Yashiro was still caught up in the excitement of joining New Root and didn't respond to Kakuzu.
Kakuzu shook his head speechlessly.
Another traditional ninja who's willing to die for the village and sacrifice himself for the collective...
They're really going all out!
But such a thought burst into his mind.
The Fireside Chat between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kakuzu by the hearth echoed in Kakuzu's mind like Genjutsu.
His gaze was drawn back to the Uchiha's Model Bulletin Board.
If only I had been at Takigakure back then...
After his mission failed, the leader of Takigakure defended him, saying he had a heart of gold and was a hero of the village... Would he still defect?
Kakuzu's five hearts twitched slightly at the same time.
Let alone defection...
In the early days of the One Village One Country system, he was just a greenhorn. Perhaps he, like Yashiro, possessed an incredibly strong will to die for his country? Kakuzu couldn't help but glance at the smiling Uchiha Yashiro and murmured to himself:
"You're a lucky kid... Being Uchiha is lucky, but being born in Konoha is unfortunate, yet you happened to meet the Third Hokage..." the Yashiro Hokage said matter-of-factly.
"I'm really lucky. I'd be even luckier if I could join Root, to protect my comrades with a glorious death, and to have my name etched in the textbooks of the Ninja Academy..."
"Don't you think this is cool?"
Kakuzu nodded silently.
An idea popped into his head.
"By the way, didn't you encounter a formidable enemy?"
"If one day, the Third Hokage asked you to assassinate an enemy similar to Senju Hashirama or Uchiha Madara, what would you do?" Kakuzu asked softly. "As payment for your answer, I will not charge you for the Storm Release ninja mission; I will give it to Konoha for free..." The Uchiha Yashiro pondered.
"I definitely can't win... but since the Lord Hokage has given the order, I'll just have to carry it out."
"If I were to face an enemy like that, they definitely wouldn't send me alone. It's probably to tie down the powerful foe head-on, creating opportunities for other fronts..."
"When war breaks out, everyone is risking their lives, doing things that could lead to certain death. The Lord Hokage will definitely be the first to rush into battle, so there's nothing to complain about."
"If everyone's afraid of death, how can we defeat the enemy? We're ninjas..."
Kakuzu sighed.
He understood...
In Konoha, even controversial missions like sending ninjas to their deaths in the open go unchallenged.
This only shows that the village's system is very popular, to an extreme degree...
"What if no one supports you and you're sent to your death alone? It has nothing to do with the other fronts..." Kakuzu asked, as if possessed, still unwilling to give up.
"How could that be? This doesn't align with the Will of Fire..."
Uchiha Yashiro asked, his face full of questions, "Considering you're a Storm Release ninja, even if I were forced to carry out this mission one day..."
"Then I will carry it out first; it's a ninja's duty. But I will leave a letter for Fugaku and Clan Leader Isshin, the two Konoha Committee Member. They will give their opinions to the Lord Hokage..."
"If my death can help improve the village's system, then that would be a good thing."
"Besides, what you're describing doesn't exist..."
" Konoha isn't heaven, it's impossible for every ninja to survive, but it's fair here...isn't fairness enough for a ninja?" Kakuzu sighed.
He's run out of steam.
Indeed, sometimes people live for a sense of pride, for the spirit of not being bullied and for fairness...
If everyone is working themselves to the bone, then it's perfectly acceptable for me to do the same.
Moreover, Kakuzu astutely noticed that " Konoha Committee Member " could offer opinions to the Hokage...
When Hizashi introduced himself to him, he specifically pointed to the badge on his uniform, mentioning this identity.
"What do your Konoha Committee Member do?" Kakuzu wasn't in a hurry to find Hiruzen Sarutobi; he figured the information he got from talking to Uchiha Yashiro would be more reliable.
After all, Yashiro doesn't look very smart...
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi was a seasoned veteran, and even Kakuzu wasn't confident enough to claim his experience surpassed that of the Hokage...
After all, one is a bounty hunter, and the other is the shadow of the strongest Hidden Village...
This cannot be compensated for by living an extra twenty or thirty years.
In Konoha, each Jonin is in charge of a group of ninja, collecting their opinions and views on the village, and providing real-time feedback and solutions.
"If the Jonin can't handle it, they'll report it to the Konoha Committee Member in charge... Every Konoha Committee Member is a highly skilled hero..." At this point, a hint of envy appeared in Yashiro's eyes. "I wish I could be one... but there's no way around it, our Uchiha generation is definitely going to be Fugaku and Aosui."
"We need to appoint a Clan Head, and also the most outstanding talent... I could try another path; the strong will always have a chance. But my abilities are lacking; it would be good enough if I could just get into the Root."
