Naruto: From Shikotsumyaku to Otsutsuki

"The game has begun!"

Inside the inn, Kaguya Kazama watched the flames and black smoke rising from the Hokage Building, as if she could see swords clashing within.

"Kumakure and Konoha, Hiruzen and Danzo, the main family and the branch family. Power, status, survival—everyone desires these things. Desire is the source of turmoil, and turmoil forges the ladder to advancement."

"I really want to improve!"

"Unfortunately, I'm still a weakling."

Kaguya Kazama felt a little regretful for not being able to participate in such a historic moment.

However, the thought of the eye roll he was about to receive immediately dispelled all his frustration.

"At least, I can still participate in the plot of the substitution of the prince by a raccoon dog. The audience? Heh heh, Danzo, you claim to be in control of everything, but I am the mastermind behind the scenes."

From beginning to end, Danzo never doubted Kaguya Kazama's identity.

He knew the secret communication channels, understood Orochimaru's lifelong pursuit, possessed Orochimaru's unique summoning ninjutsu, and had a kind of brainwashed, fearless courage.

If he's not Orochimaru's man, then who is?

Now, the show has begun, and we're just waiting for the climax to arrive.

Kaguya Kazama stood quietly by the window, watching the commotion within the Hyuga clan.

The night breeze blew, and his deep green eyes were profound and mysterious, like a vast swamp entangled with countless water plants.

The Hyuga clan, known as the strongest bloodline clan in Konoha, is one of the founding clans of Konoha.

Because of the strategic power of the Byakugan, Hyuga wields considerable influence within the village.

In particular, the head of the main family can influence Konoha's strategic plans with his every word and action.

The Hyuga clan is very low-key and rarely goes against the Hokage, prioritizing the protection of their bloodline.

Danzo needs the Hyuga's support, so he needs to seize their weakness and grasp their key leverage.

Kaguya Kazama knew that Danzo would do anything for the Hokage position, which is why she came up with the absurd idea of ​​"switching the prince for a raccoon dog".

If successful, it's a win-win situation.

Danzo gets the support of the Hyuga clan, and Kaguya and Kazama get the disdain of the main family; neither of them loses out.

Inside the Hokage Building, Tenzo used Wood Release to repair the damaged office.

This wouldn't normally require a special report, but while sorting through some data that had been destroyed by the Lava Release, he discovered that some important documents had been damaged.

"Third Hokage, Tsuchikage's Lava Release destroyed some important documents left behind by the Fourth Hokage."

"Hmm, the information left behind by Minato?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned and asked, "Is it the manual on sealing techniques that's damaged, or the Flying Thunder God Technique? I remember these scrolls were engraved with protective seals."

"Neither. These are some secret records from when the Fourth Hokage went to Loulan on a mission." Tenzo said, taking out a scroll that was mostly burned.

"Loulan? Is that the small country that was destroyed ten years ago?"

Upon hearing that it wasn't important information, Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand and said, "Forget it, it's bad if it's bad. I remember that place is now shrouded in black sand storms all year round, with power comparable to A-rank ninjutsu. It has been designated as a restricted area by Sunagakure. Back then, they even sent people to demand this scroll."

After he finished speaking, he thought for a moment and then instructed, "Have the sealing team seal the remaining important records to prevent them from being damaged again in the future."

"Yes, Sandaime-sama."

Soon after Tenzo left, Kakashi and Nara Shikaku returned with the Konoha leadership.

Danzo, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, Hyuga Hiashi, Hyuga Hizashi, Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Shisui, and others gathered together.

Secret joy, dissatisfaction, anger, and helplessness—people's perspectives are never the same, leading to an extremely oppressive atmosphere in the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked his pipe incessantly, looking just like a chimney.

Amidst the thick smoke, discussions unfolded about the course of war, the rise and fall of families, and the survival of individuals.

Kakashi stood guard outside the gate, listening to the political maneuvering inside, and once again thought of his father who died from political rumors.

"Last time it was my father, this time it's the head of the Hyuga main family, what about next time?" Kakashi grew increasingly disgusted with the power struggles among politicians.

If possible, he would like to use chakra to seal his ears right now.

But he is now the captain of the Dark Army directly under the Third Generation, so he can't just give up even if he wants to.

"Sigh, it seems like it's been a long time since I've taken a vacation. I'll ask the Third Hokage for leave after the Hyuga clan matter is settled."

Kakashi rubbed his temples, looking tired but expectant. "Maybe we can go to the Land of Hot Springs and soak in the hot springs. I remember Jiraiya-sama used to do a lot of research there. It's about time we urged him to write the sequel to 'Make-Out Paradise.' We can't keep keeping the readers in suspense forever."

Kakashi continued to guard the tightly closed door of the Hokage's office.

The game theory discussion inside continued from morning until afternoon.

The argument didn't end until Kakashi rewatched "Icha Icha Paradise".

He watched the group of people walking out of the office; each person had a different expression on their face.

Danzo's face was gloomy, but he seemed to walk with even more imposing manner, his cane slamming against the ground with a jarring sound.

The two advisors, Mitokado and Utatane, had long faces and were full of worry.

