Chapter 247: Tsunade’s Suspicions
Danzo waved his hand, signaling the others to leave.
Bing hurriedly took the new recruit and the child away, leaving only four people in the training hall: Danzo, Tsunade, Gui, and Shizune.
Tsunade glanced at Gui: “Get lost!”
Gui’s hand tightly gripped Shizune’s frail shoulder.
In the next instant, Tsunade’s fist suddenly appeared before Gui’s eyes.
Fortunately, Lord Danzo’s hand timely grabbed Tsunade’s wrist.
Tsunade was stunned, not expecting Danzo’s strength to be so great.
Danzo was indeed the Ninja of Darkness, with strength even higher than Tsunade had imagined.
“Gui, you should leave too.”
Gui hurriedly released Kato Shizune and vanished into the darkness.
Tsunade pulled Shizune back with a big leap.
Danzo said: “Tsunade, you understand the power of the Spiritualization Technique.
The Spiritualization Technique can remotely control enemies, create chaos, and one person toy with an entire enemy squad.
The legacy of the Spiritualization Technique cannot be severed; Konoha cannot be without the Spiritualization Technique.
Kato Shizune, as Kato Dan’s niece, should undergo secret jutsu training from a young age, using various mental stimulations to reinforce mental energy, and quickly master the Spiritualization Technique.
Everything I do is for the village, for Konoha.
The Scroll of Seals left by Teacher Tobirama, the Second Hokage, contains the Spiritualization Technique. What is lacking now is a ninja suitable for the Spiritualization Technique!”
Tsunade said: “Whether Shizune can master the Spiritualization Technique is my business. What does it have to do with you?”
“Tsunade!” Danzo raised his voice: “Don’t think everyone will indulge you!
Konoha needs the Spiritualization Technique; that’s why I’m training Kato Shizune!
However…”
Danzo changed his tone and said: “For Hiruzen Sarutobi’s sake, I’m willing to yield a step.
As long as you give me a jutsu, you can take Shizune away.”
Tsunade asked: “What jutsu?”
“The sealing jutsu most suitable for Anbu recorded in the Second Hokage’s notes, the Tongue-Cutting Flower Seal.” Danzo stared at Tsunade:
“Tsunade, either leave Kato Shizune behind to provide the Spiritualization Technique for Anbu, or leave the Tongue-Cutting Flower Seal to strengthen Anbu for the village.
I’m not Hiruzen Sarutobi; I don’t have time to play rebellious disciple and soft-hearted teacher games with you.”
Shizune fearfully clung to Tsunade’s leg.
Last night, Tsunade went to see Shizune and found her missing.
After inquiring around, she learned from Orochimaru that Danzo had taken Shizune.
In her anger, she directly attacked Root, making it hard to end gracefully.
Root ninjas have no exit mechanism.
Leaving Root means refusing to fight for Konoha, means betraying Konoha.
If it had been before Shizune was taken, Tsunade had many ways; now, she could only grit her teeth and continue confronting.
“Hmph, don’t talk about how the village can’t be without the Spiritualization Technique. You just want the Tongue-Cutting Flower Seal. Unable to get it, you resort to these despicable means.”
Just as Tsunade prepared to take Shizune away directly, three figures appeared with Body Flicker.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Mito Mon’en, and Koharu Utatane.
The three high-ranking officials discovered someone daring to attack Root and rushed over with Body Flicker.
Upon seeing it was Tsunade, they weren’t surprised.
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew Danzo’s purpose. He thought about it; without Root, many secret missions couldn’t be carried out.
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Shizune and said: “Tsunade, how can you attack the village’s important institution, Root?”
Mito Mon’en said: “If you take your people away, and other ninja clan heads take theirs, how are Anbu and Root supposed to operate?
Without mature Anbu and Root, how to carry out assassinations of sensitive targets?”
Koharu Utatane said: “Tsunade, focus on handling Konoha Hospital matters; don’t interfere with Anbu and Root!”
Tsunade thought to herself, it seems this can’t end peacefully.
Strengthening Root aligns with all high-ranking officials’ interests.
It’s not that Danzo wants to strengthen Root; all high-ranking officials want to strengthen Root.
Hiruzen Sarutobi governing such a large Konoha Village can’t always reason everything out, right?
Ninjas master force, with all their talents focused on killing. For disobedient subordinates, can’t always persuade with kind words, right?
Physical force is also reason, the most effective kind.
A kunai is also nothing; any problem becomes optional before a kunai.
A kunai can’t solve problems, but it can solve the people raising problems.
Danzo to Hiruzen Sarutobi is like Tobirama Grandpa at night to Hashirama Grandpa, like nighttime Tobirama Grandpa to daytime Tobirama Grandpa.
Some tricky matters, the face can’t act, so the inside must.
Without Danzo, Mito Mon’en might transform into Danzo.
If Mito Mon’en died, Koharu Utatane might have to step up and take over Danzo’s dirty business.
Konoha can’t be without someone doing the dirty work.
Tsunade saw it clearly: she wasn’t confronting Danzo or Root, but all of Konoha’s high-ranking officials, Konoha’s current order.
