"How could Akeshi possibly complete a mission like this?!"
"How could Maple possibly complete a mission like this?!"
The Hyuga Yuzuru, Uchiha Akihime, and Kageka Maple mentioned by Danzō had long since become the disciples of Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade. Thus, the moment Danzō spoke, Jiraiya and Tsunade questioned him in unison.
After all, in Jiraiya and Tsunade's eyes, Uchiha Akihime and Kageka Maple were indeed powerful compared to their peers—geniuses those peers could only look up to. But that was only when compared with their peers!
If—
If Uchiha Akihime and Kageka Maple were compared solely with elite Jonin who possessed extensive combat experience in the village, their chances of victory would be very low. Let alone against the two powerful ninjas from the Hidden Rain Village who possessed Wood Release and the Mangekyo Sharingan!
As for why Jiraiya and Tsunade did not speak up for Hyuga Yuzuru, it was naturally because they acknowledged the Hyuga's strength.
Not long after Hyuga Yuzuru became Orochimaru's disciple, his strength had grown exponentially with the passage of time. In less than three years, even Orochimaru did not dare guarantee that he could defeat Hyuga Yuzuru!
As Orochimaru's close friends, Jiraiya and Tsunade had naturally not believed him at first when they heard his account. But after sparring with Hyuga Yuzuru, both of them fell silent. They had thus tacitly acknowledged his strength, believing that he now possessed the combat power of an elite Jonin, perhaps even a Kage...
Facing Jiraiya and Tsunade's questioning, Danzō remained as though he had heard nothing. His sole shadowed eye narrowed as he looked toward where Orochimaru stood.
"I believe Elder Danzō's proposal is worth trying!"
As though sensing Danzō's gaze, Orochimaru's furrowed brow eased slightly before he spoke in a low voice. His somewhat hoarse voice