A Deal with Danzo

The inn where the Iwa ninja delegation was staying in Konoha.

Kajiyamari has been in Konoha for a long time. Even with his low work efficiency, he has still reached many agreements with Konoha.

For example, when choosing missions in other countries, Iwagakure and Konoha cannot choose missions that completely conflict with those missions.

For example, in certain special circumstances, the two parties can cooperate to take on tasks.

Many agreements were not reached.

For example, Kajiyamari proposed an experiment where the Iwagakure Ninja Academy and the Konoha Ninja Academy could exchange students for learning.

This was decisively rejected by the Konoha High-ranking officials.

Although Konoha has lost its status as the number one Great Ninja Village in the Ninja World, it is still absolutely number one in the Ninja World in terms of all aspects.

Despite decades of pursuit, Iwagakure still lags behind Konoha in some areas.

The Iwa ninja possesses superior skills compared to Konoha, such as Senjutsu, Jinchuriki, Fusion Bloodline Limit, and Kekkei Tōta techniques, which are not taught at the Ninja Academy.

Therefore, from the perspective of Konoha High-ranking officials, the exchange student system is definitely a loss for Konoha.

Besides these overt negotiation tasks, there are two covert missions within Kajiyamari.

One of them was to contact the Uchiha Clan, but this mission was not completed well.

Kajiyamari has already spoken with many Elite Jonin of the Uchiha Clan.

However, Kajiyamari didn't take the so-called negotiations with these strange guys seriously at all.

He was too embarrassed to report the agreement he had reached with the Elite Jonin the Uchiha Clan to the village.

Kajiyamari had also requested a meeting with Fugaku Uchiha. The Uchiha elites all agreed, but Fugaku Uchiha had yet to respond.

Kajiyamari was unaware of was that Fugaku Uchiha had not yet determined the High-ranking officials's leadership's strategy for dealing with the Uchiha Clan's contact with Iwa ninja.

Therefore, Fugaku Uchiha never dared to make any rash moves.

In fact, the Konoha High-ranking officials did not take any action.

On the first day, when Tekka Uchiha secretly made contact with Kajiyamari, the Konoha High-ranking officials was on edge.

They first sent Itachi Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha to their clan's territory to gather intelligence.

Originally, Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha had planned to use Genjutsu to harm the clansmen who knew about the situation, but it turned out to be completely unnecessary.

It's possible that the Uchiha had no concept of secrecy. After Tekka Uchiha returned to the clan's territory, the agreement he reached with Kajiyamari spread throughout the entire Uchiha Clan.

Therefore, even though Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha had been isolated by the other Uchiha, they still learned the information they wanted immediately.

In fact, the two of them didn't even need to inquire, because someone had come to warn Shisui Uchiha: the clan has already contacted Iwa ninja, Shisui, you'd better watch yourself.

When Iwagakure would send Three Kage-level reinforcements to aid the Uchiha rebellion, the Konoha High-ranking officials leadership became extremely nervous, with Danzo even suggesting that they take action as soon as possible.

Tsunade also began secretly recalling ninjas who were on missions abroad.

The very next day, Tsunade received news that Yashiro Uchiha had gone to Kajiyamari, the third day it was Inabi Uchiha, and the fourth and fifth days.

Then one outrageous message after another started coming in.

Now, everyone except the Uchiha themselves understood that Kajiyamari was mocking the Uchiha.

As a result, the Konoha High-ranking officials, who were originally prepared to take action, slowed down their pace once again.

Therefore, Fugaku Uchiha did not receive a response from the Konoha High-ranking officials for a long time.

This also prevented the Kajiyamari and the Uchiha Clan from establishing genuine contact for a long time.

The first task failed, but the second task succeeded.

Kajiyamari's communication with Danzo went smoothly. After their first successful collaboration, Kajiyamari created many opportunities for Danzo to gain prestige during formal negotiations with Konoha.

Danzo has now cultivated a positive image among many of Konoha's upper Konoha: someone who is unafraid of power and fights for the village's interests.

Meanwhile, with Danzo's cooperation, Kajiyamari repeatedly sent people to various parts of Konoha to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Konoha's financial situation and material reserves.

