Yakushi Kabuto Takes Action

Hidden Leaf Village has large agricultural areas, and most of the D-rank missions involving helping others with chores are posted by these farmers.

Therefore, it is not accurate to say that ninjas do not engage in production at all. The vast Genin (lower-ranking ninjas) still have close ties with grassroots production units, and they greatly contribute to the food self-sufficiency of ninja villages.

"You idiot Naruto, stop bragging." Uchiha Sasuke saw this as an opportunity and immediately mocked, "You talk like you've never done any work. You're probably not even as good as me."

"You two, stop arguing as soon as you get back to the village," Uchiha Shingen said, stopping the two guys who seemed itchy if they didn't argue for a day.

Sasuke has been pestering him these past few days, and what he's really trying to say is that he wants to learn the Explosive Flame Array.

How the hell are we supposed to teach this now?

At this moment, the Hyuga Clan ninja finished completing the formalities, Uchiha Shingen signed the form, and then led the three of them into the village.

The first stop was, of course, the Hokage Building. After handing in the mission at the mission release center, Uchiha Shingen took Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga home, told them to meet at the usual place at noon the next day, and then took Uchiha Sasuke back to the clan's territory.

When they arrived at Fugaku, the first thing they saw was Uchiha Itachi standing there like a statue waiting for his husband.

"Brother!" Uchiha Sasuke rushed over.

Itachi wore his standard doting smile as he caught his younger brother, who was hurtling towards him like a cannonball, and didn't forget to praise him.

"Sasuke, you've gotten stronger, that's great."

"That's right, Brother Shingen taught me a lot. Brother, let me tell you, Brother Shingen's Fire Release is amazing!"

Uchiha Itachi nodded incessantly, his words perfectly synchronized with those of Uchiha Sasuke.

My aunt kept laughing.

Finally, he noticed there was another person ahead of him.

"Brother Shingen, thank you so much. Sasuke didn't cause you any trouble."

"It's alright, you were much more troublesome than him when you were a kid," Uchiha Shingen said honestly.

He even knew exactly how many telephone poles were in the Uchiha Clan Compound at the beginning, because back then, he wasn't sure how efficient it would be for him to practice the Senju Clan technique with his Uchiha Clan body.

But later, they finally unleashed their accumulated strength, and their power surged, so they stopped paying attention to the telephone poles.

"I was young and ignorant back then, and I really caused trouble for Shingen- nii." Uchiha Itachi's face immediately turned red.

Looking back now, I remember seriously discussing the future of the village and clan with Uchiha Shingen.

That's a truly embarrassing past.

He always kept in mind the saying, "No investigation, no right to speak."

"Since you're here, there's something I need to tell you first." Uchiha Shingen thought that since he had already run into them, he might as well greet them first. "I'll recommend Sasuke to participate in this Joint Chunin Exams. You've participated before, so there's something you should pay attention to. Also, please teach your younger brother a bit more these days."

"Huh? You're participating this year?" Uchiha Itachi, somewhat surprised. "Isn't that too soon?"

Having participated before, Uchiha Itachi knew that the Joint Chunin Exams were extremely dangerous; participating meant taking responsibility for one's own life and death.

Only in individual competitions will there be examiners supervising. In the early stages, it's all group competition, where you play freely and if you die, you die.

Uchiha Itachi went to Kirigakure to participate, and the experience was indescribable, incredibly intense.

Because he felt it was too dangerous, he didn't dare to hold back at all, and he ruined several kunai in Kunai process.

"You and Sasuke have received enough training since childhood, and you know the advantages of taking this path. Besides, it's better to stay in your own village than to go outside later."

"I understand, Shingen- nii. Sasuke trouble you to take care of Sasuke during this time."

"Yes, don't spoil him too much, he's getting more and more mischievous."

Although Uchiha Sasuke thought he was very well-behaved, Uchiha Shingen didn't think so at all.

