Chapter 242: Yamato, the Wood Release Ninja
The next day dawned.
Konoha Village was bustling with activity.
On one hand, preparations were underway for the victory celebration slated for the weekend.
On another, they had to process the compensation for the fallen ninja and distribute rewards to the survivors.
Finally, they needed to determine the date and rough terms for the peace negotiations with Kumogakure.
However, none of these tedious matters concerned Hoshikawa much.
Given his strength and status, he didn't need to involve himself in the process, only the results.
After breakfast, Hoshikawa arrived at the Uchiha Clan compound.
"Lord Hoshikawa!"
The Uchiha guards at the gate immediately bowed upon seeing him.
The Uchiha Clan was inherently proud, but faced with power far exceeding their own, they set their pride aside. Hoshikawa had not only displayed his Wood Release on the Land of Frost battlefield but had also defeated the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails, which naturally earned him their complete submission.
"No need for formalities," Hoshikawa offered a smile and asked, "I'm here to find Shisui. Is he in?"
"He's at home," one of the Uchiha ninja paused, then asked, "Should I notify the Clan Head?"
"No, that won't be necessary," Hoshikawa shook his head.
He then proceeded into the Uchiha compound.
While called a compound, it felt more like a village within the village, small but fully equipped. Hoshikawa had been to Shisui Uchiha's home before, so the path was familiar.
"Hoshikawa!" Shisui Uchiha greeted him immediately.
"Brother Hoshikawa."
Trailing behind Shisui was a four-year-old boy, Itachi Uchiha.
"Is Itachi here too?" Hoshikawa asked, slightly tugging at the corner of his mouth at the title.
"I'm teaching him swordsmanship," Shisui said with a smile. "Itachi is very eager to learn and incredibly talented."
"I see," Hoshikawa nodded slightly.
In the original story, Shisui and Itachi were like mentor and friend.
"You two talk; I will excuse myself now," Itachi bowed slightly, wisely leaving the two alone.
"Hoshikawa, what do you need?" Shisui asked curiously.
"I need your help with something," Hoshikawa replied with a smile.
"Is there actually something you can't handle?" Shisui asked, sounding genuinely surprised.
"I'm not a god; how could I manage everything?" Hoshikawa paused, his expression turning serious. "This favor is quite dangerous, and it concerns Danzō Shimura."
"Danzō Shimura?" Shisui froze slightly. "Hasn't he already been locked up?"
"He colluded with Kumogakure and betrayed Konoha. He should have been executed, but the Hokage, out of old loyalty, refused to kill him," Hoshikawa said slowly. "However, if he remains alive, the danger to Konoha is immense."
"Are you asking for my help to kill him?" Shisui's heart jolted as he asked.
"Would you agree to that?" Hoshikawa countered.
"I agree!" Shisui gritted his teeth. "A man like Danzō absolutely cannot be allowed to live!"
Danzō Shimura and his Root faction had been oppressing the Uchiha Clan for a long time. Now, his collusion with an enemy village was tantamount to treason. Shisui's greatest wish was for the Uchiha and Konoha to coexist peacefully. In his view, Danzō Shimura was now the biggest obstacle.
"Direct murder isn't necessary," Hoshikawa smiled. "I need you to place a subtle suggestion on Danzō Shimura, instructing him to seek out the Fire Daimyō."
"Why the Fire Daimyō?" Shisui asked, confused.
"Because only the Fire Daimyō can support his bid for Hokage," Hoshikawa added. "If all goes well, the Fire Daimyō will arrive in Konoha tomorrow."
"I understand!" Realization dawned on Shisui's face.
"The Fire Daimyō will naturally refuse to let him become Hokage. Danzō Shimura will then lose his temper and lash out," Hoshikawa continued. "Attacking the Fire Daimyō is an act of defection, giving us a perfect reason to eliminate him on the spot."
Shisui couldn't help but marvel; Danzō Shimura was truly trapped. Though Shisui rarely resorted to such tactics, he believed it was necessary when dealing with Danzō Shimura.
"Let's go," Hoshikawa didn't want to waste time and prepared to take Shisui directly to see Danzō Shimura.
But after only two steps, he stopped.
Three unexpected guests had arrived: Fugaku Uchiha, Mikoto Uchiha, and Itachi Uchiha.
Itachi looked at Hoshikawa and Shisui with a look of guilt. After returning home, Fugaku and Mikoto had asked him where he'd been. Without thinking, he mentioned visiting Shisui's house and seeing Hoshikawa. Consequently, Fugaku and Mikoto rushed out with him in tow.
