As the news spread, the entire Shinobi World was thrown into chaos, everyone speculating about Sandaime's intentions.
But the people of Konoha were completely unaffected by the external environment.
Among them, the special team composed of Kakashi, Guy, and Tsume had followed the trail to Otogakure and were now searching the area.
Sniff, sniff.
Red markings appeared on Tsume's face, her eyes narrowed, her nose, which is ten thousand times more sensitive than a human's, twitched slightly, pointing towards a location.
"I can smell it. The demon fox's scent is over there."
Tsume's expression was grave. When she said the words 'demon fox', a trace of disgust flashed imperceptibly in her eyes.
'This traitorous Jinchuriki had truly shamed the Yondaime Hokage's legacy.'
'The descendant of a hero, a scion of the Uzumaki Clan, a genuine member of Konoha's main lineage...'
'He actually defected from the village merely because of a few slanderous words from that guy Mizuki and some insignificant setbacks.'
In the mind of Tsume, who is from a major clan, it was very hard to understand.
Of course, she could never empathize with how heavy the damage from what she saw as 'insignificant setbacks' could be for a ten-year-old child.
"Everyone, listen to my command! Leave markers here! Form teams of three and advance in a flanking formation!"
Just after Tsume reported the coordinates, Kakashi nodded, his face serious as he issued orders to the group of Chunin behind him.
For this operation, Tsume was the 'Eye' for searching intelligence, while he was the 'Brain' commanding everything.
Not only did they need to complete the task excellently, but they also had to bring all their comrades back, every single one!
This was the principle his father, Konoha's White Fang, had taught Kakashi.
"Yes!"
The Chunin nodded one after another.
Following Kakashi's orders, they carefully advanced in a flanking formation towards the direction Tsume indicated.
Although the Land of Rice Fields was small, traversing an entire country was still a long journey for Chunin.
By the time the sun set and dusk approached,
The outline of Otogakure finally appeared before their eyes.
"That's the place. The demon fox's scent is growing stronger. I can sense he is stationary right now, probably hiding somewhere in Orochimaru's hideout."
Tsume narrowed her eyes, looking towards the distant Otogakure, her voice cold.
"Then what are we waiting for? Youth is all about passionately breaking through everything! Kakashi, let me take the vanguard first!"
Seeing Tsume confirm the coordinates, Guy grew restless.
"Impossible. Our mission is reconnaissance, Guy. Shinobi rules: absolutely do not do anything outside the mission parameters."
Kakashi adjusted the forehead protector over his left eye, speaking solemnly to Guy beside him.
Guy fell silent.
Half of his face seemed to darken, as if persuaded by Kakashi.
He said nothing for a long while.
Kakashi also understood this close friend's personality… quick to act, quick to feel down.
So he didn't pay Guy any further mind and continued assigning tasks to the remaining Shinobi.
A total of seventy-two Chunin were precisely assigned by Kakashi to various corners of the Land of Rice Fields, closely monitoring every possible route Orochimaru might take.
It must be said that Kakashi's mind was definitely one of the sharpest in the Naruto World.
In the original work, during his tenure as the Rokudaime Hokage, he both pioneered an era of unprecedented rapid development and maintained national prosperity and people's safety, harmony, and stability.
His strategic intelligence was even more vividly displayed in intelligence gathering.
An hour later, only Kakashi and Guy remained at the original spot.
Even Tsume had been assigned to a suitable location to carry out her scouting work.
At this moment, Kakashi finally let out a soft sigh and sat down beside Guy.
This passionate, youthful man had not uttered a word since earlier.
With Kakashi's intelligence, how could he not have guessed what his friend was thinking?
"Guy, don't think too much about it. Our mission is to gather intelligence. As long as we can complete the task..."
"You know in your heart, Kakashi. 'Don't lie to yourself'."
Guy suddenly interrupted Kakashi, his eyes staring straight at him.
Kakashi was stunned.
His visible eye went from trembling, to calm, to flashing a trace of sorrow so subtle it was almost imperceptible.
It only took three seconds.
This was the Copy Ninja Kakashi… possessing emotions sharper than anyone's, yet also a mind calmer than anyone's.
Of course he understood.
How could he not be clear about something even Guy realized?
"I'm dull. I'm slow to realize many things. But this time, Sandaime-sama's intention... even someone as slow-witted as me can see it clearly..."
Guy looked at Kakashi, his tone involuntarily rising a few notes.
The rims of his eyes reddened.
He and Kakashi were probably the two strongest in the village, aside from the Sannin and Danzo.
Logically speaking, they should be among the main forces attacking Orochimaru, launching the final assault alongside Sandaime.
But, Sandaime made them scouts, while simultaneously preserving the fighting strength of the four major clans, stationing them on the periphery of the Land of Rice Fields.
What was the reason?
"Orochimaru's depth and strength, you and I know all too well. Add a traitorous Kyubi's Jinchuriki to that... Kakashi, do you really think Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama alone can handle it?"
Kakashi fell silent.
When the Kyubi Rampage happened years ago, he had witnessed the power of the fully transformed demon fox.
It surpassed all Jonin, surpassed ordinary Kage-level.
Only figures as exceptional as the Yondaime and Sandaime could possibly match it.
The major clans Konoha was so proud of were, in the face of the Kyubi' power, as laughable as ants.
Moreover, Naruto wasn't just a Jinchuriki… he himself inherited the bloodlines of the Yondaime Hokage and Uzumaki Kushina. His strength and intellect couldn't be bad.
A rampaging Kyubi had already devastated Konoha so much back then.
What about a calm, rational Kyubi that could even lie in wait and grow?
No wonder Sandaime was so wary of Naruto, going so far as to mobilize the entire village's strength to capture him while he was still in the cradle.
"Sandaime-sama's intention... is to sacrifice himself!"
As Guy spoke, tears streamed down uncontrollably.
Their generation had all grown up under Sandaime's watch.
If Sandaime Hokage was the Sannin's teacher, then for them, Sandaime was a highly respected figure like a grandfather.
Guy was emotional and single-minded.
He didn't want to see Sandaime die. He didn't want to see that Hiruzen, who once dominated the Shinobi World but was now a flickering candle in the wind, old and frail, have to burn his last bit of soul for Konoha.
Therefore…
"Kakashi, agree with me! With your strength and mine, I'm confident we can take down Orochimaru!"
Guy's eyes were red, his teeth clenched.