Chapter 538: Ishiro Emerges from Seclusion
Danzō was hiding in the sea of trees and refused to come out.
Kakashi was at a loss, so he turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi to ask his opinion.
But just then, a horrifying change occurred. The Root members, one by one, suddenly dropped their weapons, clutched their heads, and let out blood-curdling screams.
Kakashi, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the other Konoha ninja who had been in a standoff with Root were shocked. They all rushed forward to check on them.
But it was no use. In a few moments, every single Root member present was killed by the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal.
Hiruzen Sarutobi laid one of them down, raised his head, and roared at the sea of trees: "Danzō, what are you doing?! These are your subordinates! They are a part of Konoha!"
Danzō's hysterical voice screamed back from the forest: "My subordinates?! They all watched as you toyed with me, and not one of them lifted a finger!"
"They are all traitors! They all deserve to die!"
He was right. The Root members could have intercepted most of the combination attacks from Kakashi's team. If they had, Danzō might have still died once or twice, but he would have had a chance to counter-attack.
But none of them moved. They were all waiting for Danzō to be executed.
As soon as Danzō died, the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal on them would naturally break, and they would be free.
Although these Root members didn't attack Danzō, their inaction, watching him be killed repeatedly, was its own form of betrayal.
Of course, it wasn't their fault. Danzō's truly loyal subordinates had already been purged in previous battles. The ones remaining were mostly children from clans hostile to Danzō, or neutral parties from civilian backgrounds.
But even the neutral-party members knew they shouldn't follow Danzō to their deaths. So, by tacit agreement, no one intervened.
They just never expected Danzō to be so decisive—or perhaps "insane" is the better word. In such a situation, he had actually chosen to kill every last one of them.
These were almost the last of his subordinates. With them dead, Root was likely reduced to just a few spies hidden in other villages.
"Hahahaha... Hahahaha! All traitors must die! I am the Hokage! I am the Sixth Hokage, the greatest Hokage! I am always right! All of you deserve to die!"
Danzō's voice grew fainter, clearly moving away.
But the other ninja present felt a chill run down their spines. Some, less brave, even subconsciously stepped closer to Kakashi, as if seeking security.
Kakashi snapped back, his voice low: "Danzō is escaping."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was ugly. He had realized it too. But the sea of trees was too vast. They had no idea which way Danzō would run.
Unable to confirm his location, they couldn't split their forces to block him. They could only watch as he left.
After a long silence, Kakashi pulled his headband back down over his left eye. "Lord Third, Shibi-san, arrange for some people to stay at the branch and clean up the battlefield. The rest of you, prepare to return with me."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. He was badly injured, but he felt no physical pain. Danzō's actions had filled him with a deep regret, an indescribable heartache. If he hadn't protected Danzō time and time again, hadn't indulged him... Danzō would never have reached this point.
Iwagakure.
After a full year, Ishiro's seclusion finally ended.
During this time, aside from two excursions during the Land of Wind and Konoha incidents, Ishiro had barely left the White Sphere Laboratory. He had been holed up in the data room every day, processing data.
In this year, Ishiro accomplished two things. First, he finally completed the fusion of his Light Release.
Previously, Ishiro, like Ōnoki, could use Kekkai Tōta. But the jutsu itself was damaging to its user. The reason was that the Kekkai Tōta had not fully fused with their bodies.
Before, Ishiro's "life level" was only that of a Kekkai Genkai user, like the Minazuki clan. Of course, he possessed three Kekkai Genkai, so his level was higher than a simple Ice Release user or even a dual-wielder like Terumī Mei. But fundamentally, there was no difference.
But from this moment on, Ishiro's very form of life had stepped into the Kekkai Tōta level.
The instant the fusion was complete, Ishiro felt an indescribable sense of euphoria. This feeling... it must be a "life-level leap."
He had felt it when he first achieved Porcelain Release, but this time was much more distinct.
Ishiro could sense that all his attributes had improved. His chakra volume, physical strength, chakra control, and bodily control had all been enhanced. Even his perception and nerve response speed, which were incredibly difficult to train, had strengthened. He even had the illusion that his intelligence had increased. He felt that if he were to study theory now, his efficiency would be much higher than before.
