Chapter 234: This is... an Extermination Plan!
Inside the Daimyō's residence in the Land of Fire.
Two old men sat facing each other, a shogi board with an endgame between them.
After a long moment of contemplation, the magnificently dressed old man picked up a piece and slowly placed it on the board.
Clack!
"...Sigh, I've already lost."
Looking at the settled board, Shimura Danzō sighed, then said with a flattering smile, "Lord Daimyō's shogi skills are becoming more and more exquisite. I imagine it would be difficult to find anyone in the entire ninja world stronger than you."
"Oh my, it's just the two of us here, Danzō. Why are you being so polite? It was just a narrow victory," Madoka Shūki said, covering the lower half of his face with a folding fan.
Although his words were full of humility, his smiling, narrowed eyes showed that he enjoyed Danzō's flattery.
"Haha, it's been a long time since I've played shogi with you, Shūki."
Danzō dropped the formalities and switched to addressing his old friend.
These two old men were none other than the Konoha Advisor, Shimura Danzō, and the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, Madoka Shūki.
"Indeed. Back when I hadn't yet taken my position, it was me, you, Hiruzen, and also Homura, Koharu, Kagami…"
A nostalgic look appeared on Shūki's aged face. "Time truly waits for no man. We've all grown old."
His age wasn't too different from that of Senju Tobirama's five students, and Sarutobi Hiruzen's ability to secure the position of Hokage back then was largely thanks to him.
However, hearing this, Danzō shook his head.
"Kagami is already gone. Homura, Koharu, and Hiruzen are indeed old."
His tone carried a hint of stubbornness as he smiled faintly, "But you and I are not old yet."
"Hiruzen wants to emulate Master Tobirama, but unfortunately, he lacks the courage. He can't control the darkness of Konoha, much less can he control my darkness."
In front of this old friend, he made no attempt at pretense.
Shūki was taken aback for a moment, then let out a laugh and replied with a hidden meaning, "A shogi game is open and transparent. Even if you sacrifice a piece, as long as you are skilled in calculation, you can still win."
"But on the battlefield, the enemy's methods are unknown. Sacrificing a piece is courting death."
"I can beat you in a game of shogi, but I would lose miserably in a war."
"Hiruzen indeed cannot control your darkness, but don't you forget, there is still Lord Hashirama's granddaughter."
He, of course, understood Danzō's meaning.
The words were an offering of allegiance, hoping for his support to become the Fifth Hokage.
However, Princess Tsunade was still around, and she was absolutely untouchable.
Since the last Great Ninja War, although the situation in various countries was stable on the surface, as the Daimyō, he knew very well that the countries were only peaceful on the surface, secretly accumulating strength.
The numerous invasion incidents in the ninja world revealed the truth of the undercurrents, tearing away the fig leaf of superficial peace.
The Land of Fire was currently surrounded by wolves, and Konoha was in a difficult situation with a gap between the old and new generations. Tsunade's combat power as one of the Sannin was indispensable in a war.
"Tsunade, heh…"
A slight flicker of emotion crossed Danzō's face, but it instantly turned into a cold sneer.
And just as he said, his ambition had not grown old.
Compared to his schemes, victory or defeat on the shogi board was just a way to pass the time.
"Let's not talk about this for now. I've brought you two gifts this time."
As he spoke, Danzō took out a scroll and opened it in front of Shūki.
"Hiss!"
Looking at the flower that emitted a strange floral fragrance, Shūki put away his folding fan and took a sharp breath.
The floral scent made one relax, and the irritability and gloom in one's heart dissipated somewhat.
"This is… an Iris Rainbow Flower? And it's the original, undiluted variety?"
Shūki leaned closer to the Iris Rainbow Flower, examining it carefully, his face showing unconcealable delight.
Among the nobility, there were the "Four Elegances": incense appreciation, tea tasting, flower arrangement, and painting appreciation. Incense appreciation was first, and the way of flowers was second.
The Iris Rainbow Flower possessed both "incense" and "flower" aspects. It imperceptibly regulated breathing, cleared the nasal passages, opened the mind, and harmonized the body and soul, capable of eliminating internal tension and irritability.
Not only was its ornamental effect top-notch, but it also had the special effect of calming the mind and spirit.
The significance of the Iris Rainbow Flower among the nobility had long surpassed its practical value and was gradually becoming a status symbol.
"This is a good thing. I couldn't buy it anywhere. Where did you get it?"
