Kotoamatsukami

Konoha's shinobi could only leave the village in principle when required by a mission.

Therefore, if Guo Wang wanted to ensure that the fruits of this battle would not be squandered by Sarutobi Hiruzen, he could only find someone who was already "dead" in Konoha, or an outsider.

Originally, he had planned to have an Anbu from Root die in an accident after returning, then send them to the Land of Hot Water to maintain the overall situation as one of his future backup plans.

But Shisui Uchiha, who had returned from a mission, brought with him an unexpected person.

"Name?"

"Yan."

Inside the tent, Guo Wang sat in the only chair while Shisui stood behind him wearing a mask. Before them was the last remaining member of the Chinoike Clan, holding an infant. He wore a pair of sunglasses that concealed his conspicuous Ketsuryūgan, but his expression was somewhat stiff. Like a puppet, he answered every question.

"You used that technique!"

Seeing Lord Danzo frown, his tone clearly displeased, Shisui crouched slightly and explained his reasons.

"This man's Dojutsu Power is extremely strong. An ordinary Three Tomoe Sharingan could not suppress him. His Ninjutsu was also very strange; I was nearly no match for him. If I had not used 'Betsukami' in the end, I fear I could not have brought him back."

Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan possessed two highly practical Dojutsu: Susanoo-no-Mikoto and the strongest Genjutsu—Betsukami!

Because Betsukami was too overpowered and could completely control anyone affected by it, Guo Wang had explicitly forbidden its use.

"This is a heretical path. Our ideal is to eliminate class divisions and establish peace, not to use this false Genjutsu. This is the last time I will forbid you from using this Dojutsu."

After hearing Danzo's earnest instruction, Shisui became somewhat uneasy. His dream was to eliminate conflict and allow everyone to understand one another, and so this overpowered Dojutsu, Betsukami, had been born. This was also his first time using it on someone, and its effect was indeed extraordinary.

It had completely controlled the Chinoike Clan shinobi before them, turning him into a puppet.

Of course, the more powerful a technique was, the greater its restrictions.

Betsukami could directly invade the target's brain without being detected and alter their will. Its duration depended on the caster's Chakra and resolve. Clearly, Shisui had not intended to completely rewrite him—or perhaps his Chakra was still insufficient to permanently change this man's will.

Under Danzo's orders, the strongest Genjutsu was dispelled.

"This is... you people..."

The awakened En Chinoike's eyes flared scarlet. Just as he was about to attack and flee, two Mangekyō Sharingan appeared simultaneously in the eyes of the old man and the young man before him, glaring at him.

Their immense, terrifying Dojutsu Power made the man who had slaughtered an entire clan dare not make the slightest rash move.

"I am Shimura Danzō, Elder of Konoha's Advisory Department and leader of Root."

That identity was now on par with the Five Kage throughout the Shinobi World.

Clearly, although the Chinoike Clan had been exiled to Hell Valley, they still had contact with the outside world. At the very least, En Chinoike knew of Konoha.

"Shimura? If you are not from the Uchiha Clan, why do you have the Sharingan? And such powerful, unprecedented Dojutsu Power at that. What did you bring me here for? To wipe out my clan completely?"

The Mangekyō Sharingan in Guo Wang's eyes receded, returning to black pupils as he considered whether this man could satisfy him.

"Two years ago, when I fought the Raikage, my eyes were ruined. I replaced them with this pair of Mangekyō Sharingan. I brought you here because I was curious about the Ketsuryūgan."

"Curious? Then that is truly unfortunate. I am now the last person in this world with a pair of Ketsuryūgan. Just three days ago, I killed every member of my clan."

En Chinoike's expression was clear-headed, nothing like that of a murderous lunatic. Yet he bore no psychological burden whatsoever for exterminating his clan, as though he had merely done something insignificant.

"Oh, that is somewhat regrettable. I had wanted to bring a pair of Ketsuryūgan to Orochimaru as a gift. But since only you remain, there is something else I need you to do."

Seeing the old man before him seemingly troubled, cold sweat streamed down En Chinoike's forehead. He considered himself an expert, yet he had first been defeated by that Uchiha Oni wearing a fox mask, then brought here without any awareness of it.

This old devil called Danzo was clearly the leader, which meant he should be even stronger.

"So this is Konoha, the greatest power in the Shinobi World."

"Oh, right. You have a daughter in your arms, don't you? How about sending her to Orochimaru as his disciple?"

Shisui shuddered from head to toe upon hearing that, unsure how to respond. En Chinoike, meanwhile, looked utterly tense as he clutched the infant girl tightly in his arms.

"Lord Danzo, please command whatever you need me to do. But Chino is innocent."

As long as one was human and had emotions, one would have weaknesses.

"Actually, this is the situation..."

After Guo Wang explained the circumstances, En Chinoike, clearly a smart man, immediately nodded and promised that he would turn the Land of Hot Water into Root's backyard and would not let Lord Danzo's blood be shed in vain.

"Though your strength is not bad, I do not know whether you possess administrative talent. I will give you a two-month probationary period."

Guo Wang truly lacked manpower. Tomorrow, he would lead the village's army out, and En Chinoike had arrived at just the right time, so he would make do with him for now. If things proved unsuitable later, he could simply have someone from Root "die" and take over the interests of the Land of Hot Water.

"Yes, I will work hard. I will also study diligently wherever I fall short, and I will certainly not disappoint Lord Danzo."

Mm, in terms of knowing the times, En Chinoike was qualified. But he was still an outsider, so restrictions were necessary.

"As for your daughter, I advise you to send her to Konoha. After all, it is the richest and most peaceful place in the Shinobi World. Your strength may be decent, but during a Shinobi World War, even I could die if I were not careful."

Guo Wang was telling the truth, but En Chinoike's expression became conflicted again. After his clan's destruction, his daughter was his only remaining relative.

"You should understand that only with a hostage in my hands can I trust you. Besides, compared to following you, she can have a whole and happy childhood growing up in Konoha."

As long as she was not handed over to Orochimaru, she would definitely be happy. Guo Wang was certain of it.

"My lord, do you know why I killed my entire clan?"

"Oh?"

"My wife was not from the Chinoike Clan. She was an outsider who had accidentally entered Hell Valley, and the two of us were very happy. But because our surnames differed, she suffered constant bullying from the clan. The accumulated friction eventually took her life."

Hearing this, Guo Wang somehow thought of the Uchiha Clan. From the Chinoike Clan's outcome, he vaguely saw the Sharingan's future.

"They always went on about the clan, the clan. They were clearly all prisoners, yet they still thought themselves extraordinary, believing they were lofty Kekkei Genkai shinobi..."