Ishiro sat in the data room, eyes closed, quietly experiencing the changes. If his ultimate goal had just been Light Release, now would be the time to go out and show off. But for him, this was just the end of one phase and the beginning of another.
With his current insight, and his past year of research, he knew this new state would be a great help in his future studies. So, he was both indulging in the feeling and learning from his own body.
No one was allowed to enter his data room without permission, and no one would disturb him without an order. He had only been disturbed twice in the entire year. So, no one interrupted him as he savored this change.
After a long time, Ishiro slowly came back. He opened his eyes. He looked around, and also sensed with his Mind's Eye. Somehow, the world felt different.
Ishiro stood up and slowly walked out of the data room. As he walked, he felt... unaccustomed.
His other achievement this year was a theoretical breakthrough in five-nature fusion.
The White Sphere was the template. Through a full year of research, he both understood what five-nature fusion truly was and had summarized a method to achieve it. He called it the "Refinement Method."
He had discovered that the reality of five-nature fusion was incredibly complex. Doing it all at once was almost impossible, unless you were a Sage. So, he planned to "layer" the structure of the White Sphere. Not by cutting, but by... separating the framework into a "main trunk" and "branches."
The general idea was to first maintain five main trunks. These trunks wouldn't fuse, but merely be connected so they wouldn't collapse. Then, he would extend first-level "branches" from these trunks. These branches would intertwine, deepening the connection. Because the original five trunks would become thinner, the repulsive force would lessen. Of course, the new branches would create their own repulsive forces...
Once he could maintain that, he'd extend second-level branches, a complexity infinitely greater than the first.
He'd continue this, layer by layer. He wasn't sure how many layers there would be, but he estimated that by the seventh layer, he could force the fusion.
At that point, the entire structure would be filled with repulsive force, but the force at any single point would be minuscule. The miraculous nature of chakra allowed it to adapt to such environments... He estimated that at the seventh layer, he wouldn't even need to consciously overcome the repulsion; chakra would handle it.
He didn't know if this path was viable; it was only a framework.
Most importantly, it required a massive amount of data from the White Sphere research team. The data they had now was nowhere near enough. He estimated the current data was only enough to get him to the fourth layer.
Soon, news of Ishiro's emergence from seclusion alarmed the high command. He was immediately pulled into a high-level meeting.
This meeting had full attendance: Ōnoki, Saka, Bella, Ikura, Kawakita, Megumi, and Deidara (all seven advisors). Kitsuchi, as the Tsuchikage's Assistant Team Leader. Han, Shinya Matsutani, Uchiha Sōkai, and Uchiha Izumi (all four honorary advisors).
And Ishiro himself. Thirteen people in total. Kitsuchi's other assistants did not attend, as the matters were too secret.
It was worth noting that Deidara had been formally promoted to Advisor, and Uchiha Izumi had become an Honorary Advisor, just like Sōkai.
As soon as everyone was present, Ōnoki asked, "Ishiro, did you succeed?"
As a fellow Kekkai Tōta user, Ōnoki was extremely concerned about Ishiro's fusion. He had learned Dust Release many years before Ishiro, but he still had no way to fully fuse it. Ishiro's method was a reference, but he couldn't copy it; his chakra control was far inferior. Ishiro's path was not one Ōnoki could walk.
Ishiro smiled at Ōnoki. "I did succeed. Fully fusing a Kekkai Tōta feels... comfortable. It's like my life level has leaped. All my attributes have improved, even my physical constitution, a ninja's usual weak point, is much stronger."
Everyone was envious. Bella, thinking of something, asked, "Ishiro, did your lifespan increase? Has your aging slowed?"
Ishiro nodded clearly. "Yes. I can clearly feel my body is full of vitality. It's like I've returned to my teenage years, that period of rapid growth."
Ishiro was about thirty now. While not yet at his peak as a ninja, he was long past his rapid growth period. Hearing this, Bella, Megumi, and Uchiha Izumi all shot him envious looks.
Deidara rolled his eyes, exasperated by their focus. "Lord Tsuchikage, how much stronger did you get, un?"
