Naruto: Linked to Kaguya, Corrupting the Ninja World

Orochimaru cast a curious glance at Jiraiya before his indifferent gaze withdrew.

"I've seen this thing before."

"Where?" Jiraiya pressed.

"The Akatsuki Organization," Orochimaru replied flatly.

Though the Akatsuki had warned him not to disclose any information, Orochimaru never really cared about that.

If he truly feared them, he wouldn't have left without saying a word.

"The Akatsuki?" Jiraiya muttered. "What other secrets does the Akatsuki hold?"

"That's for you to investigate yourself. There might be unexpected delights," Orochimaru hinted meaningfully.

Jiraiya fell into deep thought.

Pointing toward the White Zetsu corpse on the ground, Orochimaru turned to ask Danzo Shimura, "Are they really over a thousand years old?"

Danzo shrugged. "If you don't believe it, ask Jiraiya. He knows more than I do."

"Orochimaru, if you want to know more, we could exchange intelligence," Jiraiya said calmly, meeting Orochimaru's gaze.

"Heh heh... Jiraiya, you've become cunning..." Orochimaru couldn't help smirking.

Five days flew by. The coffin Tsunade had commissioned was ready — the appointed day had finally arrived.

Residence of Yugao Uzuki.

At dawn, she stepped out of her house, planning to meet up with Tsunade and others.

On the road, two ninjas blocked her path.

The masked white-haired ninja showed no expression.

The ninja with a kappa-like head and green spandex grinned, revealing a set of blindingly white teeth.

"I thought nobody would try to kill me anymore," she said coldly and indifferently.

Might Guy looked at her regretfully as he spoke, "Yugao, you've strayed from your youthful path..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yugao had already drawn her sword and charged at him.

Talking more would only give him time to power up.

Everyone knew Might Guy's explosive strength — Yugao understood his formidable potential too well. She didn't want to wait until he opened the Eight Gates.

"Eh? I'm not ready yet!" Guy exclaimed.

Beside him, Kakashi silently drew the White Fang blade once wielded by his father, engaging Yugao in battle.

Hatake sword style against her sword techniques.

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew Kakashi had met with Tsunade — he also remembered how Tsunade had used Sakumo Hatake as an example.

Sending Kakashi to intercept and kill Yugao Uzuki was itself a test.

If he and Might Guy successfully eliminated Yugao, excellent — proof that his loyalty remained firm.

But if he failed, it must mean he hadn't put forth his full strength.

Kakashi naturally understood the Third Hokage's intentions. Yet deep inside, he felt conflicted.

Guy clearly sensed his companion wasn't giving his all — in fact, not even revealing his Sharingan.

Sighing inwardly, Guy began slowing down his attacks.

If the Third Hokage wanted to punish someone, let him share the blame together with Kakashi.

Glancing at the silent pair, Yugao visibly reduced her sword's speed too.

With silent understanding, the three deliberately slowed their battle into a long-lasting standoff.

Along Konoha's streets.

Tsunade walked at the front, followed closely by Shizune and Hizashi Hyuga. At the end of the procession, several men carried a coffin.

This scene aroused intense curiosity among Konoha villagers. Combined with recent rumors circulating in the village, their interest intensified even further.

[Note: This line contains advertising content and should be omitted or marked separately.]

"Could those rumors actually be true?"

"There must not be anyone else in the village worthy of being buried by Tsunade-sama herself..."

Someone attempted to follow them for a closer look but was immediately pulled back by a family member.

Others, more cautious, simply stayed inside their homes and observed quietly through windows or door cracks.

Besides ordinary villagers, members from other clans also paid close attention.

Hiroki thought for a moment, then decided to join the procession.

"Thank you all for coming," Tsunade said once they reached the Konoha Cemetery. "You may put the coffin down now."

"It seems like not many people came..." Hiroki couldn't help but comment.

Except for the few representatives symbolically sent by the Hyuga Clan, no one else from other clans had shown up.

Everyone present, including Tsunade herself, wore black clothes.

If the coffin hadn't been empty, this really would've been a solemn and respectful funeral.

Shizune slightly pursed her lips, thinking inwardly: Well, it's only normal nobody came… they're probably scared of getting dragged into this…

At this moment, Tsunade was speaking directly with Kaguya.

"Kaguya-sama, please allow me to decide the fate of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others."

Worried Kaguya might force her again to choose between lives or act directly against Hiruzen, Tsunade added carefully.

"Fine. Do whatever you want." Kaguya dismissed it with indifference.

She didn't believe that old man could cause any real trouble. She found it beneath her to take action.

Around the outer perimeter of Konoha Cemetery, over twenty Anbu surrounded the area.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya were already on their way here.

Meanwhile, Danzo Shimura observed the cemetery from afar.

Suddenly, an evil idea crossed his mind.

If Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and Tsunade all died together, then I would become the only remaining candidate qualified to succeed as Hokage.

In the end, he temporarily abandoned this idea.

Mainly because executing such a plan seemed too difficult.

Right now, he and Jiraiya, along with Hiruzen, were still tied together by fragile mutual interests. If Tsunade eliminated them first, he knew he wouldn't escape unscathed either.

Standing before Konoha Cemetery, Tsunade gazed blankly toward a certain direction.

"Tsunade-sama," Hiroki asked very seriously, "everyone has both a birthday and a death day. We know The Third's birthday—but which day should we mark as his death day?"

Shizune held back laughter again, realizing she was becoming increasingly mischievous.

"Just make today his death day," Tsunade sighed.

With that, she took out a eulogy she had personally written.

Although Hiruzen's later years had disappointed many, during his early days—when he was young, full of ambition, and just beginning his reign as Hokage—he had indeed done many things that benefited Konoha.

If letting him vanish with honor is acceptable, then so be it.

Preserving his finest image in everyone's heart is also fine.

Tsunade mused to herself.

"Today, we mourn with profound sorrow the passing of the Third Hokage..."

"Tsunade, enough!" Hiruzen Sarutobi rushed over and shouted, interrupting her speech.

Beside him, Jiraiya was also looking at Tsunade with complicated emotions.

"You impostor!" Tsunade shot back furiously. "How dare you even show your face here?!"

"You've ruined Master Sarutobi's reputation."

Hiroki observed Hiruzen Sarutobi carefully.

Good — his emotions hadn't spiraled into hysteria. That lowered the chances he'd resort to a suicidal jutsu.

He may not have been the strongest ninja out there,

But as the Ninja Historian, he had mastered thousands of techniques.

Forbidden seals in particular—there was no telling how many he'd mastered.

If he used [Dead Demon Consuming Seal] as he did against Orochimaru, things could get really messy...

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