With Anko Mitarashi's personality, it didn't take long for Kai to calm her down. Fortunately, Anko hadn't spent too much time with Orochimaru yet. Otherwise, like in the original story, if she had been fully manipulated by him, the consequences would have been far worse.
"Kai Mitarashi, the Third Hokage summons you."
A cold voice came from outside the door. Kai frowned and stepped out, only to see a ninja wearing an ANBU vest and a raccoon mask standing at the door.
For some reason, Kai felt something was off. He asked, "What does the Hokage want with me?"
At this time, the Third Hokage was likely busy dealing with Orochimaru's defection. Why would he summon him? Kai was puzzled.
"The Third Hokage's orders. I don't know," the ANBU ninja with the raccoon mask replied coldly.
"Alright, understood. I'll head over now," Kai replied and then stepped back into the house.
As soon as he entered, the ANBU with the raccoon mask disappeared.
"Anko, I'll be back soon. Once I'm back, I'll take you out for some dango," Kai said to Anko before heading toward the Hokage's office.
Knock, knock, knock!
Kai knocked on the Hokage's office door.
"Come in."
The Third Hokage's tired voice came from inside. Preparing to step down from his position as Hokage and dealing with the defection of his most talented student—these dual blows left even a Kage-level powerhouse like the Third Hokage feeling utterly drained.
Seeing that it was Kai who entered, the Third Hokage forced a faint smile. "Kai, why are you here? Is there something you need?"
"Huh? Hokage-sama, weren't you the one who summoned me?" Kai asked, confused.
The Third Hokage was also taken aback. "No, I didn't."
At that moment, an urgent sound echoed. Shinku Yuhi suddenly burst into the Hokage's office, his face filled with panic and worry. "Hokage-sama, Kurenai is missing!"
"Uncle Shinku, what happened?" Kai was even more alarmed than the Hokage upon hearing about Kurenai Yuhi.
"When I got home, I saw signs of a struggle inside. The neighbors mentioned seeing ANBU around my house, but I just checked with Shishio, and there were no records of any ANBU being dispatched this afternoon," Shinku Yuhi explained anxiously.
ANBU! No deployment records!
In Konoha, the ANBU only obey two individuals: the Hokage and the ANBU Commander.
If there were no deployment records from the ANBU side and no orders issued by the Hokage, then who was the ANBU that came to see him earlier?
Kai's mind raced back to the events from earlier, and he suddenly realized why he had felt something was off!
ANBU members are always respectful towards their superiors and would never directly address him as "Kai Mitarashi," nor would they refer to the Third Hokage as simply "the Third Hokage." Such behavior is strictly forbidden in the ANBU.
In Konoha, the only group of shinobi who would dare to address the Third Hokage without honorifics came from one place—Root!
"Damn it! Anko is in danger." Kai's expression darkened as he vanished from the Hokage's office in an instant.
Seeing Kai's reaction and connecting it to the coincidental timing of Orochimaru's exposure for conducting human experiments on villagers, the Third Hokage's face also turned grim, his suspicions growing.
"Shinku, follow me!" Without time to explain, the Third Hokage leaped out of the window.
"Danzo, you bastard! I wasn't planning to trouble you, but you dared to provoke me!" Kai's voice was colder than ever as he stood in his now-empty home.
He disappeared from the room and reappeared atop the Hokage Rock in the next instant.
Steel Fist: Yang Release: Magma Mountain Collapse!
Infused with the immense vitality of Yang Release, the power of Magma Mountain Collapse was amplified several times over. Fueled by Kai's anger, his Kage-level strength was unleashed without reservation.
The force of the punch pierced through the entire Hokage Rock, creating a crater dozens of meters deep underground. If not for the concentrated nature of Mountain Collapse's energy, this punch could have destroyed the entire Hokage Rock, rivaling Tsunade's monstrous strength.
"Something's wrong! Hurry, Shinku!" Hearing the commotion from the Hokage Rock, the Third Hokage's last shred of hope was shattered. He quickened his pace even further.
Standing at the edge of the massive crater he had created, magma still clinging to the walls and burning, Kai didn't hesitate. He jumped straight down.
Landing at the bottom of the crater, Kai observed the interconnected tunnels around him and sneered. Some people would always remain in the shadows, like Danzo Shimura, who belonged in the darkness of the underground.
Kagura Mind's Eye!
Even in such a dim and eerie place, Kai's Kagura Mind's Eye detected everything without obstruction.
"Found them. Anko, Kurenai... and Danzo!"
Kai's closed eyes snapped open, his gaze filled with murderous intent. He vanished from the spot, reappearing in an instant within a spacious chamber.
Before him, Anko Mitarashi and Kurenai Yuhi were bound, their bodies covered with explosive tags. A kunai pressed against their necks, held by none other than Danzo Shimura, who had already drawn blood.
The veins on Kai's forehead bulged as he let out a guttural roar: "Danzo Shimura! Do you have a death wish?!"
Hearing Kai's words, a flicker of anger crossed Danzo's face. He pressed the kunai harder against their necks, causing Anko and Kurenai to cry out in pain.
"Kai Mitarashi, if you keep talking to me like that, I'll kill them both right now!" Danzo threatened.
Kai suppressed his fury and replied coldly, "Danzo, what do you want?"
"What do I want?" Danzo's sinister smile deepened. "Heh, Kai Mitarashi, if you want these two to live, you'll do exactly as I say."
"Speak!" Kai demanded without hesitation.
"First, you must immediately withdraw from the Fourth Hokage election," Danzo stated.
"Fine," Kai agreed without protest.
"Second, tell me what that eye of yours is—and then give it to me." Greed filled Danzo's voice as he pointed at Kai's eye.
Hearing this, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on Kai's lips. "Are you talking about this eye?"
The irregular, azure pupils of the Tenseigan appeared in Kai's left eye.
"Yes! Yes! That eye! Tell me what it is—quickly! Or I'll kill them both right now!" Danzo demanded, his urgency growing as he stared at Kai's left eye.
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