Ishiro smiled. "Hard to say without a reference. And it's something you only know after a fight. I'll test it in the next war. Or maybe I'll go spar with Nagato when I have time."
Deidara rolled his eyes again. A non-answer.
Just then, Megumi spoke. "Ishiro-sensei, speaking of war, let me update you on the current world situation."
"A short time ago, during Konoha's 'house cleaning,' Kiri's Terumī Mei led a team and killed the Shadow-Akatsuki member Kakuzu."
Ishiro looked stunned. "Kakuzu is dead? I was the one who set him up with Danzō. To think he died just like that. It's my fault. Sigh."
Megumi was momentarily choked by Ishiro's act. She ignored his performance and continued, "When the Seventh Hokage, Kakashi Hatake, and the others fought Danzō, Danzō apparently used the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal to kill all his own subordinates. Then he fled. We analyze that Danzō has likely gone insane."
Ishiro mused, "If he were truly insane, he'd have been found by now. Is there any intel on his whereabouts?"
Megumi shook her head. "No one, including Konoha, knows where he is."
Ishiro said, "We should also pay attention. We can't let Danzō get a chance to ambush us. Sane or not, his emotions are definitely unstable. We must be careful he doesn't bite us like a mad dog."
Saka nodded. "Indeed. Danzō has mastered Wood Release. His strength has increased greatly. If he launches an attack on one of our bases, or even a branch, we would be in a very passive position."
Ishiro thought for a moment. "Find a way to make Danzō contact us."
Megumi asked curiously, "Ishiro-sensei, are you going to kill him?"
Ishiro shook his head. "Danzō's greatest hatred is for Konoha. Keeping him alive is more beneficial than detrimental. Why would I kill him? I'm going to sponsor him. Give him a little money, tell him not to act rashly... at least, not against us."
Everyone nodded. A good plan.
After a pause, Ishiro added, "Danzō still has Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan in his right eye. Its dōjutsu is Kotoamatsukami. Everyone must be careful. Whether he contacts us or we contact him, do not make eye contact."
Everyone replied in unison, "Understood."
Ishiro paused again. "One more thing. Danzō killed many Konoha ninja. That's a major crime. Although he fled, someone must take the blame. Hiruzen Sarutobi is the most suitable. Hiruzen is the one who propped Danzō up for decades, and he's the one who let him escape Konoha last time. Start a media campaign in Konoha. The goal: force Hiruzen Sarutobi to commit suicide!"
Everyone swallowed. They nodded, all thinking the same thing: The Fox of Iwa. The village's grand strategy... it has to be you. We're all too clean for this.
Megumi continued, "Kiri, Konoha, and Kumo have formed an official alliance. Kiri, riding the prestige of Terumī Mei killing Kakuzu, has been acknowledged by Konoha and Kumo as the alliance leader. They are already cooperating in many areas. We've analyzed that they are trying to establish an economic bloc, similar to our Land of Earth trade sphere, to compete with us."
Ishiro mused, "Alright. After we contact Danzō, have him disrupt their trade. Raiding their caravans will get him funding, and it's all business belonging to the traitors who betrayed him. I'm sure he won't refuse."
Everyone: "..."
After a beat, Megumi seemed to remember something. "However, intelligence shows the three-party alliance also invited Orochimaru's 'Snake Pit Village,' but Orochimaru apparently refused them directly."
Ishiro thought, Orochimaru? As expected, after hooking up with Black Zetsu, his actions are becoming more unreadable. I wonder if he's developed anything new with Black Zetsu's help. Speaking of which, it's been a while since I went to the Demonic Statue to collect rent. I need to find time to go again. I wonder what I'll get this time? Yes, I'll go see A-Tsuchi after the meeting.
Although Ishiro was worried about Orochimaru's growing strength, Orochimaru wasn't Obito; he couldn't be so easily manipulated. So, Ishiro didn't plan to trouble Orochimaru directly. Besides, he had his own things to do.
Thinking of this, Ishiro looked at Shinya Matsutani, Sōkai, and Uchiha Izumi, who were sitting on the outer edge. "Shinya-kun, was your trip to the Land of Snow successful?"
