Naruto: I, Shikotsumyaku, Byakugan Princess

Chapter 231 Social Death and Collusion

"Night crossing?"

Upon hearing this unfamiliar name, a big question mark simultaneously rose above the heads of the three people, including Hongdou.

The number of Jonin in Konoha is neither too many nor too few, with several hundred including Special Jonin. However, the examiners qualified to serve as the chief examiners for this Super Chunin Exams are clearly not Special Jonin of the same rank as them.

The opponent should at least be a Jonin, and might even be an elite Jonin!
Experts of this caliber are usually those who have fought their way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood; it's impossible that they've never even heard of them. Moreover, this name doesn't sound like a normal name; rather, it sounds like some kind of code name.

Could it be a hidden master from the secret service?

They both looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, only to find that he simply nodded calmly, proving that what Hairi said was true.

"We've never heard of this person before. Where should we look for him?"

Knowing she wouldn't get a definite answer from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Anko looked down at Kairi, her eyes filled with curiosity.

She had long heard of this rumored genius girl.

Becoming an elite Jonin is a dream she may never achieve in her lifetime, but it's a small goal that the other person accomplished in their first year at the Ninja Academy.

Even though that was five years ago, it's hard to imagine how strong Gray Glass is now.

In addition to their inhuman combat record, their appearance is also not that of a normal human being.

It's not that its facial features are particularly special, but rather that it possesses an indescribable brilliance.

With her red lips, white teeth, and radiant skin, she exuded a glow even in the shadows! It's hard to describe exactly what that radiance was, but just seeing her would bring a sense of comfort from the bottom of your heart.

Facing Hongdou's slightly burning gaze, Huili said calmly:
"If you want to find her, you can go to the 'Dark Team Training Department'."

She was already used to that gaze.

Since she began cultivating the Reversal of the Eight Gates, her life force, which was extremely abundant yet unable to be digested for a time, manifested outwards. Although she could not escape the binding of the curse seal, her whole body emitted visible light.

The light was so dim, like a flashlight that was almost out of power, that it was almost impossible to spot unless you looked closely.

The Yang Release clone refers to this light as the Light of Life, or as Life Radiation.

This light is not just a visual effect; the potted plants in her home and the trees in the Death Forest have become extremely lush due to the life radiation, and birds and beasts can't help but get close to her, as if they can gain some benefit from this life radiation.

Of course, in the end, most of them were drained of their life force by her and turned into a handful of yellow earth in the forest of death.

Dark organization training department?

That's not the root!
The three were shocked upon hearing this, and it was because they thought of that group of lifeless ninjas.

Anko's face was gloomy and cold, faintly revealing disgust and resentment. Genma Shiranui's eyes showed apprehension, as if he was thinking of something. Ibiki Morino, despite his shock, still maintained his indifferent expression, clearly having no ill feelings towards Root.

Their identities were all extraordinary; they were all from a faction that ordinary people had never even heard of, and they had all interacted with each other.

As Orochimaru's personal disciple, Mitarashi Anko received numerous invitations from Root after Orochimaru's defection.

The 'invitation' from the root is obvious to anyone who knows.

Coercion, bribery, intimidation, imprisonment, arrest... she used every means at her disposal. If it weren't for Hiruzen Sarutobi's protection, she would have been taken under Danzo's command long ago. Although she called the Third Hokage "old man" out of politeness, she actually respected her master very much.

The form of address itself carries a sense of intimacy.

Genma Shiranui, who may seem ordinary, is no ordinary person. He once served as the Fourth Hokage's personal bodyguard and even received the Flying Thunder God Technique. He must have heard of the Root's infamous reputation.

The most composed Morino Ibiki, due to his skill in interrogation and torture, often cooperated with the Root ninjas. Their ruthless, efficient, and clean-cut nature actually gave him a good impression of the Root ninjas.

Seeing the various expressions on everyone's faces, Hui Li secretly made a mental note of their reactions.

In the upcoming Chunin Exams, she will have to cooperate with them as 'Yawari'. Getting to know their personalities beforehand will make things much easier.

Thinking of this, Hui Li couldn't help but look at the old man next to her.

She declared herself the chief examiner in place of the Hokage, and even the two examiners, proctors, and referees were, strictly speaking, her subordinates, and she herself had to take the exam...

It's simply invincible!

"Why is it the Root group...?" Anko couldn't help but question Hiruzen Sarutobi, only to find that he seemed startled, shaking his head rapidly at her while glancing repeatedly at the girl beside him who remained expressionless.

