In early November of Konoha 48, after news of the successful expulsion of Kumogakure from the front lines of the Land of Hot Water reached Konoha, the remaining ninjas in the village were once again in an uproar.
They held their own against the three great ninja villages, and everyone spoke of this with pride.
Despite some casualties and disruptions to the mission, most ninjas still support the village's initiative.
Death is not scary. As long as we can win this war, everything we have lost will be recovered!
More importantly, the commission market that has been secured must not be given up, as it concerns the vital interests of every ninja. Even the " Peace-Life Faction " no longer opposes it after seeing the dawn of victory.
Besides the good news from the front lines, Minato Namikaze's efficient killing spree was also a topic of great interest among the Konoha Ninja.
In the eyes of many ninjas, Minato Namikaze was a sunny and warm-hearted man. Although he was exceptionally strong, he still did not fit the impression that most ninjas had of a strong person.
Over the past six months, the death toll of enemy ninjas on the front lines of the Land of Grass and the Land of Hot Water has reversed Minato's reputation.
One man against a team, efficient killing; Minato Namikaze demonstrated his absolute strength with the corpses of his enemies!
This exceptional individual performance allowed Minato Namikaze to overshadow the legendary Sannin.
Although Orochimaru achieved success on the battlefield in the Land of Rain, he suffered considerable losses.
Jiraiya performed adequately, without using his personal strength to overwhelm the opposing ninja.
Tsunade gave ordinary ninjas "half their lives" with the Three-Color Pills, but they remained in the village. The ninjas on the front lines felt more gratitude than admiration for her.
Under these circumstances, even the Konoha High Command began to re-evaluate Minato Namikaze, and Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura increasingly praised the young man.
--
Inside the Hokage Building, after the Jonin Division's routine meeting, Sarutobi Hiruzen listened calmly to the advice of his two old friends:
"We can send Minato Namikaze to represent the village and communicate with the Yugakure. As long as they agree to bear half of the supplies during the war, this defection can be treated as if it never happened."
" Minato may be young, but with his abilities, he should be given more responsibility."
Utatane Koharu's suggestion was met with nods of Mitokado Homura, who was sitting next to her. Seeing that her old friend remained silent, she continued:
" Hiruzen Sarutobi, not only matters concerning the Land of Hot Water, but also issues concerning the Land of Frost can be Minato for decision-making."
"Ninjas from Small Nations are always short-sighted. Minato is still young, and this is an opportunity for him to re-evaluate the relationships within the Shinobi World. With the Anbu relaying our instructions, there's no need to worry about the mission failing."
The two advisors, one squinting and the other pushing up his glasses, offered advice that sounded perfectly reasonable, but Sarutobi Hiruzen just felt that his old friends had truly grown old.
Even Danzo, who was constantly Danzo against Orochimaru, didn't remain silent at this moment and surprisingly agreed with these suggestions:
" Minato Namikaze is indeed very suitable for negotiating with ninjas from Small Nations. With ninjas from the Hyuga Clan present, no one can hold him back."
"If you're still worried, I can send a few more Root ninjas to assist."
"If the Land of Frost and the Land of Hot Water cannot maintain their neutrality, we must teach them a lesson."
Danzo advocates for striking at neighboring Small Nations, is eager to persuade them to help Konoha attack major powers. Now that he has the opportunity to implement his plan, he doesn't mind giving Minato Namikaze a push.
After all, young ninjas lack a strong foundation, and the Sannin all have followers; they don't have the opportunity to "help."
Sarutobi Hiruzen started puffing on his cigarette again. He knew his old friends didn't want to lose their power, but he had no interest in knowing.
If things don't go well, he plans to take the blame and step down. What happens in the future is up to the next Hokage; he will only offer advice when needed.
Out of consideration for their past friendship, Sarutobi Hiruzen ultimately did not refuse the proposal:
"This negotiation will be handled by Minato. I will transfer Shikaku Nara and the others there, while Root will remain in the Land of Rain."
" The Sunagakure will not give up the war as long as the entrusted mission remains unresolved."
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura breathed a sigh of relief. Their old friend was still looking out for them. If it were Tsunade, she wouldn't let them boss them around here.
Danzo nodded in acknowledgment and then got up to leave. Rumors had already begun to circulate among Jonin Division Hokage that Shu Furukawa's strength was approaching that of the Hokage, and he needed to speed up his plans to capture Kakashi as soon as possible.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Danzo with surprise. He had thought the other man would try to bargain with him. He tapped his pipe and pondered to himself:
"Could it be that Tsunade put too much pressure on him?"
--
After thoroughly wiping out the Kumogakure at the border outpost, the group awaited instructions from their superiors. Their ally had defected, and they needed an explanation.
Minato Namikaze has been away from the village for a month. After completing his mission, he wants to go home to be with Kushina. Their relationship has heated up rapidly since their engagement, and they can't wait to be together every day.
