"…In the end, about half of them chose to stay in the ANBU training corps. The rest accepted whatever arrangements the village made."
Tsunade held the report, slowly exhaling.
"This is much better than I expected."
"And what did you expect?" Yagyū Souma asked.
"In my original estimate, considering Danzō's methods, there should've been a few stubborn fanatics who refused to let go," Tsunade said. "But none showed up. That's far beyond what I imagined."
She frowned slightly.
"With how deeply Danzō had taken root over so many years… not a single person truly loyal to him?"
Souma thought for a long moment. After hesitating, he said,
"Maybe… because of me."
"You?"
Tsunade turned her head, then suddenly understood.
Among everyone Danzō valued most, there were three core figures—Yamanaka Fū, Aburame Torune, and Terai. Aside from them, there was one especially unique individual:
Shinraku Tanuki—a ninja highly skilled in research.
Souma didn't know the first three particularly well, but he had properly arranged their wishes.
For example—
Torune and Fū wanted to go home and rest for a while, while being nominally listed under the ANBU training corps and the Research Division. Their actual positions could be discussed later.
In other words: temporary leave.
Souma guessed they were currently busy researching new techniques and had no time for ROOT business anyway. They had once still felt some attachment to Danzō—
But now?
With Danzō dead and ROOT dissolved, the two of them immediately let themselves go completely.
Terai didn't care either way. In the end, Souma simply arranged for him to join ANBU. With Tsunade around, that approval was effortless.
Only Shinraku Tanuki was special.
He requested to join the Research Division and receive sufficient pay to maintain his daily expenses.
At the same time, he hoped to participate directly in the division's research projects.
As Souma reached the end of his explanation, he took out a glass orb from a sealing scroll.
"And most importantly—this."
"The Sharingan Danzō took from Shisui."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
She'd heard about that eye from the Third, and she'd also learned from Souma that Danzō had passed it on to him—
Yamanaka Inoichi had been present at the time, so Souma couldn't hide it. He'd chosen to be honest.
Tsunade fell into thought.
"So this served as Danzō's token of authority?"
"Probably," Souma nodded.
Tsunade rubbed her temples.
"That explains it. Because you received the eye Danzō 'gifted,' they weren't as resistant toward you."
Souma considered it and felt her reasoning made sense.
After chatting for a while longer, he brought up the modified Yin Seal.
Tsunade was inwardly shocked, but her expression remained calm—almost relaxed.
"Jiraiya already mentioned it," she said with a chuckle.
"The Yin Seal itself isn't especially difficult. It just takes time. Given your talent and foundation, modifying it so quickly is perfectly normal."
However—
Souma could clearly sense that her emotional fluctuations were anything but calm.
He'd originally planned to stay modest, but since Tsunade put it that way…
"Well, I have another idea," Souma said.
"Is it possible to store mental energy separately within the Yin Seal? You know—physical stamina can often recover, but mental energy is much harder to restore."
"Mm—mm?!"
Tsunade instinctively responded, then confusion slowly surfaced in her eyes.
…
Storing mental energy?
What kind of absurd idea was this?!
"Is storing mental energy really that different from storing chakra directly?"
"It is," Souma replied seriously.
"Mental energy, once compressed, takes up less space, allowing for greater storage. When released, it also dramatically boosts the effectiveness of mental-based secret techniques."
He then casually proposed things like—
"Lightning Release Yin Seal,"
"Fire Release Yin Seal,"
and other specialized Yin Seal variants.
With minor modifications, they could store chakra that had already undergone nature transformation.
Tsunade's initial composure slowly gave way to surprise… then shock… and finally numb disbelief.
After showing off thoroughly, Souma left the Hokage Tower in high spirits.
As he walked away, he vaguely heard the sound of someone upstairs knocking their head against a desk.
"Tsunade-sama, you're—uh… are you alright?"
"…Nothing. My head hurts."
Tsunade's face was expressionless.
If I'd just gone along with that brat, everything would've been fine.
Why did I have to pretend to be some senior elder?
…
Elsewhere—
Otogakure.
Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses as he looked at the red-haired girl before him, admiration in his voice.
"The one who noticed you during the Chūnin Exams has truly remarkable judgment. So many candidates, yet you stood out."
"M-May I ask… who exactly is this 'person' you keep referring to?"
Karin glanced around uneasily.
The place was gloomy—hardly somewhere living people stayed. Whoever this "person" was, they didn't sound like a good guy.
Kabuto smiled.
"Don't misunderstand. This was once Orochimaru-sama's residence. But the one you'll be serving is no longer Orochimaru-sama."
"You mean…?"
Karin wasn't stupid.
Kabuto was practically stating outright that the master here had changed.
"Orochimaru-sama isn't dead. But the ownership of this place has changed," Kabuto said calmly.
