Chapter 62: You Regret, I Am Hokage
A sudden explosion caught everyone off guard. Even though everyone present was elite, it occurred precisely the moment they relaxed after Tsukasa Kaede left, and originated from a mummified corpse that had lost all life force.
Inside this base, the commotion caused by this explosion was very noticeable.
"That Tsukasa Kaede guy actually pulled a trick right under our noses, but how did he do it? When did he stuff an explosive tag inside this corpse?"
A Root ninja was blown to death on the spot, while another, who was a meter further away, sustained only minor injuries.
Danzo's expression darkened.
He truly is a deeply vengeful fellow. He had just compared Tsukasa Kaede to Orochimaru at 17, but now, it seems Tsukasa Kaede is even more ruthless than Orochimaru.
Orochimaru would use words and actions to threaten and warn, but Tsukasa Kaede was different. He was all smiles the entire time, acting as if he was fully cooperating. The moment he left, he immediately took action.
This wasn't a warning anymore; it was outright action.
"It's probably the Summoning Jutsu. He prepared so many jutsu formulas just now, so it's possible to summon explosive tags using a corpse. According to intelligence, the jutsu he uses most frequently is actually the unassuming Summoning Jutsu, whether for summoning zombies or ninja tools," Terai analyzed.
This meant Tsukasa Kaede's mastery of the Summoning Jutsu had also reached a considerable level.
Danzo coldly looked at the Root ninja lying on the ground, covered in wounds, then commanded, "Clean this place up, and quickly. Disguise what happened here as the result of a ninjutsu experiment."
"Lord Danzo, aren't we going to apprehend Tsukasa Kaede? Openly attacking the village officials, without any discipline, and no reverence for the village whatsoever—someone like that is a dangerous individual teetering on the edge of becoming a rogue ninja. Either we control him, or we eliminate him promptly," Terai asked.
"How can we capture him? He can escape using Space-Time Ninjutsu. Across the entire Land of Fire, there's no telling how many corpses he has buried." Danzo's expression returned to normal.
"The village also has Space-Time ninja. Why not summon Minato Namikaze back? Kushina Uzumaki also possesses the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu. With the strength of these two, combined with Root's numerous secret technique ninja, dealing with Tsukasa Kaede wouldn't be difficult."
"No need. Minato Namikaze is Hiruzen's grand-disciple. If he acts, it means Hiruzen will also know." Danzo said in a cold voice. The last thing he wanted was for the Hokage Faction to get involved.
Tsukasa Kaede's jutsu was simply too valuable. The effect unleashed by combining Corpse Release with Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu made it impossible for anyone to refuse.
Not even Madara could refuse, not Black Zetsu, and certainly not Danzo.
"Looking across the entire Shinobi World, there has never been a ninja like Tsukasa Kaede. Different forbidden jutsu achieve perfect synergy in his hands, minimizing the cost of using forbidden jutsu."
Danzo also knew that Tsukasa Kaede's Corpse Release system definitely carried some risk—all jutsu have risks, it's just a matter of degree—unfortunately, his understanding of Corpse Release wasn't deep enough, so he hadn't discovered where this risk lay.
The group walked out of the laboratory. Just then, a Root ninja appeared urgently: "Lord Danzo, Lord Hokage is outside, we can't stop him."
"Root is Konoha's root, existing to supply nutrients to the great tree. Why stop the Hokage?" Danzo's expression darkened, and he spoke sternly.
In the direction of his gaze, a short figure slowly walked in.
"Danzo, I'm pleased that you think that way. I'd be even more pleased if your actions matched your words."
The Third Hokage, pipe in mouth, smiled. "There's a lot of commotion here, I was worried, so I came to check it out."
The village's highest leader barging into the second-in-command's stronghold somewhat broke political etiquette. However, since the Third Hokage did so, it indicated he believed it was worth it.
"Danzo, your bandages were taken off. What happened that required you to remove them? Even if you encountered an enemy, it shouldn't have been to this extent."
"That's not something I need to report to you. I won't do anything to harm the village."
The Third Hokage stared at Danzo, watching Danzo calmly re-wrap his bandages.
He knew his old friend and proxy too well. There was definitely something wrong with that eye. It was probably infused with some unsavory jutsu formula, to be used when necessary. "But could a youngster like Tsukasa Kaede already push Danzo to this extent? To the point of revealing a trump card even he, the Hokage, was unaware of? That young man gave you a hard time." The Third Hokage smiled.
"I wouldn't say that, but his performance certainly surprised me. Everyone overlooked his talent; even Tsunade didn't truly promote him."
"You've decided to take him as a subordinate and nurture him seriously? That's quite rare. You usually recruit talented young ninja from various ninja clans into Root."
"If it were possible, I would have him join Root, but you wouldn't allow it." Danzo's face was devoid of expression. With just one eye, he could tell what the Third Hokage was up to. "You have the Sannin, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki, and you're still not satisfied?"
"The village's younger generation is growing strong. As Hokage, I have a responsibility to pave the way for them, to help them grow even better. Isn't that one of the founding principles of the Hidden Leaf Village?"
The Third Hokage chuckled. "As Hokage, I have signed an order promoting him to Special Jonin, to lead a squad to the Front Line. Someone who has developed a completely new Secret Technique system, can skillfully use Space-Time Ninjutsu, and whom Jiraiya described as 'troublesome' in his mission reports, isn't overqualified for a Special Jonin position."
Eight months ago, Tsukasa Kaede was just promoted to Chunin. Now, he has been rapidly promoted to Special Jonin.
Even during the Shinobi World War, when ninja with unique skills emerged, this promotion speed was still astounding—Tsukasa Kaede isn't like Minato Namikaze, who comes from a good background, has a clear lineage, definite tutelage, and can even learn Space-Time Ninjutsu from the Scroll of Seals.
He was merely a war orphan. Before, becoming a Genin was the result of years of desperate struggle. By all accounts, he had no remarkable talent.
Yet, he produced the unprecedented Corpse Release Secret Technique, filling it with supporting ninjutsu at an astonishing rate, allowing the Corpse Release system to quickly become robust and complete, making him a difficult person to kill.
This was also because the Third Hokage didn't know that Tsukasa Kaede had mastered the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu and could replenish his own Life Force at any time, overcoming the shortcomings of body and Chakra; otherwise, his evaluation would have been even higher.
It would be difficult for an Elite Jonin to kill Tsukasa Kaede. Only a Kage-level expert could hope to succeed, and even then, they might not be able to prevent Tsukasa Kaede from escaping.
"With a record of two A-rank Missions, plus the various Military Merits he's accumulated, promoting him to Special Jonin is perfectly justifiable. He's one of only two people in the village who can use Space-Time Ninjutsu. No one will question him, right, Danzo?" The Third Hokage chuckled.
Danzo scoffed coldly. He scoffed at the Third Hokage's complete lack of understanding of Tsukasa Kaede's true nature.
"Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"
"Danzo, I am the Hokage."
And with that, the matter was settled.
(end of chapter)