Inside the Hokage Tower.
“It was Danzo’s doing!”
The Third Hokage was somewhat surprised, though he had tacitly accepted Danzo’s research.
But he had been completely unaware of the kidnapping of sixty infants from Konoha.
This incident had caused a huge uproar in Konoha and could be considered the biggest crime in Orochimaru’s defection!
When Orochimaru defected, he essentially took the blame.
It was unexpected for Kawasaki to say that Danzo was the mastermind, but considering Danzo’s recent actions.
It was very possible!
Ultimately, Danzo declared the experiment a failure, and the matter was settled.
It was unexpected that someone survived that experiment.
Danzo had hidden the boy, his intentions were sinister!
“K, can you use the Wood Release?”
K nodded, forming hand seals, his arms transforming into wooden clubs.
The Third Hokage nodded with satisfaction:
“Your origin may be a conspiracy, but cultivating Wood Release ninjas has always been a wish of Konoha. Since you possess the Wood Release, you shouldn’t be hiding in Root.”
“The Jinchuriki’s child is already five years old, the Wood Release Sealing Technique is becoming increasingly important to the village. K, are you willing to join Konoha’s ANBU?”
K looked towards Kakashi, who gave him an encouraging nod:
“I am currently in the ANBU, serving Konoha.”
K nodded: “Third Hokage-sama, I am willing to join the ANBU. K was my codename in Root, you can call me...”
Kakashi tilted his head: “Tenzo?”
K was startled, then smiled:
“Yes, my name is Tenzo.”
“Very good, from now on, you are an official member of the ANBU. First, work with Kakashi to diligently practice the Wood Release Sealing Technique.”
The Third Hokage instructed.
“Yes!”
Tenzo’s dead fish eyes seemed to have regained their sparkle.
“I’ll take care of the matter with Danzo. You two can go now.”
The Third Hokage waved for Kakashi and Tenzo to leave.
“Yes!”
After the two left.
The Third Hokage lit his pipe and took a puff:
“From now on, Vice Clan Head Kawasaki should use the front entrance, lest there be any misunderstanding.”
Kawasaki poked his head out the window:
“Is the Third Hokage-sama satisfied with this gift?”
The Third Hokage remained silent for a moment, then asked a different question:
“Were those sixty infants really stolen by Danzo?”
Kawasaki nodded with a smile:
“Does that matter?”
The Third Hokage nodded.
He thought to himself that Orochimaru, with his principles, was ultimately easier to control than Danzo, who had no bottom line.
Kawasaki spread his hands: “Guaranteed authentic.”
The Third Hokage asked, “What do you want?”
Kawasaki’s smile faded:
“Third Hokage-sama, you know that our Uchiha clan and Konoha have no real grudge, but Danzo always has his eye on us.”
The Third Hokage said: “Danzo has been stripped of all his positions, he is nothing more than a commoner now.”
Kawasaki shook his head:
“As long as his Root doesn’t disband, his ambitions will only grow.”
The Third Hokage fell silent for a moment:
“Even if I publicly demand the disbandment of Root, it may not be effective.”
Kawasaki understood that this wasn’t just the Third Hokage’s excuse, after all, Root’s members were complex and numerous.
And they were all brainwashed by Danzo, even if the Third Hokage ordered them to disband, they would still secretly collude.
“Less loss is better, after all, this guy keeps talking about our Uchiha clan.”
Kawasaki said nonchalantly.
The Third Hokage pondered for a moment.
He had indeed noticed recently that Danzo’s hidden ambitions were far greater than his outward ones, it was time to put him in his place.
While the Uchiha clan had just given Konoha a setback, in reality, Konoha had not suffered much loss, they even gained a lot of benefits from the peace talks with the Cloud Village.
And now they had delivered the Wood Release ninja that Konoha desperately needed, to be honest, the Third Hokage both loved and hated this kid Kawasaki.
Moreover, Kawasaki was too powerful, he could only appease him for now.
“No problem, I will issue a notice to the entire village in the name of Hokage, disbanding Danzo’s Root organization!”
Kawasaki rose, gracefully bowing his head, but his forehead was not lowered:
“Third Hokage is wise, we Uchiha will always support you. I have much to do at home, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Hmph!”
Although he had never seen this gesture before, the Third Hokage guessed it was a form of etiquette.
This Kawasaki truly had no seriousness.
The Third Hokage watched Kawasaki’s departing figure and let out a humph.
The Land of Water, Kirigakure Village.
Ao, who had failed his mission, led Zabuza and other elites back to the village.
“Zabuza, if you hadn’t insisted, we would have infiltrated Konoha long ago!”
Ao was somewhat annoyed by Zabuza’s stubbornness.
“Hmph, I take responsibility for my own actions. If the Elder wants to blame someone, I’ll take the blame myself!”
Zabuza was clearly impatient, Ao’s tone made it seem like he would have infiltrated Konoha if he hadn’t lost.
“You!”
Ao was burning with anger at this stubborn fellow.
But Zabuza was talented as well, he was close to becoming a Jonin at a young age.
Besides, the mission had already failed, there was nothing else they could do, they could only wait for the Elder’s decision.
Ao stopped arguing with Zabuza and quickly led the others to apologize to the Elder.
In recent years, Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, had found Isobu, becoming the Jinchuriki.
In the past two years, he had gradually been able to perfectly control the Tailed Beast and had begun to make large-scale reforms.
The Elder’s power had gradually decreased, the village was clearly divided into two factions.
One side was the Mizukage faction represented by Yagura, the other side was the Elder faction led by the Elder.
The Elder was skilled in intelligence gathering and had brought countless opportunities to Kirigakure.
However, he was very wary of the Kekkei Genkai families and advocated for weakening the power of the various Kekkei Genkai families in the Land of Water.
The Mizukage was personally strong, but his thinking was conservative, he advocated for peaceful handling of the relationship with the Kekkei Genkai families.
Ao reported the mission progress and knelt on the ground awaiting the Elder’s judgment.
The Elder’s expression was cold, as if he had already anticipated Ao’s failure.
“Since that’s the case, throw Zabuza into the assassination squad to train.”
“As for you, one year of confinement.”
“Thank you, Elder!”
This punishment was already very light, even sending Zabuza to the assassination squad was considered a reward.
Compared to other punishments in Kirigakure, one year of confinement was nothing.
Ao and Zabuza were quickly taken away.
The space behind the Elder distorted, and Obito, wearing a mask, appeared.
The Elder bowed to him: “斑-sama, Ao has been controlled.”
Obito nodded and imitated a voice: “Yagura is becoming an increasing threat to us now.”
“What does the adult plan to do?”
“My people are coming soon, seven days later, lure Yagura out.”
“As you command, 斑-sama.”
Kirigakure has many strong warriors, and the Kekkei Genkai families are all difficult to deal with.
Those who cannot be used for me! Eliminate them all!
...
Seven days later.
Obito brought Pain’s Deva Path and Konan to the entrance of Kirigakure, Yagura drew his weapon upon seeing them:
“Who are you?!”
The Sharingan in Obito’s eye spun wildly, a tremendous power instantly pinned Yagura to the spot.
In an instant, Yagura lost consciousness.
...
At the entrance of Konoha Village.
Jiraiya, white-haired and tall and sturdy, looked up at the Uchiha clan’s territory, which had been renovated by the Third Hokage.
There were no longer any Uchiha houses, only a circle of walls.
The Uchiha’s new territory had been relocated to a farther location.
“Uchiha Kawasaki, Mangekyo Sharingan...”
Jiraiya chewed on this name and entered Konoha Village.
....