With the right to retaliate granted outright, Souma could hardly imagine what kind of decision the Third Hokage had reached.
But it was obvious that a large part of this resolve stemmed from the documents Orochimaru had leaked—
The arm was transplanted with Hashirama's cells.
When every known factor was placed on the table, the list of suspects shrank to almost nothing.
All signs pointed squarely toward Danzō.
That bandage-wrapped arm of his was simply too suspicious.
And that eye—
Suddenly "blind" one day, with no explanation.
The Third Hokage could probably guess the reason already. In the past, he had chosen to turn a blind eye.
But now?
Once he realized that Danzō and Orochimaru were still secretly cooperating, he likely couldn't hold back anymore.
Of course, this was Souma's own speculation. Whether it was completely accurate remained to be seen.
But if Hiruzen weren't preparing for something major, there would have been no need for him to personally arrive using Flying Thunder God.
After the shadow clone dispersed, Souma lost all motivation to continue his research notes.
He tapped his pen against the notebook unconsciously, replaying the Hokage's recent moves in his mind.
Gradually, a clearer picture formed.
Moonlight Hayate.
Previously, Souma had suspected Hayate was once again scouting information related to the Land of Wind or Orochimaru.
But now…
Perhaps that wasn't the case.
Perhaps the Third Hokage had sent him to seek reinforcements.
"…Looks like my butterfly effect has gotten a bit out of hand," Souma muttered.
"After all, Kimimaro is already sitting in a cell."
That thought suddenly led him to another possibility—
Would Orochimaru try to rescue Kimimaro during the Chūnin Exams?
It wasn't impossible.
Kimimaro still had half a year to live. Enough time for one last all-out battle.
Souma temporarily set aside his ninjutsu research and shifted his focus to countermeasures against Orochimaru.
After thinking it through, something else came to mind.
A few days ago, he'd planned to visit Akimichi Chōza to discuss the Seven-Day Breathing Method.
But then he'd buried himself in chakra-armor research with Might Guy and completely forgotten about it.
"Perfect timing. I'll visit Shibi and Inoichi along the way, then stop by the Akimichi clan."
Decision made.
The next day, Souma first visited Aburame Shibi, discussing security around Kimimaro's detention.
Unless Orochimaru personally showed up, the Aburame clan's kikaichū forces—combined with elite clan members—would be more than enough to inflict heavy losses on any intruders.
Especially the Sound Three, who relied heavily on curse mark power.
After that, he visited Yamanaka Inoichi, informing him of the coordination with the Aburame clan.
Souma wasn't an ANBU captain, after all. It was necessary to route things through Inoichi.
Only after both visits did he head to Akimichi Chōza's residence.
Souma had already compiled the Seven-Day Breathing Method into a fairly complete booklet.
It detailed the first three stages and included theoretical speculation beginning with the fourth.
Before even reaching the house, he smelled rich meat aromas.
Spreading his perception—
Chōza and Chōji.
A private lesson?
Souma hesitated.
Was it a bad time?
After a few seconds of thought, he went anyway.
Time was precious—he didn't have the luxury to make repeated trips.
As he walked through the neighborhood, numerous Akimichi clan members greeted him warmly, each one trying to invite him in for lunch.
Five separate invitations—just on one street.
By the time he reached Chōza's home, the man greeted him with booming laughter.
"Hahaha! See? My clansmen are enthusiastic, aren't they? Their cooking's excellent too. If you've got time, you should visit each house."
"I barely have time to eat these days," Souma replied.
He glanced into the courtyard.
Chōji was eating with his right hand while holding a book in his left—more focused than Souma had ever seen him.
Souma felt faintly ashamed.
Only the Akimichi truly understood the Akimichi—
Food really was their greatest motivator.
Chōza understood immediately.
"Chōji! Study properly. If I come back and you haven't finished your food or reached halfway through the book, I'll beat you senseless!"
Then he led Souma inside.
This was Souma's first time inside Chōza's home.
It was spacious—but the massive kitchen and dining area stood out the most. Equipment everywhere.
A true gourmet's residence.
Chōza gestured for him to sit and brewed tea.
"Try this. Helps with digestion."
"Thank you."
Souma took a sip. Definitely anti-grease tea.
"Souma-kun, I heard you're responsible for the Chūnin Exams lately. You must be busy—how do you still have time to visit?"
"Where'd that rumor come from?" Souma sighed.
"I only suggested the framework. I'm not involved in the actual process."
He'd been asked about exam difficulty nonstop lately—
even though he didn't write a single question.
Chōza gave him a knowing look.
Souma gave up explaining.
He placed the prepared booklet on the table and slid it over.
"I've developed a special taijutsu. But from the fourth stage onward, ordinary methods won't cut it. After some thought, the Akimichi clan might be best suited."
Chōza frowned.
Best suited… Akimichi only?
What kind of taijutsu was that?
He opened the booklet and read the introduction to the Seven-Day Breathing Method.
Increasing cellular activity through oxygen intake?
