70 - The Tomb Awaits
Kei quietly borrowed the perception barrier that enveloped the entire Konoha and locked onto Shikaku, who was working at the mission reception office. Seeing that the distance between them was less than 500 meters, he immediately used the Mind Body Transmission Technique to connect with Shikaku's mind.
I just received a mission! Guess where I'm going? Kei's voice, with a hint of gritted teeth, echoed in Shikaku's mind.
I'm not guessing. Goodbye! Shikaku's pen paused slightly before he quickly put it down and formed a hand seal.
Using the Shadow Imitation Technique, he controlled the large shadow in the room to completely wrap around himself, attempting to sever the connection of the Mind Body Transmission Technique.
Both techniques were derived from Yin Release.
The Shadow Imitation Technique and the Mind Body Transmission Technique each had their strengths. But in essence, they were both variations of Yin Release and could easily affect each other.
However…
"uess again, why hasn't the transmission been severed? Kei's words made Shikaku's face twitch.
The gap in spiritual power was too vast—he couldn't block Kei's technique!
No panic.
He had a backup plan.
Glancing to the side, he saw the mission reception's highly confidential room. He picked up the documents on the table, preparing to go inside and activate the anti-sensory barrier. With the barrier and his Shadow Imitation Technique, it shouldn't be a problem.
I heard that in the North Street, there are two entertainers as renowned as the high-class courtesans. Their names are...what were their names again, huh?
Damn, Kei had a counterattack!
Shikaku covered his face with one hand and slumped into his chair.
The North Street was less than ten kilometers from Konoha. Because Konoha had strict internal management, there were no pleasure districts or casinos, and the entertainment options for ninjas were quite limited.
The North Street, located on a major transportation route, naturally developed many such industries. Back when he was younger, out of curiosity, he had visited a few times with Inoichi and the others. But besides drinking and listening to music, he never did anything else.
Would Yoshino believe that if he told her? That bastard was actually using this to threaten him.
Where was the brotherly trust? Where was the dignity of a man? Did he not realize that he could go and complain to Kushina?
… I really worked hard! The Hokage has his own considerations. What can I do?
I've been assigned to Kumo to assist in the assassination of high-ranking officials and provoke conflicts between the militant faction and other ninja villages. I don't understand—why did this mission land on me? Kei ignored Shikaku's complaints.
He couldn't understand. Even though he had demonstrated a certain level of strength, weren't missions like these, which couldn't see the light of day, usually handled by ANBU operatives?
Danzō's relationship with the Hokage seems to have eased up recently. Many of ANBU's missions have been reassigned elsewhere.
What does that mean? A power struggle?
Have you seen Danzō recently?
Ten days ago, I went to Konoha Hospital with Tsunade and saw him once.
Danzō previously proposed to the Hokage that you should join the ANBU and receive the same treatment as Orochimaru. The Hokage didn't reject it outright but said he would consider it.
"Damn it." Upon hearing this, Kei's face darkened.
He could understand why Danzō was trying to reconcile with Hiruzen—it was nothing more than the effects of political maneuvering. As for the reason behind transferring ANBU's missions, he could roughly guess that as well.
Right now, Danzō was desperate to rid himself of the negative effects of [Big Brainstorm].
Whether it was to investigate those ancient cursed artifacts from the Warring States period or to ensure his own personal safety, he needed a large number of subordinates. But recruiting him into ANBU?
And with the same treatment as Orochimaru?
It was important to note that Orochimaru did not have the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal. Even if he didn't become Hokage, he was still the next-in-line to inherit ANBU's leadership.
Meanwhile, Kei himself had stood in direct opposition to Danzō multiple times. Now, he was also the boyfriend of the Nine-Tails jinchūriki, making him a clear and unwavering supporter of the Hokage faction.
Wasn't this just Danzō trying to provoke Hiruzen?
Actually, my guess is that this is very likely a mutual test between Lord Hokage and Lord Danzō. And you... you have the strength, but you lack the status and prestige, making you the perfect test subject.
Shikaku finally voiced his speculation.
He had seen too many of these political games between the Hokage and his advisors.
This time, Danzō's proposal could serve multiple purposes:
To show goodwill toward the Ino-Shika-Chō trio by expressing his support for their families taking higher positions.
To win over the backing of more ninja clans at this critical moment.
To test whether Hiruzen would loosen his control over the jinchūriki now that there was another Uzumaki clan member around.
To seek more power, recruit more manpower, and further expand the scope of ANBU.
And Hiruzen's response this time was quite intriguing. He didn't reject Danzō's proposal outright. Previously, he had rejected multiple recommendations for Kei to participate, instead choosing other ninjas for those tasks.
Could it be that Hiruzen was using this opportunity to reclaim some of ANBU's authority and prevent its further expansion? Or perhaps, Hiruzen wanted to gauge Danzō's reaction and gain insight into his true intentions?
It couldn't possibly be that he actually wanted Kei to join ANBU, right? That was the future husband of the Nine-Tails jinchūriki they were talking about!
"... So I'm just strong enough to be played around with, but not strong enough to resist it? What the hell! Are either of these two even good people?" Kei cursed under his breath and severed the connection of the Mind Body Transmission Technique.
He quickly began checking his ninja tool supplies and various sealing scrolls. No matter what kind of schemes Hiruzen and Danzō were cooking up, at least neither of them seemed to be directly targeting him for elimination or using him as a sacrificial pawn.
Still, the whole situation was incredibly frustrating. If they wanted to test each other, couldn't they just find a private room and do it themselves? Or better yet, just fight it out! Wouldn't that be more straightforward?
Why drag other people into it?
Kei took a deep breath, suppressing his irritation.
He silently made up his mind—on this mission, he would definitely push his strength to the super-Kage level!
Because in the face of absolute power, all political schemes and tricks were meaningless. He recalled the details of the mission scroll he had just read, as well as his scheduled meeting with Nonō.
A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes. Midnight, five days from now?
For an average ninja, traveling from Konoha to Kumo at full speed would take roughly six days. To account for any unforeseen circumstances along the way, they usually set aside an extra day as a buffer. But he had a huge advantage—his summoned Pidgeot.
At Pidgeot's speed and endurance, he could easily take a detour through the Land of Iron before heading to Kumo and still make it on time. If he could directly locate Madara, that would be ideal. If not, he could always return to the Tomb of the Demonic Cliff after completing his mission and wait for an opportunity.
It was a bit of a hassle... But if it meant obtaining Madara's Sage Body, then so what? By the time he returned…
Kukuku…
He was curious to see what those two were really planning.
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