Converging his thought on the impossibility of Orochimaru dying, Kuroto focused his attention on Itachi and asked, "Who else knows that you have awakened Mangekyou Sharingan?"
Itachi thought a little, the replied, "Other than Oto Yumie, who is now dead, and probably Shinno, only you know of this fact Kuroto-san."
Kuroto was surprised by Itachi's reply, "You did not even inform Shisui of this fact?"
"Ho-san said that I must not inform anything related to assessment to anyone, not even to Shisui-san, so I did not mention about this secret to Shisui-san." – said Itachi.
Kuroto smiled lightly, then nodded, "And why did you not inform Uchiha Patriarch about this? Aside from being your father, he is also the Patriarch of Uchiha Clan? I don't think you have any reason to doubt him, am I right Itachi-Kun?"
Itachi nodded then said, "True, I do not have any reason to doubt Otou-san, but given the improving situation of Clan, I do not want to break the balance by revealing the appearance of another Uchiha who has awakened Mangekyou Sharingan. Moreover, since I am going to be a member of Amatsukami, so it is best that I am not the center of all attention."
Itachi obviously carefully analyzed many things over the course of the past few months, and then reached this conclusion.
Both Akatsuki and Amatsukami have repeatedly shown terrifying power, something neither Konoha nor Uchiha Clan would be able to resist should then not resolve their internal conflicts. Therefore, both parties are left with no choice but to forcefully resolve their internal contradictions and fight with external enemies as a united front. This is their only option to ensure their survival.
But if this balance in strength is again broken, and if one side starts becoming dominant then contradictions will again appear, which is not something that Itachi wants to see.
Kuroto agreed, "I suppose that's true."
Itachi said, "By the way, Kuroto-san, did Ho-san, or perhaps should I call her Tsukihi-san? Did she really sacrifice herself in the fight against Shinno?"
Kuroto did not answer but instead questioned, "What do you think did she die?"
Itachi shook his head, "I don't think that she is dead, from all the information about her battle with Shinno, there was no mention of her using the Susanoo, so I believe that she did not use all her strength, as such it is very likely that she is alive."
Kuroto nodded, "Right she is very much alive, there are two reasons why she faked her death, firstly to let the people of Akatsuki think that she is dead, and second was to help the Uchiha Clan uplift their lost reputation. And I would like to think that both of her purposes were achieved."
"And what about the rumor of her being a secret member of Konoha Military Police Force, is that really true?" – questioned Itachi.
"That's just a rumor, if you want to know her origins, I think it would be best to ask her yourself on your next mission together, I think she will be willing to satiate your curiosity if she feels like it." – said Kuroto.
Itachi nodded, although he wasn't much interested in her background. As long as she doesn't have any harmful intention towards the Village and the Clan, everything is fine.
At this time, Itachi suddenly caught something in Kuroto's words and asked, "In our next mission together? Does that mean I have passed the assessment?"
Kuroto nodded with a chuckle, "Right, since you have awakened Mangekyou Sharingan so you have successfully passed the assessment. Therefore, you are now an official member of Amatsukami, your code will be the same as was mentioned to you before, that is, Ho Musubi. And as for your Amatsukami disguise, it will be sent to you along with the detail of your missions. And even though I know that I do not need to remind you but I will say it, be ready and do not drop your training as you have still much to improve."
…
At the Root Base.
While Kuroto and Itachi discussed many things related to the rules of Amatsukami, Shimura Danzo was staring at the pair of severed limbs stored within the glassware.
It can be said that the previous sneak attack on Uchiha Shisui was the closest he had ever come to Mangekyou Sharingan. And he only needed to get a bit more time to get his hands on Kotoamatsukami.
Unfortunately, there was a seal placed on Shisui's eyes that hindered for a moment and the other two members of team-11 took that opportunity to take away Uchiha Shisui.
Later when he learned that was Hyuga Kuroto who placed that seal on Shisui's eyes Danzo was really angry at that Hyuga brat. But this also explained why were Shisui's eyes not stolen by members of Amatsukami.
Danzo could only sigh, even though all three members of team-11 somehow or other get in his way to get Kotoamatsukami in his hands, he was helpless as he could not do anything to them because they have Hiruzen's protection.
Especially that Hyuga Kuroto, both Hyuga Clan and Orochimaru would be offended if something were to happen to him, and since Danzo is in a cooperative relationship with Orochimaru so he can't afford to break away from him at this point. There is also the fact that he has already offended the Uchiha Clan to the bones so further offending the Hyuga Clan would disadvantageous for his further selection to the position of Hokage.
As for Hatake Kakashi? Hiruzen would have been deeply annoyed should something happen to Kakashi, as Hiruzen is slowly and steadily cultivating Hatake Kakashi to be Minato's successor.
Then there is Might Guy. Well Since the other three kids have become sort of untouchable for him, so Danzo simply left Might Guy alone, besides there's nothing he would gain by eliminating that fool.