That day, while staying in the inn, pondering how to contact Fugaku Uchiha, Kajiyamari received another mission.

Yichen personally issued an order to publicize within Konoha that Iwagakure could transplant severed limbs and help disabled ninjas regain their health.

This was not difficult to accomplish. With Danzo's cooperation, several members of the Iwa ninja delegation successfully left the sight of the Konoha ninja the next day and blended directly into the Konoha.

Soon, the news spread throughout Konoha that the Iwa ninja had transplanted severed limbs onto the wounded.

They all spoke with such conviction, as if they had witnessed it firsthand.

Ninjas are born with the ability to gather intelligence, and this kind of information was something that the Konoha High-ranking officials couldn't possibly keep secret; almost all the ninjas in the village knew about it.

Many ninjas even went to Konoha Hospital to inquire whether the village now possessed similar technology.

The news quickly reached Tsunade furious. She knew without a doubt that the Iwa ninja delegation was behind it.

This move by the Iwa ninja was a huge blow to the confidence of the Konoha and ninjas.

Tsunade understood the gravity of the situation; Konoha could temporarily lose its title as the strongest ninja village, but it could not lose faith.

The Will of Fire cannot be defeated by the Will of Stone.

Otherwise, how could Konoha possibly reclaim its title as the number one ninja village?

She then ordered a thorough investigation of all the Iwa ninja Anbu.

As a result, the investigation quickly traced back to Danzo.

Considering Danzo's excellent performance in recent negotiations with Kajiyamari and others, Tsunade immediately understood that the two sides had already formed an alliance.

No matter how dissatisfied Tsunade is with Danzo's actions, it doesn't change the fact that she is short-handed and still needs Danzo.

Therefore, she could only tolerate Danzo's actions. All she could do was replace the people associated with Danzo and reassign the Anbu to monitor the Iwa ninja delegation.

However, Tsunade's concession only emboldened Danzo, making him act even more recklessly.

Kajiyamari's promotion of Iwagakure's transplant surgery within Konoha piqued Danzo's interest.

Upon hearing the news from Kajiyamari, Danzo immediately sent someone to contact the intelligence ninja of Iwagakure.

When he learned from the intelligence ninja that all the limbs transplanted into Iwagakure were pure white, he guessed that they were White Zetsu clone.

Danzo possessed White Zetsu clone that he had obtained in exchange for Yichen.

However, Danzo's research on White Zetsu clone did not go smoothly.

He had considered asking Orochimaru for help, but Orochimaru had just been invited by the Akatsuki Organization to serve their grand dream of bringing peace to the Ninja World.

After Orochimaru defected from Akatsuki Organization, his focus shifted from the Rinnegan to the Byakugan and Shikotsumyaku.

Danzo refused to provide Orochimaru Byakugan limit, nor was he able to.

Therefore, Orochimaru never responded to Danzo's request for cooperation.

In the Underground Laboratory of the Root, Danzo looked at the White Zetsu clone in the pure metal cage and listened to his subordinates' unproductive research progress reports, his Danzo grim.

Danzo was extremely frustrated because he had the First's Wood Release but was unable to make any progress in his research.

Now that he has suddenly learned of Wind Release: Breakthrough in the research at Iwagakure, his heart is even more unsettled.

Just two days later, Danzo could no longer contain himself.

This time, he didn't sneak around. Instead, he directly used his position as a high-ranking advisor to dismiss the Hyuga clan members who were monitoring the Iwa ninja delegation, and personally met with Kajiyamari.

"I wonder what Advisor Danzō wants to discuss with me? Is it that your village has agreed to the exchange student program?" Kajiyamari was unsure of Danzo's intentions, so she tentatively asked.

Danzo stated directly, "The Hyuga Clan members have already been transferred by me; you don't need to test me."

Kajiyamari was taken aback for a moment, then said with a serious expression, "I see. I'll give my regards to Advisor Danzō on behalf of my teacher."

"Before coming to Konoha, my teacher asked me to find an opportunity to convey his goodwill to Advisor Danzō in private: my teacher supports Advisor Danzō becoming the Sixth Hokage."

