Root would be superior to the Anbu?
Yōkō thought, I'd have to listen to Root?
Then what was the point of me becoming a squad leader?
Killing Shimura Sumi and Sarutobi Yutaka was clearly not enough.
I killed too few. They don't feel the pain.
Unless Root suffers heavy losses, Yōkō won't feel comfortable even while hidden within the Anbu.
Root cannot be superior to the Anbu squads, and you are even less qualified to be superior to me.
Yōkō remembered Otsu's exquisite Wind Release ninjutsu.
Might as well try my luck extracting something from Otsu. After reviving, I won't kill him; just let him return to Konoha alive.
My alternate identity, White Ghost, is skilled in Fire Release. If I had Wind Release as support, his strength would be even greater.
A dozen seconds later, Otsu stared in shock at Fox, who had charged over and died by his own kunai. He fearfully removed his mask, his face pale.
Although he wanted to suppress the Anbu, he never intended to kill Fox. Fox was Yellow Dog's number one lackey.
[Detected that the host has died. The Mochizuki's Arc system is starting...]
Yōkō returned to the previous full moon night.
He was on the mountain outside Kumoyagō Port, waiting for the Two-Tails Ryūjin's return.
[Mochizuki's Arc activated!
The host has only one resurrection opportunity per month, reviving on the previous full moon night after death.
Reward: One draw opportunity:
1- Sealing Technique: Evil Sealing Method (Beginner);
2- Wind Release: Vacuum Wave (Beginner);
3- Wind Release: Great Breakthrough (Mastery).]
The first option was a Sealing Technique.
After the annihilation of the Uzumaki clan, the little bit of sealing techniques obtained from their bodies all fell into Shimura Danzo's hands.
Making the Shimura clan now seemingly a major clan in sealing arts.
The second option was Wind Release: Vacuum Wave.
Spitting a long wind blade from the mouth, possessing extremely strong, large-area cutting capability.
This technique was similar to Yōkō's Water Release: Water Cutting Wave, but its power was inferior. The kinetic energy of the Water Cutting Wave was much greater than that of the wind blade.
The last option was another Mastery-level ninjutsu.
He chose the last reward, Mastery-level Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.
Thus, the combat power of his alternate identity White Ghost increased once again.
Otsu was already on his must-kill list. Find an opportunity to kill Otsu, this elite of the Shimura clan, and continue striking at Danzo.
If Danzo is the Darkness of the Shinobi, then Yōkō is the Darkness within that Darkness.
I'm not eloquent and don't know how to reason with people, so I have to use the only thing I'm good at—assassination—to leave others with no grounds for argument.
The few benefits within Konoha are all taken by Danzo and his ilk.
There's no such thing as a sweet date without a pit.
Those who eat too many benefits will inevitably have to vomit them out one day.
The events unfolded as they had in the previous timeline.
Hatake Sakumo's team ambushed the Two-Tails Jinchūriki Ryūjin on the sea surface.
Otsu rashly intervened, causing the ambush to end prematurely.
Yōkō stayed behind, diligently recording the Jinchūriki's subsequent behavior.
After catching up with Hatake Sakumo and the others, Yōkō and Otsu still had a dispute.
This time, however, Yōkō didn't say much, appearing completely unassertive.
No need for words. Save them for my alternate identity, White Ghost.
The group moved quickly. Occasionally, they encountered pursuing Kumo-nin. Hatake Sakumo would act as the rear guard, swiftly and decisively eliminating the pursuers before continuing the escape south.
Not delayed much by the pursuers, Hatake Sakumo's group quickly entered the Land of Hot Water.
Several battalions of Kumo-nin failed to catch up with Hatake Sakumo, stopping at the border of the Land of Hot Water.
The lead Battalion Commander, Darui, said, "Return to the village! Wait for the village to declare war! We will formally invade the Land of Hot Water!"
Several days later, Hatake Sakumo and the others returned to Konoha.
