Chapter 102: The Shadow of Hashirama? The Use of White Zetsu
Not having a team leader wasn't ideal for Haruta.
After all, a proper team leader could make things easier. Even if they often misunderstood him, he had always gotten along well with his past captains—whether it was Shisui, Kakashi, or even Jiraiya…
"Honestly, having a team leader is pretty nice. Though, if I were their superior instead, that would be even better… But I doubt they could handle it."
Thinking about his "wonderful superior," Danzo, Haruta let out a sigh before suddenly grinning.
His old boss… wasn't doing too well these days.
Based on intel from Jiraiya and the fact that only three of the Four Elders had shown up to welcome them back—while Danzo had been absent—it was clear that the Hokage was starting to distrust him.
"It seems like Lord Hokage is finally growing wary of my old boss."
The situation was developing even faster than he had expected.
Not that it was a bad thing.
Haruta had originally estimated that getting rid of Danzo would take a few years, but at this rate, it might happen even sooner.
Especially considering the Uchiha situation—Danzo had been suspended for a time in Haruta's past knowledge. That period would be the perfect opportunity for him to make his move.
"I need to push a little harder… If I don't, I might not be able to get rid of that old fox."
With that thought, Haruta stepped into the room—only to see Tsunade sitting there, casually applying nail polish.
There was no denying it—Tsunade was both generous and well-endowed. Haruta couldn't help but wonder what she had eaten to develop this well.
"Hm? Haruta?"
Tsunade looked up and raised an eyebrow.
"You slacking off again? Instead of training, you're just wandering around?"
"I finished my training."
Haruta spread his hands casually.
Honestly, his so-called "training" was barely necessary. With his system, he could instantly grasp techniques after a single glance, as long as they were properly categorized.
"Tch. So what if you have talent?"
Tsunade clicked her tongue, shaking her head. She put away her nail polish and stood up, stretching lazily.
After subtly showing off her impressive figure, she turned to Haruta with a serious expression.
"Speaking of which, when did you learn Sage Mode? And why didn't you tell me?"
"Sage Mode?"
Haruta blinked.
Ah… so she must have heard about his Yang Release: Chakra Mode.
And with Jiraiya's tendency to exaggerate, it was no surprise that she had mistaken it for Sage Mode.
Well, whatever. He wasn't about to correct her.
"It was in one of the scrolls you gave me, Sensei. I found it interesting, so I gave it a try, and… well…"
"You tried it?"
Tsunade's eyebrow twitched.
She stepped closer, scrutinizing Haruta with a deep frown. After a long silence, she finally spoke.
"You really don't fear death, do you? Do you have any idea how dangerous Sage Mode is?
Even my grandfather didn't dare to recklessly experiment with it!
Are you sure you're okay? How did you manage it?"
"Sensei, are you talking about the risks of natural energy corruption?"
Haruta tilted his head innocently.
Of course, he knew exactly what she meant.
Sage Mode training was incredibly dangerous. Take Mount Myoboku's method, for example—it required toad oil to sense natural energy, and even then, a supervising toad was needed to smack the trainee the moment they started turning to stone.
Even Jiraiya, after all his years of training, couldn't fully master it.
For him to enter instant Sage Mode without any drawbacks was nothing short of absurd.
But Haruta had already prepared an excuse.
With a faint smile, he replied,
"Well, it was difficult. Whether it was sensing natural energy or resisting its negative effects…
Especially since your scroll didn't explain the full process—only some basic principles of Sage Mode."
Tch… of course. My grandfather learned it at Shikkotsu Forest, so his notes were mostly about his post-training experiences.
Tsunade crossed her arms, huffing in irritation.
This brat was way too reckless! She needed to set him straight.
But before she could say anything, Haruta continued.
"But strangely enough, absorbing natural energy doesn't seem all that difficult for me."
"Not difficult?"
Tsunade's mouth twitched. This was the first time she had ever heard someone say that absorbing natural energy wasn't difficult!
Haruta seemed to understand her reaction. He simply shrugged before raising his hand.