Shinya Matsutani yawned, nodded, but was too lazy to speak. He glanced at Sōkai.
Under Ishiro's pointed stare, Sōkai said, "Ishiro-sensei, it was very successful. My dōjutsu has been restored. The nature energy there is very warm... it's as if it's naturally complementary to our Mangekyō Sharingan. Under Shinya-shishō's guidance, we absorbed the nature energy and used our Mangekyō to suppress it, eventually reaching a balance. Then, the nature energy began to slowly nourish my eyes. My dōjutsu has been recovering, and it finally finished a few days ago."
Ishiro nodded. He was about to ask Izumi how she felt, but Sōkai spoke for her.
"Izumi-san's dōjutsu is also restored. And she absorbed more nature energy than I did. Her dōjutsu seems to have... improved."
Ishiro's eyes lit up. "How so? Explain in detail."
When it came to specific principles, Sōkai's brain wasn't enough. He scratched his head awkwardly and looked at Uchiha Izumi.
Uchiha Izumi shot him a glare. "Lord Tsuchikage, I've thought about this. I suspect it's because I previously absorbed the dōjutsu of Clan Head Fugaku and his son, Itachi. It's possible the fusion of those two dōjutsu created a slight change. However, I didn't absorb much, so the improvement was minor."
Ishiro nodded slowly. "When we captured Shisui, didn't we also get Fugaku Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan? Find a way to absorb it." As he said this, his gaze turned to Sōkai.
Sōkai put on a bitter expression. "Ishiro-sensei, why do you always think of me for this kind of thing? In the Land of Snow, Izumi-san already absorbed my dōjutsu."
Ishiro's brow shot up. "Oh? And this?"
Sōkai said, "The nature energy there can restore dōjutsu, right? So we thought, if Izumi-san absorbs my dōjutsu to strengthen herself, I can just use the nature energy to recover. That way, her dōjutsu can become stronger and stronger."
Ishiro's eyes brightened. "Is it feasible?"
Sōkai said with a pained look, "It's feasible... but the nature energy restores dōjutsu too slowly. And this way, my dōjutsu will always be in a state of deficit. I won't be able to do anything but recover my dōjutsu."
Ishiro was stunned, then waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine. It's okay for you to work hard. Making your Izumi-san stronger is a good thing. Besides, aside from your Mangekyō Sharingan, you have no other noteworthy strengths."
Sōkai: "..."
"Ishiro-sensei, that's not true! My strength has been improving rapidly! My taijutsu, genjutsu, and ninjutsu have all improved. I even sparred with Shinya-shishō. I'm strong now even without my Mangekyō!"
Hearing Sōkai's anxious explanation, Ishiro suddenly recalled the battle with Konoha, when Sōkai's dōjutsu had increased upon seeing Izumi in danger. It seemed a Mangekyō user's dōjutsu increasing really was similar to a normal ninja becoming Kage-level. But... that means Itachi also got stronger.
Ishiro looked at Shinya Matsutani, who nodded, confirming Sōkai's words.
Ishiro thought, then said, "Sōkai, the village, including you, already has eleven Kage-level shinobi. We're not lacking one more. But... if we can make your Izumi-san's dōjutsu take the next step... the village might gain a new transcendent-Kage-level expert, like me. I hope you understand the difference."
"So, you'll have to suffer for a few years. Just be a good dōjutsu bank for your Izumi-san."
Before Sōkai could speak, Ishiro clapped his hands. "It's settled!"
"Oh, right. During this time, you can transplant Shisui's and Fugaku's Mangekyō Sharingan. Let Izumi absorb more different types of dōjutsu. And while you're at it, help me figure out what Fugaku's Mangekyō Sharingan actually does. Time-based dōjutsu... time-based jutsu of any kind... are rare."
As far as Ishiro knew, the only time-related power was the Dragon Vein. Fugaku's dōjutsu could be used to research time-based ninjutsu, filling that gap.
Sōkai wanted to protest, but it was useless. It was an order from his unreasonable teacher, and it was for his beloved Izumi-san. In the end, Sōkai yielded.
(End of Chapter)
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