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After thoroughly studying the secret scroll of Ninjutsu, Hoshimi's understanding of the Insect Sealing Technique deepened immensely. It had to be said — this ancient secret art possessed extraordinary merits. Beyond its numerous devastating offensive techniques, the Insect Sealing Technique also included reconnaissance-type Ninjutsu such as the Secret Technique: Parasitic Insects.
But more than combat and perception, its greatest advantage lay in its boundless potential. As long as one could cultivate Chakra insects with unique traits, they could develop corresponding secret techniques of incredible power. A single Insect Sealing Technique could theoretically cultivate an almost omnipotent ninja.
Moreover, this particular version was far from the ordinary Insect Sealing inheritance of the Aburame Clan. It contained a multitude of self-created secret techniques — clearly the culmination of Sora's decades of research and experience as a Root ninja. And now, all of that hard-won knowledge had fallen into Hoshimi's hands.
Many of the secret techniques within this enhanced scroll were extremely advanced, reaching B-rank or even A-rank according to the system's evaluation. For instance, the technique that Sora had used in his final moments — the Insect Explosion Technique — was classified as A-rank.
Recalling the massive explosion that had nearly razed the area, Hoshimi was certain that Sora's last move had been that wide-range attack Ninjutsu. The Insect Explosion Technique was indeed formidable, but its price was steep — it consumed nearly ninety percent of the Parasitic Insects one had cultivated. Once unleashed, it was a desperate gambit.
However, Hoshimi could sense that the technique still had plenty of room for improvement. At the very least, he believed the number of insects consumed during activation should be adjustable. Achieving that would require higher proficiency — but it was a challenge he was eager to tackle.
The unexpected acquisition of such a powerful secret technique left Hoshimi thrilled. Without hesitation, he began recording the Insect Sealing scroll into his system. Soon, a series of glowing prompts appeared before his eyes:
"Insect Sealing Technique: Insect Orb (C-rank) has been recorded!"
"Insect Sealing Technique: Insect Explosion Technique (A-rank) has been recorded!"
"..."
By dawn, Hoshimi reluctantly set the scroll aside, still unsatisfied, his mind brimming with ideas. Through the night, he had recorded nearly every Ninjutsu detailed within the scroll, and his status panel now reflected his new arsenal:
Status Panel:
Ninjutsu: Clone Technique (E): lv10 (MAX) (Breakthrough possible)
Transformation (B): lv10 (MAX) (Breakthrough possible)
Substitution Technique (E): lv10 (MAX) (Breakthrough possible)
Spirit Devour (B): lv10 (MAX) (Breakthrough possible)
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique (C): lv6 (792/2400)
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough (C): lv6 (963/2400)
Ninja Taijutsu: Wind Shunshin (B): lv3 (263/6000) (Breakthrough possible)
Taijutsu: Hyuga Gentle Fist (C): lv10 (MAX) (Breakthrough possible)
Taijutsu: Iron Fist Fundamentals (C): lv10 (MAX) (Breakthrough possible)
Taijutsu: Konoha Style Hard Fist (B): lv6 (1857/6000)
Sealing Jutsu: Sealing Pulse Seal – Evil Break (B): MAX (Breakthrough possible)
Dōjutsu: Byakugan (A): lv7 (34697/51200)
Byakugan: Intimidation (A): lv6 (18264/25600)
Eight Gates Released Formation (S): lv3 (8632/30000)
Shadow Clone Jutsu (B): lv3 (1500/3000)
Insect Sealing Technique (A): lv1 (1500/10000)
Free Experience Points: 31,349
Evaluation: Elite Jonin? No — your limits surpass expectation. Your bloodline appears to have undergone a subtle transformation!
The Insect Sealing Technique, unlike most skills, wasn't listed individually but as a combined whole, much like the Konoha Style Hard Fist. Its classification as A-rank already made it exceptional, but the experience required to level it hinted that its true quality was extraordinary. Even at level one, it demanded ten thousand experience points — an unmistakable sign of its high tier among A-rank arts.
Though Hoshimi had gained only a preliminary mastery overnight, he could already sense its potential. Still, to make it battle-ready, he would need to cultivate Parasitic Insects compatible with his own Chakra. For now, however, that could wait. There was something more pressing — something that could determine whether he could continue living safely within Konoha.
He needed to confirm whether Danzo knew of his existence.
