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"Kagura's ideas are too extreme."
After Kagura left, the two Hokage advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, immediately started discussing Kagura's unsuitability.
"If we follow Kagura's ideas, Konoha will inevitably conflict with the major ninja villages, which would instead provide Orochimaru and Danzō with opportunities to harm Konoha."
"Although Kagura is very powerful, it's inevitable that Konoha will be drawn into greater crises. This youngster is really not suitable to be a successor…"
"I know."
Sarutobi Hiruzen put down his pipe, glanced at the group of Jonin present, and gestured with his hand: "What's most important now is to ensure the smooth conduct of the Chunin Exams. Everyone must be on high alert and thoroughly investigate any unfamiliar ninja entering Konoha!"
Koharu Utatane glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen and added: "Moreover, we need to secretly investigate within the village for any ninja colluding with Orochimaru…"
Orochimaru once held power and position in Konoha too, and it's quite possible that ninja like Mizuki have become Orochimaru's spies in Konoha.
"What about Kagura's side?"
Homura Mitokado posed a question, continuing: "The Root ninja around Kagura were once Danzō's subordinates. Should we have the Anbu take over and watch the Root base…"
Koharu Utatane strongly agreed with Homura Mitokado's suggestion, continuing: "Originally, Kagura wanted to kill those people to avoid unnecessary killing and to not waste this force, so we had no choice but to keep them at his Root, but whether these people are truly loyal…"
"…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly felt a headache.
Of course, if they brought this matter up with Kagura, it's highly likely that he would suggest simply killing those Root ninja with dual Kekkei Genkai.
"…"
After thinking for a while, Sarutobi Hiruzen decided to issue an order: "Strictly command all Root ninja with dual Kekkei Genkai not to act rashly, and not to leave the Root base during the Chunin Exams."
"Would Kagura have any objections?"
Hatake Kakashi felt the higher-ups might not have considered the Root leader's views and proactively reminded: "After all, the Root ninja are his subordinates…"
"Do you think he cares about his own subordinates?"
Koharu Utatane posed an unarguable question.
No one would believe that Kagura, the bloodthirsty Root leader, would care about his subordinates, and only Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hatake Kakashi, his friends, knew some insider details.
"Let's decide on this then."
Sarutobi Hiruzen gestured with his hand, signaling everyone to leave: "Everyone, stay alert, I believe we can all protect the village."
"Yes!"
All the Jonin immediately responded in agreement.
Neither the high officials of Konoha nor these ninja ever imagined that Kagura was telling the absolute truth, as Orochimaru and Danzō were indeed colluding with other ninja villages.
Orochimaru had met with the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, hoping to discuss the plan to bring down Konoha with him, and seized the opportunity to ambush and kill Rasa, then disguised himself as Rasa to meet with the elder Genji of Mist Village, cleanly assassinating Elder.
Orochimaru disguised as Rasa.
Danzō disguised as Genji.
Since the other people from Mist Village and Sand Village had also seen Orochimaru's Edo Tensei of the First Hokage, they believed that the First Hokage was enough to counter Konoha's strongest force, Kagura, and they approved the orders from Rasa and Genji to initiate the plan to bring down Konoha.
The only person who might have detected something was a Jonin named Ao from Mist Village, who was fortunate enough to have obtained the Byakugan. Unfortunately, out of concern that Konoha might harm Ao, Genji did not bring Ao along, leading to neither Mist Village nor Sand Village realizing that their leaders had been replaced.
Everything in the plan was going smoothly.
Konoha's ninja were still investigating those colluding with Orochimaru, while the real collaborators were discussing final actions with Orochimaru and Danzō.
Orochimaru dressed in the Kazekage's robes.
Danzō dressed in Genji's clothes.
Kagura, wearing the casual outfit of the Konoha Root leader, commented on their attire: "How does it feel to control the power of a village?"
"Sand Village is not so great…"
Orochimaru merely chuckled lightly.
Because the power of Sand Village was indeed not great, always promoting an education for elite ninja, and now it was the weakest village among the five great ninja villages.
Even Orochimaru, just after impersonating Kazekage Rasa, discovered through documents sent to him that Sand Village had many hidden crises, and merely economic troubles could not be resolved—either attack Konoha to plunder resources or serve Konoha thoroughly.
