Chapter 523: Extorting Danzō
After receiving the ANBU's report, Rasa personally made a trip to Loulan.
Besides his ANBU, Rasa also brought along a woman of about thirty. This person was the current Queen of Loulan.
The Queen of Loulan had a daughter, who, in the original story, was the new queen saved by the time-traveling Namikaze Naruto.
Right now, that girl was still just the Princess of Loulan. She remained in Sunagakure this time to serve as a hostage and did not accompany Rasa.
After arriving in Loulan, Rasa arranged for several subordinates to gather intelligence, while he personally took the Queen to the Dragon Vein's location.
The group solemnly proceeded to the underground space.
When Rasa saw that the Dragon Vein was still safe and sound underground—not taken, not sealed—he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Rasa glanced around and found no traces of battle. He then nodded to the Queen of Loulan.
The Queen first cast a careful, fearful glance at Rasa, and then began to chant, communicating with the Dragon Vein Spirit.
The Queen of Loulan was a smart woman who understood her situation. She knew that her life, and her daughter's, rested in Rasa's hands.
Therefore, ever since being captured by Rasa, she had been extremely cooperative with Suna.
Rasa stood to the side, waiting quietly. Although he didn't speak, the aura radiating from him made everyone around him tremble.
Communication with the Dragon Vein had to be carried out by the Queen's bloodline.
Rasa had tried using other people; they would chant the same words but receive no response from the Dragon Vein.
A moment later, the Queen finished her communication.
She stood up, bowed to Rasa, and said, "Lord Kazekage, someone was indeed here. They communicated with the Dragon Vein. However, the Dragon Vein Spirit's intelligence is not high, and it cannot clearly explain the course of events."
"When I asked who the visitor was, the Dragon Vein only remembered a 'feeling.' After analyzing it, I believe what the Dragon Vein meant was 'yin-cold.'"
This current Loulan Queen's communication with the Dragon Vein was far more effective than the little girl's in the original story.
The girl from the original story, aside from being able to resonate with the Dragon Vein via her blood, knew almost nothing.
This Queen, however, had slowly figured out some of the Dragon Vein Spirit's vocabulary over her decade-plus reign.
So, although the Queen couldn't sense the Dragon Vein's emotions with a "Mind's Eye" as Ishiro could, she was still able to obtain some of the simple information she wanted.
Rasa frowned at her words, mulling it over. "Yin-cold? Could it really be Ice Release?"
"But Kirigakure has no powerful Ice Release users... Could it be that brat from the intel?"
This was actually the Queen's fault. She didn't have a ninja's chakra and didn't understand the various chakra natures.
Therefore, her translation was the conventional term "yin-cold."
What the Dragon Vein Spirit had actually been trying to express was something akin to "Yin Release chakra."
"Yin Release" and "yin-cold" both shared the character for "Yin," but Rasa was led astray by the Queen's use of "cold."
Combined with the prior reports of an Ice Release user, Rasa's mind subconsciously shifted toward "ice-cold."
After thinking for a moment, Rasa asked, "Your Majesty, please ask, has the Dragon Vein been damaged or is any part of it missing?"
Rasa used a respectful title, but his tone had nothing to do with respect. All the Queen heard was a bone-chilling iciness.
As Suna's situation grew more and more dire, Rasa's personality was slowly changing, becoming increasingly gloomy and sinister.
The Queen quickly shook her head. "No, it has not. The Dragon Vein Spirit told me the visitor only communicated with it and did not do anything to it."
Rasa looked at the Dragon Vein before him—a treasure he could see but not use. His already poor expression darkened further.
Now, even Kiri was making a move on the Dragon Vein. Rasa's sense of urgency intensified.
If this intelligence leaked to the Tsuchikage... who knew what that man's personality would drive him to do.
Rasa turned to a subordinate. "After we return to the village, immediately send people to investigate the movements of Kirigakure's Kage-level shinobi. Also, investigate whether Yi Mizunashi has left the village."
"Yes, sir," the subordinate immediately replied.
After giving his orders, Rasa once again looked at the Queen. He questioned her in an extremely cold voice, "Your Majesty, is there really no way to utilize the Dragon Vein?"
The Queen thought for a moment. "I don't understand you shinobi. However... I saw some puppets in Sunagakure. Perhaps... the Dragon Vein's power could be used to create puppets."
Rasa frowned, not understanding what connection the Dragon Vein could have with puppeteers.
Seeing Rasa frown, the Queen hurriedly said, "In Loulan, we have legends of the Dragon Vein's miracles, passed down through generations."
"Some say the Dragon Vein can predict the future. Some say it can grant mortals eternal life."
"I have analyzed these legends. I believe that while they may be exaggerated, they are not without basis."
"I don't know if the Dragon Vein can grant eternal life, but... perhaps the Dragon Vein can help puppets... recover quickly."
