[A/N: Read the comment. Yeah, I agree too pacing has been a slow since Danzo's death. To be honest, it'll be slow for some time going forward (2 weeks maybe). Several reasons for it. Thought I'd just put it here instead of having to read the same comments again and again.
1. Danzo's death has a great impact on Konoha. Especially because of all the bullshit Fujin spewed in the process of killing him. I felt it was important to cover how the village would react and prepare for it. After all, the things they learn here (even though false) are more impactful than even Obito declaring the Fourth Great Ninja War.
2. It was also a good opportunity to show how the village will prepare and plan to deal with the future. This also helps to set in motion certain changes that'll change the future drastically (which is something many keep demanding). Covering all this takes a lot of chapters.
3. And finally, the biggest reason probably is because I enjoyed writing this part a lot. It was a refreshing change after I had struggled with writing during the previous battle (granted, nothing compares to the writer's blocks I faced in the next arc, but that's for later). So, I ended writing a bit too much and this post-Danzo phase stretched considerably.
So, keep an open mind and endure with me for a bit guys. You may enjoy the chapters more that way. If you can't, take a couple of weeks of break and read them in one go once we reach the next arc. Take care :)]
Danzo's confidence raised Tsunade's curiosity. Kakashi and Shizune were keen to hear his tactics too.
Danzo said, "The first step forward is to help ninjas that are on the edge of becoming rank S to take the step forward. You should focus on our Elite Jounins. The biggest limitation most ninjas face is their chakra reserves. You can aid them in this aspect by increasing their cellular activity, which in turn will become a forbidden technique in their arsenal."
"Increasing cellular activity?" Kakashi asked curiously. As someone whose chakra reserves restrained him heavily, Kakashi was intrigued by Danzo's words.
Hiruzen answered, "It's a technique Orochimaru created with Tsunade's assistance. By energizing the cells and artificially increasing their activity, a ninjas chakra reserves can be boosted permanently. It also aids the ninja in controlling his cellular activity, which is both a blessing and a curse.
If someone overexerts their cells, it'll leave lasting and untreatable damage on their cells, effectively harming their potential and slowly decreasing their strength. It'll have the opposite effect of what was intended. Hence, it was kept a secret. I'm sure you can understand."
Kakashi nodded helplessly, thinking, 'My Sharingan already puts a great strain on my body, overexerting me until I'm left in a semi-paralyzed state. I'll have to be very careful if I learn this technique.'
Danzo continued, "Just increasing cellular activity wouldn't be sufficient to cross the line since its effects are dependent on the ninja and the boost, though substantial, isn't decisive enough on its own. It would have to be augmented by proper guidance from Hiruzen. If they still can't take the final step after receiving his guidance, it'll be hopeless to focus on them.
If Akuro is linked to Akatsuki, just gaining a few new rank S ninjas will help us gain an upper hand. If he's indeed an ancient expert, then these new rank S ninjas will have to continue gaining strength over the next few years to be able to participate in high level battles.
You should focus more on the younger Elite Jounins first.
Asuma, with his affinity towards Wind and Fire, could potentially assist Fujin. Hiruzen, you could teach him the basics of Fujin's Wind Domain. If he masters it, he'll be a formidable ninja."
Hiruzen nodded. The thought had already crossed his mind. Danzo continued, "Fujin's former teammate, Hyuga Hoka, is an interesting prospect too. Much like Fujin, Hoka prefers to keep his strength hidden as well. If not for the ninjas Orochimaru reanimated, I wouldn't have discovered his formidable strength. His strength should have only grown since then.
He also seems very cautious of the Hyuga's main family. You should keep that in mind while guiding him.
Tagawa Renji from the Anbu is a promising prospect too. I had my eye on him for a while. He would have a difficult time reaching rank S by himself like Fujin did, but this calamity might just be the opportunity he needs. With the right guidance, he could take the next step too.
If Tenzo can replicate some of Lord First's techniques, he can improve too. Unfortunately, I don't have much hope towards it. Even though he gained Wood Release, there seems to be a fundamental difference between his and Lord First's Wood Release.
However, if he can learn your Strength of a Hundred Seal and replicate Lord First's healing technique, it might be sufficient too. Perhaps there may be some unexpected gains if he gains access to chakra from the Strength of a Hundred Seal."
Tsunade thoughtfully said, "Due to his former experiments, increasing cellular activity wouldn't work on him, or rather, Orochimaru has already done so in a different manner. But I'll work with him on the rest."
Danzo nodded, leaving it entirely to Tsunade who was the best equipped to deal with it. He continued, "And lastly, there are the clan leaders. All have been Elite Jounins for a long while. I don't need to tell you about them."
Tsunade nodded. When Danzo mentioned Elite Jounins, they were the ones who appeared in her mind first. Danzo continued, "The ninjas who are over 30 and still haven't become Elite Jounins can be ignored, unless they have a sudden growth spurt. Same for Elite Jounins who are over 50.
