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*****
Ximen Zhen instinctively wanted to guide the simulation, but then relaxed.
He was genuinely curious about what Danzo was thinking now and how much he had discovered about his secrets.
So, why not just meet Danzo directly? That way, he could figure out Danzo's exact intentions.
After all, this was just a simulation—even if it went sideways, there wouldn't be any real consequences.
But the simulation that followed made Ximen Zhen laugh out loud in disbelief.
[Yamanaka Fū led you toward a remote path. You questioned whether this was the way to the Hokage's office, but Fū told you that the Hokage wanted you to see something.]
Ximen Zhen could already guess how this was going to play out. He folded his arms, ready to enjoy the show.
This time, without any of his guidance, he wasn't planning to be polite.
[Yamanaka Fū brought you to the Uchiha district, where Shimura Taji appeared with Sanyou Ichirou—recently released from the Konoha Military Police Force—and his teammates. They launched an attack to get revenge.]
[You showed no mercy and severely injured them. Yamanaka Fū, hiding in the shadows, attempted a sneak attack with Mind Body Switch Technique, but your heightened senses detected it. With your speed, you evaded and countered, injuring Fū as well.]
[During the battle, you unleashed your monstrous strength, toppling several buildings in the process. The loud commotion attracted many shinobi, and the situation quickly spiraled out of control.]
Ximen Zhen grinned. Having power really was the best.
Previously, he had to rely on strategy. Now? He could just punch people in the face.
As for cleaning up the mess… whatever.
It was also a good opportunity to see how the Hokage and Danzo would react now.
[Soon, ANBU arrived and detained you. You didn't resist. Meanwhile, Yamanaka Fū and the others were rushed to Konoha Hospital.]
[None of them died. For you, choosing to kill or spare someone was equally easy.]
[You were imprisoned in the Konoha Military Police Force building, guarded jointly by Might Guy and Hatake Kakashi. Many looked at you curiously, puzzled by the sudden rise in your strength.]
[You were detained for three full days before finally being summoned by the Hokage again. But this time, it was a joint tribunal—attended by the Hokage, Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado. Clearly, they hadn't reached a consensus on how to deal with you.]
Ximen Zhen was surprised.
They hadn't just sent Yamanaka Inoichi to extract his memories? Could it be they were shocked by his familiar jutsu and combat style—afraid of offending whoever might be behind him?
Hmm… Interesting.
[Danzo presided over the interrogation and questioned you: Which village did you come from? From whom did you learn those jutsu? What was your true purpose?]
At this, Ximen Zhen finally chose to guide the simulation, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
He'd already come this far—might as well go all in.
[You claimed that you learned your jutsu from a masked young woman who recognized your potential and aimed to train you into an excellent medical-nin to carry on her legacy.]
[Naturally, Danzo rejected your explanation. No one would believe that Tsunade had secretly returned to Konoha just to teach another student.]
[But you provided undeniable proof—activating your Yin Seal. The cursed markings covered your entire body, making it obvious that you were Tsunade's legitimate successor in medical ninjutsu.]
[Danzo insisted on having Yamanaka Inoichi interrogate you to extract all your memories. He didn't believe your story.]
[But Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately rejected Danzo's request, declaring that he was the Hokage. With the support of Koharu and Homura, he opted instead to seal your chakra and place you under house arrest, supervised by Jonin-level guards.]
At this point, Ximen Zhen burst out laughing.
He could almost hear Hiruzen shouting at Danzo: "Danzo, I am the Hokage!"
If this simulation succeeded, Ximen Zhen had to see that scene play out for real.
As for what would happen next in the simulation, even he didn't know.
Konoha would definitely send a message to Tsunade. The village had always maintained contact with her—she had merely left on a journey, not defected.
But how would Tsunade respond?
[Yūhi Kurenai was assigned to guard you. With your chakra sealed, you were no match for her genjutsu. Still, you had no intention to resist. Instead, you returned to your old routines.]
[You wrote books, trained your body, and designed ninja tools. Unfortunately, no one could visit you, so you could only talk to Kurenai, who mostly ignored you and silently listened.]
[With undivided attention, you began releasing a book every month. Kurenai handed your manuscripts to the Hokage. Though your books couldn't be published anymore, the Hokage provided you with even more reference materials.]
Ximen Zhen frowned slightly. Still no response from Tsunade?
Then his laughter grew louder. Of course she didn't return.
[Tsunade took the messages from Konoha as a clumsy ploy to get her back. After receiving repeated summons, she simply cut off contact with the village and vanished.]
[You were imprisoned for three full months. At the end of that time, you were summoned again—this time by the Hokage alone.]
[He was flipping through your "Chronicles of Hashirama Senju" when you arrived. He welcomed you warmly, personally released your chakra seal, and asked to observe your medical-ninjutsu skills.]
[Naturally, you obliged. In front of Hiruzen Sarutobi, you performed the Creation Rebirth technique to heal an injured Konoha ninja. That moment solidified your identity as Tsunade's true successor.]
Ximen Zhen clicked his tongue. So that's all it took to clear his name?
But if he followed the timeline correctly, Konoha was likely already preparing for the joint Chūnin Exams with Sunagakure.
Could it be that Hiruzen had begun to suspect something was off with the Sand Village's intentions, and now had no choice but to take Ximen Zhen's medical skills seriously?
The simulation that followed confirmed this suspicion.
[Hiruzen told you that your teacher was one of the Legendary Sannin—Tsunade. He asked if you had learned her summoning technique.]
[You, with obvious mischief, replied that your teacher wanted to teach you the summoning technique, but then you got locked up for three months. So now you weren't sure if you could even contact her anymore.]
Ximen Zhen nearly bit his lip trying not to laugh.
If this simulation succeeded, he definitely wanted to see the look on Hiruzen's face.
He could imagine the Hokage smiling on the outside while cursing Danzo to hell on the inside.
Of course, Ximen Zhen was certain—
If this timeline actually existed, Hiruzen would probably give Danzo the cold shoulder for days afterward.
[Hiruzen then told you there was still a chance for redemption. He released you and personally gave you a Konoha Genin forehead protector. As Tsunade's disciple, you had no right to refuse.]
Ximen Zhen's smile froze.
Of course that old man wasn't going to let him go that easily.
As someone who valued freedom above all else, Ximen Zhen had now become a lifelong servant to Konoha.
(End of Chapter)