Hearing this, Rasa did not look happy. On the contrary, his face grew even darker.
The Queen's words had made him think of Ryosuke—the disciple he had placed such high hopes in, the one he had been grooming as the next Kazekage.
Ryosuke's final choice was fitting for a Kage, but Rasa would have much preferred if Ryosuke had chosen to flee that day.
Rasa turned and began to walk away. "Your Majesty," he said, "I will arrange for puppeteers to come here immediately. I expect your cooperation."
The Queen bowed to Rasa's retreating back. "As you command."
...
Konoha Village. Danzō had, by this point, traded for seven Wood Release scrolls from Ishiro.
Aside from the first three scrolls, the other four were all traded using Konoha's collection of secret jutsu.
For the fourth, Danzō paid with twenty different species of Aburame clan insects.
For the fifth, Danzō exchanged ten masks from the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Temple.
For the sixth, Danzō offered to trade the Flying Thunder God Technique that Minato Namikaze had broken down, but Ishiro refused.
Minato's broken-down version, which three people could learn, was practical. But Iwagakure already had someone who had mastered the complete Flying Thunder God, so that item wasn't as valuable.
Ishiro countered, demanding high-level medical ninjutsu or the Edo Tensei.
In the end, Ishiro got the high-level medical ninjutsu from Danzō.
For the seventh scroll, Ishiro went even further, demanding a copy of the Yamanaka clan's secret method for training spiritual strength.
This was a true treasure. Ishiro had been coveting this for a long time.
To make an analogy: training taijutsu requires one to train the body and increase physical constitution. It also requires practicing various taijutsu to increase attack power.
Right now in Iwagakure, he had Katsumata researching various Yin Release ninjutsu. Katsumata's research was like the "taijutsu" part.
But Iwagakure had no training method to increase spiritual strength. That was the "physical constitution" part. In the entire shinobi world, only the Yamanaka clan likely had such a thing.
Ishiro hadn't even known this existed until he received the Yamanaka's secret technique.
When Ishiro first learned of it, he couldn't help but marvel at the depth of Konoha's foundations. He felt this item's value was in no way inferior to the Flying Thunder God.
At the same time, Ishiro felt contempt for the Yamanaka clan. With such a unique and powerful tool, the Yamanaka clan hadn't managed to produce a single decent powerhouse in all these years.
Never mind a Kage; the Yamanaka clan hadn't even made a big name for themselves.
With this method to strengthen their fundamental spiritual power, why insist on practicing only the Yamanaka clan's secret jutsu? Wouldn't it be better to train in genjutsu?
The Yamanaka's secret jutsu were flashy. While they had miraculous effects in interrogation and reconnaissance, the most important aspect of a ninja—combat strength—had been completely ignored by them.
"Forever fated to work for others," Ishiro sneered.
"Hm?" A thought struck Ishiro.
"Is it Konoha's leadership suppressing these great clans? Forcing them to only practice their own clan's secret jutsu, not allowing them the chance to grow into combat-type powerhouses?"
"Or... are they hiding their own strength, intentionally avoiding the spotlight, content to be supporting characters?"
"This way, no matter who rises to become Hokage, they won't be seen as an enemy. Everyone has to rely on their abilities."
"Heh... that mentality is probably their true thinking. And that mentality is indeed suited for survival in Konoha's political environment."
"The Senju and Uchiha, the two tall trees that caught everyone's eye, are gone. But Ino-Shika-Chō is still standing."
"Even though they had opposed Danzō, Danzō, with his personality, didn't move to kill them after taking power. This shows that their way of survival is not wrong."
"However... that kind of mentality is completely unnecessary in Iwagakure."
Filled with a sense of superiority, Ishiro finished reading the Yamanaka clan's spiritual training manual and mulled it over in his office.
This thing was truly miraculous. But it was also very difficult to train. Without a Yamanaka clan member to teach it step-by-step, mastering it would not be easy.
Ishiro alone didn't have time to figure out how to train this thing. His schedule was already packed to the brim with various training regimens.
Thus, Ishiro summoned an ANBU and had them call several people to his office.
A short time later, Katsumata, Natsuki, Yuran Kawasoe, Akino Atsumi, Sōkai, Chiga, Fujii Kaoru, and—pulled from the Ninja Academy—Neji, Shion, Kurama Yakumo, and Sakura all arrived in his office.
Ishiro took out the spiritual strength training manual and said to the group, "This is the Konoha Yamanaka clan's secret technique for strengthening spiritual power."
"You are the ones among the village's younger generation who most need to improve your spiritual strength."
"Each of you, copy it down. Then go back and train hard. Every ten days, we will hold a meeting in the conference room next door to discuss your training insights."
"This technique is very difficult to practice. It requires every one of you to work hard, to brainstorm together, and to figure out a correct and efficient training method."
