Aizen Sōsuke stood still, taking in Danzo Shimura's gaze and the ambition hidden beneath it.
His smile gradually softened.
Essentially, the Zanpakuto he forged was merely a localized product, replicated using Chakra—a nearly omnipotent energy—and based on the Zanpakuto he had previously encountered.
Its purpose was simply to carry the power he already possessed but that could not be accommodated by this world.
In Aizen's eyes, this was actually just a crude, workshop-made product.
It wasn't anything remarkable.
However, his entire plan, which he would gradually lay out, was not something he could simply accomplish alone with the limited resources and channels he possessed.
Root was a prey he had long set his sights on.
Unfortunately, the power of Kyōka Suigetsu was only complete hypnosis, not the ability to change a person's heart from the depths of their mind like Kotoamatsukami.
Therefore, he still needed to perform a small act.
"Hiruzen, you should value such a talent more."
As expected.
No sooner had he finished speaking than Danzo Shimura coldly interjected from the side, "The Village's research into Bloodline Limits is of paramount importance."
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura had known each other for so many years that Hiruzen knew exactly what Danzo was going to say just by the way he moved, and his expression immediately turned sour:
"The Village's expenditures have their own regulations. Since Sōsuke-kun has achieved brilliant results, I will naturally give him more attention going forward."
"Besides, finances are not your responsibility, Danzo."
Danzo Shimura didn't say much. After subtly criticizing the Hokage in front of Aizen, he merely snorted coldly and turned his head away.
Kakashi, however, seemed to keenly sense something in Danzo's words and immediately interjected:
"Third Hokage."
"Only four bodies were found here, but I sensed a total of six scents."
"It's highly likely that there are other Hidden Mist personnel still lurking in the Village."
Although his intention to change the subject was obvious, given the attack tonight, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura both ceased their small argument without further ado.
"These bastards."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gritted his teeth and cursed, then immediately turned to the Anbu behind him and ordered:
"Team Three immediately expand the search area and request reinforcements from the Hyuga Clan to find the remaining attackers. The rest of you, take these bodies back to search for clues."
"Yes."
Several Anbu responded in unison.
With the external crisis not yet resolved, Hiruzen Sarutobi acted swiftly, immediately leading a small team to leave and investigate other areas.
Kakashi Hatake's steps were half a beat slower than theirs. As he passed by Sōsuke, he slightly lowered his voice and warned:
"Be careful of Danzo."
Aizen heard his warning, looked at him with a slight surprise, and a calm smile appeared on his face:
"Don't worry."
Their gazes met briefly. Kakashi didn't linger, turning to follow closely behind Hiruzen Sarutobi as he departed.
His identity was still Anbu, so missions naturally took priority.
Aizen Sōsuke stood quietly in place, his hands tucked into his wide sleeves, watching the group's figures disappear into the distance.
After a while, he slowly left the battlefield and turned to walk towards his house in the Village.
While Aizen was temporarily unoccupied, Danzo Shimura began to ponder deeply.
What is the most precious resource in modern Konoha?
Talent!
One only needs to look at the past, when Orochimaru was still in Root. He alone sustained the research KPI for more than half of Root's system, laying the foundation for Danzo Shimura's arm and allowing him to have so many extra lives later on.
This was something no wealth or treasure could compare to.
But ever since Orochimaru mysteriously disappeared without a trace, the progress of many forbidden research projects within Root gradually stalled.
It was impossible for Danzo Shimura not to feel some pressure.
Especially at a time like this.
First, there were the various conflicts between the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans, followed by the Hyuga Clan suddenly revealing such a massive trump card from their old foundations, completely overshadowing the combination of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Uchiha Shisui, and the Nine-Tailed.
Now, the various Shinobi Clans had quickly united due to the experiences of these two largest families, forming a standoff with the Hokage faction.
Hidden beneath all this were his own conflicts with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Danzo Shimura still remembered the grudge of being controlled by Kotoamatsukami.
So why had he endured until now?
