Chapter 49 – The Third Hokage's Shock
Ding! Congratulations, Host, for activating the God-Level Selection: The Temptation/Trap of the Cursed Seal?
Option 1: Submit to Orochimaru and become a domineering rogue ninja. Reward: The effects of the Heaven Cursed Seal are doubled. (Risk: May be controlled by Orochimaru.)
*Option 2: Discard the Heaven Cursed Seal. Reward: Fire Release Ninjutsu Mastery - Evolution Edition (Any Fire Release Ninjutsu used will gain an explosive effect.)*
"This system has only been stable for a few days and now it's trying to pull something?!" Looking at the two options presented by the system, a trace of helplessness crossed Izaya's face.
However… this didn't mean he disliked the rewards. To be honest, he felt a thrill of excitement for both.
If the first option didn't require him to join Orochimaru, he might have seriously considered it. The Heaven Cursed Seal was undoubtedly a powerful asset. In essence, it was a forbidden technique developed by Orochimaru, based on his research on the First Hokage's cells and the concept of jinchūriki. A user of the Cursed Seal could gain immense power, with a first state that covered the body in black markings and a second state that caused a drastic physical transformation, granting nearly limitless chakra. It was, in a way, an imperfect version of Sage Mode.
And the system was offering to double its effects? If not for the warning about being controlled, Izaya would have been seriously tempted.
"It seems this system really is determined to keep me on the path of Fire Release…" He sighed internally.
Without further hesitation, Izaya made his choice.
The moment he confirmed his decision, the three black tomoe mark on his arm vanished. Simultaneously, the faint, insidious feeling of being controlled that had begun to seep into his heart also dissipated.
"Excellent!"
Realizing the system had cleansed the Cursed Seal, a wave of relief and joy washed over Izaya. Now that Orochimaru was gone and the seal was removed, he didn't linger. He immediately rushed towards the Hokage Building.
Meanwhile, after planting the Cursed Seal on Izaya, Orochimaru had headed straight for the Root headquarters. But before he could even enter, the mental connection he had with the seal on Izaya suddenly snapped.
Orochimaru stopped dead in his tracks. He stared into the distance, his slitted eyes narrowing. "To think I underestimated that boy… He actually managed to eliminate the Cursed Seal?" A low, intrigued hiss escaped his lips. "How… interesting." His figure then melted back into the shadows.
On the other side, Izaya arrived at the Hokage Building without slowing down. He didn't bother with formalities, bursting directly into the Hokage's office.
"Lord Hokage! Something terrible has happened!"
Seeing that only the Third Hokage was in the office, Izaya put on a panicked expression, gesturing wildly as he spoke. "When I was about to go out earlier, I found dead bodies near my house!"
"Oh?" The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, immediately set down his work, stood up, and walked towards Izaya. "What is the matter? Explain clearly."
"Just now, when I went out, I found several corpses right outside my door! As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to come and tell you immediately, Lord Hokage!"
"But…" Izaya hesitated, his words trailing off.
"But what?" Seeing Izaya's hesitation, the Third Hokage's expression grew more serious. "Do not worry. Tell me everything you saw."
With the end of the Third Great Shinobi War, the Five Great Nations had entered a period of relative peace, and Konoha was developing rapidly during this time. While death was a common occurrence in the shinobi world, a murder happening inside the village—and the victims being ANBU—was a direct challenge to Sarutobi's authority. Combined with the strange look on Izaya's face, the Third Hokage instantly felt this matter was far from simple.
"I understand, Lord Hokage!" Seeing the Hokage's concerned expression, the tension in Izaya's heart eased. He knew the Third Hokage could now basically guarantee his safety.
After calming himself, Izaya continued, "But just as I was about to come find you, I noticed an… uncle… waiting for me outside."
"An uncle?" The Third Hokage pressed immediately. "What did he look like?"
"A scary-looking uncle. Very pale skin, and he had… snake-like eyes…" Izaya described Orochimaru's appearance based on his memory.
"Pale… snake-like…" The Third Hokage's eyes widened slightly with tension. "It can't be… Him?!" he murmured, before urgently asking, "What happened next?"
"Then I just ran. The uncle chased me for a bit but stopped after a while. Finally, I made it here to the Hokage Building…" While the Third Hokage was a reliable ally for now, Izaya wasn't stupid. He naturally omitted the details of his fight with Orochimaru and the Cursed Seal.
"So it really is him…" The Third Hokage's originally calm face became deeply troubled as he processed the information.
"Izaya, I am aware of the situation now. You may go. Until this matter is resolved, I will have Mitarashi Anko assigned to protect you."
"???"
What?! He's assigning Anko to protect me?! A look of sheer disbelief instantly appeared on Izaya's face.
Mitarashi Anko… a chūnin… to protect him? From Orochimaru?!
Izaya wondered if the Hokage was joking. If Anko was really his bodyguard, he suspected the Third Hokage was secretly planning for them to get a double-kill delivered right to Orochimaru's doorstep.
"Uhm… Lord Hokage…" Izaya ventured.
"What is it?" The Third Hokage looked at him.
"It's just… While Mitarashi Anko is strong, I just think…" Izaya trailed off, searching for the right words.
"You don't think that girl Anko is a match for the person who attacked you?" the Hokage finished for him.
"Well… that uncle seemed really powerful," Izaya answered truthfully.
Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage simply shook his head and offered a faint, knowing smile. "If it really is that man… then Mitarashi Anko might just be the best choice after all…"
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