Fortunately, his status was not much affected by his action of trying to kill Uchiha Shisui, as Uchiha Shisui was a possible suspect of being the assassin who attempted to assassin Hokage. But he was reprimanded nonetheless and was ordered to keep his hands away from Uchiha Clan, much to Danzo's displeasure.
But it doesn't really matter. Currently, he is focused on other things. He has to improve his combat power and only then will he be able to obtain the throne of Hokage from Hiruzen and only then will he be able to put the entire Konoha in his hands and make it the greatest Shinobi Village.
At this time, one of the researchers wearing those unique white lab coats walked over to him and passed a file, "Danzo-sama, this is the analysis report you wanted."
The researcher's words broke Danzo out of his thoughts, taking the file in his hands, Danzo briefly glanced at the data, then his face turned into a deep scowl, "These values are all wrong, how can you make so many errors in a simple analysis?"
The researcher wiped off the cold sweat from his forehead, and hurriedly explained, "Danzo-sama, we have repeatedly checked and verified this data, and these are perfectly accurate values. The cells we extracted from those severed limbs are simply inhuman… they are... they are…!"
He wanted to use a better term to describe his thoughts but no word came to his mind that accurately described the condition of those cells.
Danzo's face sank, he reread the report carefully, then muttered to himself, "Human cells are impossible to survive at such life values, just how did Hiruko achieve such a feat?"
When Shimura Danzo heard that Hiruko somehow created and completed a technique that could help him plunder other's Kekkei Genkai and the fact that he actually used that technique to plunder off five Kekkei Genkai, including Uchiha's Sharingan, Danzo was shocked, but he was crazier and more jealous.
Danzo feels that such a miraculous technique is simply a waste in the hands of useless and foolish people like Hiruko, and only he who has the glorious dream of uniting the entire Shinobi world should have such a technique in their hands. But unfortunately, he doesn't but does that mean he can obtain it?
Of course, he can!
So to get his hands on that technique, Danzo immediately collected samples of those severed limbs left behind by Hiruko then summoned the researchers of the root department to study them and figure out a method to recreate that technique.
However, the first step of the process has yet to proceed as the life values of those cells are too contrasting from human standards, it's as if those cells do not even belong to humans, and therefore, no progress can be made. As their level of technology simply does not support those life values.
Di… Di… Di Di Di Di Di Di Di… Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep Beep Beep...
At this moment the reading displayed by the instruments started to go chaotic, and soon alarming sirens sounded.
Danzo did not panic, as the source of these alarms was right inside the glassware.
Through the glassware, Danzo could clearly see that the cells stored within the glassware suddenly started to swell and in just a few moments their volume expanded hundreds of times like cancer cells.
Crack…
The glassware could no longer hold them and started to crack as those cells started to break free.
The researchers standing around tried various ways to stop this sudden change but nothing they did worked as the cracks continued to expand.
Crack… Crack… Crack… Crack... Crack… BOOM...!
And not long after those meatballs exploded, damaging the surroundings.
With the only clue that he had in front of him to get his hands on Hiruko's technique now destroyed, Danzo's cold face became gloomier. In anger, he swept his crutch and smashed all these instruments in front of him.
While Danzo roared in anger, the researchers standing around just gulped nervously, they did not dare to even breathe much less speak something or move. Obviously worried that they might become Danzo's next target to relieve his anger.
After a while of venting out, Danzo finally calmed out and took deep breaths, by now the room was nothing short of a horror site. But did Danzo care? Obviously no! He simply waved his hands, signaling for the researchers to get out, then summoned one of his loyal Root Shinobi, and said, "I want to know Hiruko's whereabouts!"
The Root ninja immediately replied, "Yes Danzo-sama, we are already investigating his whereabouts, as soon as we obtain any intelligence, we will deploy our assassination team!"
As soon as he heard the Root Shinobi's words, Danzo immediately held the Root Anbu by the neck, smashing his back on the sidewall, he roared, "Who said I want to assassinate him? What I want is his technique, use every means at our disposal, buy it if you have to, torture it out if you have to, but get me that damn technique!"
The root Shinobi was panicked, but he was also having difficulty in breathing, so he was unable to immediately reply. But Danzo did not want to wait and again smashed him back at the wall, "Am I clear!?"
"Y-*cough* yes…*cough* I will...*cough* will arrange it right… *cough* away!" The root shinobi coughed out blood but repeatedly nodded as his life depended on it because it really did, he was in a situation where he felt that if he said anything otherwise then he wouldn't be able to live a minute longer.
Danzo nodded, and threw oof this root shinobi towards the gate, "Now go, and do not dare to show your face in front of me unless you have some useful clue!"
The root Shinobi did not dare to question and just disappeared.
With the room returned to silence, Danzo muttered, "Where in the hell is Orochimaru? Why has he not done what I asked him to do?"
.
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Read up to Chapter - 563 on P.a.t.r.e.o.n. Page: p-atreon.com/Milta_translations