Sarutobi Hiruzen had agreed, so ShihōinNaraku’s plan was quickly put into action.
As the person in charge, he actually wasn’t particularly busy.
As long as he established the overall direction, his subordinates would naturally handle the details.
“Clan Head!”
“Oh, Baihuo, you’re here.”
ShihōinNaraku looked at his clansman.
He was a middle-aged shinobi who was no longer young.
“How is it, Baihuo?
Is there still any hope?”
“Clan Head!
I’ve disappointed you!
My abilities aren’t enough for me to become a Konoha Jōnin and share your burdens!”
Seeing ShihōinBaihuo’s ashamed expression, Naraku could only helplessly scratch his head.
The Shihōinclan wasn’t lacking resources anymore.
Since the man still couldn’t make it, perhaps he truly didn’t possess much talent as a shinobi.
“If you’re not cut out to be a shinobi, then go be a director.”
“Huh?”
ShihōinBaihuo looked confused, not understanding what his clan head meant.
“You’ve probably heard about the restructuring of the Medical Emergency Unit.
Go manage the rehabilitation center we’re establishing for the daimyō and nobles of the various countries.”
Although Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane would definitely try to interfere, Naraku had no intention of handing the position of director to one of their people.
Anyone could see how much “money” this position could bring.
“Yes!
I understand!”
ShihōinBaihuo immediately nodded.
This was a good position, and for the sake of the clan, he certainly wouldn’t refuse.
“How are the others doing?
I haven’t paid much attention to the Medical Emergency Unit recently.
Has anyone caused trouble because of the changes to my position?”
ShihōinBaihuo immediately shook his head and looked at Naraku proudly.
“The clan members are doing very well.
Even after you left, no one has dared say anything to us.”
Ever since Naraku took control of the Medical Emergency Unit, he had arranged for some members of the Shihōinclan to work there.
Even if they couldn’t learn medical ninjutsu, it was easy enough for them to work as simple nurses or administrative personnel.
The pay was good, and the risks were greatly reduced.
The Shihōinclan had never encountered such a good opportunity before.
Unfortunately, despite all the support Naraku had given them, the Shihōinclan still hadn’t produced many powerful shinobi.
There was nothing they could do about it.
There were simply too few of them.
“Remember one thing…”
Naraku patted ShihōinBaihuo on the shoulder and reminded him:
“There will definitely be people coveting your position.
But no matter who it is, you are not allowed to give it up!”
“Yes!
I understand!”
“Alright, go get to work…”
Naraku continued handling matters concerning the clan.
It didn’t take long to settle everything.
After all, it was only a small clan.
Although the Shihōinclan couldn’t help him much for now, Naraku continued supporting its members because they were genuinely willing to give their lives for him.
The members of the Shihōinclan understood very well who had brought them their improved lives.
…
The main gate of Konoha was bustling with people most of the time.
Civilians, shinobi, nobles, merchants, and others could enter and leave through the gate after registering.
Of course, the roads and passages leading in and out of Konoha were certainly not limited to this one.
“Phew…”
Yamanaka Fūgetsu had just returned through a secluded side entrance of Konoha and let out a breath of relief.
The mission over the past few days had been exhausting, but at least she was finally back in the village and could get some rest.
She still needed to go to the ANBU base first, however.
Only after reporting the mission could she change clothes and remove the mask from her face.
Yamanaka Fūgetsu led her team of four toward the ANBU base.
“Hmm?”
Although they had already returned to the village, the four of them hadn’t lowered their guard.
They immediately noticed something unusual and turned their attention toward the nearby woods.
“Rustle…”
A figure emerged from the forest.
The man looked at Yamanaka Fūgetsu, who was still wearing her mask.
“Yamanaka Kaze?!”
Yamanaka Fūgetsu remained vigilant.
She frowned at the sudden appearance of Yamanaka Kaze.
Wasn’t her elder brother supposed to be Shimura Danzō ‘s guard?
Why had he come here to intercept her?
“Lord Danzō wants to see you.”
Yamanaka Kaze was tall and had orange-yellow hair.
Wearing a combat outfit, his face was completely expressionless as he stared at his younger sister.
