Camp.
Minato looked at the gathered members of the Kagetsu trio and softly asked, "Are you ready? If so, let's go. I've received orders to escort you back to the village as quickly as possible."
"Escort?" Kagetsu and Shisui both caught the key term.
Who needed Minato to drop everything and escort them? The stability at the border was thanks to Minato's disturbances and his defense against the Third Hokage's son and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.
Wasn't it risky to have him leave now? Wouldn't the situation worsen again?
"Don't worry. Cloud Village is focused on the Land of Rain, the Land of Grass, and the Land of Waterfalls. For now, they shouldn't send more forces to disturb the Land of Fire," Minato explained, sensing their doubts.
"Would they really give up that easily?" Shisui recalled how Cloud had relentlessly pursued him. Given their relentless chasing style, they didn't seem like the type to retreat.
"The main force of Cloud Village is held back by Sand Village, and they lost many troops in previous battles. In other words, it's not that they want to give up on invading the Land of Fire; it's more about being forced to reconsider their plans due to multiple factors."
"So, there's no need for me to stay any longer," Minato added with a smile.
"Cloud Village set a trap for Minato-senpai, but he saw through it and eliminated several Jonin," Shisui quietly informed Kagetsu.
Kagetsu nodded in understanding.
Although each ninja village has different requirements for Jonin promotions and varying strength levels, a Jonin is still a Jonin—the highest level of combat power in a village, apart from the Hokage and Jinchuriki.
With the main forces occupied on the battlefield, losing several Jonin in a short time would definitely be a headache for Cloud Village.
"Let's go. The Hokage and the village leaders want us to return as quickly as possible," Minato said, glancing at Kagetsu.
Noticing Minato's gaze, Kagetsu understood immediately that this statement was directed at him.
Wood Release?
Kagetsu thought of why the village leaders were so eager.
Especially with the looming threat of another Great Ninja War, the realization and existence of Wood Release made people anxious.
After all, the village leaders had experienced both the First and Second Great Ninja Wars; they knew the brutality of war and the pressure and dangers that Konoha had to endure.
In such tumultuous times, the appearance of Wood Release was truly a cause for hope.
However, Nara Kagetsu didn't intend to hide permanently. Something like this could only show its value, which would lead to acquiring more resources and materials in return.
Under the guidance of Minato Namikaze, the group was quickly brought back to the village. After presenting their exit and identification at the village gate, the four of them didn't go home but hurried directly to the Hokage building.
In the Hokage's office, the Hokage and several advisors patiently waited for Minato to report on the mission. Only after he finished did they turn their attention to the three behind him, including Kagetsu.
The first to speak was Shimura Danzo, his single eye fixated on Kagetsu. He pressed his lips together and said, "Nara Kagetsu, have you awakened the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai?"
Upon hearing Danzo's blunt question, the faces of the Hokage and the two advisors darkened, but they maintained a silent agreement to stay quiet.
On the side, Orochimaru, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, wore a more contemptuous smile but kept silent.
"Lord Hokage, Kagetsu has not awakened the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai!" Minato, standing nearby, proactively defended Kagetsu to the Third Hokage.
"We want to hear Nara Kagetsu's answer!" Danzo scoffed.
"I did not awaken the Wood Release," Kagetsu denied. Shisui and Anko, who stood beside him, were silently ordered to remain quiet with a glance from Orochimaru.
"You're lying! The Root ninjas have already investigated the area where you fought, and there are indeed traces of Wood Release!" Danzo seemed to have found a weakness and disregarded Kagetsu, turning to the Third Hokage.
"Hiruzen, hand him over to me. I will uncover the secret of Wood Release from him."
"Absurd!" The Third Hokage reprimanded. "Kagetsu is not a rogue ninja, nor has he done anything wrong. Danzo, you have no authority to interrogate or deal with him. We are only here to inquire."
After rebuking Danzo, the Third Hokage turned his gaze to Kagetsu and spoke gently.
"Orochimaru told us that you invented a technique related to the use of Kekkei Genkai? We would like to hear about this technique. If possible, the village can allocate funds to the Technology Development Department, supporting you and Orochimaru's experiments, just like the Uchiha and Kurama clans."
Shisui and Anko looked on in confusion. Meanwhile, Orochimaru's mocking expression became more pronounced, visible to everyone.
"It's just a half-finished biological technology based on cloning. Currently, it's not practical," Kagetsu responded calmly.
"But you successfully used the Wood Release with that Kekkei Genkai technique, didn't you?" Danzo narrowed his eyes, looking at the Third Hokage and the advisors.
"I propose that Nara Kagetsu's Kekkei Genkai technique be shared with the Anbu and included in the Scroll of Seals."
"Let me be frank, you and sensei don't understand the difficulty of this technique at all." Orochimaru's voice was hoarse and deep, filled with strong sarcasm.
"This is not a forbidden technique! Forbidden techniques can someday be learned or inherited by a talented ninja.
But the Kekkei Genkai technique involves many different knowledge systems. What use do you have for it?
Besides, this is just a half-finished product."
"Then let him research and complete the technique, but the village must have backups and access to all technical data," Danzo Shimura insisted firmly.
"The success of a technique depends on inspiration and talent. Your impatience will only lead to another failure in the Wood Release experiment," Orochimaru said, licking his lips with a cold snort.
"Orochimaru!" Danzo frowned.
"Can you successfully create more Kekkei Genkai users?" The Third Hokage ignored the argument between Orochimaru and Danzo and calmly asked Kagetsu.
"As long as I have enough resources, materials, and funding, it's feasible to replicate a half-finished product and improve it," Kagetsu replied, looking at everyone present, whose thoughts were varied. "Also, the Kekkei Genkai technique is not limited to Wood Release."
****
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