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  Intelligence Department

  In the bustling unicatioer of the intelligence department building, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood amidst a sea of shinobi coordinating the attacks on Orochimaru's seven bases.

  A monit ninja approached him. "Lord Hokage, the captains of all seven teams have reported in. The bases have beeroyed, several prisoners captured or eliminated, but... no sign of Orochimaru or Lady Tsunade."

  Hiruzen nodded solemnly. "What are the casualties?"

  "21 firmed dead. 8 wounded." The ninja replied with a somber tone and Hiruzen merely nodded.

  The Kage gnced over at Shikaku Nara, who was studying a map spread out on a nearby table. Shikaku looked up, meeting Hiruzen's gaze. 'So, the casualties were as expected.' Hiruzen thought. 'Two to four from each team... Root sleeper agents, removed from py without arousing suspi.'

  Shikaku approached him quietly. "Everything is going acc to pn regarding the Root agents," he said under his breath.

  "Hm… It had to be done." Hiruzen nodded and replied softly.

  The Third Hokage was also keeping an eye otle with Hashirama Senju. Learning that the First Hokage had been brought back was a bitter pill to swallow. Through the jutsu that brought his predecessor back, he could see the battle that had taken pce.

  He saw Tobirama fronting his brother, and saw Hashirama taking the revetion of Tsunade's abdu hard.

  As the vision tinued, he learned of Orochimaru's location. 'The Land of Earth... So Daichi was right all along.'

  He remembered Daichi's theory that Orochimaru might be hiding ih try. 'I should have trusted his instincts more.'

  He turo the Jonin ander. "Shikaku. Begin gathering intelligen the Land of Earth. I want whatever updated information we have on the movements of the Hidden Stone vilge patrol squads."

  "Has there been any new piece of information, Lord Hokage?" The Nara asked.

  "Orochimaru is in the Land of Earth. This has been firmed. I'm sure Tsunade and Shizune are with him as well."

  Shikaku nodded. "I'll find out what I ."

  Hiruzen nodded and was about to leave the room tanize a rategy when Kakashi appeared at the doorway. "Lord Hokage, may I have a moment?" Kakashi asked, his tone unusually serious.

  Hiruzen paused. His brows, slightly furrowing. "Of course, Kakashi. What is it?"

  Kakashi stepped closer, l his voice. "It's about what Daichi and I were looking into. We have some new information that could be crucial."

  Hiruzen raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Tell me."

  "We have reason to believe that Orochimaru is w closely with the finance minister of the Land of Earth's royal court," Kakashi expined. "We've ected several dots—shipments, patrol patterns, and other intel suggest that Orochimaru's main base might be located there."

  Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "This aligns with what I've just learned. Orochimaru is indeed in the Land of Earth."

  Kakashi seemed surprised. "You've firmed it?"

  "Yes," Hiruzen replied. He turned head and called Shikaku over. "Shikaku. It seems we might have new leads. Kakashi, tell us everything you've found out." Hiruzen ordered and the silver haired Jonin began expining his finding with Daichi and their reasoning.

  By the time Kakashi was done expining, the Hokage had a serious expression on his face.

  "Kakashi, are you sure the Finance minister is involved?" The Hokage asked his Jonin.

  "All the evidence we've gohrough suggests that. And Daichi seems to believe it. I trust his instincts." Kakashi backed up his student.

  Hiruzen was surprised. 'I just wao keep the boy busy but I hought he'd get me such solid results. Well done Daichi.'

  "This could be troublesome. An official from the Royal court of Earth nation colludes with a known criminal like Orochimaru. If this matter is exposed it could cause tensions to rise between our nations and the Daimyo courts." Shikaku could already foresee the shitstorm that's about to e.

  "Yes. He has a lot to lose. So why would he do that?" Hiruzen crossed his arms and thought about why a man in such a highly respected position with a lot of wealth and influence would risk such a thing.