"You want me to be in charge of negotiations between Yugakure and Frost Village?"
After reading the mission scroll, Minato subconsciously asked a question, and the Anbu Ninja bowed again, responding earnestly:
"Yes, this is the Lord Hokage's instruction."
Minato Namikaze quickly regained his composure. As a ninja, he wouldn't refuse a mission, and solemnly assured him:
"Once Inoichi Jonin and the others arrive, we will set off immediately and complete the mission as quickly as possible."
Back at the base, Minato Namikaze briefly arranged the itinerary, and everyone Minato him upon hearing that they were going to Yugakure and Frost Village.
The fact that Minato can represent Konoha indicates that he has entered the center of power.
"Keep it up, Minato, you might just become the Fifth Hokage!"
Inuzuka Ago smiled and patted Minato on the shoulder. Having worked together on many missions, he greatly admired this determined young man.
Ninjas are usually accompanied by killing, and taking lives can be addictive, but Minato was completely unaffected. Ninjas with such qualities are extremely rare.
Faced with his senior's praise, Minato Namikaze. Only at times like this did he show his youthful side. Seemingly thinking of Kushina at home, he sighed softly and replied in a low voice:
"Senior, Hokage is still too far away!"
"The negotiations shouldn't take too long, thank you all for your help again!"
At a distance from the base, Shu Furukawa took a scroll from the Aoda's mouth. In just two months, the small snake had grown even larger.
"Has Orochimaru- sensei not obtained a special experimental subject yet?"
"I didn't expect him to be so disciplined, and even to pay special attention to the thoughts of senior advisors."
The Aoda coiled around him seemed to understand his words, flicking its tongue repeatedly. Shu Furukawa handed him a secret medicine and gave him a prepared scroll, offering simple instructions:
"You can sense the changes in Chakra after the Hashirama Cells were injected. Pay attention to the changes in Orochimaru -sensei's body."
After swallowing the secret medicine, the Aoda shook its head repeatedly before reluctantly dispelling the Summoning Jutsu.
After the Katsuyu released the resonance, it wriggled onto Shu Furukawa's shoulder. Having recently been researching Yin-Yang Release without much progress, it could only offer comfort in a soft, gentle voice:
"Lord Xiu, it seems we're missing crucial information."
"Theoretically, possessing both Yin and Yang Release Chakra would indeed allow one to perform Yin-Yang Release, but this technique has not been passed down."
Shu Furukawa nodded. The energy he [ Collection ] from the Eight-Tails contained a lot of information, but most of it was about Yin-Yang Release, which was similar to the Nine-Tails Chakra had collected before.
After repeatedly trying the Yin-Yang Release, Shu Furukawa completely gave up. This technique most likely required the Rinnegan, and even if he understood the principle, he couldn't use it.
Mixing in Natural Energy has no effect; the "rules" cannot be broken. To use the Yin-Yang Release, one still needs to "reverse the ancestral roots."
Is the "life" created through Yin-Yang Release truly life?
Shu Furukawa asked casually, while the Katsuyu on his shoulder pondered for a moment but ultimately didn't give a definite answer:
" The Tailed Beast were created by the Sage of Six Paths, but they cannot truly die; perhaps this does not conform to the definition of life."
"Life forms like mine, which are quantified, will eventually disappear from this world. Although it may take thousands of years, I am certain that I will die and cannot be resurrected."
"..."
Upon hearing the words of this immortal being, Shu Furukawa fell silent until the Katsuyu began shaking its tentacles repeatedly, bringing him back to his senses. He then mentally assessed his own abilities:
" White Zetsu and Tailed Beast are defined as non-living entities by their abilities, therefore they can be [ Collection ]."
"A body corrupted by Hashirama Cells is also a non-living entity and can be 'refined'."
"The roots of the assimilated Divine Tree can also be [harvested], and the Gedo Statue should also be within our capabilities."
Unable to obtain Kekkei Genkai for the time being, Shu Furukawa could only use his own power. This time, he verified his conjecture again through the Eight-Tails, and he managed to find some way to counter the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
"I've mastered the Ultrasonic Lightning Blade. Next, I'll continue practicing the Lariat. The way Kumogakure activates its Lightning Release is truly interesting."
"I abandoned the large amount of Chakra generated from the secondary extraction of cells, focusing entirely on my physical body and nature transformation."
The Lariat Shu Furukawa obtained from Killer B is unusable by ordinary ninjas. It requires extremely high physical strength to slash with the arm at maximum speed.
The Katsuyu disliked these physically taxing ninjutsu techniques, so it transformed into a pool of liquid, merging into its body to enter a state of resonance, and sighed regretfully:
"It's a pity I don't have a way to strengthen the meridians, otherwise Master Xiu wouldn't have to worry about damaging them."