Hearing this, everyone copied the scroll and then began to ponder.
Ishiro waved his hand. "Go back and think. This isn't something you can figure out in a short time. I suspect part of the reason the Yamanaka clan never produced any real powerhouses is because this thing is just too hard."
"Your talent for Yin Release is not weak. I believe you can come up with a better method than the Yamanaka clan."
"This is a good opportunity to prove that our Iwagakure has surpassed Konoha in every aspect. Everyone, do your best. I have high hopes for you."
Everyone responded in unison. However, the older ones among them (Katsumata, Natsuki, Yuran, Akino) all secretly despised their lazy teacher (or brother).
It's obvious you're just too lazy to think about it yourself, yet you still have to come up with such a speech.
Only Sōkai and the few academy students felt that they were being entrusted with a great responsibility, and they were filled with motivation.
After acknowledging the order, the group took their leave.
Just as Sōkai was about to go, Ishiro said to him, "Sōkai, make a copy for your 'older sister' Izumi, too. Tell her she is also a member of this village."
"This was a last-minute notice, so I didn't call her. Next time, I hope you can bring her to the discussion."
"Yes, Ishiro-sensei!" Sōkai had just been agonizing over whether to ask Ishiro if he could bring Izumi into this. Now, he didn't need to.
Sōkai happily left the Tsuchikage's tower to find Izumi Uchiha.
...
Konoha Village. While Ishiro was digesting the "gifts" from Danzō, Shikaku Nara once again convened a meeting of the clan heads.
Shikaku informed them, "In the last few days, Danzō has suddenly mobilized a large amount of the village's liquid funds. The sum is enormous. As of now, the destination of these funds is unknown."
As Konoha's "brain," the Nara clan had a large number of loyalists and former subordinates in every department.
Although Danzō had replaced all the department heads after taking power, Shikaku Nara was still able to get the intel he wanted by compiling information from multiple channels.
That was why, after Danzō moved the large sum of money, Shikaku had quickly sensed a problem.
But no matter which department he investigated, he couldn't find the destination of this huge payment.
Shikaku said, "Has anyone else noticed anything unusual? For example, recently, my clan's medicinal herb sales are much higher than usual."
Chōza Akimichi added, "I've noticed something similar. When my family was purchasing herbs for our restaurants, many types were sold out."
"Also, the number of wild animals in the Forest of Death has dropped significantly, to the point where my family's yakiniku restaurants are struggling. I don't know if that's useful."
At this, Shibi Aburame spoke. "A while ago, a Root ninja left Konoha, heading north."
"I contacted my clan members at the border to track this person. In the end, this Root ninja entered the Land of Earth."
Hiashi Hyuga was in the middle of passing a message to Inoichi, as he had no way to speak to the group directly.
But the information he was about to share was just said by Shibi.
Hiashi frowned but didn't say anything, deciding to wait for the others to finish.
Tsume Inuzuka said, "Regarding the animals... I have a lead. My clan's ninken have smelled a much heavier scent of blood than usual near the Root headquarters."
"The ninken judged that the blood scent does indeed belong to wild animals."
"Besides the blood, there is also the smell of Fire Release ninjutsu, accompanied by the smell of a large amount of wood being burned."
Shibi Aburame spoke again. "I also have a strange matter. Our clan's insect-breeding grounds were secretly infiltrated. We are missing many of the insects we use to enhance the Kikaichū's basic abilities."
"The problem is, the missing insects are not the mutated ones. They are useless to our clan members."
Hearing this, Hiashi Hyuga finally spoke via Inoichi: "I discovered that the masks from the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Temple, which was moved to the Land of Fire, are missing."
After listening to all the compiled intelligence, Shikaku Nara thought for a moment, then spoke. "Based on what everyone has said, I have a theory."
"All these anomalies have one thing in common: something belonging to the village is missing. Including that massive, untraceable sum of money."
"If none of our clans know where these things went, there is only one possibility. Danzō is using them for something we don't know about."
"Shibi, you are missing many insects. And as far as I know, the Tsuchikage has a disciple... a child from the Kamizuru clan."
Hearing this, a cold light flashed in Shibi Aburame's eyes.
The Kamizuru clan and the Aburame clan's abilities were in direct competition.
So, although the Aburame had defeated the Kamizuru in the past, they still had to be on constant guard against a Kamizuru resurgence.
And now, a member of the Kamizuru clan had become the disciple of the famed teacher, Ishiro.
Shibi Aburame's brow tightened. He didn't know what to do. When that Kamizuru brat grew up, the Aburame clan would have to face that challenge once again.
And with Ishiro's guidance, the Kamizuru's rise was now inevitable.
Shikaku Nara continued his analysis. "Using this intel as a starting point, I suspect Danzō is conducting some kind of secret trade with the Tsuchikage."
