"Deep Throat?"
What kind of ridiculous name was that? It sounded suspicious no matter how you heard it…
Yuu silently complained to himself, then shifted his gaze toward Otsu.
"Then I'll have to trouble Ken'ichi to examine our Root colleague's recent movements. If my guess is correct, he may be this 'Deep Throat.'"
"Understood."
Yamanaka Ken'ichi walked over and crouched beside Otsu. He took a deep breath, then pressed the index and middle fingers of one hand against his own temple while placing his other hand on Otsu's forehead.
Closing his eyes and concentrating, he began searching through the man's memories.
The command post fell silent.
Everyone's gaze focused on Yamanaka Ken'ichi as they waited for the answer to be revealed.
A short while later,
Yamanaka Ken'ichi removed his hand from Otsu's forehead. His face looked somewhat pale as he glanced at Yuu and the others, hesitating to speak.
For an insignificant member of the Yamanaka clan like him, being dragged into a conflict among such major figures was truly asking too much.
The Yamanaka clan also had certain delicate connections with Root. If possible, he wanted nothing more than to turn around and leave before causing himself any more trouble.
Unfortunately, he could not leave.
"How did it go?"
Yuu asked.
"…"
After a brief hesitation, Yamanaka Ken'ichi gritted his teeth and said,
"It's confirmed… It was him.
"Two days ago, he visited an underground bounty exchange located near the border between the Lands of Fire and Waves. He handed a scroll to a contact there. The scroll contained the troop deployments of the various strongholds along the southeastern defensive line.
"The information concerning Shakuka Town was especially detailed…"
"!!"
Alright.
Although Yuu had already told them some of his suspicions and they had mentally prepared themselves, Uchiha Fugaku and the others still widened their eyes in shock when the truth was genuinely confirmed.
"Shimura Danzō… How dare he?!"
"For his own selfish interests, he placed so many ninja in danger! Such an act is utterly unforgivable!"
Uchiha Fugaku slammed his fist onto the table, causing the books lying on its surface to jump.
Because his emotions were too intense, a flash of red involuntarily appeared in his eyes.
His Sharingan had activated.
Moreover, the pattern within his pupils was not the ordinary three tomoe, but a complex design resembling a black windmill.
Although Uchiha Fugaku quickly realized something was wrong and lowered his head, Yuu had already caught a glimpse.
"Tsk…"
So he really had awakened the Mangekyō.
Yuu simply did not know what Fugaku's Mangekyō abilities were.
Judging from Itachi and Sasuke's abilities in the original story, if Fugaku possessed the Mangekyō, then one of his eyes would most likely have an ability similar to Amaterasu…
Nearby,
Kakashi and Asuma did not notice Fugaku's eyes.
They were also furious at the moment, deeply dissatisfied with what Danzō and Root had done. The two merely refrained from displaying their emotions so openly because of their respective personalities and identities.
After a short silence, Kakashi took a deep breath and calmed himself before raising his head.
"Yuu, what do we do now?"
"Since the evidence is conclusive, there's nothing more to discuss."
Yuu quietly observed the expressions of the four people before him, then spoke coldly.
"Shimura Danzō ordered his subordinates to sell the village's core military intelligence, colluded with an enemy nation, and plotted against ninja from his own village…
"Such actions are outrageously bold and utterly reprehensible!
"This is no longer ordinary misconduct. It is blatant treason against the village! We must respond with overwhelming force!"
"I intend to dispatch a squad back to Konoha immediately and deliver this crucial intelligence directly to Lord Hokage.
"Before Danzō realizes what has happened and carries out further actions harmful to the village, he and Root must be placed completely under control."
Yuu actually wanted to kill Danzō directly.
But doing so would be somewhat troublesome.
After all, Danzō was still a Kage-level fighter and the leader of Root. Killing him inside Konoha would not be easy.
Even if Yuu succeeded, he would inevitably face questioning from Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others afterward.
Just thinking about it promised a mountain of trouble.
Therefore, Yuu planned to wait for an opportunity.
For example, Danzō might leave Konoha for some purpose, or Yuu might unlock the Flying Thunder God skin. Then he could kill the man without anyone noticing.
The timing of the former was uncertain, but the latter…
a few months should probably be enough.
When that time came, Danzō would die.
