Naruto: Thousand Hands of Glory

The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen stood in his office, the sunlight shining through the window on him, adding a bit of solemnity to him.

When he learned that Sakumo and his team not only returned to Konoha quickly, but also captured two Jonins from Sunagakure, an expression of disbelief appeared on his face.

"Your actions were so quick, it really exceeded my expectations."

There was a hint of shock in the Sandaime's voice, but more of it was appreciation for the efficiency of the team's actions.

Sakumo-senpai walked into the office, his posture straight and his expression firm, "We have no time to waste, Hokage-sama. The urgency of the mission requires us to act at the fastest speed."

The Sandaime's eyes swept over Sakumo and the others, his eyes revealing his pride and trust in these ninjas: "You did a good job, Sakumo. Capturing the Sunagakure Jonin is a valuable source of intelligence for us."

The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen turned around and gave an order to the Anbu waiting outside the door: "Immediately arrange for these two Sunagakure jonin to be handed over to Danzo for interrogation." His voice revealed unquestionable authority.

However, his words were still echoing in the air when Yanagishita and Hatake Sakumo spoke out in unison to stop him: "Hokage-sama, please wait a moment!"

The Third Hokage turned around, and faced with the two people's obstruction, a puzzled expression appeared on his face: "Huh? What's wrong? Is there any problem?"

Yanagishita and Hatake Sakumo exchanged a tacit look, and finally Yanagishita took a step forward, with a hint of heaviness in his voice.

"Uncle Sandaime, the situation is like this. It seems that the Sand Village had obtained intelligence in advance about our trip to River Country. We encountered a targeted ambush. If the enemy had not underestimated our strength and Captain Sakumo was strong enough, we might not have been able to come back this time."

The Third Hokage's eyes became sharp after hearing Sakumo's words, revealing a hint of danger: "What do you mean?" His voice was low, as if suppressing the storm that was about to erupt.

There was an expression of anger and disappointment on Sakumo's face that was difficult to conceal.

"Although I hate to admit it, unfortunately, Hokage-sama, there is a traitor among our top brass!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's hands, which were tightly gripping the pipe, had veins bulging from using too much force. He didn't want to believe it, but he knew in his heart that this was a possibility: "You mean, Danzo..." His voice trembled slightly, revealing his inner struggle and anxiety.

"Tibetan fox!"

"Here! Hokage-sama!"

A figure appeared in the office like a ghost. It was the Anbu member Zanghu wearing a fox mask.

"I order you to go and call Yamanaka Kusunoki over immediately. I want to explore the memories of these two people directly here!" Sarutobi Hiruzen gave the order, his voice revealing decisiveness and authority.

Zang Hu didn't ask any more questions, but just answered with one simple and powerful word: "Yes!" Then, his figure disappeared in the office as if blending into the shadows.

-

In the Hokage's office, the air was so heavy that it seemed like it could squeeze water out of it. The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Hatake Sakumo team quietly waited for Yamanaka Kusunoki's memory exploration to finish.

Time passed by minute by minute, and every second seemed to stretch their nerves.

Finally, Yamanaka Nan slowly opened his eyes. He looked a little tired. It was obviously very difficult for him to explore the memories of two senior ninjas at once.

The Third Hokage saw this and immediately stepped forward to inquire about the result. There was a hint of urgency in his voice: "Nan, how is it? Did you find out who the traitor of Konoha is?"

Yamanaka Nan stood up and faced the Third Hokage. His voice was deep and powerful: "I'm sorry, Third Hokage, there is no specific person in their memory."

His words made everyone present feel a little disappointed.

But he immediately added: "However, we know that one of our people did contact the Kazekage. This mission was personally ordered by the Third Kazekage."

Yamanaka Nan turned his gaze to Shengshu and Liuxia, and his voice became more serious: "The most critical goal is..."

He paused for a moment, as if he had some difficulty speaking, causing everyone present to feel a tense atmosphere.

"It's aimed at Shengshu and Liuxia." Yamanaka Nan finally said the key point, and his words were like a blockbuster bomb, exploding in the office.

This news shocked everyone present, especially Nawaki, who had an expression of disbelief on his face. He never thought that he and Yanagishita would become the key targets of the enemy.

A flash of understanding flashed across Liu Xia's eyes, and a guess in his mind was confirmed. It seems that some people really feel that they have lived too long.

The Third Hokage's face became extremely serious, and his eyes revealed the importance he attached to this news. He took a deep breath, and then slowly said to Yamanaka Nan: "This news is very important, Nan, do you have any other useful information?"

Yamanaka Nan nodded slightly, his expression serious and focused: "Many secrets are still protected by the seals in their brains. I can't break in yet."

But he immediately added: "But the biggest discovery so far is that they are the son and daughter-in-law of the elder Danchiyo of the Sand Village."

