Konoha.
Hokage Office Building.
After Shimura Danzō rushed back to the village overnight, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately convened an emergency meeting.
Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, Hatake Sakumo, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Tsunade...
"Report the situation, Advisor." Seated at the head of the round table, Hiruzen Sarutobi wore a grave expression.
Shimura Danzō nodded and began briefing everyone.
"After dozens of days of infiltration and intelligence gathered by the team through multiple channels, we can now confirm that Kumogakure's Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Blue B, is in an extremely unstable state, just as the Hokage predicted."
"Kumogakure villagers have repeatedly mentioned that the Eight-Tails has gone berserk more than once. In taverns, informed individuals have secretly revealed that this is already the third Jinchuriki replacement in a short period."
"Blue B is the Third Raikage's nephew. Both his father and uncle were previous Jinchuriki who died after going berserk."
"Our spies also witnessed Blue B unconsciously leaking Tailed Beast Chakra, causing a small-scale panic within Kumogakure."
Utatane Koharu asked, "How can we confirm that this so-called informed source was accurate? Could it have simply been drunken talk, an outburst from someone dissatisfied with Kumogakure?"
"We already killed him and extracted the intelligence from his brain." Shimura Danzō snorted coldly. "He was from the Kumogakure Sealing Squad."
"His memories also indicated that Kumogakure's Sealing Jutsu is not particularly powerful. The sealing technique used on the Jinchuriki is called the 'Iron Armor Seal,' and the Third Raikage has repeatedly expressed hopes of improving it."
"During routine seal inspections, Blue B also takes medication to stabilize his mental state and prevent berserk episodes."
That cold snort clearly showed his displeasure at Utatane Koharu's doubts.
Infiltration and assassination were his specialties! How could he possibly fail to verify an intelligence source?
But Utatane Koharu did not care. She merely nodded, signaling her approval.
It was her duty.
A consultant's role was to help the Hokage confirm and settle every uncertainty, even if the questions she raised sounded like nitpicking.
"In conclusion, there is a high chance of success if we lead a team to ambush Blue B. Under the Hokage's orders, we returned to the village first to make a further report."
Shimura Danzō added that final sentence as he looked toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
His feelings were complicated.
First, he felt that Hiruzen's mind was quick. From analyzing Kumogakure's motive for kidnapping Uzumaki Kushina and using information about the friction between Kumogakure and Iwagakure, he had inferred the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki's condition.
That was something Danzō had not considered at the time.
Second, he felt Hiruzen still was not decisive enough. Danzō could clearly have claimed this credit himself...
Yet they had to return to the village to report, affecting the operation's timing.
All those emotions tangled together, and Shimura Danzō could not help making a small sarcastic jab.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, remained perfectly composed and laughed inwardly.
If Shimura Danzō had become obedient after just a little prodding, Hiruzen would have found that far stranger...
After so many years of clashes, one or two incidents could not make him truly submit.
"The intelligence basically matches the village's analysis. Danzō's further confirmation was sufficiently detailed." Hiruzen Sarutobi did not rush to answer Shimura Danzō and even praised him first.
"Koharu, you said those two youngsters, Kushina and Minato, possess extraordinary attainments in Sealing Jutsu?"
Utatane Koharu responded, "Yes. Ordinary Jonin would struggle to reach their level. Perhaps it is related to the Uzumaki family's inheritance."
After visiting them following the mission, Utatane Koharu had gone home and spent some time pondering the techniques Minato and Kushina were researching, only to find that she still had no clue.
So when she reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi, she had emphasized that point.
"Anbu, bring them here."
"Hiruzen, they're just two kids!" Shimura Danzō questioned.
Hiruzen Sarutobi signaled for him to be quiet with his eyes, then summarized, "Our retaliation plan against Kumogakure must grasp three major principles."
"First, we must answer tooth for tooth and strengthen the village's cohesion."
"Second, we must maintain secrecy. Leaving evidence for the enemy would put us at a disadvantage in public opinion, which could trigger a chain of events and lead to war."
"Third, when circumstances are favorable, we must find ways to expand our gains."
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly said, "Blue B is a relative of the Third Raikage, so we cannot only think about assassinating him. We must find a way to bring his corpse back for study."
"The intelligence in his mind will be valuable once extracted."
"Since we are taking action, we must obtain as many combined gains as possible from a single operation. This is not a wartime raid where opposing forces clash head-on."
Shimura Danzō was left speechless.
Not a word had been directly aimed at him, yet every sentence was a response...
Orochimaru shook his head and smiled. What was Shimura Danzō thinking?
Arguing with their current teacher? He could not possibly think he could outtalk him...
"Sensei, if we are to bring his corpse back, then when the Eight-Tails is unsealed, the Jinchuriki must be in a controllable state, completely under our control."
"First, we need a comprehensive understanding of the Iron Armor Seal. We cannot forcibly dismantle it, or the Eight-Tails will immediately go berserk."
"Second, it would be best to place the Jinchuriki under Genjutsu or poison. That would greatly aid concealment."
Orochimaru analyzed.
"If he is taking medicine, I can assassinate and replace the physician prescribing it. But I do not currently have suitable drugs on hand, and I cannot determine how long development would take..."
"What about Ibuse's poison?" Tsunade spoke up. "During the Second Shinobi World War, the village collected some while developing antidotes."
"Using that as a base and strengthening its paralytic effects, I can finish it within a day."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "Excellent!"
Orochimaru also agreed. "If it is Ibuse's poison combined with your modifications, there will be no problem."
"As for Genjutsu, if the Jinchuriki is in that state, my Genjutsu can take effect..." Orochimaru pondered. "Sensei, what do you think?"
"When dealing with a Tailed Beast, the best Genjutsu naturally belongs to the Uchiha, but their Sharingan is too conspicuous..." Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly said. "Bring Genshin of the Kurama Clan here!"
The Kurama Clan was an important Ninja Clan from Konoha's early founding period.
Their unique Kekkei Genkai could strengthen Genjutsu, and they had once stood alongside the Uchiha in the field of illusion techniques.
They could deprive opponents of their five senses and control their nerves. Legend even said they once possessed the terrifying ability to "manifest reality"...
Kurama Genshin was the current Clan Head of the Kurama Clan.
Jiraiya raised his hand.
"Sensei, I can help with infiltration and retreat! The Toad Hide Technique can evacuate multiple people!"
"Let me go too! I want to do something for Kushina..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. "All right..."
"Orochimaru, how are things with the Healthcare Pill? I have added another burden to your shoulders. Will you be tired?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, picking up his Pipe.
"The Healthcare Pill only needs packaging and minor adjustments now, so I do not need to manage it much at present." Orochimaru smiled. "How could I be tired from working for the village?"
"After all, it is not only Sensei. The Hokage's Advisor is also charging at the front..."
Shimura Danzō narrowed his eyes.
The situation was different now...
Orochimaru and he were rivals in the competition for the Fourth Hokage, no longer partners as they had been before!
Shimura Danzō had once planned to help Orochimaru become the Fourth, then have the next generation pass the position back to himself...
But now that he himself was qualified to become the Fourth, who would still choose such an uncertain method?
No wonder that brat was being so proactive!
Developing Healthcare Pills and taking part in assassinations...
Compete, then! I, Shimura Danzō, have toiled my entire life through countless struggles. How could I lose to a mere junior?
At that moment, the Anbu also brought Kurama Genshin, Namikaze Minato, and Kushina over.
"Lord Hokage!" the three greeted in unison.
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