It was simply because his strength was insufficient!
Whether it was against Hiruzen Sarutobi or other Shinobi Clans—even the Hyuga Clan could suddenly unleash such an overpowered monster—who knew if these Shinobi Clans, active in the Ninja World for nearly a thousand years, would suddenly unearth a long-buried old monster from some obscure mountain?
Although he didn't say it aloud, after encountering that monster not long ago, Danzo Shimura's deep desire to improve his own strength was extremely intense.
It was just that he hadn't found the right direction before this.
Until today, when he discovered a hidden treasure in the Village.
"Aizen Sōsuke."
"Kekkei Genkai."
Back in his loyal Root, Danzo Shimura sat in front of his office, flipping through every piece of information related to this young man.
As the central intelligence hub of Konoha, Root possessed complete files on every Konoha Ninja, with the most detailed records for top Ninja in various fields.
Aizen Sōsuke, who held the achievement of 'creator of a brand new Bloodline Limit,' was naturally one of them.
However, as Danzo Shimura now reviewed the files, his brow furrowed slightly.
He had encountered a small problem.
The theoretical data regarding artificial Bloodline Limit research was simply too specialized.
He couldn't quite understand it.
At this point, it was natural to call upon a professional.
Danzo Shimura put down the documents in his hand, turned to look at the young man beside him, and asked:
"Hiruko, what do you think?"
Standing beside him was a young man with long white hair, pale skin, a bandaged face, and deep eyes.
Hiruko.
At this moment, he was also quietly looking at Aizen Sōsuke's data, his gaze slightly lost in thought.
According to the original history, he should have defected from Konoha Village at the end of the Third Great Ninja War due to research limitations and personal pursuits.
However, the ripple effect brought by a single butterfly often carries great uncertainty.
Not to mention, it was a butterfly like Aizen Sōsuke, who, even by merely providing theoretical wisdom, had an immense influence on many related fields.
Looking at the photo of the young man in the file, Hiruko seemed to be transported back ten years, seeing the young man who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy and appeared before him for the first time, humbly seeking guidance.
At that time, he had already spent many years of effort on the Chimera Technique, a forbidden jutsu capable of fusing other Bloodline Limits, all to enhance his own talent using the bloodlines of other gifted individuals, in order to catch up with true geniuses like Orochimaru.
However, this child had asked him a question he had never considered.
"Lord Hiruko, since most Bloodline Limits, in principle, are merely a deep combination of specific Chakra and individual genes..."
"Then why must you try to fuse the talents of others, instead of attempting to create a Bloodline Limit unique to yourself?"
To be honest, at that time, he had dismissed the child's questions as the baseless remarks of an ignorant child.
Because Hiruko knew very well then that the other person was just an ordinary young man like himself, without talent, without lineage, and with nothing except a somewhat solid theoretical foundation learned at the Ninja Academy.
How could he possibly know how much effort it would take to create a Bloodline Limit from scratch?
At that time, the prevailing view throughout the Ninja World was that Bloodline Limits were obtained by powerful Ninja through genetic mutation, seemingly out of nowhere, over generations.
Everyone believed that this genetic lottery could not be achieved by human effort.
Until he successfully created Kekkei Genkai.
To this day.
His Chimera Technique had already gradually improved, and he had even successfully incorporated one or two Bloodline Limits into himself.
However, in the face of Aizen Sōsuke's success, Hiruko couldn't help but begin to despise his own choice, which had clearly discovered the right path but had inexplicably gone astray.
This kind of psychology, of course, could not be revealed to outsiders.
But when he spoke, he still unconsciously adopted a somewhat disparaging tone:
"I have read the research report on Kekkei Genkai several times. Although artificial Bloodline Limits are feasible, they are actually just crude imitations of true power."
"Lord Danzo, I don't think his research has any potential."
"Is that so…?" Hearing this, Danzo Shimura's gaze towards Hidan suddenly became involuntarily tinged with a hint of disdain.
