Naruto: The Age of Ninja Swords Begins in Kumogakure

Tamura Hiroshi finally woke up after a good sleep... no, after being seriously injured and unconscious for a long time, he was awakened by pain.

"teacher!"

My gaze shifted and soon I saw a pair of majestic mountains, which even partially obscured my face. It was none other than my beloved teacher, Fat Sheep.

"Don't move around, it'll be done soon. This liver was one I painstakingly picked out from piles of corpses."

Tsunade made a casual remark and continued the surgery.

"Teacher, did you forget to administer the anesthesia?"

After a moment of silence, Tamura Hiroshi couldn't help but ask a question.

I thought I could sleep until I naturally woke up, but I was woken up by pain instead.

"You're already unconscious, why would I need to give you anesthesia?"

Tsunade's confident and assertive response left Tamura Hiroshi with no excuse to refute her.

In the end, he could only lie flat and let Teacher Fei Yang do whatever he wanted to him.

Fortunately, Teacher Feiyang was very efficient and completed the liver transplant surgery in a short time.

"We'll use this liver for now. There might be some rejection, but with your constitution, it should last a month without any problems. I've cultured a liver using your liver cells, and it should be fully formed in about a month. Then I'll transplant it into you. Although it won't be as good as your original one, at least there won't be any rejection."

Taking off her blood-stained gloves, Tsunade explained about liver culture.

This time we were lucky; we found some still-active cells in a large fragment of the liver, which can be used as a base to induce culture and form a new liver.

Although this type of liver culture consumes the number of cell divisions and is considered an old liver, it is still better than transplanting a liver from someone else and experiencing rejection.

Even if she tries her best to find a suitable match, it is still impossible to achieve a 100% compatibility, and some rejection reactions are inevitable.

This is a genetic difference that cannot be changed.

We can only use the original liver cells for culturing now; we'll figure out how to solve the subsequent problems later.

"I'm sorry, I made you cry, teacher."

Tamura Hiroshi displayed an apologetic expression.

"I didn't shed any tears for you."

Tsunade instinctively retorted, how could she possibly shed tears for this rebellious disciple?

"Your tear stains are still on your face."

Looking at the tear stains on the teacher's face, Tamura Hao felt that the fat sheep teacher was insulting his eyes and intelligence.

Tsunade's face was still covered in dust, the stains from the desert. She had been too busy treating her traitorous disciple to wash them off after returning, and the tear stains were even more noticeable against the dust.

"I made that for Shizune and Rin."

Tsunade remained stubborn; she would never shed a tear for this rebellious disciple.

"How is Lin?"

Tamura Hao recalled that the girl had also suffered severe injuries, even more serious than the faked injuries he had inflicted. She had been cut in half at the waist. That ANBU member was truly ruthless.

"You certainly know how to cherish women."

Speaking of that girl, Tsunade couldn't help but glare at that rebellious disciple; she was practically courting death.

"That girl won't die, but I can't fully repair her severed spinal cord. She'll probably have to use a wheelchair from now on."

This situation is too much of a blow for a child. I hope that girl can pull through.

"Obito couldn't escape, and now even Rin has suffered. I don't know how to explain this to him when I go to his grave."

Tamura Hao sighed. Whether Obito Uchiha really met with an accident or was arranged by Madara Uchiha, he was gone.

After spending so much time together, I'm really reluctant to part ways.

"Sometimes it's normal to be a little selfish, not so selfless."

Tsunade was also in a bad mood. After giving a final reminder, she turned and left, preparing to devote herself to nurturing the liver for her traitorous disciple.

She only extracted one sample of liver cells, so there couldn't be any mistakes.

Not long after, three figures walked in; it was Nara Shikaku and his two companions.

They had only experienced symptoms of oxygen deprivation leading to unconsciousness, and they started working on it after sensing Minato Namikaze's arrival, so they recovered quickly.

"Just get through this."

Seeing Tamura Hiroshi's expression, all three of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Although everything is going according to plan, there are always some risks involved.

"Luckily, I'm tough."

Tamura Hiroshi smiled, then his lips moved slightly, his eyes asking a question.

The liver that was seized was cultured, and it had consumed a lot of cell divisions, so it couldn't be cultured again. If Teacher Fei Yang found out, he would definitely be exposed.