In an instant, a peculiar energy began to gather in his palm!
"This is…"
Even though Tsunade wasn't an expert in this area, she recognized it immediately. That idiot Jiraiya had boasted about it before.
Not to mention, back in the day, she had personally witnessed her granduncle's Sage Mode.
"Yes, natural energy."
Haruta spoke calmly, tilting his head with a sigh.
"I told you, it really isn't difficult for me."
"…"
Tsunade didn't even want to respond. Fine. If it's not difficult, it's not difficult. But did he really have to prove it right in front of her?
"Then how exactly did you tame it? Didn't you say it was hard to control?"
"It is hard to control, but it's also rather… strange."
Haruta casually increased the intensity of his display. If he could pass off his Yang Release: Chakra Mode as Sage Mode, it would save him a lot of trouble.
Of course, reducing this technique to a mere "Sage Mode" did feel a bit insulting to its prestige, but he didn't care about such labels.
What truly mattered was using his power efficiently, misleading opponents, and gaining advantages in battle.
With that thought, Haruta continued,
"I can feel how this energy tries to corrode me, as if it's attempting to turn me into stone.
But strangely enough, I seem to have an innate force within me that neutralizes this effect.
It allows me to merge natural energy with my own chakra, preventing any petrification.
However, channeling this power isn't simple, and the resulting effects are rather unique… That's about it."
The moment he finished speaking, Haruta activated his Cursed Seal. At the same time, his Yang Release energy combined with the Dragon Vein chakra sealed within his body.
Buzz—!
A violent surge of chakra erupted from Haruta, radiating outward.
In that instant, a golden chakra cloak enveloped his entire body!
The mystical chakra twisted and swirled around him, pulsating with an overwhelming presence. Even Tsunade found it difficult to endure the sheer pressure.
As she gazed at Haruta's glowing form, she was momentarily dazed.
Especially as she sensed the life force radiating from him—
It was nearly identical to her grandfather's!
This state, brimming with vitality, was almost exactly like her granduncle's Sage Mode!
However, before she could say anything, she suddenly sensed something. Her expression shifted as she turned her gaze outside.
There, peeking through the doorway, was a certain white-haired fool, sneakily trying to observe the situation.
—
Meanwhile, in Sunagakure…
Pakura walked into a sealed chamber, her expression calm.
The room was… special.
Its atmosphere was entirely different from the outside world, and its decorations were remarkably refined.
Beyond the room's barrier, one could feel the scorching desert air unique to the Land of Wind. But inside—
It was as if spring had arrived, a climate completely foreign to Wind Country.
At the center of the room sat Chiyo and Ebizo, with a large pond in front of them.
A pond, in the middle of Sunagakure.
Water scarcity was an undeniable reality for the village. The very idea of constructing a pond—let alone altering the environment to such an extent—spoke volumes about the resources it had consumed.
Especially since… this pond was just for fishing.
"You've arrived, Pakura."
Chiyo looked up and nodded at her.
"Sit down. Want to try fishing? This isn't a natural pond, of course, but in the Land of Wind, this is already a rare luxury."
"If it were up to me, I'd rather use those resources on areas where the village actually needs them."
Pakura shook her head, showing no courtesy in her words.
Ever since she learned that the village had abandoned her—sending her on a death mission to Kirigakure—three years had passed. But such betrayals weren't so easily forgotten.
Especially when she had been betrayed by the very village she had fought to protect.
Honestly, she had considered leaving back then.
The shinobi world wasn't that big, nor was it that small. She could have easily defected and never returned to the Land of Wind.
It wasn't like she wouldn't survive.
But in the end, Ebizo had persuaded her to stay, offering countless promises.
Even so, she could never truly let go of her resentment.
Even in front of these two elders, she remained blunt and unapologetic.
"You might be right," Ebizo chuckled, unbothered by her attitude.
"But have you ever considered this?
The resources we spend on the village are like grains of sand in the desert—insignificant.
But here, these same resources allow us to relax and recover.
With clearer minds and restored energy, we can serve the village better, don't you think?"
