"Oh my god!"
Uchiha Mikoto's gaze towards Araki had completely changed; this was no longer the Araki she had previously known.
In the ninja world, the various clans and the master-disciple relationships appear harmonious, but in reality, there are significant barriers between them.
Many families have their own secret techniques.
These secret techniques are never passed on to outsiders.
No matter how deep the bond!
This is a family matter!
The simplest example is the Nara Clan's Shadow Imitation Technique, which can only be learned by members of the Nara Clan; others are not allowed to learn it.
This is not Kekkei Genkai.
Unlike the Sharingan or Byakugan, it doesn't require innate talent.
This is a technique that anyone can theoretically learn, but it's a family secret and won't be taught to you, so you won't be able to learn it.
This secret technique is so rigorous that it's almost exaggerated.
For example, members of the Nara Clan can all learn the clan's secret techniques. However, if a man from the Nara Clan marries a woman, although she is also a member of the clan, she cannot learn these techniques; only the children can.
after all...
It's possible to get divorced after marriage!
Only parent-child blood ties constitute true family lineage!
The same principle applies to the transmission of knowledge between master and disciple. There are many things that a master will only teach to his own disciple and will not teach to other disciples.
This makes it difficult for many people to accept that their disciples have other teachers.
Unless the two teachers have a very good relationship!
Uchiha Mikoto was aware of these concepts, which was one of the reasons for her shock. After all, in her understanding, Might Duy and Lady Tsunade were not on the same level at all.
Simply put, Might Duy is not qualified to share disciples with Lady Tsunade.
But Araki did it.
There is no choice between the two.
No sacrifices or relinquishes were made.
I studied under the two teachers for more than half a year.
"And your Medical Ninjutsu..."
Uchiha Mikoto's breathing became rapid. Now she was completely convinced that Araki could not possibly be the murderer of Sora Hyuga, a fact proven by the fact that Lady Tsunade was Araki's teacher.
How could Lady Tsunade possibly accept a disciple with wicked intentions!
Absolutely impossible!
She is a rather emotional person. When she first began to suspect Araki's intentions, she had no evidence whatsoever, relying entirely on her own suspicions, which can be summarized in two words: feeling.
The reason I now also feel that Araki could not possibly be the murderer is simply two words: feeling.
Everything is based on feeling!
Uchiha Mikoto felt that it was extremely difficult for Araki to become a disciple of two teachers, especially two teachers with such a huge difference in ability. He must have extraordinary qualities, but she was still unclear about what those qualities were.
"Not really." Araki shook his head slightly.
"I don't believe you!" Uchiha Mikoto rolled her eyes in annoyance. If Araki had directly admitted that his medical skills were very strong, she might have been skeptical, but this answer was clearly just him deliberately trying to brush her off.
"You know what you should know, and you also know what you shouldn't know." Araki took one last, reluctant look at the twisted guard bear, then stood up and said, "I'm only telling you this because you're Kushina's best friend. Otherwise, there's no need for me to explain. If you still doubt me like this, then you can pack your things and move out. I don't want someone in my house who thinks I'm a murderer all the time."
"No, no, no, I didn't, I misunderstood, I'm sorry!" Uchiha Mikoto panicked and waved her hands repeatedly in apology, finally lowering her proud head.
"Okay."
Araki nodded calmly. She didn't intend to push him too hard; this was enough for now. At least it provided him with an alibi to some extent.
Immediately afterwards.
Araki reached out and picked up the bag containing the blank talismans.
After a night of hard work, he had turned the blank talismans he had taken into Explosive Tag, but he did not intend to put the Explosive Tag he had made today back; instead, he kept them on his person.
Last night's events provided him with many valuable lessons, lessons he wouldn't have learned when he was keeping a low profile.
All things considered.
In the three and a half years since I came to the ninja world.
Including Dan Katō last night.
He has only experienced three battles.
No matter how firm and resolute he was, or how calm and composed he was when faced with problems, he was still a novice. He had no ninja combat experience, and strictly speaking, he wasn't even a ninja yet.
When he killed Sora Hyuga, Sora underestimated him. He took advantage of Sora's unpreparedness, guiding him a distance before delivering a fatal blow.
When he killed the Kumogakure, he showed his true strength for the first time, but he also used poison to finish the job. Rather than saying that he was very strong, it would be more accurate to say that the poison was more effective.
