Chapter 155

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"I'm back, Yoichi-sama."

Mina returned from the Konoha Hospital and saw Yugito walking into the house. She was still wearing knee-high white socks, her small feet moving quickly across the floor with a soft tapping sound. Minna couldn't help but ask curiously, "What's up with her?"

"Maybe she's tired," Yoichi replied with a serious expression. He swore it was just a joke earlier, but he hadn't expected Yugito to take it seriously.

After coming back, she had found a pair of white knee-high socks and emerged from the house with her golden hair tied in a single ponytail, her face conflicted and full of dislike.

Ultimately, Yoichi had to lie down on the sofa and receive a back massage—a massage, I swear!

The soft, white-socked feet were perfect for massaging, helping to ease muscle tension.

In the end, Samui returned, but before she was released, Yoichi used the Sharingan to learn how they had planned to bring Yugito back to Kumogakure.

The Cloud ninjas intended to use the Six Paths tools to lure Yugito into the Red Gourd and then send it back to the Cloud Village using the Heavenly Transfer Technique.

After hearing this, Yoichi was glad Yugito hadn't agreed. Her reluctance to return to Kumogakure could have allowed the Cloud to succeed with this method.

The method for the Heavenly Transfer Technique was also known to Yoichi, and he planned to train some Uchiha clan members to use it. Combined with the Amber Purifying Pot, it could enable instant deliveries.

Even a small mountain's worth of goods could be transported in seconds.

Many of the Cloud's secret techniques could be taught within the Uchiha clan, but Lightning Release ninjutsu would be difficult due to the few clan members with lightning attributes.

"Mina, how is the cultivation of Hashirama cells progressing?"

"We've started, but both my cells and Mikoto's fuse slowly with Hashirama's cells. They're not like Yoichi-sama's."

Mina leaned against Yoichi. Ever since Mikoto moved out to accompany her son, she had monopolized more and more of Yoichi-sama's time. Waking up in his embrace made her incredibly happy.

"At the current rate, it might take another month. I can use Shadow Clones to monitor things."

"No need to rush. First, ensure your own fusion with Hashirama cells. If war breaks out, you'll have to be on the battlefield."

The Chūnin Exams hadn't fully eliminated the threat of war. While Iwagakure had disrupted Sarutobi Hiruzen's plans, they hadn't completely succeeded.

Despite nine Iwagakure genin advancing to the third stage, the top two positions still went to Konoha genin.

Of Yoichi's three students, two became chūnin. Kazuhito had the skills, but he was unlucky and faced a teammate.

Rumi was severely injured and hospitalized, so Team 8 hadn't celebrated yet. They'd wait until she recovered.

Team 8 would likely be disbanded. With Yoichi being both the Uchiha clan head and Police Force captain, and with Kurenai and Rumi as chūnin, the four couldn't form a squad anymore.

Yoichi planned to negotiate to keep them as a chūnin squad for missions.

Their team was perfectly balanced: genjutsu, taijutsu, and ninjutsu. Kazuhito, with his Sage Curse Mark, could enhance any jutsu severalfold, even performing D-rank Fire Release at special jōnin levels.

---

"Danzo, why did you send someone to kill Jiraiya's students, especially near Konoha?"

Hiruzen scolded, "Now they've been caught, and Jiraiya knows. If you don't provide a proper explanation, your Root ninjas will be ambushed outside the village."

Jiraiya could easily do that. He wouldn't kill them, just knock them out and leave them. What could Danzo do? Retaliate similarly?

"It was a request from Hanzō of Amegakure. The Akatsuki posed a threat to him, and you approved the alliance with Amegakure."

Danzo frowned, not realizing Jiraiya's students were Akatsuki leaders.

He had known Jiraiya had taught students in the Land of Rain but hadn't known they led the Akatsuki.

"Since these three have a connection to you, Root won't intervene anymore. It was Hanzō's request, which you approved."

Danzo dismissed himself from responsibility, frustrated that his men had been caught for fulfilling their duties.

"Danzo..."

Hiruzen's face twitched, but Danzo showed no intention of staying and left the Hokage's office.

Sarutobi called in the Anbu, who brought the Akatsuki intel. The Root had collected some after forming the Amegakure alliance and had shared it with the Anbu.

"The Akatsuki created peaceful towns and opposes war, advocating peaceful negotiations. They have around sixty ninjas and over five hundred outer members, earning significant recognition. No wonder Hanzō felt threatened."

Sarutobi reflected on Yahiko's achievements. At such a young age, he had grown an organization to this scale. If given ten more years, when the three leaders reached their peak, what could the Akatsuki become?

"Jiraiya's three disciples have potential, but Hanzō is too important to Konoha now."

Sarutobi felt torn. Amegakure's alliance with Konoha was crucial to holding back Sunagakure. Although missions in the Land of Rivers were ceded to Amegakure, their presence kept Sunagakure focused on them.

If the alliance broke down and Hanzō withdrew, Konoha would have to face Sunagakure directly.

