Road

Jiraiya looked displeased and awkwardly waved his hand. "Uh, no, no, no. I'm not cut out for that. I'll be going back first."

Watching Jiraiya flee in embarrassment, Danzō sneered. "You dare question me? I can't handle a little white-haired brat like you?"

Inside a Konoha conference room, candlelight flickered, illuminating four grim old faces.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe had long gone out, yet he still clenched it unconsciously between his teeth. His fingertips tapped relentlessly against the tabletop. Koharu's toothless lips had tightened into a thin line.

The tea in her hand had long since gone cold.

Fresh blood seeped through the bandages on Danzo's right arm, while barely concealed agitation flickered in his lone eye.

The scroll spread across the table contained the latest intelligence and broadcast footage.

Fei Yun had been confirmed to possess Wood Release and Mangekyo Sharingan abilities. His threat level exceeded S-rank, and eliminating him would require activating the Shadow Annihilation Plan.

Danzō slammed his fist onto the table, overturning the tea. The water spread across the scroll, just like the situation slipping out of their control.

"You should have listened to me long ago."

His voice was hoarse. "When we exterminated that clan, you should have let me go all out. Now look at this. One fish that slipped through the net is about to overturn all of Konoha."

Homura Mitokado frowned. "What's the point of saying that now?"

"The urgent matter at hand!"

"It is the urgent matter at hand!"

Danzō sneered. "Don't you understand yet?"

"That brat has already proven himself capable of repelling Jiraiya. His next step will be to return to Konoha and hunt us down one by one!"

On Hokage Rock, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally removed his pipe, his aged hand trembling slightly.

"His Mangekyo abilities..." The Third Hokage's voice was so hoarse it barely sounded like his own. "One can forcibly control another person's actions, while the other can amplify the power of numbers. And he has also obtained Wood Release."

The conference room abruptly fell silent. Everyone thought of the same name.

The Ninja God who had personally captured Madara Uchiha and ended the Warring States Era by himself... Homura Mitokado's Adam's apple bobbed.

"Is he going to become a second Madara Uchiha?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi abruptly rose to his feet, his chair scraping harshly against the floor. "Immediately recall all elite shinobi stationed outside the village and issue the highest-level alert!"

Seeing the worry and fear on his old friends' faces, Hiruzen Sarutobi reassured them, "Don't lose heart. Over the past forty years, how many storms have we weathered? Konoha will get better again, just like before."

"And this time, it isn't as though we gained nothing."

"Didn't we obtain valuable intelligence?"

"The next time we deal with him, it will be much easier."

The three nodded. They could only use that one achievement to console themselves.

Danzō's eyes darkened. "Hiruzen, you must find a way to bring Tsunade back. Konoha is in danger now. As a member of Konoha, she hasn't returned to the village for more than a decade. What kind of behavior is that?"

The other three displayed no reaction to Danzo's anger.

Others might not know, but didn't they?

They were all old foxes. Who didn't know what the others were like?

Why had Tsunade stayed away from Konoha?

Wasn't it because of Danzō's secret maneuvers, along with their tacit approval?

Back when Konoha had entered a relatively stable and peaceful period, they had exploited Tsunade's psychological weaknesses. They used the deaths of her loved ones and lover to provoke her, causing her temperament to change drastically. She became detached from the affairs of the Land of Fire, addicted to gambling and drinking, and fell into ruin.

Just as they had driven away Orochimaru, it was because those people were too independent, too capable, and too prestigious. They threatened the interests of the four great families. Tsunade's threat had even been greater than Orochimaru's.

Tsunade was a pure-blooded member of the Senju Clan and the most likely candidate to succeed as Hokage. That was why she had been broken even earlier than Orochimaru and had fallen even sooner. Did the Third Hokage and the others like outstanding shinobi?

Of course they did. Those shinobi were Konoha's future and hope. For Konoha's strength, they sincerely nurtured generation after generation of juniors and cared for the younger generation.

But being outstanding was fine, as long as you weren't more outstanding than them. Being more outstanding was also fine, as long as you remained obedient!

The four of them truly missed Minato Namikaze. When would another person like him appear?

What a wonderful junior he had been—unparalleled in talent, yet easy to talk to and willing to heed the opinions of old men like them.

That was why they vigorously cultivated and protected the younger generation, hoping that a sufficiently outstanding Hokage candidate would appear soon.

After a long silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi relit his tobacco.

"As for Tsunade, I'll persuade Jiraiya to talk her into returning."

"That child still deeply loves the village. I believe in her."

The others nodded.

The power of the four great families had now basically stabilized. Even if they gave the Hokage position to Tsunade, there would be no issue. After all, no one could weaken their influence anymore.

And Tsunade was only a woman, with only herself left of the Senju Clan. Everything remained under control.

If there truly was no other option, they were already seventy years old. How much longer could they remain in office?

There was no one in their families with sufficient seniority, so they had no choice but to make preparations in advance. They merely needed to cultivate outstanding descendants in the future. Wouldn't the Hokage position return to their families then?

Danzo narrowed his eye slightly. "Jiraiya's personality means he definitely won't become Hokage. We can use the pressure of making him succeed as Hokage to make him bring Tsunade back with all his strength."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked displeased and rebuked him, "These old bones of mine can still hold on. There's no need to fear the broadcast so much. No matter how strong Fei Yun is, he is only one person. Behind us are Konoha and the Land of Fire!"

Danzō sneered. "Hiruzen, it doesn't have to be a real abdication. It can just be an excuse to persuade Tsunade to return to the village."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze turned icy as he stared at Supreme Danzo. "No!"

"Danzō!"

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. I am the Hokage!"

Danzō's lone eye widened. "You'll regret this!"