Yashiro sighed, "Forget about Aosui, I can't even beat Fugaku- nii..."
Kakuzu glanced at Yashiro: " Fugaku? Is that the other one who was just arm in arm with Danzo?"
Yashiro nodded.
"That guy is no pushover. My combat instincts are always pretty accurate; he's a formidable ninja."
Kakuzu seemed somewhat dazed.
Yashiro thought Fugaku was weak, then that means this man was at the bottom of the Konoha Committee Member in terms of overall quality...
Konoha is truly teeming with talent!
Some questions arose in Kakuzu's mind.
However, this problem is clearly not one that Konoha Ninja of Uchiha Yashiro's caliber could answer...
I must ask Hiruzen Sarutobi in person.
" Konoha..." Kakuzu slowly murmured the village's name in his mind.
Deep down, he still didn't want to admit it.
However, his wandering gaze subtly revealed his true feelings.
Kakuzu originally believed that the One Village One Country system was too artificial, and that the ruthlessness of the Warring States Period was more realistic...
Therefore, after leaving Takigakure, he chose money as the order in his heart.
But now it seems, perhaps he just didn't choose the right place...
"Let's go. The Lord Hokage told me he's waiting for you at the training grounds..." Yashiro and Kakuzu said.
The two Earth Flow slowly through the village.
As Kakuzu approached the Administrative Department building, his gaze sharpened.
He saw several Kirigakure Ninja gathered around the notice board, their eyes filled with longing.
It was Kisame, Terumi Mei, Kimimaro, and Yuki.
The power of Fireside Chat is immense...
This had a significant impact not only on the ninjas within Konoha, but also on the Kirigakure Exchange Students.
It turns out that "shadow" can be so approachable...
The village can protect the ninjas; everyone can work together as one and help each other!
So even after several months, Kisame and the others were still quite shocked, and would occasionally come to the Administrative Department to check on Konoha's latest policies. Although these policies were none of their concern, they felt a sense of participation just by looking at them...
"Even childbirth is subsidized?" Terumi Mei sighed. "That's incredibly comprehensive!"
"In a month, we'll be returning to Kirigakure... a year will be up." Kimimaro coldly, glancing at Yuki beside him. The four of them didn't share the same thoughts.
Kimimaro and Yuki have already revealed their rebellious nature; they're just waiting to return to Kirigakure to persuade their clansmen to prepare for their escape...
Terumi Mei is a fantasy writer.
Although she is Kekkei Genkai ninja, Terumi Mei's family has close ties with the Third Mizukage, so she still hopes to change Kirigakure... Finally, there's Kisame, a candidate for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist of the Mist and a loyal local figure to the Mizukage, who has recently been hypnotizing himself with the belief that Kirigakure will also improve...
Kimimaro has already set his sights on Kisame, planning to have his clansmen pull strings after returning to the village to throw Kisame into the " Internal Affairs Department " and let him see the bloodiest side of Kirigakure...
Fantasy always has to be shattered!
" Konoha Mutual Aid Fund..." Kisame stared at this line of text and shook his head.
When Hiruzen Sarutobi implemented this policy, he specifically emphasized that it was entirely voluntary and that participation was not forced.
However, in order to support the Hokage, and of course, to obtain this benefit, the ninjas crowded the Administrative Department's doors the very next morning, engaging in lively discussions and praise...
Kisame and the others couldn't participate, but they unconsciously followed along, watching the Konoha Ninja ' flushed and excited faces as they enthusiastically discussed the village's future...
Even a ninja like Kisame found this feeling indescribable.
"Like a dog squatting by the roadside, watching people have a feast..." Recalling that day, Kisame muttered to himself as if possessed:
"Under the Mizukage's Bloody Mist Village, Kirigakure will become as good as Konoha. Kirigakure's ninjas will no longer be dogs; one day they will finally be able to eat at the table!"
Kimimaro glanced at Kisame and chuckled inwardly.
In the past few months, after finishing his sparring duties at the Ninja Academy, Kimimaro had been intensively studying with Hyuga Tenzo, absorbing knowledge from his Great Uncle...
Therefore, Kimimaro can now be considered a highly cultured person in the Kaguya Clan.
" My Great Uncle said that these kinds of ninjas are the most dangerous... They have extremely strong self-awareness and abilities, so we can't use force, we can only use gentle methods..."
"Even within the Hyuga Clan, with the Caged Bird Seal system in place, a wise main family wouldn't be so harsh on the Branch Family like this; it would plant a time bomb for the clan..."
