Chapter 99: Hair Manipulation Technique + Byakugan + Hidden Mist Technique =
The discussion about White Fang didn't continue. No matter how glorious his past had been, he was already dead—perhaps even his bones buried underground had rotted away by now. Compared to spending time investigating secrets buried in the past, the younger generation was more urgently concerned with unraveling mysteries that affected their own interests and dignity.
Uchiha Izumo and Uchiha Teyaki approached Orochimaru.
But before they could speak—
Orochimaru stared at the two Uchiha and said: "I've already stated this matter involves individuals at too high a level. I have no authority to handle it. Coming to me serves no purpose. Only Lord Hokage can deal with this. Rather than wasting your breath here, report this matter to your clan and have your clan head negotiate with Lord Hokage directly."
"I understand."
Uchiha Izumo bowed his head slightly to show respect for Orochimaru as a powerful figure. "This matter isn't something we can handle either. We'll report to our clan head. However, before that, I hope to examine the file records of all our fallen clansmen. I request permission."
Izumo's attitude was surprisingly good, polite and courteous.
Clearly these two Uchiha had resembled volcanoes about to erupt earlier, but now only Teyaki wore a sour expression while Izumo's face showed not a trace of anger—only a somewhat fake smile.
But this was actually more frightening. Someone who controlled their emotions rather than being controlled by them was undoubtedly more dangerous!
Orochimaru was somewhat surprised.
He'd expected these two to shout about killing Danzo, but instead they made this request. He examined this young Uchiha jonin again, memorizing his name and appearance.
"You may."
After briefly considering for two seconds, Orochimaru granted Izumo's request.
Ninja files theoretically couldn't be accessed casually, as they involved the ninja's personal secrets. But this rule only applied to living ninja.
The confidentiality of fallen ninja files was downgraded. Of course, even with reduced confidentiality, not just anyone could view them at will.
But Uchiha Izumo wasn't just anyone.
He was also an Uchiha, and he wanted to examine files of deceased Uchiha clansmen. This situation was permitted. The Sarutobi Clan, Nara Clan, Inuzuka Clan and other clans had done similar things before.
As for whether Izumo might discover problems while examining the files, Orochimaru felt the possibility was slim. From his understanding of Danzo and the Root organization, they shouldn't have left obvious evidence lying around.
Therefore, Orochimaru didn't make things difficult for Izumo.
"Thank you."
Izumo nodded in gratitude.
Orochimaru called over the subordinate who had previously fetched files, ordering him to accompany Izumo and Teyaki to the personnel department to review records.
Before leaving, Izumo looked toward Uchiha Shisui, the clan's rising first genius, and asked: "Shisui, do you want to come with us?"
Though they were all Uchiha, their relationships weren't particularly close. Mainly because Shisui's temperament seemed odd to them—always talking about the village this and that, mixed in with that broken Will of Fire nonsense.
But regardless, the Uchiha respected the strong, and Shisui was genuinely powerful—stronger than both of them!
So before departing, Izumo still asked this clan member several years younger than himself.
"I... I'll go!"
After hesitating several seconds, Shisui agreed. He also cared deeply about this matter. Clansmen dying in battle for the village was supremely honorable, but if they were betrayed and framed to death... he couldn't accept such a thing!
But he equally didn't want anyone exploiting his clansmen's deaths to frame others.
So he had to personally participate in the investigation, using his own eyes to see the truth clearly.
Thus, three Uchiha jonin departed together.
Shikaku watched those three collars bearing the fan emblem disappear from view, his brow furrowing tightly. For a moment, he felt stomach acid boiling continuously, burning his chest painfully.
At this moment—
"Jonin Yamanaka."
Ritsu walked over and greeted him.
Inoichi froze, not expecting Ritsu to seek him out. He tried to smile but couldn't manage it, only asking with a stiff expression: "Clan Head Hyuga, that... how may I help you?"
His voice was dry and hoarse, like a long-unmaintained machine. Even he was startled by his own abnormal voice.
Ritsu's smile remained unchanged as he said cheerfully: "Jonin Yamanaka, there's a small matter I'd like your help with!"
"Help? What could I possibly help with?"
Inoichi forcibly summoned some saliva and swallowed, trying to moisten his throat so his voice would sound more normal.
"I'm quite interested in several secret techniques within Suikazan Fuguki's mind. I'd like your help extracting them. Of course, according to regulations, if you're interested in these techniques yourself, you may also practice them."
Ritsu stated his purpose.
"That I'm afraid..."
Inoichi instinctively wanted to decline. After all, he'd previously refused to read Fuguki's brain, which led to Shisui using genjutsu to publicly interrogate him. If he agreed to Ritsu's request now, wouldn't that make him look like a clown?
Honestly, he now somewhat regretted his earlier choice.
With matters escalating to this point, he felt he bore some responsibility. After all, if he'd read Fuguki's brain, even if he discovered Uchiha jonin had been betrayed and framed to death, he definitely wouldn't have spoken about it. And ancient history like White Fang's situation definitely wouldn't have leaked even a whisper.
But there were no what-ifs. He could only face the bitter fruit he'd created.
"Inoichi, do it."
Shikaku spoke up, interrupting Inoichi's unspoken refusal.
"Shikaku?"
Inoichi widened his eyes, staring at Shikaku standing beside him.
"If it were probing Hidden Mist Village's classified intelligence, sealing techniques would obstruct penetration. But just the secret techniques and ninjutsu that Fuguki himself mastered—that shouldn't be difficult for you to investigate clearly, Inoichi." Shikaku looked at Ritsu and explained.
