Several ANBU ninjas reporting the intelligence lowered their heads. This was their mistake.
Those ten Uchiha ninjas didn't sign up for the training class together.
They didn't usually train together either. So they hadn't been linked together.
It wasn't until today—when Fugaku Uchiha announced in the Police Force that he had organized thirty people for intensive training—that they received the news.
Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally saw this from the intelligence and knew he couldn't blame his ANBU subordinates.
But the Uchiha clan growing closer to Zenji was indeed a headache for him.
Shisui didn't report this intelligence either.
Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe. Letting the smoke obscure his eyes.
Did he not know? Or did he not want to report it?
As the strongest among the younger generation of the Uchiha clan, it was impossible to let such a genius go out as a spy.
So his current position was still within the Police Force. But as a ninja, the Hokage had the right to assign him missions.
Relying on this, the two sides frequently communicated.
A hint of helplessness flashed in Hiruzen's eyes.
I can only put this matter aside for now. The situation in the Land of Water is more urgent.
He sat down, wrote two secret letters, and handed the two scrolls to two ninjas.
"Deliver these to Jiraiya and Tsunade respectively. Be quick."
The two ANBU ninjas received the order and immediately took action. Leaving swiftly.
"Invite the two advisors and Danzo here."
Hiruzen issued another order to the remaining ANBU ninjas.
"Yes."
The ANBU ninjas left. Not long after, footsteps echoed in the corridor.
The door was pushed open. Danzo Shimura and the two advisors walked in.
"Hiruzen. What exactly happened with the Daimyo?"
Danzo asked impatiently upon entering.
He had some faint expectations internally. But the actual situation was not as he wished.
A hint of gravity flashed in Hiruzen's eyes as he slowly explained.
"Entering the Land of Water? Let alone whether those monsters are easy to deal with—are you sure the Hidden Mist Village won't attack you?"
Homura Mitokado spoke with a serious expression.
Koharu Utatane looked worried. Her gaze lingering on the streaks of white in Hiruzen's hair and beard.
"There is no room to refuse this order. And Lord Daimyo has given his guarantee."
Hiruzen spoke expressionlessly.
"Guarantee? Hmph. You don't actually believe that, do you?"
Danzo snorted coldly.
"Whether I believe it or not, I must act."
Hiruzen lowered his brows. Making it impossible to see his eyes.
"For this operation, I only need a few elites. The fewer people, the better."
"Hiruzen."
Homura and Koharu's hearts tightened. Guessing Hiruzen's thoughts.
Hiruzen waved his hand, stopping the two. He continued arranging the subsequent matters.
"I have already sent messages to Jiraiya and Tsunade. Jiraiya should return. But Tsunade..."
He sighed and shook his head as he reached this point.
"During my absence, do not act rashly. Especially regarding Zenji."
As he said this, a complex look flashed in his eyes.
The group of people Zenshu left behind all exceeded his expectations. Each one possessed growth potential far surpassing ordinary ninjas.
The three youths among them were even more beyond common sense. Especially the youth named Gojo Satoru.
He had been teaching this youth, hoping to influence his mind. So he was very clear about his growth.
The time was too short. And various things happened at the same time. Leaving me no time to teach him long-term.
The two advisors nodded. But Danzo beside them had his own thoughts.
"Also."
Hiruzen hesitated for a moment before finally saying.
"Gojo Satoru is not my disciple. Merely an academy student."
Hearing this, Homura and Koharu nodded in understanding.
This merely indicated that Hiruzen neither had confidence in nor was certain of Gojo Satoru's true thoughts.
They shouldn't treat him as a direct subordinate of the Hokage faction.
Finally, Hiruzen turned his gaze to Danzo. Making Danzo's heart sink. A bad feeling arising within him.
Hovering between two completely different thoughts for a moment, Hiruzen slightly lowered his head. His eyes shrouded in the shadow of his bamboo hat.
"The ban on Root is lifted... If there is an emergency during my absence, you may act first and report later. Operation reports must be signed by the three of you."
Danzo's eyes lit up. Ecstasy surging in his heart. He didn't expect that at this final moment, it wasn't suppression.
That's right. I am ultimately Hiruzen's companion of many years. At a time like this, how could he not entrust a heavy responsibility to me?
The smile on Danzo's face was not hidden at all.
"Hiruzen, rest assured. During your absence, no chaos will occur in the village."
After everything was explained, Hiruzen selected six ANBU and Root ninjas with Jonin strength and entrusted Kakashi to act as the head of the ANBU.
Then he set off immediately.
The Daimyo was pressing hard. So Hiruzen could only depart hastily.
The next day, everything was as usual.
In the underground laboratory barrier space, Zenji looked at the giant Box of Ultimate Bliss.
"Its essence is still chakra. Merely a manifestation after the combination of desire and massive chakra. Similar to some techniques of the Zero-Tails Tailed Beast."
"So in reality, it's still special chakra. It's just that this technique—which uses a human as a vessel and then transforms—is very distinctive."
A hint of thought flashed in Zenji's eyes. This strong sense of familiarity—wasn't it just like a Jinchuriki?
It was just that it wasn't a plug-in type like a Jinchuriki. But a true fusion transformation.
"To say these two have absolutely no connection—I wouldn't believe it."
As Zenji was pondering, a flash of inspiration crossed his mind. He suddenly had an idea.
"Manifestation of desire. Inner dark chakra. Everyone has negative emotions. Then could I develop a technique that allows everyone to shape a creature similar to a Tailed Beast? Which can be summoned and transformed into?"
Zenji paused at this thought. Why did it feel a bit similar to Susanoo?
"Brilliant. If it really works, I can even use this to control everyone."
"When the time comes, I can directly create a massive amount of mid-to-high-end combat power. Even without super Kage-level strength, I can normally initiate the plan."
"However, the Six Paths level is still a difficult problem. All Ninjutsu within the ordinary chakra system cannot cause damage to a Six Paths-level powerhouse."
"This way, the advantage of numbers completely disappears."
Zenji frowned deeply.
For Six Paths-level combat power, could he really only rely on the ultimate Ten-Tails God Tree?
While Zenji was troubled by this major problem, Hiruzen had already boarded a ship. Heading toward the islands of the Land of Water.
Hiruzen wasn't wearing his Hokage cloak. But rather an armor-style combat uniform. With just a layer of clothing draped over it.
"How much longer?"
"We will reach land in less than ten minutes."
An ANBU ninja hurriedly spoke.
"Have we communicated with the Hidden Mist Village?"
"They told us not to act casually after landing."
"What about intelligence? Is there any specific intelligence regarding the monsters?"
"They requested to communicate intelligence only after we land."
Hiruzen's heart was heavy. His safety in this mission was secondary. What was important was regaining the Daimyo's trust.
So he had to complete the mission perfectly.
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