Hearing this, Danzō stroked his beard and said with unconcealed pride, "Shūki, I won't hide it from you. This was a gift from the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."
The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki?
That Uzumaki Naruto who has perfectly mastered the power of the Nine-Tails?
No wonder this guy Danzō has the confidence to seek the position of the Fifth Hokage.
Could it be because he has already gained the trust and loyalty of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki?
Shūki's heart was filled with astonishment and realization.
This was indeed beyond his expectations.
In Shūki's impression, Danzō was a madman.
Not only would he treat others as tools, but even his own clan, and even himself, could be used as tools.
It was precisely because they saw Danzō's determination and will that so many ninja were attracted by the darkness in him, choosing to join the inhumane Root organization and willingly sacrificing their lives for Danzō's ideals.
Even that "Itachi of the Clan Massacre" was the same.
This was what Shūki admired most about Danzō.
"Danzō, you are truly remarkable. It seems I have underestimated you."
Shūki half-covered his face with his fan and said with narrowed eyes, "I'm a little curious now about what your second gift is."
A moment later, the two of them arrived at a secret laboratory in the Land of Fire.
The place was filled with the mixed smell of disinfectant. Experiment personnel in white lab coats were all busy with their work.
In a nearly sealed chamber, a man in plain clothes was restrained on an operating table, his eyes full of fear and unease.
But his paralyzed body was powerless to resist. He could only mumble incomprehensible sounds.
Outside the chamber, behind a transparent glass wall, several Root ninja wearing masks stood behind Danzō and Shūki.
Danzō glanced at Shūki beside him out of the corner of his eye.
From the looks of this advanced secret laboratory, this fellow Shūki was also old in body but not in spirit, still harboring ambitions of dominating the ninja world.
Turning his head, Danzō ordered with a blank expression, "Begin."
The experiment personnel standing by the operating table nodded.
Immediately, he took out a dark red pill and stuffed it into the man's mouth.
About ten seconds later, the man's body suddenly trembled.
"Oh?"
Under Shūki's curious gaze, saliva drooled from the corner of the man's mouth. His pupils also turned crimson, and the whites of his eyes were gradually encroached upon by black.
A crimson chakra gushed out from the man's body, gradually forming a chakra cloak that covered the surface of his body.
Seeing these changes in the man's body, Shūki snapped his paper fan shut with a "pak," revealing unconcealable horror.
"This is?!"
Just then, an evil and chaotic fluctuation emanated from the man's body.
"Hiss! Roar!!"
With a mad and wanton roar, there was no longer any human rationality in his eyes, only the thick desire for slaughter like a beast.
Under the man's violent struggle, the restraining straps emitted the tearing sound of being overwhelmed.
The experiment personnel all showed expressions of fear and subconsciously wanted to flee.
Danzō said calmly, "Boar."
A Root ninja standing behind him immediately formed a hand seal, his index fingers and thumbs meeting in front of him and pointing at the man.
"Mind Body Transmission Technique!"
The man who was struggling madly instantly froze.
But that incredibly insane consciousness made "Boar" also break out in a cold sweat, doing his best to suppress the man's instincts.
"Gasp! Hah… hah…"
Not long after, the man's eyes suddenly widened. Blood sprayed from his seven orifices, and he stopped moving, losing all signs of life.
Danzō looked down at the stopwatch in his hand, a satisfied smile on his face.
"Two minutes and nine seconds. Thirteen seconds longer than my previous test in Konoha."
Shūki also recovered from his horror at this time.
Looking at the man who had died a miserable death, a trace of surprise and disgust flashed in his eyes.
He turned his head, half-covering his face, and looked at Danzō beside him. "That pill, could it be…"
"Mm, it's just as you think."
Danzō smiled and nodded. "That is a drug initially developed based on the Nine-Tails' chakra. The second phase of experiments has now begun."
The second phase required more civilians and ninja for human experiments.
But ninja test subjects were very precious research resources. Danzō couldn't find so many ninja resources during peacetime.
Therefore, he needed the support and investment of a Daimyō like Shūki.
"Two minutes and nine seconds. This is a forbidden drug that guarantees death."
Shūki understood his meaning and asked directly, "I can support your research, but can the side effects of the drug be suppressed? How long will it take to complete the second phase goal?"
In the prisons of the Land of Fire, there were as many materials as one could want.
Whether it was ordinary people or rogue ninja, they had them all.
As for how many people died, and who died, he, as the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, did not care.
The most valuable thing in this world was human life, and the most worthless thing was also human life.
