Chapter 33 – The Final Step
As mentioned before, the Dragon Flame Song Release Technique had only two true difficulties: first, ocular jutsu tracking; second, sealing techniques.
Now that Minamoto Ren possessed a single-tomoe Sharingan, as long as his dynamic vision could keep up, the Dragon Flame Song Release Technique would be able to automatically lock onto targets. That meant the first hurdle was already cleared.
Seeing the dawn of mastering an A-rank technique before him, Ren felt an unusual surge of excitement. Once again, he threw himself into his studies with sleepless determination… only for that adrenaline to wear off after half a month.
The problem was, sealing techniques were far harder than advanced mathematics. Ocular jutsu tracking could be handled with a Sharingan and a few reference books on tracking ninjutsu, but sealing techniques? There was no shortcut—only painstaking, patient work.
A woman might lie to you, but sealing techniques never will. If you can't do it, you simply can't.
Still, he now had a genuine hope of mastering the Dragon Flame Song Release Technique—he just needed that final step. Ren planned to consult Orochimaru when he returned, hoping to perfect the jutsu as soon as possible.
With that expectation in mind, Ren carried the last section of the sealing technique's incomplete scroll with him every day, waiting for Orochimaru's return.
But Orochimaru didn't show up. Instead, a critically important A-rank mission arrived.
"Escort the 'Konoha Gold' to the daimyō? And it's a joint mission?" Ren was momentarily stunned by Hiruzen Sarutobi's announcement. He'd never even heard of such a thing before.
Team Okada, standing nearby, seemed hesitant to speak. Minato Namikaze lifted his head and looked calmly at the Hokage, waiting for his explanation.
"It's like this," Hiruzen said with a faint smile. "The Konoha Gold mission is an annual task. It's a special war fund granted to Konoha by the daimyō… Consider this a chance to make a name for yourselves. Young people like you should treasure the opportunity!"
It was a classic example of the Hokage's worldview. The world of Naruto was essentially an altered version of Japan's Sengoku period, replacing samurai with ninja. In that context, appearing before the daimyō was naturally considered a good thing. If Hiruzen's favored subordinates made a good impression, they would gain the daimyō's recognition, and the daimyō might increase funding—showing greater confidence in Konoha's future.
Ren had no objections—or rather, unless the day came when he became Hokage himself, he wouldn't have any.
"No questions? If not, you'll depart today. Remember, there are four scrolls containing the Konoha Gold. Not a single one can go missing. If they do, you'll be held accountable!" Hiruzen added a touch of intimidation to his words.
"Yes, sir!" everyone answered in unison.
Once Team Okada and Team Hannya left, Danzō entered at the perfect moment, his face carrying a hint of anger.
"You're really in such a hurry to pave the way for these kids? Did you even ask White Fang for his opinion? Sending these children to represent Konoha—what will the daimyō think? That we have no one else?"
The words might have seemed abrupt, but they said everything that needed to be said. Hiruzen was clearly setting the stage for Minato Namikaze and Minamoto Ren, giving them a prominent chance to shine. Last time, it was the Legendary Sannin who carried out the Konoha Gold mission, and after their return, the daimyō increased his investment. Many clans in Konoha had benefitted greatly from it.
So, whoever takes on the "Konoha Gold" mission is essentially the successor Hiruzen Sarutobi has his eyes on… The mission itself carries no real danger, and Minamoto Ren is just a cover. The one Hiruzen truly favors is Namikaze Minato!
In Hiruzen's current vision, the next Hokage should be Jiraiya. Once Jiraiya takes the position, Minato would succeed him. As for Minamoto Ren, he could be left for them to use—either as the Hokage's aide or as the ANBU commander.
Such political maneuvering was, of course, impossible to hide from Danzō's sharp eyes. That was why he was furious. In his view, Hiruzen should have stepped down already. A man so soft had no right to the Hokage title—Konoha should be under his stewardship during this transitional period!
Without so much as knocking, Danzō stormed into the Hokage's office. Hiruzen calmly tapped the end of his pipe and asked,
"I ordered the ANBU not to open the door for you. Who let you in without permission?"
The ANBU stationed at the door froze, heart sinking.
"Go to the prison and receive your punishment. Remember the oath you took when you joined ANBU—and do not make the wrong choice again."
Though Hiruzen's words were aimed at Danzō, the ANBU who had allowed him in could only lower his head in shame and leave.
"...Hiruzen, you—"
Danzō hadn't expected his old classmate to embarrass him like this. Was that really necessary?
"Let me give you some advice, Danzō—stop thinking about it."
Hiruzen suddenly slammed the desk. His still-youthful body rose to its full height, and his lean frame—crowned by the Hokage hat—radiated a powerful pressure.
He knew this old friend well. Danzō's obsession with the Hokage's seat had driven him to madness. But just as their teacher, Tobirama Senju, had said—Danzō could assist, yes, but entrusting him with Konoha's leadership? Absolutely not.
Yet when it came to human obsession, what could mere persuasion do?
Lowering his head after being chastised, Danzō lifted it again with nothing in his eyes but a feverish hunger for the Hokage's throne.
"I haven't finished my investigation into Minamoto Ren, yet you send him out… Hiruzen, that's not how the power is played. If you won't take my advice, one day you will regret it."
With that, he turned on his heel and left, not giving Hiruzen a chance to respond.
Hiruzen sank back into his chair, gaze falling on a photograph on his desk. In it, Danzō Shimura, himself, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and their teacher Tobirama Senju all smiled faintly at the camera.
"The Hokage seat… Is it really worth so much? Why… why can't we go back to the way we were?"
Once again, the two had parted in conflict. The ANBU outside barely reacted—by now, such disputes were nothing new. But within the office, the Third Hokage sat slumped in his chair, weighed down by frustration.
Completely unaware that the rift between Danzō and Hiruzen had reached its boiling point, the Hannya Squad and the Okada Squad rendezvoused outside the village.
Minamoto Ren had gone back midway to change into more rugged clothing—gray and black, chosen for their dirt-hiding quality. Out in the wild, water wasn't always available, so clothes that didn't show grime as easily looked less unkempt.
He also gave Jūan, his chakra-forged ninja blade, a quick maintenance. The weapon was simply a joy to wield—practical, beautiful, and something he cherished deeply.
Namikaze Minato was still wearing his usual attire. As Minamoto Ren often joked, Minato was a "skintight suit fanatic." If it weren't for his looks carrying it, the combination would have been indistinguishable from Might Guy's fashion sense.
Once everyone had gathered and stocked up on five days' worth of rations, they set out. The daimyo's palace was a long way from Konoha, and they needed to prepare food and water for the journey.
"Let's move."
Minamoto Ren waved casually. This mission was obviously a goodwill assignment from Hiruzen—well-justified, and well within the Fire Country's borders. The chances of anything going wrong were slim.
Eight shinobi leapt into the silent, pitch-black forest without hesitation. The "Konoha Gold" mission had begun.