The next day.
Yuu told Uchiha Fugaku and Kakashi the information he had received from his shadow clone.
Both of them were quite pleased.
After all, inside Konoha Village, Danzō had always been like a massive mountain pressing down on the ninja clans.
The Uchiha had been suppressed by him for so many years, yet they had never been able to do anything about it. At most, they could complain behind his back.
Even Hatake Sakumo's suicide had been connected to Danzō in countless ways.
And now, Yuu had gone straight in and initiated a full-on assault against him. With a single move, he had gotten Danzō removed from office.
That was an astonishing achievement.
Because of this, Uchiha Fugaku solemnly thanked Yuu, his words faintly suggesting that he had begun viewing Yuu as something of a savior of the Uchiha clan.
"Cough… Actually, Lady Tsunade did most of the work. I merely made a tiny contribution."
Yuu waved his hand.
"Mm, Lady Tsunade is certainly admirable, but the main reason was still Captain Yuu's extraordinary attentiveness. You were the one who discovered evidence of Danzō's crimes…"
Fugaku sighed.
"If only these crimes had been discovered sooner. Perhaps the Uchiha clan would never have been suppressed to this extent…"
He lowered his voice considerably during the second half.
Yuu still heard him clearly.
He glanced at Fugaku but said nothing.
How should he put it…
In Yuu's opinion, the Uchiha clan's predicament was indeed related to Danzō.
But not nearly as much as Fugaku imagined.
The real problem was that the Uchiha themselves were politically hopeless.
There were far too many different voices inside the clan, and Fugaku, as clan head, neither possessed the ability to unify their opinions nor understood the principles of political struggle.
All he could do was hold meeting after meeting every day, pretending to discuss matters when in reality he was simply doing nothing.
On top of that, he had even given Konoha evidence that the clan might be planning rebellion.
If even one member of the Uchiha leadership had possessed competent political ability, the clan could have flourished inside Konoha.
There was no way things should ever have deteriorated to the point of extermination.
But Yuu could not exactly say that to Fugaku's face.
Their relationship was nowhere near close enough for that.
Besides, saying it probably would not accomplish much.
It would be more useful to remind Shisui to read a few more books while he was still young and stop being such a naïve fool who got manipulated by everyone he met…
Over the next several days,
the area around Shakuka Town remained peaceful.
Yuu reduced the frequency of his excursions outside the stronghold, handing routine patrol duties over to Uchiha Fugaku and Kakashi.
He remained in camp and devoted most of his time and energy to攻略ing his ninjutsu.
As time passed, the first technique to unlock a new trait was the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique—
[Bringer-of-Darkness Technique affection +2. Current affection: 25/100 (Friendly)]
[Stage Reward obtained: Constitution +1.]
[Trait — Veil of the Dark Night: Your understanding of darkness has deepened. You can deprive enemies of vision across a wider area and disrupt their senses. At the same time, you may designate one or more targets and continuously impose intense psychological pressure and suggestion upon them, preventing them from concentrating.]
Hmm…
This trait was fairly useful.
The Bringer-of-Darkness Technique itself was already a support-oriented ninjutsu designed to launch mental attacks against enemies.
It was especially effective against Uchiha who relied too heavily on ocular abilities.
The newly unlocked Veil of the Dark Night simply strengthened its existing effects even further.
It looked decent.
The only uncertainty was how much suppression it could actually exert against opponents of the same level—or even stronger ones.
In addition,
another recently acquired ninjutsu had also unlocked a new trait.
The Hydrification Technique.
Although Yuu had only recently obtained this technique from the Hōzuki clan, it probably benefited from being derived from Water Release.
Since Yuu himself already possessed considerable skill in Water Release, the technique felt extremely natural to use.
Its affection had risen almost in parallel with the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, reaching twenty-five points.
As for its trait—
[Trait — Body of Gentle Water: Your Hydrification Technique becomes more flexible and responsive. While using this technique, your movement speed increases by 20% from its current level, your resistance to Lightning Release increases by 15%, and you can rapidly heal injuries and relieve fatigue through flowing water.]
Yuu quickly tested it.
Experiments confirmed that while under Body of Gentle Water, he really did become more agile than normal.
There was also a subtle warm current constantly flowing through his body.
It felt almost as though someone were continuously massaging him, leaving his entire body relaxed and comfortable.
In theory, Yuu only needed to enter this state for two or three hours every day to fully recover his energy without sleeping.
Even tiny injuries accumulated during ordinary training—ones too insignificant to justify medical ninjutsu—would rapidly heal completely.