"I won't give the Third Mizukage and his men the chance to win Kisame over! I'll show him the most bloody side of Kirigakure, and its most disgusting aspects, so different from Konoha's..."
Tenzo, a seasoned warrior of the Ninja Clan, passed on his mental techniques to Kimimaro.
This would allow him to quickly select Kaguya clan members he could recruit after returning to Kirigakure.
This can also be considered a reverse cultivation technique...
Kakuzu passed by them, and Kimimaro and the others also noticed Kakuzu, this powerful outsider.
Their eyes met.
Kimimaro's heart tightened.
"This guy seems like someone you shouldn't mess with... Oh no, why is he in Konoha? And why was he received by Brother Yashiro? Does he also want to come to Konoha?"
"Isn't this stealing the spotlight from our Kaguya Clan?!" Kimimaro suddenly became anxious.
I can't wait to get back to Kirigakure and quickly set things up...
"As expected, there are still many clever people in this Shinobi World! The goodness of Konoha will gradually spread throughout the Shinobi World..." Kimimaro gritted his teeth. However, in fact, Kimimaro was worrying too much.
Konoha's advantages are not yet widely known among other Hidden Village in the Shinobi World, but with the anxious Kimimaro present, it's visibly spreading the word extensively in Kirigakure...
#
Second Konoha Training Ground.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat cross-legged in the sea of fire, his upper body bare, with faint Cursed Seal protecting his lower body.
He closed his eyes and concentrated, his body strong and upright, with firm muscle lines.
The flames burned the skin, yet caused no burns; instead, they flowed over it as smoothly as water.
Kakuzu and Yashiro slowly Earth Flow the entrance of the training ground, exchanged a few words with the Anbu at the entrance, and then slowly Earth Flow in.
Upon seeing this, the two of them froze.
What is the Lord Hokage doing?
A ninja's body is very fragile.
Even Jonin, and many renowned ninjas, possess physical strength not significantly different from that of ordinary Chunin or Special Jonin...
Only Kakuzu, with his Earth Grudge Fear Body, possesses such extraordinary physical strength.
However, without using escaping techniques to strengthen the body, one cannot achieve the level of being unharmed by Fire Release...
"If his face were covered, I'd think I was seeing the Raikage because of the Hokage's physical strength and power..." Kakuzu muttered to himself. He recalled the day Hiruzen Sarutobi...
Earth Grudge Fear Ultimate Shot Battle Against Five Release: Great Combo Technique.
Now it seems Kakuzu thinks Hiruzen Sarutobi might not even need to use ninjutsu; he could probably beat him to a pulp using only Taijutsu...
What happened to the Professor of Ninjutsu? Why is he going for Body-Refining Style now?!
Kakuzu know was...
Hiruzen Sarutobi was a cautious person.
The body is the foundation of everything, and the ninja's fragile physique combined with the high offensive power of Ninjutsu made him very uneasy...
" Kakuzu, Yashiro..."
"Come on, use Fire Release on me!" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up and said with a smile in his eyes.
Yashiro and Kakuzu were taken aback.
Under Hiruzen Sarutobi's encouraging gaze, the two hesitantly Hand Seals.
Fire Release: Searing Migraine!
" Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson!"
Flames engulfed Hiruzen Sarutobi's body, while Kakuzu and Yashiro stared intently at the Hokage.
Yashiro also activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, looking reverently at Hiruzen Sarutobi's strong physique, a worried expression on his face.
With his Sharingan, the Yashiro did not see Hiruzen Sarutobi using Chakra to create a protective barrier on his body.
"Be careful, Lord Hokage!" Yashiro couldn't help but remind him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, feeling the burning and scorching sensation on his body, and exhaled a breath of stale air.
"Having acquired a certain Fire Nature Chakra resistance..."
"The element of surprise and uncertainty in someone else's attack can actually be beneficial for cultivation..."
"I can already withstand the Fire Nature Chakra Nature Transformation at the level of the Yashiro. Kakuzu's can still hurt me, but if I'm hit head-on several times, I'll suffer noticeable damage even without using my Lightning Armor..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly stood up, his body turning a bronze color as a result.
And then, a bizarre scene unfolded.
A faint glow appeared on his chest, and the raging flames suddenly became docile.
The fire slowly seeped into his skin, flowing straight into his heart, like Water Release Uzumaki.
The Uchiha Yashiro stared in disbelief at the scene.
ah?
Is the Lord Hokage absorbing flames with his body?
Even Kakuzu, a veteran of the Shinobi World who prided himself on his extensive knowledge, was shocked.
" Chakra absorption technique? No, if it's Dark Release, Fire Release should also have time to be converted, so it wouldn't become completely powerless in an instant..."
