Chapter 320: Is There a Mistake?
The inventory of research materials and results went unexpectedly smoothly. With Yoshitoki present, even things that seemed confidential and obscure were easily understood with just a glance.
Especially since Orochimaru at this stage truly focused on biological research; all his secrets were laid bare.
"A prototype of cloning technology...? Hmm... it has some reference value. We can cross-reference it with the Cloud's."
Dana was surprised. "The Cloud has this technology too?"
Yoshitoki nodded. "It's basically fully developed, but I suggested to the Raikage to seal it away."
Useful items were categorized and organized. What needed to be copied was copied, what needed to be taken was taken—mainly samples and data.
As for the so-called precision instruments Orochimaru treasured, they were actually far inferior to the Cloud's own equipment.
These instruments were merely the best Konoha could produce. The Cloud had been climbing the tech tree for so many years; they were at least a generation and a half ahead.
With Dana's discernment, it wasn't hard to see that the results here were achieved partly because the previous Konoha high command was ruthless enough—sacrificing dozens of children at a time, piling up results with human lives—and partly because of Orochimaru's genius.
His research ability hadn't reached its peak yet, showing strong potential for the future. But similarly, his character was truly terrible. Without experiencing decades of ups and downs and enlightenment like in the original timeline, the current Orochimaru was a thorough venomous snake.
Using him... felt unsafe.
Ignoring him... he would likely defect.
Killing him... fear of not killing him cleanly, turning a known snake into a hidden one.
Truly a headache.
As for Tobirama Senju, who also possessed super-strong research capabilities, it was too early to discuss using him. Dana kept him as a deputy mainly to use his identity to strengthen the legitimacy of the integration. With the participation of the Second Hokage, resistance to many policies would be much smaller.
After all, the elders currently in the village were left over from Tobirama's reign. Basically, anyone the same age as Koharu Utatane had been looked after by Tobirama.
But to use his powerful research ability... Dana felt he needed to weigh it carefully. What if he returned to the Pure Land after a while?
Orochimaru watched with an ugly expression as people moved in and out of his laboratory. Having his research results taken away was painful enough, but having them completely seen through before being taken was even worse.
Yoshitoki even commented, saying Orochimaru had talent but his path was too extreme.
"Research... being taboo-free and unscrupulous is sometimes just the act of a mediocrity caused by lack of skill. If you treat it as good medicine, you won't go far."
Orochimaru's face was a mix of colors.
When leaving Root, Yoshitoki suddenly said to Orochimaru, "Young man, I see your eyes don't seem normal. Do you need me to adjust them for you?"
Orochimaru paused, taking half a step back. "My eyes are naturally different from ordinary people. To avoid scaring the civilians in the village, I usually cover them with ninjutsu."
Saying this, Orochimaru rubbed the corners of his eyes, revealing cold snake pupils—indeed the kind that would scare ordinary people.
Yoshitoki nodded thoughtfully. "I see."
After the group left Root, Dana secretly summoned Hizashi Hyuga. Yoshitoki examined the Caged Bird Seal. Only the three of them were present, and no one knew what was discussed.
Finally, Dana sent Yoshitoki, Mamoru Anzai, and Kira to Konoha's newly built Heavenly Transfer Technique launch base.
"I'll return to the village first. I gained a lot of inspiration in the Land of Craftswork and need to verify it back home."
Dana nodded. "That's good. You've been wandering outside long enough."
Kira exclaimed excitedly, "Oh YEAH! Finally! Can! Return to the village, YO!"
Dana laughed. "Didn't you want to earn merit in battle? There are still sporadic skirmishes at the border. You can apply after returning to the village."
Then Dana froze.
"How were you talking just now?"
Kira: "My! Music! Makes people cheer and jump!"
Dana looked at Yoshitoki in shock, hoping for an explanation.
Yoshitoki smiled. "This child became obsessed with a type of music called 'Rap' in the Land of Craftswork. Sometimes his speech turns into this."
Dana: "..."
Strict defense, but it still turned out like this...
"Grandpa Yoshitoki, if it really doesn't work... let's use the tentacles to cure him. He's not a child anymore; no need to hold back!"
