Konoha.
Hokage Tower.
After Danzo Shimura rushed back overnight, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately convened an emergency meeting.
Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, Sakumo Hatake, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Tsunade…
"Give your report, Advisor," Hiruzen said from the head of the round table, his expression grave.
Danzo nodded and began.
"After several dozen days of infiltration, our team gathered intelligence from multiple channels. We can now confirm that the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki of the Hidden Cloud Village, Blue B, is in an extremely unstable state, just as the Hokage predicted."
"Villagers in the Hidden Cloud Village have mentioned more than once that the Eight-Tails has gone berserk multiple times. In taverns, insiders spoke in whispers. This is already the third Jinchuriki replacement in a short period."
"Blue B is the nephew of the Third Raikage. His father and uncle were both previous Jinchuriki who died due to loss of control."
"Our agents also witnessed him unconsciously leaking tailed beast chakra within the village, causing localized panic."
Koharu asked calmly, "How do we confirm the insider's credibility? Could it have been drunken talk, or the complaints of someone dissatisfied with the Hidden Cloud Village?"
"We eliminated him and extracted the information directly from his mind," Danzo replied with a cold snort. "He was a member of the Hidden Cloud's sealing unit."
"His memories also revealed that their sealing techniques are not strong. The Jinchuriki uses a seal called the Steel Shell Seal. The Third Raikage has repeatedly expressed a desire to improve it."
"Blue B takes medication during routine seal inspections to stabilize his mental state and prevent a rampage."
The sharpness in Danzo's tone made his displeasure clear.
Infiltration and assassination were his expertise. Of course he verified his sources.
Koharu merely nodded. It was her duty.
An advisor's role was to challenge uncertainty, even if the question sounded like nitpicking.
"In summary," Danzo concluded, "the probability of successfully launching a strike against Blue B is high. Following the Hokage's instructions, we returned to the village for further briefing."
He added that last sentence deliberately, glancing at Hiruzen.
His emotions were complicated.
First, he had to admit Hiruzen's mind was sharp. From analyzing the attempted kidnapping of Kushina Uzumaki and comparing friction data between the Hidden Cloud and the Hidden Stone, he had deduced the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki's instability.
Danzo had not foreseen that.
Second, he felt Hiruzen lacked decisiveness. He could have claimed the credit directly. Instead, they had returned to report, sacrificing precious time.
The mixed thoughts showed in the faint edge of sarcasm in his voice.
Hiruzen remained calm, a faint smile hidden in his eyes.
If Danzo became obedient after a few maneuvers, that would have been more suspicious.
Years of friction would not disappear overnight.
"The intelligence aligns with our prior analysis. Danzo's confirmation is thorough," Hiruzen said evenly, offering praise before addressing the tension.
"Koharu, you mentioned that Kushina and Minato have unusual proficiency in sealing techniques?"
"Yes," Koharu replied. "Even ordinary Jonin struggle to reach their depth. It may relate to the Uzumaki family inheritance."
After reviewing their work post-mission, she had realized she could not fully decipher the techniques they were studying. She had emphasized that point when reporting to Hiruzen.
"Anbu, bring them here."
"Those are just two kids," Danzo interjected.
Hiruzen silenced him with a glance.
"Our retaliation plan against the Hidden Cloud Village must follow three principles," he said slowly.
"First, we strike back in kind and strengthen the village's unity."
"Second, maintain secrecy. Leaving evidence will place us at a disadvantage in public opinion and may trigger a chain reaction leading to war."
"Third, when circumstances allow, we must expand the results."
He folded his hands.
"Blue B is a close relative of the Third Raikage. We cannot simply assassinate him. We must retrieve the body for study."
"There will be valuable intelligence in his mind."
"If we act, we secure layered gains in a single operation. This is not a battlefield skirmish during wartime."
Danzo fell silent.
Hiruzen had not named him once, yet every sentence answered his earlier tone.
Orochimaru shook his head lightly, amused. Was Danzo truly trying to argue with Sensei? He could not possibly think he would win.
"Sensei," Orochimaru said thoughtfully, "if we are to retrieve the body, then when we release the Eight-Tails, the Jinchuriki must be in a fully controlled state."
"First, the Steel Shell Seal must be dismantled properly. A brute-force removal will trigger immediate rampage."
"Second, it would be best if the Jinchuriki is under genjutsu or poisoned. That would greatly aid concealment."
"If he is already medicated, I could assassinate and replace the prescribing physician. However, I do not currently possess a suitable compound, and I cannot guarantee the development timeline."
"What about salamander poison?" Tsunade suggested. "During the Second Great Ninja War, we collected samples while developing antidotes."
"Using that as a base, I can enhance its paralytic effect within a day."
Hiruzen nodded. "Excellent."
Orochimaru agreed. "With salamander poison modified by you, there will be no issue."
"As for genjutsu," he continued, "if the Jinchuriki is weakened to that degree, mine will be effective. Sensei, what do you think?"
"Against a tailed beast, the strongest genjutsu naturally belongs to the Uchiha," Hiruzen said. "But the Sharingan is too conspicuous."
He turned toward the Anbu. "Bring Genma Kurama."
The Kurama clan had been one of Konoha's key families in its early years.
Their Kekkei Genkai enhanced genjutsu to an extreme degree. Once, they rivaled the Uchiha in that field.
They could deprive opponents of the five senses, manipulate nerves, and legends even spoke of illusions manifesting into reality.
Genma Kurama was the current clan head.
Jiraiya raised his hand.
"Sensei, I can handle infiltration and extraction. The Toad Hiding Jutsu allows group evacuation."
"Let me go too. I want to do something for Kushina."
Hiruzen smiled. "Very well."
"Orochimaru, how are things on the pill project? I've added more to your plate. Will it be too much?" Hiruzen asked, lifting his pipe.
"The pill project only needs packaging and fine adjustments. I do not need to oversee it closely," Orochimaru replied with a faint smile. "How could I be tired when working for the village?"
"After all, not only Sensei, but the Hokage Advisor charges at the front as well."
Danzo's eyes narrowed.
The situation had changed.
He and Orochimaru were now competitors for the position of Fourth Hokage, not allies as before.
He once intended to push Orochimaru into the role and reclaim it in the next generation.
But now, he had the chance to claim it directly. Why gamble on uncertainty?
No wonder the boy was so proactive.
Developing pills, volunteering for assassination…
Compete then. Let us compete.
Danzo Shimura had labored his entire life. He would not lose to a junior.
At that moment, the Anbu escorted Genma Kurama, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki into the chamber.
"Hokage-sama!" the three greeted in unison.