Investigation into the Origins of Cursed Seal Resonance and the Formation of the Joint Inspection Group

The air in the laboratory suddenly became viscous.

That fleeting resonant fluctuation was like a stone tossed into a still lake. Though the ripples had dispersed, the chill had already seeped into the bone.

Tsunade abruptly withdrew her fingers, her eyes sharp as blades.

She did not look at Shanmu, whose convulsion frequency on the laboratory table had changed ever so slightly. Instead, she spun around and swept her gaze across the row of glass containers deep in the laboratory, connected by metal pipes and sealing away Hashirama Cells cultures.

"Seal off the laboratory."

Her voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable command.

"Activate the highest-level biochemical isolation protocol. Physically isolate all data and samples. No one is to touch anything."

The two Jonin from the Medical Department following behind her immediately sprang into action. They deftly operated the console, and the heavy lead-alloy gates slowly descended, completely sealing off the experimental area.

Tsunade walked to the main console and pulled up all the energy-spectrum records from that instant.

On the screen, an unusually sharp peak flashed past. Its frequency did not completely match the inherent frequency of the Cursed Seal on Shanmu's neck. It was more like a response—a response after being awakened.

"Cross-reference this waveform against every known Cursed Seal, Sealing Jutsu, and Kekkei Genkai Chakra model in our database."

"Focus on screening all project files left behind by the 'Root' organization."

Half an hour later, an encrypted report was sent directly to the Hokage's Office.

Baishi had just finished his routine meeting with Shikaku and was preparing to handle the follow-up regulations for expanding the Konoha Military Police Force.

When he saw the words "Urgent" personally written by Tsunade on the report cover, his hand paused as he opened it.

The report was very thin,