Chapter – 685 The Real Target!

While Kuroto was busy training in peace, the Shinobi World was getting messier day by day.

As Kuroto had expected earlier, what happened in Kumogakure couldn't be concealed for very long, and it didn't take very long before the entire Shinobi world was aware of the events in Kumogakure, although, the speed with which the news spread all over the shinobi world was somewhat beyond his expectations… it felt as if someone was controlling things from the dark.

There is more than just one reason why Kuroto felt as such, aside from the speed with which the news had spread, the type of news that spread also mattered… Among many rumors flowing out, one said that there was some problem in Danzo's ritual, which caused severe damage to his soul. As a result, although the ritual was a success, the souls of all the shinobi that he absorbed in his body are still alive, and they are fighting with each other to take control of the body.

As a result, Danzo isn't able to utilize his strength completely.

Being aware of this information from beforehand, when Kuroto heard this news being propagated in the shinobi world, at first, he presumed this was the handiwork of Kumogakure.

But after thinking over it again, Kuroto realized that that shouldn't be the case. Kumogakure would never leak such an important piece of information. It must be known that Kumogakure was trying to cover up the news of Danzo being in their hands and the details of the destruction that struck them out of the blue… so why would they release such critical information?

Eliminating Kumogakure from the suspects using this line of thought, Kuroto focused on the next target… "Could it have been Orochimaru?"

Apart from Raikage, and Kuroto, Orochimaru is the only person who should be aware of Danzo's situation… If Raikage didn't leak it, and Kuroto obviously did no such thing, then by the process of elimination, the only one left is Orochimaru! And it should be him!

However, Kuroto knows Orochimaru better than anyone… and therefore, he understands that the chances of Orochimaru doing such a thing are lower than Raikage doing it, "It couldn't have been him!"

For God's sake, Orochimaru is an extremely greedy and possessive person, if he wants Danzo for himself, why would he do such a thing?

Kuroto muttered doubtfully, "It wasn't the Raikage, it wasn't Orochimaru, and it certainly it wasn't me, then who could it be?"

As he was pondering over this matter, suddenly a thought lit up… and Kuroto couldn't help but agree that it must be him!

Other than him and Orochimaru and Raikage there was one more person who was aware that there was some problem in Danzo's ritual, and there were several souls currently latched into his body fighting to take control over him.

That person is none other than Danzo himself!

If the possibility of Kumogakure and Orochimaru leaking the news is ruled out, then the person who most likely released such rumors/secret information has to be Danzo himself, he has got to be deliberately spreading such rumors.

"But… but why would Danzo do such a thing… this is clearly a very unfavorable situation for him…" Although, Kuroto felt that he had figured it out, however, when he tried to reason why Danzo would do such a thing, he couldn't understand Danzo's behavior.

Although Danzo has acquired seven Kekkei Genkai, however, the problem with his soul is a very fatal flaw for him… anyone in Danzo's shoes regardless of whether they are under normal or abnormal, circumstances, would do their best and try to cover up this fact, rather than openly and actively publicize it for all to know.

Spreading it out in the open and allowing the entire shinobi world to know of your weakness just didn't make any sense!

Especially in such a situation where the entire shinobi world is beginning to target him.

By now, almost everyone has figured out that the unknown Susano'o that appeared in Kumogakure some time ago was Danzo. Most people think that using some means that no one has yet figured out, Danzo seems to have acquired a pair of Mangekyou Sharingan and therefore can open the Susano'o, of course, the head of the Uchiha Clan knows better, but they are silent right now, choosing not to comment on this matter.

Of course, this doesn't mean that all the Uchiha are silent, there are some voices saying that Danzo had probably stolen the Mangekyou Sharingan of deceased Uchiha Kagami.

Yes, that's right… the Mangekyou Sharingan of Uchiha Kagami.

There were rumors circulating in the village that Uchiha Kagami had also awakened Mangekyou Sharingan in his prime, however, what happened to that pair of eyes after Kagami's death, nobody knows about it... well nobody knew about it until now!

Well, these are just people voicing out their opinions and have a lot to do with complicated stuff like political struggle, so let's ignore it for the time being, and come back to the matter at hand.

What's known is that Danzo has a pair of Mangekyou Sharingan, and he has gone senile… In his craziness or foolishness, or whatever '-ness', he has leaked the information about his soul having some problem.

Currently, Danzo not only has a pair of Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan and several other Kekkei Genkai, but also information about the Kekkei Genkai Absorption Ritual, of course, the pair of Mangekyou Sharingan that Danzo has is very tempting to everyone, but what's more tempting is the scroll recording the information about the Kekkei Genkai Absorption Ritual.

Any power-hungry person would want to become a perfect shinobi and acquire a lot of Kekkei Genkai, so anyone who wants power at any cost will be coming after him.

