Just a marionette.
Dan Katō probably didn't even realize it himself!
perhaps...
It happened late one night.
Dan Katō must have been fooled by some mastermind behind the scenes!
In an instant.
Araki suddenly realized that the high-ranking officials of Konoha were particularly adept at wearing white gloves; they could handle everything very smoothly without Araki having to personally intervene.
Danzo was the Third's henchman; the Third Hokage didn't have to do anything, he just left everything to Danzo.
The conspiracy was Danzo's front man. Danzo didn't need to handle many things personally; he only needed to use his words to deceive people and stir up trouble, which easily provoked the situation.
Suddenly.
Araki's gaze towards Dan Katō changed.
He's a pitiful person too.
certainly.
He was also a hateful person.
"Of course I'm destined for great things. No one knows how to do great things better than me. I come from humble beginnings, have no connections, and belong to no faction. Relying on my own strength, becoming Jonin is already my limit!"
Dan Katō's voice was filled with resentment, but this resentment wasn't directed at anyone; it sounded like he was complaining about the injustice of fate, about not being provided with a privileged environment, or being born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
It's like a poor student who, through hard work, has already achieved the leap from poverty to high positions, but he's still not satisfied. He's eyeing the princes and the princesses; he wants to be the emperor!
I must marry Tsunade!
"I will personally remove all obstacles standing between me and Tsunade!"
My ultimate goal is to become Hokage!
"Anyone who stands in my way on the path to Hokage will be dealt with!"
"So..."
" Nawaki must die!"
Dan Katō's tone grew increasingly cold. After saying this, he let out a sneer and stared at Araki.
"You didn't have to die. If you had chosen to join forces with me and help me take down Nawaki, I wouldn't have treated you badly after I became Hokage. What a pity..."
Before Dan Katō could finish speaking, Araki suddenly interrupted him.
"We can join forces now!"
Araki's face was full of innocence, and even his eyes, when he looked at Dan Katō, shone with admiration for the strong.
"You'll tell me about these plans even if we team up!"
"Now I know everything!"
"As I just said, I believe you are destined for great things, and I am willing to stand by your side and work with you to accomplish something truly magnificent!"
"Then it's not a pity at all!"
Araki said with a smile, how could he let go of such an opportunity to disturb Dan Katō? After all, Dan Katō was a genuine Jonin. Since he came to the ninja world, he had never dealt with Jonin. Even though the latter was currently exhausted, it was never too much to be cautious.
"Ah?"
Dan Katō was taken aback, completely bewildered by Araki's answer, and asked in confusion, "Aren't you Tsunade's disciple?"
"Yes!" Araki nodded.
"Then why are you helping me?" Dan Katō was confused by Araki's sudden unpredictable behavior.
"Because of your personal charm!" Araki said with a smile, "I've told you before, I think you're destined for great things, and I want to follow you!"
"No!"
Dan Katō frowned and immediately shook his head, saying, "How would I know what you're really thinking? If you don't help me and instead tell Tsunade all this, then my plan will be ruined!"
"But didn't you say you planned to have me help you? According to that plan, are you just going to leave me with nothing?" Araki thought Dan Katō seemed a bit dim-witted.
"This..."
Dan Katō remained silent.
really.
He was stumped by the question.
If he needs Araki's help, then he will definitely have to explain his plan.
He had no way of knowing whether Araki was genuinely trying to help him.
That way, he can't let Araki go back.
"Forget it! Forget it! The risk is too great! It's my fault for not thinking it through! I can't use you anymore!" Dan Katō shook his head, rejecting the idea of joining forces with Araki at this moment. A cruel smile appeared on his face as he said, "Then there's nothing to regret. I only have one path to take, and that is to kill you!"
"After I kill you, I'll have a chance to get close to Tsunade. Besides, can Nawaki stay hidden forever? I'll always find another opportunity."
As for you...
"It's nothing more than dust in the history of Konoha!"
Nobody will remember you!
As Dan Katō spoke, he walked step by step toward Araki, saying, "I used to think about making a large array of Explosive Tag for Nawaki, luring him into it, and making it look like he'd been ambushed. I was still hesitating about whether to use that idea on you."
"But you're too weak!"
You're not even Genin!
"There's absolutely no need to waste Explosive Tag!"
"No one would doubt that you were eaten by wild animals while you were training in a forest teeming with them, because you were exhausted!"
Dan Katō stared at Araki with a half-smile, his tone becoming increasingly twisted. He had already come up with his reason before arriving here.
He hadn't decided whether to make his move today or a few days later. He just happened to run into Araki and vaguely sensed that Araki had noticed his presence. If he didn't act now, things might get more difficult later.
"After saying all that, you can rest assured. Don't worry, I'll be quick, you won't feel any pain!"
Dan Katō walked towards Araki step by step.
"It's a pity, still a bit of a pity!" Araki shook his head slightly.
"What's a pity?" Dan Katō asked instinctively.
"Unfortunately, I don't want to die today!"
Araki's calm voice carried a hint of determination. As soon as he spoke, a colorless and odorless aura spread through the surrounding air, swirling around Dan Katō's body.
Immediately afterwards...
The next moment.
Araki leaned forward, spreading his arms as if in an embrace, and lunged at Dan Katō with incredible speed, making it impossible to dodge.
Almost simultaneously.
Araki's body began to turn yellow and wither, no longer resembling a human, like a dull, yellowed piece of wood. Vines spread from his hands, instantly binding Dan Katō.
The whole process was very fast.
Dan Katō was just basking in his triumph and hadn't been paying much attention. Now he was tied up, surrounded by a suffocating atmosphere.
"You are... Wood Release ninja?!"
Chapter 23 Dan Katō Must Die! (First Update)
Dan Katō's eyes widened, filled with shock.
He had never imagined such a thing before.
Wood Release Ninja!
Isn't that the bloodline limit of the First Hokage Hashirama Senju Kekkei Genkai?!
It's said to be Kekkei Genkai.
Who else inherited it?
There was nobody there!
That was practically a superpower that belonged solely to the First Hokage!
Since the death of the First Hokage Hashirama Senju, the world has never seen Wood Release again, and this ability has gradually been forgotten.
Right now.
This Ninja Academy student, who wasn't even Genin yet, actually used Wood Release Ninjutsu right in front of me?
It must be fake!
How is that possible?!
It's like a joke!
Dan Katō couldn't believe his eyes, but his body was tightly bound by wooden vines.
These vines were incredibly resilient. As he struggled to break free, they seemed to absorb his strength, only tightening further, offering no real sense of liberation.
"Could it really be Wood Release Ninjutsu?"
Dan Katō's expression turned serious. Everything that had happened here made him think more deeply about these issues. After all, Wood Release Ninjutsu was extremely rare, and there probably wasn't such a thing in the entire ninja world.
However...
Just as he was about to break free again.
His eyelids suddenly felt incredibly heavy, and a sense of drowsiness swept over his brain, making him feel extremely sleepy.
"Not good!"
Dan Katō was startled. He tried hard to open his eyes, but his body wouldn't obey him.
Those double eyelids looked incredibly heavy.
It felt as if two mountains were pressing down on his eyes.