Konoha: Offer your heart to the Hokage!

...

Another week passed, and Hashirama still hadn't returned from Shikkotsu Forest.

The news that Shen Er was learning Fire Release ninjutsu from the Uchiha clan spread like wildfire.

The news likely originated from a loose-lipped Uchiha genius who leaked the story at school. It then reached the ears of the bored adults.

Upon learning that Shen possessed all five chakra natures, people from various clans flocked to the gates of the Zen clan.

Senju Momoka, representing the Senju clan, visited and stated that she would teach him Water Release and Earth Release, the two signature techniques of the Senju clan.

The Shimura and Hyuga clans both expressed their willingness to teach Wind Release techniques.

When it came to Lightning Release, the Hatake clan, whom I had expected, did not appear. Instead, the Sarutobi clan stepped forward.

Unlike other ninja villages with a single type of ninja, Konoha at this time was full of talented people. There were clans and ninjas who were good at various ninjutsu, as well as a constant stream of secret techniques and bloodline limits.

This once again made Shen realize how abundant Konoha's resources were.

Unlike Kakuzu, who is still wandering around the ninja world, it's unknown what method he will eventually use to learn ninjutsu.

They readily accepted all overt gestures of goodwill from various ninja clans.

However, his time was precious. He could only spend a small portion of his time each day learning escape techniques, while the vast majority of his time was spent developing the Impure World Reincarnation and Yin Seal techniques.

Therefore, you have to queue.

As for why the various ninja clans wanted to give Shen'er such precious ninjutsu, which was so valuable to ordinary ninjas, it's quite simple.

After Hashirama Senju left the village, Tobirama took over as acting Hokage and managed village affairs.

This was the first time in Konoha that the Hokage position had been passed on. All the clans knew that the Hokage was a position, and only those who could gain recognition were qualified to sit in that position.

Moreover, he is now the most impeccable person in Konoha in terms of reputation and character.

Even if he always appears indifferent and unambitious, if he's willing to say a few good words for a potential Hokage in front of the villagers, the subtle influence will mean that even if the Second Hokage can't become the Third Hokage, it's not impossible for his family to be chosen.

The various ethnic groups vying to curry favor are all paving the way for their own clans and communities.

"The idea is good."

Shen Er stood in his own ninjutsu training ground and muttered to himself, "The position of Hokage belongs to you, and to the Senju, but in the end, it belongs to the Senju."

The moonlight was cold and clear.

The next moment, the Earthly Wraith burst open behind Shen'er, and five pitch-black tentacles stretched out in the night.

"Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Technique!"

Flames not only spewed from his mouth, but also erupted simultaneously along each of the Earth Wraith's tentacles, like a sky full of scattered flower seeds, covering the training ground with scorching light and completely covering all the targets in the field.

The firelight was reflected in Shen'er's eyes, as if he saw the ninja world burning fiercely.

He glanced at the Earthly Resentment Tentacle.

This is another powerful aspect of the Earthly Grudge.

Most ninjutsu is released through the ninja's mouth, but with Earth Grudge Fear, it's as if there are five casting ports. In the same amount of time, he can unleash a saturation of ninjutsu with greater power and a wider coverage, directly doubling his firepower.

The drawback is that chakra consumption also doubles.

"We need to hurry up with the rewriting of the Yin Seal."

"And... the Tailed Beasts."

Shen'er had always had an idea: to capture a tailed beast and seal it inside her. Chakra wouldn't be inexhaustible, but at least it wouldn't be so scarce.

After the Yin Seal was obtained, Shen'er's idea became even stronger.

He made a mental assessment.

If it's the weakest of the One-Tailed Beasts, I should be able to handle it with my own strength.

There are two main problems.

Firstly, there is a lack of the Four Symbols Seal, which can seal the tailed beasts that create Jinchūriki.

Secondly, neither Hashirama nor Madara is dead yet.

Both of them are quite concerned about the tailed beasts. Since they are not dead yet, they have no chance to make a move.

"Although it's not very kind of you to think this way, but..."

"Hashirama, when will you finally explode with Madara?"

Chapter 41 The Akatsuki Organization's Trademark

Gospel Hospital.

Shen Er looked at the report in his hand, which showed a significant increase in the number of wounded patients received by the Gospel Hospital recently.

Look beyond the surface.

Shen Er understood that this meant that friction between Konoha and the surrounding ninja villages was escalating.

As for the reason, it's probably because the news of Hashirama Senju's "disappearance" was leaked.

Hashirama Senju's departure from the village was a village secret, and all those attending the meeting were high-ranking village officials, so there should have been no possibility of a leak. However, the problem was that Hashirama was usually too approachable and often appeared in the streets of Konoha. His absence for nearly a month naturally led to rumors circulating outside.

Upon realizing that Hashirama was not in the village, the four great nations could no longer contain themselves and began to stir. Small-scale conflicts and skirmishes have been occurring one after another along the border.

