Chapter 508: The Hidden Meaning

After some time, Shikaku muttered, "Whoever is behind this incident is very brave and efficient. At the very least, a rank S ninja who specializes in Lightning, a Fuinjutsu Grandmaster and a high-level spy are involved.

On the surface, all evidence points towards Kakashi. However, anyone with brains can see that this is a set-up. As such, due to the involvement of high-level application of Lightning, our suspicions fall on Kumogakure. I feel that this is a diversion as well. Whoever is behind this act most likely wants us to blame Kumogakure and for our relationship to sour. I am afraid that the real culprit is someone else."

Fujin looked at Shikaku and thought, 'He can overcomplicate things a lot. Then again, his final conclusion isn't wrong.'

Fujin hadn't thought of blaming Kumogakure. He knew that Kakashi wouldn't be blamed at the end of the day. As for who gets the blame, he didn't particularly care. Regardless, he found the situation amusing.

Hiruzen and the others thought of Shikaku's answer properly. His intelligence was something everyone rated very highly. After a while, Homura said, "A double cover... We hadn't thought of that. It might be the case that the other three villages want us to fight with Kumogakure. Still, that doesn't explain who was behind these attacks."

Hiruzen looked at Fujin and asked, "What is your view, Fujin?"

Fujin answered, "Shikaku's viewpoint is valid and it might indeed be that the culprits want us to fight against Kumo or other major villages. However, I feel that the culprit might not be from an enemy village and this might be an inside job."

Everyone's eyes widened. Especially Danzo's who thought, 'I didn't expect him to support me. Saying that points a finger at Kakashi and Hiruzen. It looks like you made a mistake calling him here, Hiruzen.'

At the same time, Hiruzen got slightly worried. Though Fujin was dependable, he had a tendency to put Hiruzen in difficult positions. Hiruzen prayed that this wasn't that time.

Fortunately for him, Fujin continued, "It is clear that someone is trying to blame Kakashi. However, the only evidence they left to blame him are injuries caused due to Lightning and an injury that looks like it was made by Chidori.

However, even though Chidori is a strong jutsu, it isn't unique by any means. The Raikage can cover his entire body with Lightning. He can replicate the effects of Chidori with little effort. It wouldn't be too far-fetched for someone who specializes in Lightning to come up with a jutsu that is similar to Chidori.

Another crucial point is that every one of you seems to have decided that a spy or a traitor was involved. However, you have overlooked one important aspect."

Everyone in the room, including Shikaku, was confused. At first, it seemed like Fujin was suspecting Hiruzen and Kakashi, but he very quickly said the entirely opposite and said that Kakashi had no blame, something that everyone agreed. Yet, he said that everyone was overlooking an aspect...

Everyone stared at Fujin who paused for a few seconds to let everyone think and confuse themselves more. Fujin continued, "You seem to have forgotten that we already have traitors. Two rather strong and ranked S traitors!

Though Chidori is strong, it won't be an issue for someone like Orochimaru to create something similar. After all, his expertise in Ninjutsu was said to be second only to the Hokage. And that was years ago. Who knows how much stronger he has become since going rogue?

On the other hand, anyone with a Sharingan can copy that technique from Kakashi just like Kakashi copied the other jutsus. That means that Itachi could have done so.

Both were a part of the village in the past and should have known a lot of secrets. Unless you changed the locations of the Root bases after they left, they can easily locate and eliminate the 15 Root ninjas without alerting anyone. It will be a child's play for them to do so."

Everyone was surprised. It was true, they hadn't thought of Itachi and Orochimaru. However, there was another minute detail in Fujin's words. The detail that Shikaku, Homura and Koharu missed but Hiruzen and Danzo caught on in an instant. Fujin had said that 'anyone with a Sharingan' could copy Kakashi's technique.

Itachi wasn't the only one with a Sharingan. There was another in that very room itself! Fujin's words were a hidden message to make Hiruzen think that Danzo could have copied Kakashi's technique as well! And, his words did the job that he intended. Though it was extremely unlikely, the idea that this might have been done by Danzo himself took root in Hiruzen's mind. It was the same as how Danzo couldn't eliminate his suspicions about Hiruzen and Kakashi despite how obvious it was that it was a set-up!

Coincidentally, Danzo and Hiruzen looked at each other at the same time. As their eyes met, Hiruzen's expression became grim as he thought, 'Though the chance of this is negligible, don't tell me that you have fallen this low, Danzo! Don't tell me that you did this just so that you will get a bargaining chip over me to get back the control over the Root ninjas I took over after the Uchiha massacre.

If this is your scheme, then you are gravely mistaken to think that I would cave. If I find even little proof of your involvement in this matter, I won't go easy on you this time, Danzo. As for gaining anything from this incident, don't even think about it!'

Having worked together for more than half a century, Danzo immediately understood Hiruzen's thoughts. He knew that blaming Hiruzen and Kakashi wouldn't yield any results. So, he just wanted to apply a lot of pressure on Hiruzen and then give him an opportunity to make things right by getting back his old subordinates. Unfortunately, Fujin's words ruined that idea.

Danzo looked at Fujin. Though nothing could be seen on his face, his eye was full of hatred. He cursed, 'This damned brat! What the hell is Katsuhiro doing? Why hasn't he made a move yet?'

Danzo was very angry and frustrated. While the death of 15 Root ninjas was a grave loss, it provided him with an excellent opportunity as well. However, Fujin turned that opportunity into danger as Hiruzen now suspected Danzo. Given Danzo's track record, it was extremely plausible for Danzo to do something like this.

Unlike Hiruzen and Danzo who were fixated on the hidden message in Fujin's words, the others were thinking about Itachi and Orochimaru.

Homura thought, 'Itachi won't do this. He is too loyal to the village. Even if he isn't anymore, we still have his brother. He won't risk this. But Orochimaru on the other hand... This is something that he may do. It also feels like his style of doing things. But why would he?'

Koharu voiced his thoughts and asked, "Why would Orochimaru or Itachi return to the village and do something like this?"

Fujin shrugged and replied, "How am I supposed to know that? All of you should know them much better than I know. After all, I never interacted with them while you elders saw them rise from an academy student to deadly rank S ninjas."

Fujin's words suddenly made them feel embarrassed. His words were completely true from their point of view. How could he know what they were up to without knowing anything significant about them?

Fujin continued, "Anyway, that's just my thought. I don't see how an enemy village could have inserted a spy at such a high level or forced someone at a high level to betray Konoha without alerting Anbu or other special forces in the village. Considering the situation, Orochimaru and Itachi are the most likely culprits behind this incident. Either they are directly involved in the attack, or they could have traded the information. Of course, I can be wrong as it is just a speculation."

Shikaku, Homura and Koharu nodded. Fujin hadn't provided anything substantial. He just provided another viewpoint that was quite different from theirs and made some sense but it was still just a speculation. The three of them didn't notice Hiruzen and Danzo being in a different state of mind. Fujin could have noticed, but he chose to ignore it. After all, both were smart enough to get his hidden meaning.

The room went silent once again as everyone except Fujin began thinking about the current situation and how to handle it.