Hinata Hyuga is the well-behaved one.

"Sasuke, remember to be there on time tomorrow at noon. The place is still the same as the headquarters, understand?" To prevent this brat from letting loose once he got home, he reminded him again.

"Don't worry, Shingen -ge, I won't be late."

I'm not worried about you being late, just don't get into a fight with Neji Hyuga tomorrow.

The first meeting between Uchiha Sasuke and Neji Hyuga in the original timeline was not pleasant.

In this timeline, according to Uchiha Shingen's observation, the personalities of these two still wouldn't be compatible.

Not to mention, although the Uchiha Clan and Hyuga Clan have a good relationship now, the intense competitive spirit among the young ninjas is still there.

The main group consists of individuals in the same age group as Uchiha Sasuke and Neji Hyuga.

"Okay, I'll remember that."

After saying that, Uchiha Shingen left.

Then he went to the Police Force, where he found Neji Hyuga and Haku, and told them about the pre-exam training.

As for Karin, it was easy enough; she told Uzumaki Kushina when she took Naruto Uzumaki home.

After notifying all the children, he went home with peace of mind.

Back home, Sakurako was cooking in the kitchen, while Koyuki was playing with Yosuke.

Pakura has gone on another mission. The more prosperous the ninja village is, the busier the Jonin become.

After all, S-rank and A-rank missions can only Jonin, and some Jonin also need to take on B-Rank Mission.

If Uchiha Shingen weren't currently leading Team 7, he'd probably be either on his way to deliver packages or preparing to deliver packages.

Since his Flying Thunder God Technique was revealed, he has been handling most of the S-rank missions in the Land of Fire involving the transport of classified documents or items. After he took over Team 7, the pressure on him was reduced, and now he only needs to handle S-rank missions directly issued by the Daimyo's Court; the others can be assigned to other people depending on the situation.

"I'm home!" he called out before walking into the living room.

Then, he picked up his daughter and son, one in each arm, as they cheered and rushed towards him.

Okay, my son didn't cheer. Instead, he walked over very carefully, his little head held high, looking all serious, like he was saying, "I'll give you face and let you hug me."

Uchiha Shingen particularly enjoyed seeing his platypus-like expression.

He will protect this home well, and if anyone causes trouble, he will risk his old age to make sure they are destroyed.

Chapter Twenty-Two: Kabuto Yakushi Begins His Operation

As the oldest ninja village, Hidden Leaf Village has undergone several planning adjustments, but its urban area remains very complex.

The northern district, in particular, is a residential area where many buildings date back to the early days of the village's founding. Many of these buildings are historically significant, and the locals are reluctant to alter them, resulting in a particularly complex street layout.

Kabuto Yakushi emerged from the alley and headed towards the commercial district.

After entering the commercial street, he first went to a pharmacy to buy some medicine.

On the surface, as Genin of Hidden Leaf Village, all his actions in the open are consistent with this identity.

Of course, for the sake of convenience, his persona is that of a Genin, the kind who could participate in the Joint Chunin Exams.

He has participated in the Joint Chunin Exams multiple times.

Orochimaru's orders have been delivered; he will participate this time as well.

As a seasoned spy, he knew this was probably the last time.

It's normal for a Genin to fail the Joint Chunin Exams, but it's not normal for someone to participate several times and still survive. If they voluntarily withdraw before entering the individual matches each time, then it can't be simply explained by cowardice.

Kabuto Yakushi knew that he was definitely on Leaf Village's list of suspects.

However, he was confident that he would be able to participate in the Joint Chunin Exams smoothly, because the power to arrest spies within the village was now in the hands of the Police Force.

In recent years, he has clearly felt that he has been targeted, but it has only ever been a target.

This doesn't fit the current working style of the Police Force.

Those Red Eye had frequently clashed with the ANBU during the Third's era. Since they already suspected him, how could they just stand by and watch?

