The news of Kaede completely annihilating a hundred-man elite Sand ninja squad in the Amegakure sent shockwaves through Konoha's higher-ups.
Among them were Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Their shock wasn't just from the fact that Kaede had wiped out a hundred-man unit; it was that this elite Sand squad had somehow silently circled behind to the Amegakure!
Had Kaede not encountered them and swiftly attacked the rear camp, the repercussions would have been devastating, potentially altering the course of the entire war!
Though it seemed like just the elimination of a small squad, the long-term impact could very well decide the outcome of the war!
After the shock came apprehension. Whether it was the leaders of the various clans or Danzo and Sarutobi, a new sense of unease had emerged in their hearts.
While other ninja could accomplish similar feats, Kaede's youth was unsettling, so young, yet so powerful.
…
In the highest-level conference room of the Hokage Building, Danzo spoke solemnly to Sarutobi, "This is no longer just about talent, Sarutobi... that child... he's been possessed by some sort of demon!"
Ten years old!
Not even eleven!
Having demonstrated extraordinary strength on the battlefield in the Land of Grass, Kaede's talent was undeniable, one of the most exceptional ninjas in decades. But this situation was different.
Not to mention the 'coincidence' of him encountering the elite Sand squad attempting to infiltrate, they were completely wiped out by a single person, something even Sarutobi himself might not have been able to do!
The shock was overwhelming!
"A demon..." Sarutobi murmured, his eyes showing a hint of gravity.
The term "demon" was only a metaphor, but Sarutobi understood what Danzo meant: Kaede was abnormal, something unpredictable might have happened to him.
If such a change could influence the outcome of a war, it could also pose a massive threat to Konoha. It was something to be deeply cautious of.
"He's White Fang's child... surely, it can't be that serious?" said Tsunade, who had been sitting nearby, opening her half-closed eyes as she spoke.
Mito responded with a low voice, "White Fang was such a resolute ninja... Danzo, are you jumping to conclusions by labeling his son a threat?"
"No."
Danzo shook his head, suppressing his gaze as he spoke, "I'm not labeling him as a threat yet. But something has changed within him. No ten-year-old ninja could accomplish such feats. Whatever the cause may be, it warrants caution."
Sarutobi fell silent, his expression deepening.
The ninja world was full of demonic-like powers. For example, the Tailed Beasts, and Konoha's very own Nine-Tails, was a massive deterrent. But if it lost control, it could bring catastrophic consequences.
The world also had other threats as dangerous as the Tailed Beasts.
Sarutobi didn't personally worry about Kaede. Though the boy was young and had the mindset of an adult, he harbored no hatred, so he didn't believe he posed any immediate danger to Konoha. However, if Kaede was indeed harboring some monstrous force inside him, that would change everything.
"What do you plan to do?" Sarutobi asked after a long pause.
Danzo narrowed his eyes. "I suggest we control him, make sure he doesn't become a threat. If there really is a demon inside him, we need to seal it quickly."
Control him early?
Sarutobi pondered this.
If there was truly a threat to Konoha, early intervention was necessary, but he didn't want Danzo handling this directly. Doing so would only strengthen Danzo's influence.
At that moment, Sarutobi was struck by an odd thought, Orochimaru, who should have been the one most concerned, hadn't mentioned any abnormalities in his reports.
"Kaede is Orochimaru's student. Do you really think Orochimaru hasn't noticed anything?" Sarutobi suddenly asked.
Danzo squinted. "Maybe he knows, but he's doing something in the shadows, not intending to report it to you."
Hearing that even Danzo was now suspecting Orochimaru, Sarutobi snorted. "Some of the things you've done in the shadows haven't exactly been fully reported to me either."
Sarutobi made a decision.
He would continue to communicate with Orochimaru to gather more information about Kaede. He trusted Orochimaru as his student and wasn't ready to make any hasty decisions about Kaede.
Moreover, everything Kaede had accomplished so far had been on the battlefield. To take action based on mere suspicions would only cause unrest.
In times of war, unrest must be avoided at all costs.
Danzo heard Sarutobi's decision and slowly spoke, "It seems you still trust your student. In that case, I have no further suggestions."
With that, Danzo rose and left, his figure disappearing into the shadows.
…
In the next three days.
Sarutobi had multiple conversations with Orochimaru. Eventually, Orochimaru revealed something that shocked Sarutobi: Kaede had awakened a Kekkei Genkai!
A Kekkei Genkai that enhances speed. With this power, Kaede could achieve an extraordinary level of strength, allowing him to perform feats that shocked everyone on the battlefield.
All previous doubts fade away.
As one of the most powerful figures in the ninja world, Sarutobi understood what speed meant for a ninja. A Kekkei Genkai that enhances speed could indeed have a massive impact, allowing one person to take on many. It could make mass tactics ineffective, and in situations where limiting movement was difficult, one could act with complete freedom.
No wonder Kaede had accomplished things Sarutobi himself couldn't have done.
"Is that the power you left behind for your son, White Fang?" Sarutobi muttered as he looked out the window, holding the latest report from Orochimaru.
The will of the deceased can, in fact, influence the living, sometimes leaving abilities that automatically protect their children, like the sand that guards a body without needing to be controlled, this has been documented multiple times.
of course, it could also be that Kaede's mind and body underwent a mutation, leading to the birth of this Kekkei Genkai. Whatever the case, it was a good thing, Kaede was a Konoha ninja!
Having such powerful combat strength could greatly influence the war.
"Inform Orochimaru to maintain the previous directive. Send Kaede to the frontline base in the Land of Wind."
Sarutobi quickly made a decision, sticking with his earlier plan to send Kaede to the battlefield in the Land of Wind. However, while the last mission had been for support, this time the purpose was for destruction!
Taking advantage of the Sand Village's elite squad's defeat, Sarutobi planned to send Kaede back to launch a decisive strike, further crippling the Sand Village's forces and completely defeating them!
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