"Tch, what a convenient excuse."
Pakura scoffed.
"You two already sit at the village's peak, yet you still need these shallow luxuries to reward yourselves?
Be honest—this is just your own selfish indulgence.
If you truly care about the village, you should dedicate yourselves entirely to its well-being."
"You're still too young, Pakura."
Chiyo tugged her fishing line slightly, sighing as she looked at her.
"If we don't claim these rewards, how will the village recognize the sacrifices we've made?"
"Forget it."
Ebizo shook his head, reaching into his sleeve and pulling out a scroll. He handed it to her.
"You're destined for a higher position. There's still much you need to learn.
Don't let your passion blind you.
Because when someone in power makes rash decisions, the ones who suffer aren't just themselves."
Pakura didn't respond.
She simply took the scroll and examined it.
She knew what they were hinting at.
Even if they were subtle about it, she understood their intent.
But… could this really make up for what they had done?
After witnessing that boy from Konoha—watching as he effortlessly unraveled complex schemes in an instant—she couldn't help but wonder.
That boy and the forces behind him had Sunagakure dancing in the palm of their hands.
Did her village… really have any hope?
With a sigh, Pakura opened the scroll and began reading.
But the next moment, her expression sharply changed.
"…What do you mean I have to go to Kirigakure?"
Kirigakure.
For Pakura, that place wasn't just hostile—it was her personal nightmare.
Even though she had never set foot there.
"Calm down."
Chiyo quickly reassured her.
"This time, no one will touch you.
And we won't allow anyone to touch you!"
She continued,
"You'll be escorted by Maki and several elite jōnin, as well as a specialized ANBU tactical squad to ensure your safety."
"Konoha and Iwagakure have resumed negotiations.
We don't know the full details yet, but this is an opportunity for us."
Ebizo stared at the pond and spoke slowly.
"With Iwagakure's movements stalled, they don't have the strength to threaten us right now.
We may not be able to regain what we lost, but maintaining control over our current territory is achievable."
Chiyo nodded.
"But the real problem now is Kirigakure's lunatics.
Though they've paused their aggression, their intentions remain unclear.
That's why we need to negotiate, even if it means making sacrifices.
Ensuring internal stability is worth the price."
"And fortunately…"
Ebizo smirked slightly.
"That bastard Danzo sent us a good amount of supplies.
With those, we have something to bargain with."
At those words, Pakura fell silent.
She understood their strategy.
They were simply using someone else's resources to resolve their own crisis.
But then again… wasn't Danzo's gift essentially stolen from them in the first place?
"Is this the only way to negotiate? Is there no other option?"
Pakura clenched her teeth, her voice low with humiliation.
"Are we truly so powerless that we can only passively accept everything?"
"No one wants this to happen, but no one can change it either."
Chiyo sighed helplessly. She slowly stood up and, with her aging body, walked toward Pakura.
"Perhaps one day, you will be able to make a difference. But the future must be fought for, and right now, you are not yet qualified—not even close.
You still have much to learn, much to understand. But no matter what, we believe that you are the best hope for the future.
Do you understand?"
"This mission… is also a test for you. You will do well, won't you?"
—
"So, you're using the power of Yang Release to merge with Sage Mode, allowing you to reach this level?"
Inside the Senju Clan's ancestral home, Jiraiya stared at Haruta, eyes wide with disbelief.
Though, with his face covered in soot and a massive bump on his head, he looked particularly ridiculous.
Tsunade, standing beside him, was also momentarily stunned.
So, the mysterious power Haruta had mentioned inside his body… was Yang Release?
"More or less."
Haruta nodded, barely holding back his laughter at Jiraiya's appearance. He clenched his fist slightly before speaking softly.
"This power seems to be deeply connected to many of my abilities, like medical ninjutsu.
When combined with natural energy, not only does it neutralize its corrosive effects, but it also transforms me into what you see now."
"You little brat… your luck is unbelievable…"
Jiraiya's mouth twitched, but in the end, he could only let out a deep sigh.
Sage Mode…
A power so many yearned for—yet mastering it was incredibly difficult.