Several times, Kabuto Yakushi prepared to leave, but in the end, nothing happened to him.

Clearly, this was a warning from the Uchiha Clan to him.

Therefore, while infiltrating Leaf Village, he never approached the sensitive areas of the Police Force.

But this time is different; he will definitely carry out Lord Orochimaru's orders.

Although he didn't know why Lord Orochimaru was doing well in his research and cooperating fairly well with the Uchiha Clan, would suddenly take on such a task, Kabuto Yakushi would carry out the orders of the person who gave him meaning in life without hesitation.

Although in his opinion, this plan was not worthwhile.

The Sound Village will lose its current secrecy, Orochimaru's true identity as its master will be revealed, and its alliance with Leaf Village will definitely be over.

It's not anything else, but it will definitely create some unnecessary obstacles in getting things done in the future.

When Orochimaru defected, he immediately became a hot commodity in the Ninja World, with various countries extending offers to him in hopes of recruiting this master.

In the end, Orochimaru ignored everyone and played by himself.

Although those people don't say anything, they'll definitely try to trip them up and make things difficult for them whenever they get the chance.

But these are minor matters. Since Lord Orochimaru has made his decision, he will simply follow it.

Unfortunately, he was really going to leave the village.

He secretly went back to that orphanage a few times, but after discovering that its operators had become his former playmates, he never went back again.

He was indeed confused about who he was, but that had nothing to do with those people. He was a dangerous person and could only associate with dangerous people.

Thinking about what was in the base, Kabuto Yakushi felt that Lord Orochimaru was about to make headlines.

But will that thing really succeed? The sacrifices have been chosen, and they will participate in the exam as candidates from the Sound Village.

Kabuto Yakushi wasn't worried about anything else, he just hoped things wouldn't backfire.

Back in his rented apartment, Kabuto Yakushi first placed the things he had bought on the table, then went to the window, opened it, and let the wind in.

Looking out the window, you can see the outline of the Hokage Rock in the distance.

Kabuto Yakushi's gaze fell on one of the distinctive portraits.

That's his highest priority right now.

"Knock knock."

There was a knock on the door.

Kabuto Yakushi withdrew his gaze from the window, turned around, walked to the door, and opened it.

"Hello, guest." A friendly young man carrying a food box stood at the door. "Are you Mr. Kabuto Yakushi?"

"Yes, it's me."

"Okay, here's your ramen."

After settling the bill with the young man, Kabuto Yakushi watched him leave with a gentle and friendly smile, closed the door again, and then went to the kitchen to open the food box.

The ramen was still hot.

Snacks and tableware were also provided as a gift.

Presumably, these items have been inspected.

Kabuto Yakushi placed the ramen on the table and began to eat slowly and deliberately.

After finishing his meal, he tidied up his things, putting the bowls and chopsticks back into the food box and placing the food box at the doorway.

The person who delivered the noodles will come back to collect them later.

The intelligence has been transmitted; our allies are certainly bold.

However, this was likely triggered by the news that Uchiha Shingen had returned to the village.

The graves of the Hokage are one of the few places in Hidden Leaf Village that are still guarded by the ANBU.

There, besides the Hokage of each generation, are also buried the former Senju Clan; that place was originally the Senju Clan's family cemetery.

Some were truly buried, while others were merely cenotaphs.

The most famous cenotaph is the one with Senju Muzoku, but its fame is limited to important figures.

For ordinary ninjas, it's already quite an achievement if they know the names of all the Hokage.

The history of the Ninja World is something only ninja clans and ninjas would bother to learn.

Kabuto Yakushi had absolutely no connection to the ninja clans, but Orochimaru was extremely knowledgeable, so he knew everything he needed to know.

He was also aware of the dangers posed by the Senju Clan Cemetery.

However, it is always difficult to guard against a traitor within one's own ranks. Although the ANBU has changed many people, Lord Orochimaru still has spies around him.