"The Uzumaki masks, the Aburame insects, and that sum of money are all likely Danzō's trading capital."
"There may be other things we don't know about, but let's set that aside."
"In addition, the shortage of medicinal herbs, the decrease in animals in the Forest of Death, and the smell of blood at Root headquarters... this all points to Danzō conducting some kind of experiment."
"My guess is... the item, or items, that Danzō traded for from the Tsuchikage are related to this experiment."
At this, Inoichi Yamanaka said, "The First Hokage's cell transplantation experiments?"
He didn't need to say it; everyone was already thinking the same thing. He was just the fastest to transmit the message.
Shikaku confirmed Inoichi's guess. "The First Hokage's cells have a powerful, all-consuming nature. Experimenting with them requires a large number of living subjects. Cultivating the cells also requires a large amount of medicinal herbs."
"This basically explains why the animals are disappearing, why Root smells of blood, and why herb sales have increased."
"When the First's cells go out of control, the host body turns into a tree, which must be burned. This also fits why Root smells of burning wood."
After a pause, Shikaku said, "In summary, we can basically draw one conclusion."
"Danzō gathered a large amount of funds and items that Iwagakure would want, and conducted a trade."
"Then, he used the items he received to conduct experiments with the First Hokage's cells."
"He is trying to transplant the First Hokage's cells!"
Everyone frowned. Hadn't Danzō already transplanted them?
Because Danzō had publicly demonstrated his ability to use Wood Release, the clan heads had all assumed he had already undergone a procedure related to the First's cells.
They just didn't know how far he had taken it.
Shikaku calmly explained, "Do you remember when Danzō first showed his Wood Release? It was right around the time Iwagakure developed their severed-limb transplantation surgery."
"Afterward, it was proven that Iwa used the body of that White Zetsu clone for their transplants."
"Therefore, I theorize that the current Danzō has not successfully transplanted the First Hokage's cells. He has only transplanted the body of a White Zetsu clone."
"Only now is he attempting the true transplantation of the First Hokage's cells!"
A thought struck everyone. Shinku Yūhi quickly said, "Shikaku, are you saying this is an opportunity?"
Hearing Shinku's words, everyone held their breath, waiting for Shikaku's analysis.
Shikaku nodded. "There are two options for overthrowing Danzō. One is open confrontation. The risk is too great."
"Danzō holds the moral high ground as Hokage. Even if we had definitive proof of his treason, it would be useless."
"No one will stand with us if we publicly accuse a sitting Kage of treason."
"Furthermore, Danzō's Tongue-Cursing Seal controls a large number of our clan members. If he decides on mutually assured destruction, our losses will be catastrophic."
"Therefore, we can only choose a coup. And the moment Danzō transplants the First Hokage's cells is our best opportunity."
Shibi Aburame asked what everyone was thinking: "Do you have a plan of action?"
Shikaku said, "There are two lines of thought. One: the moment Danzō is transplanting the cells—he will definitely be doing it in the Root headquarters—we launch a full-scale assault."
"Regardless of whether Danzō's surgery is a success or a failure, he will be at his most vulnerable during the procedure."
"The second method is to send someone to participate in Danzō's experiment, and... sabotage it."
"Let Danzō die from the backlash of the First Hokage's cells, unable to control them."
Hearing Shikaku's specific ideas, the group's initial excitement turned into apprehension.
At this, Shinku Yūhi asked again, "Shikaku, can we accurately predict when Danzō will perform the transplant?"
Shikaku replied, "That timing is up to Danzō. We can't interfere, but we can predict."
"For example, Danzō will pre-schedule important government affairs that only the Hokage can handle."
"For example, he will recall a large number of Root personnel for security."
"In addition, we can monitor the medicinal herbs and the animal test subjects."
"As the experiment nears, Danzō will definitely hoard herbs, just in case."
"And as the experiment nears, it means he no longer needs to use animals for live-subject testing. The number of animals in the Forest of Death can also be a reference."
"Finally, Danzō has a habit of letting his guard down in front of Root members. He isn't good at controlling his expressions. This is also an opening."
Listening to Shikaku's step-by-step analysis, the group's anxious hearts finally settled somewhat.
At this time, Hiashi Hyuga, via Inoichi, asked his own question: "And the cleanup... afterward?"
Shikaku said, "Once Danzō is dead, the Tongue-Cursing Seal on the Root members will be meaningless. Kakashi will be the Seventh Hokage."
"Although Kakashi has his own ideas, for the greater good of the village, he will definitely agree."
"His previous estrangement from Lord Third and the others was rooted in the Uchiha clan. Now that the Uchiha clan is gone, Kakashi is still the Fourth's disciple, the genius Copy Ninja."
"If no one has a better candidate, I will persuade Kakashi to take up the burden of the village."
(End of Chapter)
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