It was planned from the beginning to find an opportunity to exchange the liver cells extracted by Tsunade-sensei and cultivate them using the original liver cells that had been backed up long ago.

Nara Shikaku blinked and smiled, indicating that everything was settled.

Everything was done flawlessly.

"What did Grandpa Wind say?"

Having received a response, Tamura Hiroshi was finally relieved and immediately inquired about Grandpa Tofu's attitude.

"The old man means that it's time to clean up the darkness in the village. If Minato Namikaze is capable of taking on the responsibility, we should support him. If he is not, we should find someone else. We can't let those people run rampant anymore, or the village will collapse sooner or later."

When Akimichi Choza spoke, his words carried a chilling tone.

Those people must be eliminated, otherwise I won't be able to sleep peacefully in the future.

"Minato-senpai."

Thinking of that person, Tamura Hao felt it was unlikely to succeed, because Minato Namikaze wouldn't be able to bring himself to sever those ties.

This is Minato Namikaze's strength, but sometimes it can also become a weakness.

It was precisely because of this quality in Minato Namikaze that Hiruzen Sarutobi chose him to become the Fourth Hokage.

"We need to make other preparations. We can't put all our eggs in one basket. This must never happen again."

Nara Shikaku displayed a resolute and sinister demeanor; this time, he had truly experienced a life-or-death crisis.

If they hadn't planned ahead and taken precautions, they would have truly died.

"Does Shikaku-nii mean Tsunade-sensei?"

Tamura Hiroshi looked thoughtful.

"Currently, only the three disciples of the Third Hokage and the puppet Minato Namikaze, whom he promoted, are qualified to compete for the Fourth Hokage position."

Minato is too gentle and finds it hard to be ruthless enough to change the village. Jiraiya is similar to him.

Lord Orochimaru is too cold-hearted, and he seems to be getting very close to that person.

That leaves Lady Tsunade, and among the Sannin, she has the highest prestige. She's also the granddaughter of the First Hokage. If she's willing to compete for the Fourth Hokage position, we'll fully support her in changing the village.

Nara Shikaku did some analysis. He didn't know if Tsunade was monitoring them, but if you're going to put on an act, you have to go all the way.

No one knew about the previous plan except for the four of them; even Hao's liver was cultivated by him.

They might even erase that part of the memory afterward, making that event a fait accompli, in order to ensure that nothing goes wrong.

"I'll find an opportunity to talk to the teacher and see if she has any thoughts on this."

After some thought, Tamura Hiroshi finally said he could try to persuade him.

After talking for a while, the three of them helped Tamura Hiroshi to a nearby ward, where he lay down on a hospital bed to rest before leaving.

Not long after, Shizune and Might Guy quickly entered the ward. When they saw Tamura Hiroshi lying on the hospital bed, Shizune burst into tears, and Might Guy was also moved to tears.

"Stop, I'm still wounded."

Upon seeing Matt Kai, he was about to excitedly give him a youthful hug when Tamura Hao quickly raised his hand to stop him.

"Promise me you won't do that again."

Jingyin was moved but also reproachful. She had sensed Hao's life force flowing into her body and was forcibly maintaining their lives with her powerful life force, which had led Hao to the brink of death and almost caused his death.

Although they had all erected Bagua seals on the Death Gate, sealing a portion of their life force, the rate of outflow was limited, and the amount was not enough for their bodies to sustain for that long, especially since the seriously injured, including Lin, did not yet have Bagua seals.

Hao saved them all!

"I promise you!"

Tamura Hao raised his hand to wipe away the tears on his fiancée's face. Although they had been acting according to the pre-set script, it was indeed a life-or-death crisis.

"Kai, I feel that your youth is not burning with enough passion, and you need to work harder to cultivate it."

After glancing at the enthusiastic third wheel standing to the side, Tamura Hao gestured that it was time for him to go and enjoy his youth.

"You're right, I do need to work harder."

Matt Kai wholeheartedly agreed, and then jumped out of the window, ready to have a "youth package."

After the third wheel left, Tamura Hiroshi pulled his young fiancée from the bedside and hugged her.

"You're still injured."

Jingyin's fair face flushed red instantly, and she quickly said that you are still injured.