"The power of Mist Village is also pathetic…"
Shimura Danzo, the former head of the Root, held the Mist Village in contempt and remained unwaveringly loyal to Konoha, never forgetting the department he founded.
Shimura Danzo snorted coldly, discontentedly saying, "As long as the monkey is dealt with, we support your succession to the position of the Fifth Hokage, but I must be reinstated as the head of the Root. After all, the Root merely protects the Konoha from the shadows…"
"Rest assured."
Akihara Kagura nodded indifferently, continuing, "If Lord Danzo cannot defeat the Third Hokage, I will immediately send someone to bring you back to the Root, where you can comfortably arrange for your successor..."
"Let Torune and Fū accompany you back to the Root."
Shimura Danzo, distrustful of Akihara Kagura's words, said gravely, "They are my personal guards and long-standing members of the Root; let them take over the Root and report back to me on its affairs…"
"That can be done."
Akihara Kagura slowly nodded and added, "However, the current members of the Root, who are dual Kekkei Genkai, were once under the Third Hokage. Now, I can only guarantee the loyalty of some, not all…"
"Hmph…"
Shimura Danzo scoffed disdainfully, considering Akihara Kagura somewhat unfit as the head of the Root: "After all these years, you still can't fully control the Root; just keep Torune and Fū there…"
Shimura Danzo's intention wasn't to take over the Root so soon; he just wanted his personal guards to keep an eye on Akihara Kagura, preventing any covert actions.
However…
Something suddenly struck Shimura Danzo's mind.
Perhaps Akihara Kagura lacks leadership skills?
That might be for the best. Once the plan to bring down Konoha succeeds, he could reassume leadership of the Root, and might even gain more power under Akihara Kagura's command…
"The First and Second Hokage will also help us."
Orochimaru looked at Akihara Kagura and began to discuss serious matters: "I will cause trouble immediately after you leave, arranging for my subordinates, the Sound Four, to form the Four Violet Flames Formation, creating an isolated battlefield to engage the teacher in a cage fight…"
"Let's go with that."
Shimura Danzo narrowed his eyes, speaking in a deep voice: "Kagura, do you have anything to add?"
"Nothing more."
Akihara Kagura was indifferent about the plan, mentioning an external factor: "However, my teacher Jiraiya has returned."
"Find a way to get rid of him."
Orochimaru chuckled lightly, suggesting, "Although Jiraiya's power has long been surpassed by ours, he still poses the potential to cause trouble…"
Orochimaru smiled slyly at Akihara Kagura, with a carefree look: "Killing him would alert Konoha. Jiraiya is a fool; it would be easy to trick him away. I'll create some other news to deceive him into leaving Konoha…"
"Fine."
Akihara Kagura had no objections, continuing, "Then it's settled. I still have plenty of work in the village, and everything will proceed as planned."
Inside the Konoha Village.
There was an air of tension; every whisper and movement seemed significant.
When Akihara Kagura returned, he received instructions from Sarutobi Hiruzen and did not openly object, only instructing Yakushi Kabuto to accompany Karin in her training.
Yakushi Kabuto, upon seeing Akihara Kagura, immediately relayed new intelligence: "Orochimaru has sent a message, asking me to keep an eye on your movements…"
"Then tell him."
Akihara Kagura was indifferent, continuing on his own terms: "Anyway, I won't do anything unnecessary until after the plan to bring down the Konoha ends…"
After finishing his statement, Akihara Kagura brought up another matter: "By the way, does Orochimaru know you've mastered the Edo Tensei?"
"Yes."
Yakushi Kabuto nodded, chuckling lightly: "If I couldn't even master that technique now, Orochimaru would be very disappointed…"
"That's good."
Akihara Kagura nodded, moving on to the next step in his plan: "I will entrust you with sacrificial material, use the Edo Tensei to revive someone…"
"Revive whom?"
Yakushi Kabuto looked at Akihara Kagura in surprise.
"A man named Dan Kato."
Akihara Kagura then called out White Zetzu Awei, instructing, "Awei, keep an eye on Orochimaru and Shimura Danzo, prevent them from plotting anything…"
"Understood."
White Zetzu Awei swiftly departed.
