Konoha's Hextech Ninja

Despite the constant urging from the Root ninjas to urge Orochimaru on, he remained unmoved and did nothing.

After the investigation team collected evidence of Root's secret subversion of the Land of Rivers, they left.

Without Orochimaru's fighting prowess, these Root ninjas, who had only recently arrived in the Land of Rivers, were unable to eliminate an elite squad of four Jonin without leaving any evidence.

He could only stare at Orochimaru with dissatisfaction and reprimand him sternly.

Orochimaru completely ignored this mild reprimand and remained unmoved.

……

Konoha, Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi kept puffing on his pipe, looking at the intelligence report in front of him, and felt his head buzzing.

The lands of water, wind, and rivers all brought back bad news.

The first two were alright; they were just mission failures, and no specific details were found out.

Meanwhile, in the land of rivers...

Sarutobi Hitsuji looked at the information sent back by Mitokado Homura, and Shimura Danzo...

Meanwhile, Orochimaru, whom he sent to investigate, had already colluded with Danzo Shimura.

Send Shimura Danzo's men to investigate Shimura Danzo?

When he learned the truth, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt like he was about to have a stroke. He had lost even the most basic vigilance and had been completely fooled by Danzo Shimura.

"Danzo! To defy the world and attack a daimyo is an absolute taboo! If the daimyo of the Land of Fire finds out, what will he think of Konoha? What will happen to our future funding?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought fiercely, "I can't handle the mysterious powerhouses of the Land of Water, or the Sand Village. But I can't handle Danzo?!"

"And Orochimaru, you really deserve a good lesson, so you'll know what it means to respect your teacher!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought quickly, weighing the pros and cons, and soon made up his mind, calling out, "Haru, Yellow Inu!"

Two secret agents appeared in the office in an instant.

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly gave the order: "Haru, take two ANBU battalions and head to the border of the Land of Water to relieve Koharu's troops and monitor the Land of Water's movements."

"Yellow Dog, you will also take two ANBU squadrons to the border of the Land of Rivers, replace Mitokado Homura's troops, monitor the movements of the Land of Wind, and take over all defenses of the Land of Rivers."

"Within the Land of Rivers, all traces of Root's activities must be completely erased. As for the Daimyo..." Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, then said, "Have a Jonin skilled in genjutsu erase his memories. Under no circumstances should information about Root controlling the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers be leaked!"

The two quickly accepted the order: "Yes, Lord Hokage."

"Haru, you go first." Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand and said, "Yellow Inu, stay behind."

"Yes."

The member of the Dark Division named 'Sunny' responded, but had disappeared without a trace.

"Yellow Dog." Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone softened slightly as he asked, "How's your control over the Anbu going?"

"There are still twelve squads under Danzo's control," Yellow Dog said. "All the remaining Anbu ninjas will prioritize the Hokage's orders."

“Twelve squads, that’s forty-eight people…” A ruthless glint appeared in Hiruzen Sarutobi’s eyes: “And the Root ninjas who have already disbanded, immediately investigate their movements. Anyone in the village, take them under control!”

"Bring them all under control. If we don't have enough manpower, bring in people from the family!"

"Send another large squadron with me to see Danzo!"

Once Sarutobi Hiruzen made his decision, he didn't hesitate at all and prepared to take this opportunity to completely crush Shimura Danzo.

At least, he must not be allowed to cause trouble again until the village faces a major crisis.

Since succeeding as Hokage, I have been living in constant fear and trepidation.

In order to better realize his political ambitions, Hiruzen Sarutobi had to recruit his fellow disciples such as Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane.

But while helping themselves, they also took away too much power.

Now is the time to take power back into our own hands.

There's no suitable excuse yet for Mito's inflammation or Koharu's transfer to another room.

But since Danzo Shimura offered up his weakness twice in a row, I can't blame myself for being ruthless!

"Oh, right," Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly spoke up, adding, "Let's talk to Shikawara and discuss cutting the Shimura clan's funding by two-thirds next year."

Chapter 120 Kurenai Yuhi: This brat is so annoying!

The end of the year, early winter.

After being away for nearly two months, Yagami Yoruichi finally returned to Konoha with the main force.

Without a victory, there would naturally be no welcoming ceremony.

After Mitokado Homura announced the disbandment, Yagami Yoru immediately wanted to go to Yuhi Kurenai's house.