"It's as if it's been sealed away; only Sealing Jutsu could have such a powerful effect..."
Kakuzu analyzed in a low voice.
"This looks like the Fire Sealing Method that Brother Fugaku mentioned..." Yashiro blinked.
After being instructed to read more books, Fugaku read some classical texts.
However, he likes to show off his knowledge as soon as he learns something, in order to prove that he is knowledgeable and erudite...
One of them is the Fire Sealing Method.
" Yashiro, let me tell you, even our Uchiha Clan's Fire Release aren't invincible!"
"You should be humble... The Fire Sealing Seal is effective against Fire Release techniques. It only requires a specially made scroll as a medium. Even the ultimate Fire Release Dōjutsu, Amaterasu, is difficult to break through this seal..." Fugaku said to Yashiro with a smug look.
"Wow, you have good taste, Yashiro!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a scorching breath. "This is considered the internalization of the Fire Sealing Method, but I'm not very proficient yet. Absorbing your two Fire Release is already my limit; I need some time to digest it..."
Both Yashiro and Kakuzu looked puzzled.
What is meant by internalizing Sealing Jutsu?
A walking Sealing Jutsu, huh!
"You're truly impervious to water and fire..."
"If you continue training, even the legendary strongest Fire Release: Amaterasu of the Uchiha Clan, the so-called inextinguishable flame and the strongest physical attack, will be useless against you..."
"I can't believe it Yashiro said excitedly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi grew stronger, he felt a sense of pride and pride in becoming stronger as well.
Kakuzu couldn't help but frown.
What kind of talk is that...?
It sounds like the Uchiha had long harbored the ambition to Hokage with Amaterasu...
"If it's the Uchiha, then it makes sense..." Kakuzu muttered to himself.
Even though the Uchiha Clan ninjas haven't been active in the Shinobi World Shinobi World very long, jokes about the Red-Eyes ninjas' emotional intelligence are still widely circulated. The Yashiro seemed to realize this and quickly tried to add a few words.
Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted him with a smile:
"If I improve further in the future, and another ninja in the Uchiha Clan awakens this Dōjutsu, we could give it a try..."
"Don't be nervous, Yashiro. We're family, so there's no need for formalities. Just relax and be yourself."
Your loyalty needs no further explanation.
Yashiro chuckled; he knew his worries were actually a bit unnecessary...
The Lord Hokage is not one to nitpick or label others!
Kakuzu seemed lost in thought; perhaps this was why the Uchiha Clan was displaying so many banners at the Police Force...
Such a powerful figure, yet he still holds an extremely tolerant attitude towards ninjas with whom he had past conflicts, is truly rare in the Shinobi World...
Suddenly, Kakuzu remembered an acquaintance...
That was Senju Hashirama who had released him.
"That person's figure? I wouldn't say it's there, but it certainly has a hint of their spirit..."
" Yashiro, go ahead and get busy. I need to talk to Kakuzu," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
Kakuzu slowly Earth Flow forward and, at Hiruzen Sarutobi's prompting, sat down side by side on the bench.
"How about it..."
" Konoha under my rule has changed somewhat compared to before, hasn't it?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile, "However, there are still many shortcomings... Do you have any suggestions for me?"
Kakuzu's expression froze; the Hokage was actually asking for his opinion?
"I'm just a bounty hunter, a missing-nin from Takigakure. What good could I possibly have for Konoha?"
Kakuzu chuckled self-deprecatingly, "All these years I've wasted in the Shinobi World have been spent dealing only with corpses and money."
"You are more knowledgeable and experienced, and we have different perspectives on issues."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "No one can be perfect. It always requires collective wisdom and effort to find problems and build together..." Kakuzu was speechless.
He became increasingly certain that Hiruzen Sarutobi was not a ninja...
"As for questions... I'd like to ask the Lord Hokage a few questions first, is that alright?"
Kakuzu said softly.
After receiving Hiruzen Sarutobi's consent, Kakuzu frowned and said:
" Lord Hokage, why are you scattering all this hard-earned silver to the poor?"
"Even if it's to win people's hearts, you've gone too far in favoring the lower classes. You should concentrate your resources on the Jonin; they are the foundation of your rule over the village."
"I don't understand, this isn't the way to maximize economic benefits..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.
Kakuzu's thinking is like that of a businessman, conducting cost accounting for extreme self-interest...
"The poor are people too; many of them simply lack the resources to get started."
"My students Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Sakumo, Hiruko, and many other Konoha Jonin, though they didn't come from wealthy backgrounds, still managed to rise to prominence..."