"The new master doesn't want any more slaughter. However, I can't remain here forever—so an agent is needed."
He gestured for her to sit, smiling.
"And that person chose you, Karin. You're very lucky. If you work hard, this village will be yours one day."
"…Huh?"
Karin looked utterly stunned, feeling like she'd just met a scammer.
But—
They'd gone to great lengths to kill the Grass ninja and rescue her from Kusagakure. If this were just a prank, it'd be absurd.
After thinking for a long while, she asked:
"Why? I know this is a gift, but it still feels… unbelievable."
Kabuto smiled gently.
"I understand. Most of the reasons can't be told to you—but some can."
"Please enlighten me."
"Not everyone with red hair is an Uzumaki," Kabuto said seriously.
"But shinobi like you—red hair and special abilities—are almost always Uzumaki."
"And the master observed you. You're intelligent, and your talent is quite good."
"So that's how it is…"
Karin was shaken.
"You must have other questions," Kabuto continued.
"I'll allow you to ask first. In a sense, you're my partner—we're not in a superior–subordinate relationship."
His smile was far more "sincere" than Sai's.
At least—
Karin couldn't see through it.
After a long silence, she asked quietly:
"I only know that Uzushiogakure was destroyed. Why was the Uzumaki clan hunted down?"
"I don't know," Kabuto replied lightly.
"Perhaps because of your special constitution. And because you only allied with Konoha."
"What people can't obtain—
the best solution is often to destroy it."
Karin opened her mouth, then let out a heavy sigh.
So many things suddenly made sense.
Why her mother, so powerful, had been forced to wander.
Why she ended up in Kusagakure, married to that man.
Because—
She was an Uzumaki.
If other villages learned of it, the persecution would be even more brutal.
Including against herself.
"And what about you?" she asked.
"Our village has no tailed beasts," Kabuto said.
"So we don't need much from you. Just ensure things operate according to existing rules."
"As for your abilities—the master has other gifts prepared."
He took a scroll from his sleeve.
It was a ninjutsu scroll Souma had sent earlier via Flying Thunder God.
Filled with sealing techniques gathered through various channels—
Including Uzumaki clan fūinjutsu arrays, and detailed speculation and analysis on Adamantine Sealing Chains.
Kabuto's evaluation?
A comprehensive sealing arts textbook.
Even an ordinary person could become a sealing expert with it—
Let alone an Uzumaki like Karin.
She skimmed a few pages, her breathing quickening.
This scroll's value was enormous.
Joy quickly mixed with anxiety.
What if I can't learn it?
"Believe in yourself," Kabuto said calmly.
"These techniques mostly originate from the Uzumaki clan. You can do this."
He adjusted his glasses.
"Once you've mastered most of the sealing arts—or awakened the Adamantine Chains—you'll be able to control the village."
"I understand!"
…
Three or four days passed after ROOT's dissolution.
Under the combined efforts of the Third Hokage and Tsunade, the ANBU Training Corps gradually became fully staffed.
Souma served as department captain.
Gekkō Hayate and several former ROOT members acted as assistants.
Additional personnel were temporarily transferred from ANBU and the Guard Corps.
Today, another batch arrived—
ANBU members who required "retraining."
They were dissatisfied.
After all, they were seasoned ANBU veterans.
Why would they need training in so-called "team coordination"?
If they didn't understand that, could they even be ANBU?
Everyone thought the same.
Gekkō Hayate merely smiled and handed out a booklet.
"I know what you're thinking," he said lightly.
"But don't rush to conclusions. Since Souma-sama sent you here, there's a reason."
"And our training methods are… very scientific. And very unexpected."
He smiled mysteriously.
The ANBU exchanged glances, then reluctantly accepted the booklets.
Then—
One by one, their expressions froze.
Chakra Net.
Toad Oil Manufacturing.
Cloth Sealing Techniques.
Team-Based Binding Barriers.
Breathing Activation Technique.
Synchronized Perception.
Aside from binding barriers, they'd never seen any of the others.
Most of the combination techniques revolved around these unfamiliar jutsu.
Completely new territory.
"And now," Gekkō Hayate sneered,
"Do you still dare say you understand?"
These idiots…
Call them weak and they wouldn't accept it!
Even he had been trained like a grandson—
What made them think they were special?
Hayate sighed softly.
He could no longer take on missions requiring intense combat.
Even Tsunade said his condition could only be suppressed, not cured—
And he absolutely could not use Transparent Escape anymore.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have come to the ANBU Training Corps either.
"Study these techniques carefully," he said firmly.
"Each squad must master at least three to four compatible techniques."
"Yes!"
Everyone responded loudly, now brimming with enthusiasm.
After all—
In the shinobi world, ninjutsu is the greatest wealth.
And this was practically selling one's body and dignity for it.
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