be leaving Konoha.
"I sincerely apologize for such occurrences," Gen handed his cane to the nearby Hidden Mists and bowed deeply to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"But I can confirm that this has nothing to do with the Hidden Mist Village. Ishijima Hideyuki should be a spy from another Ninja Village infiltrating our Hidden Mist, aiming to undermine the friendship between Hidden Mist and Konoha!" Gen said with firm conviction.
He didn't know if Ishijima Hideyuki was genuinely insane or what, but currently, Ishijima Hideyuki's best identity was that of a spy.
"My Lord Third, inside here lies the body of Ishijima Hideyuki." Mokgetsu promptly stepped forward, handing Sarutobi Hiruzen the scroll containing the sealed corpse of Ishijima Hideyuki.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded; whether Ishijima Hideyuki was a spy couldn't be determined simply by Gen's words—investigating the corpse's memory was necessary.
For both efficiency and accuracy, Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned the Clan Leader of the Yamanaka Clan to use Secret Technique and examine Ishijima Hideyuki's memory.
Gen maintained a composed demeanor; if Konoha could identify who instructed Ishijima Hideyuki, he might even be grateful to Konoha, as it would mean he could initiate a cleansing operation upon returning.
Gen's confident appearance made Sarutobi Hiruzen feel even more mystified.
"Could it truly be that the Chunin Examination accident wasn't planned by The Hidden Mist Village?" Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered internally.
The Yamanaka Clan Leader placed his hand on Ishijima Hideyuki's head and closed his eyes, beginning to use the Secret Technique.
Even though Ishijima Hideyuki had been cut into two parts, as long as the brain wasn't damaged, his memory could still be checked.
However, as the Yamanaka Clan Leader delved into Ishijima Hideyuki's brain with the Secret Technique, he frowned and simultaneously opened his eyes.
"My Lord Third, his head has already been damaged by Jutsu, preventing memory examination," the Yamanaka Clan Leader reported.