The Fourth Raikage was already dead, and the remaining remnants of the rebellion no longer posed any threat.
Konoha's ninja moved swiftly through the streets and alleys, carrying out post-battle cleanup operations.
After sensory ninjas expanded their detection barriers and repeatedly searched the entire village, the villagers finally emerged from the shelters beneath the Hokage Rock.
All the rebels were either killed or captured alive.
"By the Hokage's order, we are here to take custody of these rebels."
Several ninjas dressed in Anbu attire arrived at the location where the prisoners of war were being held.
The leader displayed a token representing the authority of the Hokage to the guarding ninja.
Seeing this, the guard had no objections and promptly handed over custody before leaving decisively.
Apart from the rebels, only the group of Anbu remained.
"Do it." The leader drew a short blade from his back, his voice cold.
Amid the rebels' terrified expressions, all the Anbu unsheathed their weapons.
"Why? We've already surrendered..."
"No... don't kill me!"
"Help! Somebody!"
At the same time, a similar scene unfolded in Konoha Prison.
Not all the prisoners had participated in the riot.
Some, foreseeing trouble, remained obediently in their cells even when the doors were opened.
Two Anbu operatives arrived at the prison before Konoha's ninjas could retake control.
Standing at the dim entrance of the prison, both held short blades in their hands, their voices indifferent.
"Erase all traces. Leave no one alive."
"Understood."
......
Inside the Hokage Tower's conference room.
The atmosphere was unusually tense, with everyone wearing different expressions.
Who was the mastermind behind the prison riot?
Minato couldn't help but glance at Orochimaru, seated in the upper row.
He recalled what Shikaku had once told him:
Behind this chaos, someone was assisting him.
"Minato." Tobirama suddenly called his name.
"The seal on the Raikage — did you place it?"
"Yes," Minato admitted.
Tobirama asked, "Is there anyone besides you who could break that seal?"
After a brief pause, Minato replied, "If someone has a sufficiently high level of expertise in sealing techniques, it's possible to break it."
His answer was notably reserved.
All of his sealing techniques came from the Uzumaki clan, which he had learned through Kushina.
His skills were unquestionably the best in the village.
"When the riot broke out, Minato was with me," Sarutobi said at this moment.
"Nara Shikaku was there too; we were chatting at my house."
Tobirama asked, "Where is Nara Shikaku?"
As soon as he said this, the atmosphere in the room grew heavy, and Minato silently clenched his fists.
"Nara Shikaku is dead," Tsunade said calmly.
"Did he die at the hands of the rebellious ninjas?" Tobirama asked.
Orochimaru suddenly spoke, "No, I killed him."
Everyone was shocked.
Tobirama looked at Orochimaru. "Why?"
Orochimaru replied calmly, "I suspected he was the one who orchestrated this riot, so I killed him."
Tobirama frowned. "You suspected? You only suspected?"
Orochimaru coolly retorted, "What, do I not have that authority?"
Hiruzen couldn't suppress his anger and slammed the table.
"Shikaku was a hero of the village, who helped Konoha through countless crises! He was a comrade who fought life and death alongside us on the battlefield. You dare kill him so easily based on mere suspicion?!"
Among those seated below, aside from Makoto and Fugaku, everyone was filled with outrage.
"Third Hokage," the Second Hokage said calmly, gesturing for Hiruzen to quiet down.
His gaze swept across everyone present, carefully observing their changing expressions.
Orochimaru remained composed despite the accusations. "Sarutobi-sensei, did I ever share life and death with you?"
Hiruzen's expression darkened as he glared fiercely at Orochimaru.
"What do you mean by that?!"
He had been unwilling to confront his former disciple directly, which was why he had repeatedly avoided the pleas of Shikaku and Minato.
But Orochimaru's actions continually pushed him to the edge, bringing them dangerously close to tearing off all pretenses.
Orochimaru spoke indifferently, "Nothing. I just suddenly felt that killing Nara Shikaku so quickly was far too merciful for him."
Whoosh—
The wind suddenly blew in from outside, bringing a cool chill into the otherwise stifling room.
Outside the conference room window, the rain continued to slide down the eaves, pattering loudly against the windowsill.
Hashirama couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly as he looked at the cold-hearted Fourth Hokage.
Bang!
Minato could no longer restrain himself and suddenly jumped from his seat, rushing toward Orochimaru.