With a single order, countless people could be left as corpses in the wilderness.
This was the power of being the Daimyō of one of the Five Great Nations.
He only cared about how much benefit this enhancement drug could bring him.
"It is Tailed Beast chakra, after all. For ordinary people, there will definitely be side effects, such as chakra rampage, internal organ corrosion…"
Danzō replied in a deep voice, "However, as the experiment progresses, the side effects will become smaller and smaller. With sufficient resources, the second phase will only take one year."
"How much funding do you need?"
Danzō paused slightly, then said word by word, "The initial investment is the total annual military expenditure of Konoha."
Shūki's hand holding the folding fan couldn't help but tremble.
"Hiss! So much?"
"To quickly complete the targets, the initial investment will only be more, not less. As for the later stages, that will be an astronomical figure. And money alone is not enough, more researchers are also needed."
Danzō's expression was also a little embarrassed.
The funds involved were indeed too huge.
Due to the impact of the Great Ninja War, Konoha still needed to recuperate. All investments were in training ninja strength and pensions. Where would there be any spare money to develop other industries?
Otherwise, Danzō would not have been willing to hand over this technology to the Daimyō.
Shūki supported his forehead, hesitated for a moment, and asked again, "What will happen if a ninja takes it?"
"It depends on the user's physical fitness. A jōnin can take one at a time. The enhancement effect is very good. They can be immune to some genjutsu, and the side effects are not fatal. They can be alleviated in 24 hours."
Hearing this, Shūki slowly let out a breath and looked at Danzō with a deep gaze.
"You've really given me a great gift."
"For now, we will invest a portion for use among the samurai. If there's any need for research here, you can tell me."
Danzō nodded without hesitation.
"Good! I will keep a close eye on the research and development progress."
Root was too weak, Konoha was too weak, and even the Land of Fire was too weak.
The current international situation was extremely complex. For the current Konoha, they must use all means to become stronger.
This was Danzō's purpose in developing this forbidden drug.
Just then, the laboratory door was pushed open.
Three figures shrouded in black robes, each with a different build, walked in and knelt on one knee before Shūki.
"Lord Daimyō."
Only then did Danzō see the gray-haired, brown-eyed boy behind them. He frowned and asked with confusion, "These people are…"
Shūki half-covered his face and extended his hand to explain, "Kazuma, originally one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, has now become my personal guard. Those three are Kazuma's subordinates, Fūka, Fudō, and Fuen."
"As for this child…"
After a pause, Shūki smiled with narrowed eyes. "A portion of the Nine-Tails' residual chakra has been transplanted into his body. He has become a pseudo-Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."
Meanwhile, in an underground arena in the Land of Waves.
A male and a female ninja were fighting with all their might, constantly launching attacks with various taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu.
The spectator seats were already filled with well-dressed audience members. While cheering, their faces also showed savage and cruel smiles.
And in the highest box of the arena, thick glass walls isolated the noisy clamor from outside.
On the sofa sat a tall, handsome middle-aged man wearing sunglasses.
"Lord Kurama Unkai, it's been a long time since you've been here. What good things do you want to take from me this time?"
The man's tone was a bit slick as he looked at Kurama Unkai sitting opposite him.
The director of the Robin Group, a member of the Kurama clan, and also a subordinate of that Lord.
He had heard that Kurama Unkai was now over fifty years old, and it was that Lord who had made him look so young.
"Don't say that, Oyashiro En."
Unkai took out a scroll and handed it to him, saying with a grin, "I've come this time under the orders of our Lord to give you a lucrative job."
Oyashiro En took the scroll with a bitter smile, sighing secretly in his heart.
The last time Kurama Unkai personally came to the Land of Waves to find him, he took away Fūshin, who had the Kekkei Genkai Typhoon Release, and Chino, who had the Kekkei Genkai Ketsuryūgan.
Later, he had successively poached many good prospects from his arena, including some ninja with Kekkei Genkai.
"Alright, alright, let me see what kind of lucrative job this is…"
After unrolling the scroll, Oyashiro En was a bit careless at first.
But as time went on, the further he read, the more serious his expression became.
For a moment, you could hear a pin drop in the box.
After finishing, Oyashiro En stood up abruptly.
He let out a deep breath, a helpless smile on his face.
"This is an extermination plan… If I follow the plan on this…"
It was the kind that couldn't be whitewashed. After this round, who knows how many merchants and nobles would be ruined and their families destroyed.
"The guy who came up with this method… is he a demon?"
(End of Chapter)
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