Chapter 62: The First Kill Upon Return, Let Fear Spread!
"So, who will execute this plan? Do you have a suitable candidate in mind?"
The group continued to refine the details of their response plan, but when it came to choosing who would carry it out, they hit a roadblock.
The person assigned to this mission needed to possess great strength, sharp intellect, quick thinking, and the ability to adapt to sudden changes. Above all, they needed unwavering loyalty to Konoha.
With all these criteria in mind, the pool of candidates was very small.
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"How about assigning someone from the Hyūga branch family to carry it out?"
Koharu Utatane proposed, her eyes settling on the Hyūga clan after some consideration.
"No."
"The Hyūga clan's strength, frankly speaking, isn't top-tier. At best, they're barely first-rate, but they still fall short for this mission."
"This plan must not fail," Homura Mitokado countered, shaking his head.
"The Hyūga's greatest contribution is their Byakugan for auxiliary purposes, not their combat prowess. If we're talking about strength, efficiency, and loyalty, no one beats the members of Danzo's Root."
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"That's out of the question!"
Danzo immediately shot down the suggestion. "Konoha is already in a precarious position. Every Root operative is a critical asset. Losing even one in a mission like this would weaken our overall strength.
"The best person for this mission is Kakashi."
Danzo's unexpected suggestion caught everyone off guard.
"Kakashi!?"
"Have you lost your mind, Danzo? Don't you know Kakashi has already begun harboring doubts about Konoha?" Koharu objected vehemently.
"If he were to leak information about this mission at a critical moment, do you realize how much trouble that would bring to Konoha?
"Sending him is practically inviting disaster!"
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"Hmph, foolish!"
"If Kakashi truly harbors doubts about Konoha, then why not use this opportunity to eliminate him?" Danzo sneered, looking at Koharu with disdain.
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"This…"
Koharu found herself speechless, and the others fell silent as well.
While it was true they had done many unsavory things behind closed doors, they never openly admitted to it—not even in front of their long-time allies.
Danzo, on the other hand, seemed to have no such qualms. He acted without hesitation, showing no regard for pretense.
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"Kakashi is someone I've watched grow up," Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke after a long pause, his expression heavy. Taking a deep puff from his pipe, he sighed.
"That child has faced many trials, but his heart still belongs to Konoha.
"As long as he hasn't betrayed the village, he remains a shinobi of Konoha.
"I believe he'll make the right choice."
The other three silently scoffed at Hiruzen's sanctimonious attitude, each internally mocking his hypocrisy.
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"Hiruzen, enough with the theatrics," Danzo said bluntly. "There's no need for a show in front of us.
"This matter is settled. Kakashi will carry out the mission."
Danzo's tone left no room for argument.
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"Sigh… for Konoha's sake. I hope Kakashi understands."
With Hiruzen's reluctant words, the decision was finalized.
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In Konoha.
As the strongest, most prosperous, and largest ninja village, Konoha had become a magnet for people from all over the world due to the rumors about the Sage of Six Paths' Ultimate Treasure.
While the influx of visitors created a bustling atmosphere, the mixed crowd also posed a significant security threat.
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Standing on the edge of Konoha, a disguised Uchiha Yi observed the village he once called home. His heart was filled with emotion.
"The me from before was timid, forced to leave this place.
"The me of today is no longer the same."
"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns ever brighter.
"That fire can illuminate the village—or consume everything in its path."
"Do you still remember my words from months ago? If you've forgotten, allow me to remind you."
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Not far away, a group of ninja patrolled the streets, maintaining order. Among them was a member of the Sarutobi clan, though Uchiha Yi didn't bother to remember his name.
Because…
Snap!
He snapped his fingers, more for flair than necessity, as the flames didn't require any such gesture.
"Ignite."
In the next instant, the Sarutobi ninja—deemed unworthy of a name—suddenly felt an unbearable heat engulfing him. His patrol came to an abrupt halt as he looked down to see flames consuming his body.
The fire burned so intensely that within a second, his screams of agony echoed through the street.
The others in his patrol turned to look, horrified to see their comrade writhing in pain as flames engulfed him.
"What's happening?!"
"Why is he suddenly on fire?"
Even though they couldn't understand what had just happened, they knew they had to act fast.
"Use Water Release to extinguish the flames!"
Several ninjas began forming hand seals to douse the flames, but they were too late.
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In just two seconds, the Sarutobi ninja had been exposed to temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius.
A normal human body couldn't withstand such heat for long. The answer to how long one could last under such conditions?
Not even three seconds.
By the time the water was ready, the ninja was nothing more than a charred skeleton.
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From start to finish, it had taken only three seconds.
A living, breathing person had died before their eyes, and they had no idea how or why.
Fear spread through the patrol team, and even the bystanders were stunned by the terrifying scene.
"What do we do now?"
The team trembled, their voices quivering as they stared at the horrifying remains of their comrade.
"Report this to the Hokage immediately!"
Forcing themselves to stay calm, they sent someone to the Hokage's office while others guarded the scene.
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Before long, Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived, his expression grim.
Listening to the reports and examining the burn marks, the Hokage's vast knowledge of ninjutsu quickly led him to a conclusion.
"This was caused by an extremely powerful and sinister Fire Release technique."
His face darkened further.
"So the Sage of Six Paths' Ultimate Treasure has indeed attracted all the snakes and demons of the ninja world to Konoha…"
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