In the time that followed, one of Takuno's Shadow Clones stayed in the Anbu office, receiving daily reports from the Squad Leaders.
Konoha was still very large, with a very high population, so investigations naturally took a long time.
Moreover, Danzo's status was quite high, so each case had to be checked individually to avoid omissions.
If they wronged him, he would definitely retaliate with full force.
Most of Takuno's main body stayed in the experimental base, using Shadow Clones to research the Chimera Technique and practice the Spirit Transformation Jutsu.
As for Takuno's main body, he had been continuously training his physique.
Regarding the study of the Spirit Transformation Jutsu, Takuno used the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique to create a large number of Shadow Clones, because each Shadow Clone could only practice the Spirit Transformation Jutsu once before dissipating. Therefore, to practice persistently, he could only rely on a large number of Shadow Clones.
Fortunately, since the Shadow Clones practiced the Spirit Transformation Jutsu for a very short time, the fatigue they accumulated was minimal, which did not affect Takuno's main body's normal training.
Furthermore, he also found a trick for Shadow Clones to learn the Spirit Transformation Jutsu.
That was, when Shadow Clones practiced the Spirit Transformation Jutsu, they should not practice together, but one by one.
After one Shadow Clone dissipated, the second one would continue to practice.
According to the principle of the Shadow Clone, after a Shadow Clone dissipates, only the main body accumulates experience, and then newly created Shadow Clones can benefit from this experience boost.
So, doing this seemed to have no effect?
Perhaps that would be the case for learning other Ninjutsu, but the Spirit Transformation Jutsu was a bit different.
When practicing the Spirit Transformation Jutsu, spiritual energy would transform into a spirit body, while the remaining physical energy would be unable to support the Shadow Clone's existence and would dissipate.
The spirit body could choose to return to Takuno's main body, but he found that it could also return to other Shadow Clones.
Because the spiritual energy of the Shadow Clones naturally originated from the same source as Takuno's.
Thus, the Shadow Clone gained the experience of the previous Shadow Clone, could continue to practice based on this experience, and then pass it on to the next Shadow Clone.
Only after the last one dissipated would the accumulated experience be passed on to Takuno.
This discovery also significantly improved the efficiency of training the Spirit Transformation Jutsu.
However, even so, Takuno sighed, the Spirit Transformation Jutsu truly lived up to its reputation as the highest-level S-rank forbidden Ninjutsu; its difficulty was truly outrageous.
If Katō Dan were still alive and taught him personally, it might be simpler, just like Minato taught him the Four Symbols Seal.
Relying solely on these cold records to learn it, even with Takuno discovering this trick, it would still require a vast amount of time.
Well then, he would continue to study diligently! There were still several months until the agreed time with Kazahana Dotō and the others; he believed he could learn and master it within these few months!
Inside the Konoha Anbu Deputy Commander's office.
At this moment, the Squad Leader arrived here, his forehead covered in cold sweat.
"What happened? Why the rush?" Takuno looked at him, feeling a bit curious.
Could it be that the investigation was discovered by Root? If so, there would indeed be some problems.
"Sir, we discovered another matter during our investigation." The Squad Leader was also a bit incredulous at this time—
He could hardly believe that the matter his subordinates investigated was true.
But the investigation results from all four squads were the same, leaving him no choice but to believe it.
"Speak." Takuno raised an eyebrow; information that could shock the other party so much seemed interesting.
"Yes." The Squad Leader felt relieved upon hearing Takuno's voice. Anyway, if the sky fell, Takuno would bear the brunt of it. He only needed to convey this information to him; as for whether it was true, Takuno would have to judge for himself.
"While conducting the investigation, my subordinates suddenly noticed some unusual voices within Konoha," the Squad Leader said.
"Oh? What kind of voices?" Takuno became interested.
The Squad Leader clicked his tongue and, after organizing his words, said, "They are saying that Hokage-sama is a disaster for Konoha, and that Hokage-sama should be held responsible for this Nine-Tails Attack. Furthermore, there are rumors circulating that the Nine-Tails is actually Hokage-sama's wife, and that her son is also a demon fox."
As he spoke, cold sweat once again appeared on the Squad Leader's forehead. In his heart, he cursed the people spreading such news for being incredibly audacious, daring to fabricate any kind of message.
Takuno immediately perked up and narrowed his eyes.
The matter of the Nine-Tails was top secret. The only people who knew about it were the Third Hokage, the two Advisors, Danzo, and a very small number of Anbu members.
At present, the only one with a motive to expose this information seemed to be Danzo.
But why would he expose it this way? Did he think Minato was still the Third Hokage? Would he allow him to spread such things?
Takuno was a bit puzzled, then quickly realized.
Danzo probably hadn't anticipated that the Anbu was collecting intelligence among the villagers and happened to run into Root members spreading these rumors.
Originally, such news would at least take some time to spread before reaching the Hokage's ears. By then, when he reacted, the situation would already be a foregone conclusion, and Root would have wiped away all its traces.
