Chapter 14

"The appearance, however, is not the most remarkable feature of our companions. And if I didn't notice it right away, then after ten minutes I managed to figure out some irregularity in the sensation of the Uzumaki.

At first glance, my sensor abilities identified the chakra reserve of each Chunin as almost equal to Mom's, which is clearly not uncommon for members of this clan, so I didn't pay much attention to it, but over time I began to notice some irregularity.

If for many ordinary Chunin, chakra felt like an amorphous formation within the body's contour, then for the red-haired Chunin, it was more like a thick liquid, much denser than for ordinary shinobi. And only after I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on my sensations, my jaw dropped — they were hiding their chakra, and each of the Uzumaki had a reserve exceeding what Linli had by three or four times!

Damn, now it's clear why all five great nations were afraid of them — if a Chunin has so much chakra, then how much do Jounin and Kage have?! And this is not to forget that the chakra of the red-haired clan is much stronger than that of ordinary shinobi!

At least now it's clear why Kumo wanted to get Kushina — in a couple of generations, the village that laid hands on the last representative of the clan will gain a significant advantage over its neighbors in combat power.

Taking a step back from the shock, I sighed and looked sadly at the ship we were heading towards.

I'm afraid if what I discovered concerns all the shinobi of Uzushiogakure no Sato, then my sensor abilities will undergo a thorough examination. However, I have a couple of days to at least slightly dampen my sensitivity."

***

In two days. Anbu's underground base "Ne". Danzo Shimura's office.

- Danzo-sama," the monotonous voice of a shinobi who appeared from the darkness of the office made the head of Anbu's underground organization raise his head from his papers.

- Report.

- The mission to capture the representatives of the Senju and Uzumaki clan ended in failure," the subordinate reported in a voice devoid of any emotion.

- The seven operatives sent on the mission did not report in on time.

- If they don't show up within five hours, send a couple of scouts to the suspected capture site," Shimura ordered after a few minutes of deliberation, not showing a shade of displeasure at the news, "have one more man stand guard at the gate, and if Senju's team returns to the village, report to me immediately.

* * *

One day later. Hokage's office.

- Danzo-Danzo, you and your emotionless dummies are getting a little crazy," the Third Hokage shook his head, taking a long puff from his favorite smoking pipe and glaring at his old rival. - Trying to capture a member of the Senju clan and a relative of the ruling Nara family would be a total loss of mind!

- I don't know what you mean, Hokage-sama," Danzo replied nonchalantly.

- You don't? Perhaps this will refresh your memory," Sarutobi snorted, tossing a small scroll to the head of Anbu's spin-off.

- And what does it have to do with me when the report mentions Kiri shinobi?

- The former shinobi gave a natural look of surprise, but there was no one in the office to appreciate his efforts.

- And that's because you shouldn't think others are dumber than you are! Especially members of the Nara clan! - The Hokage suddenly growled, accompanying his words with a tremendous amount of CI pressure. - This morning, the official who leaked the information that Ryu Uzumaki-Nara and his mother and Senju Linley's team were leaving the village, as well as where they were going, died unexpectedly in the ANBU dungeon. Do you think our chief strategist will be able to put two and two together to get the right conclusion? Especially with five bodies that hardly belong to the Kirigakure shinobi and who used techniques typical of the Fire Nation when they were alive.

The Head of the Root prudently remained silent, hesitant to object.

- Danzo, despite the lack of direct evidence against you and your organization, thanks solely to my intervention, Nara was able to put two and two together to reach a conclusion. Unfortunately for you, he shared it with his allies, Senju, Inuzuka and Hyuga.

- What does that have to do with the latter, Hokage-sama?

- You see, my old friend, you made the mistake of thinking that since Nara Saya only hired one escort team, they would be the only ones guarding her," Sarutobi took a drag on his pipe, "Unfortunately for you, Patriarch Nara hired another team led by Yonshi Hyuga of the main branch of the clan.

Danzo's stone-faced mask cracked slightly due to the nervous twitching of his right eye. The Third Hokage paused meaningfully and blew a ring of smoke, letting such news settle in the mind of his interlocutor. If the perpetrator of such a puncture was still alive, the aging shinobi would do his best to make his death as slow and painful as possible. For the sake of the others.

- As recently as today, a couple hours ago, I had a very unpleasant meeting with the heads of the six clans and Mito Uzumaki, who was kindly privy to Senjou's situation. And I really didn't like to listen to that barrage of quite fair slop that was poured on my head due to the loss of a valuable source of information under the protection of 'my' Anbu. And especially the fact that if it happened again and all the evidence was lost by accident, the clans would take over the investigation and no one, including me, would be spared.

- I understand, Hokage-sama," Danzo bowed his head, hiding the disgruntled grin that crept onto his face despite the efforts of the experienced shinobi.

- It's good that you understand," Sarutobi nodded, "I don't mind when you recruit among the orphans from the orphanage. But if you decide to do the same with clan children, you can order your own coffin - I'll personally rip your head off, just so I won't be removed as Hokage just because I'm as responsible for the actions of 'your' people as you are. Don't get too excited Danzo, or we'll both go down! Do you understand me?!

- Yes, Hokage-sama, I understand," Shimura replied flatly, bowing in a bow and trying to hide the rage that was seething inside.

For a veteran of the Great Shinobi War, it was becoming more and more difficult to defy the will of the clan leaders every year, and only their impending weakening or even destruction warmed Shimura's soul.

- Hiruzen relaxed and said to his former rival, "Don't forget that the clans currently make up two-thirds of our fighting strength, and on the eve of a new war is not the time for internal strife.

- Yes, Hokage-sama, I understand that," Danzo nodded and walked out of the office.

- You do understand, but you're not going to give up your dream of having a kekkei genkai soldier in your army," Sarutobi sighed, returning to the curse of any leader: paperwork.