As White Zetzu Awei submerged underground and left, Akihara Kagura stretched out his palm, gathering chakra in his hand, and a white, fleshy object fell from his palm.
The white, flesh-like substance transformed into a stark white creature the moment it hit the ground. This was cultivated by Akihara Kagura using the Ten-Tails husk within his body.
"This is..."
Shock flickered through the eyes of Yakushi Kabuto.
"This was cultivated using my chakra."
Akihara Kagura took Yakushi Kabuto by the hand, teaching him, "First, transplant Hashirama cells onto its body to enhance its vitality, then use it as a sacrifice to resurrect Dan Kato..."
"Okay."
Yakushi Kabuto slowly nodded, his curiosity piqued, "This Dan Kato, is there anything special about him?"
"Nothing special, I guess?"
Akihara Kagura pondered for a moment, then continued, "The village elders recently think I'm not suited to succeed as Hokage. Teacher Jiraiya would definitely refuse to take over, but there might be another suitable candidate for Hokage..."
"Who could be more suitable than you?"
"The last of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade."
Akihara Kagura mentioned the name with a slight indifference, "Actually, it doesn't matter if she becomes the Hokage. The title can be hers, but I must make the future Hokage, Lady Tsunade, realize that without me, the Hokage can accomplish nothing..."
"Lady Tsunade?"
To Yakushi Kabuto, the name was extremely familiar.
Every medical ninja inevitably learns of Tsunade when studying medical ninjutsu, as she truly pioneered the medical ninja system.
"Yes."
Akihara Kagura looked at Yakushi Kabuto, continuing, "The Dan Kato you'll resurrect was once Tsunade's lover. Even though it's you who will revive him, Tsunade will probably blame Lord Orochimaru. In the future, this might keep Lady Tsunade busy dealing with an old friend..."
"And..."
"Perhaps we will soon have use for that predecessor Dan Kato."
Akihara Kagura chuckled lightly, adding, "Who knows, it might even save your life and Lord Orochimaru's one day!"
"I'll remember this."
Yakushi Kabuto glanced at the white sacrificial creature beside him, nodding and asking, "But what are you planning to do now? Aren't you going to stay with Karin?"
Akihara Kagura shook his head softly, "I'm heading to the Uzumaki Clan's Namikaze Hall in Konoha to retrieve something..."
"???"
Yakushi Kabuto still didn't quite understand.
However,
Yakushi Kabuto didn't ask further.
For him, knowing that Akihara Kagura wouldn't sacrifice himself was enough, as the psychological scars left from when Akihara Kagura saved him and Dean Nono were too profound.
A month quickly passed.
The tense atmosphere in Konoha hadn't reached the competitors in the third round of the Chunin Exams; they were still training hard, fearing any small mistake could lead to defeat.
Under Jiraiya's guidance, Uzumaki Naruto finally managed to summon the giant toad Gamabunta using the Nine-Tails' chakra, although Jiraiya didn't continue to guide him after hearing some news about Orochimaru.
Hyuga Neji, with Rock Lee and Tenten by his side, successfully mastered the Hyuga clan's ultimate technique, though the process was perilous, nearly getting kicked by Rock Lee.
Others also had their achievements.
Karin had not mastered the Sage Mode, but she completely mastered the Cursed Seal given to her by Akihara Kagura, unlocking the second form of the Cursed Seal Mode.
"You've done very well."
Yakushi Kabuto stood by Karin, applauding softly.
Since Sarutobi Hiruzen commanded that the dual Kekkei Genkai of the Root must not leave the base, only Yakushi Kabuto could accompany Karin in her training.
As nobles from other countries and Daimyos from major ninja villages arrived, including the heavyweight figures such as the Fourth Kazekage Rasa and the elder of the Mist Village, Genji, the third round of the Chunin Exams selection was about to begin.
"Welcome both of you to Konoha."
Sarutobi Hiruzen cheerfully held his pipe, sincerely welcoming these leaders of major ninja villages to Konoha, "It's been a long time since so many ninja from different villages have gathered together..."
The last grand gathering traced back to the First Hokage's First Kage Summit, and Sarutobi Hiruzen felt it was not easy for his generation to meet these two.
"Hehe..."
The elder of the Mist, Genji, just chuckled, but his laugh was hollow, "This might be the last time we see each other…"