Chapter 459: Aftermath? Heading to the Root Base!
Although the Konoha Higher-Ups issued a gag order on the true cause of Sakumo Hatake's death,
how could such a huge commotion be hidden from the spies of various countries lurking within Konoha?
Within just a few days, the news that the Konoha Higher-Ups had forced White Fang, and that Fujiwara Tetsuya had personally killed Sakumo Hatake, spread like a torrent throughout the entire Ninja World.
Of course, among the countless ninja Villages and powers, the happiest was undoubtedly Sunagakure, led by the Third Kazekage, Chiyo, and Ebizo.
The hatred of killing their son and daughter-in-law!
The shame of defeat!
The entire Sunagakure was plunged into revelry... Konoha, Fujiwara, Tanaka, Uesugi clan grounds.
The moonlight was bright... Looking at the sleeping Fujiwara Tetsuya and Mikoto, Ryoui carefully removed Fujiwara Tetsuya's right hand from her chest, tiptoed, put on her clothes, and walked out the door.
However, the moment she stepped out of the room, Fujiwara Tetsuya, who had already woken up at some unknown time, blocked her path.
"Tetsu... Husband~"
Looking at the smooth lines of Fujiwara Tetsuya's body, Ryoui's eyes were somewhat flustered.
"Ryoui~ Where are you going?"
With a light laugh, Fujiwara Tetsuya slowly leaned closer, and with his finger, lifted Ryoui's chin.
"Hus... Husband, I just couldn't sleep and wanted to go for a walk~"
Perhaps due to a guilty conscience, Torune Ryoui instinctively lowered her head the moment she responded.
"A walk?"
"Ryoui, when did you start lying to me?"
"You're going to the Root base, aren't you?"
Fujiwara Tetsuya's voice, like a clap of thunder, exploded in Torune Ryoui's mind, making her body stiffen.
"Tetsuya... How did you know~"
After a long pause, Torune Ryoui finally suppressed the surprise in her heart and looked at Fujiwara Tetsuya with a hint of apprehension.
"Ryoui, don't forget, I am also a contractor of Ryūchi Cave, and I am extremely familiar with the smell of snakes."
"Tell me, Danzo... and Senior Orochimaru, what conditions did they offer to persuade you to help them?"
Facing Fujiwara Tetsuya's oppressive gaze, Torune Ryoui's eyes darted around for a moment, and in the end... she told Fujiwara Tetsuya everything.
"first hokage cells?"
"The power of the First Hokage is indeed incredibly strong..."
"However, precisely because this power is incredibly strong, the difficulty of replicating the great power of Wood Release also increases."
"Starting today, you don't need to go to the Root base. I will go find Danzo and Senior Orochimaru later... At this time, they both should still be awake."
"As for improving your strength, you don't need to worry too much, I will help you find a way... Even without a Kekkei Genkai, there are still many ways to become stronger..."
Fujiwara Tetsuya was not joking about this point.
Like Sage Mode? The massive Chakra sealed in the Dragon Veins? And the Kekkei Genkai derived from various Chakra natures? ... At worst, he could kill a Tailed Beast and make Torune Ryoui a new Jinchuriki... This would not be difficult for him, or for Guixu, which is now beginning to take shape.
Moreover, even if one coveted the power of the first hokage cells, they should go to White Zetsu, not place their hopes on Orochimaru and Danzo.
Compared to the adaptability of the first hokage cells in White Zetsu... the research results with only Yamato as a successful case were simply too risky.
"I... I understand."
Facing Fujiwara Tetsuya's irresistible command and his well-behaved hands... Torune Ryoui finally crumbled, hummed, and chose to agree... A certain Root base.
Although it was already late at night, Danzo and Orochimaru were still awake, just staring at the experimental subject in the cultivation tank not far away... as if waiting for something.
"Orochimaru, it's already this late, have you made an appointment with Vice-Minister Ryoui or not?"
"If we wait any longer, it'll probably be dawn..."
As time passed minute by minute, Danzo gradually lost his patience.
"Of course I made an appointment~ However, after all, Tetsuya-kun and Vice-Minister Ryoui are both young people, and it's quite normal for them to be delayed by some things..."
"Since we've waited this long, why not wait a little longer..."
As he whispered, Orochimaru continued to stare intently at the experimental subject in front of him, his gaze not moving an inch.
"Creak~~~"
Just as Danzo took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his dissatisfaction, a clear sound of a door opening broke the silent atmosphere... "It's you~ How did you know about this place?"
Looking at the figure walking in, Danzo's voice sounded somewhat flustered, and as for Orochimaru... he simply retreated several steps, throwing Danzo to the front to take the bullet.
"Why couldn't it be me?"
"Lord Danzo, Senior Orochimaru, is this your research base for the first hokage cells?"
"These experimental subjects... the conditions are really crude!"
With a playful whisper, Fujiwara Tetsuya walked past Danzo and came to a row of experimental tanks on one side, looking with interest at the experimental subjects soaking in a certain liquid.
"You..."
Seeing Fujiwara Tetsuya's nonchalant attitude, Danzo was at a loss for Fujiwara Tetsuya's intentions for a moment, only feeling a headache.
"Don't worry~ Everything I've seen today, I won't tell anyone."
"After all, Lord Danzo, enduring such humiliation and taking the risk of being punished by the Hokage to research the first hokage cells, is also for the Village."
"You tell me, am I right in understanding it this way?"
Listening to Fujiwara Tetsuya's somewhat playful voice, Danzo's eyes lit up, and he immediately felt much more at ease.
"That's right, everything this old man does is for the Village... for the peace of the Village."
"..."
Looking at Fujiwara Tetsuya and Danzo, who were talking nonsense with such a straight face, Orochimaru couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
Such an excuse, even a three-year-old child probably wouldn't believe it, right?
"So... what is your purpose in coming here today?"
"Oh~"
"Nothing, first, I just simply wanted to come and see..."
"Second, I'm here to tell you on behalf of Ryoui that from now on, Ryoui will withdraw from all your work on researching the first hokage cells..."
"Third, I wanted to come and see you before I leave Konoha for a long journey... After all, who knows when we'll meet again."
"Long journey? You're leaving Konoha for a long journey?"
Hearing Fujiwara Tetsuya's explanation, Danzo's tone paused... and he quickly pressed for more.
"That's right, a long journey!"
"After all, I just got married not long ago, so I should have a honeymoon trip, right?"
"What's more, the Ninja World is so peaceful now, even if Senior Sakumo died, the Village still has Hokage-sama, you... Senior Orochimaru, Senior Jiraiya... and so many Elite Jonin."
"I don't need to go on any important missions anymore... So, I might as well take advantage of this break to get some fresh air and travel around to see the scenery of various places in the Ninja World."