"The wound is already healing."

Tamura Hao smiled, then gave her a French kiss, and finally performed a string-pulling technique, making the girl's face turn even redder.

Leaving aside the lovey-dovey couple on one side, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, upon learning that Nara Shikaku and the others had been found and brought back to Kikyo Castle, angrily rushed back to the village, his heart filled with even more panic.

He never thought he would fail when he started, so he didn't think there would be any problems with what followed.

But who would have thought that kid had such a trick up his sleeve, causing his plan to collapse, and now he's in trouble.

I dared not hide it, and when I got back, I told my father the truth.

"Snapped!"

After hearing the whole story, Hiruzen Sarutobi crushed his beloved pipe in one swift motion, his once kind face turning ferocious.

Why did you come back?

Staring fiercely at his rebellious son, Hiruzen Sarutobi truly wished he could kill this bastard.

You're not that stupid!

"Calm down. Shinnosuke is only thinking about the clan. That kid from the Akimichi clan has terrifying potential. Once he grows up, it's almost certain he'll become the Fifth Hokage. At that time, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio will definitely seize the opportunity to take power..."

The people of Sarutobi Biwako, who were nearby, quickly tried to persuade him and spoke up for his son.

"You think I'm angry that he did this?"

He glared at his wife with a cold look, then suppressed his anger and said in a cold voice, "I'm angry that he messed things up."

The more important something is, the more careful you must be to ensure that nothing goes wrong and that no accidents occur.

The failure this time was due to your carelessness and arrogance. Did you really think that just because your strength surpassed that of a Jonin, you could do whatever you wanted?

As someone in a position of power, he understood very well that there was no right or wrong, only success or failure, and that history was often written by the victors.

If it's done, then it's the right thing to do.

He made Danzo do many similar dirty things, but he always managed to keep things stable.

Even though no evidence was left of the Thousand Hands Clan's destruction back then, outsiders only had suspicions.

As long as no evidence is left, it's just a matter of wrangling, and can be easily resolved by turning a big issue into a small one, and a small issue into nothing.

But now this rebellious son has not only failed, but also left behind crucial evidence, and even the ape demon has perished there.

Why don't you just die there?

Sarutobi Shinnosuke lowered his head and remained silent. He knew he had messed things up and ruined them.

"Leave the village now, or I will declare you a rogue ninja."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, too lazy to scold him any further, simply stated the result and signaled for him to get lost.

Doing such a thing, and having evidence against him, means that this son is out of the game.

Moreover, he also needs to give an explanation to Ino-Shika-Cho and Torifu, otherwise his plans will collapse if they cause problems or go against him.

Danzo already has his own ideas, so we can't let Torifu also have any ideas; we must keep him in check.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke remained silent, bowed three times to his father and mother, and then got up and left.

He had predicted this outcome long before he learned that those people had been found and exposed, and this was the best possible result.

Otherwise, staying in the village would be more troublesome, and might even implicate the family and the father.

He had to shoulder these responsibilities alone; only by securing his father's and family's power and status in the village could they have a future.

However, he will not give up. As long as the three tribes of pig, deer, and butterfly are destroyed, he can return to the village and turn things around.

Just wait, I'll be back soon!

Watching her son leave, Sarutobi Biwako felt reluctant, but she also understood that this was the best outcome.

However, he couldn't help but feel resentment towards the three clans of pig, deer, and butterfly, as his son's misfortune was all caused by them.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't linger. He went to the Hokage's office and first announced to the Anbu that his son had become a rogue ninja. He then prepared an S-rank wanted poster and sent it to Kikyo Mountain Fortress as quickly as possible, to be handed over to Akimichi Torifu, thus making his stance clear.

Also sent was a letter, a letter addressed to Minato Namikaze.

After this incident, there's not much point in Minato staying there anymore.

Moreover, Minato's information had already been leaked to Sunagakure, making it difficult to achieve any results. Reassigning him was the best option.

"Danzo, is that you?"

After arranging everything, Hiruzen Sarutobi pinched the bridge of his nose and thought of his old friend.

The leak of information about the Watergate incident is not simple. Based on the existing information, it should not have been done by the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.