"The teacher stated that if Advisor Danzō wants to seize power, our Iwagakure is willing to help."

Danzo his eyes; the moment he heard the name Sixth Hokage, he felt a flicker of attraction.

Although he was tempted, Danzo, with his Danzo, was not so easily swayed by Yichen's words.

Danzo ignored Kajiyamari's words and went straight to the point, saying, "I want to trade all your transplant surgery techniques. Name your price."

Kajiyamari's eyes flickered, and he said, "I can't make the decision on this matter. I need to report to the village. Please Advisor Danzō a few days."

Danzo said calmly, "You definitely have conditions given to you by the Tsuchikage, which you'll use for negotiation in a crucial moment. Just say them."

Kajiyamari's heart skipped a beat; he really was an old fox.

Before he came, Yichen had indeed told him in what areas Iwagakure.

If we could take this opportunity to extort Konoha, what would be the most suitable items to choose?

He had originally intended to provoke Danzo and make him bleed, but he hadn't expected Danzo to be so direct.

After a slight hesitation, Kajiyamari immediately said, "Since Advisor Danzō is so straightforward, then I'll get straight to the point."

Yichen once made a list for Kajiyamari:

The Flying Thunder Second Hokage Senju Tobirama Flying Thunder God Kunai.

Bomen Minato Namikaze split the other two scrolls of Flying Thunder God.

The mask of Namahado of the Uzumaki Clan.

The manufacturing method and finished product of a large Space Scroll.

The Insect Control Secret Technique and special insects of the Aburame Clan.

The Nara Clan's Shadow Imitation Jutsu.

The Mind Secret Technique of the Yamanaka Clan.

The Eight Gates Released Formation.

The Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.

Advanced Medical Ninjutsu.

The Mutual Distraction Explosion Tag Technique.

My cultivation experience with the Super Beast Imitation Drawing.

The complete Konoha Style Swordsmanship.

The Inuzuka Clan's techniques for raising Summoning Beast, and so on.

Yichen compiled a large list of items and secret techniques that Iwagakure currently uses and may use in the future.

Kajiyamari remembered what Yichen said when he handed him the list, "Everything on the list is good. If we can extort anything from it, the village will profit."

Kajiyamari considered the value of the transplant surgery technique that Iwagakure had just developed, and then picked out ten items from Yichen's long list.

After hearing Kajiyamari's offer, Danzo was not angry. He calmly negotiated with Kajiyamari.

The two finally reached an agreement:

Danzo gave up three masks from the Uzumaki Clan's Namahado, ten weapons bearing the Flying Thunder God Mark of Senju Tobirama, ten special insects from the Aburame Clan, and his training experience with the Super Beast Imitation Drawing.

Kajiyamari wasted no time and, in front of Danzo, summoned the intelligence ninja and communicated with the Iwagakure.

When Danzo asked for the transplantation of White Zetsu clone, Yichen in Iwagakure immediately agreed. This technique was useless without White Zetsu clone.

Even if Danzo wanted to promote this throughout the entire Konoha, where would he get so many White Zetsu clone?

He's not Orochimaru; he can't develop cloning technology.

Danzo truly possessed such research capabilities, he would have already independently developed the transplantation surgery for White Zetsu clone. He wouldn't have needed to endure the extortion from Kajiyamari.

Moreover, this technology was given to him by Orochimaru. Yichen didn't understand why Danzo didn't trade with Orochimaru, but instead gave him these good things for free.

Fearing that Yichen might Danzo, Yichen immediately agreed to the deal.

Two days later, Yichen received the four scrolls from Danzo.

"The cultivation experience of the Super Beast Imitation Drawing, what a treasure!" Yichen picked up the first scroll, copied it himself, and then had the Anbu send the scroll to the Land of Bears.

Sasagawa Ayumi on a mission in the Land of Bears.

The Super Beast Imitation Drawing Ninjutsu experience is one of the worst items on Yichen's list, but also one of the most urgently needed.

If Danzo to exchange the Eight Gates Released Formation or the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.

Yichen might need to hold High-Level Meeting to discuss this and make everyone happy. But, to be honest, these two things are useless to Iwagakure right now.