"Some are poor but lucky, like those I've taken on as apprentices."
"But perhaps there are other ninjas just as talented as them, who lacked this luck and might have been stuck struggling to make ends meet, thus missing their golden period of development..."
"One million taels isn't much for you or me, but for a Genin who has lost the support of his family, it can allow him to settle down and realize his potential."
Kakuzu subconsciously asked, "What if there's no high return? Most ninjas don't have the talent to become strong..." "That's where you and I are thinking differently. Wars between Hidden Village are different from lone wolf operations."
"Any large-scale battlefield requires a large number of relatively mediocre ninjas to fill the battle lines, defend key points, and prevent enemy infiltration and encirclement..." Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly.
"They will halt the enemy's sharpest first strikes and gather valuable intelligence, laying the foundation for victory for their elite troops."
"So the casualties were very high."
"Making them as strong as possible would be extremely beneficial to Konoha's military strength..." Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.
"Furthermore, this would give ninjas a greater advantage when facing enemies, increasing their chances of survival on the brutal battlefield."
Kakuzu looked directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi and asked solemnly, "But... this isn't really beneficial to you, is it? I'm curious, why would you want to take care of these ninjas..."
"I want to hear your most honest thoughts!"
"Perhaps it's because I'm Lord Hashirama's disciple..." Hiruzen Sarutobi said without changing his expression. He believed that the First's name Kakuzu. He was the First Shinobi World Charmer.
" Lord Hashirama was so powerful that, apart from a few individuals like Uchiha Madara, other ninjas were like you and me to ordinary Genin in his presence. Yet, he still restrained his power, choosing to create Konoha for the peace and happiness of the majority, thus ending the Warring States Period."
"If it weren't for Lord Hashirama, I might not be alive now, and I wouldn't have had the chance to grow..." Hiruzen Sarutobi said earnestly. "You can't be serious... You're a genius, after all!" Kakuzu said hesitantly.
"I was only a few years old when the chaos ended, and in that cruel era, how many young geniuses perished?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly.
" Lord Hashirama doesn't calculate the maximization of so-called ultimate interests; instead, he wants everyone to survive as much as possible. Otherwise, he could easily control anyone and unleash one massacre after another..."
"I am a person of little ability, far inferior to Lord Hashirama, but his magnanimity and bearing are forever etched in my heart." "Therefore, I simply want to do my best to fulfill Lord Hashirama's wishes. After all, I am a generation that grew up bathed in his kindness; a man should know how to repay kindness..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi to advance, thus binding himself to the name of Hashirama.
The so-called repayment of gratitude is stated openly as self-evident, but in reality, it subtly touches Kakuzu's heart.
" Lord Hokage said is true..."
Kakuzu sighed softly, the image of Hashirama letting him go years ago flashing through his mind. "Young man, you're quite skilled! Just unlucky, though. Be careful not to get harmed by others in the future!"
Hashirama's hearty laughter seemed to transcend time and space, echoing once again in Kakuzu's ears.
If Hashirama had the same mindset as him, would he have survived to this day?
It's obviously impossible...
" Lord Hokage, what is your opinion on the concept of 'face' and 'Lizi '?" Kakuzu suddenly asked a strange question, his tone becoming slightly sharp:
"Is it about keeping the good side to yourself and letting others bear the bad side?"
Kakuzu finished speaking, even he himself felt that he had been too presumptuous.
But he really wanted to know...
As someone who was harmed by Hidden Village, he is particularly sensitive to any kind of "scapegoating" and is also extremely eager to get Hiruzen Sarutobi's opinion.
If this question can be explained...
Kakuzu considered Konoha to be his ideal dream organization, the only drawback being that he didn't join...
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment.
In the Shinobi World, this question is actually a bit beyond the scope of what's required.
He needs to organize his thoughts.
"Uniting people's hearts comes from a narrative of justice and a consensus on morality... and as the one explaining this system, I naturally need to avoid getting too tainted by darkness."
"But for a village to survive, especially in the Shinobi World, it must deal with hidden risks and gray-area missions that cannot be made public, and use tough or even dark methods to safeguard the organization's bottom line for survival."
"I need to establish myself as a strong person who absolutely adheres to the rules. If there's even the slightest imbalance in this aspect, given my considerable influence in the village, a large number of ninjas will lose faith in the rules..."
"So, I need someone else to do this job for me, to act as what you call the ' Lizi '."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said sincerely.
These words were so blunt that even Kakuzu was taken aback.
This isn't an explanation; it's more like they're teaching him how to be Hokage...
