Chapter 706: Sōsuke's Assassination Squad
"If that's true, then Ninshū is even more troublesome than we originally thought," Yashamaru said.
He finally seemed to understand why Iwagakure's attitude had been so strange before.
They had been perfectly willing to provide money and resources, but the moment Sunagakure mentioned committing actual manpower, Iwagakure suddenly refused to cooperate.
Looking back now, it was entirely possible that Iwagakure had already obtained this intelligence.
They wanted Ninshū eliminated, but at the same time, they feared Sōsuke's retaliation.
That would explain their previous behavior.
"Exactly."
Retsuishi nodded.
"If we intend to move against Ninshū, Sōsuke must be eliminated first. Otherwise, the consequences will be endless."
For Iwagakure, eliminating Ninshū was something that had to be done.
The stronger Sōsuke proved to be, the sooner they needed to act.
At present, Ninshū could only reach its current heights because Sōsuke stood at its center.
If they failed to seize this opportunity and allowed Ninshū to continue developing, it might eventually become another Konoha.
Worse, it could become a Konoha with its own Hashirama Senju.
That was something Iwagakure absolutely could not tolerate.
The Land of Rain directly bordered the Land of Earth.
"The real question is how we're supposed to kill Sōsuke," Dodai said thoughtfully. "How much intelligence does Iwagakure actually have on him?"
A ninja battle began long before the two sides exchanged their first attack.
The difference between possessing detailed intelligence and knowing nothing at all could completely change the difficulty of a battle.
If they had no reliable intelligence on Sōsuke, Dodai believed attacking him would be little different from committing suicide.
But if they possessed enough information, gathered the strongest ninja from several Great Ninja Villages, and prepared specifically to counter his abilities, then Dodai believed they might have a good chance of success.
The exact probability depended entirely on how complete the intelligence was and what abilities Sōsuke actually possessed.
"This contains all the intelligence Iwagakure currently has on Sōsuke."
Retsuishi took out two identical scrolls and handed one to Dodai and the other to Yashamaru.
"As far as the five basic chakra natures are concerned, we have confirmed that Sōsuke is extremely skilled in Fire Release. His Fire Release was powerful enough to suppress Hanzō's Water Release."
"In addition to Fire Release, his Wind Release is also highly advanced. He once demonstrated an extremely powerful Wind Release Ninjutsu during one of his public lectures."
Retsuishi paused before continuing.
"Sōsuke is also suspected of possessing high proficiency in Water Release, Lightning Release, and Earth Release."
"Although he rarely uses techniques of those three natures in public, the knowledge and control he demonstrated while teaching were clearly beyond that of an ordinary ninja."
Dodai lowered his gaze to the intelligence scroll.
Retsuishi continued.
"Sōsuke also possesses an extremely unusual secret technique. We have not yet determined its underlying principle."
"Its known effect is the creation of an invisible defensive barrier surrounding his entire body."
"The defensive ability of this technique is powerful enough to completely block the Third Tsuchikage's full-power Dust Release without leaving so much as a scratch."
Dodai abruptly looked up.
"He blocked the Third Tsuchikage's Dust Release without injury?"
Retsuishi nodded solemnly.
Originally, he had not wanted to discuss Ōnoki's defeat in too much detail.
After all, repeatedly emphasizing that their own Tsuchikage had failed to harm Sōsuke was hardly flattering for Iwagakure.
However, intelligence had to be accurate.
Ōnoki's Dust Release possessed some of the greatest destructive power in the entire Ninja World.
There was no better comparison for demonstrating how absurd Sōsuke's defense truly was.
Dodai's expression became increasingly serious.
The Third Raikage's Lightning Release Chakra Mode had been famous as the strongest shield.
But if someone told Dodai that even the Third Raikage could stand still and take Ōnoki's full-power Dust Release without injury, Dodai himself would be the first to reject the claim.
If the Third Raikage's defense had truly been that overwhelming, he would have long since surpassed the other Third Kage and become unquestionably the strongest Kage of his generation.
Dust Release was a Kekkei Tōta capable of reducing matter to nothing.
Against such an attack, the normal response was to dodge.
