Holding the ninjutsu scroll Third Generation had given him, Senba stood respectfully at the doorway, watching Hiruzen Sarutobi leave until his figure disappeared beneath the moonlight.
Senba had behaved impeccably throughout. Even while Grandma Momoka and Third Generation spoke alone, he had waited respectfully in the outer room. He believed that someone would be watching his every move.
On the way to Grandma Momoka's room, Senba eagerly opened the ninjutsu scroll in his hands.
An A-rank jutsu: Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld.
In the original timeline, Jiraiya used this jutsu to swallow the giant serpent Orochimaru had summoned. It had been a spectacular battle. Back then, the jutsu still required hand seals.
It was an excellent jutsu for both group battles and one-on-one fights.
After putting away the scroll, Senba entered Grandma Momoka's reception room. Third Generation's reason for coming today couldn't have been as simple as reminiscing.
"Are you satisfied with the gift Hiruzen gave you?" Grandma Momoka asked with an easy smile.
"Mm. Third Generation was very generous." Senba truthfully told Grandma Momoka which jutsu he had received. In his previous life, he'd seen plenty of people on the forums who looked down on everything except a handful of A-rank jutsu.
That was because many people imagined themselves as the story's protagonist. Only after Senba had truly entered this world did he understand the value of an A-rank jutsu. The question wasn't just whether you could obtain one, but whether you could learn it.
Being able to learn and skillfully use an A-rank jutsu was also a direct measure of someone's talent.
Naruto and Sasuke were geniuses, but so was everyone who reached Elite Jonin. They just weren't reincarnations of Indra and Asura. In the end, bloodlines still reigned supreme here.
"You're too young to be worrying about so much." Though she didn't know what Senba was thinking, Grandma Momoka drew on her years of experience and guessed that he was feeling a little uneasy.
"Little Senba, you may look like the Second Clan Head, but don't let yourself become like him. Just live as yourself." Senju Momoka was clearly worried that Senba might force himself to emulate Tobirama Senju out of a sense of duty to the Senju Clan.
That might be a good thing at first, but it could seriously harm his character and eventually destroy the boy.
Sensing Grandma Momoka's concern, Senba realized that his wandering thoughts had worried the old woman. He hurriedly changed the subject and asked what was on his mind.
"Don't worry. Hiruzen was trying to sound me out, but Konoha benefited from what happened at Kusagakure, so he won't investigate too closely."
"He only came to ask me to keep an eye on Konoha after he leaves. Even this old woman's face still carries a little weight."
Grandma Momoka stopped there. Senba didn't need to get involved in Konoha's decision-making circles so early. He only needed to focus on improving his strength.
Senba had no reason to grow suspicious over it. Today, he had received not only a large reward but also some fine Ninja Tools. He needed to plan carefully and turn them into assets for himself before his next mission.
But tonight was destined to be a sleepless one for Senba. Just as he rose to take his leave, hurried footsteps sounded nearby.
A maid who had rushed over brought Senba some bad news: his grandfather's condition had suddenly worsened, and he was on the verge of death.
The next moment, Senba vanished from the room. Hearing that another person her age had passed away, Grandma Momoka sank helplessly onto the couch, a faint glimmer of tears in her eyes.
At the training ground in Konoha's Root, Danzo stared at his subordinates sprawled across the ground. The veins on his left hand, which gripped his cane, bulged. That bastard Orochimaru had barged right in without the slightest shame.
At that moment, Danzo truly wanted to release the seal on his right arm and transform into a many-eyed monster so he could teach Orochimaru a lesson. But remembering that he still needed Orochimaru to balance the two powers within him, he forced himself to endure it with a few deep breaths.
Though Orochimaru knew Danzo wanted nothing more than to eat him alive, he wasn't worried in the least. To prevent his subordinates from betraying him, Danzo had put them through every kind of Sealing Jutsu and brainwashing, one after another.
All that produced were mindless loyalists. Scientific research required flashes of insight, and even if he put his experimental data right in front of them, they would only imitate it clumsily.
Just as Danzo was about to demand an explanation, Orochimaru tossed over a thick scroll. A short, white-haired Ninja caught it just before it could hit Danzo.
Orochimaru glanced at the short Ninja, then looked straight at Danzo. "The method recorded in this scroll can balance the two powers within you."
"But..." Orochimaru eyed him with ill intent, his long tongue flicking across his lips. "After the first use, you'll need time to adjust. You won't be able to do any strenuous activity for about half a month. Dare to try it?"
"Hmph! Orochimaru, I've faced hundreds, if not thousands, of hardships in my life. Don't think you can scare me."
"That's right. I sent someone to attack your disciple. It was also a warning to teach you to respect your elders." Though Danzo spoke boldly, he still had the people beside him put the scroll away. He would find a test subject and try it out first.
Seeing this, Orochimaru knew his plan had worked. Shimura Danzo wouldn't be able to cause trouble for at least a month, and he had also fulfilled his promise to Third Generation.
"Advisor Danzo, since that's settled, shouldn't I get the supplies I asked for?" Orochimaru wore a faintly mocking smile. Danzo thought of the position Orochimaru now held in Konoha.
If that weakling Hiruzen really died this time, this viper would be his greatest rival for the Hokage seat.
"You'll get what you need in three days." After speaking, Danzo turned and left with several trusted followers. Seeing how readily Danzo had agreed, Orochimaru couldn't help but sneer.
Walking through a corridor that resembled a sewer, Danzo suddenly stopped. "Capture some of the people in Konoha Village who oppose me and send them to Orochimaru. There are plenty of test subjects. It just depends on whether you have the stomach for it."
"Understood!"
A reply came from somewhere in the darkness. Then all fell silent again.
"Run! Run! Get out of the Land of Water. Don't trust anyone!"
"Kill him! Kill that monster! Kill!"
"No, don't kill me! Aah!"
With a startled cry, Haku, who had been lying across the back of a Kirigakure Ninja, suddenly woke. Before he could react, a warm hand gently brushed his forehead.
"Good, you don't have a fever. Little girl, what's your name?"
Now fully awake, Haku looked at the wreckage all around him, then at the kind face he'd seen before losing consciousness. He spoke softly.
"Big sister, my name is Haku."
Looking at the frail Haku, Mei Terumi felt a surge of affection. "My name is Mei Terumi. You can call me Big Sister Mei from now on. Don't worry, you won't have to wander anymore."
"Big Sister Mei?"
"Yes, Haku. What is it?"
"I'm a boy."
"Ha!" Mei Terumi and the other Kirigakure Ninja beside her all stared in surprise. Even these Jonin had mistaken him for a girl.
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