Kusagakure's Ambition, the Box of Ultimate Bliss

"Hiruzen, these hyenas have a big plan—"

"The ambition of Kusagakure has surprised even me!"

"If we hadn't captured their entire squad, providing more clues for our investigation—we would have truly been Kusagakure Kusanagi's conspiracy. They actually wanted to rule the Shinobi World!"

Danzo said with a murderous look on his face, "You're right, Hiruzen. We really can't let Hidden Village like this continue to develop around Konoha!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't reply, puffing on Tobacco Pipe Danzo as he carefully examined the intelligence Danzo had presented.

Based on the intelligence Danzo and his Anbu agents over the past few months—

It can be concluded that there are two distinct opposing forces within the Kusagakure.

"On one side is the Flower of Grass, which advocates peace," and on the other side is the Fruit of Grass advocates expansion and aggression.

Clearly, the current Kusagakure is under the control Fruit of Grass the Hawk Faction "Kusa no Mi".

The Dove Faction -like "Flower of Grass" movement is suffering repeated defeats and has reached the point where it needs to be purged.

The reason behind the Kusagakure's bold and reckless capture of ninjas, akin to walking a tightrope, has been revealed.

It wasn't just about coveting Kekkei Genkai and Ninjutsu; it was also about ruling the Shinobi World.

Kusagakure's trump card is the "Box of Ultimate Bliss," Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths passed down from ancient times, said to be the strongest weapon from the era of the Sage of Six Paths.

It is said that the ancestors of Kusagakure once used the "Box of Ultimate Bliss" to make a grand vow, and almost swept through the Shinobi World to become the king of the world.

To open the Box of Ultimate Bliss, in addition to learning complex unsealing techniques, one must also sacrifice a large amount of Chakra in order for it to respond to the request.

Therefore, the Kusagakure's act of capturing ninjas was also to imprison them deep within the Hozuki Castle prison, forcing them to regularly "transfer Chakra" to the Box of Ultimate Bliss.

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke, remaining noncommittal regarding the idea that the Box of Ultimate Bliss " would "rule the Shinobi World."

This thing should have power, but at most it's a strategic weapon at the level of Tailed Beast.

Because if they were truly strong enough, it wouldn't have been Senju Hashirama who ended the chaos, but rather the ancestor of Kusagakure.

Historical records shouldn't primarily feature the Senju and Uchiha.

This should be the so-called strongest weapon.

Moreover, Hiruzen Sarutobi had seen the Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths a long time ago.

After Senju Tobirama battle.

The Kumogakure, which recovered some of the Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths from the Kinkaku and Ginkaku Brothers, once attempted to send people to master these Ninja Tool, hoping to unleash their power on the battlefield.

These Treasured Tool do indeed have strange mechanics.

If one is unprepared, it is indeed easy to fall victim to an attack on the first encounter. However, if one is vigilant and prepares to stabilize one's Chakra and maintain distance beforehand...

It's not that there are no solutions.

Furthermore, apart from the Kinkaku and Ginkaku Brothers, anyone else using the Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths would consume a large amount of Chakra.

Even if a skilled ninja were to manipulate it, it would disrupt the usual battle rhythm, making it a losing proposition.

Therefore, after testing it out a few times, the Kumogakure stopped using it in formal combat.

The fact that the "Box of Ultimate Bliss" can only be opened through sacrifice reminded Hiruzen Sarutobi of several stories.

It feels very familiar.

The Western Zhou Dragon Wood Box, Pandora's Box --

"Hiruzen, we can't let Kusagakure continue to possess these dangerous Ninja Tool— "

"According to my in-depth research into Shinobi World records, the Box of Ultimate Bliss was opened again two hundred years ago, and its power has been described by some as being no less than that of the Tailed Beast of Calamity!"

Danzo added.

Based on Hiruzen Sarutobi's past style, he would probably politely decline such Ninja Tool.

Although many things have changed, Danzo was still worried that Hiruzen might relapse into his old habits.

"I know, I know--"

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Danzo with amusement and exhaled a puff of smoke. "No one in Kumogakure has ever mastered the Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths, but we can't look at things with outdated perspectives."

Even disregarding the power of this box, from a defensive perspective, we need to obtain a Treasured Tool to study similar mechanisms--

"We and the Kumogakure will inevitably have a struggle in the future; you and I both know that."

Danzo nodded in deep agreement.

Two hundred years ago--

"Historical records in the Shinobi World have always been rather vague, containing a great deal of exaggeration, making it relatively difficult to obtain accurate information from them."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered, exhaling a puff of smoke. "But we also have advantages. The Three Great Sage Regions are on good terms with us, and their advantage as long-lived beings is undeniable."

"If the ' Box of Ultimate Bliss ' was indeed unsealed, there should be records of it in the Three Great Sage Regions."

Danzo.

His initial impression of the Three Great Sage Regions was actually rather lukewarm.

It's just a slightly more powerful Summoning Beast.

Furthermore, none of Konoha's three successors were able to learn Senjutsu like the First Hokage.

His Baku is no less powerful than anyone else's!

But now it seems--

If the reputation and hidden resources of the Three Great Sage Regions can be fully utilized, it can indeed bring considerable benefits to Konoha.

It definitely has an advantage over other Summoning Beast groups!

Danzo's intelligence indicates...

The ninjas imprisoned in Kusagakure are not only from Konoha, but also from Major Hidden Villages.

There's no need to talk about Small Hidden Village and tribes.

Tempted by the "Box of Ultimate Bliss," the Hawk Faction of Kusagakure seemed to have eaten the gall of a bear and the heart of a leopard, believing that as long as they could obtain this ancestral power, they would not have to worry about the accusations from the Five Great Hidden Villages.

Absolutely insane!

"As for these imprisoned ninjas and their descendants—"

"Those Konoha Konoha welcome to claim as members of various Ninja Clan and individuals. Once the village has reviewed their applications, they will be granted the necessary paperwork to join Konoha."

"It's not just that girl from the Uzumaki Clan— " Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly.

Senju Tobirama is in there too!

"Is that so? Or should we put them with Iburi and Tsuchigumo first?" Danzo pondered.

"Strictly speaking, this is a problem of our work errors and oversights--"

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand. "The nature of the situation is different. It would be a losing proposition to only favor the Uzumaki orphans while neglecting others."

"But if their identities can't be proven and no one can vouch for them, then strict vetting is necessary. We'll have the ninjas from the Yamanaka, Kurama Clan, and Uchiha Clan take action."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled inwardly, looking at Senju Tobirama's current face—

Some people would probably jump to their deaths to vouch for him, but they'd probably have to pretend to be calm, afraid they'd discover that this orphan looks a lot like Izuna Uchiha.

It's kind of funny when I think about it.

But one thing Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't expect was...

His teacher, having awakened his Sharingan from birth, was already a genuine Uchiha with the double tomoe ring.

It was absolutely authentic!

Once the Sharingan activated, no one will doubt his bloodline; he doesn't even need to use his looks to succeed.

"Understood, Hiruzen."

Danzo nodded. He no longer habitually refuted everything; he would think things through first.

He was always being persuaded, which made him seem like an intellectually challenged assistant, and he lost face.

"In this battle, we must demonstrate our strength, leaving the enemy uncertain of our capabilities and establishing sufficient deterrence—"

"We must also carry forward our unwavering First spirit and our reputation for integrity."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "Let the Committee Member hold a meeting, set the tone, and then launch our attack!"

Danzo's gaze sharpened, and he nodded in agreement.

He thought to himself, "It's not just me learning from Hiruzen; Hiruzen is probably learning from me too—"

"Look at his tough style!"