Jiraiya himself had spent years enduring excruciating training, and even now, he wasn't fully proficient.
He had always been curious about how Haruta had managed to grasp this power—especially since his method seemed so vastly different.
Now, he finally understood.
But understanding didn't make it any easier to accept.
So, Haruta had naturally developed his own way to harness this power—
And even improved it?
"The power of Yang Release… That's not something easily controlled…"
Tsunade sighed as well. After hearing Haruta's explanation, she felt even more helpless.
Every ninja possessed Yang Release to some extent.
But truly controlling and mastering it? That was incredibly difficult.
Throughout the entire ninja world, very few had succeeded.
Some specialized secret techniques, like those of the Akimichi Clan—
Or even medical ninjutsu, which Tsunade herself excelled at—
All relied on the principles of Yang Release.
But even so, she had never truly mastered it.
Haruta, this guy—he not only makes excellent use of these powers but has already mastered them. Why is Tsunade no longer surprised?
"Was my grandfather the same way back then?"
The thought made Tsunade feel even more frustrated.
Haruta's abilities, from start to finish, were all inherited from her grandfather. And as time passed, he was starting to resemble her grand-uncle more and more.
Meanwhile, all she had inherited was a single "passive skill"—nothing else?
Tsunade, feeling irritated, turned her head toward Jiraiya. Her fists clenched again.
"Hey, you! You still haven't explained why you suddenly showed up here!"
"Wait—don't hit me!"
Seeing Tsunade suddenly lose her temper, Jiraiya instantly realized that if he didn't explain things properly, he was in real trouble!
Earlier, after sensing the presence of Sage Chakra, he couldn't help himself and jumped straight in through the side entrance without thinking.
As a result, he had immediately been beaten up by Tsunade. If he didn't give a proper explanation now, he'd probably end up in the hospital.
"I came here to deliver some information—especially for that kid over there!"
"You're looking for Haruta?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow and continued questioning.
"What's going on? Explain!"
"Well… Just a moment."
Seeing that Tsunade had no immediate intention to attack, Jiraiya let out a sigh of relief. Then, he quickly formed a few hand seals, and a small barrier formed around them.
"A soundproof barrier? Is this really necessary?"
Tsunade snorted lightly but didn't stop him. Though she often saw Jiraiya as unreliable, she knew he wouldn't mess up when it came to important matters.
She was also curious to hear what he had to say.
"Alright. Even though this is your place, it's still better to be cautious—walls have ears, after all."
Jiraiya explained briefly before getting to the point.
"Haruta, the two people we brought back from the last mission—we finally have some results."
"Oh?"
Haruta blinked, immediately understanding who Jiraiya was referring to.
"Yakushi Kabuto and Nonō Yakushi? What's their situation now?"
"They…"
Jiraiya pressed his lips together. He had already read through most of the reports and understood how tragic their pasts were.
Glancing at the curious Tsunade, Jiraiya hesitated for a moment before taking out a scroll and handing it to her.
"They're doing alright for now, so there's no need to worry too much. Also, like I said, their investigation is nearly complete. Soon—"
"Bastard!"
Before Jiraiya could finish, Tsunade let out a low curse. It was clear that the contents of the scroll had infuriated her!
The document detailed the harrowing experiences of Yakushi Kabuto and Nonō Yakushi—
A glimpse into the darkest depths of Danzo's actions.
And the underlying motives behind them were so sinister that it was hard not to make terrifying assumptions.
"This is beyond cruel! That damn bastard!"
"It's definitely despicable. But calm down—at least this time, things have turned out alright."
Jiraiya shook his head slightly, letting out a quiet sigh.
Still, he couldn't help but steal a glance at Haruta.
Truthfully, he was deeply curious—
How much did Haruta actually understand?
How much did he already know?
According to Kabuto and Nonō's accounts, their rescue was purely incidental, triggered by Jiraiya's fight with Orochimaru. Haruta had merely stumbled upon them by chance.
Beyond that, neither of them provided much additional detail.
