"Why is there no fighting inside?"

Outside the Forest of Death, the leaders of each shinobi village waited anxiously.

For some time now, the Forest of Death had gone completely silent. Not a single sound of battle could be heard.

This made them extremely nervous. What had happened inside? Why was everything so quiet?

"Someone's coming out!"

Suddenly, a ninja with keen hearing caught the sound of footsteps approaching and looked in that direction.

Everyone followed his gaze and quickly saw a large group of figures emerging from the forest.

They recognized them—these were the shinobi who had just entered the Forest of Death on the Third Hokage's orders to pursue Orochimaru.

"What happened inside? Why are they returning so soon?"

Confusion and unease spread among them. None of them knew what had transpired or what sudden change had occurred.

"Chief Fugaku is carrying someone. Who is that?"

Someone noticed Uchiha Fugaku holding a person in one hand and asked curiously.

"That person... that's Orochimaru?! How… how is that possible?"

"Impossible. Even if it's Clan Leader Fugaku, there's no way he could've done that!"

Everyone's attention locked onto the man being carried effortlessly in one hand. Among the crowd were many Konoha shinobi.

When they got a clear look at the man in Fugaku's grip, their pupils contracted, and their expressions changed dramatically.

Some rubbed their eyes, unable to believe what they were seeing.

It couldn't be mistaken—the one captured by Uchiha Fugaku was none other than the S-rank rogue ninja, Orochimaru.

But how could that be possible?

As a Kage-level shinobi who had been infamous for decades, even if Orochimaru was no match for Fugaku, it shouldn't be so easy for him to be captured.

"That's really Orochimaru?!"

Hearing the shocked murmurs of the Konoha shinobi, the other village leaders widened their eyes.

The infamous S-rank rogue Orochimaru had actually been captured!

Even someone like Orochimaru had been taken alive. The strength of the Uchiha Clan's leader was beyond terrifying.

Holding Orochimaru with one hand, Uchiha Fugaku exited the Forest of Death.

As he approached, the shinobi leaders from other villages instinctively moved aside, making way for him out of awe.

Uchiha Fugaku passed through them and walked toward the Third Hokage.

"Orochimaru was captured?"

The Third Hokage had already taken notice. When he saw Fugaku carrying Orochimaru, his feelings were complicated.

He should've been pleased that Orochimaru, the S-rank rogue, had been apprehended—but since the one who captured him was Uchiha Fugaku, he felt no joy at all.

He could already foresee how much Fugaku's reputation would rise in the village after today.

He deeply regretted sending Fugaku after Orochimaru.

Originally, he had hoped both sides would suffer losses, but instead, Fugaku emerged victorious and brought back Orochimaru alive—this was the outcome he had least wanted.

As Fugaku approached, he threw Orochimaru at the feet of the Third Hokage and said,

"Hokage-sama, Orochimaru and Biwa Jūzō, the rogue ninja from Kirigakure, infiltrated the Forest of Death. Biwa Jūzō was killed on the spot. Orochimaru has been captured."

"…Thank you for your hard work…"

The Third Hokage's face was stiff as he said this, clearly reluctant.

Then he looked at Orochimaru, his eyes filled with complex emotion.

"Orochimaru…"

In the past, he had used underhanded tactics to secure his position. Because of this, his three disciples had grown distant, especially Orochimaru, who had delved into forbidden jutsu. He never expected to see him again like this.

"Sensei Sarutobi, long time no see—or more accurately, we met just a few months ago, though it was only through my shadow clone," Orochimaru said casually.

He didn't seem like a prisoner at all. There was no fear in his tone, only an eerie calmness, as if he had no concern about his current situation.

"Orochimaru, why did you infiltrate the Forest of Death to disrupt the Chūnin Exams?"

Suppressing his emotions, the Third Hokage questioned him sternly.

He sensed something larger at play. A bad premonition grew in his heart.

"Disrupt the exam? I'm not interested in that," Orochimaru said with a cold smile. "I only entered the Forest to cause a commotion."

"You caused a commotion in the Forest of Death?"

The Third Hokage's expression darkened, and the bad feeling in his gut intensified.

"What are you trying to do?"

"Nothing special. I just accepted a commission to stir up trouble in Konoha at this particular time," Orochimaru said with a smirk.

"Who hired you? Who was it that ordered you to cause chaos in Konoha?!"

The Third Hokage's eyes widened as he stepped forward, grabbing Orochimaru off the ground.

But Orochimaru simply smiled and shook his head, refusing to answer.

The Akatsuki had rules—client confidentiality was one of them.

"Tell me who the client was!" the Third Hokage shouted in anger. His unease had reached its peak.

Swish—

In the distance, a masked ANBU appeared, quickly approaching.

With a few flickers, the ANBU arrived beside the Third Hokage and knelt down urgently.

"Hokage-sama! The bodies of the ANBU guarding the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki were found. The Jinchūriki is missing!"

"What?! The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki is missing?!"

The Third Hokage's face turned dark.

His secret trump card had been taken. Uzumaki Naruto had been kidnapped.

Now it was clear—whoever hired Orochimaru had done so to distract Konoha, creating a chance to abduct the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

"Who are these people…?!"

His fists clenched as anger blazed in his eyes.

"The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki was kidnapped?!"

Uchiha Fugaku echoed in shock, feigning surprise.

"Hokage-sama, I warned you before. The way you handled the Jinchūriki's protection could lead to the exposure of his identity. Now it's come true."

"Uchiha Fugaku, enough nonsense. This situation isn't helping anyone—not even you," the Third Hokage snapped.

"The most urgent matter now is to track down and recover the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."

"Agreed," Fugaku nodded.

"In addition, Hokage-sama, I suggest we detain all Iwagakure shinobi present in the village."

"Iwagakure?"

The Third Hokage paused and glanced toward the group of village representatives. His gaze sharpened as he understood what Fugaku implied.

The five Iwagakure team leaders had disappeared. It was very likely they were the ones behind the kidnapping.

"Those bastards! Don't they care about the twenty-plus Genin they sent to the exams?!"

"What are twenty Genin compared to the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki?" Fugaku said with a cold chuckle.

"Damn it…"

The Third Hokage clenched his fists tighter, veins bulging.

Suppressing his rage, he began giving orders to the ANBU and clan representatives.

Even the Uchiha clan was included. At this moment, the Third Hokage could no longer afford to care about old grudges.

All he wanted now was to gather everyone who could help recover the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

As the Third Hokage issued his orders, Uchiha Fugaku allowed a faint, unreadable smile to appear.

Swish—

With the others, he flickered and vanished into the night beyond the village.

The second opportunity to elevate his reputation… had just arrived.

(End of this chapter)