The Tenseigan started from the Hyuga main family.

"I am Hiruko, a ninja from Konoha Village..."

Just then, the phantom spoke, its voice echoing throughout all the ninja villages.

"what?"

When Tsunade heard that familiar name, she gripped the railing tightly with both hands, leaving four distinct finger marks.

That's so strange. Hiruko couldn't possibly still be so young. He's a man; he couldn't possibly be cultivating the Yin Seal.

"By borrowing the technique of Oni-Garaku, I have acquired all the bloodline limit ninjutsu of the four great ninja villages. When I obtain the fifth bloodline limit, I will be invincible and become an immortal, perfect ninja. With this power, I will launch the Fourth Shinobi World War and dominate everything!"

After saying these words, the phantom vanished without a trace, and everything returned to calm.

Whoosh!

A torrential downpour began, and thick, dark clouds hung over the leaf-covered ground.

Another brain-damaged idiot!

Hinata Sawatatsu shook his head, completely disregarding the other party's declaration.

Putting aside the fact that whether the Oni-Garuru technique, which absorbs five bloodline limits, can truly make one invincible still needs to be verified, you should at least complete the entire secret technique before shamelessly showing off your abilities in front of everyone! The secret technique hasn't even been completed yet, and you're already announcing it to the world like this, what else is that but idiocy?

However, the ability to simultaneously contain four bloodline limits within the body and maintain balance suggests that the Oni-Garra technique may have some skill involved.

Unlike Hyuga Sawatatsu's case of incorporating Shikotsumyaku, since Byakugan and Shikotsumyaku share the same origin, the possibility of the two bloodline limits repelling each other is very low. However, Hiruko successfully incorporated four completely unrelated bloodline limits into his body, which is more than ten times more difficult.

Hinata Zechen stroked his chin, lost in thought.

Although Kabuto Yakushi's research has a high chance of success, taking extra precautions might further increase the success rate of incorporating the bloodline of the Otsutsuki clan.

For Hyuga Zetsu, the power of the Shikotsumyaku was merely icing on the cake; obtaining the bloodline of the Otsutsuki clan was the key to Hyuga Zetsu's transformation.

How can we subtly intervene in this matter?

I remember Hiruko's fifth target was Kakashi, wasn't it?

Just as Hyuga Sawatatsu was considering whether to go undercover again to monitor Kakashi and find Hiruko's whereabouts, an ANBU member quickly leaped into the courtyard.

"Jonin Hyuga Zetsu, the Hokage requests your presence."

It seems like this is a godsend.

That's right. The four great ninja villages joined forces to attack the Akatsuki organization with full confidence, but ended up in a humiliating defeat, shaking the foundation of the great powers' dominance over the ninja world.

Now, the Akatsuki organization, which controlled the seven tailed beasts, has disappeared without a trace, causing unease among the four major ninja villages, each of which has dispatched a large number of elite personnel to search for traces of the Akatsuki organization throughout the world.

Even the usually carefree Jiraiya entrusted the important task of teaching Naruto to Fukasaku, personally leading a group of Anbu to search for the whereabouts of Akatsuki members.

Currently, Hyuga Sawa is the most free person in Konoha Village, so this task will most likely be assigned to him.

As expected, when Hyuga Zechen arrived at the Hokage's office, in addition to Tsunade with a serious expression, Kakashi was also standing to the side.

Most importantly, a red talisman appeared on Kakashi's forehead.

Puppet Curse.

Chapter 164 The Will of Fire

"I suppose you've seen what just happened, haven't you?"

Seeing Hyuga Zechen's gaze linger on Kakashi's forehead, Tsunade raised an eyebrow, marveling at Hyuga Zechen's sharp reflexes and how he seemed to have recognized the extremely obscure Puppet Curse.

"Hmm, but who exactly is Hiruko?"

Hyuga Zechen withdrew his gaze from Kakashi and looked at Tsunade beside him.

"Hiruko was a ninja from the same cohort as the three legendary Sannin. He was also a Jonin of Konoha, but after seeing the rapid improvement in our strength while his own remained stagnant, he secretly developed the forbidden ninjutsu, Oni-Garara, in order to gain greater power. The old man listed him as a rogue ninja and even arranged for the three of us to hunt him down..."

Tsunade rested her chin on her hand, lost in memories of the past.

"As a former comrade who fought alongside the three legendary Sannin, after tracking down Hiruko and defeating him, we couldn't bring ourselves to kill him. We originally planned to bring him back to the village and imprison him, but due to my negligence, he managed to escape and has been missing ever since."

When Tsunade spoke of her oversight, her emotions clearly fluctuated, causing Hyuga Sawatatsu to wonder if Tsunade had been soft-hearted and secretly let Hiruko escape.

"The curse mark on your forehead..."

Seeing that Tsunade was clearly lost in memories, Hyuga Zechen turned his head and looked at the reddened puppet curse on Kakashi's forehead.

"More than a decade ago, when I was still a teenager, I met Hiruko and he planted this Puppet Curse on my forehead. I'm afraid he had his eye on me when I obtained Obito's Sharingan."

Kakashi couldn't help but let out a wry smile.

"Right now, all the major efforts of the various ninja villages are focused on tracking down the Akatsuki. Otherwise, that bastard Hiruko would be putting our Konoha in a very difficult position!"

