Root Base
In the dimly lit room of the Root Base, Shimura Danzo wearing the Hokage hat and Hokage robe sat on the main seat of the round table with a smug smile plastered on his face. From the expression on his face, it can be seen that Danzo seems to have developed a superiority complex these days.
On the other side of the round table sat Orochimaru–with a laid-back expression and lastly Uchiha Tsukihi wearing her Homusubi disguise of the Amatsukami Organization–and an unidentifiable expression on her face that was covered by her Homusubi mask.
This is the first official meeting held by the three parties since Shimura Danzo became the temporary Hokage Agent of Konoha.
At this time Danzo coldly looked at Orochimaru and questioned in a majestic tone, "Orochimaru… something's wrong with the Jinchuriki of Kyuubi…. What did you do to him?"
Although Danzo didn't attend yesterday's Grand Entrance Ceremony in person, his eyes and ears were still present at that ceremony, so everything that happened there was within Danzo's surveillance.
Unlike most of the other people who were present at the Grand Entrance Ceremony, Danzo's suspicions didn't allow him to take Naruto's claim of having mastered Senjutsu Mode as a joke… Although he doesn't know how Naruto can learn such a difficult Jutsu at such a young, he still chose to trust his instincts and felt it might be possible and if it is then it must have something to do with Orochimaru, therefore, he questioned the snake sitting in front of him today.
Uchiha Tsukihi wearing her Homusubi mask also looked at Orochimaru, but she was not really interested in Orochimaru's answer as she is fully aware of the process through which Naruto mastered the Senjutsu Mode.
After all, Ichikishima hime, the one who taught Naruto has personally told Kuroto about it. Moreover, Kuroto even questioned Hinata about her entire experience after she and Naruto were abducted by Orochimaru.
Hinata has always had a close relationship with Yui, and because Kuroto and Yui are lovers, Hinata is also quite familiar with Kuroto. When questioned by Kuroto, Hinata started to tell her experience and told almost everything to Kuroto that happened to the two of them, what happened after they were abducted, how they were treated, and many other things, except their short little adventure at the Ryūchi Cave… the little girl was hesitating to reveal Naruto's secrets.
But how can such an innocent little girl stand in front of Kuroto? When Kuroto mentioned 'Ryūchi Cave' in front of her, she was surprised as well as guilty and told everything that happened to the two of them and Kabuto at the Ryūchi Cave.
After he understood the ins and outs of the incident that led Naruto to the Ryūchi Cave, Kuroto couldn't help but sigh.
His mood was quite complete at that time.
To be honest, Kuroto isn't all that surprised that Naruto can master the Senjutsu Mode, but what really makes him unbelievable is the time and place where he mastered the Senjutsu Mode.
In the cannon, Naruto came into contact with Senjutsu after Jiraiya's death and mastered it by the time Pain attacked Konoha, at that time, Naruto was somewhere between sixteen or seventeen years old… and the Senjutsu Mode he mastered was that of the Mount Myoboku which is not the case here…
Here he came into contact with Senjutsu at a much younger age, and even if it said that he hasn't completely mastered it yet, it is still too early to come in contact with… What's more, the Senjutsu Mode he came into contact with is of the Ryūchi Cave…
These changes show that the world Kuroto is living in can no longer be called the 'Shinobi World' of 'Naruto', instead it is a completely different Shinobi world.
These changes in the 'Shinobi World' have happened because of the butterfly effect, and the changes are getting more and more serious as the flaps of wings of the butterfly effect are increasing and time is proceeding. This means Kuroto can no longer limit his thinking and judgment on the cannon because if he does, it is definitely going to bite him in the back.
Although Kuroto has always understood this, however, the more he faces this reality, the more vigilant he has to become… The reason is that the world is becoming more and more unpredictable.
As Tsukihi sighed, Orochimaru felt Danzo's gaze and answered casually, "It was just a small accident."
"A small accident you say?" muttered Danzo with a frown, and stared at Orochimaru with a questioning gaze, waiting for him to explain everything related to the so-called 'accident' in detail.
Orochimaru glanced at Danzo with a thoughtful expression.
There is no doubt that ever since he was appointed as the temporary Hokage Agent of Konoha, Danzo's political power has increased a lot, and along with the increase in political power, Danzo's self-confidence and oppression have also increased so much so that even Orochimaru can't completely remain indifferent when exposed to it.
Of course, if Orochimaru really wants then Danzo can't get anything out of him, but considering his next plans, Orochimaru weighed his options and decided to reveal a half-truth with a shrugging expression, "The members of the Akatsuki Organization were able to track down my base where the two children were kept, in order to avoid the probability of the Jinchuriki of Kyuubi falling into the hands of Akatsuki, my subordinate took Naruto to one of the unexplored Sage regions… And something probably happened there…"
"One of the Unexplored Sage Regions?" Danzo squinted slightly, and after scrutinizing Orochimaru's words, he asked, "Does that mean Naruto really mastered Senjutsu Mode?"