This approach seems more like the work of that old friend. What he's currently unsure of is whether Minato's information was only leaked to Sunagakure or whether all four major ninja villages already knew about it.

If it's the former, that's fine, but if it's the latter, then it's troublesome.

Minato was too young, and having spent most of his time in the Anbu, he didn't have a great reputation in the village. To compete for the position of Fourth Hokage, he needed sufficient prestige and achievements.

The current Ninja World War is the best option. As long as he can make enough contributions on the battlefield, he can work his way into this position.

However, the prerequisite is to have enough merits. But now Minato's information has been leaked, and he has been targeted, making it difficult to gain anything on the battlefield.

For a skill-based ninja like Minato Namikaze, having his information leaked is almost fatal, and his combat power will drop significantly.

While the Flying Thunder God Technique is powerful, it is not without its counters; otherwise, the Second Hokage wouldn't have been ambushed by Kinkaku and Ginkaku using those ninja tools.

Meanwhile, Shimura Danzo was unaware that he had been targeted. He had secretly traveled to the eastern front to meet with Orochimaru and discuss some matters. The next day, he received intelligence from Kikyo Mountain Fortress.

"madness!"

Having read the intelligence, Shimura Danzo shared the same thoughts as his old buddy.

The action itself was correct, but the failure was wrong.

"That child has such methods!"

Orochimaru glanced at the intelligence report and was quite surprised.

It's truly surprising that they can fuse and utilize the power of the Tailed Beasts, and even condense the Tailed Beasts into an energy form.

"It should be a legacy of the Senju family, or perhaps a research result of the second-generation teacher."

Danzo Shimura did not believe that the Ino-Shika-Cho trio could have created such a secret technique; it must have originated from the Senju family.

Moreover, the Second Hokage had already studied the Tailed Beasts after the First Hokage captured them, and given the Second Hokage's research capabilities, he was bound to have achieved results.

"The second generation!"

Orochimaru wholeheartedly agreed, as the Second Hokage was his idol, whose research and development capabilities were unmatched in the entire ninja world, even by his own standards.

"I just don't know what the limits are for that secret technique and that child."

After glancing at the intelligence report again, Orochimaru had some ideas in mind.

According to intelligence, the child used the power of the Two-Tailed and the One-Tailed in succession. Although the power of the One-Tailed was not fully displayed, nor did it form the One-Tailed form, it was likely possible.

With the power of the One-Tailed and Two-Tailed Beasts, the power of the other tailed beasts should also be able to be added.

The other party would definitely be very eager for the power of the Tailed Beasts. I happen to have two Tailed Beast powers, and Tsunade also has something that interests me. Perhaps we can make a trade.

"Minato Namikaze is practically finished; your only opponent left is Jiraiya."

Danzo Shimura paid no attention to the child mentioned in the intelligence report; he was more focused on the competition for the Hokage position.

Although the child was incredibly talented and could even borrow the power of the tailed beasts, he was still too young.

He would need at least twenty years to become Hokage, and it was uncertain whether he would even be alive in twenty years, so that junior was not a threat.

"He was never my match; my match was that teacher."

Orochimaru had a clear understanding of the village's situation. His teacher never intended for him to become the Fourth Hokage, because he would not become the other party's puppet, and the other party understood this as well.

Although he was not interested in power, it was indispensable for him to do better research.

The reason why the Second Generation was able to conduct so much research was because of his power, especially after the First Generation passed away and no one was there to restrain him. He could research anything he wanted, including the village's bloodline limit and even human experiments.

If I could become Hokage, I could obtain more of the legacy left by the Second Hokage, making my research easier, and I could also obtain all the forbidden techniques in the Book of Seals.

That was his real goal; becoming the Fourth Hokage was just a means to an end.

Of course, to compete for the position of Fourth Hokage, one must first pass the test of one's teacher, and that test is not easy to pass.

Besides, we also need to be wary of that old guy Danzo Shimura, lest we be tricked.

"Those two idiots are nothing but pawns and puppets of Hiruzen."

Danzo Shimura agreed with that statement and genuinely felt that neither Jiraiya nor Minato Namikaze were suitable to be Hokage; no matter which of them took the position, they would only be puppets under Hiruzen's control.

Therefore, Hiruzen is his greatest rival!

(End of this chapter)