Naruto: The Shadow Lord of the Nara Clan

Chapter 20 Creating the 'Killer'

[Career Quest - Phase Two]

[Shadow of Leadership: 7/20]

[Conquer the Shadows: 0/1 (Shadow Knight)]

—Shadow Knight…

Staring at the words, Lu Ying recalled the contents of the information.

It is a military rank title belonging to the Shadow Legion, and is a superior status to Shadow Soldiers.

In a sense, they are equivalent to elite monsters among the Shadow Soldiers.

"So, you're telling me I need to train an elite Shadow Knight?"

After a little thought, he had a general training plan in mind.

"It looks like this isn't a task that can be completed in a short time."

"Let's capture twenty shadow soldiers first."

While pondering the path ahead, Lu Ying unknowingly fell into a deep sleep.

When he woke up again, it was already the next morning.

The fresh air filled her lungs, clearing her mind. Lu Ying felt incredibly comfortable all over, with no trace of yesterday's fatigue.

This wasn't the first time this had happened. In the past, after overtraining, he only needed one night's rest to restore his body to its best condition.

If he was unaware of the reason before, now Lu Ying can almost certainly conclude that it was thanks to the system.

"It seems that the effect of [Absolute Adaptability] is in no way inferior to [Absolute Learning Ability]."

"So what kind of effect does [Absolute Influence] have?"

Lu Ying was particularly looking forward to this.

However, while in a good mood, he did not forget what he needed to do next.

Although he had cleaned up any possible traces by the time it was late at night.

But Shikakage knew very well that if Danzo wanted to, the Root ninjas would definitely be able to find out some clues.

If they had completed the mission, that would have been fine, but they are all dead, how could they have completed it?

The entire root squad perished in the Nakagawa Forest after their mission failed.

Danzo would not let this matter go easily!

Shikakage doesn't really want to antagonize Danzo right now, as Danzo not only possesses Kage-level strength but is also Konoha's underground emperor.

If Danzo targets him, even if he is the eldest son of the Nara clan, it will be of no use.

Of course, he could choose to betray the village and leave.

But why bother?

His identity is impeccable; he is the son of a ninja clan from the Konoha Group and the heir to the Hokage's trusted lineage...

Staying in Konoha is his best option!

Of course, all of this is predicated on his ability to eliminate the threat posed by Danzo.

He had already thought through how to handle this problem before going to sleep.

Passive acceptance is never Lu Ying's style of doing things.

The deaths of the Root ninjas are a foregone conclusion, and reviving them would do more harm than good, especially since Shikakage is not currently capable of Edo Tensei.

So instead of covering up their deaths, it's better to let someone else take the blame for the murder!

As for the identity of this 'murderer', Lu Ying already has someone in mind.

Guided by the Ninja Seal, the chakra detached from his body and coalesced into a black-robed masked figure beside him.

Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar mask, Lu Ying nodded in satisfaction.

Then, the shadow clone used the Shadow Imitation Technique on the five corpses.

Including the shadow clones, the six figures stood side by side, looking exceptionally imposing.

Finally, have Number Two hide in the shadow of the shadow clone to ensure the plan goes smoothly.

All preparations are now complete.

All that's left is to get on stage.

The deer-shadow clone nodded in acknowledgment.

"Let's go, don't keep Lord Danzo waiting."

After the shadow clone team left, Lu Ying gazed at the horizon and chuckled softly:

"It's about time to go home."

"Although camping in the forest is nice."

"But the eldest son still lives a more comfortable life."

……

The Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood by the window, looking down over the entire Hidden Leaf Village.

"The death of Shisui was a huge blow to the Uchiha clan."

"There is no need to continue oppressing them. If this causes a backlash, it will cause irreparable damage to the village."

"Danzo, do you understand?"

In a dark corner of the office, Danzo, hidden in the shadows, leaned on his cane, staring intently at Hiruzen Sarutobi's back with his single eye.

"You are too weak, Sarutobi."

"The policy targeting the Uchiha clan was decided by Lord Tobirama!"

"They even drove Shisui to his death, what else is the Uchiha incapable of doing?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent for a moment, then turned around, stared at Danzo, and said softly:

Why should we hide anything from each other?

"No one knows the inside story of Shisui better than you."

Upon hearing this, Danzo's gaze narrowed slightly. He did not refute it, but calmly said:

"I see."

Having said that, he strode outside, leaving behind a remark that Hiruzen Sarutobi found tiresome:

"Sarutobi, you'll regret this!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes, shook his head, and sat wearily in the Hokage chair, sighing:

"Itachi, you can leave now."

An aged voice echoed in the office.

A figure instantly appeared in front of Sarutobi, kneeling on one knee and respectfully saying:

"Lord Hokage, it seems he's noticed me."

"That's normal, after all, he's Danzo."

After hesitating for a few moments, Itachi carefully took out an eyeball:

"Lord Hokage, please accept this Sharingan."

"I can't always be by your side, what if..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and waved his hand, his tone complex.

"I trust you."

"And...I believe him too."

Itachi's eyes flickered, and he pursed his lips tightly:

"I see."

"This subordinate shall take his leave now."

After Itachi disappeared, Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at the piles of political documents in front of him, but his mind was not on handling government affairs.

—Danzo, I hope you don't go down the wrong path.

—Of all my old friends, only a few of you remain…

His attitude toward Danzo was complex.

Disgust, contempt, sympathy, approval...

Sometimes Hiruzen Sarutobi clearly understood that Danzo's actions were wrong.

But he did not consider it an unforgivable sin.

At least, Danzo was also acting in Konoha's best interests, but his methods were too extreme.

That's what he used to think, and that's what he wanted to think.

However, what if Danzo went down the wrong path?

Even if he hesitated, Hiruzen Sarutobi would not show any mercy.

Danzo could be the underground emperor of Konoha, the leader of Root, or a powerful minister second only to the emperor...

But he must never lay his hands on the Hokage position!