All the previous questions were asked to clear this doubt… From this whole fiasco, Danzo only cares about three things… First, has Naruto really mastered Senjutsu? Second, can Danzo control the Jinchuriki of Kyuubi after he has mastered Senjutsu Mode? And third, can Danzo himself learn Senjutsu Mode from Naruto or from that Unexplored Sage Region?
Faced with Danzo's questions, this time Orochimaru did not give an answer, instead, the snake looked at the old guy with a mocking smile…
Boom…!
Being mocked by Orochimaru, Danzo suddenly banged the table and spoke in anger, "Orochimaru! Answer my damn question!"
Tsukihi sighed and said, "Shimura Danzo, please try to think about it yourself… had the Jinchuriki of Kyuubi really mastered Senjutsu, he wouldn't have lost so badly against Uchiha Sasuke and made a fool of himself in front of the entire village!"
Orochimaru squinted slightly, and while looking at Tsukihi with a meaningful gaze he carried on the conversation, "Indeed… If Senjutsu was so easy to learn and master… Jiraiya and Uchiha Shisui wouldn't be the only ones to have mastered it from the five great villages…
What's more, even after the two of them have mastered the Senjutsu Mode, they are unable to use it without the help of their summon toads and Nekoshou.
If shinobis as strong as them can't use Senjutsu without the help of their Summons, how do you expect a kid who can't even control his chakra to be able to master Senjutsu?"
Some secret information is now well known among the senior staff of the Konoha village, and the fact that Jiraiya needs to summon the two Great Toad Sages every time he uses Senjutsu Mode is one of them… moreover, Shisui also explained that he needs to summon Fuwafuwa if he wants to use Senjutsu Mode… So, Danzo couldn't find flaws in Orochimaru's words…
In fact, deep down Danzo didn't really believe that a kid as young as Naruto can master Senjutsu, but his character that likes to control everything made him want to confirm it… because he couldn't risk the Jinchuriki of Kyuubi getting out of his hands.
He coldly stared at Homusubi and Orochimaru, and said, "You better not be trying to play around or deceive me…!"
Seeing that Danzo's suspicions were temporarily dispelled, Homusubi and Orochimaru glanced at each other silently and then withdrew their gazes.
Regardless of what happened to Naruto and the fact that Naruto has indeed mastered Senjutsu Mode, Tsukihi didn't want Danzo to get distracted by other things at this time… What Tsukihi wants from Danzo is to remain obedient, and act as a perfect Guinea pig for her… And since cooperation with Orochimaru is a necessity, she decided to interfere and helped Orochimaru.
However, judging from Danzo's current attitude towards the two of them, it can be seen that the short success of removing Sarutobi Hiruzen from the position of Konoha's Hokage and getting some temporary power in his hand has made him forget that he is nothing more than a guinea pig and a pawn… and he is trying to jump around more than what his feet can handle.
As Tsukihi was thinking of what to do to Danzo… the person in question again looked at Orochimaru and said, "Orochimaru, you must have heard of the recent dispute that happened between the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan. If I didn't guess incorrectly, Hyuga Kuroto is also your spy in Konoha, right?"
As soon as Danzo mentioned 'Hyuga Kuroto', Orochimaru's expression became sullen… He didn't like where this was going.
Even Tsukihi's expression became gloomy, if it weren't for the Homusubi mask covering her face, both Orochimaru and Danzi would have noticed her ice-cold expression.
But the two didn't notice, and Danzo continued, "Hyuga Kuroto single-handily defeated eight Jonins of the Konoha Military Police Force… The strength of that kid has exceeded my expectation, and he also seems to be highly trusted by Sarutobi… I really didn't expect that before you left the village, you sowed such a weed in Konoha…"
Orochimaru was confused, and asked, "What are you trying to say?"
Danzo ordered Orochimaru in a commanding tone, "Konoha only belongs to me, and I will never allow a spy to sit in such a critical position as the Principal of the Ninja Academy… it would be better if you ask your spy to resign from it, otherwise…"
Tsukihi's face got more and more murderous as Danzo spoke each word, honestly, she doesn't care about the position of the principal of the ninja academy all that much, but she didn't like Danzo's attitude.
Obviously, he is just the temporary Hokage Agent, even though his position is not finalized… at this time, rather than trying to win over allies and consolidate his unstable position, he is trying to show off his power to people who don't even come under him.
Tsukihi doesn't like such behavior… and she felt highly repulsive towards it, now she has decided, even if the world falls apart, 'Hyuga Kuroto' wouldn't quit that position while Danzo is in power.
Perhaps Orochimaru was the same, and after taking a deep breath he shook his head with a chuckle and said, "I suppose it would be better for you to directly try your so-called 'otherwise' because if you expect that I can order Kuroto-kun to resign from that position, then you are sorely mistaken… It's been quite a lot of years since the two of us had any form of contact, and I no longer have the ability to order him. I have long lost any form of control over him."
"Orochimaru, I am not negotiating here… this is an order!" Danzo put his hand over the Hokage hat, and said in an unquestionable tone, "I am giving you a month at most… I don't care what method you use to convince him; I want Hyuga Kuroto's resignation letter on my table by the end of this month!"
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