The book's power level hierarchy for the Ninja World: Genin, Chunin, Special Jonin, Jonin, Elite Jonin, Kage, Strong Kage, Super Kage, Six Paths, Immeasurable.
(For reference only)
...If Uchiha Feiyun knew what those four old geezers were thinking, he'd probably be torn between laughter and tears. 'You think too highly of me, kid!'
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up directly, his eyes serious as he spoke, "Danzo, gather your Root Ninja and follow us to inspect the bodies of the Uchiha Clan!"
"Now?"
"Now!"
"Alright!"
Danzo turned and left. At this point, he didn't mind the trouble; at worst, he'd just use his methods to erase the memories of the participants again... In the back mountains of Konoha, far from the Village.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others led a group of Root Ninja to gather before several 'hills.' This place was extremely desolate; normally, no one would ever come here.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi still arranged for ANBU Ninja to set up a perimeter at a distance, prohibiting outsiders from entering the area.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, pipe in mouth, began forming hand signs.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Divide!"
"Rumble!"
Several massive 'hills' rose from the middle, then split apart, exposing a large number of already putrid and rotting corpses.
Seeing this, Danzo Shimura waved his hand and loudly ordered, "Inspect all bodies and identification tags! Get a count!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Root Ninja all moved to begin counting, and the scene became a hive of activity.
The pungent odor did not affect their work efficiency. As Root Ninja, cultivated like fighting insects from a young age, their hearts held only missions and orders.
The Root Ninja were highly efficient. With various Ninjutsu for excavation and the cooperation of clones, it wasn't long before all the bodies were neatly counted.
After completing the statistics and summarizing the situation, a Root captain handed the compiled report to Danzo.
Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed it sequentially, then passed it to Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado for their inspection.
The four carefully compared and verified, removing the bodies that had been taken for money or experiments.
"After careful investigation, only this one tag has no corresponding body!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others stared grimly at the tag in Danzo Shimura's hand, which was inscribed with "Uchiha Feiyun."
Their worst fear had come true!
Someone truly had escaped!
Utatane Koharu looked worried and spoke nervously, "What should we do?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, truly worthy of being called the "Strongest Hokage in History," quickly calmed down and instructed, "Let's burn all the remaining bodies first, to avoid any further incidents!"
Although this seemed like a rather absurd concern, the four took it very seriously and strongly agreed with the decision.
At this moment, in their eyes, anything impossible, when it came to the Uchiha Clan, seemed very possible!
Almost demonic!
Almost demonic!
Immediately, the Root Ninja quickly piled all the bodies together, forming a mountain of corpses.
Then, many Ninja began to alternately use Fire Release to burn the corpse mountain.
Under the powerful Fire Release, Danzo and the others also used Wind Release, making the fire even more terrifying.
They burned for over an hour, until not a speck of ash remained of the bodies, before the four finally felt a little relieved.
Surely they couldn't revive now?!
Danzo Shimura looked at the Uchiha Clan, now reduced to ash, a satisfied smirk on his lips: "Next... it's time to deal with that escaped Uchiha Feiyun!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly: "Release the news that there's another culprit in the Uchiha Clan massacre... Uchiha Feiyun! Issue a Ninja World wanted poster for him, dead or alive!"
Danzo Shimura looked at the information and photo of Uchiha Feiyun that his subordinate had just delivered, and said with a murderous expression, "At the same time, put a bounty on him. Let him taste what it's like to be hunted!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi relit his pipe: "Alright, you handle this matter."
Danzo Shimura was slightly taken aback, then urgently said, "The bounty amount can't be too low; you guys have to pay for this, right? It's not just my problem."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his Hokage robe and chuckled, "The Ninja World wanted poster also has a considerable reward. The Village will cover that part of the money. I'll leave the bounty to you."
After speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and left.
"Hiruzen! The Ninja World wanted poster's reward is only claimed after completion, but the bounty money needs to be paid now!"
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed not to hear Danzo's shouts and quickly used a speed technique to leave the area.
Danzo Shimura gritted his teeth and had no choice but to turn his gaze to the two Hokage Advisors who were trying to slip away: "Koharu, Homura! Are you not going to care about the lives of your own family members anymore?"
Unable to leave, the two could only force smiles and say they would help think of a solution.
In truth, the three of them weren't unwilling to help pay; rather, they knew Danzo Shimura was surely up to no good. They had encountered such situations many times before.
He'd say they'd all contribute to the bounty, but Danzo would absolutely secretly act on his own, ultimately eliminating the enemy and raking in a huge sum of money!
He was incredibly cunning; after decades as old partners, who didn't know Danzo's little schemes?
Homura Mitokado said with his hands behind his back, "According to the Village's past Ninja information records, this Uchiha Feiyun's strength is only Chunin level. It shouldn't require much of a bounty, right?"
Danzo leaned on his cane and shook his head: "Do you think someone who could kill so many of our elites would be a Chunin?"
"Although I don't know what happened to him, this person is definitely not simple. Perhaps he was always pretending, making others think he was weak!"
The few discussed for a moment and made a judgment: "Uchiha Feiyun probably has the strength of an Elite Jonin!"
"Then let's offer a 30 million Ryo bounty for now. This price is enough to tempt many top assassins!"
Danzo continued, "The three of us, one million Ryo each. No one tries to cut corners!"
"Uh... fine."
Homura Mitokado and the other readily agreed. After all, it was just a mere ten million Ryo, which was pocket change to them.
If it could truly solve this problem, they would naturally be more than willing.
Danzo Shimura turned and walked towards Konoha, quietly saying, "You two go get the money and give it to me. I'm heading back first; I still need to question Uchiha Feiyun's former teammates for detailed information..."
Everyone left the area one after another, leaving only dust swirling in the wind, desolate yet beautiful.
Extra Chapter Visit My Patreon
patreon.com/Feastables
patreon.com/Feastables