"Clan Head," Shisui quickly bowed. "Lady Mikoto."
"Hoshikawa, why didn't you tell us you were visiting?" Mikoto asked softly.
"I primarily didn't want to bother you," Hoshikawa said with a friendly smile.
"It's no trouble at all. The Uchiha Clan welcomes your presence at any time," Fugaku stated in a deep voice.
Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow.
The ninja world truly is ruled by power.
Of course, it wasn't just his power; he was also Tsunade's student. Especially now that Tsunade was effectively guaranteed to become the Fourth Hokage, the Uchiha Clan dared even less to offend Hoshikawa.
"Since you're here, please stay and eat before you leave," Mikoto invited.
"Next time," Hoshikawa shook his head. "Shisui and I have something urgent to attend to."
"What is it?" Fugaku promised, "The Uchiha Clan will certainly help you complete it."
"Shisui's help is sufficient," Hoshikawa was still a little unaccustomed to such enthusiastic treatment from the Uchiha Clan.
"Well..." Fugaku subconsciously glanced at Mikoto.
"Is there something you wanted to discuss with me?" Hoshikawa noticed their movement and asked directly.
"There is one thing," Mikoto hesitated for a few seconds. "I heard you took on a student?"
Hoshikawa immediately understood.
He only had one student: Hinata Hyūga.
Fugaku must have heard the news and wanted to try his luck as well.
"Aunt Mikoto, are you here to recommend a student for me?" Hoshikawa chuckled.
"Itachi admires you greatly," Mikoto smiled apologetically.
She then gently patted Itachi's head.
"Brother Hoshikawa," Itachi immediately bowed deeply. "Please accept me as your student."
"I don't know when I will become a Jonin," Hoshikawa mused. "Itachi is already showcasing incredible talent; waiting several years for me would be unnecessary."
Of course, the actual reason was that he didn't want to accept a child who would eventually commit kinslaying as a student. Even though his butterfly effect likely negated the Clan Massacre, Hoshikawa still couldn't accept it. More importantly, there was still Sasuke Uchiha.
Mikoto's expression instantly darkened.
Fugaku felt the same.
Could the Uchiha Clan lose out to the Hyūga Clan on this matter?
Itachi fell silent. Although he felt Shisui was the most suitable mentor for him, he knew that having Hoshikawa as his teacher would be more beneficial to the Uchiha Clan.
"I didn't say no, however."
Knowing they had misunderstood, Hoshikawa smiled and said, "I will reserve a student slot for you."
"Really?" Mikoto's expression instantly shifted to one of surprise and delight.
"It's absolutely true," Hoshikawa said pointedly. "The child should preferably be born this year or next."
"Understood," Mikoto quickly agreed.
"Then I'll see you all another day," Hoshikawa bid them farewell and left with Shisui Uchiha.
"Although there were some complications, we at least achieved our goal," Fugaku said softly, watching them leave.
"Mhm," Mikoto nodded, then added, "It's just a pity that Itachi won't be his student."
"It truly is," Fugaku said, clutching his head. "It would be difficult to find a second child in the entire Uchiha Clan who can compare to Itachi."
"Let's see about next year," Mikoto consoled him. "Perhaps there will be one then."
Konoha Maximum Security Prison.
Hoshikawa glanced around.
This was a rather remote area.
The surroundings were empty, with only two tall, tower-like buildings in the center.
The Konoha Maximum Security Prison was used to detain ninja guilty of severe crimes like murder and espionage. In the original story, it featured in the escape of Mizuki, Fūjin, and Raijin, but that was over a decade later.
"We'll use genjutsu to slip in, trying not to let anyone notice," Hoshikawa suggested.
Although his current status meant getting caught wouldn't matter much, it was better to proceed cautiously and avoid alerting Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Leave it to me."
Shisui Uchiha instantly vanished from the spot.
A flash of red light appeared.
The guards, or jailers, hadn't even reacted before they were controlled by the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow, noting to himself how useful the Mangekyō Sharingan truly was.
The two walked into the prison.
Because only serious criminals were detained here, all the cells were isolated and airtight. Furthermore, there was a barrier protecting the outside of the cells.
"Wait for me a moment."
Shisui Uchiha returned quickly, but he brought back a middle-aged ninja.
"Take us to Danzō Shimura's cell," Hoshikawa stated plainly.
"Understood," the middle-aged ninja nodded dully, then turned around just as dully.
A moment later, they concealed their forms and followed him to the deepest cell.
This particular cell, in addition to the barrier, had four ANBU Jonin guarding the door.
