Chapter 161: Orochimaru is Glad to Have Guests From Afar
The next morning.
Orochimaru, who worked so hard that he even fell asleep in the Hokage's office, was awakened by an important report from an ANBU ninja.
"Hokage-sama, there was an unknown attack on the Uchiha residence last night, and Uchiha Sasuke is missing."
"What?"
Orochimaru pretended to be surprised, his eyes lit up, he tried his best to suppress the corners of his mouth that were trying to rise, and asked seriously:
"Have you identified the attackers?"
"No. There were only traces of a brief battle at the scene. It is estimated that the attacker was quite strong and quickly captured Sasuke."
"Damn it! That's the only orphan in the Uchiha Clan. Who would take action against him?"
Orochimaru knew the truth, but his acting skills were still excellent.
"Hokage-sama? What next?"
"Dispatch all ANBU and search the entire village. We must find that child as soon as possible!"
"As you command!"
Orochimaru's face was serious and his tone was urgent.
Although he was very sure that Sasuke had been captured by Danzo. But he still had to perform, not send everyone, not pretend to be anxious.
How could he cripple Danzo?
Moreover, Konoha Anbu was all taken over from Hiruzen and hadn't been thoroughly cleansed.
Orochimaru thought hard, knowing that Danzo more or less had people inside the ANBU.
The closer he was to success, the more cautious he had to be.
Come to think of it, Danzo must be very proud now.
'Do you think that by getting Sasuke, you can control my weakness? Want to use me?'
'So naive.'
'I have a good student! Thanks for your hard work, Danzo really took the bait.'
❀❀❀
Of course, Sasuke's disappearance and the unusual situation where a large number of Anbu were sent to search for him couldn't be kept secret for long.
Especially some people who cared deeply about Sasuke quickly realized something unusual.
More than half an hour.
There was a noisy sound outside the door.
"Move aside!"
"No! You can't go in there, Hokage-sama is still working."
"Move aside!"
*BANG*
The door of the Hokage's office was slammed open, and a figure rushed into the room anxiously.
Orochimaru looked at the other party with interest and chuckled:
"Kakashi, it's not your style to be so reckless."
"Orochi—... Hokage-sama!"
As he saw Orochimaru, all of Kakashi's anger and impatience were forcibly suppressed.
He was forced to respectfully call him Hokage-sama.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Hokage-sama, Sasuke is missing."
"I know, I've already sent people to search."
"..."
"What? Do you suspect I captured Sasuke?"
Isn't it?
Kakashi wanted to say it, but he held back.
Can't blame him.
Looking at the entire Konoha, besides Orochimaru who was in front of him, who else had the ability and motive to attack Sasuke?
When Kakashi helped Sasuke suppress the curse seal before, he knew that Orochimaru had completely targeted Sasuke.
Now Sasuke suddenly disappeared, he naturally immediately suspected Orochimaru.
Although Orochimaru had already become Hokage, Kakashi never fully trusted him.
"Hokage-sama, do you know who did it?"
Kakashi could only ask indirectly.
"I don't know." Orochimaru raised the corner of his mouth and observed Kakashi carefully.
"..."
Kakashi froze in place, not knowing what to do.
Even if Orochimaru did it, what could he do?
First, there was no evidence, and second, Orochimaru couldn't be defeated.
And if he really took action against Orochimaru, even if Kakashi was lucky enough to survive, he would soon become a rogue ninja.
Not to mention saving Sasuke. At this moment, Kakashi was in a dilemma. But he also couldn't give up on Sasuke.
Kakashi had suffered bad luck for 13 years and was forced to be on the same level as Asuma.
After finally recruiting three new students, he was a little comforted, he also pinned some of his guilt and nostalgia for Obito on Sasuke.
He tried his best to train and teach Sasuke, and even taught him Raikiri.
How could he stand by while he saw his student, the only orphan in the Uchiha Clan, in danger?
Even if he was seeking death, he wouldn't back down.
Orochimaru saw Kakashi's confusion and smiled again:
"You really care about that kid. Do you see the shadow of your former friend in him?"
"..."
"Why didn't I see you so interested in Naruto? He's your former teacher's kid."
"Naruto was taught by Jiraiya-sama."
"How dare you say such a reason? Kakashi, as a teacher, being too biased is not a good thing."
"I'm not here to talk about this kind of thing!"
"I know, but you still suspect I captured Sasuke, right?"
"I…"
Kakashi gritted his teeth and gathered his courage, looked at Orochimaru, and was ready to risk his life.
"Yes! Hokage-sama, you're very suspicious!"
"Hahaha! You finally look like you used to. You were the youngest Jonin in history at the age of 12. It's a pity you have this talent!"
"As for Sasuke, since you doubt it. Then, you stay with me until you find Sasuke."
"Ah?"
Kakashi was stunned, a little surprised.
"If I really captured Sasuke, as long as you keep watching me and stay by my side, even if I want to do something to Sasuke, I can't do it, right?"
Kakashi was still confused.
Although that was true, would Orochimaru actually propose it?
Wasn't he the one who captured Sasuke?
No, no, no, don't be fooled.
Orochimaru was basically petty and cunning, and it was very likely that he did this on purpose. Just to make himself numb!
"What, you don't want to?"
"Not true! Thank you, Hokage-sama!" Kakashi gritted his teeth and agreed.
At least monitoring Orochimaru personally could reduce many risks and eliminate the possibility of him secretly dissecting Sasuke.
At this moment, Kakashi didn't have many better options.
"Okay, then you can stay. By the way, take all the documents on the floor first!"
❀❀❀
For almost the entire next day, Kakashi stayed in the Hokage's office.
While helping Orochimaru handle government affairs, he also 'supervised him'.
Eliminate any possibility that the other party could separate himself and leave secretly.
Kakashi knew what he was doing was stupid. But it was the only effective way.
If Sasuke was captured by Orochimaru, it would be impossible for Kakashi alone to find the hidden Sasuke.
If it wasn't Orochimaru who captured him, then the entire Konoha Anbu couldn't find him, and it was unlikely that Kakashi would find him alone.
Since he couldn't find him no matter what. It's better to watch Orochimaru and see what conspiracy he has.
Time passed.
Kakashi suffered anxiety almost all day until night.
Finally, some information came back.
"Hokage-sama, we've searched the entire village and found no trace of Uchiha Sasuke."
The ANBU team leader in charge of the search reported.
Orochimaru had already expected this.
If capturing Sasuke would leave a trace, then Danzo and Root should have been banned long ago.
Although Danzo was nothing, he still had some skills.
"Then expand the search area and send people outside the village to look for traces!"
"Yes! Only..."
"Only what?"
"Two ANBU ninjas accidentally fell into a coma during the search earlier today. They are suspected of being hit by genjutsu. After we found them and they woke up, they don't remember what happened."
"Okay, I understand. You can continue the search."
"Yes!"
The ANBU ninjas received the order and left.
After Kakashi listened, he became even more confused.
It seemed that Sasuke was most likely not captured by Orochimaru.
If not, why was the entire ANBU deployed to conduct a serious search?
It was impossible to just fool him.
How could he, a Jonin, deserve to make Orochimaru make a big show by mobilizing the entire ANBU to act with him?
"Hokage-sama, was Sasuke captured by an enemy from another village?"
"No need to guess, you'll know the answer soon."
"Ah?"
"The guest I've been waiting for has finally arrived!"
"What guest?"
"An old acquaintance who can help me solve my problems!"
"Huh?"
"Come on, let's go for a walk with me. Otherwise, the guest will enter the Hokage Building."
Orochimaru stood up and walked out of the building.
Kakashi was confused, but immediately followed him.