The two clan heads, Hiashi and Hizashi, were pale-faced, their fists clenched, filled with barely suppressed anger and disappointment.

Fugaku Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha stood one in front of the other, their lips curled in a bitter smile, their heads bowed, seemingly lost in thought.

After the group left, Kakashi entered the smoke-filled Hokage's office, preparing to clean up the overflowing cigarette ash and water cup, when he heard Hiruzen Sarutobi's tired and aged voice.

"Kakashi, do you think we should go to war with Kumogakure given their actions?"

Kakashi froze for a moment, then regained his composure and said calmly, "Hokage-sama, I am just a lowly guard."

He quickly gathered up the trash, wanting to leave as soon as possible, but after thinking for a moment, he said:

"But if necessary, I can rush to the front lines of the battlefield. At least until I die, the civilians of Konoha will be protected."

"Yes, that was the original intention and purpose of the village's construction."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, the last hesitation in his eyes vanishing, and he said firmly:

"Without sacrifice, how can there be protection?"

"Where leaves dance in the air, fire will never cease! This is the Will of Fire!"

On the other hand, Kaguya Kazama had absolutely no interest in understanding the Will of Fire or anything like that.

He is now saying goodbye to Kimimaro.

"Kimimaro, live well here, and wait for me to come back to you."

At the Konoha Orphanage, Kaguya Kazama bowed to a gentle woman with black-rimmed glasses, exuding maternal radiance and intellectual beauty, to express her gratitude.

"Lord Nonou, I'm entrusting my younger brother to your care for a while."

As he spoke, he handed over a sealed scroll, saying, "There are some supplies inside. I hope they can be used to buy some clothes for the orphanage."

This was some money he had prepared for his defection, and now he has donated it all to the Konoha Orphanage.

After tonight, another chaotic chase and battle will ensue.

After obtaining the Byakugan, Kaguya Kazama only had three minutes left. She could easily unleash her full power in a short time, and together with Kimimaro, they had no advantage whatsoever.

The best place Kaguya Kazama could think of to settle Kimimaro was the Konoha Orphanage.

This is where Konoha takes in war orphans. After the Third Shinobi World War, there are many orphans here, so it wouldn't be a problem for a 7-year-old Kimimaro to blend in.

Of course, most importantly, the director of the orphanage is Yakushi Nonou.

She is skilled in medical ninjutsu and is known as a walking shrine maiden. Although she comes from the Root organization, her kindness has never been extinguished. She is a gentle woman full of maternal radiance and can give Kimimaro a kind of maternal love that he has never experienced before.

This greatly filled the void in Kimimaro's heart, who had been imprisoned in a dungeon since childhood.

Even if Kaguya Kazama fails, at least he won't have to worry so much.

Anyway, Kimimaro's fate won't be any worse than it was before.

Inside the orphanage, Yakushi Nonou looked at the scroll in surprise and said gently, "Thank you, Kazama-kun. Don't worry, I will take good care of Kimimaro."

She accepted the scroll without any hesitation, without the slightest bit of embarrassment.

The orphanage is full of boys who are only a little over 20. They eat a lot and move around a lot, so they consume a lot of food and clothing.

In addition, Danzo's threats over the past two years have cut most of the funding, leaving the orphanage struggling to operate and in dire need of assistance.

She carefully put the scroll away, looking at the thin, bony boy before her, a hint of concern in her eyes. "Kazama-kun, my medical ninjutsu is still quite good. Do you really not need my help?"

With a doctor's heart full of compassion, this was the third time she had offered to help Kaguya Kazama with her illness.

"Thank you, Nono-sama. I know about my illness, so I won't trouble you any further."

Kaguya Kazama rejected this woman with eyes full of gentleness once again.

The overload of co-killing ash bones causes damage to the body at the genetic level.

Although the woman in front of him possessed excellent medical ninjutsu, it was of no use to Kaguya Kazama and might even inadvertently expose some of his secrets.

However, besides settling Kimimaro here, he also had some other intentions.

He wanted to train his own medical ninja.

The Kaguya clan, possessing the Shikotsumyaku (Corpse Bone Pulse), are born with Yang-attribute chakra, which is precisely the foundation for learning medical ninjutsu.

Seeing that Yakushi Nonou was indeed as gentle as rumored, Kaguya Kazama, taking advantage of the goodwill gained from donating supplies, pressed her advantage, saying:

"Lord Nonou, if possible, I hope you can teach Kimimaro medical ninjutsu. That way, even if he gets injured in the future, I won't have to worry so much."

As she spoke, Kaguya Kazama patted Kimimaro's head and encouraged him, "Kimimaro, study hard under Nonou-sama and help your classmates. You have talent, and I believe Nonou-sama isn't one to hoard her skills. You'll definitely learn it. Good luck!"

Upon hearing this, Kimimaro burst into tears.

"Lord Kazama, sob sob... Don't worry, I'll definitely study hard!"

"That's good."

Kaguya Kazama wiped away his tears, smiled, and bowed, saying, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Nono-sama."

This point in time marks exactly one year since Kabuto Yakushi left the orphanage to conduct espionage work in Iwagakure.

The tragedy of mother and child killing each other has not yet occurred.