For now, since Yuu was not fully confident that he could kill Danzō outright, he could only formulate his response under the assumption that Danzō would remain alive.
That included drawing Asuma, Uchiha Fugaku, and the others into a united front against him.
Yuu also intended to pull in a certain gambling addict.
She had nothing important to do in the village lately anyway. Since she was idle, she might as well fight Danzō first and collect some interest…
At once,
Yuu turned his gaze toward Asuma.
Before he could speak,
Asuma understood immediately and voluntarily stepped forward.
"Yuu, leave this mission to me.
"I swear upon the honor of the Sarutobi clan that I will bring Danzō and Root's conspiracy, together with these witnesses and pieces of evidence, before Lord Third exactly as they are!
"I will ask Father… no, Lord Hokage, to give an explanation to everyone who has fought and bled for the village!"
Uchiha Fugaku and Kakashi remained silent.
One of them had an awkward identity, while the other lacked influence. Compared with Asuma, neither was particularly suitable for handling this matter.
Yuu pondered briefly, then nodded.
"Alright."
"There's no time to waste. Asuma, go prepare immediately. Later, I'll have Black Wing—my newly contracted summoned beast—carry you back to Konoha.
"Ken'ichi, please organize a detailed report of the memories you just examined. It will serve as important physical evidence for Asuma."
"…Understood."
Yamanaka Ken'ichi scratched his head and reluctantly agreed.
Afterward,
everyone began carrying out their respective tasks.
Asuma and Yamanaka Ken'ichi made their preparations, while Uchiha Fugaku and Kakashi returned to their respective areas to continue maintaining the stronghold's operations.
By the time lunch had passed,
the preparations were nearly complete.
At this moment, Yuu called over the giant eagle, which Kurenai had just fed a large portion of meat, and patted its thick neck.
"Black Wing, sorry to trouble you. You'll need to make another trip to Konoha.
"Once this journey is over, you can return home and rest. I'll prepare some delicious food for you to take back."
"Screech~"
The giant eagle released a low cry and gently touched Yuu's arm with its beak, indicating its agreement.
Next, Asuma climbed onto its back while carrying Otsu, whose entire body was wrapped in sealing bandages that concealed his appearance.
Otsu had been the key person responsible for carrying out the "Deep Throat" mission. Bringing him back was enough.
As for Shin, he had accompanied Yuu to Eagle Peak and had seen the giant eagle's nest.
Yuu did not feel comfortable sending him back. He intended to find a way to dispose of him instead.
In addition,
Yuu created a shadow clone and had it sit on the eagle's back alongside Asuma.
After all, there were some things Asuma could not handle on his behalf.
To ensure the safety of Mikami Tajima and his wife during the coming disturbance, Yuu decided to return "personally."
The southeastern front was unlikely to see another major battle for the moment, so leaving himself with fifty percent of his chakra would be enough.
Once everything was ready, the giant eagle suddenly beat its wings and rose into the sky on a powerful current of air.
Carrying Asuma and "Yuu," it transformed into an arrow released from a bowstring and shot northwest toward Konoha, soon disappearing among the clouds.
After watching the giant eagle leave,
Uchiha Fugaku and Kakashi remained silent for a long time.
Yuu smiled and spoke softly.
"Alright. The intelligence has already been sent.
"For now, set aside your anger and stabilize the southeastern defensive line. Repair the stronghold, strengthen the patrols, treat the wounded…
"Everything will continue as usual. Don't give Kirigakure any opening to exploit."
"…Understood."
Uchiha Fugaku took a deep breath and nodded.
"I understand. I'll lead Yashiro and the others in completing the repairs as quickly as possible."
"I'll find Obito and the others and establish warning barriers around the perimeter."
Kakashi said.
The two turned and left one after another, leaving Yuu alone inside the command post.
Only then did Yuu turn around and stretch at length, listening to the light crackling of his joints.
His gaze suddenly became deep and cold.
"Shimura Danzō…"
It seemed his development of the galgame system was still insufficient.
He did not even possess enough confidence to instantly kill Danzō without exposing his identity.
He needed to plan carefully during the coming period.
"Mm… I'll raise the affection of Hatake Swordsmanship and Transparent Escape first.