Chōza decided not to think too deeply about it.
Medical theory wasn't his field.
But as he read further, his expression slowly changed.
"This method… uses breathing to enhance activation?"
"Yes. I call it the Seven-Day Breathing Method. The first three activation stages are complete. Beyond the fourth, special assistance may be required."
Souma gestured for him to continue.
Chōza nodded and read carefully.
When he reached the second page, his expression shifted noticeably. He closed the booklet.
"Souma-kun, this is already incredibly complete. At this level, I'd practically learn the technique just by reading it. That doesn't feel right."
He wasn't just thinking of his clan—he had principles.
This technique's value was enormous.
He wasn't sure he could afford it.
"Please read on," Souma said seriously.
Chōza frowned and flipped to the fourth page.
There, instead of a technique, were theoretical notes.
And a clear reference to the Akimichi clan's strength—
Partial Expansion Jutsu.
Larger bodies meant larger lungs and airways.
More oxygen.
Of course, breathing alone wasn't enough.
After a long silence, Chōza spoke:
"When we expand, our oxygen demand also increases. I'll test it myself first. If it works, we'll discuss further."
"Agreed."
Souma nodded.
For stages four through seven, he only had rough ideas anyway. Real progress required actual testing.
After leaving the Akimichi household, Souma visited Kakashi's training grounds.
Although the breathing method idea came from Souma, the actual technique had been created by Kakashi.
Respect was due.
Souma wanted to share the basic breathing activation technique with the village.
This concerned the patterns on his Bodhi Seed.
Kakashi didn't mind at all, joking only that Souma should help tutor Naruto's academics.
That request—
Even Souma felt a headache coming on.
Naruto's theoretical knowledge was abysmal.
And at this stage, Naruto wasn't yet the calm, disciplined future version.
Getting him to sit still and read was harder than training ninjutsu.
Even with Shadow Clones, personality overlap remained a problem.
Souma didn't dare agree and escaped under the excuse of being "the exam designer."
Elsewhere, in the Land of Fire—
"Orochimaru, you didn't call me out just to say this, did you?" Danzō sneered.
"If you think I'll betray Konoha, you're mistaken."
"That Shikotsumyaku boy—I won't help you rescue him. Give it up."
"Oho? Then perhaps you should look at this first."
Orochimaru smiled and handed over a notebook.
Danzō narrowed his eyes and read.
A few seconds later—
He snapped his head up, killing intent flashing.
"What is the meaning of this, Orochimaru?"
"This information has been on the old man's desk for a month now," Orochimaru chuckled.
"Looks like you didn't know. How tragic—decades of comradeship, yet it ends like this."
His words were sympathetic.
His expression was delighted.
After all—
He had orchestrated this spectacle himself.
Seeing Danzō visibly shaken was immensely satisfying.
"Lord Danzō," Orochimaru continued smoothly,
"The old man raided my base without warning. I inevitably missed some documents. I'm simply… rectifying that oversight."
Danzō stared at him coldly.
Believing that explanation would be idiocy.
After a tense pause, Danzō spoke:
"What do you want?"
"Peace has lasted too long. Konoha's windmill has rusted," Orochimaru said solemnly.
"I'm merely the spark to set it turning again."
"…So your target is Hiruzen?"
"Perhaps," Orochimaru smiled. "Perhaps not."
Danzō fell silent.
Then—
"If it's Hiruzen, we have room to cooperate," he said calmly.
"Konoha under his rule has grown soft."
Orochimaru laughed softly.
"No need to explain. I believe we're both acting for Konoha's sake."
Then his gaze sharpened.
"Now—about our previous terms…"
"Kimimaro is off the table," Danzō interrupted.
"Souma values him highly. I hear Hiruzen even allowed him to study Flying Thunder God. He may already have results."
"To rescue him would require personal action—and if we're intercepted, you know the consequences."
"Of course," Orochimaru replied.
Yagyū Souma.
Once, Orochimaru had merely admired him.
Now, he'd abandoned the fantasy of recruiting him.
Souma's growth was too fast.
Sage Mode.
Even Orochimaru couldn't be sure of victory anymore.
If rescuing Kimimaro meant facing Souma—
He would abandon Kimimaro without hesitation.
"Also," Danzō added irritably,
"Souma has deep ties with the Aburame clan. And my most capable subordinate has grown… distant."
Aburame Torune.
Once his trump card.
Now quietly drawn away by Souma.
Should've killed him earlier.
Danzō felt a flicker of regret.
But—
A Konoha under his control would still need such talents.
Unless there was no other option, he wouldn't choose extreme measures.
And as for alternatives…
Danzō's hand brushed his bandaged arm.
"Let's exchange intelligence."
"I want everything you know about Yagyū Souma—especially any S-rank techniques he's researched. In return, I'll share what I know."
Orochimaru's smile faded.
Among all of Konoha—
He feared neither Hiruzen nor Kakashi.
Only Souma.
That boy's research ability genuinely unsettled him.
"…Agreed."
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