Chapter 88
After parting ways with Orochimaru, Haruki didn't leave the research building.
Instead, he headed to a lower laboratory.
Orochimaru's former location was the lowest level, but an almost sealed underground hall had been specially created to house Hiruko and forty Hyuga branch ninjas.
This was mainly to prevent Hiruko from escaping.
As for the Hyuga branch ninjas, under Haruki's reasoning and emotional persuasion, they now believed he and Hyuga Kazushi collaboration to use Shimura Danzo to overthrow the Hyuga elders and the Caged Bird seal.
The most important thing was they had seen the current changes in the Hyuga clan.
Otherwise, no matter how persuasive he was, they wouldn't have trusted the one who imprisoned them.
Unless it was Stockholm syndrome.
"Hyuga Setsu."
Haruki knocked on the door. Among the forty Hyuga branch ninjas, Hyuga Setsu had the highest prestige and was the appointed leader.
"Master Haruki?"
Hyuga Setsu, about thirty years old, usually serious, showed a change in expression upon seeing Haruki.
Because he remembered Haruki had said that their next meeting would be their time of liberation.
"Sit."
Haruki pointed to a wooden chair and said, "You should know that Hiruko was originally under Shimura Danzo."
Hyuga Setsu nodded.
"I've discussed with your clan head; it's time for you to return to the world, and we will give Shimura Danzo a surprise."
Haruki whispered instructions into his ear.
Hyuga Setsu's eyes widened; this would completely sever ties between the Hyuga clan and Shimura Danzo.
"Don't worry, your clan head has agreed. Since he has such courage, how can you hesitate?"
Haruki patted his shoulder, encouraging him.
Hyuga Setsu felt a rush of blood.
Yes.
The Hyuga clan had been silent for too long. The clan head dared to challenge Shimura Danzo, so how could he not live up to the clan head?
"Master Haruki, rest assured!" Hyuga Setsu patted his chest, saying, "I will accomplish this, or die trying!"
"Without a head, how could you see me?" Haruki joked.
"Heh heh."
Hyuga Setsu smiled awkwardly, then remembered something and took out a notebook, "I've recorded all of Hiruko's suspicious activities."
Haruki flipped through it casually, seeing that Hiruko indeed added ingredients to the Chimera Technique.
"Well done." He put away the notebook, "Go, do as I said."
"Yes!" Hyuga Setsu answered excitedly.
Once he completed this task, he could go home.
He had longed for the reborn Hyuga clan without the Caged Bird seal, feeling like he had found a new purpose in life.
He might have a few more kids with his wife and possibly even become the clan head, bringing honor to his family.
After finishing his business, Haruki left the research building.
---
"Tsunade, I'm back."
Haruki changed his shoes and closed the door, heading to the study.
Tsunade was at the desk, writing something.
Sunlight fell on her, making her blonde hair sparkle.
Haruki approached her from behind to see what she was writing.
It turned out to be engagement invitations.
Tsunade's handwriting was quite good.
His own, well, was like chicken scratch, or to put it nicely, modern cursive.
"You can let Omoki and the others help."
Haruki massaged Tsunade's shoulders, suggesting.
"How can I let others handle my engagement invitations?"
Tsunade glared at him, "You stop massaging and help me write."
"Alright."
Haruki kissed her cheek quickly, then picked up a beautiful invitation, writing carefully.
Though not pretty, his handwriting was neat.
Tsunade, realizing what happened, laughed softly.
Haruki wrote for a while and realized something was off.
There were too many invitations.
Given their statuses and connections, their engagement would be a major event in Konoha.
All notable ninjas would attend.
Even though they were writing mainly for important guests, it was still a lot.
It took until night for Haruki to finish writing.
He rubbed his sore fingers, reminded of writing numerous exam papers in high school.
"Anyone missing?"
Tsunade stretched and checked the invitations against the guest list.
"One more." Haruki smiled, "Jiraiya."
"Huh?" Tsunade looked at him in confusion.
"What 'huh'?"
Haruki pinched her cheek, "Have you forgotten him because he hasn't been around?"
"You're still laughing!" Tsunade swatted his hand, "Go write his invitation!"
"I'll notify him." Haruki shrugged, smiling, "Hope he's not too happy."
Happy enough to want to kill him.
Jiraiya, believing in the Toad Sage's prophecy, devoted his life, even risking his life, to find and train the Child of Prophecy.
He gave up many things, including his feelings for Tsunade.
Since learning of the prophecy, he rarely mentioned anything about love.
Yet, he was bold enough to say 'I'll send you a love letter later' when he first met Tsunade.
Haruki silently wrote the invitation.
Jiraiya, I swear by my manly pride, you'll live long this life.
---
"Done."
Haruki blew on the invitation, "Finally done. How about a midnight snack?"
"We haven't had dinner, and you're thinking of midnight snacks?" Tsunade stood up, complaining.
"It's late, already time for a midnight snack."
Haruki put down the invitation and suggested, "How about milk and bread? I heard drinking milk before bed is good for beauty."
He opened the fridge, took out milk and bread, and warmed them up in the kitchen.
"By the way, I have something to tell you."
He watched Tsunade sip milk, wiping the milk ring from her lips.
"Hira Shinsi told me this afternoon that Shimura Danzo is using your grandfather Senju Hashirama's cells for human experiments to create Wood Release users."
Tsunade froze, then looked angry.
"Weren't those experiments stopped by the Hokage?"
"The allure of Wood Release isn't something the Hokage can stop."
Haruki patted her head, speaking softly, "With Wood Release, Danzo would have a trump card to turn the tide. He won't give up, and to him, sacrificing some people is nothing."
"That bastard!" Tsunade gritted her teeth.
"If it were death row inmates or enemy ninjas, it'd be one thing, but he's forcing his own people into experiments. It's unforgivable."
Haruki narrowed his eyes. To avoid suspicion, Orochimaru hadn't used villagers in experiments this time, nor had he taken lives. He had some limits.
But Danzo had no such concerns.
His and the Root's hands were stained with blood.
"I plan to report him to the Hokage."
"You…"
Tsunade immediately looked worried, knowing Danzo's methods and status.
"Don't worry."
Haruki explained his plan.
Though not entirely honorable, it was acceptable for a ninja, especially against Danzo.
Haruki hugged Tsunade's soft body, gradually revealing his plans because couples should be honest with each other.