Not block it.
Yashamaru looked equally stunned.
Everyone knew how terrifying the Third Tsuchikage's Dust Release was.
Blocking it head-on without injury simply defied common sense.
"Sōsuke is also extremely proficient in Taijutsu," Retsuishi continued. "And the Taijutsu he uses is extraordinarily powerful."
During Ōnoki's battle with Sōsuke, the only meaningful injury Ōnoki suffered had come from directly exchanging fists with him.
As Dodai read through the intelligence while listening to Retsuishi's explanation, his brows gradually tightened.
A defensive technique capable of blocking Dust Release.
Extremely powerful Ninjutsu.
Formidable Taijutsu.
How exactly were they supposed to counter someone like that?
Yashamaru likewise began imagining Sōsuke as an enemy of Sunagakure itself.
What kind of strategy would the entire village need in order to defeat him?
"Our leadership believes it is necessary to establish a joint assassination unit composed of ninja from multiple villages," Retsuishi finally said.
"This unit would exist specifically to study Sōsuke, devise methods to counter his abilities, and ultimately kill him."
In truth, Iwagakure's leadership had debated this decision for a long time before reaching a conclusion.
There had always been another faction within Iwagakure that supported a completely different strategy.
Alliance with Ninshū.
Together, Iwagakure and Ninshū could oppose Konoha.
However, Ninshū had never responded positively to those overtures.
That gradually convinced Iwagakure's leadership that Ninshū had no intention of standing beside them against Konoha.
As a result, support for an alliance slowly faded.
"This is too serious for me to decide on my own," Dodai said.
"I'll need to report everything to the Raikage and let him make the final decision."
Dodai did not immediately agree because his authority was insufficient for something of this scale.
Privately, however, he was inclined to support the proposal.
Kumogakure had previously paid relatively little attention to Ninshū for two main reasons.
First, the Land of Rain was far from the Land of Lightning.
Second, Kumogakure believed Ninshū would need a very long time before it could truly become a sixth great ninja power.
But if Sōsuke really possessed strength comparable to the God of Shinobi, then the situation changed completely.
Ninshū might not have many ninja at the moment.
However, if Sōsuke publicly revealed his true strength, used that reputation to rally supporters, and loosened the requirements for joining Ninshū, countless independent ninja and even entire ninja clans would likely flock to him.
Yashamaru gave essentially the same response.
Neither representative had the authority to commit their villages immediately.
Thus, the meeting was temporarily adjourned.
...
Land of Fire, Konoha.
When Hiruzen learned that Sunagakure and Iwagakure were holding an exchange meeting in Six Paths City, he immediately headed for the Hokage's office.
An exchange meeting between Sunagakure and Iwagakure alone was not particularly concerning.
But once Ninshū became involved, the situation had to be treated seriously.
Hiruzen knew Sōsuke's strength far too well.
Because of his anxiety, Hiruzen opened the office door without even knocking.
Upon entering, he found that Minato was already inside.
Hiruzen gave Minato a brief nod in greeting before immediately turning toward Mugetsu with a serious expression.
"Mugetsu, there's movement involving Ninshū."
"You mean the exchange meeting between Iwagakure and Sunagakure in Six Paths City?" Mugetsu asked.
Hiruzen nodded.
"Minato and I were just discussing that," Mugetsu said.
"However, I don't believe Ninshū is truly involved. They're most likely just renting out the venue."
"The reason Iwagakure and Sunagakure chose Six Paths City instead of holding the exchange in either of their own villages may be precisely because they want to mislead us and worsen relations between Konoha and Ninshū."
"But if Ninshū is willing to let Iwagakure and Sunagakure hold an exchange meeting in Six Paths City, doesn't that suggest Ninshū has its own intentions as well?" Hiruzen asked.
At that moment, Hiruzen could not help feeling that Konoha's recent exchange meeting with Kirigakure might have been a mistake.
It had unintentionally sent the wrong message to the other Great Ninja Villages.
From the outside, it might appear as though Konoha intended to fully ally with Kirigakure and cripple the remaining Great Ninja Villages.
In reality, Konoha's leadership currently had only one overwhelming priority.