This subtle look made Hidan's heart skip a beat, but he didn't know what had happened.
"Alright, you can leave now."
"Yes."
Despite his uncertainty, Hidan calmly obeyed the order.
Danzo Shimura sat at the desk, his gaze deep.
Hidan's ability was indeed lacking.
As a seasoned intelligence officer and a mature Ninja, Danzo Shimura might not be skilled in theoretical research, but he understood Ninja very well.
It was understandable that others didn't know about foreign intelligence, but he, the head of Root, could tell at a glance that the Kirigakure Ninja who died at Aizen's hands tonight were not ordinary Kirigakure Anbu, but Mizukage's guards.
These people, at the very least, possessed the strength of elite Chunin, or even Special Jonin.
The entire squad, when performing a combined assault, even a Jonin of average strength might not be able to withstand them.
However, these people died almost instantly under Aizen's blade.
At the same time, he could clearly see from the files that all of Aizen Sōsuke's indicators were only at the level of a Special Jonin; the only reason he held the Jonin rank was due to the boost from his research capabilities.
Given this, the facts became quite intriguing.
Aizen Sōsuke was hiding his strength.
Or rather, after mastering a brand new Bloodline Limit, the speed of his strength improvement far exceeded many people's imaginations.
In short, it was very clear.
Artificial Bloodline Limit had a considerable power boost for Aizen, a young man of humble origins and mediocre abilities.
With all this, you, Hidan, actually said his Kekkei Genkai research had no potential?
Such a person was managing the research department under him; no wonder there had been no output for years.
"Useless!"
Danzo Shimura thought with a touch of frustration, then quickly changed his mindset.
The key now was how to poach this excellent young man, Aizen, from Hiruzen's Hokage Building to serve him.
As he pondered, connecting it to the recent situation in the Village, an idea suddenly sparked in his mind.
"Third Hokage!"
Inside the Hokage conference room, Shibi Aburame, the head of the Aburame Clan, sat opposite him and spoke with dissatisfaction:
"From last month's core area raid to this Kirigakure attack, the area around the Hokage Building has suffered two sudden attacks, resulting in damage to numerous shops and significantly negative impacts on many businesses."
"Whether for the development of the Village or the personal safety of the merchants within the Village, I believe further accountability should be pursued."
"Precisely."
Choza Akimichi spoke calmly: "Dozens of shops in my Clan have still not been fully repaired to this day, and customer traffic has plummeted. Third Hokage, these are all sources of Konoha's tax revenue."
"The Inuzuka Clan shares the same sentiment. If even the Village cannot be protected, and people are in a state of panic, how can clients from various countries trust Konoha's strength?"
Looking at the various Clan heads expressing their dissatisfaction one by one, Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples, feeling quite weary.
It had been almost a month since the battle with that monster summoned by the Hyuga Clan.
Just when the situation seemed to be calming down, Kirigakure suddenly pulled this stunt on them.
He naturally knew that these Shinobi Clans' heads were not talking about the Village's safety; they were clearly trying to undermine him, the Hokage.
Ever since the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans suffered damage, the conflict between the Hokage faction and the Shinobi Clans had grown increasingly intense.
Not to mention the other Clans, even the Ino–Shika–Chō, who had always been Hiruzen's close allies, began to openly oppose him on various policies.
What did this indicate?
The people were divided, and the team was difficult to lead.
However, precisely at this moment, he couldn't exert strong pressure as he usually did; he could only make concessions and soften his tone:
"This incident happened suddenly. The Hokage Building has already determined it was done by Kirigakure, and we are currently seeking a response from the Mizukage, but it will still take time…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was very skilled at using official jargon. Originally, today was just a formality for the Shinobi Clans to express their stance.
However, before he could finish his sentence, Danzo Shimura, who had been sitting quietly like a mascot these past few days, suddenly slammed his hand on the table and loudly reprimanded:
"Look at yourselves!"
"You know this was a Kirigakure attack, yet you are grandly blaming the Hokage here, trying to shirk responsibility."