After being separated for so long, Yoruichi Yagami still misses him a little.

"stop!"

Tsunade called out to Yoruichi Yagami, frowning, and asked, "Where are you rushing off to?"

"Teacher," Yagami Yoruichi scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "I want to go find Kurenai..."

"That little girl from the Yuhi family."

Tsunade didn't have a deep impression of Kurenai Yuhi, but she knew of her existence because of Yoruichi Yagami.

Tsunade sized up Yoruichi Yagami, glanced at her a few times, and revealed a sly smile: "You've grown up, kid. Go find your little girlfriend!"

“But in a few days, I’ll be checking on your study progress. If you neglect your studies, you’ll be in big trouble,” Tsunade reminded her, adding, “Don’t play too much, and remember to come home tonight.”

"Understood, teacher." Yagami Yoruichi greeted them, then quickly broke away from the main group and used the Body Flicker Technique to rush towards Kurenai Yuhi's house.

Originating from the 'Water Release: Water Instantaneous Body Technique' of 'Demigod of the Ninja World' Hanzo of the Salamander, Yoruichi Yagami has not yet mastered it due to the environment of the front-line camp.

However, the Body Flicker Technique among Konoha's Taijutsu is not slow either.

Yagami Yoruichi leaped swiftly across the rooftops, arriving at Kurenai Yuhi's doorstep in just a few minutes. With a hint of nervousness, she knocked on the door.

The door opened, and when Kurenai saw Yoruichi Yagami's face, her expression darkened.

It's that annoying brat again!

"What are you doing here?!" Yuhi Makoto wished she never had to see Yagami Yoruichi again, but because of her daughter, she had to suppress her displeasure, and her tone was inevitably a bit harsh: "Weren't you on the front lines? Did you desert?"

"The mission is over, I just got back to the village today." Ignoring Kurenai Yuhi's subtly provocative tone, Yoruichi Yagami peeked into the house: "Is Kurenai home? She probably hasn't been to school lately, has she?"

"Thanks to you, I dare not let Kurenai leave the house even for a moment!" Kurenai Yuhi tried to stop her, but she couldn't stop her no matter what she did.

The two women had been locked in a tense standoff for a while through the narrow crack in the door when Yagami Yoruichi finally broke through Kurenai Yuhi's obstruction, squeezed inside, and shouted into the house, "Kurenai, are you home? I'm back!"

"This kid's taijutsu..." Yuhi Shinku showed a hint of surprise.

He is a genjutsu-type Jonin, but that doesn't mean he only knows genjutsu.

To make up for her shortcomings, Yuhi Shinku put in a lot of effort in taijutsu and believed that she was no worse than most Jonin.

Despite having the advantage in terrain, he was actually suppressed by Yoruichi Yagami?

Although it was just a contest for 'position' and not a real physical skills competition, it still revealed some clues.

The sheer power of that thing left Kurenai speechless.

How come this kid has become so strong in such a short time?

This is only in terms of strength.

What about his strongest skills—chakra reserves and ninjutsu? How much have they improved?

The sunset is so red that I can't help but think about it.

Inside the house.

Upon hearing Yagami Yoruichi's voice, Kurenai quickly slipped on a pair of slippers and ran downstairs.

Upon seeing Yagami Yoruichi, her face immediately lit up with joy, and she screamed as she pounced on her.

Feeling Kurenai's small body bump into his arms, Yagami Yoruichi's lips curled up slightly. He hugged the girl in his arms tightly and whispered, "Be careful, don't be so clumsy. What if you fall?"

"Yoruichi-kun will definitely catch me!" Kurenai Yuhi looked up at Yoruichi Yagami, her eyes sparkling with a strange light, and whispered, "Yoruichi-kun, I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too." Yagami Yoichi reached out and stroked Kurenai Yuhi's little head.

The little girl squinted her eyes comfortably and tilted her head back slightly, like a lazy kitten.

Seeing the two of them being so affectionate and oblivious to everyone else, Kurenai Yuhi felt like she was about to explode with anger. She wanted nothing more than to draw her sword and chop up the bastard who had run off with her daughter.

"You two!" Kurenai Yuhi finally yelled, "Are you pretending I don't exist?!"

Just as Yoruichi was about to say something, Kurenai Yuhi jumped out of her arms and angrily scolded Shinku Yuhi, "What are you yelling about! What if you scared Yoruichi-kun?!"

