Chapter 86: Danzo Shimura Frustrated Again
After witnessing the power of the two techniques, Naruto no longer had any intention of continuing to play around. Rescuing Hinata Hyuga was one thing, but how to settle her became another matter entirely.
Moreover, having caused such a huge commotion, Naruto had to hurry if he wanted to continue hiding his identity.
"Whoosh!" The Perfect Susanoo instantly vanished from the Hyuga Clan grounds. Apart from leaving behind the astonished gazes of the crowd, Kakashi Hatake, who knew what this technique was, had an even gloomier expression!
The culprit behind the "Flying Thunder God Incident" from years ago had been found!
"Is 'Tian' interested in the Byakugan now too?"
Orochimaru, cold and sinister like a viper, revealed a different demeanor at this moment. He was all smiles, looking at Hinata Hyuga in Naruto's arms with the look one should have when eyeing a "treasure."
"She's even from the main branch of the Hyuga Clan... The purity of this Byakugan is truly one of a kind!" Orochimaru kept sighing in admiration from the side, failing to notice that Naruto's face had become so dark it could drip water. "Should we study her now or wait a while?"
Orochimaru licked his lips. Ever since he studied Fugaku's Mangekyo Sharingan, he had developed an incredibly intense interest in the DōjutsuBloodline Limits of the Ninja World.
Now that he had encountered a pair of high-purity Byakugan, which were once as famous as the Sharingan, the spirit of scientific research in his heart could no longer be suppressed.
"I really want to see if the Byakugan, like the Sharingan, possesses a higher form!"
"That won't be necessary!" Naruto roughly pushed aside Orochimaru, who was blocking his way and being a nuisance. "Just focus on your Sharinganresearch; she doesn't need you to worry about her!"
"It seems 'Tian' is angry!" Orochimaru remained unfazed.
Although the two were currently in a cooperative relationship, there wasn't much distinction in terms of hierarchy, and at times, Naruto even had to be constrained by Orochimaru.
After all, Orochimaru's scientific talent was undeniable, while Naruto did not possess such conditions. To put it bluntly, Naruto needed Orochimaru more than Orochimaru needed Naruto.
Orochimaru could be considered a master of human nature, living with more clarity than the vast majority of people in the Ninja World, because Orochimaru had always been the one constantly pursuing the essence of life.
Compared to Orochimaru, whose ultimate goal was more singular, Naruto was much more complex.
And complex people often have more weaknesses. Even if he didn't want to admit it, Orochimaru had indeed grasped some of Naruto's weaknesses.
"Is she a very important person to you?" Orochimaru asked, narrowing his eyes.
"You don't need to ask about that!" Naruto didn't want to explain too much. "You just need to take good care of her; this can count as another part of our transaction."
"Heh." Orochimaru slowly shook his head. "You no longer have anything I covet, so I think this transaction is difficult to complete."
Over these two years, the cooperation between Naruto and Orochimaru had been based on mutual needs, but after two years of constant trading, there wasn't much left that Naruto could offer to interest Orochimaru...
"Don't you want to study the essence of life?" Naruto thought for a moment and decided to use himself as a bargaining chip. "I think you should be very interested in my cells!"
"Uncle Hiashi! Uncle Hiashi!"
Naruto ran up to Hiashi, panting, with an expression of anxiety on his face that was quite convincing. "What is going on... Hinata, she...?"
"Uzumaki Naruto, this is not a place you should be right now!"
Kakashi Hatake, who was supporting Might Guy, came up to Naruto. Although his words were weak, his tone was very firm, which made Naruto, who had just arrived, freeze for a moment.
"You!" Naruto pointed at Kakashi Hatake, looking furious. "It seems that my coming to Uncle Hiashi's house has nothing to do with you, right?"
"Konoha has now officially entered a state of level-one alert. All non-combatant personnel must go to the shelter, and that includes you!"
"I am already a Ninja now!" Naruto took out his Ninja headband and showed it to Kakashi Hatake. "What other reason do you have?!"
"Naruto, listen to Grandpa. This matter is no longer something you can participate in." Hiruzen Sarutobi's calm, indifferent voice sounded from behind Naruto. "I know you are worried about your companion, but just like everyone else, go to the shelter and stay for a while."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's complexion had aged a bit more compared to yesterday. Today's blow was perhaps the second time since the night of the Nine-Tails Attack that Hiruzen Sarutobi had felt powerless.
Even when he was at his Peak, if he were to face the Perfect Susanoo, there would be a high probability that he would meet his end on the spot.
This year was definitely a tumultuous autumn for Konoha!
"That guy 'Tian' kidnapped Hinata?!"
Danzo Shimura did not lead Root to rescue the Hyuga Clan. Instead, he sat comfortably in the leader's chair, listening to his subordinate's report. When he learned that "Tian" had personally kidnapped Hinata Hyuga, he finally lost his composure and stood up in disbelief.
"What exactly does he want to do!" Danzo Shimurawas furious. "I had absolutely no preparations, and he didn't even give me a heads-up beforehand!"
"Go organize personnel to head to the Hyuga Clancompound to participate in the rescue, and while you're at it, assist the Anbu in evacuating the villagers. Also, try your best to seize control of this rescue operation!"
After expressing his dissatisfaction with Naruto, Danzo Shimura also keenly captured the hidden benefits behind this "kidnapping of Hinata" incident.
"Then go notify the two Advisors of Konoha. I think it's time to launch another round of accountability against Hiruzen!" Danzo Shimura's ultimate goal was still the position of Hokage. "A member of the Uchiha Clan has mastered the Flying Thunder God; he cannot escape responsibility for this, and furthermore..."
"Back on the night of the Nine-Tails Attack, that Uchiha also possessed space-time abilities. Even if there is no connection between these two events, I will make Hiruzen have a connection to both!"
Danzo Shimura was adept at seizing any subtle opportunity, and he also had the ability to blow this matter out of proportion, ultimately burning Hiruzen Sarutobi.
As for to what extent he could strike at Hiruzen Sarutobi, that would depend on how much effort Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were willing to exert!
"You will regret this, Hiruzen!"
"I am the Hokage! At the very least, I still am!"
Hokage Building, Hokage Office.
The argument between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura had been going on for quite a while, but in the end, it was Danzo Shimura who lost.
"I didn't expect that you two would be in cahoots with Hiruzen now!" Danzo Shimura looked sinisterly at Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokadobeside him, the anger in his heart already unable to be suppressed.
"Shut up!"
"Watch your language, Danzo!"
Facing the verbal assault from Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, Danzo Shimura coldly flicked his sleeve and slammed the door as he left. The incident Naruto caused this time ultimately failed to become a favorable condition for Danzo Shimurato attack Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Because Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokadohad turned against him!
"Hiruzen, what should we do next..."
"Send a message to summon Jiraiya and Tsunadeback to the Village. As of now, this is the only way." Hiruzen Sarutobi sat dejectedly in his office chair, the desolation on his face no longer concealable.
"But if the enemy attacks again..." Homura Mitokado was still somewhat worried. "I think we might find it very difficult to defend against them!"
"I am still the Hokage!" A gleam that did not match his age erupted in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes. "As long as I am in this position for one more day! Even if it costs me my life, I will protect Konoha from harm!"
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged glances, then nodded tacitly. This was the reason they had turned against Danzo and unanimously supported Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Danzo Shimura only cared about the ownership of the Hokage position, while Hiruzen Sarutobi cared about Konoha. Regardless of the difference between the two, it was clear who could be relied upon at critical moments...
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