She inwardly complained again: many of Second Grandpa’s policies were truly endless troubles.
Tsunade wouldn’t yield: “Don’t interfere with Root matters? Shizune was taken by Root, and I’m not to care?”
Hiruzen Sarutobi said: “Everyone has the duty to join Anbu and carry out missions in the darkness for the village; this is the rule set by Teacher Tobirama, the Second Hokage!
Do the Senju Clan and their vassals have the privilege to refuse?
Among these 4-year-old children are kids from the Sarutobi Clan, Nara Clan, Yamanaka Clan, and other ninja clans, plus many orphans.
Can everyone come to Anbu, smash the rooftop, and grab people to leave?”
Tsunade was stunned; how did it turn into her being unreasonable?
Just as both sides were at a standoff, a figure walked out from the darkness.
Everyone turned to look at that tall, slender silhouette.
The one daring to walk slowly into such a tense atmosphere and sharp conflict among high-ranking officials was Orochimaru, busy in the Root Laboratory.
Orochimaru looked at the situation and thought: Tsunade, this reckless woman, got schemed by the village high-ranking officials again.
Tsunade’s strength had just entered Kage level, not a match for Teacher Hiruzen or Danzo; why make it so stiff?
“You’ve disturbed my experiments.” Orochimaru said:
“Why don’t I act as the middleman?
Tsunade, you take Kato Dan’s niece, but hand over the Tongue-Cutting Flower Seal to me.
I’ll supervise the use of the Tongue-Cutting Flower Seal, ensuring it won’t be used on the Senju Clan or anyone else you value. How about that?”
Tsunade hesitated somewhat.
Orochimaru had given her a way out.
Starting last night, she anxiously searched everywhere for Shizune; it was Orochimaru who told her Danzo had taken Shizune.
Orochimaru was her important ally in the village; as long as he supported her, the village high-ranking officials couldn’t do anything to her.
Like in Jonin meetings, as long as Orochimaru stood up, whether high-ranking officials or other jonin had to shut up.
Seeing Tsunade in conflict and hesitation, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt bitter inside. Whatever he said, Tsunade wouldn’t listen, but with Orochimaru as middleman, she calmed down.
Then, Tsunade formed hand seals and summoned a large scroll.
The large scroll bore the Uzumaki Clan’s emblem, the same vortex pattern on the back of ninja vests.
Danzo’s eyes lit up; this was the Uzumaki Clan’s Scroll of Seals.
With this Scroll of Seals, his strength would advance further.
Tsunade copied the Tongue-Cutting Flower Seal and threw it to Orochimaru.
“I’ve given you the jutsu; you can’t interfere with Shizune and the Spiritualization Technique anymore.”
Orochimaru glanced over the sealing jutsu and thought: how did he become the only one benefiting, as if he arranged it deliberately? Heh.
Orochimaru said: “Yes, correct. It’s the curse mark engraved on the brain, the Tongue-Cutting Flower Seal.”
Tsunade took Shizune and jumped out through the large hole in the training ground.
When Yoru and Golden Eagle arrived, they saw Tsunade leaving with a little girl.
Orochimaru was handing a scroll to Danzo.
Orochimaru said: “Danzo Advisor, don’t make me break my word in front of Tsunade.
There are many ways to keep subordinates loyal; using seals is undoubtedly the worst.
Like the Hyuga Clan’s caged bird: possessing such a strong bloodline limit like Byakugan, yet raising half the clan as wastes.”
Danzo didn’t mind and took the scroll.
He tugged hard at the scroll but found Orochimaru hadn’t let go.
Danzo had to say: “I won’t conscript Senju Clan ninjas into Anbu; you can rest assured.”
Only then did Orochimaru release the scroll.
Golden Eagle muttered beside Yoru: “Why? How many from the Hyuga Clan have sacrificed in Root and Anbu; why does the Senju Clan get privileges?
And the Uchiha Clan; why don’t they have to send people to Anbu?”
Putting oneself in the Senju Clan’s shoes, Tsunade seemed to have suffered a big loss.
Putting oneself in other Konoha ninja clans or civilian ninjas’ shoes, Tsunade enjoyed privileges others wouldn’t dare dream of.
Putting oneself in every captured child’s shoes, all of Konoha deserved death.
Fairness has always been ‘relative.’
Yoru felt uneasy inside; had Danzo obtained an important ninjutsu from Tsunade?
Root new recruits appeared again from the darkness, looking up at the large hole.
The large hole left by Tsunade let in bright light.
The light couldn’t dispel the darkness.
The Root training new recruits had no future left.
Konoha’s four high-ranking officials exchanged glances and then left separately.
Late at night, Tsunade finished work at Konoha Hospital and closed the office door.
She suddenly turned her head, looking to the side.
From the adjacent bathroom emerged a person in a hooded robe.
Who had infiltrated near her?
Seeing that mask, Tsunade recognized the visitor: Anbu’s Fox?
“Princess Tsunade, what jutsu did you exchange for Kato Shizune?”
Tsunade said: “Who are you representing to ask me? Can’t the Third Hokage ask Danzo himself?”