  "The bes Orochimaru promised him has to outweigh whatever risks involved. So it must be something big." Shikaku thought and several things came to mind but he couldn't form a good clusion.

  "Lord Hokage, there is something else." At that moment the silver hired Jonin spoke up.

  After getting the old Kage's attention, Kakashi tinued. "Now that Daichi has a lead on his teachers, he's determio go into the Land of Earth. I saw it in his eyes. I doubt we keep him occupied here for much longer."

  The old man sighed. "I uand Kakashi. Give Shikaku here all your findings. And bring Daichi to my office. I o discuss this matter with Jiraiya as well. I'll decide what to do after."

  "I uand sir." Kakashi nodded a.

  "Shikaku. pile and analyze all the intelligen the Earth Nation. We'll also o inform the Daimyo. If this situatioes, I don't want him to be caught off-guard."

  "Yes Lord Hokage."

  —-

  In the deepest chamber of the Hokage tower a meetiween Hiruzen, Tobirama, Jiraiya and Anbu ander Ox was taking pce. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at a rge wooden table, his fingers interced. Tobirama Senju stood nearby, his sharp eyes refleg deep thought. Jiraiya leaned against the wall, arms crossed, while Anbu ander Ox stood silently in the shadows.

  They were discussing the new informatiht to Hiruzen's attention.

  "Daichi has presented a pelling theory about Orochimaru's whereabouts," Hiruzen began.

  Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "So that's why you had me gather intelligen the Land of Earth earlier." He g Hiruzen. "You suspected this all along?"

  Hiruzen nodded. "I've had my doubts about his theory. But I didn't want to leave any stourned. It's why I asked you to gather intel. But your ret enter and Lord Hashirama's revetion has firmed my suspi."

  "How is he doing?" Jiraiya asked with in his voice.

  "He's keeping himself busy but Kakashi and I suspect he'll want to go after her soon." The old Kage replied.

  'His intuition is remarkable,' Tobirama thought. "His analytical skills are certainly impressive. He's given us good leads but sending him into the Land of Earth is a signifit risk."

  Jiraiya pushed off the wall, his expression serious. "I have to agree. Tsunade wouldn't want Daichi putting himself in danger like that."

  Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya thoughtfully. "Tell me, Jiraiya, if you were in Daichi's position, would you stand by and do nothing?"

  Jiraiya hesitated. 'He knows I wouldn't,' he admitted silently. "Sehis is extremely dangerous. We're talking about infiltrating a hostile nation. Lord Sed and I get in, find and rescue them a out without attrag too much attention. But with Daichi it's different."

  "Jiraiya-"

  "Sensei, He's young. Look, don't get me wrong, I know he's strong and talented but this is too dangerous. If anything happens…"

  "Age doesn't diminish his capabilities," Hiruzen tered. "He's been instrumental in capturing Orochimaru's people and gathering crucial information."

  Tobirama folded his arms. "Hiruzen, we're talking about sending him straight to Orochimaru. After that Snake has already failed in capturing the boy. The danger is immense."

  Jiraiya agreed with the Sed Hokage. "Right. And how do you think Tsunade would feel if she found out he was in danger because of her. Orochimaru already has Shizune. If anything happens to him too, she'll never five herself or us for sending him."

  At this moment, Anbu ander Ox stepped forward. "Lord Jiraiya, Lord sed, with all due respect, I have to disagree with you two. Daichi has proven himself resourceful. With proper support, he could succeed or at the very least help us."

  The two white haired ninjas became silent.

  "I'll decide what to do with the boy ter. Right now, we o figure out a way to trace those shipments." Hiruzen spoke up.

  "But that's going to be tough." Jiraiya asked. "If even the Hidden stone's patrol squads are unaware, we might reach a dead end."

  Hiruzen leaned forward. "We o think creatively. Perhaps there's a way to trace the shipments ily."

  'Interrogating the finance minister is out of the question. That could start a war.' Tobirama mused. "We 't question the minister without serious diplomatic repercussions."

