CE40: Final Stage! Pt. 1

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The Fourth Hokage sat between his two advisors, Hiruzen and Fugaku, as every Konoha ninja sat before them awaiting instructions. The final stage of the exams began in just a few short hours and it was crucial that all shinobi be prepared to fight.

"Thank you all for coming. I'm afraid I have some unfortunate news to deliver. Just a few hours ago, the body of Hayate Gekkou was discovered by the Police Force near Kikyo Castle," he explained solemnly. Shocked murmurs and gasps filled the room.

"Why do I feel like Orochimaru had something to do with this?" Anko grunted, her eyes hard as she thought about the kind of person her old sensei had become...the person she once used to want to be like, the one she admired most, and ultimately the one who ended up killing her teammates and putting that Curse Mark on her neck before tossing her away when she wanted nothing to do with his crimes.

Kakashi, who was sitting next to her, silently agreed but also thought it right to speak out, "Perhaps, but it's something we shouldn't jump to so easily. We suspect Hayate was trailing an Oto nin, Kabuto Yakushi who had infiltrated the chuunin exams. He's obviously working for Orochimaru, but we also don't have physical proof of that," he added.

"Shouldn't we be canceling these exams, Hokage-sama?" A fellow chuunin questioned. "It's clear that he's after something specific and the chuunin exams are a way for him to meet that goal, so wouldn't it be better to just send everyone home?"

"Yes, that probably would be better. Unfortunately, Orochimaru has been a wanted nin for quite some time now, and this is the first time he's made his appearance in years. It's not something we can just let slip by, but more importantly, he threatened us to not call them off," the Hokage began, "These exams have brought all Allied Shinobi together, so we are responsible for more than our own people."

This seemed to placate those who were having doubts about continuing and they waited for their leader to go on.

"In the beginning, we were sure that Orochimaru did not have the manpower to attack any village, but our opinions of that have recently changed, especially with the infiltration of Kabuto Yakushi and the Oto ninja. In addition, he is a very strong individual and one of the Legendary Sannin which means his allegiance is widely sought after as opposed to having him as an enemy. Lastly, he has a particular grudge against Konoha and despite it being a peaceful time, there are many lands that still hold hatred for our part in the war."

"But what about the treaty? Would any of them really chance breaking such an agreement and jump-starting another war?!"

Kakashi sighed. "When it all boils down, the Alliance Treaty is really at the same level as a verbal agreement...just as the last war demonstrated."

"In any case, we don't have solid evidence to support any of our theories, so this is really just speculation," Minato reminded.

Fugaku cleared his throat. "A number of Uchiha Police and the last active Anbu squad have been dispatched to each land in order to collect more information," he announced. "It's important we gather everything we can before acting, as that could be what any enemy is hoping for."

"Until then, I have complete faith that each of you here before me will protect the village at any cost. Should there be any attacks, I know we'll be ready. I have extra security set up, but our forces are spread thin due to the exam. I ask you all to be on high alert so that we may act accordingly should our enemy make himself known."

"Yes, Hokage-sama!" They all said in unison, bringing a smile to Minato's face.


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