Hideichi Hyuga arrived in the dense forest, he looked around and had no choice but to activate his Byakugan. Only then did he notice that Shu Furukawa was sitting cross-legged on a tree branch not far away.
"Shu, Captain Minato is going to negotiate with the two countries next. We might not be able to return to the village until the end of the month."
Shu Furukawa jumped down from the tree branch. Although he had already received more detailed information from Orochimaru, he still exclaimed in admiration:
"It seems the captain will have to shoulder greater responsibilities; who knows, he might even become Hokage in the future!"
Upon hearing " Hokage," Hideichi Hyuga looked up at the sky, his view obstructed by tree branches, and muttered to himself:
"What's so great about Hokage? It still doesn't change anything."
"I'm sorry, Xiu, you should understand that a member of the branch family can never become Hokage. I'm just mocking my own fate."
Shu Furukawa approached Hideichi Hyuga without offering any words of comfort. This man somewhat resembled the " Neji Hyuga " from his memories; perhaps not as talented as Hyuga, but within the branch family, his abilities were top-tier.
"Live well, and maybe one day everything will change."
--
In mid-November, the Kumogakure retreated all the way back to the Land of Lightning.
This reaction terrified the ninjas of the Land of Frost, who, without waiting for Minato's arrival, immediately sent peace envoys to Konoha.
The Konoha High Command was equally perplexed, and their undercover intelligence agents had not sent back any useful information. Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't understand why the usually assertive Kumogakure would take the initiative to make concessions.
The "weakness" of the Kumogakure made the Konoha Ninja in the village cheer with delight. It was also at this time that the news that Furukawa Osamu possessed Hokage close to that of the Shu Furukawa began to spread widely in the village.
Normally, Genin and Chunin wouldn't know about Jonin's missions, but this time it's different; even people at the Ninja Academy are discussing it.
Orochimaru, using the list provided by Shu Furukawa and his own subordinates, quickly launched a "counterattack," aiming to elevate Tsunade and completely replace Danzo!
Late at night, in an underground laboratory in the dense forest west of Konoha, Orochimaru summoned a blue Aoda that had grown even larger, and handed over a scroll, instructing him:
"Go and investigate Xiu's body for me. You can sense Natural Energy, so you should understand what I'm saying."
The Aoda nodded obediently and even wrapped itself around Orochimaru a few times affectionately.
Orochimaru, in high spirits, chuckled ominously. He suspected that Shu Furukawa had mastered Senjutsu, because Tsunade's strength shouldn't have increased to this level with just her secret techniques.
Facing the Eight-Tails -on is more difficult than facing ninjas like Rasa or Chiyo.
Orochimaru was about to "smile and pat the snake's head" when the Aoda suddenly dispelled the Summoning Jutsu with a bang:
"Impatient little guy."
"If it's Senjutsu, your talent seems even more outstanding than I imagined."
Lying on the experimental table, Pakura looked numb, her dark green hair had lost its luster, and her body had been largely eroded by the modified Hashirama Cells.
Orochimaru occasionally sticks out his long tongue and mutters to himself, is a demon in Pakura's eyes.
"The evil Konoha Ninja will be punished..."
Orochimaru ignored the test subject. He had already studied most of Pakura's Kekkei Genkai; the only remaining value of this body was to serve as a backup "sacrifice."
When Shu Furukawa accompanied Minato Namikaze on his visit to the Land of Frost, the White Zetsu, who had been lurking in the Kumogakure, had already returned to their base on the Land of Land of Iron peninsula.
After an intensive search for the Uchiha ninja yielded no results, the White Zetsu responsible for surveillance began gossiping about " Konoha news."
" Lord Madara, it's said that the next Hokage is Hashirama's granddaughter, whom you often mention."
"Her disciple has recently become very popular in Konoha."
"He had strength approaching that of Hokage at the age of 11; that's what everyone in the village says."
Is there anything special about the poop of the Hokage?
The aged Madara Uchiha had no energy to pay attention to the dim-witted White Zetsu; he only heard that Hashirama's granddaughter wanted to become Hokage, and couldn't help but mutter a sarcastic remark:
"How ugly, Hashirama! In the end, it's always the Senju Clan that becomes Hokage."
" The Hokage can't change anything, I will correct your mistakes..."
White Zetsu had grown accustomed to the daily " Hashirama Time," and seeing that the Creator had fallen silent, he began to report on the situation in Kumogakure:
" Lord Madara, there's a problem with the Eight-Tails of Kumogakure. It seems to be related to that Konoha Ninja named Shu Furukawa."
"The other party is currently in the Land of Frost. Should we increase surveillance?"
Madara Uchiha, suddenly remembering the lost energy of the God Tree, and looked up at the awakened Ancient White Zetsu, giving the order:
"Don't approach rashly. Investigate whether his ancestors were related to the Senju Clan."
"The power of the God Tree can only be mastered by the Uchiha and Senju."
" Hashirama, is this the trouble you've left me with...?"