  "Exactly," Hiruzen agreed. "And with increased border patrols, infiltrating the try ued will be challenging. Well challenging to other shinobi anyway." 'With Jiraiya's infiltration teiques and Lord Sed's teleportation jutsu they'll be able to get into the try no problem. It's the task of finding them that's going to be a headache.'

  Ox sighed. "So what's our move? We 't just sit here."

  Hiruze his gaze. "We use the information Daichi has gathered to identify oints. Perhaps there are individuals involved iransportation of the shipments who be persuaded to talk."

  Anbu ander Ox nodded. "I dispatch covert operatives to gather intelligen them."

  "Finding out that information and questioning those people… I'm not sure we have such time. But do it anyway." Hiruzen internally sighed. 'Time is not on our side.'

  Jiraiya frowned. "And Daichi?"

  "He wants to help," Hiruzen said firmly. "And his insight could be invaluable."

  Tobirama g Hiruzen. "You're pg a great deal of trust in him."

  "Because he's ear," Hiruzen replied. 'Daichi may be young, but his tributions have been signifit.'

  Jiraiya rubbed the back of his neck. "I just don't want to see the kid get hurt. Tsunade would never spare us."

  Hiruzen smiled softly. "I uand your . But Daichi is determined, much like all of us here."

  Jiraiya chuckled lightly. "Alright, point taken."

  Hiruzen smiled faintly. "His dedication is admirable. We'll need more shinobi like him in the days to e."

  As they were talking a thought suddenly struck Ox, and he looked at the Third Hokage. "There might be someone who could perhaps help us..."

  Hiruzen turo him, curiosity piqued. "Who do you have in mind, Ox?"

  Ox took a deep breath. "Danzo. He might have insights into the undergrouworks in the Land of Earth."

  Tobirama's eyes narrowed. "Danzo? Are you sure that involving him is wise?"

  Jiraiya crossed his arms. "What's Danzo got that we don't?"

  Ox met their gazes steadily. "Danzo has es with certain... unsavory elements. There's a warlord in that region who trols the criminal works. He's secretive, powerful, and well-protected because he's paid off the right people."

  Hiruzen stroked his beard thoughtfully. 'Could Danzo's past dealings actually help us now?' "You believe Danzo has information on this warlord?"

  "I'm unsure. But it's worth a try. He is in interrogation. I could ask him." Ox replied with slight hesitation in his voice.

  Tobirama exged a gh Hiruzen. "This warlord might have access to the secret routes and intelligence we're missing."

  Jiraiya sighed. "But trusting Danzo? That's a risky move."

  Hiruzen sidered their options. "Given the circumstances, we may not have a choice. If this warlord lead us to Orochimaru, we o pursue it."

  Tobirama crossed his arms. "I agree with Jiraiya's s, but time is of the essence. We need every advantage we get."

  "How do we even know he'll help us? He's just sitting in his cell waiting for his execution. And we're the ones who put him there. I'm not so sure he's itg to help us with this." Jiraiya said with a sigh.

  "It's precisely because of that, that I believe he'll help us."

  Hiruzen's answer brought a frown to his student's face. "You're not thinking of pardoning him are you?"

  The third Hokage shook his head. "Nardless of whether he'll help us or not, his fate is sealed."

  Jiraiya rubbed the back of his neck. "Trusting Danzo is a bad idea."

  "I know. I haven't fotten the lesson I learned a few ho." Hiruzen nodded and turo his Anbu ander. "Ox, arrange a meeting with Danzo immediately."

  "Uood," Ox replied, turning to leave.

  As Ox exited, the room fell into a brief silenbsp;'This could either be a breakthrough or a disaster.' Hiruzen thought.

  Tobirama broke the silence. "We should prepare for all possible outes."

  "Agreed," Hiruzen said. "I'll brief the Anbu to monitor the situation discreetly."

  'It's a risky path, but perhaps the only o.' Tobirama sidered. It was soon decided that the two Hokage's would meet with Danzo and talk to him.

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