That gave Yuu an idea.
Since Body of Gentle Water could heal injuries…
what would happen if he combined it with the Eight Gates?
The answer was—
it broke.
When the Eight Gates were opened, the chakra inside the body became violently unstable, like a calm river transforming into a raging torrent that was far harder to control.
The Hydrification Technique, meanwhile, demanded extremely precise manipulation.
The two styles were completely opposite and fundamentally incompatible.
Yuu tried several times, but he could not maintain both techniques simultaneously.
For now, he could only abandon the idea of combining them.
However…
using Water Release while in a hydrated state was another matter entirely.
Under those conditions, Yuu's casting process became significantly smoother.
Water Release ninjutsu that originally required three or four hand seals could now be released with only one or two.
Some could even be activated simply by clapping his hands together.
It still could not compare with the thought-controlled casting granted by Heavenly Fire Judgment, but it was already quite impressive.
Among the newly obtained ninjutsu, only the Spirit Transformation Technique had yet to unlock a trait.
That was normal.
After all, the Spirit Transformation Technique was an S-rank ninjutsu on the same level as the Flying Thunder God.
And because of its fatal weakness—leaving the user's main body completely defenseless—Yuu did not dare practice it too recklessly.
At most, he would let his spirit leave his body briefly, circle around the stronghold once, and then return.
Naturally, progress remained limited.
Yuu was not particularly anxious about it.
He had never intended to use the Spirit Transformation Technique as a regular combat technique anyway.
Its main value was helping him refine his Yin Release chakra.
If it eventually unlocked a trait capable of compensating for its fatal weakness, then Yuu might consider攻略ing it seriously.
Otherwise, there was no need.
During these days,
Yuu also found time to spar several times with Kakashi, Shisui, Rin, Kurenai, and the others, giving them some cultivation advice.
By the latter half of the week,
an urgent intelligence report was delivered to the southeastern front by a Konoha Anbu.
Kakashi immediately brought it to Yuu, who was currently discussing adjustments to the defensive deployment with Uchiha Fugaku.
Once the scroll was opened,
Yuu rapidly scanned the contents.
His eyebrows lifted slightly, and a trace of surprise appeared on his face.
"What happened?"
Fugaku immediately noticed that something was wrong and asked.
"…See for yourself. Something happened on the southwestern front."
Yuu handed him the scroll.
Fugaku took it and quickly read through the contents.
His relatively small eyes instantly widened.
His expression became so shocked that he failed to speak for several seconds.
"This… Lord Orochimaru…
"Defected?!"
That was right.
According to the scroll, a day and a half ago, Orochimaru had received the Hokage's summons and begun returning to Konoha.
During the journey, however, he suddenly wounded several accompanying Anbu and separated from the group.
His current whereabouts were unknown.
Because the matter was extremely urgent, Sarutobi Hiruzen had immediately activated emergency measures and notified every frontline force.
Yuu was not surprised by this result.
After all, in the original story, Orochimaru had defected precisely because his human experiments were exposed.
Although it had happened somewhat earlier this time—roughly four or five years ahead of the original timeline—with Orochimaru's extremely cautious personality and overwhelming desire to preserve his own life, there was no chance he would obediently return to the village for Hiruzen's investigation once he realized his crimes might have been exposed.
As for where he had gone…
most likely the Land of Rice Fields.
The geography there was excellent.
It was neither too remote nor too conspicuous.
Given Orochimaru's personality, he had probably investigated the region long beforehand and chosen it as a possible base, rather than spontaneously deciding upon it only after defecting.
However, the Sound Four, Guren, and the others were currently still children younger than ten.
Uzumaki Karin and Hōzuki Suigetsu had not even been born yet.
So whether Orochimaru could establish Otogakure as smoothly as he had in the original story was difficult to say.
On the other side,
Fugaku and Kakashi were still exchanging stunned looks.
"This… Could this be false intelligence sent by Kirigakure?"
"Orochimaru is one of the Sannin, Lord Hokage's disciple, and the supreme commander of the southwestern front…
"How could he suddenly defect at a time like this? If everyone learns about this, then…"
"Huh? Yuu, you don't seem surprised."
Faced with Fugaku and Kakashi's gazes,
Yuu smiled slightly.
"Orochimaru and Danzō have always been close. It's impossible to know what kind of dealings they had behind the scenes.
"Now that something happened to Danzō, it's perfectly normal for Orochimaru to feel guilty and flee while everything is in chaos."