"Do you even have any dignity as Konoha Ninja left?!"
At these words, not only the various Clan heads whose interests were already damaged, but even Hiruzen Sarutobi himself was stunned.
Danzo, this guy, when did… No!
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly reacted.
But before he could speak, he saw many of the Clan heads, who were already fuming, slamming their tables and standing up, cursing loudly:
"Danzo Shimura! You dare to speak now?!"
"Ridiculous! I said we should have pursued this scoundrel's responsibility long ago—where did that arm full of Sharingan come from, and why is there still no conclusion?!"
"Coveting Shinobi Clans' Bloodline Limit is already a grave crime, yet Hokage-sama still refuses to give us an answer?!"
"Truly laughable, you think you're fit to talk about the dignity of Konoha Ninja?"
The interests of the Shinobi Clans, were they so easily touched?
Though their Clans' top strength only consisted of a few mid-to-high-level Jonin, while their upper limit wasn't high, their average strength was very high.
Throughout Konoha Village, the number of Jonin from Shinobi Clans accounted for nearly 70%.
This was a colossal force capable of shaking the very foundation of the Hokage election.
No one could ignore the opinions of so many people, not even the Hokage himself.
Moreover, this time, Danzo had touched the core of their core interests: Bloodline Limit.
However, facing the accusations of a thousand people, Danzo Shimura remained utterly calm, seemingly not caring about the spittle that was about to spray on his face.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat unsure of what he was thinking.
It wasn't until everyone was somewhat tired from cursing that Danzo Shimura spoke calmly:
"Are you all done?"
"You…"
The head of the Uzuki Clan was about to say something more when Danzo Shimura suddenly raised his voice:
"Foolish! Short-sighted!"
This stern reprimand made everyone around widen their eyes in surprise.
Where did this guy get such confidence?
Aren't you afraid of death?
Danzo Shimura's voice, however, became even more composed and powerful:
"Just a few eyes, an arm, and you all treat them as thorns in your eyes and flesh, as if the Bloodline Limit and secret techniques passed down through generations in your families are some precious treasures."
"Times are developing, technology is advancing!"
"This is no longer the era where you can conquer the world relying on the genes inherited from your ancestors, Clan heads!"
"Do you know what level current technology has reached?"
"I'll tell you all!"
"The artificial Bloodline Limit, led by the Hokage Building, has achieved great success under Jonin Aizen Sōsuke's leadership!"
"By relying on his uniquely created and further refined Kekkei Genkai Bloodline, Jonin Aizen alone killed four Kirigakure Jonin with just his blade last night!"
"This is his uniquely created Bloodline Limit, without stealing any achievements!"
"He personally told me that Bloodline secret technique research has made breakthroughs, and he will definitely be able to create various tailor-made Bloodline Limit and special secret techniques for everyone!"
"Konoha is about to usher in a new era."
"Compared to this young researcher, what are those things hidden in your families worth?"
"Everyone."
"The Sengoku period of the Shinobi Clans is about to end."
Danzo Shimura sat in his seat, righteously pointing and loudly accusing everyone, looking dignified and as if he embodied the spirit of the times.
However, his words precisely struck at the core interests of the various Clan heads.
Upon hearing this, everyone around him widened their eyes, looking at him in astonishment.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kakashi Hatake next to him looked at him blankly.
Last night, did Aizen say such things?
Only Danzo Shimura's eyes held a hint of mockery, his peripheral vision falling on the bewildered Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him.
Helping others succeed, he was indeed not good at it.
But causing trouble, he was exceptionally skilled!
After this act of praising to kill today, Aizen Sōsuke's research, and he himself, would inevitably become a hot potato.
Did Hiruzen Sarutobi, who always sought peace through unity, truly have the motivation and ability to protect this young man?
By then, when he appeared before Aizen Sōsuke and logically brought him under his wing, everything would naturally fall into place.
As expected of me!
Danzo Shimura thought to himself with self-satisfaction.