I suspect you're insulting me, and I have proof. You're doing it to my face.
Call me a bad person if you want, but don't lump me in with Danzo!
Zou Hyuga grumbled inwardly but said nothing. Money really could change a person's standing. It had forced him to bow, and now even his little helper dared to get uppity.
After changing their appearances, the two entered the laboratory and woke the researchers from their deep sleep.
After having Oto erase their memories and leave memories of the pair's current appearances deep within their minds, Zou Hyuga spent nearly half a month sending them in batches to different parts of the Land of Fire.
Sensing the test subjects moving in different directions, Zou Hyuga slowly opened his eyes.
These people had little strength, but they were seeds he had scattered throughout the shinobi world. As those seeds sprouted and grew, he would surely reap a substantial harvest many years down the line.
In the shinobi world, an individual's strength was always insignificant until they reached the level of its two greatest titans.
Even the strongest ninja could be overwhelmed by collective strength. Naturally, he had sent them out for more than just money. More importantly, he wanted to build a power base and gain greater influence.
Once he had enough people behind him, he would no longer be stretched as thin as before. His personal strength was limited, enough to protect only one or two people. Only by building a power base could he fulfill more of his wishes.
Oto watched the test subjects leave alongside Zou. She seemed to have noticed something, but said little. As always, she simply complained about her heavy ANBU workload.
Spring came again.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood by the window and reached out to