Even Kabuto, who was highly perceptive, didn't give anything away.
All of this seemed to suggest that Haruta was unaware of the full picture.
But from Jiraiya's perspective, there was no doubt—Haruta was an exceptionally intelligent person.
His past missions and overall performance spoke for themselves.
Moreover, Haruta was someone deeply influenced by Danzo—
A person who would use any means necessary to achieve his goals.
Jiraiya was genuinely worried.
If Haruta did figure something out, what kind of earth-shattering move would he make?
After all, Danzo wasn't just some rogue ninja—
He was one of the village's Hokage Advisors.
Yet Jiraiya truly despised him.
He still couldn't let go of what happened with Konan.
Even though further investigation was needed, he knew deep down—Danzo was exactly the kind of person capable of such actions.
But if something drastic happened, it wouldn't end well for anyone.
And beyond that, Jiraiya had another concern.
Haruta had been heavily influenced by Danzo.
Would he be able to break free from that influence?
Or had he already been completely indoctrinated?
If it was the latter… things would only get worse.
"They're fine for now, but they're being assigned to the Anbu permanently."
Jiraiya sighed and shook his head.
"You know how it is—spies returning to the village usually have no choice but to join the Anbu, at least for a while.
Once things settle down, we can reassess their positions."
"I see. Then I should be able to visit them in the Anbu headquarters."
Haruta nodded. The interrogation was finally over.
Before leaving them behind, he had given both Kabuto and Nonō a specific warning—
To only reveal mission-related intelligence and avoid bringing up anything unnecessary, especially anything related to himself.
Of course, the Anbu included members of the Yamanaka Clan who could probe memories, but such techniques caused severe mental damage.
They were typically reserved for enemies and the dead.
Using them on allies was a serious taboo.
"Oh, right—there's something else I need to tell you."
Jiraiya, having finished his explanation, suddenly let out a weary sigh.
What he was about to say was the real reason he had come.
But just thinking about it made his head ache.
There was no way out of this, was there?
"What is it? Speak."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow and asked directly. Haruta also looked intrigued.
"Be ready—we may be heading to Kirigakure soon."
Jiraiya gave Haruta a meaningful look before speaking in a resigned tone.
"And just like before, I'll be leading the team."
After saying this, Jiraiya fell silent.
Memories of past tragedies came rushing back to him.
Meanwhile, Haruta blinked in surprise.
The Kirigakure mission was already happening?
He had been waiting for this.
Although the exact departure date was still unknown, he hoped it would be soon.
"Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kumogakure have all suffered at my hands.
How could Kirigakure be left out?"
Thinking about it, Haruta couldn't help but smile.
"I understand, Captain Jiraiya. I'm ready whenever you are."
"…Captain…"
Hearing that word, Jiraiya's expression stiffened.
Especially when he saw Haruta's smug smile—
It was like he could hear the words inside Haruta's mind:
"Finally, I have a captain. Finally, someone else to take the blame for me!"
"Using Yang Release in Combination with Sage Mode?"
Inside the Hokage's office in Konoha—
After leaving the Senju residence, Jiraiya went straight to report his findings to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen, with his pipe in his mouth, seemed momentarily lost in thought.
As the "Professor of Ninjutsu," he might not have gained the same ability as Haruta, but his foundational research on various techniques was extensive.
It was hard to say—perhaps Orochimaru's dream of learning all ninjutsu and uncovering the secrets of every technique had been influenced by him.
He understood the power of Yang Release.
And he knew just how difficult it was to master.
The same went for Sage Mode. Even though he hadn't learned it himself, both the First Hokage and Jiraiya had, so he had a fair understanding of its mechanics.
Initially, he assumed Haruta had learned Sage Mode similarly to the First Hokage—by being recognized by the Shikkotsu Forest.
Even if there were some differences, it didn't seem like a big deal.
But now, after hearing Jiraiya's report, he realized just how reckless Haruta had been.
And, at the same time, how incredibly talented he was.
"Yes, it's truly unbelievable."
Jiraiya nodded in agreement and sighed.
