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JST Chapter 131: The Root of All Problems
🕑 Added 2024-12-18 03:15:52 +0000 UTCAfter briefly pondering the danger posed by the tailed beasts and the alliance between the four great villages, Sarutobi hesitated before cautiously asking: "Kazuki, I support your deployment from the Root, but as Hokage, I need to understand a little more..."
Tsunade sighed and said dissatisfiedly: "Old man, you're the Hokage! I understand that you want Kazuki to grow up fast, but you should also take some of the pressure. Always leaving everything in the hands of others isn't good for anyone!"
Tsunade's words made Hiruzen smile bitterly. "It's to train the next generation, Tsunade. Giving up power before time is not a bad thing..."
He's the Hokage?
Of course he was, but the third Hokage was nowhere near as strong as the second.
Tsunade hadn't witnessed the imposing Hokage advisor being defeated in three moves by the Second Hokage. Now, that same advisor was confined to a cell, eating only once a day, his chakra sealed and bound like a puppet.
Hiruzen knew well that if he didn't do a good job as Third Hokage, he would probably end up somewhat better than Danzo... but he didn't have much hope that the difference would be that big either.
After experiencing so many things, Sarutobi Hiruzen has a more comprehensive understanding of the will of fire burning in his sensei's heart.
Tsunade shook her head. "Old man, you are a little extreme in doing things. Before, everyone criticized you for not giving up power, but you can't give up power so thoroughly, right?"
Hiruzen almost lost his composure. Him, extreme?
"Tsunade-sensei, this is also part of my training. I fully understand..." Kazuki said in a deep voice. "After all, given my unique situation, I must take on greater responsibilities."
He paused and added seriously: "If the Hokage wishes to know more, as the leader of Root I have a duty to report transparently."
"Currently, we're researching biological, chemical, and aerial warfare strategies. With techniques including the Aburame clan's nano-sized insects, Tsunade-sensei's toxins, the Impure World Reincarnation, and more. With the help of Hiruko's Chimera Technique, we're developing a specialized explosion squad. Additionally, we're repairing the Land of the Sky's flying fortress under Orochimaru-senpai's supervision, and the plan is to combine it with my Flying Thunder God Technique to perform decapitation attacks against the enemy's leaders and geniuses."
As Hiruzen heard more about Kazuki's plans he became more and more puzzled. Finally, he couldn't help but ask: "Kazuki, what does it mean to use the Chimera Technique to create an explosion squad?"
"The Chimera Technique is a forbidden technique that Tobirama-sama failed to complete and was perfected by Hiruko. It allows the transfer of an enemy's Kekkei Genkai to the user. If we combine this with Orochimaru-senpai's body modification technology, we can attempt to mass produce shinobi with Kekkei Genkai."
Kazuki patiently explained: "Of course, being a mass production, the effects of the Kekkei Genkai won't be as good as the originals. However, we have improved the Explosion Release and can now create large quantities of explosive clay. This surpasses explosive tags, and we plan to surpass quality with quantity."
"In addition, since we will not be dependent on weapons factories, we can prepare the explosives in advance and drop them from the air to carry out saturated attacks on the ground."
Hiruzen tried to remember Hiruko, but combined with all the information Kazuki gave him, he couldn't connect this ordinary jonin with the Chimera Technique.
Hiruko, a discreet and almost invisible ninja, how can he develop a forbidden technique of that level as soon as he joined the Root?
Don't joke!
Hiruzen sighed in his mind. It can be said that he is worthy of being Tobirama-sensei. He has to find a poor jonin with no background to take the blame for using such a controversial forbidden technique, and if it comes to worst he is easily discarded...
Hiruzen can only attribute it to the constant repression of his sensei by Hashirama and Mito, so he still maintains his old ways of protecting himself.
However, each new tactic Kazuki mentioned, although radical and without a moral lower limit, eased a little of the weight Hiruzen felt about the possible future war.
"I think I get the general idea." Hiruzen said, trying to keep up with Kazuki's thoughts. "But isn't Explosion Release exclusive to Iwagakure? Will you need support from the ANBU? I understand that Onoki protects those shinobi well."
Kazuki blinked. "No need, Hatake Sakumo and the new Root Finance Minister, Kakuzu, have already captured an entire unit of the Iwa Explosion Corps."
With a smile, he added: "Orochimaru is probably already dissecting them to extract and replicate their DNA with his technology and transfer them to our shinobi using the Chimera Technique."
Hiruzen opened his mouth slightly, and his expression became a little distorted.
