Chapter 61 - Chapter 60

Happy new year

Here's extra chapter, only for you guys 😸

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Hiroki and the others were making their way back toward Konoha.

Danzo kept glancing at Hiroki from time to time.

But Hiroki's mind wasn't here at all. His consciousness had already sunk into his inner "system space," sorting through the spoils taken from Kakuzu.

First of all, because Kakuzu had been sealed, Hiroki managed to copy almost all of the man's vital data folders, including but not limited to:

— Complete combat records— Black market network information— Ninjutsu archives— And most importantly, the core techniques of Earth Grudge Fear

The Earth Grudge Fear module was the most valuable of all. With it, Hiroki could theoretically remake himself into something like Kakuzu—a stitched-together monster with multiple hearts.

Of course… he had no intention of turning himself into something like that unless he had absolutely no choice.

Still, the code itself was priceless. For example, the remote-control protocol Kakuzu used to operate his detached masks and organs—Hiroki could adapt it. With some rewriting, he could use the same protocol to remotely control someone's ninjutsu, or even have a shadow clone running long-distance tasks as if it were a drone.

He could even implant the protocol into animals and create his own network of messenger beasts under remote guidance.

And that was only what he could think of immediately.

The second major treasure was Kakuzu's black market contact list.

Hiroki skimmed it and was stunned—more than forty locations in the Land of Fire alone. Almost every major city in the ninja world had a branch. Kakuzu had spent nearly a century mapping out the entire underground economy.

It even included notes on each branch manager, their personalities, habits, strengths, and weaknesses.

That alone was a goldmine.

But above everything else…

Hiroki finally had time to install the "muscle automation script" on himself.

…

On the road back.

Among Konoha's leadership, Danzo considered himself the sharpest, most perceptive man in the village—someone who could identify and cultivate talent better than anyone.

And Hiroki… was not normal.Not even close.

Yet what bothered Danzo wasn't the talent itself—Konoha had plenty of genius children. What he couldn't understand was how Hiroki, at ten years old, had become the main force in defeating someone like Kakuzu, a legendary figure who had survived since the era of the First Hokage.

Danzo's gaze shifted to the limp, tattered "skin" Hiroki carried.

Calling it "skin" felt borderline disrespectful—this was, after all, a notorious bounty hunter who had terrorized the shinobi world for decades. But Danzo simply couldn't bring himself to call it anything else.

How did a child do this?

What was he doing at this age? Certainly not battling monsters from the previous generation.

Even as they arrived at the Hokage's office, Danzo was still grappling with that question.

Hiruzen was equally stunned upon hearing the report.

He sat behind his desk, his beloved pipe having fallen to the floor unnoticed. His hands were clasped tightly, fingertips trembling.

His eyes were fixed on the pale human skin laid on the desk, along with the five eerie masks beside it—objects that seemed to mock the very concept of common sense.

"Kakuzu… was sealed? Just like that?"

A man who had once fought the First Hokage—sealed by a child and a single jonin?

For Hiruzen, who had personally witnessed the feats of the First and Second Hokage, the idea was absurd. He knew exactly how terrifying Hashirama's enemies tended to be.

Yet here the evidence was, sitting in front of him.

The office fell into an oppressive silence.

"…cough…"

Hiruzen finally forced himself out of his daze, coughing roughly as he tried to assemble himself back into the image of the Hokage. His voice, however, was still hoarse.

"Besides the people present here… who else knows about this?"

Danzo stepped forward.

"No one. I have already prepared measures. My Root operatives will not leak this information under any circumstance—not even at the cost of their lives."

Hiruzen let out a heavy breath.

Good. At least the information was contained.

He began tapping rhythmically on the desk, deep in thought.

Hiroki—together with Orochimaru—had sealed Kakuzu.

In terms of the larger ninja world, Kakuzu's death wouldn't shake nations. He was a rogue shinobi, a mercenary, a relic of the past. His existence was a danger but not a political force.

What mattered more was…

Earth Grudge Fear.

A forbidden jutsu of Takigakure. Kakuzu had been the only user in the entire world. Now Konoha possessed both the user and the sealed body.

Should Konoha… study it?

Hiruzen considered the idea—and immediately rejected it. Forbidden techniques like Earth Grudge Fear were taboo for a reason. From Hiroki and Orochimaru's description, Kakuzu barely resembled a human anymore.

Konoha was a major village. They could not casually dabble in things that twisted human bodies into monstrosities.

Just like the Impure World Reincarnation created by Tobirama—existing, but not to be used lightly.

So the question that remained was:

What should be done with Hiroki?

Despite his weaknesses—lack of physical strength, small chakra reserves—his abilities already surpassed the level of many chunin.

He could easily qualify as a special jonin.

But a ten-year-old special jonin… that was unprecedented.

…

The Hokage thought.

And thought.

And thought.

Hiroki stared at the old man, wondering what exactly was running through his mind. Danzo and Orochimaru waited patiently.

Hiroki was not nearly as patient.

After all the work he'd done—risking his life, copying techniques, capturing a legendary rogue—shouldn't he be promoted? Given a raise? At the very least, receive some recognition?

But the Third Hokage didn't move.

…Huh?

Just as Hiroki wondered what decision the Hokage would make, Hiruzen finally spoke.

"Hiroki-kun…"

Danzo's brows twitched. What kind of affectionate address was that?!

"Hiroki-kun… Konoha is preparing a mission. My three disciples will be sent to the Land of Rain to confront Hanzo of the Hidden Rain. We must prevent him from further expanding toward the Fire Country border."

"I want to know… would you be willing to participate in this operation?"

Hiruzen smiled gently as he tossed the question toward him.

Hiroki froze.

What?

Fight against Hanzo the Salamander?

Me?!

His eyes widened.