TitoVillar
patreon
JST Chapter 124: Hiruzen’s Confidence, Jiraiya’s Resolve
🕑 Added 2024-12-07 22:17:22 +0000 UTCHiruzen continued analyzing the situation of the other shinobi villages: “The unrest in Kirigakure has probably already reached the point of a rebellion by some shinobi clans. Meanwhile, the population of Iwagakure has reached the limits of what their economy can sustain. Although these are things they cannot admit publicly, Kazuki has exposed them without any qualms. Before they can find a suitable pretext to start a conflict, they must first silence the dissenting voices within their own villages.”
“As for Kumogakure, their stance remains relatively firm. However, Kazuki was clear: even if they can now control the power of the Tailed Beasts, Konoha does not fear them and has completely ignored that supposed advantage.”
“If you were Kumogakure, would you risk declaring war against such a self-confident enemy?”
As Hiruzen explained to Jiraiya, he couldn't help but feel impressed.
The conflicts between the Daimyo of the Land of Wind and Sunagakure, the current state of Hanzo's force, the unrest in Kirigakure, and the economic burden on Iwagakure… All of this information was highly classified in the shinobi world. It was vague data, scattered rumors; no one knew for sure what was true and what was not.
However, the reactions of these villages suggested that Kazuki had hit the mark, exposing their vulnerabilities. This, in turn, made Konoha appear to be perfectly informed, ready for war at any moment.
“If what Kazuki said is true, then his reactions are not surprising at all…”
Jiraiya murmured to himself: “But… how the hell does Kazuki know so much about their strategies and intentions?”
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't know either.
Although the ANBU's intelligence skills were impressive, they could not infiltrate the Kazekage's office to read his correspondence with the Daimyo, nor enter isolated Kirigakure, much less place spies near Hanzo, who had not shown himself publicly for a long time.
“Kazuki is truly an extraordinary ninja…”
Hiruzen sighed in a low voice: "Just after taking charge of the Root, he got these top-secret intelligence."
Jiraiya pursed his lips and wanted to refute a few words, but logic and facts told him that Sarutobi Hiruzen's guess was most likely correct.
But how did the Root suddenly become so powerful?
In Jiraiya's mind, the Root can perform some small sabotage missions, but when it comes to the real battle, it is not as good as the ANBU...
Could it be that Kazuki has only been there for two days, and those brainwashed tools of the Root by Shimura Danzo have all pledged their loyalty to him, and they have dug up information about various shinobi villages so quickly?
Jiraiya couldn't understand it.
"Did you see it? Jiraiya..." Hiruzen adopted an enigmatic expression as he spoke slowly: “This is why I entrusted the Root to Kazuki.”
“In such a short period of time, he has obtained crucial information from the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Tell me, if he were Minato, do you think he could have achieved the same?”
Hiruzen stared at Jiraiya with piercing eyes.
Jiraiya opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
Can Minato do it?
Although he thought that his disciple had the appearance of the child from the prophecy, even he knew that in this case, he could not insist.
Kazuki's skills in unearthing and utilizing intelligence far surpassed that of Danzo, the man once known as the Darkness of the Shinobi World.
Minato simply did not have Kazuki's capabilities in this regard.
“Old man, this is not the same… It is not the same…” Jiraiya shook his head and sighed. “I admit that Kazuki has unusual abilities. We all saw what happened when he lost control that day; it is clear that he has a secret inside him.”
Looking at Hiruzen's increasingly dangerous and serious eyes, Jiraiya waved his hand quickly.
“Of course, old man, I know it is a forbidden topic. I have no intention of prying into Kazuki’s secrets.”
“But I must say this: sooner or later, war will come. Even though Kazuki has bought time for the village, in the end everything will be resolved on the battlefield.”
Hiruzen nodded. "So, let's prepare for war, Jiraiya."
At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen's confidence returned.
In fact, just like Jiraiya thought, he didn't think Kazuki could take charge of the root so quickly. The shinobi in the root didn't even listen to him, the Hokage, and were only loyal to Shimura Danzo.
In Hiruzen's opinion, even he needs to spend some effort to drive the root.
However, seeing Kazuki's achievements, Hiruzen concluded that this could only mean one thing: Tobirama was, in some way, still influencing Kazuki.
Although Hiruzen was a little disappointed about Tobirama's possession of Kazuki.
