Chapter:36

The news that a Konoha search team had encountered an enemy possessing the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai quickly spread throughout the village, leaving everyone in shock.

The Wood Release, a powerful ability that had been exclusive to the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, had long been thought lost. Hashirama had used it to capture and control the Tailed Beasts, establishing Konoha's dominance over the ninja world. Under his leadership, Konoha had once been the strongest village, feared and respected by all. Unfortunately, after the First Hokage's death, the village lost its grip on this power, as no one else in the Senju clan was able to inherit the Wood Release.

Now, with news of its sudden reappearance in the hands of an enemy, Konoha's leadership had no choice but to convene an emergency meeting.

"Hokage-sama, we heard reports that the search team faced a powerful enemy with the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai. Is this information accurate?" Nara Shikaku, the intelligent and strategic head of the Nara clan, asked seriously.

The Third Hokage, looking aged with wrinkles and wearing his signature Hokage robe, sighed and confirmed the shocking news. "Yes, the reports are true. The search team did encounter an individual using Wood Release. Tragically, one of our own was killed."

The room buzzed with murmurs of disbelief. Many had heard the rumors but found it hard to believe. After all, the Wood Release had been exclusive to Hashirama. Now it had reappeared, not within Konoha, but in the hands of an enemy.

"Hokage-sama, is it possible that this person is a member of the Senju clan who had been living outside of the village?" Inuzuka Tsume, the fierce head of the Inuzuka clan, asked with suspicion.

The Third Hokage shook his head. "We investigated the Senju family lineage and found no evidence of any members living outside the village. Furthermore, there has not been a single person in the Senju clan who inherited the Wood Release since the First Hokage."

A wave of confusion swept over the council. If it wasn't someone from the Senju clan, then who could have the power of the Wood Release?

"It's Uchiha Obito." Uchiha Fugaku, the head of the Uchiha clan, Thought in his mind.

Fugaku, knowing that Obito had transplanted Hashirama's cells to gain the Wood Release, felt certain that he was the one responsible. As the head of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku found the thought intriguing. He wondered if Uchiha Shisui, who had also been on the mission, had crossed paths with Obito. That would have been an encounter he would have liked to witness, given that both were his enemies. Such a clash would allow him to distance himself from any suspicion regarding Kakuzu's death, placing the blame on Shisui instead. Furthermore, it would divert both Akatsuki's and Obito's attention toward Shisui, lessening the pressure on him as the Uchiha clan leader.

With a smirk, Fugaku directed his gaze toward the Third Hokage. For too long, the upper echelon of Konoha had been pushing back against him and the Uchiha clan. Now, it was his chance to strike back.

"Hokage-sama, may I ask a question?" Fugaku began, his tone calm but with a hint of challenge.

The Third Hokage, ever the politician, maintained a composed demeanor. "Of course, Fugaku. What is it you would like to ask?"

With all eyes on him, Fugaku took his chance. "We all know that Orochimaru was declared a traitor for performing forbidden experiments on fellow ninja. I'm curious, what exactly were these experiments that led to his defection?"

Before the Hokage could respond, Danzo Shimura, the ever-scheming leader of Root, interjected harshly. "Fugaku, we are here to discuss the threat of the Wood Release user. Orochimaru's experiments are unrelated. Why are you bringing this up now?"

Fugaku met Danzo's gaze with cold confidence. "Actually, Danzo, the two matters are closely connected."

"Stop this nonsense, Fugaku!" Danzo shouted, trying to shut down the conversation. As someone deeply involved with Orochimaru's experiments, Danzo couldn't afford for the truth to be exposed.

But Fugaku ignored Danzo's outburst, continuing without hesitation. "Orochimaru's forbidden experiments involved using the cells of the First Hokage to artificially recreate the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai."

A stunned silence fell over the room as the implications of Fugaku's statement sank in

(End of the Chapter).

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