"Hiruzen, these hyenas are plotting something big…"
"Kusagakure's ambition has even surprised me!"
"If we hadn't captured their entire squad and gained additional leads to pursue the investigation… their conspiracy might truly have remained hidden. They actually want to rule the shinobi world!"
Danzō said with killing intent written across his face: "You're right, Hiruzen. We truly cannot allow such a hidden village to continue developing around Konoha!"
Hiruzen did not reply. He drew on his pipe, carefully examining the intelligence Danzō had submitted.
Based on the information compiled over the past several months through Danzō's efforts, as well as those of the Anbu and various spies after intensive infiltration…
It could be confirmed that within Kusagakure there were two clearly opposed factions.
One advocated peace—the "Grass Flower."
The other advocated expansion and aggression—the "Grass Fruit."
Evidently, the hawkish "Grass Fruit" currently held power in Kusagakure.
The dovish "Grass Flower" had been steadily losing ground and had already reached the point of facing a purge.
As for Kusagakure's bold and frenzied actions of capturing ninja—conduct akin to walking a tightrope—the underlying reason had now been exposed.
It was not only to covet Kekkei Genkai and ninjutsu, but also to dominate the shinobi world…
Kusagakure's reliance lay in something called the "Box of Ultimate Bliss," one of the ancient "Sage of Six Paths' Treasured Tools," said to be the most powerful weapon of the Sage of Six Paths' era.
It was said that a predecessor of Kusagakure had once used the "Box of Ultimate Bliss" to make a grand wish, nearly sweeping across the shinobi world and becoming ruler of the world.
To open the Box of Ultimate Bliss, one had to learn complex unsealing formulas, and in addition, sacrifice a large amount of chakra in order for it to respond to a request.
Thus, Kusagakure's capture of ninja was also to imprison them in the depths of the Hōzuki Castle prison, forcing them to periodically supply chakra to the "Box of Ultimate Bliss."
Hiruzen exhaled a stream of smoke, remaining noncommittal regarding the notion that the "Box of Ultimate Bliss" could rule the shinobi world.
The thing likely possessed power—but at most it would be a strategic weapon on the level of a Tailed Beast.
For if it had truly been strong enough, the one to end the era of chaos would not have been Senju Hashirama, but rather the ancestor of Kusagakure.
And in the historical records, the greater part should not have been occupied by the Senju and the Uchiha…
But by this so-called most powerful weapon.
Moreover, long ago, Hiruzen had once seen one of the Sage of Six Paths' Treasured Tools.
After Senju Tobirama died in battle, Kumogakure—having recovered a portion of the Sage of Six Paths' Treasured Tools from the Gold and Silver Brothers—had once also tried to dispatch people to master these ninja tools, hoping to bring their power to bear on the battlefield.
These Treasured Tools did indeed have strange mechanisms.
If one was not prepared, then upon seeing them for the first time, it was indeed easy to get caught—yet if one had become vigilant and had stabilized one's own chakra in advance, and kept some distance…
It wasn't as though there were no ways to deal with them.
Moreover, aside from the Gold and Silver Brothers, anyone else who used the Sage of Six Paths' Treasured Tools would consume a huge amount of chakra.
Even if a skilled shinobi controlled them, it would disrupt their usual combat rhythm because of that, and in the end, the losses would outweigh the gains.
Thus, after taking them out for a few tests, Kumogakure stopped bringing them out for formal combat against enemies.
And the "Box of Ultimate Bliss," with its mechanism of only being opened through sacrifice, could not help but make Hiruzen think of a few stories.
The sense of déjà vu was strong.
Pandora's box…
"Hiruzen, we can't let Kusagakure continue to hold this dangerous ninja tool…"
"According to the shinobi world's historical texts I dug up, after verification, the Box of Ultimate Bliss was opened once again two hundred years ago. Its power was once described as not inferior to a Tailed Beast on the level of a natural disaster!" Danzō added.
By Hiruzen's usual style in the past, he would probably have wanted nothing to do with such a ninja tool.