Having finally ended the Warring States period and ushered in seven years of peace, the ambitious individuals couldn't contain themselves upon seeing Hashirama's disappearance...

Worse still, when Hashirama returned to the village, instead of being alerted, he still clung to the illusion of peaceful negotiations.

Upon seeing Hashirama's return, the four great ninja villages would temporarily restrain themselves, giving people the illusion of peace; but once Hashirama's death was confirmed, they would immediately launch the First Shinobi World War.

The seeds of disaster have already been sown.

He should have prepared earlier.

Shen Er suddenly felt a slight tremor in his heart and immediately knew that Uchiha Yan was trying to contact him using Zero and Ichishiki.

He sat in the chair of the hospital director and slowly closed his eyes.

...

Connecting with the host's five senses is also a peculiar experience for Shen'er.

Through the connection between the parasitic seed and the Earth Grudge Fear, he can ignore spatial distance and directly take control of the parasitic body. Most incredibly, there is no control delay.

Perhaps this is what the Sage of Six Paths hoped for: that chakra would become a bridge connecting people.

Despite its hellish aspects, it was indeed connected.

He could even be considered the successor of the Ninja Clan.

Zero slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling on the person in front of him, Uchiha Yan.

More than a year has passed since I last saw her, and she looks more mature.

The dark will revealed in those eyes became increasingly pure.

Shen Er, controlling Zero's body, spoke haltingly, "Long time no see, Uchiha Yan."

Uchiha Yan clicked his tongue, his gaze sweeping over Zero's body with surprise. "This body... if I remember correctly, it was the thirteenth experimental subject sent over, right? What's going on here?"

“I’ve got her under control, and there’s one more move.”

"They are no longer experimental subjects, nor are they former members of the Ninja Gang. You can order them to be used at will."

Upon hearing this, a hint of apprehension flashed across Uchiha Yan's eyes.

Controlling a Chunin with genjutsu isn't difficult; she could do it easily herself.

But to simultaneously control two Chunin, including their words and actions, is something that ordinary genjutsu cannot accomplish.

That faceless monster wearing the bird-beak mask is also a top-notch illusionist.

Shen Er didn't pay attention to her little thoughts and said, "Report on your situation first."

“Hmm.” Uchiha Yan nodded. “Actually, before Zero and Isshiki brought the information, I had already formed an Akatsuki ninja group.”

"Wait a minute," Shen interrupted her, "What did you establish?"

"The Akatsuki ninja group, what's wrong?" Uchiha Yan pointed to the sky outside the cave, which was about to break into dawn. "I recruited a few Sound Release ninjas. It was almost dawn that day, so I just picked out this name."

"dawn……"

Even more unexpectedly, Uchiha Yan had already seized the Akatsuki trademark. After processing this information, he said, "Go on."

“I didn’t find the Libra clan you asked me to find. However, I did find a few ninjas who can use the ‘Sound Release technique.’ They are ordinary villagers from the Land of Rice Fields who learned the technique to protect their village. I thought they were a bit special, so I recruited them into my ninja group.”

“Right now, I’m active in these villages and nearby towns. The funds you gave me are also being used for the Akatsuki ninja group.”

"Sometimes they'll just wipe out the ninja gangs that are harassing the village, and if they find any suitable material, they'll send it to you."

Shen Er spent ten years moving from the deep mountains of Takigakure to the powerful backer of Konoha; while Uchiha Yan spent more than twenty years moving from the powerful backer of Konoha to the deep mountains of the Land of Rice Fields.

Judging from her expression and tone, she was not dissatisfied with this kind of life, but rather delighted by this hard-won "freedom".

The life of the Uchiha clan cannot be defined.

"Well done," Shen commented. "Forming a ninja group was a wise move. You didn't reveal your Uchiha identity, did you?"

"No, I've always been wearing a mask."

"These ninjas who know the Sound Release technique can be trained well. In the future, it is not impossible to expand the ninja group into a ninja village based on them. The Land of Rice Fields is still an undeveloped pure land, and no ninja village has been established there yet."

Shendun paused for a moment, then continued, "The search for the Libra clan continues. Have the Akatsuki members join in and expand the search area."

“I understand all of that.” Uchiha Yan stared straight at him, her tone dissatisfied. “However, I’ve been preparing for this for so long. You promised me you would give me greater power. When are you going to deliver on that promise?”

"It's not time yet."

"Are you kidding me?"

Shen Er said in a calm tone: "If I wanted to, I would have taken your eyes away the moment you activated the Three Tomoe, and you wouldn't have had the chance to gain your current freedom."

"..."

Uchiha Yan was speechless for a moment, then pursed his lips and sulked without saying a word.

Seeing that she had toned down her arrogance, Shen Er continued:

"You will get what you want sooner or later, but be patient. Now, your location has been exposed. The Uchiha clan has found you in the Land of Rice Fields and has sent a team led by Jonin Uchiha Bin to hunt you down."