# Chapter 25: The Most Powerful People
Tsukasa Kaede always appeared incredibly calm; even when he became an object of pity, his heart remained undisturbed.
"It's just that when part of my palm was severed, I lost quite a bit of blood... The wound also makes me susceptible to more pathogens, and if my luck is bad, I'll get sick again."
Tsukasa Kaede's mind was instead thinking about these things.
As for not being able to perform Hand Kaedegns... that's ridiculous; in his eyes, it wasn't even an issue.
Corpse Release, in essence, uses his Chakra as a medium to inflict the Zombie Virus on the target. Even if he couldn't perform a variety of flashy Hand Kaedegns, it wouldn't actually affect his continuous display of power.
If there's any impact to speak of, it might affect his development of other Chakra Nature Transformations and his mastery of corresponding Ninjutsu. But the question is, why would he bother to painstakingly learn Ninjutsu of different Nature Transformations?
He could simply carefully seal away Zombies with different Chakra Nature Transformations, and when needed, have specific Zombies use specific Ninjutsu.
The most important point was that Tsukasa Kaede had long prepared to replace his Native Body, and this current Earthling body's ultimate fate was to be permanently sealed away.
Losing two fingers? Losing the ability to develop more Ninjutsu? Becoming a pitiful person in others' eyes?
None of that mattered.
"Without realizing it, I was also qualified to receive concern from a Ninja of Nonō Yakushi's caliber... This is a truly remarkable step forward."
Tsukasa Kaede thought silently, then said to Nonō Yakushi, "Director, your injuries are more severe than mine; you should really take the time to rest. To obtain valuable Intel from a Great Shinobi Village like Hidden Sand Village, you must have gone through a lot. A meritorious figure like you truly deserves better treatment."
Nonō Yakushi said, "The Village also has some Human Experimentation projects. Root is one of the leading departments, I can go to Danzo..."
"Director, this isn't something I should hear, nor do you need to go this far. As an excellent Ninja, I have mentally prepared myself to face my destiny and I'm not disheartened or desperate about it. I was always just an ordinary person and didn't display any talent for many years," Tsukasa Kaede interrupted.
Nonō Yakushi fell silent for a moment, then said firmly, "You may not want it, but Root must provide it. This Mission was originally assigned by Ryoma and should have been a Root Mission, yet you were dragged into it."
*She's overflowing with compassion,* Tsukasa Kaede thought. *Who would have thought that such a person would be a top Spy... but I did indeed receive an unexpected bonus.*
During this period in Konoha, many Human Experimentation projects were just starting. After the Second Great Ninja War ended, when each Village was preparing for the Third Great Ninja War, various dangerous Experiment projects truly began in earnest.
Hidden Sand Village's Human Puppet Creation Technique, Konoha's First Hokage Cells Transplantation Experiment, and Hidden Cloud Village's Heavenly Transfer Jutsu all received unprecedented attention during the period of Peace between the Second Great Ninja War and the Third Great Ninja War, precisely to rapidly enhance the Village's Combat Power.
Tsukasa Kaede didn't expect to achieve it in one go, obtaining First Hokage Cells, but it was at least a breakthrough.
With the special talent he displayed and his dealings with Corpses, he was destined not to become a Little Sun praised and worshipped by the entire Village like Minato Namikaze. Perhaps after the Second Great Ninja War ends, his unique characteristics would make him more likely to be selected to participate in various Forbidden Experiment projects.
As long as he didn't become Consumable lying on an Experiment table.
"The most perfect body would, of course, be one cultivated from First Hokage Cells, but for me to obtain First Hokage Cells and cultivate a compatible body on my own is simply impossible. I need to plan this carefully."
Tsukasa Kaede intended to go back and rest. His favorite activity was sleeping.
"There's one more thing. This is also why I wanted to stay and speak with you alone. Chiyo's grandson, the genius young man named Sasori of the Red Sand, seems very interested in you. He didn't hesitate to sell confidential Intel about Hidden Sand Village to exchange for some ordinary Intel about you. He likely has some intentions; you should be careful."
Nonō Yakushi cautioned meticulously, before swaying her weak body and departing.
"Sasori of the Red Sand... This is only natural. He, who pursues eternal art, will get along with me. My Jutsu can help him accelerate the perfection of his Human Puppet Secret Technique."
Tsukasa Kaede nodded. He also had a matter of crucial importance that he needed to address through Sasori of the Red Sand, and currently, only Sasori of the Red Sand could help him achieve it.
...
Soon after, the various details of this Mission gradually reached the hands of the Higher-ups. After all, the results were too astonishing: Hidden Sand Village's defensive layout maps were brought back, along with a large amount of supply Intel. For Konoha, if properly utilized, this would be enough to establish an even greater strategic advantage.
Hidden Sand Village was almost completely exposed. The reason it was *almost* exposed, rather than *already* exposed, was solely due to Chiyo's unsolvable Potent Poison sustaining it.
But it wouldn't last much longer.
Hidden Leaf Village, Hokage's Office.
The two most powerful men in Hidden Leaf Village, who controlled the vast majority of the military power of the Land of Fire, a superpower, were currently in discussion.
Generally speaking, a minor figure like Tsukasa Kaede, if he hadn't achieved special Merits, even as a Chunin, wouldn't even be qualified to glance at these two from afar.
Chunin? Ha! They control tens of thousands of Ninja nationwide. There are at least eight thousand Chunin if not ten thousand. How could they possibly keep track of them all?
Only those with impeccable backgrounds or exceptional talent would be qualified to have their names seen by them.
This was just having their names seen. For these two to remember their names was another unattainable threshold. As for being personally named by these two, or even transferred to new positions and nurtured, that would absolutely be like their ancestral graves smoking green, enough to shake their entire clan and be celebrated by countless friends and family.
To receive an audience with these two? Needless to say, their ancestral graves were probably on fire.
The Third Hokage did not go to the Front Line, but was instead sitting in his office, puffing on his pipe and seriously examining the documents in his hand.
"Is that so? What an excellent Ninja. Nonō Yakushi never disappoints. However, Danzo, your methods of driving her are too crude. You always prefer to use threats."
The Third Hokage was very satisfied, and actually didn't truly feel dissatisfied with Danzo's actions.
This was the way he and Danzo governed Konoha. All things noble and righteous were shouldered solely by the sacred and inviolable Lord Third Hokage, while all things dark and ugly were borne by the even uglier Shimura Danzō.
Everyone would praise the Third Hokage as wise and brilliant, with no political blemishes. As for Danzo, there would be only wariness and curses.
The Third Hokage greatly enjoyed this mode of governance. Although sometimes he would get a headache due to some of Danzo's petty actions, it didn't matter. It wouldn't affect the overall situation.
Danzo opened his eyes and said coldly, "Ninja should simply perform their Missions. The Village didn't withhold her pay. Working for money, that is a Ninja's duty. The Priestess left Root and wouldn't perform my Missions unless threatened. That's the real problem. People like her should be treated with the most brutal methods. She is an unqualified Ninja."
"Being able to complete the Mission is already enough to be qualified. However, I won't argue with you about this. Regarding the War Orphans, you are not to interfere. Nonō Yakushi will be in charge, and ensure that the corresponding financial aid arrives on time." The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe.
Danzo let out a cold snort and cursed inwardly.
"However, a talented individual has emerged among the War Orphans. This is something I hadn't expected at all." The Third Hokage pulled out an Info Card from the documents.
(end of chapter)