Konoha lacked the manpower to fight on multiple fronts, and tensions with the Cloud were also high.

After some thought, Sarutobi had the Anbu call in Jiraiya, who came alone.

"Old man, have you figured out why the Root attacked my students?"

Jiraiya asked loudly after entering. Seeing his intent, Sarutobi replied curtly, "Danzo didn't know the Akatsuki leaders were your disciples, and it's fortunate this information didn't leak. Otherwise, Hanzō would come after us."

He handed the Akatsuki intel to Jiraiya.

"So many people... My students did well!"

Jiraiya laughed, but Sarutobi knocked his pipe against the table and said sternly, "The Root attacked your students because of the conditions in the Kikyo Castle alliance. Hanzō saw the Akatsuki as a threat and wanted them gone."

"Hanzō's request? That old geezer..."

Jiraiya clicked his tongue, realizing the complexity.

"What now, old man?"

"We can't turn against Hanzō, or Sunagakure may act again."

After a pause, Sarutobi continued, "Let them pretend to be hunted by Konoha once. You're causing the trouble, so handle it yourself."

"What? You want a teacher to hunt his students? You're something else, old man."

Jiraiya waved his hands in refusal.

"Would you hunt your own students?"

"I said pretend. Just make it look like they're mortally wounded but escape."

Sarutobi banged the table, saying, "Konoha can secretly aid the Akatsuki with funding, medical, or living supplies, but the alliance with Hanzō must hold. Otherwise, the Kikyo Castle battle will repeat."

"Even pretending feels wrong... Fine, I'll explain to Yahiko. They should understand their teacher."

Jiraiya scratched his head and left the office but popped his head back in before leaving.

"Old man, how much are you giving Yahiko?"

"Get out! You're a Konoha ninja!"

---

"Danzo-sama, I didn't expect you to personally transplant Hashirama cells. Quite surprising..."

Orochimaru's golden slit pupils flashed as he watched Danzo arrive at his base with a team.

"There's nothing surprising about it. The First Hokage's power will be greater with me. But I need to record the procedure, alright?"

Danzo asked as he lay down on the operating table, not giving Orochimaru a chance to refuse. As Hokage's advisor, any unexpected complications needed documentation.

Danzo wanted to study the process himself.

"Whatever, Danzo-sama. You have more nerve than Sarutobi-sensei, and the more chakra you have, the stronger Wood Release will be."

Orochimaru couldn't be bothered to argue. Documenting the procedure wouldn't help. Processing Hashirama cells was the most crucial step. Recording the transplantation alone would lead Danzo to his death.

"Who are the two Sarutobi sent for their surgeries?"

"I don't know. Anbu identities are kept secret, and they wore masks during surgery."

Orochimaru said, though he recognized one as Sarutobi's eldest son.

Having completed many missions together, he was familiar with the injuries on Shinnosuke's body.

The procedure was soon complete. Danzo stood up, seeing only small wounds on his body.

He could feel his chakra gradually changing.

"Test it, Danzo-sama."

Orochimaru handed over a chakra test paper. Danzo specialized in Wind Release, so Water and Earth attributes would indicate Wood Release.

The paper split in half as Danzo infused it, with one half crumbling and the other getting wet.

Now possessing two new chakra attributes, Danzo had gained Wood Release.

"Orochimaru, your curse mark technique—"

"If you don't have sufficient payment, don't bother asking."

Orochimaru shook his head.

"This is practically my trump card."

"The Scroll of Seals?"

"Not enough. The scroll holds little appeal."

Orochimaru sighed, "You likely don't have what I want. Let's discuss this another time."

He lacked interest. What he needed most was an assistant skilled in medical ninjutsu, like Mina.

Danzo snorted, seeing the recording nod. He left with a huff.

A few days after the Chūnin Exams ended, the ninja world seemed peaceful.

But it was merely surface calm. Kitsuchi of Iwagakure returned and shared everything he'd seen in Konoha, including the Cloud-Konoha interactions and the Wood Release.

Kitsuchi hadn't seen the Wood Release, but Ōnoki had lived through the era when it pacified the Warring States. He'd also personally experienced the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

The Kumogakure-Konoha conflict in the Land of Hot Water had ended too quickly for Iwagakure to intervene.

This time, the Third Raikage had reached out, and Ōnoki was interested to see what he had to say.

Yahiko and Konan also returned, crestfallen upon learning Hanzō was behind the assassination attempt. They had once admired him and hoped he shared their ideals.

But now, Yahiko was at a loss.

After some thought, he agreed to Konoha's request. He didn't believe Jiraiya would deceive him, and the Akatsuki badly needed supplies.

To carry out their rescue missions, they needed materials.

So, at the Land of Rain-Fire border, Yahiko was visibly "seriously wounded" in front of a patrolling Rain squad.

The Akatsuki arrived to rescue him, and Jiraiya's team returned to Konoha.

(End of Chapter)

(PS: I'm don't have a foot fetish! It was just necessary for the plot.)