"Atsukara, the Konoha Assassin!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi murmured the name under his breath, but his fists were already clenched.
Chakra, brimming with killing intent, escaped from his body, growing stronger by the second.
The Konoha Assassin. Atsukara Organization.
They were enemies of the Sarutobi clan. Ever since they sided with the Uchiha, they were destined to be foes.
Especially after what happened with the Hyuga clan last time, when a few members of Atsukara threatened him, it was a humiliation for him as Hokage.
In the end, he could only watch helplessly as they left. There was nothing he could do. Humiliation—that would forever remain his shame.
But back then, for Konoha and his clan, it had been the best choice.
Now, however, he had no patience left for them.
Damn it.
Atsukara must be destroyed.
"All right, I agree with your plan!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said, looking at Danzo Shimura's determined eyes. "The Sarutobi clan will work hard to cover the Root's tracks!"
Yes!
Danzo simply nodded. In his mind, it was only natural for the Sarutobi clan to help him. After all, Root ultimately served Hiruzen Sarutobi. It was normal for Hiruzen to protect him.
"By the way, did he find out about your research on Edo Tensei?" Hiruzen suddenly asked, his tone unusually serious. If it was discovered that they were secretly studying Edo Tensei, their plans might need to move faster.
"No!" Danzo shook his head confidently. He glanced at the remaining lab personnel in their white coats. "I marked them all with the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal. There's no way they can leak any information!"
Danzo prided himself on being unbeatable at keeping secrets.
No one in Root, even under interrogation, could reveal its secrets. That was the terrifying power of the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal.
Hiruzen nodded, squinting as he looked at Danzo. It seemed the plan would have to start anew.
As he pondered, Hiruzen continued, "Have Homura and Koharu come as well. There are matters to discuss."
"Discuss?" Danzo's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing further, simply nodding.
It was about time to discuss. The plan needed to begin.
Nearby, Eisuke Sarutobi listened to the two men, his eyes confused, unsure what they were talking about.
Discuss? Discuss what exactly?
But...
Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo's solemn expressions, it was clear that this was a serious matter.
Outside Konoha, beside a small lake, there was a laboratory.
The air shimmered with spatial fluctuations.
Genya appeared, accompanied by Kakashi and a team of missing people.
The moment he arrived, several gazes locked onto him. Genya remained indifferent, but Kakashi's body tensed.
He could feel that those gazes carried a tangible weight, forcing him to instinctively become alert.
Following his senses, he saw several somewhat familiar faces.
They were the three who caused the Hyuga clan's main family annihilation during the clan's massacre. Among them was also someone he knew well—Hyuga Neji.
These four were incredibly strong. In fact, they had already surpassed him—no, they were far beyond him.
Kakashi had always prided himself on being a genius, but in front of these four, his abilities were almost insignificant.
The oppressive aura each of them radiated even felt stronger than facing the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Fortunately, the four were initially wary, but when their eyes met Genya, a clear recognition softened their gazes.
Their expressions became gentle.
"Finally, Genya, you've come. Are you here to assign us missions?" Deidara said, bouncing with anticipation. "I've grown impatient staying here!"
He had been researching here for several years, and his art had reached mastery.
It was time to carry out some missions, to let the explosive wind sweep across the ninja world.
Kimimaro and Jugo also bristled with excitement.
They had long wanted to get out and explore; staying in the lab was too dull.
Hyuga Neji, however, remained indifferent. If he had free time, he'd rather spend it taking care of his mother.
"You all should stay put here for a while," Genya said, glancing at the restless Deidara. "Things are about to get lively."
"What kind of lively?" Deidara's eyes gleamed with interest.
"Someone is probably coming to hunt you," Genya said calmly.
"Hunt us?" Deidara's interest spiked, his eyes shining even brighter. "A coalition from several nations?"
A coalition from several nations?
Kakashi paused with his hand halfway to removing his mask, sneaking another glance at Deidara.
This Deidara really had a wild imagination.
A coalition from several nations? Did he think the ninja of Konoha alone couldn't contain them?
They really are underestimating Konoha!
"Maybe they are Konoha's ninjas. Or perhaps some dead ones too!" Genya said casually.
But the emphasis in his words was clearly intentional.
He had walked through the Root experimental base. Although Danzo had placed the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal on those people to prevent leaks, Genya had already noticed some irregularities.
Back then, Orochimaru wanted to study the Reanimation Jutsu. But because he was focused on creating new humans through gene fusion, the Reanimation Jutsu had been set aside. He was now working hard to perfect his new ideal host!
That host was still based on Genya's cells.
Unexpectedly, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura had started messing with the Reanimation Jutsu again. How interesting.
"Dead ninjas?"
Deidara scratched his head at Genya's words, utterly confused. What are dead ninjas?
Could dead ninjas even be revived?
This was beyond Deidara's imagination.
But nearby, Kimimaro narrowed his eyes. "The Reanimation Jutsu… you're saying someone is researching it?"
He had once followed Orochimaru, who studied ways to bring the dead back to life.
The Reanimation Jutsu!
Could it be that someone in Konoha was researching the Reanimation Jutsu too?
"Looks like you still remember this technique," Genya said to Kimimaro with a nod and a smile.
"When I followed Orochimaru, he was always working on the Reanimation Jutsu. But the people reanimated were always weaker than when they were alive. The stronger they had been, the weaker they became… he was constantly trying to improve it."
Kimimaro explained, then added, "But this jutsu requires a new life to serve as a vessel for the revived soul. Orochimaru used missing-nin as vessels. Who are Konoha using?"
As he spoke, his eyes narrowed, showing disdain. "It seems even great Konoha isn't such a noble place after all."
The Reanimation Jutsu…
Kakashi listened to Kimimaro, his expression growing heavier and heavier.
****
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