Hearing her daughter's words, Kurenai Yuhi felt a pang of pain in her heart, and was filled with endless grief and indignation.

Yagami Yoruichi found it amusing, but dared not actually laugh. Holding Kurenai Yuhi's small hand, he whispered, "Uncle Kurenai is just concerned about you, don't be like that."

When Yuhi Mahong heard Yagami Yoruichi's words, her heart suddenly felt warm.

Although this brat is annoying, he's not entirely useless.

At least they're reasonable!

Just then, Yagami Yoruichi said, "Uncle, I haven't seen Kurenai in a long time, and I have a lot to talk about, so I'm going out on a date. I won't be back for dinner tonight, but I'll bring Kurenai back before 10 pm. Goodbye, Uncle!"

Before Kurenai could react, she saw the two holding hands, leaving only their backs receding into the distance.

"You little rascal!"

When Yuhi Shinku saw how obedient her daughter was to Yagami Yoru, she almost lost her temper and couldn't help but grumble.

……

On the other side.

Mitokado Homura, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Hatake Sakumo have all gathered in the Hokage's office.

"Thank you for your hard work."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze swept over the four people, lingering briefly on Orochimaru before turning to Sakumo Hatake and saying, "Although I have already read your report, I would like to hear you tell me yourself what happened in the Land of Wind."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Sakumo Hatake immediately began to explain: "I infiltrated the Land of Wind twice to try and gather intelligence. The first time, I encountered 'The Red Sand Scorpion.' His poison was extremely potent; two of my teammates only suffered minor injuries before succumbing to the poison on the spot. Another teammate managed to suppress the poison thanks to a special antidote from his family, but he was also critically injured and on the verge of death. If it weren't for the intervention of Tsunade-sama's disciple, he would have perished as well. But even if he had survived, he couldn't remain a ninja and would have had to retire..."

When Sakumo Hatake spoke of this matter, his tone was extremely heavy.

Two dead and one disabled – this not only means the loss of the individuals themselves, but also the devastation and hardship of their three families.

All of this was because he underestimated the enemy's strength.

"You just said you're Tsunade's disciple?" Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted Sakumo Hatake, turning his gaze to Tsunade and asking, "Is it that kid, Yoruichi Yagami?"

Tsunade nodded and said, "I have hemophobia and cannot perform the surgery. Yoruichi and Jabami performed the surgery."

“Snake-like Ci, I know that child. He’s a good medical ninja. But his skill level isn’t high enough to treat that level of serious injury.” Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

His wife, Yuan Fei Biwako, was the second best medical ninja in Konoha after Tsunade, and also the teacher of Snake Ci.

He was naturally more than aware of She Ci's abilities.

“Yoruichi has a great talent for medical ninjutsu, but she lacks enough experience,” Tsunade said. “I plan to have her intern at Konoha Hospital.”

“You are the best medical ninja in the village. Since you think his abilities are sufficient, let him go.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment and said, "I remember this child; he is not only talented in medical ninjutsu."

"He is also skilled in Water Release, Fire Release, and Wind Release," Tsunade said.

“In that case…” Sarutobi Hiruzen thought for a moment, about to say something.

Tsunade suddenly spoke up, "We can talk about rewarding merits later. Yoruichi's contributions this time are not limited to this one thing."

"Oh?" Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded thoughtfully, not in a hurry to ask further questions, but looked at Sakumo Hatake and instructed, "Continue."

"Yes." Hatake Sakumo nodded and continued to recount his experience: "After the first failure, I organized another small team to infiltrate the Land of Wind to gather intelligence. But unfortunately, the mission failed again. We were besieged by several elite Jonin from Sunagakure. I judged that there was no hope of completing the mission, so I negotiated with the Sunagakure ninja in exchange for abandoning the mission and led the team back to the Land of Fire."

After a pause, Hatake Sakumo hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I have a guess, but I can't confirm if it's correct."

"Tell me," said Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Even if it's just a guess, it has value."

"As I said, I encountered the Red Sand Scorpion during my first infiltration. Logically, the second infiltration should have been more difficult, and Sunagakure Village should have had more stringent defenses. But in reality, the second infiltration went much more smoothly. We didn't get away until we were near Sunagakure Village, when we were exposed because we fell into one of the village's hidden traps."