That thought weighed heavily on him. If the leader of Root was aware of him, staying in Konoha would be impossible. But if not... perhaps he could continue to hide in plain sight.
"I hope it's not the worst-case scenario," Hoshimi murmured as he stepped outside, squinting at the bright morning sunlight.
The Root organization's true base was a tightly guarded secret — only a handful of top-ranking members knew its precise location. But Hoshimi had an advantage others lacked: his memories from a previous life.
He wasn't someone with a photographic memory, but he did recall the general region — the Forest of Death. With a target zone identified, the next step was straightforward.
After all, Hoshimi was a member of the Hyuga Clan, bearer of the Byakugan, one of the finest reconnaissance abilities in the world. And his eyes weren't ordinary Byakugan — they had undergone an ancestral reversion, granting him a field of vision far superior to that of his peers.
Within hours, he located the Root's underground facility, its entrance concealed beneath layers of earth and illusionary barriers. Without hesitation, Hoshimi concealed his presence, ambushed a lone Root operative, and used Transformation Jutsu to assume his identity.
Just like that, he infiltrated the base unnoticed.
Inside, the atmosphere was suffocating. Nearly eighty percent of Root's elite operatives were assembled in a vast underground training hall. Yet none dared to lift their heads.
At the center stood Danzo Shimura — one-eyed, expression cold, radiating the oppressive aura of absolute authority.
To the disguised Hoshimi, this was his first time seeing Danzo in person. The man was different from the version shown in the anime of Hoshimi's past life. He hadn't yet transplanted a Sharingan or infused himself with Hashirama's cells, yet his presence felt even more formidable — as though this was Danzo at his prime.
And right now, Danzo's temper was barely contained. His fury seemed to saturate the air itself.
Before him lay a charred, cloth-covered corpse — all that remained of Sora. Remembering the Third Hokage's scolding from the previous night, Danzo's anger seethed to the point of explosion.
"Who dares to challenge this old man?" he muttered through clenched teeth.
"The Hyuga Clan? Impossible. Those fools can barely stop fighting among themselves, let alone assassinate Sora." His one visible eye narrowed. "If not them... then who else in Konoha would dare oppose me?"
Danzo fell silent, but his mind raced. Whatever else could be said about him, his instincts and strategic mind were razor-sharp.
Then a possibility struck him. His eye gleamed with realization.
"Could it be... that mysterious powerhouse who injured Uchiha Shisui?"
The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. There weren't many strong individuals in the ninja world, and it was unlikely multiple new ones had appeared so suddenly.
Danzo knew Sora's strength better than anyone. As a Root veteran and the creator of many forbidden techniques, Sora's power rivaled that of an Elite Jonin. Forcing him to self-destruct could only mean the opponent possessed Kage-level strength.
And coincidentally, the mysterious individual who had once injured Shisui was rumored to possess Kage-level power.
"Damn it," Danzo hissed under his breath, his fists clenching. "If it's truly that man... how can I take my revenge?"
If the culprit had been someone within Konoha, Danzo would have had a hundred ways to make them disappear — slow, quiet, and without consequence. Even Uchiha Shisui, a prodigy feared by Kage-level shinobi, had eventually fallen victim to Danzo's schemes, losing his eyes and being driven to suicide.
But if the enemy was an outsider — a hidden powerhouse unaffiliated with the village — then Danzo's reach ended at Konoha's walls.
The timing couldn't have been worse. The Third Great Ninja War still raged across the continent, and the world was in chaos. Even Danzo's influence could only stretch so far under such conditions.
The frustration gnawed at him.
"Power," he muttered, voice trembling with ambition. "This old man needs greater power. The power of Hashirama. The power of the Uchiha. I must master them all."
His single eye flashed with obsession.
"Just wait. When this old man becomes Hokage, all of this will change!"
Raising his head, Danzo began barking orders, his voice cold and commanding. He initiated another round of ideological conditioning — Root's signature brainwashing — and reassigned his operatives to continue their missions.
Hidden among the silent crowd, Hoshimi watched everything unfold.
And then, quietly, he exhaled in relief.
From what he had seen and overheard, Danzo had no idea about his existence.
That meant he was safe — at least for now.
He didn't need to abandon Konoha after all.
As Danzo's speech continued, Hoshimi silently slipped away, his mind already plotting his next move.
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