Shisui transformed into the middle-aged man, and Hoshikawa transformed into a jailer.
The two stepped forward and, before the guards could react, used genjutsu to incapacitate them.
The middle-aged man formed hand signs, dispelled the barrier, and gave the key to Shisui Uchiha.
Shisui immediately unlocked the door.
Danzō Shimura subconsciously looked up. He was stunned when he saw Shisui Uchiha.
He was about to speak when his body suddenly stiffened, his vision filled only with the swirling pattern of the Mangekyō Sharingan. With chakra, he would have had some resistance, but his chakra had been completely sealed. Now, he was just an ordinary man.
"Shisui, ask him where 'Kinoe' is for me," Hoshikawa instructed from the doorway.
Shisui repeated the question. Although he didn't know who Kinoe was.
"Kinoe is at a Root safehouse outside the village," Danzō Shimura stated the precise location.
Hoshikawa nodded slightly.
No wonder Jiraiya couldn't find Yamato.
"Alright, let's go," Shisui Uchiha exited the cell and closed the door.
"What's going on?" Danzō Shimura asked with a confused expression. "Did something just happen?"
His memory had been altered by Shisui Uchiha.
"Done, job complete," Hoshikawa clapped his hands after leaving the prison.
"How is he going to escape tomorrow?" Shisui Uchiha asked curiously.
"I'll make another trip then," Hoshikawa said indifferently.
"Is there anything else you need me to do?" Shisui Uchiha nodded and asked.
"How about joining me on a trip to the Root safehouse?" Hoshikawa asked after a brief thought.
"Are we going to see Kinoe?" Shisui Uchiha couldn't help but ask. "Who is he? Why is he so important to you?"
"Do you know the full reason why Danzō Shimura was imprisoned?" Hoshikawa countered.
"Collusion with Kumogakure," Shisui Uchiha immediately replied.
"Not just that," Hoshikawa shook his head. "There's another reason: the Wood Release Experiments."
"What are the Wood Release Experiments?" Shisui Uchiha's eyes widened in shock.
"It's like this..." Hoshikawa didn't hide anything and briefly explained the origins and details of the Wood Release Experiments.
"This... this is simply..." Shisui Uchiha's pupils contracted, his expression filled with extreme shock.
He truly hadn't imagined that Danzō Shimura would conduct human experiments, sacrificing so many infants, all to obtain the Wood Release.
"Are you... by any chance..." Shisui Uchiha suddenly realized something, his heart seizing up.
"I'm not, I learned it," Hoshikawa knew Shisui was mistaken. "Kinoe is the sole survivor of the Wood Release Experiments."
"I see," Shisui Uchiha's face cleared in understanding.
Half an hour later, the two arrived in a forest outside the village.
"There are five people beneath us," Hoshikawa closed his eyes, extending his sensory perimeter.
"It's a barrier," Shisui Uchiha activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.
Scorch Release: Rasengan!
Hoshikawa placed his right hand directly on the ground.
Rumble!
The barrier shattered, and the ground cracked open, revealing a deep pit.
"They've noticed us and are heading toward the entrance."
No sooner had Hoshikawa spoken than four figures leaped up.
Shisui Uchiha glanced at them, and the four Root ninja froze in place.
Just then, branches from the nearby trees elongated, wrapping around Hoshikawa and Shisui Uchiha.
"It really is Wood Release!" Shisui Uchiha said, astonished.
Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!
Hoshikawa clapped his hands, and a vast amount of chakra surged out.
The ground swelled, and trees burst forth from the earth.
Countless branches and vines, manipulated by Hoshikawa, wrapped around Yamato, who was hidden in the shadows.
Hoshikawa waved his hand.
Yamato was brought before him.
"How do you possess Wood Release?" Yamato stared blankly at him.
"Danzō Shimura colluded with Kumogakure and has been apprehended," Hoshikawa didn't answer his question, asking instead in a calm tone, "Do you intend to continue following him, or will you come back to Konoha with me?"
Yamato's face was filled with confusion.
Since he first gained consciousness, he had only ever followed Danzō Shimura. He didn't truly understand loyalty or the Will of Fire; he only knew to obey orders. Now that Danzō Shimura was captured, he should logically attempt a rescue.
However, Hoshikawa's Wood Release gave him a sense of encountering a kindred spirit.
"I... I don't know," Yamato replied honestly.
Hoshikawa wasn't surprised.
The training in Root only led people deeper into darkness. In the original story, Yamato found his way back because of Kakashi Hatake.
"Come with me," Hoshikawa snapped his fingers, releasing the Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence.
.............
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