After hearing the report from Yamanaka Kusunoki, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes flashed with a gleam, and his tone revealed a hint of relief: "Are you saying that this is the son and daughter-in-law of that old woman Chiyo? This information is very important, Nan, thank you for your hard work." This news was undoubtedly an unexpected surprise for him, allowing him to see more initiative in the upcoming battle with the Sand Village.

He then turned around and gave orders to the Anbu outside the door. His voice was full of unquestionable determination, showing how much he valued this intelligence.

"Water monkey! Take these two away and keep them under strict watch. No one is allowed to approach except me!"

The Third Hokage added, his eyes like lightning, scanning everyone present to make sure his orders were strictly followed.

"Including the Elders Council!"

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

The Water Monkey's voice was firm and powerful. He quickly appeared in the office, saluted, and immediately began to execute orders.

Several Anbu ninjas quickly entered the office. Their movements were swift and precise, without any unnecessary noise. These ninjas were dressed in uniform black.

They stepped forward and easily lifted up the two unconscious Sunagakure jonin as if they were weightless. The movements of the Anbu ninjas were coordinated, showing their tacit understanding after rigorous training.

Under the gaze of the Third Hokage, they did not hesitate at all, carried the jonin, turned around quickly, and walked out the door with steady steps. Their figures soon disappeared in the shadows outside the door, as if they had never appeared, leaving only silence in the office.

The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen stood in the office, his back facing Yanagishita, Sakumo and the others, his tone revealing fatigue that was difficult to conceal: "Even if this mission is an S-rank one, as for the traitor, I will find him out."

The sunlight poured in through the window, shining on the Third Hokage, but it failed to dispel the heaviness in his words. His figure seemed particularly lonely in the sunlight, just like the interweaving of light and darkness in Konoha.

"Yes, Lord Sanda." Yanagishita, Sakumo and others responded in unison.

After leaving the Hokage Building, they separated.

Yanagishita and Nawaki walked side by side on the road leading to Konoha. Although their steps were steady, their minds were wandering on the news they had just received.

A complex emotion surged in his heart: "I didn't expect that this time I would capture Scorpion's parents. Am I giving him a complete life?"

He knew that, originally in the story's trajectory, Scorpion's parents would later die at the hands of Sakumo, but now, they encountered the crisis in advance and were saved by him.

With all these changes, Liuxia felt like a butterfly flapping its wings gently on a calm lake, causing a bigger and bigger storm in this world.

He couldn't help but think of Sheng Shu again, the friend who always had an indissoluble bond with the Explosive Talisman. Liu Xia shook his head slightly, and a bitter smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "But Sheng Shu is really destined to be with the Explosive Talisman."

Recalling the expression on Sheng Shu's face when he faced the exploding talisman array, Liuxia laughed out loud.

Shengshu noticed something strange about Liuxia and asked curiously, "What's wrong? What are you laughing at?"

There was a hint of sarcasm in Liu Xia's smile: "Nothing, I just remembered what you were thinking when you were in the explosive talisman formation?" His question made Sheng Shu's thoughts instantly return to that life-and-death moment.

Sheng Shu's eyes became deep, and his voice was low and full of emotion: "I thought a lot. I thought of grandpa and second grandpa. Did they feel the same way when facing death? I thought of grandma, sister, you, and myself." His heart was filled with longing for family and friends, and cherishment for life.

Recalling the scene when the explosive talisman started to explode around him, Sheng Shu still felt scared. If Liu Xia hadn't risked his life to arrive in time and bring him out, he might have had to come back lying down. His heart was filled with gratitude to Liu Xia: "Thank you, Xiao Xia!"

Liu Xia waved his hand gently, his voice firm and warm: "It's okay, we are brothers. You promised me that you would help me!"

"Well, in the name of Senju!" Rope Tree stretched out his hand, and a solemn promise was revealed in his voice.

"In the name of Thousand Hands!" Liuxia held Shengshu's hand tightly. The friendship and trust between them were sublimated at this moment.

But Liuxia showed a teasing smile again: "However, you may have to consider how to face Grandma Mito and Sister Tsunade who will come back later!"

A trace of embarrassment and worry appeared on Sheng Shu's face: "Ah! Grandma won't know, right?"

He was both excited and afraid, worried that his family would know the danger he had experienced.

Liuxia blinked and replied with a hint of joking, "What do you think?"

His question made Nawaki realize that although Grandma Mito didn't care about things, he, the third uncle, dared not ignore his grandmother.

Sheng Shu sighed, and the expression on his face softened: "I suddenly don't want to go home, but I really miss them!"

His heart was filled with longing for his family. Even though he was a little afraid, he was more filled with longing for home and deep affection for his loved ones.