Sarutobi Hiruzen had agreed, and Shihouin Naraku's plan began to be implemented in full swing.
As a leader, he wasn't actually too busy. As long as he managed the big picture, his subordinates would naturally handle the specific details.
"Clan Head!"
"Ah, Baika, you're here."
Shihouin Naraku looked at his clansman, a middle-aged shinobi who was no longer young.
"How's it going, Baika? Is there still hope?"
"Clan Head! I'm sorry to disappoint you! My talents are not sufficient to become a Konoha Jōnin and ease your burden!"
Seeing Shihouin Baika's ashamed expression, Naraku could only scratch his head helplessly. The Shihouin clan was not short of resources now, and since it still didn't work, maybe this man really had no talent for being a shinobi.
"Since you're not cut out to be a shinobi, then become the director!"
"What?"
Shihouin Baika was confused and didn't understand what his clan leader meant.
"You must have heard about the reorganization of the medical emergency team. You should take charge of the new medical centre established for the daimyo and nobles of various countries."
Although Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu would definitely interfere, Naraku was not prepared to hand over the position of director to their people. After all, everyone could see how valuable this position was.
"Yes! I understand!"
Shihouin Baika nodded immediately. This was a good position, and he would definitely not refuse it for the sake of the clan.
"How are the others doing? I haven't paid much attention to the medical emergency team recently. Has anyone caused trouble because of my change in position?"
Shihouin Baika immediately shook his head and said to Naraku with pride.
"The clan members are doing very well. Even after you left, no one dared to say anything against us."
Since Naraku took control of the medical emergency division, he had arranged for some people from the Shihouin clan to work there. Even if they couldn't learn medical ninjutsu, it would be easy for them to work as basic nurses and administrative staff.
The pay was good, and the danger was greatly reduced. The Shihouin clan had never had such good opportunities before.
But unfortunately, even with his support, the Shihouin clan still didn't produce many powerful shinobi.
There was no way around it—there were still too few clan members.
"Remember one thing..." Naraku patted Shihouin Baika's shoulder and reminded him, "There will definitely be someone who covets your position, but no matter who it is, you are not allowed to give it up!"
"Yes! I understand!"
"Alright, get to work..."
Naraku continued to deal with clan matters, and it didn't take long to resolve them all. After all, it was a small clan.
Although the Shihouin clan couldn't help much at the moment, Naraku still supported everyone in the clan because they were truly loyal to him!
All the members of the Shihouin clan understood who had made their lives better!
...
The Konohagakure gate was always crowded with people.
Civilians, shinobi, nobles, merchants, and others could enter and exit through the gate after proper registration.
Of course, there was more than one road and passage leading outside of Konohagakure.
"Haha..."
Yamanaka Yue, who had just returned through a secret side entrance of Konoha Village, let out a sigh of relief. The missions over the past few days had been tiring, but she was finally back in the village and had time to rest for a while.
However, she still needed to go to the Anbu headquarters and complete her report before she could change clothes and remove the mask from her face.
Yamanaka Yue led her squad, and the four of them headed toward the Anbu base.
"Hmm?"
Although they had returned to the village, the four remained vigilant. When they sensed something unusual, they immediately looked toward the woods not far away.
"Rustle..."
A figure walked out of the woods and stared at Yamanaka Yue, who had not yet removed her mask.
"Brother Fū?!"
Yamanaka Yue remained on guard. She frowned at Yamanaka Fū who had suddenly appeared. Wasn't her brother one of Shimura Danzō's bodyguards? Why had he come here to intercept her?
"Lord Danzō wishes to see you!"
Yamanaka Fū, tall with orange hair and wearing combat clothes, showed no expression on his face. He just looked at his sister as if he would take action if Yamanaka Yue did not leave with him.
"I am an Anbu member! Under the command of Shihouin Naraku-sama!"
"I will not go with you without orders from Lord Naraku or Lord Hokage!"
Yamanaka Fū raised his eyebrows slightly, lifted his black-gloved hands, and extended them toward Yamanaka Yue.
Was he really going to fight just because of a disagreement?
"Shing!"
Yamanaka Yue and the Anbu shinobi behind her all drew their swords and aimed at Yamanaka Fū.
The air was filled with killing intent between the two sides as if a life-or-death battle would break out at any moment.
"Don't get agitated, Fū!"
Shimura Danzō slowly walked out of the dark woods with his cane, and behind him was another guard, Aburame Torune of the Aburame clan!
Trouble...
At this time, an Anbu shinobi behind Yamanaka Yue retreated silently, and when he was about to turn around and leave, he found another shinobi blocking his path.
Can't I call for help?
Without looking back, Yamanaka Yue knew that it was no longer possible to summon reinforcements. Various strategies flashed rapidly through her mind, but she rejected them all one by one.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
Shimura Danzō stepped closer with his cane. The pressure emanating from him grew stronger, and sweat began to form on Yamanaka Yue's forehead.
"Bang!"
The cane slammed hard on the ground, and Shimura Danzō stated without question, "Yue! You are a member of Root!"
Yamanaka Yue remained silent!
Shimura Danzō never liked being questioned by others, but when faced with this situation, he remained calm and composed, as if he had everything under his control.
"It seems that you have all forgotten the strict rules of the Root organization!"
Then Shimura Danzō fell silent and looked calmly at Yamanaka Yue and the other three. He believed that soon they would kneel before him and submit again!
One second, two seconds, three seconds...
There was a suffocating silence.
A crow cackled in the air—
Why was there no response?
A flash of surprise and doubt crossed his eyes, and Shimura Danzō immediately understood what had happened.
The Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal had been removed!!!
The other techniques hidden in the seal had also disappeared!
"Who removed it?"
"I did!!!"
Everyone present suddenly became alert!
The light reflected in their pupils was like the rising sun with flames; the shadows faded away little by little, and the coldness dissipated silently.
Everyone present swallowed involuntarily as a powerful presence approached them.
Boom, boom, boom...
The steady and powerful footsteps gradually drew closer.
Everyone narrowed their eyes slightly. The sunlight slanted, and the approaching figure finally revealed himself completely!
Confidence!
With one hand in his pocket and a smile on his face, Naraku walked closer and stood in front of Shimura Danzō.
Adjusting the flaming emblem on his shoulder, Shihouin Naraku looked at Shimura Danzō with curiosity, "What are you doing here, Danzō-senpai?"
"Do you have something to ask my subordinates? Then you can ask me directly. I know more!"
Shimura Danzō's expression remained unchanged, but the veins on his palms, which were tightly gripping the cane, were now visible.
"You should address me as Lord Danzō!"
"That's right..." Naraku nodded seriously, "We should use proper titles in public. I understand!"
"By the way, what exactly is Danzō-senpai's official position?"
Who do you think you are?
Shimura Danzō's entire demeanour darkened instantly, but he was a well-known figure in the shinobi world after all, so he wouldn't lose his composure so easily.
"Elder! What were you doing just now?"
Shihouin Naraku's voice suddenly rose a notch, and at the same time, he took a step forward, his eyes fixed on Shimura Danzō.
Swish! Swish!
Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune rushed in front of Shimura Danzō simultaneously, taking fighting stances against Shihouin Naraku, while another shinobi guarded Danzō's flank.
Swoosh—
At the same moment, four Anbu members, led by Yamanaka Yue, stood protectively in front of Naraku!
Only Shimura Danzō and Shihouin Naraku stared at each other without shifting their gaze, as if they were unaware of the movements around them.
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