Do I Look Like a Dragon? (Seeking Collection, Seeking Recommendation)

"Thump, thump."

Inside the conference room, as Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped the podium, the noisy chatter quickly subsided.

This sense of déjà vu felt just like Yusuke's university days in his past life, attending a large lecture in a tiered classroom; there was an inexplicably familiar feeling to it.

The gazes of all the jōnin were focused on this Third Hokage.

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke in a steady voice: "The situation is urgent, so I will keep this brief."

"Amegakure has been in a state of high alert for some time, purging a large number of moles within the village."

"A few days ago, intelligence arrived from the Land of Iron: Hanzo the Salamander personally led a team to raid the Land of Iron, seizing a massive amount of strategic supplies."

Yusuke's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly: "Those samurai in the Land of Iron really relied too much on their status as a neutral nation; they've been comfortable for too long."

The intelligence they had provided earlier clearly hadn't been given enough weight; he hadn't expected Hanzo the Salamander to pull such a sudden counter-attack.

Sarutobi Hiruzen continued: "Yesterday, Hanzo the Salamander officially declared war on the Five Great Nations."

"The conditions he proposed are extremely harsh, demanding that the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth cede vast territories."

"He also demands compensation for the losses caused to the Land of Rain by the conflicts between the three nations over the years."

"The Daimyo Office has flatly rejected these demands."

"War is now inevitable."

"What is worse, the defensive forces of the Land of Wind near the Land of Rivers are showing signs of abnormal movement, their intentions unclear."

"We must prepare for the worst and prevent a two-front war."

"Therefore, this operation will conscript a number of elite genin to participate in support missions."

He swept his gaze across the room and began announcing the appointments: "I hereby appoint Shimura Danzō as the Commander-in-Chief for the Western Front against Amegakure."

"Orochimaru is appointed as the Commander-in-Chief for the Southern Front to defend against the Land of Wind, with Hatake Sakumo as the Deputy Commander."

"Each unit is to receive specific orders at the mission desk and depart for the front lines in one hour."

Having finished the official business, Sarutobi Hiruzen shifted his tone, his voice rising with infectious intensity.

"Everyone, Konoha is our shared home."

"In the face of the enemy's provocation, we must strike back with determination!"

"Remember, where the leaves of Konoha dance, fire shall never cease to burn!"

This declaration of the Will of Fire ignited the fighting spirit of most of the jōnin.

The atmosphere in the room surged, and many wore expressions of resolve as the sentiment of defending Konoha to the death spread.

Below the stage, Shimura Danzō's single eye lowered, his lips curling into a cold, mocking sneer.

Hiruzen, you really are a hypocrite!

It is nothing more than a struggle for interests, yet you use these empty slogans to send young people to their deaths.

Yusuke's gaze drifted past the crowd, landing on a man with white hair tied in a ponytail, sitting as still as a pine tree.

His expression was stern, his back straight as a rod, and he radiated the sharp aura of one who had long endured the battlefield.

Is that Hatake Sakumo, the father of the "Copy Ninja"?

The Kage-level powerhouse who was eventually driven to suicide by rumors after a mission failed because he chose to save his teammates, Yusuke thought to himself.

Seeming to sense the gaze, Hatake Sakumo's sharp, blade-like eyes swept over instantly.

That look felt as if it had seen mountains of corpses and seas of blood, carrying a tangible sense of pressure.

Yusuke did not look away; he met the gaze calmly and gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

A flash of confusion crossed Hatake Sakumo's eyes. He did not know this young ninja, but out of courtesy, he gave a slight, expressionless nod in return.

"Are you looking at Senior Sakumo?"

"That is the Deputy Commander of the Southern Front, Hatake Sakumo, known as the 'White Fang of the Leaf'."

Tsunade noticed Yusuke's gaze and introduced him in a low voice.

"He is a senior worthy of respect, and his strength is even more formidable."

"Even I, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya are no match for him."

"His family was once a line of samurai. Don't let his 'keep away' attitude fool you; that is just his wartime state."