"Natural energy is already difficult to control, and Yang Release is even more elusive. Yet, he actually—"
"Could you do it?"
Before Jiraiya could finish, Hiruzen suddenly asked out of curiosity.
Jiraiya froze, his expression stiffening.
After a long pause, he finally replied helplessly,
"I struggle just to maintain Sage Mode properly—let alone using Yang Release on top of that.
The only person I can think of who could directly manipulate Yang Release like that is the legendary First Hokage."
Jiraiya didn't know much about Hashirama Senju firsthand. By the time he and Tsunade had become Hiruzen's students, the Second Hokage was already gone.
He had grown up only hearing tales of the First Hokage's greatness.
But he knew one thing for certain—
Hashirama Senju was unimaginably powerful.
"Yes… Perhaps only the First Hokage could have achieved something like this."
Hiruzen nodded, his mood lifting significantly.
Haruta's exceptional talent was great news for Konoha.
He had never denied having personal biases, nor did he consider himself a perfect Hokage.
After all, humans have emotions and flaws.
But he had always upheld the Will of Fire passed down from the First and Second Hokage.
For him, the village always came first.
And Haruta's strength would only make Konoha stronger.
"This kid is starting to resemble the First Hokage more and more."
Hiruzen chuckled, completely forgetting that not long ago, he had thought Haruta bore a resemblance to Minato Namikaze.
Even if he did remember, he wouldn't admit it.
Minato was outstanding, yes, but he couldn't be compared to the First Hokage.
Especially since Haruta was a Senju.
Whether he admitted it or not—
The new generation's Hashirama Senju...
Just thinking about it was exhilarating.
"Indeed. Maybe Haruta will eventually become a new First Hokage—
No, the Fifth or Sixth Hokage."
Jiraiya shrugged indifferently, then quickly turned serious.
"But old man, there's something you need to think about carefully.
First, Haruta's safety—
You know how it is. The more he grows, the more enemies he'll attract."
Then, his tone grew even heavier.
"More importantly—what are you going to do about Danzo?"
At the mention of Danzo, Hiruzen's expression immediately stiffened.
The previous warmth in his eyes disappeared in an instant.
Danzo's actions were becoming more and more of a headache.
That man truly would stop at nothing.
Hiruzen had been closely monitoring the situation with Yakushi Kabuto and Nonō Yakushi.
The moment he discovered Danzo's methods, he had sealed all information—
Ensuring that Danzo wouldn't learn that the two of them had survived.
Making loyal shinobi kill each other—
Especially when they were the closest of kin.
Was this something a human would do?
And more importantly—
Hiruzen realized that Danzo's real goal may have been to use this incident to bind Haruta, forcing Orochimaru to appear in that situation just to shift the hatred elsewhere!
Sometimes, Haruta even suspected that someone was deliberately orchestrating things around him. Otherwise, how else could the timing be so perfect, ensuring he saw exactly what they wanted him to see?
Of course, it could just be a coincidence.
After all, once Orochimaru appeared, any nearby surveillance devices or cameras could have captured images.
Keeping a few photos and carefully selecting the right ones would achieve the same effect.
Haruta would inevitably develop an intense hatred for Orochimaru and be forced to stay close to Danzo for intel.
With things unfolding this way, Haruta would find it difficult to break away from Danzo.
"This guy… he's really gone too far!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered under his breath, rubbing his forehead with a sigh.
"It seems I've been too lenient with him. He's truly crossing the line more and more!"
"Good that you realize it. But the real question is—what do you plan to do about him?"
Jiraiya shook his head. His teacher was always stating the obvious but never acting decisively.
Still, Jiraiya understood that getting his teacher to take action against Danzo would be incredibly difficult.
Just as it had been hard for him to deal with Orochimaru, Hiruzen faced the same dilemma with Danzo.
"I'll have to give this some serious thought."
As expected, Hiruzen sighed, clearly still undecided. Then, he changed the subject.
"Let's not dwell on that for now. I have my own plans. But tell me, do you know why I assigned you to lead Haruta's team?"