Considering that Danzo is a rogue shinobi and a wanted criminal, they have a valid reason to target him, by killing him, they wouldn't be inciting Konoha's anger, rather they would be doing a favor to Konoha… which is why Kuroto believes that it won't be long before the entire shinobi world starts to target him

All these things aren't too difficult to deduce… so Danzo should be able to figure it out as well, yet he chose to do it, he chose to leak information about him despite being aware of the consequences… this only implies one thing, that is, Danzo wanted others to know that there was some problem in the ritual and he has a problem in his soul!

Kuroto muttered with a doubtful expression, "But why does he want others to know?" he was unsure of what was going on in Danzo's head.

Kuroto witnessed the entire ritual ceremony, and when it comes to knowledge about the realm of souls, Kuroto is not a blank slate, he does have some understanding of it, so he knows very well that the information about the flaw in his soul is indeed true, it's not false information or a means to deceive others.

At the same time, Kuroto doesn't believe that Danzo could have solved that problem in such a short time of a few months… thinking of this, he couldn't help but be more confused, "If that's the case, then what the hell does he want?"

Reaching no solution, Kuroto changed his approach, and tried to think like Danzo, 'Sigh… cool your mind, and think… if I were in Danzo's shoes, what would be my first priority?'

If Kuroto was in Danzo's situation, his top priority would have been to solve the flaw in his soul, and to snatch Homusubi's Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan to awaken the Rinnegan as quickly as possible!

Only by awakening, the Rinnegan can the flaw in the soul be solved… so the Rinnegan is the top priority.

And to awaken the Rinnegan, Homusubi's Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan is a must!

However, Amatsukami has always been an organization shrouded in mystery, and tracking its members is nearly impossible, the five great shinobi nations failed to do it, and the Akatsuki Organization failed to do so, then how can Danzo do it? 

So, rather than searching for Homusubi all over the shinobi world with no clue as to where she could be, wouldn't it be better to let her find him on her own initiative?

But, Homusubi would need a reason to come out and find him… and that… wait… that's it!

"The reason why Danzo has spread information about the problem in the ritual and the flaws in the soul is just so that Homusubi can learn about it… His real target is Homusubi, others are just being led around by him…!" Kuroto reached this conclusion, and in Kuroto's understanding of Danzo, he can definitely use such means.

And the fact that Danzo dared to try and lure out Homusubi, means he has found a way to temporarily suppress the flaws in his soul.

Permanently solving them is obviously impossible unless he awakens the Rinnegan, but finding a way to temporarily suppress them shouldn't be that difficult.

Moreover, he has had a lot of time to adapt to his newfound strength, which means, that this time Danzo is going to be fully prepared.

Thinking of this, Kuroto couldn't help but chuckle, "Anyone who tries to underestimate him based on those rumors will really bite the dust…" then added, "But then again, Danzo also seems to underestimate Tsukihi… Uchiha Tsukihi can't be fooled so easily."

…

The Land of Lightning.

Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh

In a burst of wind, a four-man cell consisting of Kumogakure shinobi appeared in front of Yondaime Raikage, and reported, "Raikage-sama, we have located the position of the target!"

Raikage lifted his gaze, and questioned in a deep tone of voice, "What's his status now?"

The captain of the four-man cell replied, "Based on the information we have received, the target did not intercept our men, he only tried to clear away the tail, and while trying to do it, he only used Swift Release, there was no sign of any other Kekkei Genkai being used by him."

"Swift Release you say?" muttered Raikage, and added, "If the rumors circulating around the shinobi world are to be taken into account, perhaps the shinobi who uses the Swift Release is currently dominating the consciousness in Shimura Danzo's body at this moment… Mabui, what do we know about that shinobi?"

Mabui, the Raikage's assistant standing beside him flipped through the papers, and then replied, "We have investigated the identities of all the shinobi Shimura Danzo used in his ritual… From what we know, the sacrifice who possessed Swift Release Kekkei Genkai was one of the few remaining Uzumaki Clansmen, and since he didn't belong to any shinobi village, he didn't receive any sort of formal shinobi training… so, he was not very skilled. Apart from his Uzumaki descent, and the Swift Release Kekkei Genkai that he possesses, there is nothing remarkable about him."

The captain of the four-man cell said, "If the rumors are true, and if Mabui-sama's analysis is correct, then capturing him shouldn't be too difficult for us."

Raikage nodded, and instructed, "Alright then… we will depart immediately!"

…

At the same time, a few dozen miles away from Kumogakure.

The three black Tomoe in the scarlet wheel stopped spinning, and returned back to normal black eyes, as Danzo muttered to himself, "It seems the plan is working well."

.

.

Read up to Chapter - 941 on P.a.t.r.e.o.n Page: p-atreon.com/Milta_translations