"In normal times, he is a very cheerful and easygoing senior."

Yusuke nodded, fully agreeing.

How could he not be optimistic and cheerful? Only someone optimistic and cheerful would invent a technique like the "One Thousand Years of Death".

It's just hard to understand why such a person would be driven to death by rumors; he doesn't seem like a fragile person at all.

He couldn't help but think to himself.

Yusuke now had a preliminary impression of this tragic powerhouse.

The meeting concluded, and the group began to exit in an orderly fashion, heading toward the mission department.

Yusuke and Tsunade had not walked far from the conference room when a slightly effeminate voice drifted from a side corridor.

"Yusuke-kun, please stay a moment."

The two stopped in their tracks, only to see Orochimaru appearing silently beside a pillar.

His golden snake-like pupils scanned Yusuke back and forth with inquisitive interest, looking as if he were staring at a piece of prey.

Being targeted by Orochimaru is never a good thing, Yusuke frowned slightly.

"Orochimaru, what do you want?" Tsunade instinctively stepped forward, shielding Yusuke behind her; she vaguely sensed a malicious intent.

Orochimaru licked his lips and laughed hoarsely, "Hehe, Tsunade, no need to be nervous. I am merely delivering a message on behalf of a certain 'Lord'."

His gaze locked back onto Yusuke: "Yusuke-kun, the White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave is very interested in you."

"She formally invites you to visit Ryūchi Cave."

Ryūchi Cave? The White Snake Sage?

Could it be that, just like the Sage Slug, she sensed a shift in fate within me and has come seeking me out?

Then what about the Great Toad Sage? Yusuke narrowed his eyes, feeling as though he were being watched by several wild beasts.

The consciousness of Tyrant, currently being temporarily balanced by the senjutsu of Shikkotsu Forest within his body, remained a hidden danger.

Now that his own strength had reached the weak Kage level, activating the Shikkotsu Forest Sage Mode would elevate his power by a tier, reaching the standard Kage level.

The Third Kazekage on the battlefield this time was known as the strongest Kazekage, and his strength was at least at the standard Kage level.

Hanzo the Salamander's strength was at the strong Kage level; the last time Yusuke managed to wound him, it was due to the advantages of surprise and intelligence.

Defeating Hanzo the Salamander this time would not be so simple.

Not to mention that there was still a standard Kage-level schemer—Shimura Danzō—watching him from the shadows.

Therefore, he would inevitably have to activate [Stage 1: Incursio] during this war to reach strong Kage-level strength to be secure.

Yet, using Incursio multiple times would inevitably nourish the consciousness of Tyrant, breaking the current balance.

Thus, he needed to head to Mount Myoboku and Ryūchi Cave to comprehend their senjutsu.

Afterward, merging with the consciousness of Tyrant to completely resolve this hidden danger was his top priority.

Yusuke had previously felt awkward about bringing it up, as he was not yet familiar with Orochimaru or Jiraiya.

Asking others about their trump cards right off the bat would be too abrupt and impolite.

Why would the White Snake Sage take the initiative to seek me out? This was something Yusuke truly could not fathom.

If I had to say anything related to snakes, it would only be that dragon-like monster, Tyrant.

Could it really be that the White Snake Sage thinks I look like a dragon? Yusuke's brows furrowed; without further intelligence, this was all he could deduce.

Orochimaru waited quietly, in no rush.

His golden slit pupils remained fixed on Yusuke: "Yusuke-kun, what kind of secret do you possess that could attract the attention of the White Snake Sage?"

Subarashii~

As the atmosphere grew somewhat tense, Tsunade broke the silence: "Ryūchi Cave? Orochimaru, what do you mean by this?"

She knew the dangers of Ryūchi Cave; even a genius like Orochimaru, despite passing the trial of Ryūchi Cave, had never dared to practice the senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave.

Orochimaru spread his hands: "I am merely a messenger; the decision lies in Yusuke-kun's own hands."