Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

Chapter 185: Chapter 185: You Think I'm Creating False Intel?

It was an upgraded version of the Bijuu Sealing Mark, now enhanced with Yang Release and the Hundred Healings Technique.

The reason for incorporating the Hundred Healings Technique was its complexity, which had proven challenging for Shizune, who had yet to master it.

Moreover, neither the Yin Seal nor the Hundred Healings Technique had been mastered by Asuka. While this wasn't a huge problem, given that she had chakra reserves on par with a Tailed Beast, the Hundred Healings Technique served another purpose—it allowed one to transfer their chakra to others.

Asuka's chakra had incredible healing properties, rivaling Creation Rebirth. Using the Hundred Healings Technique could further amplify Asuka's healing abilities.

No hand signs, no medical ninjutsu were needed—just chakra transfer!

...

Deactivating the Hundred Healings Technique and the Bijuu Sealing Mark, Shūichi clasped his hands together. Chakra surged from his palms, and black tadpole-like symbols spread up his arms, extending throughout his body before converging at his forehead to form a purple lotus mark that quickly faded away.

He silently observed its effects. The Hundred Healings Technique now connected the new seal, the Yin Seal, and his physical body, using a minimal amount of chakra to nourish every cell and keep them in an active state.

This not only helped maintain youthfulness, longevity, and reduced fatigue, but with the amplification of natural energy, even a slight amount of chakra granted him some self-healing ability.

Additionally, Shūichi felt that the genetic components he held from the Nine-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Four-Tails were now especially active.

"It looks like there will be unexpected benefits, though it'll take time to fully validate."

"For now, this will be more than enough."

Feeling satisfied, Shūichi deactivated the seal completely.

In his everyday state, he didn't need his chakra nurturing every cell, as it could interfere with his physical growth.

This differed from someone like Tsunade, who was in her thirties and used the technique continuously.

While Shūichi had mastered Sage Mode, which provided a comprehensive boost and appeared far stronger than any seal, he still found the seal useful.

This was because the seal had a capability Sage Mode lacked: it could automatically absorb and store natural energy.

"So, what should I call this new seal?"

Shūichi began to feel a bit conflicted.

Currently, the new seal could boost both Fire Release and Yang Release and also integrated the Hundred Healings Technique.

"The Seal of Yang?"

"The Seal of Life?"

Just as Shūichi was thinking, the voice of Sarutobi Shinnosuke called out, "Shūichi!"

He turned to see Shinnosuke, masked, gesturing from the window.

Without hesitation, Shūichi put away the scroll and headed out. Shinnosuke's visit wasn't unexpected.

As they walked toward the Hokage's office, Shinnosuke seemed hesitant to speak.

Danzo's death had shocked him deeply, especially knowing it was Shūichi who had killed him.

In truth, a part of him felt a sense of satisfaction.

However, he also harbored concerns for Shūichi.

Shūichi chuckled lightly. "Don't worry, Captain. It'll be fine."

"Danzo's actions warranted death; anyone else would have died seven or eight times by now."

Shinnosuke shook his head. "Danzo may have deserved it, but this could still have repercussions for you."

"You shouldn't have exposed yourself like this."

He knew that with Shūichi's abilities, he could have killed without anyone knowing.

Shūichi replied, "Danzo is different from the Third Kazekage."

When he had dealt with the Third Kazekage, he'd done everything possible to conceal it, to avoid dragging Konoha into a war.

But with Danzo, it was different. Keeping it a secret would only turn into a potential weakness, making his actions appear underhanded.

Killing Danzo openly, claiming it was for the Hokage, the Will of Fire, and the village, would still upset some, but the unstoppable momentum would drown out any opposition.

Shūichi was no longer alone.

Tsunade, Jiraiya, and even Orochimaru would support him; the Sannin were all on his side.

He also had his teacher, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, as allies.

Not to mention that he himself was a jinchūriki, possessing three Tailed Beasts.

In terms of combat power, who in Konoha could say they were stronger than him?

Koharu, Homura, and the Shimura clan—just how many forces did they have?

As for the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shūichi felt he was the least of his concerns.

His reputation had remained solid for nearly ten years, unwavering.

And Hiruzen would undoubtedly weigh the situation from the village's best interests.

Danzo was dead—so be it. He was nothing more than a useful, yet filthy, tool that could be replaced.

Would bonds of companionship matter more than the village's well-being?

Or, to put it more bluntly, did Danzo's value even come close to that of Shūichi Hoshita?

...