After Hiruzen and Danzō flirted and bickered for a while, they each departed.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado never once raised their eyelids. They knew the matter had been settled like this.

They were far too familiar with this scene. They had rehearsed it countless times. Just like before, Danzō would carry it out while the Third Hokage opposed it.

After listening to Fei Yun's explanation, Orochimaru fell into deep thought.

After a moment, Orochimaru frowned. "Then is your current physical recovery ability the result of sixty levels of Spiritual Power, or the power of Hashirama Cells?"

Fei Yun waved his hand. "That isn't important. I just want to know how to use this sixty-level Spiritual Power."

Orochimaru's expression turned serious.

"No, it is very important. Every piece of data must be precise down to the smallest detail. Otherwise, the results can differ by worlds."

A nostalgic look appeared on Orochimaru's face as he slowly said, "I have once experienced the pressure exerted by the White Snake Sage. Based on my research into you over the past year, your Spiritual Power may be at the White Snake Sage's level."

"The ancient Spiritual Power cultivators you mentioned may refer to beings like the White Snake Sage and the Great Toad Sage."

As he spoke, excitement appeared on Orochimaru's face.

"If so, then the ancient immortals you mentioned can be matched up. The White Snake Sage, Great Toad Sage, and Katsuyu Sage have all lived for thousands of years, while the Three Great Sacred Lands are ancient ruins. That is why they preserved the methods of immortal cultivation."

Orochimaru spread his hands, his eyes brimming with the light of wisdom. "In other words, what immortals cultivate is Natural Energy."

Fei Yun was left dumbfounded. He had to admire Orochimaru's imagination. He could make such associations and deductions, and they even sounded fairly reasonable, though they remained far from the truth.

Still, he seemed to have hit upon a few key points.

Fei Yun spread his hands. "Spiritual Power should not be Natural Energy. They are somewhat related, but they are not part of the same system."

"Natural Energy should be considered body cultivation, while Spiritual Power is spirit cultivation. The stronger the body, the more Spiritual Power will naturally increase."

"However, strong Spiritual Power does not necessarily mean a strong body, because those with powerful Spiritual Power may not even need a body."

Fei Yun paused before continuing, "But one thing you said does make sense. The Spiritual Power of the three great sages must be extremely strong."

Orochimaru nodded. "So, Fei Yun-kun, you don't actually need to deliberately seek methods of using Spiritual Power, because aren't you already using it every moment?"

Fei Yun looked confused. "What do you mean?"

Orochimaru stared intently at Fei Yun. "Haven't you relied on that so-called sixty-level Spiritual Power to reach where you are today, step by step?"

"No matter which path one takes, they will eventually arrive at the same One. What matters is taking each step steadily and firmly."

"For me, every step I take is built upon vast amounts of data. As for you, Fei Yun-kun, every stage of your growth has been built upon incomparably solid Spiritual Power."

Fei Yun looked strange. "Are you saying that a towering building rises from level ground, and glory can only be achieved by oneself?"

Orochimaru was slightly taken aback, then smiled. "That fresh way of putting it is quite fitting. What we need to do is continuously discover new things and make them our own. Once we have acquired enough, there will be nothing left in this world that we do not understand."

Orochimaru looked utterly entranced.

"In the end, we will become the greatest existences in this world and unravel every mystery in existence. But to achieve that, we need an immense amount of time."

"A human lifespan is nowhere near enough, so I need to obtain eternal life."

Fei Yun felt a little dizzy from what Great God Bay had said. He waved his hand. "I want to transplant Hashirama Cells once more. I feel that my Wood Release is still too weak."

Orochimaru was somewhat speechless.

Was there any need to show off like this? His achievements could already be considered unprecedented and unparalleled.

Orochimaru slowly closed his eyes, then gradually opened them again.

"If you consider that weak, then should I even keep living?"

Fei Yun did not notice the oddness in Orochimaru's expression and asked in surprise.

"Oh, right. I've always wanted to ask you this. Didn't you transplant Hashirama Cells?"

"Why can't you use the Wood Release secret technique?"

Orochimaru looked expressionlessly at Fei Yun, as though he had turned to stone.

The room fell silent, and the atmosphere became slightly awkward.

Maintaining the mindset that as long as I'm not embarrassed, then Orochimaru is the embarrassed one, Fei Yun calmly took a sip of tea.

After waiting for Orochimaru to speak again for a long while, Orochimaru finally said blandly, "First, I have currently only transplanted Hashirama Cells with a low concentration. Second, who told you that having Hashirama Cells means you can use Wood Release?"

"That's why I'm asking Orochimaru-kun for guidance. After all, Orochimaru-kun is the most advanced pioneer of technology in the Human Realm."

Hearing that, Orochimaru looked pleased, and a smile finally appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Say that again. What strange habit is this?"

Fei Yun's mouth twitched.

"Orochimaru-kun is a pioneer."

"Mm."

Orochimaru raised his head and gave a pleased hum, wearing an expression of enjoyment. Then he smiled and said, "To use Wood Release, Hashirama Cells are only one necessary condition. You must also possess Yang Release chakra of a sufficient level, as well as a foundation in the non-elemental basic attributes."

Hearing this, Fei Yun became even more confused. "But I only have Earth and Fire chakra natures. Why can I use it?"

Orochimaru thought for a moment before explaining, "You possess the Mangekyo Sharingan, so your Yin Release attribute has reached its peak. After merging with one-hundred-percent concentration Hashirama Cells, you also gained a powerful Yang Release attribute. In other words, you already possess Yin-Yang Release, and Yin-Yang Release contains all basic non-elemental attributes."

"I see. Then Dahe must be some kind of mutation, or perhaps he has some secret as well?"