When Yōkō and Otsu were summoned by the Hokage, they saw Hatake Sakumo leaving the Hokage Building.
He entered the Hokage's office and saw Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo, and Orochimaru.
Otsu spoke first, reporting all the intelligence observed along the way.
He especially emphasized that at the critical moment of fighting the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, he charged forward despite the danger, not letting Hatake Sakumo monopolize the glory of fighting a Jinchūriki.
After listening, Danzo asked, "Fox, what did you do along the way?"
Yōkō said, "I spent most of the time recording this crucial mission alongside Otsu.
The only difference was that after Hatake Sakumo's team and Otsu left, I stayed behind and recorded how the Two-Tails Jinchūriki retracted the overflowing Tailed Beast chakra."
Danzo nodded and said, "That is also valuable intelligence."
Orochimaru asked, "Fox, can Hatake Sakumo really use his blade to slice apart Tailed Beast Balls?"
"Yes, he can," Yōkō said.
"Hatake Sakumo's White Fang blade aura can continue slicing forward in the air for about two seconds.
The Tailed Beast Ball collided with the blade aura and was split apart.
Hatake Sakumo's Body Flicker Technique is very fast. After slicing a Tailed Beast Ball at medium distance, he can quickly retreat. He possesses the strength to confront a Jinchūriki head-on.
However..."
Yōkō didn't hold back. He said, "Otsu's premature intervention clearly disrupted Hatake Sakumo's attack rhythm.
Out of a desire to protect Otsu, Hatake Sakumo was unable to force out the Two-Tails' complete form.
Ryūjin remained in humanoid form throughout, far from the complete Tailed Beast transformation mentioned in the intelligence.
Therefore, this mission was a failure.
It only allowed Hatake Sakumo to demonstrate his ability to slash Tailed Beast Balls, but failed to expose his shortcomings when facing a giant Tailed Beast.
His White Fang Short Sword's blade aura is no longer than 5 meters. He should be unskilled at dealing with large Tailed Beasts. As for the specific effectiveness, or whether Hatake Sakumo has other trump cards, it wasn't revealed."
"Oh?" Orochimaru, not caring about the higher-ups' face, said:
"So, this fool Otsu, in order to test the effectiveness of Wind Release against a Jinchūriki, prevented the Two-Tails' complete form from appearing?"
"This is slander, Fox!" Otsu hurriedly explained:
"At that time, three Kumo-nin battalions appeared at the port.
The Kumo-nin performing the escort mission, the Kumo-nin on garrison duty, were being organized by several Kumo-nin Jonin and were about to form an encirclement.
Even if I hadn't intervened, the Kumo-nin would have surrounded them. Hatake Sakumo had no chance to force out the complete Two-Tails.
Hatake Sakumo didn't use his full strength; he did it on purpose. He wasn't truly gathering intelligence on the Two-Tails Jinchūriki for the village."
Orochimaru questioned Otsu several more times about the timing of his intervention, but Otsu found excuses each time.
With Danzo backing him up, Orochimaru couldn't do anything to Otsu.
Yōkō listened from the side, offering no further opinion.
Among these three, Orochimaru still had some principles, not completely steeped in the corrupting influence.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Fox, you did well. Leave the mission scroll here and return to the Anbu for now."
"Understood, Lord Hokage."
Otsu stared at Fox's retreating back, his gaze cold.
After returning to the Anbu base, Yōkō first went to Yellow Dog's office.
"Battalion Commander, during this mission, Otsu said Root would be superior to the Anbu's four squads. Is that true?"
"Hmph," Yellow Dog said.
"Advisor Danzo has discussed with the Hokage that during missions, Root should take precedence, as Root's missions are more covert and important.
All Anbu ninja must obey Root ninja's commands at critical moments.
The Hokage did not agree, and will not agree."
Yōkō thought, Good, I still have time to make arrangements.
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(Chapter End)