Kira panicked. "Wait, Dana-sama! I'm cured, really! I'm not rhyming anymore! See? My speech is normal again!"
Few people knew that a strange man had briefly visited Konoha.
But many knew that Konoha's new high command was about to be announced.
A new Kage and two new Elders would form Konoha's future power structure. During this time, various ninja clans had been asking around, but they only knew that Inspector Yotsuki Dana had contacted the Hyuga and Uchiha clans.
Even from Tobirama Senju, they couldn't get any information. The former Second Hokage was surprisingly tight-lipped.
On this day, Konoha Inspector Yotsuki Dana finally announced the candidates for the two Elder positions.
Since the appointment of Elders was solely at the Inspector's discretion, there was no meeting or discussion. He simply issued the notification.
In the Uchiha clan, Fugaku Uchiha opened the neat and solemn appointment letter. At first glance, he saw his name written on it.
He was excited for a while before reading the rest of the content.
Surrounding him were the Uchiha clan elites.
"Clan Head! How is it?! Is it really the position of Elder?"
"Fugaku, what does it say?"
Compared to the strictly hierarchical Hyuga, the Uchiha clan was more united. Hearing the Elder position was out, many people had gathered.
Suppressing his smile, Fugaku passed the letter to the clan members beside him.
"It really is Elder! Our Uchiha finally produced an Elder!"
Honestly, they had been suppressed for too long.
Being disliked by commoners at the bottom and excluded from the core of power at the top, unable to voice their opinions... the feeling was truly terrible.
However, some older members had mixed feelings. After all, they had handed over part of the authority of the Police Force, something the Uchiha had held for over twenty years.
Fugaku said, "A small half of the Police Force members are still Uchiha. There will still be a place for the Uchiha clan within the force."
An elder said, "In that case, we are completely tied to that Inspector..."
In the future, the Police Force would be directly under the Inspector, and the Elder position was also given by the Inspector.
This was tying themselves completely to someone.
Fugaku said, "By the end of the year, the Cloud-Thunder Federation will be formally established. If we look further ahead, the clan members we send to participate in the joint squads... isn't that also an opportunity to gain a foothold in the entire Federation? If we only focus on Konoha, we will eventually be trapped here in the coming great era."
Fugaku repeated the words Dana used to persuade him.
"That's true... The Cloud-Thunder Federation... I didn't expect to witness such a major event..."
actually, Fugaku had another thought.
This Konoha Inspector wouldn't be Inspector forever. Once he returned to the Federation, the Uchiha clan might not even have the chance to tie themselves to him.
From the Land of Fire to the Land of Lightning, would there be a shortage of people wanting to tie themselves to this man?
On the other side, the atmosphere was much weirder.
In the inner meeting hall of the Hyuga Clan, several Main Family (Soke) members looked at each other in silence.
You look at me, I look at you.
One Main Family member couldn't help but pick up the appointment letter again, reading it word by word, then rubbing his eyes.
"Did this Inspector-sama... make a mistake because he just arrived in Konoha and doesn't understand the situation?"
When the Elder appointment letter arrived, the Main Family members were incredibly excited. Being excluded from the power circle for so long, how could they not be?
But upon opening it, they saw a name they never expected.
Hizashi Hyuga.
A Branch Family (Bunke) member!
How could a mere Branch member become a Konoha Elder?
Accustomed to treating all Branch members as tools, they felt it was incredibly absurd, to the point of inexplicable anger.
They were used to all honor, power, and resources belonging to the Main Family. How could the name of a mere tool be written on this?
While they were deep in thought, a Branch Family maid stepped forward to pour tea. A drop of hot water splashed onto the Main Family elder's hand.
Slap!
"Idiot!"
Looking for an outlet to vent, the elder slapped the maid to the ground.
"Get out! Don't come back in unless summoned!"
The maid covered her face and left the hall.
Another Main Family member said, "Maybe the clerk who drafted the document made a mistake and wrote Hiashi as Hizashi. No, we must find someone to talk to. Hiashi, you'd better go personally. Take this letter and go explain the situation to the Inspector immediately."
Hiashi took the appointment letter expressionlessly. "I understand. I'll go right now."
He didn't object because he knew very well that without experiencing this, these Main Family members wouldn't be resigned.