The ones who successfully become rank S with your help and are already SealMasters will have to change their focus entirely to Fuinjutsu until they become Grandmasters and learn Reaper Death Seal. Hiashi, Inoichi, Shibi, Hokuto and Renji are our best bets. Kakashi, you should try too.
Unlike other aspects, Fuinjutsu doesn't require the ninja to be young. I started focusing on it in my late twenties and became a Grandmaster in my thirties. So, they can become Grandmasters by utilizing the Shadow Clone jutsu. Just ensure proper medical assistance for them.
Raising more will be difficult. Our current Grandmasters, who aren't already rank S, are unlikely to ever reach that rank. Your only hope would be from the younger generations, who should be your focus once you're done with this. If we are lucky, we may have another genius like Orochimaru, you, Minato or Fujin, who reached both rank S and Fuinjutsu Grandmaster in their teens."
Tsunade thought, 'That'll be the best, but it's asking for too much. It'll also be a waste to have someone like that sacrifice their life. But yes, getting 6 more rank S ninjas who know Reaper Death Seal will be a huge boost to our strength. I, Jiraiya and Fujin can learn it too and Sensei can use it again as well.
A shame we can't depend on the older generation for learning the Eight Inner Gates. I'll have to completely depend on Guy for this…'
While Tsunade didn't doubt Guy's strength or his commitment, putting him in-charge of this worried her more than a bit. She could imagine dozens of young ninjas running upside down on their hands on the streets of Konoha!
Hiruzen said, "That'll be a good start. We'll have to simultaneously prepare for guiding the next generation and raise more talents from them. I have a feeling that they'll play the biggest role."
He sighed, "It was a good thing I transferred all the orphans from Kiri to Fujin. I wasn't completely sure of what to expect, but he has done a great job. The five he took under his wing have grown splendidly. All should reach Elite Jounin rank in their teens. There's hope for some to become rank S, thanks to their respective Kekkei Genkai."
Danzo gave Hiruzen the stinky eye. He had worked quite a bit on them before they were taken away from him and handed to Fujin. He scoffed internally, 'Of course they will, considering how many ninjas he pawned them off to! Daily training with Guy for over a year, weekly all-out spars with Hoka and he also pawned some of them on you! It'll be shocking if they hadn't grown strong.'
Danzo said, "The children of most clan leaders graduated not too long ago. It's a shame that none are exceptionally talented, but they aren't bad either. More importantly, their clans can focus on raising them, elevating responsibility from your shoulders.
If Jiraiya can teach Naruto to harness Nine Tails' chakra safely, like how Iwa and Kumo can, he'll be another powerful weapon in our…"
Danzo was interrupted harshly by Tsunade, who rejected his proposal, "I won't treat Naruto as a weapon. Even without the Nine Tails, he'll be a splendid shinobi. Not to mention, it is too risky to mess with the fox."
Danzo frowned. Had he been alive, he'd have argued against Tsunade and called her viewpoint foolish. However, having faced Akuro, Danzo thought, 'Even if we release the entire fox, I doubt he can do much against someone like Akuro once he recovers his strength. Unless we gain complete control over him, he wouldn't be useful for anything other than a distraction.'
He replied, "Don't be too hasty. If several ancient experts appear in a few years and threaten the safety of great villages, we can call for a Five Kage Summit and form an alliance with other villages. Considering the danger and the difference in our strengths, they'll have no choice but to ally with us. Under such circumstances, we can ask them to share their knowledge of gaining control over tailed beasts and let Naruto try to gain control over Nine Tails if he's ready. You can decide about it then."
Tsunade thought for a bit before agreeing with Danzo's new suggestion. He, Tsunade and Hiruzen discussed of several other promising ninjas to focus on to prepare for the war while Kakashi and Shizune contributed to their best knowledge. The discussion continued for more than an hour.
In the end, Danzo turned his gaze to Kakashi and said, "The Lightning Chakra Mode was quite central to Akuro's combat style. If you want to progress to a point where you can confront him or other ancient experts, you'll need to learn the technique as well.
In the past, your father worked closely with Hiruzen to replicate Third Raikage's technique. Unfortunately, we failed to recreate it. However, we had made quite a bit of progress. You should work on it with Hiruzen.
We could also create situations where you see the Fourth Raikage in action. In the past, the Sharingan has failed to copy his technique, but perhaps you may have better luck."
Kakashi agreed immediately. As someone who regularly sparred with Guy, he knew very well how much stronger he'd be with that technique.
Silence spread in the underground base as the group was finally done discussing all ideas. It was finally broken by Hiruzen, who said, "Tsunade, call Jiraiya and Fujin back to the village. It's time to pay Akuro a little visit. I want to see what an ancient expert looks like."
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