At that time, even if Danzo's suspicion was still very high, if there was no conclusive evidence, it seemed that nothing could be done to him.
"When did this news start spreading?" Takuno asked.
"It started spreading in a very small area from yesterday afternoon," the Squad Leader directly stated. "Because we've been collecting intelligence among the villagers these past few days, we can confirm that there was absolutely no such news spreading a few days ago."
"Less than a day?" Takuno's eyes flashed, and he said, "They will definitely continue to spread such rumors. You are to keep an eye on those people and make sure to find out who is spreading this news."
"Yes!" The Squad Leader immediately agreed.
"Also, it's best not to discuss this rumor internally, and certainly not to mention it to your family, understand?" Takuno looked at the Squad Leader, his eyes a bit terrifying.
"Yes, I will give the orders," the Squad Leader replied.
"Hmm, go do your work." Takuno nodded and let him leave. Immediately after, he leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead.
That Danzo, he really is audacious!
How dare he spread such a thing? Does he want to create another White Fang?
Unfortunately, his wishes would not be granted.
Takuno's mouth curved into a smile at this moment. Even if Minato had the best personality, after his wife and son were threatened, he would absolutely not let the other party off lightly.
Before, he had thought that even if Minato wanted to get rid of Danzo, he would ultimately be persuaded by those three old men, and perhaps Danzo would only have to give up some power.
However, now that the matter involved Kushina and little Naruto, the severity was completely different. Takuno suddenly chuckled; it seemed Danzo was truly desperate.
Minato was simply too young, so young that Danzō couldn't see any hope of him succeeding as Hokage, so he could only resort to this desperate measure.
He couldn't possibly be unaware of how dangerous this step was, but for the position of Hokage, he had no choice but to take the risk!
And for Takuno, this was definitely good news.
Although Danzo seemed to have nothing to do with him, he possessed something he wanted.
Not only was Yamato currently in Root, but Danzo definitely still had Hashirama cells!
Could he obtain these two things from this situation?
Takuno licked his lips; it seemed there wasn't entirely no chance.
However, for now, Takuno stood up; he also needed to inform Minato of the situation.
Minato was busy with his duties, his thoughts occasionally drifting to Takuno's investigation. He was very concerned about this matter.
Logically speaking, at such a turbulent time for Konoha, it wasn't very suitable to deal with such a deeply entrenched organization, as it might make Konoha's already difficult situation even worse.
He naturally understood this principle, but he still did so and had Takuno investigate.
Because he only had this one chance to deal with Danzo. To put this matter off until after Konoha's crisis was resolved?
By then, it would be too late!
As Hokage, he could certainly bring it up, but since the matter had already passed, the Third Hokage, Homura Mitokado, and Utatane Koharu, the two Advisors, would definitely speak up for Danzo.
At that time, even if there were punishments, at most they would only be some light disciplinary actions.
Therefore, he could only choose to strike while the iron was hot, before this matter had completely passed. This way, even
Even those three would not be able to overtly favor Danzo in front of all the Jonin.
Just as Minato was pondering, Takuno arrived at the Hokage Office.
"Senpai, is the investigation complete?"
"About 80% of it is done, and the current result is still that no one received help from Root during the Nine-Tails Attack," Takuno said.
"As expected." A hint of coldness also appeared in Minato's eyes. Next, after Takuno completed the investigation, he would present this result at the meeting.
"However, I didn't come here this time for that matter," Takuno said, his expression a bit solemn.
Minato also noticed the change in Takuno's expression and frowned. What else had happened?
Takuno quickly relayed the Squad Leader's words to Minato.
When Minato heard the first part of these rumors, a hint of sadness appeared on his face, because although it was a bit off, if someone really said that, he couldn't refute it.
But when he heard the latter part, which involved his wife and son, he froze.
He was now wondering, how many people knew about this matter?
It could almost be said to be a handful—
Therefore, even if it hadn't been investigated yet who exactly was spreading this news, his biggest suspect was Danzo!
At this moment, Minato's face also showed an expression of anger.
He could disregard remarks about himself, but he absolutely could not accept his wife and son being pointed at as monsters by the villagers in the future!
"Senpai!" Minato suddenly shouted.
"Here!" Takuno looked at Minato. This was the first time he had clearly seen an angry expression on his face, completely devoid of his usual warm smile. One could imagine how great the impact of this matter was on him.
"You must investigate who is spreading this message!" Minato's voice was extremely cold at this moment.
"Of course, I have already ordered all the Anbu below to investigate the source of this message, and since this message has been spreading for a very short time, they will definitely continue to come out and spread it," Takuno also said.
"Good, very good!" Minato, upon hearing this, looked at Takuno amidst his anger.
Indeed, he knew that making Takuno the Anbu Deputy Commander was the right decision; his decisive action did not disappoint him.
At this moment, Minato walked to the window, looking at the scenery below, the anger in his eyes showing no sign of dissipating.