Hiruzen thought that Hatake Sakumo left the village because of his inner blow and went to travel around the world. He was still thinking about how to appease his emotions and let Hatake Sakumo return to Konoha and help the village again in the Third Shinobi World War!
He didn't expect that Kazuki had buried him in the root.
And that Kakuzu, isn't he the strongest bounty hunter in the Shinobi World? As far as he knows, he's a Kage-level shinobi!
How did he join the root?
Kazuki fixed his gaze on Hiruzen, whose expression was somewhat strange. Curling his lips slightly, he asked in a low voice: "Hokage-sama, is it possible that the Root's current actions are no longer in line with the Will of Fire?"
"Please feel free to guide us. The Root is always open to the Hokage's inspection."
When Kazuki called him Hokage-sama, Hiruzen's heart nearly jumped out of his chest.
Kazuki would never call him that out of simple respect; that tone, halfway between a threat and a sign of dissatisfaction, could only belong to one person...
Hiruzen quickly changed his expression into a wide smile and replied in a loud voice: "Of course it is aligned! Completely in line with the Will of Fire!"
"To protect fellow villagers, use some forbidden techniques, and recruit like-minded people in the shinobi world... That is the true Will of Fire!"
He paused, then added, with a mixture of flattery and resignation: "Though I must admit, Kazuki, you've done so well that you make me feel a little embarrassed as Hokage..."
Kazuki nodded with an expression of sudden understanding and said sincerely: "If there is any problem, please do not hesitate to guide Root in a timely manner. You are the Hokage of Konoha, after all!"
However, in Hiruzen's ears, these words became something completely different: Monkey, I make no mistakes. If you have nothing to do, get out of the way and wait for my orders. I am the Hokage here!
Hiruzen, trying hard to maintain his composure, replied with a forced smile: "Of course, Kazuki. Don't worry... I will definitely, definitely keep your words in mind!"
Tsunade, who had been watching silently, shook her head in dissatisfaction, then rolled her eyes at Kazuki. "If it weren't for you, you evil Uchiha brat, I would never have used my medical skills to synthesize poisons."
She turned to Hiruzen and added: "Come on, old man, reprimand Kazuki. He clearly doesn't have even an ounce of the Will of Fire!"
Hiruzen coughed lightly and pretended not to hear. After all, he was just a poor apprentice of Senju Tobirama, not a beloved granddaughter. After saying something, he would be liquidated in the future...
"Kazuki, the future of the village is in your hands!"
Kazuki nodded. "I will do my best..."
...
At the same time.
Uchiha clan district, residence of the clan leader.
Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Yakushi sat across from each other, drinking tea in tense silence.
Recently, Uchiha Fugaku has keenly observed the changes in the Uchiha clan. Many three-tomoe clan members have disappeared inexplicably in the village. They are all clan members who support Kazuki. No one knows where they have gone...
Combined with the news that Kazuki is in charge of the root, even if Uchiha Fugaku is stupid, he can connect the two together.
Although he would never have imagined that an Uchiha would rise to lead the Root, as clan leader, Fugaku could not tolerate the clan members silently abandoning him.
Opposite him, Uchiha Yakushi, now a member of the Root, had been one of Fugaku's most fervent supporters in the past, as well as one of his closest friends.
"Yakushi, is there something you need to tell me about the current situation of the Uchiha clan?" Fugaku asked in a calm, but firm tone. "I need to understand what is going on."
Yakushi pondered for a moment before shaking his head decisively. "Fugaku, I can't reveal anything to you."
He took a breath and added: "I can only say that the future of the Uchiha and the village is in the hands of Kazuki-sama. I hope you can recognize this reality."
Uchiha Fugaku's expression changed.
How long has it been?
The closest friend he had always trusted now called Kazuki 'sama' with an absolute loyalty that chilled his heart.
"Yakushi, I always need to know some information before I can make a judgment." Fugaku stared at his friend and said in a deep voice: "I am the head of the Uchiha clan. I have been dealing with the village's high-level officials for more than ten years for the sake of the clan. Don't I have the qualifications to know the clan members' movements?"
"It is true that Uchiha Kazuki has obtained a position among the village's higher-ups, but my contribution to the Uchiha clan is also true, and you have seen it!"
Yakushi looked at Fugaku with mixed feelings.
Did Uchiha Fugaku work hard for the Uchiha clan?
Maybe he did, but judging by the results, it was the same as doing nothing.
In the past, compared with Uchiha Setsuna and other Uchiha clan members, Uchiha Yakushi could only support Uchiha Fugaku, who was still rational.
But since Kazuki appeared, Uchiha Yakushi has deeply realized how big the gap is between people who can get things done and those who are just idiots...
