Naruto: Starting with Tsunade

Chapter 379 When did the village become so weak?

"Yes."

Aokiji didn't hide anything: "This ninjutsu is called the Dragon Life Reincarnation Technique, and it seems to have the effect of reviving the dead."

Where did you hear that?

Aokiji made up a story: "In the past, when I fought against ninjas from Kusagakure, I used my Sharingan to interrogate the ninjas I had defeated out of boredom."

Putting aside past grievances, Hiruzen Sarutobi became eager to learn this ninjutsu: "So now you can..."

"Still in the research stage..."

Aokiji said regretfully, "I don't know if this ninjutsu will work."

These words are three parts true and three parts false.

Aokiji had seen the Dragon Life Reversal Technique, but he always felt that something was wrong with this ninjutsu, that something was missing, and he couldn't figure it out right away.

Furthermore, this ninjutsu is not something to be tried casually, as it could potentially cost one's life. Aokiji was very cautious about it.

He planned to ask Orochimaru to help him research this ninjutsu after he found him. Given his personality, even if they weren't friends, Orochimaru should be very interested in this ninjutsu.

Hearing about the uncertainty of this ninjutsu, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a little disappointed.

That's true, ninjutsu that can revive people is really against common sense.

It's likely that Aokiji obtained this ninjutsu because it was still under development by the Hidden Grass Village.

"I can understand your desire to revive Tsunade, but the dead cannot be brought back to life. Your actions are ultimately against common sense and could easily lead to extremes or even utter ruin."

Hiruzen Sarutobi appears to be trying to understand Aokiji, but in reality, he is laying the groundwork and finding a reason for Aokiji's future rebellion.

Orochimaru serves as a cautionary tale.

Aokiji sneered inwardly.

understand?

It's unbelievable that this old man has the nerve to say it.

"You only know if you try it."

Aokiji ignored Hiruzen Sarutobi's advice, treating it as mere whispers in his ear: "Looking back and forth will only lead to nothing being accomplished."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, with a sanctimonious air, retorted, "Then you shouldn't have resorted to such a brutal method."

Aokiji retorted sarcastically, "Standing on the moral high ground is too cold; I'm afraid of the cold."

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes: "You might as well explain yourself more clearly."

The air in the room suddenly froze, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Anyone could see that Aokiji was very dissatisfied with the Hokage.

Everyone held their breath, speculating in their hearts that Aokiji must have had some conflict with the Third Hokage in the past, which is why he went against the Hokage as soon as he returned to the village.

Of course, it's also possible that Aokiji returned to the village, learned of the injustices suffered by his people, and wanted to seek justice for them.

Jiraiya's gaze turned serious as he looked at the two of them. "Aokiji, what exactly are you trying to do?!"

Aokiji, his face cold, exhaled and broke the silence: "A village as weak as Kusagakure possesses the Dragon Life Reincarnation Technique. Even if I don't try to steal it, other major powers will."

"With the village's weak strength, it simply doesn't have the ability to protect this kind of ninjutsu. Since that's the case, someone has to try and steal it. Why can't I be the one to steal it?"

These words were so surprising that everyone present was stunned.

Someone always has to take it, why can't I be the one to take it?

Is this even human language?

To be able to steal things so brazenly, Aokiji is just too lawless.

But upon closer examination, one will find that this statement actually makes some sense.

It's easy to imagine that there are some dissenting opinions about him among those around him. However, Aokiji is unconcerned. He will use the following words to shut everyone up and even gain their support.

"This is a ninjutsu that can revive people. Don't you want to revive your deceased relatives, friends, and lovers?"

Everyone present lowered their heads, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside them.

If they were given the chance to bring their loved ones back to life, wouldn't they be tempted?

They probably think most of them would be tempted, but most are limited by their own strength and cannot do what Aokiji did, ignoring the rules.

Aokiji's gaze was arrogant as he slowly swept over the crowd, a cold smile appearing on his face.

Humans are like that; they don't care if it doesn't concern them and like to stand on moral high ground to criticize, but when their own interests are involved, their attitude changes completely.

He paused, then raised his face, looking directly at him: "There's something I've always been wondering about, Hokage-sama. Could you please enlighten me?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Aokiji, vaguely sensing that the next question wouldn't be good, but out of respect for his position as Hokage, he had no choice but to respond: "What is it?"

Aokiji's tone turned cold: "...When did our village become so weak?"

Listen carefully to the words, listen to the gong, listen to the sound.

While Aokiji was ostensibly talking about the village, he was actually turning his attention to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Given how weak the village is, it's obvious who bears the primary responsibility.

Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally understood this implied meaning, and he frowned slightly.

At this point, if we try to explain, we'll fall into Aokiji's linguistic trap, and we'll lose if we do.

The correct approach is to remain silent. Such remarks will naturally be responded to by subordinates who are well-informed, while he simply observes the situation.

Soon, a Jonin with thick eyebrows and big eyes stood up and bluntly asked, "Lord Aokiji, do you have some kind of dissatisfaction with the Third Hokage?"

"Our village is now thriving, like a vibrant place where everything is flourishing. How can you say it's weak?"

"Besides, Konoha has always been the strongest village since ancient times. It has always been others who say we are strong, never that we are weak. If even that is considered weak, then Lord Aokiji, I would like to hear what kind of strength you are talking about."

Aokiji did not respond immediately, nor did he elaborate on the village's strength. Instead, he focused on its weakness: "Three years ago, Konoha and Kumogakure formed an alliance..."

Before Aokiji could finish speaking, a middle-aged man in the room seemed to sense something and frowned slightly.

The middle-aged man had a lean face and distinctive white eyes. Even if he were lost in a crowd, his face would be easily recognized because of his features.

He is the head of the Hyuga clan, Hyuga Hiashi.

Three years ago, a major event occurred in the village.

A ninja leader from Kumogakure, which had been in conflict with Konoha for many years, came to Konoha at that time in order to establish conditions for an alliance.

However, in reality, the Hidden Cloud Village did not intend to form an alliance at all. Instead, they used this opportunity to infiltrate Konoha, capture the three-year-old eldest son of the main branch of the family, and obtain the secret of the Byakugan.

The Hyuga clan naturally had to retaliate against this and reclaim their eldest son.

Because it was nighttime and the enemy was masked, Hiashi Hyuga, eager to save his daughter, naturally showed no mercy. After killing him, he was surprised to find that the man was actually the leader of the ninjas from Kumogakure who had come to the village during the day.

Unexpectedly, the Hidden Cloud Village turned on them, demanding the return of the corpse of the Hyuga clan leader, Hiashi Hyuga, or else they would go to war.

For the sake of peace, the Konoha leadership agreed to the request. At that time, Hiashi Hyuga was prepared to die for the greater good. However, some events occurred, and his twin brother ended up taking his place to die, thus maintaining a semblance of peace.

To some extent, the Konoha leadership was quite weak in handling this matter at the time.

After all, it was clearly the Hidden Cloud Village that was at fault first.

But since things have come to this, this is the only way.

However, Hiashi Hyuga still has doubts about this matter. How did the ninjas of Kumogakure manage to find and kidnap someone so quickly, without the Hyuga clan's notice?

So the moment Aokiji mentioned it, the thought immediately popped into his mind.

As he expected, Aokiji made a big deal out of the matter, expressing the view that the village was weak.

Aokiji, with a stern face, questioned, "This is clearly the fault of Kumogakure. Why should the village weakly agree to this request?"

Not satisfied with that, Aokiji pulled the Hyuga clan leader, who had been watching him closely, to his side for support: "You mean, the Hyuga clan leader, Hyuga Hiashi?"

(End of this chapter)