It wasn't until he met Dan Katō last night that he truly realized how vast the gap was between himself and Jonin.
Before fighting Dan Katō, he didn't know that the person following him was Dan Katō. He hadn't considered this at all and had no idea that the other party could use the Spirit Transformation Technique, so he was unprepared.
If it were any other opponent, after the Wood Clone and Dan Katō were both drugged and knocked unconscious, the bound Dan Katō would be nothing more than a breathing corpse, completely incapable of moving.
There's nothing wrong with this layout.
But this person happens to be Dan Katō, who has the ability to astral projection.
The Wood Release Clone, also under the influence of the spell, lacked the strength to kill Dan Katō. It could only use its last breath to unleash vines to bind him to some extent, relying on the plant's automatic growth for the binding.
The final tug-of-war phase, that constant feeling of unease, still makes him break out in a cold sweat when he thinks about it now.
no!
We're too passive!
I absolutely must never let myself fall into such an embarrassing situation again!
Araki secretly made up his mind. This was actually a lesson for him, a very valuable lesson. If it weren't for that magical green light protecting him at his heart, the consequences would have been unimaginable, and he might have really had to be reincarnated.
He thought he was well prepared.
However, it now seems that the dangers of the ninja world were underestimated, especially in terms of human nature.
It's not safe just because you're in Konoha.
Danzo and Orochimaru might not be the only people in Konoha who could pose a danger to him.
Any ninja who appears glamorous on the surface.
Behind every facade, there may be a hypocritical face.
No one can say for sure whether the exposed side is a mask used for disguise.
after all...
We're all ninjas!
Ninjas are assassins who live in the shadows!
Everyone has some skills!
Araki pondered this point and his gaze fell on Uchiha Mikoto. Perhaps at this moment, young girls like Mikoto and Kushina had not yet experienced the pain of the outside world and still retained some of their innocence.
But those ninjas who live on the edge, every mission they go out on is like walking a tightrope over a mountain of knives; no one can be sure they'll come back alive. Could such beings be naive and innocent?
Are you kidding me!
Araki understood Dan Katō to some extent.
According to the combat method of the Spirit Transformation Technique, even if the physical body can remain in a safe area and rely on the soul to go out to fight and conduct reconnaissance without taking damage, if you really want to kill someone invisibly, you still have to fight the opponent in the consciousness space, it just appears invisible on the surface.
Dan Katō was more aware than anyone of the dangers involved.
If you walk by the river often enough, you're bound to get your shoes wet. Who knows, one day your soul might be devoured by the other party. Isn't that exactly what's happening now?
If only I could hook up with a rich woman.
From then on, he lived the life of a kept man.
Especially if one were to turn the tables and become the Hokage of Konoha, it would be a leap in social class.
The ninja world has such a strict class system that it's incredibly difficult to climb over it. For someone like Dan Katō, who has no background, reaching the position of Jonin is already the ceiling of his life. There is absolutely no hope of advancing further. He is still just a tool for carrying out missions, albeit a slightly higher-level one.
It's not that easy for someone who's just a tool to turn the tables and become the master.
He still spends his entire life on missions.
I can't be the one issuing tasks.
There are dangers involved in doing missions.
He could be sacrificed at any time!
How can he compare to the village's higher-ups? When have they ever seen the Third go on missions? He just sits there every day, smoking a pipe, issuing missions.
The village pockets the lion's share of the money from missions; the little that slips through their fingers is used as mission rewards and circulates only within the village. Outside the village, Konoha's currency is not recognized. Most importantly, the money earned from missions is subject to taxation.
Dan Katō is a smart man.
After he understood what was going on, he realized that he didn't have many opportunities left, and if he missed them, he would never have another chance in his life. He might as well take a gamble; if he could ride the Tsunade, his life would be transformed.
Araki's thoughts wandered as he pondered, and what was supposed to be self-reflection turned into reflections on Dan Katō's actions.
but...
This matter.
It did, however, give him three insights.
First, you must wear the Explosive Tag on your person!
You can choose not to use your trump card, but you absolutely cannot be without it. This time, it was a typical case of carelessness—forgetting to bring your trump card, which is a seriously high-risk behavior.
This behavior must be stopped in the future.
Otherwise, it could cause extremely serious harm to oneself.