Jiraiya Falls into the Net

"Kill their shadows, kill their researchers. But one thing is absolutely crucial: they mustn't realize it's us making the move."

Jigen's words brought the meeting to a close.

The Inner Circle members all got up to leave, but Amado was kept behind by Jigen.

"How is Pride's health?"

Jigen was very curious about Pride's physical condition.

That was Amado's courageous attempt to harness the Natural Energy.

However, the answer was not very satisfactory, "Incompatible. Every time Pride uses Natural Energy, it causes some damage to his body, and the destructive power is not as good as imagined."

"So, the experiment failed?"

Jigen's tone finally wavered, though it was mostly filled with dissatisfaction.

"Yes."

Amado nodded.

"Yeah..."

Amado's conclusions led Jigen to abandon his research on Natural Energy.

Since that's the case, we really have to work on Ōtsutsuki Shibai's very core.

"Is it possible to use Ōtsutsuki Shibai's cells to create Artificial Human with Divine Arts?"

Jigen's words were exactly what Amado wanted to try.

"That's exactly what I was thinking, however, the number of cells needed might be more than we imagine."

Amado tried to glean information about Ōtsutsuki Shibai from Jigen's answer.

"Yeah?"

Jigen's reaction surprised Amado.

He neither agreed nor disagreed.

After uttering a single remark, he fell silent.

This is bad.

Amado thought this.

Jiraiya arrived at the conference room, casually pulled out a chair, and sat down.

For some reason, he felt that there was something strange about the way Fugaku was looking at him from not far away.

However, he didn't think about it in detail, but instead speculated about the reasons why the higher-ups had summoned them.

This question was quickly answered by Sakumo.

Konoha team sent to the Land of Rice to explore ruins was attacked. Two of the four Jonin, and the remaining two returned to the village with the bodies of their teammates and the remains of Rast.

Under Fugaku's arrangement, Nara Shikaku distributed a report detailing the events to each person.

"The Fifth Generation's Land of Rice?"

Fugaku couldn't see the words on the paper in his hand clearly. After trying for a while, he gave up and began to worry about the whereabouts of the Fifth Generation.

"It seems so at the moment, but he hasn't mentioned to the two of them when he'll return to the village."

Sakumo rubbed his temples. He didn't know what to do with a hands-off manager like Kazashiro.

What's even more worrying is that Konoha is developing at a rapid pace these days. The construction of commercial roads and various factories has made the Hokage's work more complicated, and he urgently needs an assistant.

Helpless, he could only turn to Hiruzen Sarutobi for help, hoping that the old Hokage could step forward and share some of his workload.

Noticing Sakumo's gaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi deliberately avoided his eyes and silently looked at the documents in his hands.

Retirement is such a great life; only a fool would step up and take on such a responsibility at this time.

Shimura Danzō had the intention, but Sakumo didn't give him the opportunity.

After thinking it over, Sakumo turned his gaze toward the direction where Jiraiya was.

"Um?"

Jiraiya suddenly felt himself being watched. Just as he was about to look up to find the source of the gaze, Obito barged in at this very inopportune moment.

"Obito? Is something the matter?"

Sakumo looked at Obito, who had come uninvited, and asked him what his purpose was.

"Fourth Generation, I have something important to report to you."

Obito spoke, he walked towards Sakumo, glancing at Jiraiya in the process.

No, there's a problem.

Jiraiya's alarm bells rang loudly. His years of experience fighting on the front lines of erotic fiction told him that he was in grave danger.

As expected, after Obito whispered something in Sakumo's ear, Sakumo looked at Jiraiya with a helpless expression.

"In that case, let's handle it according to the regulations."

As soon as Sakumo finished speaking, Obito immediately ordered his men to act. The Military Police Force officers he had brought with him rushed forward after receiving the order and forced Jiraiya into his seat.

"What do you want? I'm here for a meeting!"

Jiraiya struggled desperately, but this was a conference room, and some methods were not suitable for use here. Moreover, he knew about Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan abilities, and even if he managed to escape this time, he would definitely be caught again.

And so, under the puzzled gazes of everyone, Jiraiya was led away from the conference room.

After leaving behind an investigation report, Obito farewell to Sakumo and left the meeting room.

"Let's put the Artificial Human issue aside for now, Third Hokage, let's look at Jiraiya's situation first."

Sakumo handed the investigation report to the Third Hokage and carefully reviewed the statement of the unidentified person A.

After confirming that Obito had concealed all of Kakashi's names as he had instructed, Sakumo handed the report to the Third Hokage with peace of mind.

"That stupid disciple!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi skimmed through the report, then slammed his hand on the table in anger.

That Jiraiya! He clearly has this smuggling route under his control, yet he still makes me pay exorbitant prices to buy those famous books from other villages. It's utterly outrageous!