However, before he could even reach halfway, he was struck by a terrifying pressure that swept over him.
Boom!
This pressure was nothing but pure chakra impact, but it caused his body to freeze mid-motion, unable to move.
It wasn't just him—everyone in the room felt their nerves tighten in that instant.
Yamanaka Inoichi almost got blown away, but fortunately, Jiraiya reacted quickly and grabbed the collar of his cloak.
The conference room trembled, and dust fell from the ceiling.
"We're still in the middle of a meeting, I hope you can calm down for now," Hashirama said slowly, looking at Minato.
"I've said before, all grudges will be settled here."
As the pressure lifted, everyone exhaled in relief.
Makoto had sensed that the chakra field in this area had been disturbed—something only the Tailed Beasts could do.
This man was far more powerful than a Tailed Beast; even Kyuubi would appear as harmless as a kitten in his presence.
However, this was something he had expected.
Senju Hashirama was on an entirely different level from them, and this meeting could only take place because of him.
Minato's back was drenched in cold sweat; it was the first time he had encountered someone with such an overwhelming difference in power.
This was Konoha's First Hokage, the God of Shinobi who had pacified the chaotic world...
Compared to him, they were like mere children.
The group was still recovering from the shock when Hashirama suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
Afterward, he said, "Since we're all gathered here, let's proceed with the meeting calmly. If we continue like this, we'll just be wasting everyone's time, and that would trouble me."
Upon hearing this, no one dared to voice a disagreement.
Minato silently returned to his seat.
Hashirama then looked at Orochimaru and said, "Fourth Hokage, I also hope you can be mindful of your words. After all, the Third Hokage is your teacher."
Teacher?
Orochimaru glanced sideways at Hiruzen, a mocking smile on his face, before turning his head to meet Makoto's gaze.
Makoto's eyes were not filled with anger or contempt like the others; instead, they were calm.
This caused Orochimaru's heart to settle.
Why had he been so eager to provoke them?
Those who were meant to be his enemies would not change, so why was he in such a rush…?
"Then let's continue," Hashirama said, his gaze sweeping across the room.
"Are the guards from the prison still here?" Tobirama asked.
Since the Konoha prison had experienced a riot, it was highly likely that the guards had fallen victim to the chaos.
Jiraiya thought for a moment. "Not all of the prisoners would have participated in the riot. There may still be some witnesses."
Tsunade stood up and left the meeting room, instructing the Anbu on guard outside to investigate the situation and bring in either the guards or any prisoners who were present during today's riot.
"Futile effort," Orochimaru said, breaking the silence.
"Whoever planned all of this wouldn't leave any traces behind in a place like this."
Makoto's eyes flickered slightly, Orochimaru was right.
Looking at the current situation, his subordinates had likely taken care of everything by now.
Not to mention, the person Tsunade had sent for communication was one of his own, and the entire Anbu was under his control.
Everyone pondered on Orochimaru's words.
If what he said was true, and the trail was cut off here, how would they continue their investigation?
"Minato."
At that moment, Minato heard the voice of Inoichi in his mind.
This was the communication technique of the Yamanaka clan, and Minato was no stranger to it.
He immediately responded mentally, "Inoichi?"
Inoichi spoke in Minato's mind, "We still have Orochimaru's dirty evidence in our hands. I'll reveal it at the right time."
Minato glanced quietly at the Third Hokage and Jiraiya.
"...I understand."
At that moment, Hashirama suddenly glanced at Inoichi.
Startled, Inoichi quickly closed the communication link.
Makoto also felt a subtle chakra disturbance, but since it came from Inoichi, he wasn't surprised.
Although it was Orochimaru speaking, Tobirama still needed to wait for the exact information from the Anbu before drawing any conclusions.
If a truth couldn't be uncovered, it meant someone was blocking it.
And the one blocking it was among those present!
Tobirama's gaze shifted back and forth between the Third Hokage, Fourth Hokage, and Minato.
Who stood to gain from this?
At this moment, Orochimaru said, "Let's bring the witness in directly."
Witness?
Everyone was stunned, especially the Third Hokage and Minato, who clearly stood in opposition to Orochimaru.
What witness? What was he trying to prove?
Orochimaru's gaze was deep and mysterious as he then called the Anbu in.
"Go summon, Hatake Kakashi."
--------------
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