Shinnosuke, seeing Shūichi's unwavering confidence, felt somewhat reassured. "Don't worry; Chihiro and I will support you with everything we've got!"

Shūichi smiled. "Then there's really nothing to worry about!"

Soon, the two arrived at the Hokage's office. When Shūichi knocked and entered, he noticed that Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were present as well.

It seemed news of Danzo's death and the turmoil in Root had reached them.

As Shūichi entered, sharp gazes from Koharu and Homura fixed on him immediately.

Koharu wasted no time. "Shūichi Hoshita, why did you kill Danzo?"

"He was an advisor to the Hokage!"

Ignoring her barking, Shūichi respectfully greeted Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Third Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen nodded slightly, taking a puff of his pipe before posing a single question: "Why did you choose to kill Danzo now?"

Hiruzen was well aware of Shūichi's hostility toward Danzo; Shūichi had never hidden his desire to take Danzo down, showing it openly and even aggressively.

Such fervor was entirely understandable at his age!

Shūichi glanced at a Root ninja standing nearby. "I take it the recent events in the Land of Rain haven't yet been reported to the Third Hokage?"

Hiruzen's eyes darkened. "Danzo's trip to the Land of Rain... was he planning to ally with Hanzo?"

Shūichi nodded. "Yes, but it wasn't related to Iwa-nin."

"It was connected to the Akatsuki."

Homura spoke up. "The Akatsuki? That ninja group in the Land of Rain recently gaining fame for promoting peace? I heard the leader was even taught by Jiraiya."

Shūichi nodded again. "That's correct."

"Originally, Hanzo had planned to accept the Akatsuki and join forces with them to end the war."

"But Danzo convinced Hanzo to change his mind and ambushed one of the Akatsuki's leaders, using it as leverage to eliminate Yahiko, one of the leader of the Akatsuki."

"And his goal..."

Shūichi looked pointedly at the Root ninja.

Despite the mask, the Root ninja, under the scrutiny of four intense gazes, couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat and reluctantly confessed, "Lord Danzo's goal... was to take out the Akatsuki to halt their push for peace talks."

Hiruzen sighed internally, as he had already guessed as much.

Danzo had always opposed negotiations. After all, with both Shūichi and Minato in Konoha, two formidable fighters, why should they be the ones to back down and settle for negotiations?

Such was Danzo's uncompromising stance!

At this, Shūichi let out a disdainful snort. "Perhaps there's even more to it?"

"Danzo likely didn't mention that he had an additional goal—the Rinnegan of one of Akatsuki's leaders, Nagato. It's said to be one of the three Great Dōjutsu and the legendary eyes of the Sage of Six Paths!"

Koharu gasped. "The legendary Rinnegan truly exists?"

Hiruzen nodded. "Jiraiya mentioned this to me some time ago—there indeed is a Rinnegan."

Homura looked at Shūichi. "Did Danzo succeed?"

Shūichi shook his head. "He came close... but ultimately, no."

Previously, Nagato had been cautious of the Rinnegan's power, yet the escalating chaos had driven him to gradually master its abilities.

He had summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path more than once already.

Shūichi's expression grew solemn. "The power of the Rinnegan, as it currently stands, is certainly not weaker—perhaps even stronger—than Susano'o, the ability granted by the Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan."

Recalling the events from the previous day, the Root ninja shuddered. "Shūichi-sama is right. The creature summoned by that man killed dozens of our Root ninjas and Ame-nin in an instant."

What?!

The faces of Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura changed.

Shūichi continued, "That jutsu drained the souls directly. Even my Fire Nether Chains technique can't do that."

If he were dealing with a similar group of people and unleashed his full power, he might be able to pull out dozens of souls simultaneously with the Fire Nether Chains.

However, it was clear that the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path wasn't showing its full potential.

Koharu asked, "You were there at the time, weren't you, Shūichi?"

"With your skills, couldn't you have managed a sneak attack to deal with the Rinnegan user?"

Shūichi chuckled coldly. "I'll give you some good news."

"That mysterious force behind the Uchiha Obito incident was also there, and Obito himself was lurking nearby. It's now confirmed that Uchiha Obito is being controlled."

Homura shook his head in disbelief. "That's impossible!"

"Based on everything we know, Obito has unlocked his Mangekyō Sharingan. His dōjutsu should be strong enough to control Tailed Beasts, just like Madara Uchiha did. How could he be under anyone else's control?"

Shūichi shot a frosty glance at Homura, asking coldly, "Do you think I'm fabricating false information?"

