Just moments after leaving the Hokage Tower,
Kei Yamanaka quietly activated Konoha's wide-area Sensing Barrier to pinpoint Nara Shikaku, who was handling mission assignments at the desk.
Since the distance between them was less than five hundred meters, Kei instantly linked minds with him using the Mind Body Transmission Technique.
"Big Bro Shikaku, I just accepted a new mission! Guess where I'm headed?"
Kei's strained voice echoed in Nara Shikaku's mind.
"Nope. Not guessing. Excuse me."
Nara Shikaku hesitated briefly, then swiftly set down his brush and formed hand seals with both hands.
Using the Shadow Secret Technique of the Nara clan, he manipulated the surrounding shadows to completely envelop himself, attempting to sever the connection from the Mind Body Transmission Technique.
Both being secret techniques derived from Yin Release,
The shadow-based arts of the Nara clan and the mental arts of the Yamanaka clan each had their own strengths.
But ultimately, they were both variants of Yin Release, making them highly susceptible to interfering with each other.
Still...
"Wanna guess why the Mind Body Transmission Technique hasn't been cut off yet?"
Kei's words made Nara Shikaku twitch involuntarily.
The difference in mental strength was just too vast—he couldn't suppress Kei Yamanaka's technique!
No worries!
He had a backup plan.
His eyes turned toward a nearby soundproof room rarely used in the mission office, and he snatched up the stack of papers on the table and prepared to dash into the room to activate the Anti-Sensor Barrier.
With the barrier raised, combined with his own Shadow Secret Technique,
There wouldn't be much of a problem!
"Ever heard of Yamaoto Momoko and Willow Sakura? They're two legendary geishas on Adofu Street who supposedly rival even the top courtesans."
Crap, Kei has one too!
Nara Shikaku groaned inwardly as he slumped dejectedly into his seat.
Adofu Street was less than forty kilometers from Konoha—a lively district packed with entertainment venues in the bustling crossroads town of Senshu.
Since Konoha had relatively strict internal laws and no red-light districts or casinos, the recreational options available for ninjas were quite limited.
Located on a major crossroads connecting north and south, Adofu Street naturally became a hub for such industries.
Back in his youth, out of sheer curiosity, he'd visited once or twice with Hayato and the others.
Besides drinking alcohol and listening to music, he hadn't done anything else suspicious.
Would Yoshino ever believe that?
That bastard Kei actually dared to threaten him with this.
What about our unspoken brotherhood?
What about a man's bottom line?
Did Kei actually think he wouldn't run to Kushina and spill everything?
"...I really tried my best! Lord Hokage has his own ideas; what could I possibly do?"
"I was sent to Kumogakure to assist in a spy mission aimed at assassinating Kumo's leadership and inciting conflict between Kumo's hardliners and the other hidden villages. But honestly? I don't understand how this mission ended up falling on me."
Kei didn't respond to Shikaku's bitter grumble.
He couldn't understand it—despite showing some skill, these covert operations were usually handled by Root ninja.
"Lately, Danzo and Lord Hokage seem to have mended their relationship considerably. A lot of Root operations have been reassigned recently."
"What do you mean? Coincidence?"
"Have you seen Danzo recently?"
"Over ten days ago, when I followed Tsunade to the Konoha Hospital? We met once then?"
"Lord Danzo previously suggested to Lord Hokage that you be recruited into Root with the same status as Orochimaru. Lord Hokage didn't refuse outright but said he'd consider it."
"What the hell is this about?"
Kei Yamanaka's expression darkened when he heard this. He couldn't for the life of him figure out what Danzo was up to.
He could understand wanting to ease tensions with the Third—that was probably due to some skill listing taking effect.
He could even roughly guess the reason for reassigning Root missions.
Right now, Danzo urgently needed to shake off the negative impact of the Black-Tier Trait [Wild Imagination].
Whether it was to investigate ancient cursed relics from the Warring States era or to ensure his personal safety, he required a large number of personnel.
But recruiting him into Root?
And giving him the exact same treatment as Orochimaru?
Remember, Orochimaru never had the Tongue-Cutting Seal to ward off misfortune!
Even without becoming Hokage, Orochimaru had still been the successor-in-line to become the next Root leader.
As for himself, he'd opposed Danzo more than once—and was now also the boyfriend of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, firmly within the Hokage faction.
Wasn't that basically throwing dust in the Third's eyes?
"Honestly, I think it might be a mutual test between Lord Hokage and Lord Danzo, and you… being strong enough yet lacking in status and prestige, just happened to become the perfect pawn for their test."
Nara Shikaku eventually voiced his suspicions.
He'd witnessed far too many secret power struggles between the Hokage and his advisor.
Danzo's move this time likely had multiple purposes:
First, to show goodwill toward Ino–Shika–Cho and demonstrate support for their clan climbing the ranks.
Second, possibly aiming to gain more support from powerful ninja clans at this critical juncture.
Third, very likely testing whether the Third would ease restrictions on the Jinchuriki now that another member of the Uzumaki clan has appeared.
Fourth, aimed at securing more authority and manpower to further expand Root's scale.
And the Third's reaction this time was also quite intriguing.
He didn't immediately reject Danzo's suggestion about recruiting Kei Yamanaka into Root.
Previously, several times when Danzo recommended sending Kei Yamanaka on missions to the Land of Iron, the Hokage had rejected them and sent others instead.
Perhaps the Hokage was now using this opportunity to reclaim some authority from Root and stop its continued expansion?
Or maybe, through Danzo's reaction, he wanted to observe and understand something deeper?
Certainly not because he genuinely wants Kei Yamanaka joining Root!
He's engaged to the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!
"…You've got the strength, so they can just keep pushing you around if they want? What utter nonsense! Are either of these two bastards decent people?!"
Grumbling curses under his breath, Kei Yamanaka abruptly disengaged from the Mind Body Transmission Technique.
Then he started quickly checking his stock of ninja tools and various Sealing Scrolls.
In any case, regardless of whatever schemes Danzo and the Third were plotting,
Neither of them really intended to directly target him or use him as a sacrificial pawn.
Still, the whole situation felt pretty damn annoying.
You two want to test each other? Why not just go somewhere private and sort it out between yourselves?
It's not like you're about to clash swords or something—no one would think twice about that.
Why drag others into this mess?
Kei Yamanaka took a deep breath, suppressing his annoyance.
He silently decided that once he left this place, he would definitely elevate his strength to surpass even the Kage level!
In the face of absolute power, all schemes and intrigues were useless.
Recalling the content of the mission scroll he had just read, as well as the rendezvous time with Nonou Yakushi,
a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes.
Midnight, five days from now?
A normal ninja traveling at full speed from Konoha to Kumogakure would need about four days.
To allow for any unexpected incidents along the way, everyone usually reserved an extra day.
But he had a rideable flying summoned beast—an eagle-falcon named Hiji.
With Hiji's speed and stamina, even if he took a detour to the Land of Iron first before heading toward Kumogakure, there would still be plenty of time.
If he could directly find Madara Uchiha, that would be best.
If not, after completing the mission, he could always return to the mountainous grave site and lay in ambush like a hunter stalking prey.
It'll be a bit troublesome, sure.
But as long as he could obtain [Sage Transformation] from Madara, what did a little trouble matter?
And when he returns from outside...
Heh... heh... heh...
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>