"Take this scroll to Orochimaru and the others, then follow their arrangements."
Sarutobi Hiruzen first took out a scroll he had prepared in advance and tossed it to Gojo Yoru. Then he took out another scroll and held it in his hand, expression serious.
"Now I grant you a privilege: other than commanders who carry your Flying Thunder God kunai, if any other jōnin gives you an order, you have the right to refuse."
"In special circumstances, even if a commander gives you an order, you may choose to accept or refuse according to your own will."
"If they try to blame or punish you, hand them this scroll."
"Remember—don't stubbornly cling to completing a mission. Your safety is the most important thing."
Hiruzen's final sentence sounded deeply moving.
But to Yoru, it felt bitterly ironic.
If Hatake Sakumo from canon had heard those words… who knew what he'd feel.
People were hypocritical. If your value was high enough, you received privileges.
For the sake of making Wood Release reappear, Hiruzen could approve Wood Release experiments—sacrificing volunteers' lives.
Likewise, in Hiruzen's eyes, Flying Thunder God was as important as a jinchūriki.
And in Hiruzen's eyes, Gojo Yoru still wasn't strong enough to stand completely on his own.
Konoha had finally produced a super genius who could learn Flying Thunder God—and he was also the chain that bound the Nine-Tails jinchūriki. Hiruzen would not allow any accident to happen to him, and he certainly wouldn't allow him to die due to some overreaching, foolish decision by Konoha's own people.
As long as Yoru remained safe, then in Hiruzen's eyes—even abandoning missions, even sacrificing some lives—would be worth it.
All of it was for Konoha.
This privilege was, for Yoru, a good thing.
He stepped forward, accepted the second scroll, and said respectfully, "Understood, Hokage-sama."
On the seal of this privilege scroll, there wasn't the usual sealing character—instead, like the Hokage's hat, it bore a red 火 ("fire"), representing the Hokage's will.
Hiruzen exhaled smoke and smiled. "Go. Perform well. Once the shinobi world stabilizes, I'll give you a special promotion."
"Yes, Hokage-sama. Goodbye."
Yoru stored both scrolls and gave Hiruzen a slight bow.
In the next instant, his figure vanished without warning.
After so many years, seeing that familiar scene again, a trace of nostalgia flickered in Hiruzen's eyes.
…
In only a few blinks, Yoru traveled from Konoha to the Land of Fire's western border base.
Inside the meeting room, the Konoha Sannin and the others were still waiting for Hiruzen's response.
Even without Flying Thunder God, summoning scrolls used by clans could transmit intelligence back to the village quickly.
Within the support units, there was a group responsible for message relay. At regular intervals, they would summon designated animals to check whether encrypted intelligence had arrived.
If it was urgent, it would be relayed even faster.
What Orochimaru and the others had reported was exactly that—urgent intelligence.
From the moment they received the news of Iwagakure's raid on Amegakure, to deciding to report it, to Hiruzen speaking with Yoru—only a little over an hour had passed.
When Yoru's figure appeared beside Orochimaru without warning, following the Flying Thunder God mark, every gaze in the room immediately locked onto him.
Hatake Sakumo and Shimura Danzō—meeting Yoru for the first time—carefully examined the Flying Thunder God user.
"Orochimaru-sensei, long time no see."
Yoru smiled and raised a hand to greet Orochimaru. Then he nodded respectfully to Danzō and the others and introduced himself.
"Danzō-sama, Tsunade-sama, Jiraiya-sama, Sakumo-sama—hello. I'm Orochimaru-sensei's student, Gojo Yoru."
"Yoru, Sarutobi-sensei really did send you," Orochimaru said with a smile, seemingly unsurprised.
"Though this is our first time meeting, it isn't our first time seeing you, and your name is famous," Jiraiya raised a hand and greeted Yoru with a grin. "I'm your teacher's partner, and Namikaze Minato's teacher. I've heard that kid talk about you nonstop—he's been itching for a rematch."
"I know you too—the kid beside Kushina," Tsunade smiled as well. "You're the one who agreed to let Kushina give the Rasengan to Nawaki, right? Thanks. My little brother loves that jutsu."
"To be remembered by the two of you is my honor," Yoru replied politely. "The Rasengan training scroll was something Kushina exchanged with me through sealing arts. She has the right to teach it to anyone. If you want to thank someone, Tsunade-sama, then thank Kushina."
"You're pretty good with words," Tsunade said, looking him over again in amazement. "If I remember right, you're only eleven this year. Last year you already looked as tall as me—now you're even a bit taller. And your ninjutsu talent is this strong… Orochimaru really struck gold."
Yoru said solemnly, "No. Becoming Orochimaru-sensei's student is my greatest fortune."
"Alright, that's enough pleasantries."
Danzō suddenly cut in. The scene in front of him felt irritating—the more he saw, the angrier he became.
First there was Hiruzen's squad—three people who could already stand on their own. Then there was Gojo Yoru who had mastered Flying Thunder God. And then a Nine-Tails jinchūriki. Hiruzen's hand wasn't just full—it was full of trump cards.
Meanwhile he had nothing.
And since he was roughly the same age as Hiruzen, when Hiruzen stepped down, Danzō would have no hope of becoming Hokage anyway.
Thinking that, his mood worsened.
He looked at Yoru and asked, "Did Hiruzen tell you to bring anything?"
"Yes." Yoru nodded and took out the first scroll Hiruzen had given him, handing it to Orochimaru. "Hokage-sama told me to deliver this to Orochimaru-sensei."
"Thanks for making the trip, Yoru," Orochimaru said with a smile. He opened the scroll with an unsealing technique, skimmed it quickly, and then handed it to Danzō.
Danzō took it, glanced through it for only a moment, then said in a low voice to Tsunade, "Hiruzen approved your plan. What's your decision?"
"I'm going to infiltrate Amegakure and see whether Iwagakure succeeded," Tsunade said equally grimly. "If Iwagakure's raid was truly for the antidote formula, then whether they obtained it or not, their intent will be exposed."
"Once Hanzō reacts, that kind of opening will never happen again. And to avoid another 'Sunagakure situation,' he'll strictly control the antidote supply."
"What we need most right now is to get enough antidote before Hanzō starts moving—and quickly develop the formula ourselves."
~~~
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