Then Yichen picked up the ten longswords engraved with the Flying Thunder God Mark from the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama.

After carefully examining the contents, Yichen summoned Atsumi Akino.

Upon seeing Senju Tobirama's Flying Thunder God Mark, Atsumi Akino Yichen could speak, "Teacher Yichen, this is wonderful! We can finally study Senju Tobirama's Flying Thunder God Mark!"

"The mark I got from the Kumogakure last time is only for viewing; I can't bear to use it for research."

"Actually, Senju Tobirama's Flying Thunder God Mark is more suitable for beginners than Minato Namikaze's seal. Minato Namikaze Flying Thunder God Mark is a simplified version, which is easier to learn from."

Yichen was taken aback. Such a thing existed? He then asked, "So, how do these Flying Thunder God Mark help you?"

Atsumi Akino said, "This Flying Thunder God Mark is the original version, and it's extremely useful for me to shrink the massive Heavenly Transfer Technique."

Yichen nodded and said, "I understand. By the way, can the Heavenly Transfer Technique between the village and the several branch bases teleport ninjas?"

Atsumi Akino shook her head and said, "Not yet. Technically, it's not a problem, but the farther away you are, the more difficult it is to maintain stable control of the space."

"Achieving long-distance teleportation of ninjas is too costly and not worthwhile. It will be fine to deploy it after the runes for the Heavenly Transfer Technique are simplified."

"With these ten Flying Thunder God Mark, it won't be long before we can achieve it."

Yichen nodded and said, "Keep it up. It's okay if it can't be done in a short time. No matter how much it costs, first set up Teleportation Array connecting a village to the branch in the Former Northwestern Land of Fire."

"This location is special; in the event of war, this will definitely be a key target for Konoha's attack."

Atsumi Akino nodded and said, "I understand."

At this moment, Yichen took out three masks from the Namahado of the Uzumaki Clan.

Yichen had been eyeing the masks in the Uzumaki Clan's Namahado for a long time.

However, after the Uzumaki Clan was wiped out, this Namahado was moved by the Konoha ninja, and Yichen didn't know exactly where it was located.

Despite several attempts to infiltrate Konoha, they were unable to locate the Namahado.

Yichen carefully examined the three masks. He didn't know what material they were made of, Yichen only felt a layer of resistance.

There were also some structures resembling Sealing Runes, but Yichen couldn't distinguish them.

"There should be a space inside each of them. Take a look and see if you can find anything." Yichen handed the three masks to Atsumi Akino.

Atsumi Akino curiously took the mask, examined it carefully, and then tried to sense it with her mind.

After a long pause, Atsumi Akino said somewhat uncertainly, "These runes contain elements of Space-Time Ninjutsu, but Space-Time Ninjutsu doesn't seem to make up a large part of them; it's mostly other things."

"Other things?" Yichen pondered for a moment, holding the mask.

Then his eyes lit up, and he said, "I understand, please wait here for a moment."

"Someone, go to the Temple Laboratory and summon Na Katsuya and Natsuki."

"Yes." Upon hearing this, one of the Anbu quickly left.

After Katsuya and Natsuki arrived, Yichen said, "Take a look at these first. Are these three masks imprinted with Soul Seal?"

Yichen's level in terms of soul is still above Katsuya and Natsuki, but in terms of research and Soul Seal, Yichen is far inferior to the two of them.

Natsuki said with dissatisfaction, "Brother, what is it now? We're analyzing the experimental data on Caged Bird, and you interrupted us at a crucial moment."

Yichen rolled his eyes and asked, "When did you become so enthusiastic about work?"

Natsuki said with dissatisfaction, "I didn't work hard before. I'm working very hard now. You can ask Katsuya if you don't believe me."

Yichen rolled his eyes and said, "Alright, alright, I believe you, I believe you. Take a look at this."

Yichen placed a mask directly into Natsuki's hand.

Natsuki was furious, Yichen's perfunctory attitude clearly indicated that he did not believe it.

Natsuki has indeed been working very hard lately because she saw Katsuya become Elite Jonin again. She felt that she also needed to work hard, otherwise she wouldn't be able to help much in this research group with only two people.

