Lin Yu had deliberately turned his head to let Uchiha Taiichi see the fox-faced mask, intentionally shifting his attention to the Anbu. After all, he hadn't concealed his tracks much during this infiltration, and by throwing the blame onto the Anbu, he wasn't afraid of Uchiha investigating further.
Even if Uchiha confronted the Third Hokage, given Hiruzen Sarutobi's personality, he would surely assume Danzo was monitoring Uchiha again. Hiruzen knew his old friend very well, and Danzo harbored considerable animosity towards Uchiha, making it not impossible for him to infiltrate the Uchiha clan head's residence. Ultimately, the matter would likely be dropped.
Danzo would inadvertently take some blame for Lin Yu. Of course, whether things would unfold like this depended on the Hokage's imagination.
Lin Yu had already returned to Mikoto's home, sneaking in stealthily, unnoticed. He dared not return home now and didn't want to sleep on the streets, so he decided to crash at Mikoto's for the night!
Lin Yu would never admit that he was captivated by Mikoto's drunken demeanor!
Lin Yu lay on the living room sofa, smelling the faint scent of Mikoto's fragrance, finding it difficult to sleep. His mind was occupied with thoughts of future developments.
First and foremost, the mission was paramount; it was the key to his strength improvement! The matter of the Eternal Life Organization could wait for now, he'd only have the black-robed figures make an occasional appearance. Developing connections and nurturing talent were the top priorities for the time being!
It was still too early. In another five to six years, when Kakashi, Obito, and the others had grown a bit older, he, Lin Yu, would need to get busy.
Alas, Sakumo's suicide, Might Guy's feat of tearing apart the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, the Battle of Kannabi Bridge...
The path of manipulation ahead was truly long. The first two were relatively manageable, with little pressure. However, the subsequent darkening of Tobi's character, Lin Yu felt it was necessary for Tobi's Mangekyo Sharingan to awaken, otherwise, who knew when it would happen. But how would he face Uchiha Madara then?
And how could he make Tobi believe him, rather than believe in the creation of a world with Rin?
Perhaps... should he turn Tobi into Nagato as well?
That would be truly tragic for Kakashi... Tobi in front, Might Guy behind.
With his mind full of questions, Lin Yu drifted into a deep sleep.
...
Uchiha Clan Head's Residence.
"You say an Anbu infiltrated our Uchiha territory to gather information?"
"Yes, Clan Head. Just now, I personally saw a black-clothed figure wearing a fox-faced mask flee across the rooftops. Given his body-flicker speed, he was at least Jonin-level. I wasn't confident I could catch him," Uchiha Taiichi replied, bowing slightly.
"Even you weren't confident you could catch him? It seems our Hokage truly has a wealth of talent at his disposal."
The Uchiha clan head pressed his forehead with a headache. Why would the Anbu come to them now? Their Uchiha hadn't even initiated their plan yet. Had any clan members caused trouble outside recently? And angered Hiruzen Sarutobi?
The Uchiha clan head asked Taiichi, "Has anything happened in the clan recently?"
Uchiha Taiichi pondered for a moment and replied, "Clan Head, the clan has been busy selecting a bride for the young clan head. Nothing significant has occurred."
In Uchiha Taiichi's eyes, the conflict between his brother and Uzumaki Lin Yu was merely a childish spat, not something worth mentioning to the clan head.
"Alas, these are truly troubled times!"
The Uchiha clan head paused slightly and said to Taiichi, "Don't mention this to Fugaku. I will find an opportunity to ask the Hokage about it. The clan should remain quiet for the next few days."
"Yes!"
...
Border of the Land of Fire.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Three figures in grey robes landed one after another on the steep rocks on either side. Their clothing style did not resemble the Leaf Village's techniques. Judging from their only exposed deep brown forearms and the forehead protectors with three cloud symbols, they were likely a delegation from the Hidden Cloud Village coming to Konoha for peace negotiations.
"Is, slow down. We're already in Konoha's territory."
"Tch, what's so great about Konoha? They're just a bunch of opportunistic people. Any small country could have done what they did. Why should we Hidden Cloud ninjas come to Konoha for negotiations?"
"Is, we're not just here for negotiations this time. Remember your mission!"
"Alright, leader Troda, but when will the other party rendezvous with us?" Is, the shortest of the three, shrugged slightly and asked.
"We won't rendezvous with them, as our objectives are different, but our target is Konoha. The carriage is coming, let's go!" Troda's bulging arm muscles were frighteningly powerful. His gaze, sharp and cold, fixed on the direction of Konoha Village, and with a flash, he was already more than ten paces away.
On the narrow path below them, a carriage came into view, escorted by over a dozen ninjas. They were Hidden Cloud ninjas who had come for negotiations, helpers for Troda and his companions to stall for time.
...
Konoha, Hokage Office.
The Hokage Office was brightly lit. Hiruzen Sarutobi, in his prime, was working late as usual. After finishing the last document of the day, he rubbed his bloodshot eyes, rested for a moment, and sat in his chair, gazing at the photos of the First and Second Hokage above him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi mused, "First Hokage-sama, Teacher, I will definitely pass down your Will of Fire, so that where the leaves dance, there will be inheritors of the Will of Fire!"
Tap tap.
"Please enter."
Hiruzen Sarutobi composed himself. Someone coming to see him so late must be of great importance.
A masked Anbu member opened the door and entered. He took a scroll with top-secret markings from his怀 and handed it to Hiruzen Sarutobi, saying, "Hokage-sama, this is the latest intelligence discovered by the Anbu. Combined with the testimony of Jonin Kato Dan, we've found indications of Sand Shinobi infiltrating the Land of Fire."
"Kato Dan? He's a practitioner of the Kato clan's Spiritualization Technique, isn't he? He was actually attacked by Sand Shinobi! What is the Sand Village's objective for infiltrating the Land of Fire?" Hiruzen Sarutobi opened the scroll and examined it carefully.
"There haven't been any specific findings yet, but our Anbu will find out soon!"
"Not soon, you must find out! Anyone who could nearly kill a Konoha Jonin must be a significant figure among the Sand Shinobi who have entered the Land of Fire. Inform Danzo and tell him to put aside his other matters and immediately confirm the location and number of the hidden Sand Shinobi," Hiruzen Sarutobi issued orders to the Anbu ninja, his expression quite serious. He couldn't fathom the Sand Shinobi's objective.
"Yes!"
After the Anbu ninja withdrew, Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, a pensive look on his face.
What were the Sand Shinobi doing in the Land of Fire? Stealing the One-Tails? But the treaty stated that Konoha would return the One-Tails. Could it be that Chiyo had come to exact revenge on Sakumo?
No, that shouldn't be the case. Even if Chiyo wanted revenge, her brother Ebizo would never allow her to act recklessly.
Alas, the Hidden Cloud negotiation team would arrive in a few days. He wondered if they had any connection with the Sand Village. He hoped everything would go smoothly.
However, if they dared to underestimate Konoha, he wouldn't be too polite either!
Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes, lit a cigarette. It was past his working hours.
"Alas, these are truly troubled times!"