Analyzing the Ninja World Starting from Konoha

Chapter 221 The Hidden Currents in Konoha

Aoba looked at the little guy in the incubator and a satisfied smile appeared on her lips.

Using the summoning beast modification technology of the Forgotten Island, Aoba successfully integrated the genes extracted from the giant dragon skeleton at the bottom of the Azure Swamp into a new lizard egg, which then hatched.

Compared to fully grown lizards, the success rate of breeding from juvenile embryos is also higher.

And just as he predicted, the first "Flying Dragon Lizard" appeared in the ninja world.

Of course, this is only the first step. Solving the bloodline problem of the lizard race will require a long period of experimentation.

After spitting fire, the little guy seemed to have exhausted his strength and turned his head to gnaw on his eggshell.

After the little guy had finished gnawing on the eggshell, it let out a satisfied burp, lay down on the cushion, and fell into a deep sleep.

Researchers immediately conducted a full scan and confirmed that the target's vital signs were all normal, and the experiment was a complete success.

In the following days, the little guy showed an amazing growth rate, eating food bigger than itself every day.

At the same time, its size changes every day, expanding at a visible rate.

In just one week, the red dragon lizard, which was originally only the size of a palm, has grown to the size of a large adult hunting dog.

The specially made insulated box in the laboratory is no longer big enough to hold this little guy.

Upon seeing this, Aoba immediately used the Reverse Spirit Summoning Technique to bring the little guy back to the Azure Swamp.

When this little guy appeared in the swamp, the entire lizard territory instantly erupted in excitement.

Lizards of all sizes gathered from all directions, their countless vertical pupils fixed on this strangely-looking creature.

It seems that due to the high-level genes contained in its bloodline, the little guy showed no fear when facing so many big guys that were hundreds of times larger than it.

It raised its head high and suddenly spread its wings.

"roar!"

A young, yet incredibly powerful dragon roar echoed across the swamp.

It seemed to be provoking, and also showing off its power to its fellow tribesmen.

Just then, heavy, slow footsteps came from afar.

The lizards automatically parted to make way for them.

An old lizard slowly crawled over; it was the patriarch of the lizard clan.

Its huge, murky vertical pupils stared intently at the little creature standing in the middle of the lizards.

Although Aoba couldn't understand the lizard's facial expressions, he could clearly see the joy in the old chieftain's eyes.

……

Not long after, Aoba received a message from Konoha, and he realized that he had indeed been away from Konoha for too long.

The research atmosphere here is so good that he is reluctant to leave.

Of course, he can create clones, but some research requires complete chakra to be conducted.

At this point, he began to understand Orochimaru a little better.

Unless he follows Orochimaru's example and severs ties with Konoha, as long as he remains a member of Konoha, there will always be this or that kind of trouble.

However, since it was Minato who summoned him back, it means that the matter is quite serious.

He has been away from Konoha for almost half a year. During this time, he first went to the Land of Hot Water to destroy the stronghold of the Jashin Cult, then killed the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, and finally plunged into the Island of Oblivion to conduct research.

Aoba organized his thoughts and suddenly slapped his forehead.

"Holy crap! Kushina!"

He finally remembered.

Based on the original timeline, this is roughly the period when Kushina was pregnant!

The Nine-Tailed Fox Incident!

That night that completely changed the fate of Konoha!

Aoba took a deep breath, and his expression instantly became serious.

He had been so busy with the Island of Oblivion project that he almost forgot about this important matter.

No, it's not that he forgot, but as his time in the ninja world increased, his memories of the past became somewhat blurred.

Just like a person's memory of things from twenty years ago, or even earlier, will change.

Even though his memory became stronger after he traveled through time, his body would instinctively choose to fade his past memories.

In addition, he was unaware of Kushina's pregnancy when he went out, so he didn't pay special attention to it.

Now Minato has suddenly summoned him back, saying there's an important mission. Based on the timeline...

It's probably related to Kushina.

Without any delay, Aoba briefly handed over the island's affairs to Honoka and Ryoichi, and then rushed back to Konoha as quickly as possible.

Upon returning to the village, Aoba didn't even go home; the first thing he did was head straight for Minato and Kushina's residence.

However, before he even got close to the Minato family home, he sensed that something was wrong.

The number of secret agents surrounding the Minato family has more than doubled since he left.

Dark corners, rooftops, and tree canopies around the house are all hiding ninjas.

Aoba frowned and continued walking forward.

Sure enough, just as he was about ten meters away from the Minato family's house, two figures emerged from the shadows and blocked his path.

"stop!"

A cold voice came from behind the mask of the leader of the dark faction.

"Without the Third Hokage's order, no unauthorized personnel may approach the Jinchūriki."

Aoba stopped in her tracks.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced at the ANBU members blocking his path.

Qingye frowned slightly, and suddenly felt something was wrong.