"Is that so…"
Fugaku looked doubtful.
Kakashi, meanwhile, appeared thoughtful.
However, neither asked further questions.
After all, tracking down missing-nin was Anbu's responsibility.
Even if Orochimaru intended to leave the Land of Fire, he probably would not head southeast.
He would most likely move toward the Land of Wind in the southwest or travel north.
"Well, since Anbu has already sent the information, pass the order down.
"Tell everyone to be more alert while patrolling during the coming days.
"If anyone discovers traces of Orochimaru's movements, report them to me immediately. I'll handle it."
Yuu gave the order.
His relationship with Orochimaru was not especially close.
He had merely worked under the man for a few months.
However…
Yuu still needed Orochimaru to help improve the Nerve Activation Technique and Tobirama's version of Reanimation Jutsu.
So if he could locate Orochimaru, Yuu still intended to meet him and find some way to squeeze more value out of him.
"Speaking of which…"
"Who's currently in charge of the southwestern front?"
Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato were on the Kumogakure front.
Tsunade was inside Konoha.
That meant the Wildfire City region currently had no Kage-level combatant stationed there.
Sunagakure…
surely they would not tear up the peace treaty they had signed earlier and restart the war against Konoha, right?
Thinking of this, Yuu decided that later he would summon the Three Kamaitachi Brothers and ask whether Pakura had left any messages.
It had been quite some time since they had last met.
By now, she should probably have begun exercising the authority of Kazekage…
…
Land of Wind, Sunagakure.
Inside the council chamber at the center of the village, the atmosphere was solemn.
At the head of the circular conference table sat a beautiful young woman with long orange hair.
She wore the beige robes characteristic of Sunagakure, while a hat marked with the character "Kage" rested on the table before her.
She was Sunagakure's Acting Fourth Kazekage—
Pakura.
The reason she was still only "acting" Kazekage was because the situation throughout the ninja world remained unstable, and Sunagakure was uncertain whether it could remain outside the conflict indefinitely.
To avoid another leadership vacuum like the one caused by the Third Kazekage's disappearance, the village had decided not to formally appoint a new Kazekage yet.
Instead, major decisions would temporarily be made jointly by the Council of Elders.
Once the war situation largely settled, assuming nothing unexpected happened, the formal succession ceremony would be held.
Of course…
there was another reason that could not be openly stated.
Pakura's political foundation was simply too shallow.
She also lacked the kind of overwhelming military achievements that would convince the majority of Suna ninja to sincerely accept her.
Thus, the village had ended up in a situation somewhat similar to Danzō's brief tenure as the "Five-and-a-Half Hokage."
On both sides of the conference table,
seven or eight elders sat in rows, led by Chiyo and Ebizō.
Strictly speaking, Sasori's actions as a missing-nin should have implicated Chiyo.
However, Sunagakure simply did not have enough capable people available, so she had retained her position as elder and been placed under a one-year observation period.
Incidentally, Rasa had temporarily been removed from the decision-making circle.
At present, he was sweating away in the desert near Sunagakure, mining gold.
After all, Sunagakure had spent a considerable amount of money ransoming its prisoners earlier.
Now the "former acting Kazekage" needed to find a way to earn that money back.
At this moment,
the subject of the meeting was Orochimaru's defection.
"…An opportunity!"
An elder with a goatee suddenly spoke loudly.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
"Orochimaru has defected. The 'Yellow Flash' and the 'White Reaper' are both absent.
"Konoha's southwestern defensive line will inevitably be thrown into chaos!
"If we gather our elite forces and launch a surprise attack on Wildfire City, we can absolutely capture it in a single battle!"
"Exactly!
"Wildfire City is Konoha's gateway along the southwestern border.
"Taking it would not only wash away our previous humiliation, but also allow us to push the frontline directly into the Land of Fire and seize the strategic initiative!
"I support Elder Totsuguri's proposal!"
Another middle-aged elder waved an arm and spoke in agreement.
Two more elders nodded as well, eager light appearing in their eyes.
Although Sunagakure and Konoha had already signed a peace treaty, most Suna ninja regarded that treaty as little more than a document of surrender.
Many remained deeply dissatisfied and had always wanted an opportunity to recover their lost pride.
Now seemed like the perfect chance.
Chiyo said nothing.
She merely glanced toward the main seat.
At this moment,
Pakura listened silently.
Her fingers tapped lightly against the tabletop.
Only after the voices of the pro-war elders gradually died down did she finally speak in a cold tone.
"And then?"
~~~
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