What do you mean?
Red Bean blinked. Could it be that the Third Hokage didn't want Gray to know about the Root?

She glanced at the dazzling, sun-chasing gray glass and understood.

The Root ninjas and Danzo were vicious, ruthless, and unscrupulous. It was indeed impossible for a genius girl who grew up in the sunlight to be exposed to the darkness of the village at such a young age.

"Understood... Lord Hokage, I shall take my leave!"

Despite feeling resentful but unable to vent it, Hongdou greeted him coldly, formed hand seals, and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Genma Shiranui was surprised that Anko had such a fiery temper and would leave so abruptly, and his expression turned somewhat awkward.

Ignoring his grand-disciple's rude behavior, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who knew everything, had lost his ability to speak. Looking at the expressionless girl beside him, he could only hope that Anko wouldn't do anything reckless.

"you……"

He wanted to dismiss Genma Shiranui and Ibiki Morino, but he got stuck again and could only wave at the two of them.

"Yes!"*2
Having understood the meaning of the three generations, Ibiki and his companion lowered their heads, turned around, and left the office.

In the blink of an eye, the bustling office fell silent.

“Red Bean, Orochimaru... she... has a grudge against Root!” Hiruzen Sarutobi patted Hairi’s shoulder and anxiously uttered a few words, but they were still not very coherent.

"Their messy affairs are none of my business!"

Hairi knew what Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to say, and could also guess that Anko must have been in a lot of trouble because of Root.

To be honest, that's normal.

When Root invited her back then, they used Chihaya Tooru as bait and sent twelve Jonin to besiege her. In the end, Danzo even used Kotoamatsukami with Zero Frame. Anyone would be angry if they were invited in this way!

Hongdou's attitude is already very good!
But now that the Root has become hers, it is no longer the Root it once was, and she cannot take the blame for Danzo's actions.

Every wrong has its perpetrator, every debt its debtor. Whether it's Red Bean or Green Bean, settle your scores with Danzo, but don't bother her with Night Crossing. If they insist on pinning the blame on Danzo for his misdeeds on her, she'll just have to send them to the underworld first, and then send Danzo there later to settle his own scores!
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew his disciple well and knew that Kairi was not one to suffer losses, so he secretly worried for Anko.

"The Black Lightning Secret Technique has been fully recorded in the Book of Sealing, so I have to go too, Teacher!" Hui Li didn't want to stay here as a mouthpiece; she was really anxious now that she had the Flying Thunder God!
"Okay...don't forget...the mission..."

Fearing that Hairi might become too obsessed with researching ninjutsu, Hiruzen Sarutobi loudly reminded her.

The four Kage will arrive in Konoha soon. If things go wrong and a fight breaks out, it would be wishful thinking for him, a Kage-level individual, to fight against all four of them.

Even if he were thirty years younger, he could only replace one or two at most, no matter how hard he tried.

Now that Danzo has defected, Konoha is even more desperate for help. He took this opportunity to give the Book of Sealing to Hairi, hoping that if she could become stronger, Konoha would be less in danger!
"I know~"

Stepping onto the reinforced, hardened ground, Gray only left Hiruzen Sarutobi with a waving back view.

Watching Hai Ri leave, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed softly. He didn't know if his decision to give Hai Ri the Book of Sealing was right or wrong. He could only hope that she wouldn't become another Orochimaru!
Just as he was feeling so worried, he heard a quiet conversation outside the door.

"Walk slowly!"

"Thank you. Teacher's speech is a little slow due to the ninjutsu experiment. Could you go in and help?"

Upon hearing Hai Li's concerned words, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately smiled. Although Hai Li was rather obsessed with researching ninjutsu, at least he hadn't forgotten to honor his master. His three disciples, on the other hand, weren't so thoughtful.

His worries lessened considerably, and with his back hunched, he turned and walked toward the Book of Seals on the table, where another line had been added.

But the talking outside the door continued.

"Well... there are some things that are not appropriate for me to say in my position. You should try to persuade the teacher. He's not young anymore, and it's best to be more restrained in some things. Medical ninjutsu is by no means a panacea..."

"what's up?"

"It's hard to say, but just say it like this, and he should understand..."

Hearing the conversation between Haili and Suzaku outside the door, Hiruzen Sarutobi paused. The difficulty in Haili's voice made his smile slowly freeze on his face.

He suddenly remembered something:

Hairi, who pretends to be blind, is actually a member of the Hyuga clan. In order to see her surroundings clearly without affecting her normal life, her X-ray vision is always active!
Click!

Click!