Development.
Develop faster.
Develop as aggressively as possible.
"Ninshū has fundamental conflicts of interest with both Sunagakure and Iwagakure," Minato said after some thought.
"The Land of Wind and the Land of Earth both border the Land of Rain."
"Regardless of Ninshū's intentions, I doubt either Sunagakure or Iwagakure wants to see it continue becoming stronger."
Minato's thoughts were similar to Mugetsu's.
He also believed Sunagakure and Iwagakure were deliberately trying to mislead Konoha and provoke conflict between Konoha and Ninshū.
"The Land of Fire also borders the Land of Rain," Hiruzen sighed. "And Konoha is still the strongest village."
He did not believe Iwagakure and Sunagakure could maintain a long-term alliance with Ninshū.
However, given the current state of the Ninja World, Hiruzen believed it was entirely possible that Ninshū might temporarily cooperate with them to counter Konoha.
"That possibility certainly exists," Mugetsu replied.
"I'll increase our intelligence gathering and investigate further."
Mugetsu did not continue arguing.
As Ninshū's true leader, he naturally knew exactly what was happening.
But Hiruzen did not know that Mugetsu was Sōsuke.
Without revealing that secret, there was no easy way for Mugetsu to explain why he was so certain.
Once actual evidence was gathered, Hiruzen would naturally understand which interpretation was correct.
Hiruzen visibly relaxed.
A small smile appeared on his face.
This was something he appreciated about Mugetsu.
Mugetsu listened to reason.
Unlike Danzo.
...
Several days later, after Mugetsu's intelligence ninja returned with their findings, he ordered the Anbu to summon Hiruzen to the Hokage's office.
"Sandaime, this is the intelligence concerning the exchange meeting between Sunagakure and Iwagakure."
Mugetsu wasted no time.
The moment Hiruzen entered, Mugetsu handed him the report.
"The venue rental fees for the exchange meeting, the movements of Ninshū's important members during that period…"
Hiruzen carefully read through the documents.
Gradually, he realized that his earlier judgment had probably been wrong.
Iwagakure and Sunagakure had paid Ninshū an enormous amount of money simply to rent the venue.
Looking at the amount, Hiruzen could hardly blame Ninshū for accepting.
In fact, if Iwagakure and Sunagakure had approached Konoha with the same offer, even Hiruzen would have been tempted.
After all, who disliked money?
For a moment, the atmosphere in the office became slightly awkward.
Mugetsu did not allow the silence to linger.
He quickly produced another intelligence report.
"There's something else."
"Our intelligence ninja discovered something particularly valuable within Ninshū."
"I believe this may be an area where Konoha can cooperate with them."
Hiruzen accepted the second report.
"Puppet prosthetic limbs that function almost identically to natural limbs?"
Surprise appeared on his face.
Every year, even in a Great Ninja Village like Konoha, some ninja lost arms or legs during missions.
Such injuries often caused a severe decline in combat ability.
In many cases, they forced experienced ninja to retire entirely.
If Ninshū truly possessed the technology described in the report, then Konoha could potentially restore an entire group of veteran ninja with years of combat and mission experience.
"This is definitely worth pursuing," Hiruzen said.
As long as Ninshū did not demand an absurd price, Hiruzen felt that even paying somewhat above normal value would be acceptable.
If every Konoha ninja who had lost a limb could receive a functional puppet prosthetic, it would be as though the village had suddenly gained several additional years of development.
Thinking about this, Hiruzen felt a trace of guilt.
Previously, because he had wanted revenge for Danzo, he had used various methods to suppress Ninshū.
Eventually, he had even challenged Sōsuke directly.
That had nearly resulted in a disastrous mistake.
Now, because Sōsuke's strength made him especially wary of Ninshū, Hiruzen had once again made an incorrect judgment.
The second mistake had caused no actual harm, so it could still be overlooked.
But the first had genuinely damaged relations between Konoha and Ninshū.
If Ninshū chose to demand an excessive price from Konoha or simply refused cooperation because of that history, it would be completely understandable.
"Perhaps I really am getting old," Hiruzen thought bitterly.