"I've seen all those ninjas who did the dirty work and stayed in the shadows."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said softly, "Take Danzo, for example, the Uchiha Danzo in the past, and the Root group. They sacrificed a lot, but sometimes they were misunderstood by their comrades..."
"Therefore, I also need to support them, use my influence to publicize their contributions, give them the recognition and honors they deserve, and provide them with substantial material benefits..."
"On the other hand, I can also use my influence to restrain them and prevent them from excessively breaking the rules."
" The Lizi handle the things I can't do, while my outward appearance helps them emerge from the darkness, allowing them to one day stand in the light with greater pride."
"They are not knives that can be discarded after use, but heroes who bear the burden for me and for the village."
"I admit that this system is not perfect, but it is the best solution I can find right now."
Hiruzen Sarutobi each word clearly.
Kakuzu slowly exhaled a long breath, his expression filled with emotion.
As a ninja...
What we fear most is not sacrifice or dedication, but carrying out a mission without reward.
In the context of " Lizi," it means being discarded like a chamber pot after the work is done, or being used and discarded like a worn-out millstone.
Kakuzu was once the only one in Takigakure...
In Konoha.
Whether it's the Uchiha Danzo, Danzo, or the honored Anbu...
All the facts tell Kakuzu that Hiruzen Sarutobi never owed anything to those who worked for him.
Even if someone has stains on their reputation, it's easy to turn against them...
For example, if Hiruzen Sarutobi things up even slightly, the Konoha Ninja will only feel anger towards the Root and Danzo.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't; instead, he humbled himself and treated them with extraordinary respect...
"How kind of you, Lord Hokage..."
Kakuzu exclaimed sincerely, "I really like your explanation."
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not embellish his own image; instead, he truthfully explained to Kakuzu the workings of the village.
And it is precisely this authenticity that strikes Kakuzu the softest spot in Kakuzu's five hearts, a spot that none of them can easily avoid...
Open and honest!
" Konoha, what a wonderful village..."
"What a pity, I am a missing-nin from Takigakure, and I have wasted so many years in the Shinobi World..." Kakuzu sighed.
"It's no pity. You were a promising young talent that Lord Hashirama once lamented." Hiruzen Sarutobi joked, "With your Earth Grudge Fear, you're still a young man; you have a long road ahead of you..."
Is the road still long?
Kakuzu looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, and his heart skipped a beat.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared directly at Kakuzu, his gaze calm and resolute.
" Lord Hokage, I've heard..."
" Konoha allows other ninjas to join? The Tsuchigumo and Iburi Clan have joined the village's reserve forces..." Kakuzu said instinctively. "Of course, we welcome all ninjas who share the Will of Fire and are like-minded."
"One's background is actually the least important thing."
Kakuzu nodded, seemingly unintentionally.
After a moment, she said softly, "Do you think I'm suitable?"
Kakuzu was slightly nervous.
His reputation in the Shinobi World is really bad...
While it can't be said that he was as renowned throughout the Shinobi World as Tobirama, he was still under close surveillance when passing through the Great Hidden Village.
After all, no organization would like a powerful lone wolf.
"My acquisition of Kakuzu is like Lord Hashirama acquiring a teacher!"
Unexpectedly, Hiruzen Sarutobi into hearty laughter, grabbing Kakuzu's hand tightly.
"Actually, I wanted to ask you that earlier, but I was afraid you'd find it offensive..."
"I've heard from the Anbu ninjas that you're a renowned financial expert in the Shinobi World, and that Konoha's annual profits are around 5 billion ryo, not counting mission earnings!"
"If you were to come, I would like to ask you to be my Financial Specialist, to summarize, re-approve, and supervise all future inflows and outflows of funds..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a long sigh of relief, as if relieved. "There are too few ninjas in the village who understand these things. Now I finally have someone to talk to!"
Kakuzu's eyes widened.
no...
I just asked you if it would work, why did you immediately use your ultimate skill?
Logically speaking, you shouldn't think about it for a while before saying yes or no.
However, Konoha has its own way of dealing with people, and it put me through a series of tests, such as sending me into a reserve force like the Iburi Clan, hoping that I could make a name for myself and then be promoted to a regular position!
You've just handed over 5 billion to yourself to manage all at once. Even if you're not in charge of everything, it's still incredibly generous!
Fifty billion taels...
Kakuzu couldn't help but do the math in his mind: he would have to kill three to five hundred Elite Jonin to raise that much bounty!
That's about all there is to it when you combine the Five Great Hidden Villages!
Even the wealthy Kakuzu was stunned by the Konoha Gold Coin.
"You trust me that much?" Kakuzu couldn't help but ask.