To take the blame?
Jiraiya didn't say it out loud, but he couldn't help thinking it.
After all, the mission in Iwagakure had left a lasting impression.
"You and I both know that Haruta has been heavily influenced by Danzo."
Seeing that Jiraiya remained silent, Hiruzen continued speaking on his own.
"That's why I need someone to help adjust Haruta's mindset. As much as I'd like to do it myself, I simply don't have the time.
I had Tsunade return not only to confirm his Senju lineage but also to use her presence to separate him from Danzo's influence.
At the same time, I hoped she could help ease his inner turmoil.
Additionally, Yūgao was his first teammate in Anbu, and I've heard he holds a special fondness for that girl.
So I kept them together, hoping she could also provide some stability for him. But even with all this, it's not enough.
He has changed significantly, yet his views on being a shinobi remain dangerously flawed.
That's why I need someone else to help me."
Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya seriously.
"You are the best choice, even though I've always found your ideals to be a bit too idealistic.
But in some ways, your pursuit of peace can act as a counterbalance for Haruta.
He's too extreme, while you're too cautious.
I want you to pull him back, even if only a little."
Too extreme?
Too cautious?
Pull him back a little?
Jiraiya's mouth twitched.
If you want me to be your tool, just say so. Why make it sound like an insult?
Besides, at this point, do I even have a choice?
"Well, I suppose this is fine. Since Danzo has already ruined so many kids, I'll start by saving this one."
Jiraiya nodded, silently cursing Danzo in his heart.
That man had destroyed too many lives—Haruta, Konan, and countless others.
For now, he couldn't find Konan, so Haruta would have to come first.
Just thinking about Danzo's name made Jiraiya's fists clench involuntarily.
"Danzo Shimura… Just how much damage have you done?"
—
"Is the Kirigakure mission about to begin?"
After Jiraiya left, Haruta returned to his room.
For some reason, Tsunade seemed particularly annoyed today. She left the house grumbling, storming off to who-knows-where.
"Maybe she's in a gambling den… or a bar?"
Haruta tilted his head, amused by the thought.
But he also had something else on his mind.
"I've had White Zetsu's body for a while now. Maybe it's time to do something with it."
After looting Obito, Haruta had secretly studied White Zetsu's body, trying to compare it with Hashirama Senju's abilities.
Lacking advanced equipment, he could only rely on sensory techniques and his own perfect control over his body to analyze it.
The data he gathered wasn't much, but that was to be expected.
More importantly, he needed to figure out a use for White Zetsu's body.
He had no intention of using it himself—nor did he need to.
With his own abilities constantly growing, there was no point in implanting random modifications.
Especially since he wasn't an Uchiha.
And he wasn't a Senju, either.
"But Tsunade is."
He wasn't too concerned about the Uchiha for now.
Shisui was an interesting case, but Haruta was waiting to see how things unfolded before deciding how to interact with him.
At the moment, his best way to help Shisui was… well, anything except actual help.
After all, who could deny that the "Talk no Jutsu" wasn't a form of assistance?
Tsunade, on the other hand, was a direct descendant of the Senju Clan and had a bloodline connection to Hashirama Senju himself.
Granted, White Zetsu was an artificial creation, a byproduct of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's manipulation by Black Zetsu and Madara Uchiha.
But there was no denying that Hashirama's cells were absurdly powerful.
He had unknowingly reshaped the very nature of the White Zetsu.
"While it's not as enhanced as 'Tobi'—the one with insane cellular activity—it still possesses valuable properties that can be harnessed."
The "Tobi" variant of White Zetsu could control Yamato's body and unleash ridiculously strong Wood Release techniques.
Haruta was quite envious of that version, but unfortunately, he had no idea where it was hiding.
Probably off assisting Obito somewhere.
Regardless, the White Zetsu specimen he had was still useful.
It wasn't as powerful, meaning it might have less rejection if implanted.
"Looks like I need to find a way to test it on Tsunade. But how should I explain it?"
Haruta rubbed his chin, a plan slowly forming in his mind.
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