Inoichi's mouth opened and closed like a clam several times before he finally chose silence.
Compared to his own judgment, he trusted Shikaku's brain more.
Unfortunately, when he'd made his choice last time, Shikaku hadn't been by his side. Though after Shikaku returned and heard his account, he hadn't said he'd made the wrong choice, Inoichi didn't think so—he just felt Shikaku was deliberately comforting him out of concern for excessive guilt.
"Then I'll trouble Jonin Yamanaka."
Ritsu looked around and asked: "Jonin Yamanaka, what preparations are needed to read Fuguki's brain? When can we begin?"
Inoichi looked toward Shikaku, who nodded.
"We can start now."
Inoichi answered. "Just get me writing materials and blank scrolls. I'll need to record the extracted secret techniques and ninjutsu... Perhaps it's best to change locations. Here might interfere with Lord Orochimaru's work."
At this moment, Sarutobi Mochimoto, Uchiha Izumo, Uchiha Teyaki, Uchiha Shisui, Shibi Aburame, Kō Inuzuka and others had all left. Now the tent only contained Orochimaru and his subordinates, the teacher-student pair Hiruko and Ritsu, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio of Shikaku, Inoichi and Choza, plus Suikazan Fuguki lying on the ground like a dead pig.
"It's no trouble here."
Hearing Inoichi's words, Orochimaru immediately said generously.
"Then, Orochimaru-senpai, we'll shamelessly continue imposing. Once Jonin Yamanaka finishes reading Fuguki's secret techniques and ninjutsu, we'll formally hand this fellow over to you for custody!"
According to village regulations, any ninjutsu or secret techniques extracted from captured enemy ninja brains must be given to whoever captured them. As the operator responsible for reading these techniques, one inevitably contacted this content, so interrogators were also permitted to practice the extracted techniques.
Fuguki was Ritsu's prisoner.
Therefore, all ninjutsu and secret technique data read from Fuguki's mind would have one copy kept by the village, one held by Inoichi, and one held by Ritsu.
"Let's do that then!"
Orochimaru agreed casually.
Seeing Orochimaru didn't mind, Inoichi couldn't be bothered wasting more words. He simply walked over and dragged Fuguki's collapsed body up from the ground. With Ritsu's assistance, they placed him in a chair.
Then Inoichi stood behind the chair, extending his left hand to press on Fuguki's head while his right hand formed seals. His eyes slowly closed as he immediately executed the Yamanaka Clan's mental secret technique for reading enemy brain information—the Mind Reading Technique.
Seeing this, Ritsu quietly walked to Orochimaru's desk and obtained blank scrolls and writing materials, also moving over the table previously used by the stenographer.
"Ritsu, I'm going back to do research."
Hiruko grew impatient waiting. After informing Ritsu and greeting Orochimaru, he departed. He not only had to research methods to break the Caged Bird Seal but also study applications for his four Kekkei Genkai. He was extraordinarily busy.
Only because his chakra reserves had greatly increased could he now rely on shadow clones to improve research efficiency.
Ritsu waited patiently.
He was extremely interested in Fuguki's hair manipulation secret technique, because he felt this technique had high compatibility with his clan's Byakugan. If combined with Hidden Mist Technique, it would be even better!
Shikaku and Choza also didn't leave, remaining like Ritsu, quietly waiting.
After about half an hour, Inoichi opened his eyes, deep exhaustion visible within.
"Inoichi, success?"
Shikaku asked first.
"Success."
Inoichi nodded.
"Good. If you're tired, rest a moment before recording."
"No need. Though I have some headache, it doesn't affect my writing. Clan Head Hyuga, the writing materials and blank scrolls are... already prepared!"
Seeing the arranged table, chair, writing materials and scrolls nearby, Inoichi froze momentarily, but immediately walked over. After sitting at the desk, he picked up the brush and began writing rapidly on the scroll.
Seeing this, Ritsu walked over and dragged Fuguki down from the chair, tossing him on the ground. "Orochimaru-senpai, you handle this fellow!"
Orochimaru was currently opening the three file folders brought earlier, examining the contents.
Hearing Ritsu's voice, without raising his head he said: "Just leave him there. I'll have someone transport him back to the village along with the interrogation transcript shortly... Ritsu-kun, what are you doing now?"
Orochimaru looked up somewhat helplessly at Ritsu, who had approached his desk again.
"Orochimaru-senpai, did you discover any problems in the files?"
"That's classified."
Orochimaru answered.
"I didn't ask what problems—just whether you discovered problems. That's not allowed either?"
"Classified means classified. Leaking classified information carries very severe punishment. Ritsu-kun, are you trying to harm me!"
"Alright! Alright! Orochimaru-senpai, please forgive me. I was presumptuous."
Ritsu raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.
Shikaku silently observed the interaction between Orochimaru and Ritsu. These two seemed quite familiar—was it because Ritsu's teacher Hiruko and Orochimaru were classmates? But it felt like more than that.
He recalled again Orochimaru's strange attitude during Fuguki's interrogation. The relationship between Orochimaru and Lord Hokage had definitely encountered problems, causing them to become estranged without a trace of master-disciple affection remaining. And this was very likely an important reason promoting Orochimaru's closeness with Ritsu.
"The storm approaches!"
Shikaku sighed weakly.
They'd finally defeated the Mist ninja with such difficulty, but before everyone could catch their breath, dark clouds of internal strife already loomed overhead, preventing even a moment's peace of mind.
What made it even more depressing was that their Nara Clan would likely be swept into the village's approaching internal conflict, because the Ino-Shika-Cho clans were loyal vassals of the Sarutobi Clan.
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