"I've always believed in trusting those I employ and not employing those I don't trust..." Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled. "Actually, in principle, joining Konoha requires going through a certain procedure..."
"But you possess exceptional talent and combat prowess, and you have a long-standing relationship with Hashirama and Lady Mito, making you old friends of Konoha." "To be honest, ever since I learned that you, as a bounty hunter, are incredibly disciplined and adhere to the rules, I've thought that perhaps one day we could become companions who can rely on each other."
Hiruzen Sarutobi patted Kakuzu on the shoulder and laughed heartily, much like Hashirama, and said:
"It seems my intuition was right!"
"I was just talking about this with Lady Mito the other day..." Hiruzen Sarutobi blinked. "By the way, you haven't visited her yet, have you?" Kakuzu was bewildered. "Yes... yes, I haven't visited Lady Mito, but I was planning to, and I brought a gift."
So, he and the Hokage had known each other for a long time?
Is this what they call a bond?
"Alright, let's go see Lady Mito..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile, "I'll deliver your headband to Lady Mito right now. I hope you can gain her approval and have Lady Mito become your introducer when you join Konoha."
"That way, no one will say anything... You'll have established yourself in Konoha, and your work will proceed more smoothly, preventing anyone from causing you trouble."
It's natural that outsider ninjas who have been granted such high positions of power would be viewed with suspicion, even by Konoha.
But Mito Uzumaki was a transcendent figure in Konoha.
Moreover, this is a beautiful story about the Will of Fire and the Hashirama!
Kakuzu, who was once released by Hashirama, was inspired by the Will of Fire fifty years later and joined Konoha with the approval of Hashirama's widow, Mito... This is simply an excellent piece of propaganda material!
The Will of Fire is practically exploding in this story...
Kakuzu took a deep breath.
He simply didn't know what to say...
Before he even became a formal Konoha Ninja, Hiruzen Sarutobi was already thinking about his job, proactively removing obstacles to prevent him from being harassed...
What are you doing?!
Kakuzu felt a warm, slightly agitated sensation all over his body, as if he were under Genjutsu, and even the flow of the black threads within his body seemed to have accelerated... " Lord Hokage..."
"I will go and visit Lady Mito immediately!"
"As for my specific work, let me discuss it with you in more detail. I have a better idea that would be good for the village..."
Kakuzu stood up and said seriously.
His posture was upright, clearly indicating that he had already integrated into the Konoha hierarchy.
"Okay! I'll wait for you to come and talk to me, but don't rush..."
"We need to consider our own work habits and resolve this issue once and for all..." Hiruzen Sarutobi patted Kakuzu on the shoulder. "Go, and give my regards to Lady Mito!"
Kakuzu nodded emphatically.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kakuzu and smiled.
The inherent stubbornness of ninjas means that if you strike their weak spot, the scenario of "their bodies tremble and they bow down in submission" is quite plausible...
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't trust Kakuzu that much either.
There was another crucial reason why he was sent to find Mito Uzumaki.
That was Hiruzen Sarutobi's trust in Mito Uzumaki's Mind's Eye of the Kagura and his Malice Sensing.
Even Teacher Tobirama couldn't escape his detection back then, but in Hiruzen Sarutobi's opinion, Kakuzu that ability...
Although it was calculated, it was a good thing for all parties.
Hiruzen Sarutobi can clearly demonstrate Kakuzu's usability, Kakuzu gain endorsement and trust, Mito can reminisce about Hashirama's past deeds and figure... It's a win-win situation!
" Fire Release..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sensed the fire- Fire Release Fire Release absorbed into his body, as well as his current resistance to it.
A slight smile.
Progress is being accelerated.
"I wonder if that brat will give me a surprise when he gets back..." Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled, referring to Jiraiya. Jiraiya, who was in seclusion at Mount Myoboku, said he had managed to use Sage Mode in actual combat with some prior preparation. He sent a letter to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Hiruko.
He proudly declared that he had become Sage, his strength was now vastly different from before, and he would return to Konoha to show off his power!
He calls himself " Toad Sage of the Prophet Master Mount Myoboku in Konoha!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi has never seen Sage Mode up close before, and he is very curious about it.
As for his old apprentice Jiraiya, he'd actually been itching to get his hands on him for a while...
I really want to play! It feels so good!
As Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't train like Sakumo did, where he could just go to the border to kill some spies if he felt he lacked real combat experience... If he made a move outside the village, the entire Shinobi World would be thrown into chaos.
Therefore, he could only engage in actual combat with the village ninjas under the guise of friendly sparring and exchange...
Hiruzen Sarutobi had already set his sights on Tobirama...