But thinking that in the future war, the true darkness of the Shinobi World, Senju Tobirama, would be about to return, Hiruzen's pressure has dissipated by half, and he even has some expectations.
“Jiraiya, stop your search for the Child of Prophecy for now.” Hiruzen said slowly: "Didn't you tell me that you would take Minato to Mount Myoboku to practice and master the Sage Mode?"
“If you have any doubts about Kazuki as the leader of the Root, prove in war that you and Minato can achieve more than Kazuki and Tsunade.”
“As Hokage, I will be fair. If merit is enough, Minato will be promoted without problems.”
"But from now on, Kazuki has obtained a lot of extremely valuable information for the village and delayed the outbreak of the war. You have no objection to this, right?"
Jiraiya clenched his fists, his face reddening. “Of course, old man! As long as it’s fair, I’m okay with it.”
Although Jiraiya had no personal interest in the position of Hokage, he fervently wished for Minato to achieve it.
"I'll go find Minato later, old man!"
Jiraiya snorted. "As long as Minato and I master the Sage Mode, I have the confidence to deal with those Jinchuriki!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. If he hadn't been provoked a little, this boy would probably still be dreaming of finding the Child of Prophecy. It was time for the forces of Mount Myoboku to do something for Konoha.
"By the way, old man, there is one more thing I need to tell you..." Jiraiya lowered his tone, his gaze serious. "Minato told me that Kushina hasn't been in a good condition lately. It seems that she has angered the Nine-Tails, and it has been trying to break the seal."
Hiruzen nodded without giving it much importance. "That's normal, Jiraiya. Jinchuriki are destined to face their Tailed Beasts. If the Nine-Tails were completely calm, it would be more worrying."
He also saw Kushina's performance at Uzumaki Mito's funeral.
If it weren't for Kazuki, Kushina might have been controlled by the Nine-Tails at that time, causing an irreparable mistake.
Therefore, Sarutobi Hiruzen did not have any expectations for Kushina, as long as she was the container of the Nine-Tails.
When Tobirama completed his possession of Kazuki, the Nine-Tails would no longer be a factor of instability, Kazuki could even become the new Jinchuriki if the situation demanded it. But those ideas were too ruthless to share with Jiraiya.
"Old man, the Nine-Tails kept emphasizing to Kushina that Kazuki's pupil power was like Uchiha Madara, and there might be a blood relationship between the two..." Jiraiya hesitated.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression twisted, and he wanted to laugh for some reason.
If Jiraiya had suggested that there was a connection between Kazuki and Tobirama, Hiruzen would have had to come up with some excuse. But a relationship with Madara…
"Jiraiya, if you take what the Nine-Tails says seriously, your brain is as small as a toad's." Hiruzen sighed. "Get out of here now! Take Minato to Mount Myoboku to train."
Jiraiya smiled awkwardly and nodded, turned and left.
He also knew that the Nine-Tails' words could not be taken seriously, but Kazuki's identity and hawkish attitude made him a little suspicious.
Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya's departing back and shook his head and laughed.
"Tobirama-sensei can be related to Uchiha Madara. That's right. If he were in the body of an Uchiha, he might become the next Shura of the Shinobi World..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen complained freely, and Kazuki couldn't hear it anyway.
"No... I remember that Tobirama-sensei once said that he wanted to study the body of Uchiha Madara, but was stopped by the First Hokage..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, and his face suddenly turned pale.
Could it be that Kazuki, the forbidden technique experiment subject, contains cells of Uchiha Madara in addition to Uzumaki, Uchiha Izuna and Senju Tobirama?
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly exhaled a long breath and smiled bitterly.
If Kazuki were to one day display Wood Release, he wouldn't be too surprised and would even find it reasonable.
At this point, even if Kazuki has the Kekkei Genkai of the Hyuga clan or even the Kekkei Genkai of another village, Hiruzen can accept it.
Hiruzen saw that Kazuki was his sensei's most crazy and perfect work. No matter what kind of powerful elements, Tobirama seemed to have added them to Kazuki's body. It was the most terrifying forbidden technique product in history!
Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at the portrait of Senju Tobirama and muttered to himself: "Tobirama-sensei, I have tried my best to be a good Hokage..."
"But compared to the flexible and blazing will of fire in your heart, I am really far behind!"
"Please come back soon, I can't bear it anymore..."
...
Meanwhile Kazuki was welcoming the leaders of the various shinobi clans of Konoha.
"Everyone, welcome to the root!"
