Zenshu walked slowly to the underground space below, looking at the somewhat messy research site.
"Is everything taken care of?"
"All remnants of the Land of Sky have been dealt with." Nara Yuto's expression was grim. "It's just that their researchers, seeing their situation was hopeless, all committed suicide."
He hadn't expected these researchers to be so resolute—all choosing to end their own lives.
"It doesn't matter. As long as the research materials are still here." Zenshu spoke nonchalantly.
Nara Yuto suddenly noticed no one behind Zenshu. He couldn't help but ask, "That Sky Ninja..."
"I dealt with him."
Zenshu said simply before walking toward the research equipment and materials.
Nara Yuto lowered his head. His expression changed slightly, but ultimately he didn't say anything more.
He just stood up and began inspecting the floor and walls of the entire space—but found nothing.
Finally, his gaze fell on Zenji.
The other party's Shadow Secret Technique was indeed very excellent.
Just hiding in shadows and moving quickly was enough to tempt the Nara clan. Not to mention the various Shikigami that resembled summoned beasts.
Over the next few days, Nara Yuto approached Zenji from time to time.
Not to fish for information—but to become more familiar with him.
On this day, Zenshu sealed some documents into a scroll and walked out of the underground space.
Standing on the stairs, he saw Zenji sparring with Nara Yuto. The latter immediately stopped upon seeing Zenshu.
"Lord Advisor!"
"Mm. Research is complete. Let's return to Konoha."
"Yes!"
The group of five left immediately.
The ruins returned to tranquility.
One day later.
Inside the entrance of the stairs, the passage originally leading straight underground underwent a change.
A humming sound rang out. Several other passages opened.
Ninjas appeared one after another. Deep within one of the passages was another massive space.
Zenji, sitting on a high seat with eyes closed, slowly opened them. Below, over twenty researchers and hundreds of assistants were busy working.
"They've finally left. Now we're just short of materials."
This was Zenji's Shadow Clone. He had arrived here a step ahead, incorporated all the important personnel, and left only a fake base outside.
On the other side.
Konoha.
A few days ago.
Danzo Shimura sat in the Hokage's office chair, eyes slightly closed, leaning back in relaxation.
Swiveling slightly to face the glass behind him, Danzo had never felt such joy in any moment.
"Apologies. I have no intention of giving this chair to anyone else yet."
A familiar voice caused Danzo to snap his eyes open. His mouth gaped slightly in panic.
He hurriedly turned around and saw the person he least wanted to see.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, wearing the complete Hokage uniform, spoke in an even tone.
"It seems you want to ask why this old man is still alive?"
"No, no!" Danzo completely lost his usual calmness. He hurriedly stood up, pupils constricting, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. His voice was tinged with panic.
"I-I just heard you went to the Daimyo's residence this morning!"
"A certain man defected and then turned his coat again. He told me I would encounter an ambush on the way."
Hearing this, Danzo's hands involuntarily clenched tight. His heart pounded fiercely.
"As long as we investigate, the culprit will be known immediately."
Hiruzen looked sharply at Danzo.
This made Danzo feel extremely uneasy internally. It was his first time attempting an assassination—an action that completely tore away all pretenses.
"When that time comes, that culprit will not escape the death penalty."
Danzo's face was grim. He gritted his teeth and slowly lowered his head.
His mood had sunk to rock bottom. If he resisted here, even if he successfully killed Hiruzen Sarutobi, his reputation would be ruined. He would become a rogue ninja.
This was absolutely unacceptable to him. He would rather die than become a rogue ninja.
"However. Continuing to increase the number of victims goes against this old man's principles."
"If I meet that man, I would like to tell him that this matter will not be pursued."
"In exchange, this old man hopes that person will dedicate himself wholeheartedly to the village from now on."
Danzo felt a wave of relief internally. His tense body relaxed. Looking at the sideways-turned Hiruzen, he still said somewhat unyieldingly, "You are still maintaining your pacifism as always."
Dedicate himself wholeheartedly to the village? Hasn't he, Danzo Shimura, always done so?
Slowly standing up, Danzo walked to the door, opened it, and left.
Only then did Hiruzen turn to look at the entire Hokage office.
"The easiest problem is solved. Next, there are two thorny issues."
Zenshu and the Uchiha clan.
A few days later.
"No casualties—that couldn't be better. I wonder what harvest Advisor Zenshu obtained?"
Hiruzen looked at the five people reporting their mission with a face full of smiles.
Zenshu, sitting to the side with drooping eyelids, spoke indifferently.
"Decent flight technology. Unfortunately not of much value."
"Oh? Flight technology?"
"Mm. A type of Wind Release technique, but it relies too heavily on external objects. Trying to develop it to the point of not relying on external objects would be more trouble than just researching something new."
"My old bones don't have that much time left."
"That is indeed a pity."
Hiruzen turned his gaze to Zenji standing nearby.
"Consider this mission as Zenji's graduation assessment. I'll have someone send over a Genin uniform later."
"Alright. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Zenshu slowly stood up.
Hiruzen personally saw the two out of the office before walking back slowly.
Previously, for the sake of stability, I promised away far too much power. Especially the Forbidden Jutsu Laboratory.
His face sank slightly.
This was a complete department capable of applying for massive funds and possessing many high-end talents.
Most importantly, it could relatively easily access various forbidden techniques. Even for Sealing Jutsu, as long as the application was reasonable, it would be approved.
Otherwise, the intention of targeting would be too obvious.
I can only think of reasonable excuses to delay. It would be best if he died quickly.
Forbidden Jutsu Laboratory.
Zenshu stood leaning on his cane in front of the office window. The icy aura suddenly became heavy. The entire room seemed to turn somewhat cold.
"Make some noise when you arrive. Are you trying to scare this old man to death?"
His cold voice rang out.
A figure stepped out from the shadows nearby. Orochimaru's pale face still possessed the handsomeness of his youth—unlike over a decade later when only coldness would remain.
"Wanting to see me right after returning from a mission. Could it be that Sensei's ostracization has bred resentment in your heart?"
Orochimaru chuckled lightly.
"Don't waste my time with meaningless nonsense."
Zenshu turned around. His cloudy eyes stared at Orochimaru.
"I need two things."
"Oh? I wonder what they are?"
Orochimaru licked his lips, feeling very pleased internally.
This old thing had many covetable technologies in his hands. He finally had a chance to extort him.
"The Flying Thunder God Technique and the Impure World Reincarnation."
A gleam of light reflected in Orochimaru's eyes. His light chuckle was filled with joy.
"Now that the Forbidden Jutsu Research Institute is managed by Lord Advisor, isn't it easy to obtain these two forbidden techniques?"
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