Yoru was reluctant to expose his identity before Tsunade, but concerning Danzo’s strength, he had to do something now.
He had just used Byakugan to check; no reconnaissance ninjas targeting here nearby.
“Sorry, Princess Tsunade; Lord Kiiroinu really needs this information!”
Yoru suddenly rushed at Tsunade.
Tsunade was surprised the Fox attacked her and swung a fist at him.
But as the two approached, a curse mark suddenly appeared on the ground.
Karma Seal of Retribution?
Tsunade had heard Anbu obtained many Uzumaki Clan corpses, thus acquiring some sealing jutsu.
Tsunade’s movement paused.
Such powerful sealing chakra!
Did the Fox have such high talent in sealing jutsu?
Kushina once said she nearly lost control at the Ninja Academy; an Anbu with a fox mask sealed the leaking Nine-Tails chakra.
The Fox’s speed suddenly accelerated.
In the next instant, the Fox’s five fingers pressed on Tsunade’s abdomen.
Five Elements Seal!
Just as Yoru thought Tsunade lived up to her name but was a bit weak, the diamond mark on Tsunade’s forehead instantly glowed, and Shadow Seal chakra burst out.
Both the Karma Seal of Retribution and Five Elements Seal were instantly broken by the powerful chakra.
Yoru retreated to the side.
Tsunade had already mastered the Shadow Seal, stepping into Kage level ninja threshold.
Intense surprise appeared on Tsunade’s face.
Her hand even trembled slightly.
The Karma Seal of Retribution was one thing, but that Five Elements Seal just now… that chakra?
Absolutely unmistakable; it was chakra unique to the Uzumaki Clan!
An ordinary ninja’s Five Elements Seal and an Uzumaki Clan’s Five Elements Seal had vastly different effects.
Tsunade could master the Shadow Seal because her grandmother and mother both came from the Uzumaki Clan.
Uzumaki chakra naturally carried sealing ability; sealing jutsu in Uzumaki hands was a level stronger than in others’.
Tsunade suddenly recalled an important piece of information.
On the Night of Sealing the Nine-Tails into the Shadow Seal, Kushina said someone inputted chakra to her at a critical moment.
That chakra was clearly Uzumaki Clan chakra, with extremely strong sealing power.
That chakra helped Kushina twice.
Otherwise, Kushina’s condition would have been worse, the Nine-Tails rampaging, killing more Senju clansmen.
At the most critical moment of transferring the Nine-Tails seal, father Senju Rinki and mother both died; Anbu surrounded Kushina.
“Who exactly are you!”
“I’m Fox.”
The agitation on Tsunade’s face quickly faded.
Fox was Konoha Anbu and had to hide his identity.
But he possessed strong Uzumaki bloodline, meaning he was very likely a Senju clansman, with deep ties to the Senju Clan and Uzumaki Clan.
That’s why he risked helping Kushina twice at the most critical moment of the Nine-Tails transfer to Shadow Seal.
“Princess Tsunade, what jutsu did you exchange for Kato Shizune?”
Tsunade first sensed left and right, found no suspicious personnel, and quickly said: “Tongue-Cutting Flower Seal.”
“Don’t investigate me; I’ll help the clan again at the right time.”
Yoru spoke ambiguously, pretending to be a Senju clansman, then vanished with Body Flicker.
Run fast!
If he didn’t run, he’d be exposed; Tsunade wasn’t easy to fool.
Tsunade looked dejected; she wanted to say something to Fox, but knew he feared exposure and couldn’t stay long.
Hurrying back to the clan compound, Tsunade entered Aunt Hanamaki’s courtyard.
“Aunt Hanamaki, did Father have any secret arrangements before he died?”
Senju Hanamaki asked puzzled: “Secret arrangements? What secret arrangements?”
Tsunade said: “For example, spies placed in Anbu?”
Senju Hanamaki shook her head: “I don’t know. Before Brother met his end, I never thought of managing the clan, didn’t know the clan’s secrets.
If your father had any arrangements, he wouldn’t have told me back then.”
Tsunade didn’t get an answer, but she had a premonition: Fox was definitely not simple.
Other things could be imitated or trained hard, but the innate sealing attribute in chakra couldn’t be faked.
She felt some regret; the Tongue-Cutting Flower Seal seemed to have a big impact on Fox, making him risk exposure to question her. Had she made a mistake?
Late at night, Yoru summoned Stone Panda Hakuji.
“Hakuji, give this scroll to Yuka.”
Hakuji nodded and reverse summoned away.
Yuka Uzumaki saw the scroll’s contents and gathered Kaicho Uzumaki and Gencho Uzumaki.
“Let’s go! Fox sent new information. We’ll head to Kyoto of the Land of Grass to investigate intelligence on the Shimura Clan’s guardian ninjas.
Kyoto of the Land of Grass has always followed the pasture migrations, no fixed location.
Danzo Shimura’s forces are showing signs of resurgence; Fox says to intensify the strikes.”
Two-in-one; see how much the monthly votes grow. There might be an extra chapter tonight at 2000 monthly votes.