Although he had changed a great deal now, Danzō still worried—what if Hiruzen fell back into his old habits?
"I know, I know…"
Hiruzen looked at Danzō with amusement, then exhaled a stream of smoke.
"Kumogakure once had no one who mastered the Sage of Six Paths' Treasured Tools, but we can't look at the problem with the old perspective."
"Even if it's not for the power of this box, from a defensive standpoint, we still need to obtain a Treasured Tool to study similar mechanisms…"
"In the future, there will certainly be conflict between us and Kumogakure. You and I both understand that."
Danzō nodded deeply in agreement.
"Two hundred years ago…"
"Historical records in the shinobi world have always been rather vague, and there's no small amount of exaggeration. It's relatively difficult to extract accurate intelligence from them…"
Hiruzen pondered, exhaling another stream of smoke.
"But we also have an advantage on our side: the Three Sage Regions are on good terms with us, and the advantage of their long-lived species is right there."
"If the 'Box of Ultimate Bliss' was indeed unsealed before, there should be records on the Three Sage Regions' side."
A light flashed in Danzō's eyes.
In truth, he had originally held an average impression of the Three Sage Regions.
They were merely somewhat powerful summoning beasts, that was all.
And Konoha's three inheritors also hadn't, like the First Hokage, managed to learn Sage Mode…
His Baku was not weaker than anyone else!
But now it seemed…
If the reputation of the Three Sage Regions and their hidden resources could be fully utilized, it could indeed bring considerable benefits to Konoha…
Compared to other summoning beast clans, they truly had an advantage!
And according to Danzō's intelligence, the ninja imprisoned by Kusagakure were not only related to Konoha—every major hidden village was involved.
As for small hidden villages and clans, there was no need to mention them.
Under the temptation of the "Box of Ultimate Bliss," Kusagakure's hawks seemed utterly emboldened, believing that as long as they obtained this ancestral power, they would not need to fear the condemnation of the Five Great Hidden Villages.
Exceptionally insane!
"As for these imprisoned ninja and their descendants…"
"Those from Konoha, or related to Konoha—let the various ninja clans and shinobi come forward to claim them. If they are willing to join Konoha, then after the village conducts its review, we will process the formalities for them."
"It's not just that girl from the Uzumaki Clan…" Hiruzen said slowly.
There was also Senju Tobirama among them!
"Is that so? Or should we first place them with the Iburi and the Tsuchigumo?" Danzō pondered.
"Strictly speaking, this is our work oversight and a matter that was left behind…"
Hiruzen waved his hand.
"The nature is different. Showing preferential treatment only to the Uzumaki orphan while neglecting others would bring more losses than gains."
"But if they cannot prove their identities and no one is willing to vouch for them, then strict screening is necessary. Let the Yamanaka, the Kurama, and the Uchiha clans' shinobi apply their methods."
Hiruzen smiled inwardly. With Tobirama's current face…
Some people would probably jump up and down to vouch for him—though they might also pretend to remain calm, for fear of him discovering that this orphan resembled Uchiha Izuna…
The thought alone was somewhat amusing.
But one thing Hiruzen had not expected was this:
His sensei had awakened his eyes from the womb, already a bona fide two-tomoe Uchiha…
One could say it was thoroughly authentic!
Once the Sharingan was activated, not a single person would doubt his bloodline. There was no need to rely on his face—it would work just fine.
"I understand, Hiruzen."
Danzō nodded. He would no longer habitually refute everything; now he would first think it over.
Being constantly persuaded made him, as an adviser, seem lacking in intellect—very embarrassing.
"In this battle, we must display might, leave the enemy unable to gauge our true strength, and seek sufficient deterrence…"
"And we must also uphold the First Hokage's spirit and the name we have built for fairness and generosity…"
Hiruzen said in a low voice: "Have the 'committee members' convene a meeting. Once the tone is set, we move out immediately!"
Danzō's gaze sharpened, and he nodded in assent.
Inwardly, he thought: 'It's not only me learning from Hiruzen—perhaps Hiruzen is learning from me as well…'
'Just look at how tough his style has become!'
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