Of course, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't use this excuse openly.

He stood up indignantly. Just moments ago he had been deliberately avoiding work, but now he was about to lead his direct Anbu to search for Jiraiya's stolen goods.

"Snort."

Danzo coldly, seeing through the other's thoughts at a glance.

"I'll go too."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze towards Danzo instantly changed.

What does that mean? Is Danzo trying to hinder my research—no, my evidence Danzo?

Danzo, too lazy to explain further, left the meeting room Hiruzen with his guards.

As soon as he stepped outside, he could no longer hide the smile on his face.

His own son single-handedly killed Artificial Human, a being comparable to a Shadow.

In other words, Kazashiro, at such a young age, has already demonstrated strength far surpassing Hiruzen's, making him truly deserving of the title of the strongest Hokage!

Yeah, I'm happy today. I'll let that kid Shisui leave work early so he can have something to eat with me.

After Jiraiya, Hiruzen, Danzo left their seats, the remaining people looked at each other for a while before turning to Fugaku.

Should we still hold the meeting?

"In short, regarding the Fifth Generation's departure from the village, I have already issued gag orders to Sarutobi Shin and Shimura Myo, instructing them not to divulge this matter. As for the ruins of the Land of Rice, I plan to send Tsunade a team to investigate."

With Jiraiya captured, Orochimaru's gender- Rinnegan, Hiruko for Kirigakure, only Tsunade's identity could keep things in check in the Land of Land of Rice.

At the very least, given that it has been confirmed that Artificial Human are active there, Konoha needs to dispatch high-level combat forces to deal with the potential threat.

As for Minato, Sakumo had already decided to make him work like a slave, sharing some of the workload.

Just like when he first became the Fourth Hokage.

Minato, who was enjoying a family reunion at home, never imagined that he would suddenly revert to his former life as a servant, contributing his efforts to the development of Konoha.

The Land of Earth.

After the Shinobi Alliance was formed, at the invitation of Konoha, Ōnoki sent people to visit the Konoha Research Bureau. Following their example, he gathered top talents from the village and the Land of Earth to establish the Stone Hidden Research Bureau.

The person in charge of the entire Research Bureau was a middle-aged man named Kōta.

Thanks to his efforts, in just a few years, the technological level of Iwagakure has improved dramatically, and many new weapons have been developed.

At this moment, Dr. Kōta, whom Ōnoki praised as the backbone of Iwagakure, was respectfully reporting Iwagakure's various achievements to Fufeng in a secret room of the Research Bureau.

"Well done."

Fufeng smiled and nodded, affirming Kōta's work.

Then, she stretched out her hand, leaned close to Kōta, almost touching his face, and breathed hot air at him, who was already blushing and his heart was pounding, and said, "I have a question: do you, in your current state, have the ability to kill Ōnoki without causing a huge disturbance?"

Kōta's fragile heart calmed down instantly upon hearing those words.

He stammered, expressing his confusion. "That, that's, that's Ōnoki of Both Scales, Lord Fufeng..."

"I know that he is currently the only ninja in the Shinobi World who possesses Dust Release, and also the ninja you are most interested in."

Fufeng stroked Kōta's cheek. "I know you really want to study the secrets of Dust Release, but the Shinobi Alliance has seriously threatened the organization, Inner Circle has unanimously decided to hunt down the Five Kage."

Ōnoki is indeed terrifyingly strong, but that depends on who you compare him to.

At least in Kōta's eyes, the Five Kage are not qualified to be compared with the Inner Circle members.

"If this operation is successful, I will consider asking the other members to consider your application to join the Inner Circle."

Fufeng released his hand from Kōta's cheek, covered his mouth, and chuckled softly.

"I understand, I will look for a suitable opportunity..."

That being said, Kōta speaking, just a researcher. Asking him to fight against Ōnoki is nothing short of wishful thinking.

"Hehe, it's good to have your attitude. Don't worry, I'm not that stupid. You just need to find a suitable opportunity and report back to me."

Fufeng reassured Kōta.

Hearing that he didn't have to take action himself, Kōta breathed a sigh of relief.

But he was also worried about Fufeng: "Lord Fufeng, is there anything else I can do to help you?"

Fufeng shook her head. After being inoculated with Ōtsutsuki Shibai's cells, she had a new understanding of her own strength.

To her, the so-called Ōnoki was nothing more than a relic of the old era.

Now, she has completely abandoned the Reanimation Jutsu and, with the help of the Ōtsutsuki, has touched upon the power of immortality and eternal life.

Once the Chakra Fruit is formed, she can fully evolve into the Ōtsutsuki and rule over the weak humans.

As for Ōnoki, he was nothing more than a stepping stone.

"Haha, well then, I'll be leaving now."

Fufeng stood up and gradually disappeared into the darkness before Kōta's eyes.