The attitude of these secret agents towards him was completely different from before, carrying a hint of hostility and wariness.

But what bothered him was that phrase: "Jinchūriki".

More importantly, Minato was the Fourth Hokage, so when did it become the Third Hokage's turn to give orders?

Qingye's face darkened, and her voice lowered.

"Third generation?"

He stared at the shady operation in front of him, his tone unfriendly.

"Isn't the Fourth Hokage's order enough?"

"Sorry, it's my duty."

The ANBU member answered coldly, his hand already gripping the ninja sword.

"Get out of the way."

Aoba's voice turned completely cold as she took a step forward. "Don't make me do it!"

The moment the words were spoken, the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

Brush brush!

In an instant, another group of secret agents sprang out from the surrounding trees and corners of the walls, completely surrounding Qingye.

Aoba's gaze swept over the group of ANBU members, and his eyes suddenly stopped on one of them who was wearing a cat-face mask and had a head of distinctive silver hair.

"Kakashi?"

Aoba looked at him and directly questioned, "What's going on?"

However, Kakashi beneath the mask was like a soulless puppet.

The exposed dead fish eye was empty and lifeless, as if the whole world had nothing to do with him.

At this point, Kakashi's heart had long since closed off due to the deaths of Obito and Rin, and all he could see were the cold, hard missions.

He remained completely unmoved by Aoba's questioning, and even his breathing rhythm did not change in the slightest.

Aoba sighed inwardly. This idiot is really sick now.

It has become a complete task machine.

"Alright, then I'll see if the Anbu have improved..."

A cold glint flashed in Qingye's eyes.

Just as Aoba was about to force his way through, the door of the house in front of him suddenly creaked open from the inside.

"Why is it so noisy outside?"

A familiar voice came from inside the house, and then Kushina, supporting her waist, walked out.

When Kushina saw Aoba surrounded by the Anbu, her eyes lit up, and she waved enthusiastically, "Aoba! You finally came back!"

Aoba's gaze fell on Kushina, or more precisely, on her noticeably protruding belly.

She is pregnant!

Although he had already made a prediction in his mind, a complex emotion inevitably flashed in Aoba's eyes when he saw it with his own eyes.

After gathering her thoughts, Qingye gave a perfectly timed smile and waved back at her.

"Kushina-nee, you go back and rest first. I'm going to the Hokage Building to report to Minato. I'll come see you later."

After saying that, he turned his head and coldly glanced at the surrounding ANBU.

With just a glance, a chilling killing intent, almost tangible, was instantly released. Several nearby members of the ANBU felt their breath catch in their throats, and their backs were instantly soaked with cold sweat.

Whoosh!

The next second, Aoba vanished from the spot in a flash.

Looking at the spot where Qingye disappeared, the several members of the Anbu exchanged glances, each swallowing hard behind their masks.

For a brief moment, they really felt like they were going to be killed.

Hokage Building, Hokage's Office.

Aoba pushed open the door and entered.

Inside the office, besides Minato Namikaze, who was wearing a divine robe, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was also sitting nearby, puffing on his pipe.

"The Fourth Hokage, the Third Hokage."

Aoba bowed slightly and greeted him.

"Aoba, you're finally back. You must be tired from the journey." Minato smiled gently when he saw Aoba.

"Well, it's rare for us to get out of the village, and we got a little carried away. Sorry."

Aoba laughed it off.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Aoba got straight to the point.

"Fourth Hokage, is there some important mission you need to summon me back so urgently?"

Minato's expression turned serious. He glanced at the Third Hokage beside him and then said, "There is indeed a very important mission that requires your return."

"Kushina's due date is approaching. As a Jinchūriki, the seal within her body will be at its weakest during childbirth."

Minato looked at Aoba with eyes full of trust: "Your sealing techniques are very strong. I hope you can be there to assist Kushina during her childbirth. If any unexpected situation arises, it will be safer with you there."

Qingye nodded immediately, her expression serious: "Understood. I will stay in the village and be ready to serve at any time."

At this point, Aoba changed the subject, her tone carrying a hint of complaint.

"However, even if the situation is special, there's no need to make the defense so exaggerated, is there? I went to your house as soon as I got back to the village, but the ANBU treated me like a thief and stopped me outside. They almost got into a fight."

Upon hearing this, Minato smiled somewhat awkwardly, glancing at the Third Hokage smoking beside him.

He couldn't very well tell Aoba that the Third Hokage had specifically instructed the Anbu to keep a close watch on him, Yamashiro Aoba, alone, could he?

"Ahem... This is the duty of the Anbu. In special times, tighter defenses are also for Kushina's safety."

Minato smoothed things over, saying, "I'll give them instructions later, and I won't stop you anymore."

The third generation, however, calmly took a puff of his cigarette and said nothing.

Although Aoba harbored resentment towards the Third Hokage, he outwardly yielded to the situation.

…………