Katsuya more diligent than her; patience is very important in scientific research.

Now that Katsuya's strength has surpassed hers by a significant margin, it has triggered her sense of crisis.

Katsuya and said, "Teacher Yichen, Natsuki has indeed been working very hard these days. She has great talent, and I believe she will soon become Elite Jonin."

Upon hearing this, Natsuki snorted at Yichen and even clenched her fist and waved it in a show of defiance.

Atsumi Akino, standing nearby, felt a pang of envy upon hearing this. Her situation was special; she received very high treatment in Iwagakure, even more so than regular Elite Jonin.

Although Space-Time Ninjutsu research is not a separate department like the Barrier Team or the Medical Department.

But her position in the village was only slightly lower than that of the heads of these departments. She was already the de facto upper class in the village.

However, her strength level is seriously inconsistent with her status. She is currently only a Jonin, and Jonin that, with very weak combat power.

Katsuya her, so it's not surprising that he became Elite Jonin, but she is still quite envious that Natsuki, who is about the same age as her, is also going to become Elite Jonin.

The two of them quickly examined the three masks carefully.

After examining the masks Yichen and the other person said, "There is a high possibility that each of these three masks contains a mysterious entity, perhaps a soul."

"Akino just looked at it too. She said the Space Seal on the mask is very small, and she doesn't recognize the other parts."

"Do you two think this thing looks like Soul Seal?"

Natsuki frowned and said, "It feels strange, like it is, but also like it isn't. This thing is definitely related to the soul, but I haven't found anything similar to the seal we've been studying."

Yichen looked at Katsuya.

Katsuya didn't speak immediately. After considering for a long time, she said, "Teacher Yichen, I have a guess. Perhaps it's not that the mask seals away any soul, but that the mask itself is the soul."

Yichen and the other two were somewhat puzzled, but before they could ask, Katsuya explained, "I suspect that someone created the shape of a mask from some powerful souls. The runes on the mask we found are not regular seals, but runes used to create or maintain the shape of the mask."

Before Yichen could react, Atsumi Akino suddenly exclaimed, "Ah!"

She snatched the mask from Yichen's hand and began to sense it carefully again. While sensing it, she also compared it with the Flying Thunder God Mark of Senju Tobirama that she had just acquired.

It's unclear what Katsuya's words inspired Atsumi Akino, but she forgot the occasion and immediately began her research.

Yichen originally thought that Atsumi Akino made a discovery and that it would end soon, so he waited quietly with Katsuya and Natsuki.

But who knew that once Atsumi Akino got absorbed in her research, she forgot everything else.

Not only did she not finish quickly, but she also kept taking out documents from her storage bag, including quite a few of Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God Kunai.

Yichen rubbed his temples. This scene reminded him of the time when Yichen Obito Uchiha was startled by the Kitsuchi when he infiltrated the village.

At that time, Yichen wanted to ask Atsumi Akino what she had learned from Obito Uchiha.

At that time, Atsumi Akino looked just like this. Yichen studied her for a long time, but he couldn't find himself.

Yichen turned to the two of them and waved, signaling them to keep their voices down and come out with him.

Yichen arranged for a team of guards to stand in front of his office, and then led Katsuya and Natsuki to a conference room.

Yichen said, "Katsuya, continue with your guess. Akino must have figured something out from your guess."

"Although she doesn't study the soul, it at least proves that your guess has some merit."

Katsuya and said, "I feel that those runes have a very special function. They may not be regular Sealing Runes, but runes made directly from the soul itself."

"If my guess is correct, then these masks may have been used to seal and shape the soul itself by using a part of these soul entities."

"The reason Natsuki felt these runes were so different from the soul -Sealing Runes we were studying is because of this."

"Our research focuses on Chakra Seal, while these masks Soul Seal, so the two are almost completely different."

As he spoke, a slight smile appeared on Katsuya's face. He said, "If all goes well, our research should make progress."

"Research on Chakra Seal is too difficult. Perhaps our research will only make Wind Release: Breakthrough after Natsuki reaches the Yin Release level like you, teacher."

"But Soul Seal a soul with a soul should be technically simpler."