Tsunade slammed her hand on the wooden table, causing the documents on it to scatter all over the floor.

If it weren't for the existence of the Akatsuki, Hiruko's declaration would undoubtedly have meant that Konoha had started the war. The other ninja villages wouldn't care whether Hiruko had defected more than a decade ago; they would only hold Konoha accountable, which would be enough to justify a large-scale invasion.

Sunagakure is currently in a state of decline and is overwhelmed with problems, leaving it with no time to spare. Meanwhile, the other three major ninja villages are also focused on searching for the Akatsuki organization. Therefore, after Tsunade communicated remotely with the three Kage, she managed to temporarily suppress the negative impact of this matter.

Even so, the pressure from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire still left Tsunade overwhelmed. She repeatedly assured the Daimyo that she would deal with Hiruko as soon as possible, thus preventing the Land of Fire from holding Konoha accountable.

"So, the Hokage summoned me here to resolve this matter?"

Hinata Sawatatsu was not interested in the grudges and feuds between Hiruko and Konoha. The only thing that could pique his interest was the Oni-Garra Technique.

"That's right. According to the village's information, in order to complete the entire Ghost Sprout Forbidden Technique, in addition to the five bloodline limits having to meet the attribute requirements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, there is another necessary condition, which is a special kind of light!"

Tsunade walked to the calendar hanging on the wall, turned two pages, and continued.

"Two days later, there will be a ring eclipse, which will most likely be the time that Biluhu is waiting for."

Kakashi, who was standing next to him, nodded.

"I'm afraid that's it. We don't have time left. So, I've asked the Hokage to leave a Flying Thunder God seal on me and then give up resisting the Puppet Curse's control. He'll definitely control me to complete the final step of the forbidden technique. At that time, I'll have to trouble you to take action."

Kakashi's exposed eyes were filled with determination, showing no concern whatsoever for the immense danger that this might bring.

"Kakashi, we must have other ways."

Tsunade clenched her fists, clearly disagreeing with Kakashi's plan.

Once the person under the control of the Puppet Curse is defeated, unless the caster is defeated, Kakashi will lose his mind over time and become a puppet completely controlled by others, which is definitely worse than death.

"Lady Tsunade, this is both your Will of Fire and my Will of Fire!"

Kakashi's words were so resolute that Tsunade's lips trembled, and she could no longer utter a word of dissuasion.

-----------------

The crescent moon hangs high in the sky, and the night is deep.

At the gates of Konoha, Izumo and Kotetsu, watching Kakashi approach step by step with a strange sway, both sensed something unusual.

“Mr. Kakashi, the time for leaving the village has passed. Even you cannot pass through here.”

Shingetsu Izumo, who was blocking the way with a long stick in each hand, spoke.

Kakashi slightly raised his head, revealing his eyes which were covered by red light. Without saying a word, he leaped up and defeated the two people who were blocking his way with two simple taijutsu attacks.

Then, Kakashi continued to stagger out of the gates of Konoha Village and disappeared into the darkness.

A minute later, two figures slowly emerged from the shadows: Hyuga Sawatatsu and Shikamaru.

"It seems that, just as Kakashi and the Hokage predicted, that rogue ninja named Hiruko is eager to take the final step."

Shikamaru pulled a lighter from his pocket, lit it with a click, and the flame illuminated his face.

"Let's go!"

Hyuga Zetsu used the simplest healing ninjutsu to awaken the two gatekeepers, and then took out the mission instructions signed by Tsunade.

"Just now, Mr. Kakashi..."

Kotetsu rubbed his aching neck, and before he could finish a sentence, he saw Shikamaru make a hand gesture.

Top secret mission?

It seems that this chop to the neck was taken for nothing.

-----------------

Half a day later, Kakashi appeared in a special location surrounded by mountains.

After Kakashi leaped up and disappeared, Hyuga Zetsu and Shikamaru reappeared in the same spot.

"It seems that the other party is probably hiding in Mount Sumeru."

Shikamaru took out a map, compared it with the surrounding environment, and then spoke.

"It seems that in order to complete that forbidden technique, besides needing the right timing, there are also special requirements for the location?"

Hinata Zetsu looked in the direction Kakashi had disappeared, a thoughtful expression on his face.

-----------------

"It's so good to see you again, Kakashi. I can't wait."

Inside a cave covered with special symbols, Hiruko also had a bright red mark on his forehead, and his eyes were filled with fanaticism.

"Go and greet the distinguished guests. If you encounter anyone who gets in your way, eliminate them immediately!"

The three figures standing beside Beiruhu responded and then leaped up, disappearing into the cave.

"Kakashi has two tails following him. Your three useless subordinates alone are not enough to stop him."

A strange voice suddenly rang in Beiliuhu's ear.

"Who?"

Beiluhu frowned and looked around, but found no trace of the other party.

"If you agree to join Akatsuki after completing the forbidden technique, I will lend you a hand."

A figure dressed in Akatsuki attire emerged from the ground not far away; it was Black Zetsu.

Chapter 165 Ghost Sprout Technique

Beneath a crimson mountain stands a gate three zhang tall, with a golden lotus carved on its door, flanked by auspicious clouds and a faintly visible giant dragon.

Kakashi staggered inside, and then the door closed again, obscuring what was inside.

"I'm sorry, but your lives are tied up here. We've already given orders that you can't go any further."