I'm planning to test my skills against my former teacher...
But Jiraiya brazenly declared he would show Hiruzen Sarutobi his true power...
Then why not give it a shot!
#
Anbu.
Danzo, now Danzo, or rather, not drunk at all, looked at Aosui in front of him with great satisfaction.
The charade with Isshin and Fugaku was mainly to get the ninjas to spread the word, letting everyone in the village know they had reconciled and could make dumplings together in a happy reunion...
Otherwise, who would know if we closed the door?
Danzo, however, was increasingly satisfied with " Aosui ".
The more I look at him, the less he seems like Izuna; he looks exactly like his teacher!
Of course, only Danzo would think this way, because his daily habit of looking at Tobirama's photograph unconsciously amplified Tobirama's features in " Aosui's" face...
But interestingly...
Tobirama a cold expression, Danzo finished reading through the information and Ninjutsu had given him.
He uttered an unexpected statement. "How can this Wind Release Chakra Mode be perfected from this angle? You don't understand the basic principles of perfecting Ninjutsu at all!"
"Obviously."
"You should start with the change in properties, using the initial structure of the Hozuki Clan's Hydrification Secret Technique as a reference, and supplementing it with the dynamics of airflow as an extension. If you keep going like this, you'll never complete this technique in your lifetime..."
Danzo was dumbfounded.
Faced with the blueprints handed to him by " Aosui," Danzo subconsciously asked, "How do you know so much?"
Tobirama stated matter-of-factly that he had planned this all along:
"My younger brother is Shisui. His family has the books and research methods left by Senju Tobirama. Can't you just glance at these things and understand them?" "Even the Second has made them so simple and easy to understand..."
"I'm very curious, as his apprentice, how come you don't even understand these things?"
Danzo, for the first time in a long time, revealed a look of utter contempt.
He naturally knew what the so-called Tobirama texts and methods of forgery analysis referred to...
Back then, every member of the Personal Guard had a copy of the sword. Teacher Tobirama hoped they would inherit his mantle and that everyone would at least understand a little bit of the art of imitation... But unfortunately, no one could understand it back then.
This also applies to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Because Tobirama's thinking was too jumpy, many of the logical and research inspirations that he sent to her were always expressed with a series of "Xianya" characters.
Even Danzo, who respected Tobirama so much, complained to Hiruzen Sarutobi when he was young:
"Where exactly is Xianya?"
Danzo stood up Danzo, his hands trembling slightly as he carefully placed the item down.
After a long while, he took a deep breath.
This feeling...
It was as if Teacher Tobirama had come back to life!
Marry him to help him complete this procedure!
" Aosui..."
Danzo at Tobirama, his eyes burning with a fervor that seemed to blaze like a raging fire. "I will definitely help you become Hokage!" Tobirama twitched his breast.
He doesn't want to Hokage!
Anyone who's worked in this position at Ichiran's place understands; it's exhausting, like being skinned alive. It's nowhere near as comfortable as being married off right now.
He's worked hard his whole life; it's time he enjoyed a little personal freedom!
After all, Hiruzen did a very good job...
"Your immediate priorities after marriage are twofold: first, to perfect the Wind Release Chakra Mode based on my ideas; and second, to adjust the organizational structure of the Anbu Intelligence Department. Focus on completing the tasks at hand first..."
Tobirama took a piece of paper from him:
"According to the records left by the Second, intelligence work on the periphery of the Anbu emphasizes single-point silence, single-line communication, and no overlap between nodes..." "These spies are in a very dangerous situation right now; you, Head, must make immediate adjustments!"
Danzo frowned; he felt he hadn't asked any questions about his work...
However, after receiving Tobirama's comments, I unconsciously felt a little uneasy...
Did he really not fully grasp Teacher Tobirama's guidance back then?
how so!
"There's no need to blame yourself too much. As the Anbu Chief, it's inevitable that some mistakes will be made due to the heavy workload."
"I'll fill in the gaps and make up for any shortcomings in your current marriage..."
Tobirama patted Danzo on the shoulder. "I'm leaving now. You and the Utsuri clan ninjas did a good job today, but it still seemed a little too deliberate..."
"Xia Lan could try going on an inspection with a smile, using your established Persona to create a sense of contrast."
Danzo nodded, as if it were a muscle memory, and said, "Okay, I understand!"
A moment later, Danzo realized what was happening after hearing the loud slam of the door closing.
Wait a minute...
He is the true master!
" Aosui has clearly become his disciple, but he hasn't called him 'Master' yet!"
How come he's already giving his work a dressing-down and assigning him homework before he's even said anything himself?