A sound like something shattering came from the void. Hiruzen Sarutobi covered his left chest with his hand and stood rooted to the spot like a stubborn rock.

……

"huh huh huh huh……"

A magnetic, husky male voice echoed in the dark cave.

This was a winding passageway, like the belly of a snake, filled with a heavy, damp, and musty smell. Having lived a life of luxury for many years, Danzo sniffed, somewhat uncomfortable with the cold, damp odor, but even more displeased by the man's unrestrained mockery.

"Orochimaru!"

An angry voice echoed in the cave, and the wet droplets on the stone walls seemed to be shaken by the loud noise, falling rapidly down the steep stone patterns.

"Sorry! Sorry!"

Orochimaru waved his hands repeatedly, looking at Danzo with a fierce glint in his eyes, and couldn't help but smile.

It's so ridiculous!
Danzo and Sarutobi ruled Konoha together for nearly thirty years, with a wealth of powerful Root members under their command. However, in his later years, he was usurped by his own disciple. After everything in Root was taken away, he escaped Konoha through a tunnel like a stray dog ​​on the street, and was even on the verge of becoming a Konoha rogue ninja like him!

Just thinking about it made Orochimaru almost burst out laughing, but in case Danzo came after him, he forced himself to keep from laughing out loud.

"So you've lost everything you had in Konoha?"

Orochimaru's words reopened old wounds, and Danzo clenched his left hand as if trying to grab something. But it wasn't until his fingertips poked his palm painfully that he realized he had thrown away the cumbersome scepter when he escaped through the secret passage.

"They're all gone, including the ten pairs of three-tomoe jewels I promised you; I couldn't bring even one of them out," Danzo said sinisterly.

Orochimaru, who had just been watching the spectacle with a smirk, suddenly stopped laughing. His cold, golden snake eyes reflected Danzo's strong figure: "When you contacted me to join forces to kill Ash Blossom... that's not what you said!"

"Hum hum……"

This time, Danzo should have been laughing, but the thought of losing Root made him unable to laugh: "The previous deal remains unchanged! If you can kill Ash Blossom and help me reclaim Root, you will get every single Sharingan I promised!"

"Ha, you want to make a profit without any investment?"

Orochimaru, adept at licking his cheeks, was completely unfazed by Danzo's tricks.

Danzo is now practically penniless, and Root is completely controlled by Hairi. If he could kill Hairi, everything in Root would naturally be his. Danzo's words are nothing but empty talk.

Moreover, this deal is clearly two separate matters: killing Ash Blossom is one, and helping Danzo reclaim Root is another. If, as Danzo claims, the other party is indeed listed as a rogue ninja, the latter is probably more difficult than the former.

Danzo not only wanted to make a profit without any investment, but he even wanted to raise the price!
Seeing that Orochimaru remained completely unmoved, Danzo remained outwardly calm but inwardly anxious.

When he went to the Root basement that day and saw Hai Li in the Thunder Pool, the abnormal amount of chakra, the powerful physique that could bathe in plasma, and the inexplicable intense fear... all these signs indicated that he was probably no longer a match for Hai Li.

And after that he discovered:

Everyone in the Roots looked at his bandaged eyes with suspicion, and no one ever spent time alone with him in a room.

He instantly realized something was wrong and quickly used his summoning snake to contact Orochimaru, offering his Sharingan as a condition for Orochimaru's help in eliminating Hairi, his biggest threat!
The other party remained silent for three whole days before giving him a reply, agreeing to the transaction.

It was after receiving Orochimaru's promise that, after probing and discovering that even Ryuma of Root had betrayed them, he fled Konoha and headed straight for the Land of Rice Fields where Orochimaru was located.

"I'll add five more pairs of Sharingan to what I promised..."

"I have limited time. If you don't show some sincerity soon... you can prepare to be a rogue ninja for the rest of your life!"

Orochimaru was too lazy to listen to Danzo's nonsense. What's the use of making empty promises?

Upon hearing the term "rogue ninja," Danzo's forehead veins bulged, and he could no longer control his anger. His chakra surged and poured into the four-wheeled windmill in his left eye.

Illusion Technique: Kotoamatsukami!
An invisible light of Yin Release pierced through the bandages in front of him. Orochimaru, who was holding his arms and looking impatient, paused for a moment, and his golden vertical pupils suddenly turned into a black and red color.

In the pupil, four windmills slowly turned!
"I'll say it one last time, double the number of Sharingan eyes, and you kill Ash Blossom for me!" Danzo commanded, each word distinct and deliberate, as his left Mangekyou Sharingan spun wildly.
(End of this chapter)