It seemed that if Yamanaka Fūgetsu refused to leave with him, he would simply attack.
“I am an ANBU member!”
“I serve under Lord ShihōinNaraku!”
“Without Lord Naraku’s or the Hokage’s orders, I will not go with you!”
Yamanaka Kaze raised an eyebrow.
His black-gloved hands came up and opened toward Fūgetsu.
He was actually prepared to fight at the slightest disagreement?
“Clang!”
Yamanaka Fūgetsu and the ANBU shinobi behind her all drew their weapons and pointed them at Kaze.
Killing intent filled the air between the two sides.
A life-or-death battle seemed ready to erupt at any moment.
“Don’t get excited, Kaze.”
Shimura Danzō slowly emerged from the dark forest, leaning on his cane.
Behind him was another guard—
Aburame Torune of the Aburame clan.
This was troublesome…
One of the ANBU shinobi behind Yamanaka Fūgetsu quietly retreated.
But just as he was about to turn and leave, he discovered that a shinobi was standing behind him at some point.
Even sending for help was impossible?
Fūgetsu didn’t need to look back to know that they had already been cut off.
Various strategies flashed rapidly through her mind, but she rejected them one by one.
“Tap… tap…”
Shimura Danzō approached step by step with his cane.
The pressure radiating from him grew stronger and stronger, and sweat had already begun dripping down Fūgetsu’s forehead.
“Bang!”
Danzō slammed his cane against the ground.
“Moon!
You belong to Root!”
Yamanaka Fūgetsu remained silent.
Shimura Danzō had never liked being questioned.
Seeing her silence, he still maintained his calm, as though he had everything in the world under his control.
“Looks like you’ve all forgotten the strict rules of Root.”
Danzō fell silent.
Then he calmly looked at the four of them.
He believed that before long, all four would kneel before him and submit once more.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds…
An suffocating silence.
High above, a crow flew past with a loud caw.
Why wasn’t there any reaction?
A flicker of suspicion appeared in Danzō ‘s eyes.
He immediately understood what had happened.
The Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal had been removed!
The other techniques hidden within the sealing technique had disappeared as well!
“Who removed it?”
“I did!!!”
Everyone present suddenly snapped to attention.
In their field of vision, it was as though a blazing sun had risen.
The shadows gradually receded, and the chill silently vanished.
Everyone instinctively swallowed.
A wave of scorching heat swept toward them.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud…
Steady, powerful footsteps slowly approached.
The crowd narrowed their eyes.
As the sunlight shifted, the newcomer finally revealed himself in full.
ShihōinNaraku!
With one hand in his pocket and a smile on his face, Naraku walked toward them and stopped in front of Shimura Danzō .
He casually patted the flame flickering on his shoulder and looked at Danzō curiously.
“Senior Danzō , what are you doing here?”
“If you have business with my subordinates, you can just ask me directly.
I know more than they do.”
Shimura Danzō ‘s expression remained unchanged, but the hand gripping his cane had tightened enough for the veins to bulge.
“You should call me Lord Danzō .”
“Is that so…”
Naraku nodded solemnly.
“Use someone’s official position when addressing them in public.
Got it!”
“By the way, Senior Danzō , what is your official position?”
Who the hell are you?
Shimura Danzō ‘s entire expression darkened in an instant.
Fortunately, he was a figure renowned throughout the shinobi world.
He wasn’t the sort of person who would lose his composure so easily.
“Senior!”
ShihōinNaraku’s voice suddenly rose.
At the same time, he took a step forward and stared directly into Shimura Danzō ‘s eyes.
Swish!
Swish!
Yamanaka Kaze and Aburame Torune simultaneously rushed in front of Danzō , taking up combat stances against ShihōinNaraku.
Another shinobi moved to Danzō ‘s flank.
Swish—
At the same moment, the four ANBU members led by Yamanaka Fūgetsu stepped in front of Naraku.
Only Shimura Danzō and ShihōinNaraku remained motionless, their gazes locked firmly onto each other.
Neither seemed to notice the movements around them.
◇ THE STORY DOESN’T END HERE…
◇
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