Chapter 43: Shisui Should Kneel Before Me
If the fight dragged on, Tsukasa Kaede felt his situation would become very dangerous. He began sensing the nearby Zombies, preparing to use Spatial Rift Jutsu for a long-distance transfer, and then defect.
Of course, this was the worst-case scenario; he might not have to resort to it, but if he did, he couldn't be caught unprepared.
It couldn't be helped; the Root ninja's setup was simply too complete. The few who had already engaged him were making him struggle, and another Root ninja hadn't even made a move, yet had already formed hand signs, ready to cast a jutsu at any moment.
Tsukasa Kaede recognized it as Mind Transfer Jutsu. His opponent was ready to possess his spirit at any moment, but had yet to use it.
This was already enough for Tsukasa Kaede to deduce some useful information.
"Lord Danzo, this test is truly perilous. I almost recklessly used Spatial Rift Jutsu to escape to the Hokage Tower and report this matter," Tsukasa Kaede sighed helplessly, raising a hand to recall Araki of the Sand.
"Going to the Hokage Tower would be useless. The Village is full of people willing to serve this old man. If I wanted to, you wouldn't have any chance."
Danzo wouldn't have imagined Tsukasa Kaede would harbor thoughts of defection, much less know that Tsukasa Kaede's loyalty to the Hidden Leaf Village was extremely unreliable.
"No, you've misunderstood. What I meant was, I would escape a bit further, then detonate everything here, blowing it all up completely... The art of self-detonation, though it's a momentary thing, truly possesses a unique charm when used effectively."
Tsukasa Kaede placed a hand on the ground. From the surrounding graveyard, faint, rustling sounds continuously emanated. Under the cover of night, it appeared exceptionally eerie and sinister—a development far more unnerving than the overt battle.
A slight ripple appeared in Terai's eyes. "You scoundrel, you actually managed to get so many corpses without anyone noticing...? When did this happen? Did you already anticipate tonight's events and prepare for them early?"
He didn't accuse Tsukasa Kaede of being too audacious. Although manipulating so many buried remains in one go was a blatant, blasphemous act against the Village's Will, their combined attack on Tsukasa Kaede severely violated the Will of Fire and was actually more serious in nature.
"Captain Terai, I don't possess Prophecy Jutsu. It's merely a self-preservation method born of desperation. Who would have thought you would move against me with Lord Danzo?"
Tsukasa Kaede stood up, and all the movements beneath the surrounding tombstones instantly vanished. "Speaking of which," he added, "when I just sensed that you had also arrived, I was also quite surprised."
He also indirectly admitted the fact that he possessed "Sensory Jutsu"—although what he sensed was the negligible virus content on Terai's body.
Terai turned to Danzo and said, "Lord Danzo, we can continue to act. His financial resources are insufficient to purchase enough explosive tags, nor is it likely he truly embedded all his limited explosive tags into so many corpses. Performing an operation of this magnitude couldn't possibly be done without making a disturbance."
"No need," Danzo said.
Tsukasa Kaede looked relieved. "Then it seems I've gotten my chance from you."
"Hmph, your secret technique indeed has great potential. To be able to unleash the power of this Sand Shinobi to such an extent exceeded this old man's expectations."
Danzo couldn't apprehend Tsukasa Kaede in time and no longer wanted to waste more time. Kaedence Tsukasa Kaede had displayed sufficient strength and potential, especially his ability to escape and maneuver, it was better to change apprehension into recruitment.
That's right, if he could control Tsukasa Kaede through coercive means, Danzo wouldn't consider persuasion through words.
He was recruiting tools to expand the overall strength of his own faction, not taking in disciples, so he wouldn't waste time on troublesome matters.
"Starting tomorrow, you will get the corpses you want. Whether in quantity or quality, this old man will make you satisfied. No matter who asks about tonight's events, you will say you were conducting normal ninjutsu experiments. Root will also help you cover it up. You are a war orphan; if you had no brains, you wouldn't have made it this far. You surely know what to do."
"That's certainly no problem. But, Lord Danzo, my intuition tells me that if I don't quickly do something to repay your favor, I will inevitably pay a much more painful price in the future."
"Are you teaching this old man how to do things?"
Danzo snorted coldly, then said, "When I have a use for you, this old man will order you to carry out a mission. In this Village, only under this old man's command will you truly be able to display your talents. If you were to proceed step-by-step like other ninja, you would never have the chance in your lifetime to access the remains of great ninja."
Danzo left with his people, leaving only a mess on the ground.
Tsukasa Kaede stood in place, waiting for the Village's people to arrive and investigate the situation.
"It was truly perilous. That fellow Danzo most definitely intended to control me at first, not truly 'recruitment' as he claimed. If I hadn't prepared in advance, my situation would have been very disadvantaged."
In fact, Tsukasa Kaede had indeed considered what would happen if he were captured by Danzo, had the Tongue Curse Seal implanted on his tongue, and was forced to serve Danzo.
He would gain higher clearance to access various forbidden experiments, making it easier to acquire a powerful body highly compatible with himself. As long as he could replace his current body and use a completely new one, he would naturally be able to escape the Sealing Jutsu.
But doing these things right under Danzo's nose would be very difficult. He couldn't possibly place his hopes on Orochimaru helping him; that would be too ridiculous. Orochimaru's danger level was even above Danzo's.
After much deliberation, Tsukasa Kaede still tried to preserve his freedom. While he was lucky to make Danzo back down this time using Suicide Corpse Explosion Jutsu and Spatial Rift Jutsu, he couldn't rely on this every time in the future.
"When all is said and done, I still need a greater quantity of corpses to accelerate my cultivation efficiency... This is a rather difficult period. Once it's over, the sky will truly be vast and the sea wide."
Even if Danzo wanted to do something then, who would make a move against whom would be hard to say.
"At least I won't become a second Shisui... No, rather, I will prevent Shisui from becoming a second me."
In the future, I must make Shisui properly repay his immense gratitude.
Not long after, the first to arrive were Anbu ninja, followed by members of the Uchiha Military Police Force. Then, Leaf Patrol Squad members also arrived, drawn by the commotion. They were about to cordon off the area layer by layer and simultaneously take away Tsukasa Kaede, the sole suspect.
But soon, Root ninja appeared, forcefully blocking everyone. They proclaimed it was Lord Danzo's order, stating that the Corpse Disposal Unit was subordinate to the Intelligence Interrogation Department and was currently executing a mission for Root and the Medical Department; non-directly affiliated departments were not permitted to interfere.
"Are you kidding me? There was clearly just a battle here! What kind of experiment could cause such a huge commotion? It's impossible for whatever Root says to just be taken as fact! We, the Konoha Military Police Force, refuse to accept this!"
"Then go report to Lord Danzo and see what Lord Danzo has to say."
The Root ninja said indifferently, "Captain Uchiha Yashiro, your hand is reaching too far."
(end of chapter)