"If Transparent Escape can achieve true invisibility, then combining it with swordsmanship might make it possible to kill Danzō directly inside Konoha."
As for the Flying Thunder God…
the requirement of ninety affection was still rather high.
Although the trip to Eagle Peak and contracting the giant eagle had increased the Summoning Technique's affection by several points, it was still some distance from being able to receive a legendary limited skin.
He would need to acquire several more summoned beasts.
"Right, I should also study Samehada, which I just obtained…"
Samehada's ability to absorb other people's chakra held considerable research value.
If properly developed, it could function as a lower-grade version of the Preta Path.
For the current Yuu, it would still be extremely useful. Most Kage-level fighters probably lacked any effective means of dealing with it.
As for those above Kage level…
the only person in the current ninja world who should qualify was Uchiha Madara.
According to the original story, that old man normally would not act personally without good reason.
However, because of Yuu's existence, the course of the ninja world had already deviated in many ways, so it was difficult to say.
If he truly had to face Uchiha Madara…
then his only choices would be fighting with his life on the line or running away.
"Haa…"
Yuu exhaled and walked toward his resting tent, preparing to begin working.
…
At this moment,
inside a dark forest dozens of kilometers from the Shakuka Town stronghold,
several groups of Kirigakure ninja in torn clothing were either sitting or leaning against nearby tree trunks while resting.
The atmosphere around them was oppressive.
Rustle…
The bushes moved.
Hearing the sound, the eyebrowless Momochi Zabuza raised his head and coldly looked toward the source.
Another scattered group of Kiri ninja emerged from the forest.
The two people leading them were Ao, who possessed one Byakugan and now had several bandages wrapped around his body, his face looking somewhat gray and exhausted;
and a beautiful brown-haired girl around thirteen or fourteen years old, with a pair of emerald-green eyes.
She was the future Fifth Mizukage, Terumī Mei, still in her youth.
"…You only managed to gather this many people?"
Zabuza asked coldly, undisguised mockery in his voice.
"…If you think you can do better, then go."
Mei replied irritably.
Ao sighed beside her.
"Even Lord Fuguki and Lord Raiga were defeated. Anyone who escaped without being killed by Konoha should already consider themselves fortunate…
"Sigh. Konoha's White Reaper truly is terrifying. He practically defeated our entire offensive by himself. It's simply…"
Ao ran out of words and could not think of anything suitable to describe Yuu.
Zabuza seemed somewhat unconvinced.
Another Kiri ninja nearby spoke.
"It wasn't only the White Reaper. Those Uchiha were also extremely powerful.
"One of them was even younger than the White Reaper and specialized in a very strange Body Flicker Technique. He killed several people from my squad."
"Oh? There's someone like that too?"
"…In any case, our losses this time have far exceeded expectations.
"With the manpower we have left, forget launching another offensive—we may not even be able to defend our current strongholds.
"I suggest that we immediately find a new concealed location to recover and wait for the village's latest orders before making any further decisions."
Mei said.
The Kiri ninja exchanged glances and remained silent, tacitly accepting her suggestion.
Even the proud Zabuza understood his own limits.
No matter how strong he was, he knew he could not possibly surpass Fuguki Suikazan and Raiga Kurosuki yet.
Their only option now was a strategic retreat to preserve their remaining forces.
"We'll have to trouble you, Ao."
"Mm."
Responding to Mei's gaze, Ao nodded and once again gathered chakra, activating his Byakugan.
"Let's go. I'll lead the way."
No one spoke again.
The surviving Kiri ninja silently rose.
Led by promising young figures such as Mei and Zabuza, they moved like a wounded pack of wolves, dragging their heavy steps into the deep shadows of the forest.
…
That evening,
Konoha Village.
Accompanied by the powerful current produced by beating wings, the giant eagle carrying Yuu's shadow clone and Asuma slowly landed at the village gates.
The two chūnin guarding the entrance were startled.
Only after clearly seeing the arrivals did they breathe a sigh of relief.
"Huh? Young Master Asuma, Jōnin Mikami Yuu? Why have you returned?"
"Urgent military business. Let us through immediately."
Without wasting words, Yuu and Asuma paused only briefly at the gate before entering the village with Otsu.
The giant eagle remained behind, flapping its wings as it flew toward a nearby forest to rest.