The situation escalated rapidly, surprising everyone except the mastermind behind it.
With the Eight-Tails Nine-Tails rampaging through Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi was trying to lure it to the outskirts. The Anbu, who had been ordered to support the battle, significantly reduced the intensity of the fighting in the Uchiha compound. The tide was slowly turning in favor of the Uchiha.
People were panicking, fear spreading like wildfire.
Amidst the chaos, no one noticed that Neiki, who had exposed Fugaku, had quietly withdrawn from the battlefield.
Using the Transformation Jutsu, Neiki disguised himself and blended into the panicked crowd. He watched the distant clash between Hiruzen’s Konoha forces and the Nine-Tails, led by Fugaku, with a satisfied expression as if admiring a masterpiece.
Mastering the manipulation of people’s hearts and the precision of strategic moves was crucial.
After the rebellion intelligence leaked, the Uchiha clan’s only chance to defeat Hiruzen and other Konoha leaders lay in the Nine-Tails, their powerful war weapon.
The Nine-Tails had a history of being controlled by powerful Uchiha, making this foreseeable.
The difference this time was that Naruto, the current Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, was not like Kushina.
He didn’t have the weakened seal due to pregnancy.
Inside him were two incredibly strong barriers created by his parents, Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. When Naruto first lost control of the Nine-Tails’ hatred, Minato’s chakra within the seal would activate, repairing it.
If Naruto lost control a second time, Kushina’s chakra would also activate. Her mastery of sealing jutsu, inherited from the Uzumaki clan, surpassed even Minato’s, resealing the Nine-Tails. If necessary, she could even suppress Fugaku’s influence within Naruto’s body.
Neiki didn’t doubt Fugaku’s Mangekyou Sharingan’s strength, but defeating two posthumous defenders like Minato and Kushina would be a slow grind. Fugaku didn’t have the stamina to engage in three rounds of battles with them, break the seal, and control the Nine-Tails with genjutsu in a single day.
The Uchiha needed time, and the bloody massacre at the Hyuga clan’s mansion was also a ticking time bomb.
Instead of striving for perfection by overcoming Minato and Kushina, it was more efficient for Fugaku to summon the Nine-Tails in its Eight-Tails form.
In terms of the damage caused to Konoha, both forms were practically equivalent.
This is why Neiki felt Fugaku should thank him.
——If Neiki hadn’t brought Hiruzen and his team over early, Fugaku would have triggered Minato’s trap. Forget summoning the Eight-Tails; Fugaku would be struggling against a freshly repaired seal, rendering all his efforts useless.
“So… enjoy the show.” As the grand director of this spectacular performance, Neiki gave a gentlemanly bow.
“Hey, don’t just stand there. Come and take shelter… huh?” Iruka, directing the crowd, paused, scratching his head at the empty spot where Neiki had stood.
A ninja, then…
After a brief pause, he resumed his work immediately:
“Kids, this way!”
…
In an underground chamber on Konoha’s outskirts, once heavily guarded by Anbu, silence reigned.
Most guards had been recalled to Konoha to handle the Nine-Tails’ rampage.
After eliminating the last hidden Anbu guard, Neiki calmly wiped the blood from his hands and opened the chamber door.
Ignoring the numerous confidential scrolls, his eyes focused on the lowest shelf.
Neiki retrieved a scroll, smiling faintly.
“The Scroll of Seals, secured.”
…
After the war between Konoha and the Uchiha erupted, Danzo’s hidden Root organization became extremely busy, leaving their underground headquarters deserted.
With his Byakugan, Neiki saw through the once heavily guarded Root headquarters, which now lacked its usual oppressive atmosphere. The few guards made Neiki smile.
He walked through the long underground corridor.
“I need to see Danzo-sama,” Neiki said.
“Danzo-sama isn’t here. Please come back another time,” the guard replied.
Not here?
Neiki smiled, drawing his sword.
“Neiki-taicho?” The guard tensed.
With a swift stab, the sword pierced his heart.
“Don’t speak.”
Neiki covered his mouth, gently laying him down.
“This world is cruel. Don’t come back.”
Without alerting the nearby guards, Neiki smoothly infiltrated the headquarters.
Activating his Byakugan, nothing remained hidden. Neiki quickly found a hidden passage leading to a secret chamber.
Following the passage to its deepest point, the spicy scent of chemicals hit him. Neiki pinched his nose, surveying the underground lab.
Over ten transparent glass containers held human bodies. The girl nearest to Neiki was about the same age as Neji. Neiki recognized the mark on her arm – the symbol of Amegakure.
Her eyes were closed, her legs transformed into tree roots, and her face twisted in silent agony.
Other containers held similar bodies, showing signs of partial plant transformation, some even sprouting flowers.
Examining the data charts beside the containers, Neiki noted dates going back eight years.
Just as he suspected.
Five years ago, after Orochimaru defected, Danzo took over his Wood Release research. He utilized test subjects from smaller nations, avoiding internal risks to Konoha.
Understandably, Danzo lacked Orochimaru’s scientific prowess but couldn’t resist the allure of the powerful Wood Release.
Though their collaboration ended with Orochimaru’s defection, Danzo had no trouble continuing the research with other scientists.
Danzo had long since integrated Hashirama’s cells, explaining his ability to host multiple Sharingan.
Yet the overwhelming vitality of Hashirama’s cells also came with side effects.
Danzo’s pre-death plant transformation was a result of losing control over these cells.
“What are you doing here?”
A scientist in a white coat, recording data, noticed Neiki.
Neiki glanced at him, noting his lack of chakra – just a regular person.
With a wave of his hand, a simple genjutsu ensnared the scientist.
“I need a sample of Hashirama’s cells.”
…
Neiki planned to gather as many benefits as possible before leaving Konoha, but he was uncertain when he might return. Having already antagonized the entire village by destroying the Hyuga clan, he saw no reason to hold back.
The Scroll of Seals.
Hashirama’s cells.
He would take it all.
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