Feeling the intense pressure emanating from Shūichi, cold sweat immediately beaded on Homura's forehead.

Hiruzen quickly intervened. "Shūichi, Homura didn't mean that."

"Besides, the person you fought also had a Mangekyō Sharingan. Given that Obito only recently awakened his, plus the use of cloned cells from the First Hokage, controlling Obito is not out of the question."

"Then, Shūichi, are you saying that the current holder of the Rinnegan has already joined forces with that mysterious group?"

Shūichi shook his head. "It's uncertain for now, but the signs are clear."

"Therefore, we must prepare for retaliation from someone wielding the Rinnegan."

"It wouldn't be too much to consider him on par with Madara Uchiha himself."

Hiruzen's expression darkened, the gravity of the threat weighing heavily on him.

Cold sweat broke out on Homura Mitokado's and Koharu Utatane's foreheads.

Uchiha Madara!

The Battle of the Valley of the End might feel like ancient history to Shūichi Hoshita, but for them, it was fresh. They knew very well the fearsome power of Madara Uchiha.

Their vigilance toward the Uchiha clan stemmed from more than just Second Hokage Tobirama Senju's teachings.

In that moment, thoughts of Danzo's death were entirely forgotten.

Koharu wanted to ask Shūichi if he was truly capable of confronting such a formidable enemy, but the words caught in her throat.

Madara Uchiha had used the Nine-Tails as his mount, after all! And currently, Shūichi had only half of the Nine-Tails' power and wasn't even a perfect jinchuriki.

The entire Hokage office grew oppressively tense.

Meanwhile, Shūichi couldn't help but chuckle to himself internally.

The Rinnegan was indeed powerful, but at this stage, Nagato couldn't yet unleash its full potential.

Madara, a shadow of his former self, had longed to regain his strength; once he "took control" of Nagato, he'd likely disconnect his support immediately.

So, for the foreseeable future, the real threat lay in Uchiha Obito's eyes that can use Kamui.

After a few moments, Hiruzen had the Root ninja dismissed and then asked, "Shūichi, what do you suggest we do?"

Shūichi thought for a moment. "Currently, we know too little about the enemy."

"First, their exact intentions in manipulating Obito are unclear. Could it really just be for his Mangekyō Sharingan?"

"Shisui is much more gifted and capable than Obito, after all."

"Secondly, while it's been speculated that the mysterious figure might be Madara Uchiha, if Madara were alive today, he'd be extremely old. Even with cells from the First Hokage, he would be greatly weakened."

"So, there isn't much we can do for now."

"Our priority should be to protect the Nine-Tails and strengthen our forces."

"I'll use my sensory abilities daily to monitor the entire village in case of enemy infiltration."

"And as for the Uchiha, keep a close eye on those with the three-tomoe Sharingan. Danzo once possessed four three-tomoe Sharingan and even used the ultimate genjutsu, Izanagi."

The three advisors were momentarily speechless.

It was a lot to process, and the implications were overwhelming.

After contemplating for a while, Hiruzen said, "Let's leave it at that for now. Shūichi, you may go about your duties."

Shūichi nodded, bowed, and vanished.

Once he was gone, Koharu seemed to recall Danzo and asked Hiruzen, "Are we just going to let the matter of Danzo rest?"

Homura looked as if he wanted to say something as well, but Hiruzen's voice cut in first, firm and low. "Danzo went too far."

"However, we will announce that he died in service to the village."

Homura held back his words and instead asked, "Then what will happen to Root?"

"Konoha still needs a Root in the shadows to guard the village."

Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke. "For now, Anbu will take temporary charge of Root. The choice of a permanent leader can wait until the next Hokage assumes office."

He had no intention of entrusting Root to Koharu or Homura.

Koharu was simply unsuited for the role, while Homura... Hiruzen didn't want to repeat past mistakes or burden the next Hokage with a future problem.

And deep down, he also wished to spare Homura.

After all, everyone harbors ambition, and although Homura might lack Danzo's stubbornness, self-centeredness, or grand ambitions, he was not immune to resting on his laurels.

Hiruzen understood well that Shūichi's elimination of Danzo wasn't solely personal; it was also an act for the village and the will of the Hokage. It carried a subtle political foresight—removing an obstacle for the next Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

Shūichi's political acumen had always been evident to him.

With all factors taken into account, this was the outcome they had reached today.

Thus, Hiruzen wished to prevent Homura from following the same path as Danzo.

Ending this matter here was the best choice.

More importantly, they needed to be vigilant against potential threats!

(End of Chapter)