In strength, he had already fallen behind both Sōsuke and Mugetsu.
And now, even when handling political affairs, he found himself repeatedly making incorrect judgments.
The realization filled him with a deep sense of frustration.
He was no longer the Third Hokage who could dominate the battlefield while bringing stability and prosperity to the village behind him.
"Fourth Hokage, I'll leave this matter largely in your hands," Hiruzen said.
"Even if we have to pay a somewhat higher price, that would be acceptable."
Konoha currently had numerous needs demanding resources.
The appearance of puppet prosthetic limb technology could hardly have come at a better time.
After speaking, Hiruzen turned toward the door.
The moment his back faced Mugetsu, loneliness appeared clearly on his face.
Perhaps he really should retire completely.
"Sandaime."
Mugetsu's voice stopped him.
"There's a meeting tomorrow regarding the Ninja Academy reform. We'll be discussing several important positions in the new Academy structure."
The Ninja Academy reform had already entered its final stages.
New teaching buildings and other facilities had been completed.
All necessary textbooks had been compiled.
Public information and promotion within Konoha had already been carried out.
Everything was prepared for the new system to officially begin in April.
"Mm. I'll attend."
Hiruzen turned back toward Mugetsu with a smile.
Perhaps dedicating himself to cultivating Konoha's next generation would not be such a bad way to spend the rest of his career.
...
Not long after Hiruzen left, Shisui knocked on the door and entered the Hokage's office.
"Teacher Mugetsu, these are the current opinions of the Uchiha ninja regarding the Police Force, as well as the reference list for the third group of Uchiha to be temporarily transferred out."
Shisui placed the collected documents on Mugetsu's desk.
At present, the Uchiha who had left the Police Force were officially classified as temporary transfers.
If they wanted to truly sever the connection between the Uchiha Clan and the Police Force, the word "temporary" would eventually need to disappear.
Most Uchiha would have to genuinely leave the organization.
However, the Uchiha were extremely sensitive regarding matters involving clan authority.
Moving too quickly could trigger suspicion and provoke a serious backlash.
That was why Mugetsu had instructed Shisui to regularly gather the clan's opinions and determine the correct timing.
"Currently, around thirty-five percent of the clan's ninja still believe that control over the Police Force is an indispensable source of power for the Uchiha," Shisui reported.
"Among the remaining sixty-five percent, not everyone actively supports leaving the Police Force either. A considerable number are simply indifferent."
"In other words, the timing still isn't right."
Mugetsu flipped through the documents.
"We haven't done enough yet."
The result did not particularly surprise him.
The Uchiha had controlled the Police Force for decades.
There was no realistic way to completely resolve such a deeply rooted issue in only a short period of time.
"For the third group, we'll choose these people."
Mugetsu circled several names on the list and handed it back to Shisui.
Aside from the initial transfer, Mugetsu had deliberately kept the second and third groups relatively small.
Things obtained too easily were often not valued.
"Also, the internal education reform within the clan needs to be implemented as soon as possible," Mugetsu reminded him.
"We need to make sure the next generation grows up with the right foundation."
Shisui's life mission required him to eliminate the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha and fully integrate the clan into the village.
If the Uchiha mentality itself never changed, that goal would be extremely difficult to achieve.
At present, many clan members first considered themselves Uchiha ninja.
Only afterward did they think of themselves as Konoha ninja.
To complete Shisui's life mission, it did not necessarily have to become "Konoha first, Uchiha second."
But at the very least, those two identities needed to stand on equal footing.
Even without the system mission, Mugetsu would have implemented similar reforms.
The Sharingan could easily drive members of the Uchiha toward emotional extremes.
Giving the younger generation a healthier and more positive worldview might help reduce that tendency.
[Name: Uchiha Shisui]
[Life Mission: Uchiha and Konoha]
[Main Goal: Eliminate the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha and integrate the Uchiha into Konoha.]
[Mission Progress: 68.6%]
Just as Mugetsu had expected, after he became Hokage and began directly supporting Shisui through village policy, Shisui's life mission progressed rapidly.
It had already nearly caught up with Obito's.
…..
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