Shinju responded with an innocent expression ┓( ´∀` )┏:
"I didn't do anything special, just adjusted the energy collection device inside the castle."
"Now the castle can be controlled using chakra."
The entire room erupted in shock.
One of the Konoha research ninja standing behind Tsunade couldn't hold back and blurted out:
"How did you manage that?!"
Realizing his outburst, the elderly researcher lowered his voice and continued more politely:
"I actually had a similar idea a few days ago, but implementing it was far too difficult. Shinju, could you tell me how you did it?"
Shinju shrugged and explained:
"First, you connect the device like this… then you make this adjustment… and finally, you finish with a minor fine-tuning."
After listening, the Konoha researchers were left speechless, their jaws hanging.
Was he even speaking their language?
They understood every single word, but somehow, when he strung them together, it made zero sense!
Tsunade, standing nearby, looked just as excited:
"So you're saying that the steel castle can now be controlled purely with chakra, without relying on the Stone of Gelel's power?!"
Shinju nodded.
"Yes, but the castle demands an enormous amount of chakra. Just from circling around Konoha a few times earlier, I burned through nearly one-thousandth of my chakra!"
The rest of the crowd: (꒪⌓꒪) ,ヽ( ຶ▮ ຶ)ﾉ!!!
Only one-thousandth?! To control a massive machine like that, all on his own?!
And to think Shinju had been circling Konoha for over ten minutes!
What kind of terrifying chakra reserves did this guy have?!
Was the person standing in front of them… a human-shaped Tailed Beast?!
"Or… maybe moving the castle doesn't actually require that much chakra?"
One of the researchers spoke hopefully.
Tsunade, who didn't know Shinju's exact chakra capacity, waved her hand decisively:
"Let's go. We'll test it ourselves!"
Over the next ten minutes, several shinobi took turns pouring chakra into the device, and they finally reached a conclusion:
To keep the castle moving for a single minute, it required the combined chakra of at least ten ordinary ninja!
That meant Shinju's chakra reserves alone were equivalent to hundreds of thousands of ninja!
Tsunade: ∑(✘Д✘๑)
She had always suspected Shinju possessed massive chakra reserves…
But this? One person matching an entire village's worth of chakra? That was just absurd!
"Alright, I've noted down your contribution to the village. You've worked hard these past few days, so go home and rest for now."
Tsunade waved him off weakly.
Having someone like Shinju in Konoha was a blessing… but for the other ninja, it was a crushing blow to their pride.
"One more thing," Shinju said quietly, pulling Tsunade aside.
Seeing his secretive behavior, Tsunade raised an eyebrow curiously:
"What is it?"
Shinju asked:
"Tsunade-sama… what kind of person is Danzo-sama, really?"
Shinju had a strange feeling—like Danzo was plotting against him.
He didn't have any solid evidence… but intuition was a mysterious thing. Better to be prepared in advance.
"Danzo, huh… that old man always looks shady and gloomy, but deep down, I think he genuinely wants what's best for the village," Tsunade replied after thinking for a moment.
But then she frowned, sensing something off about Shinju today.
"Why are you asking? Did something happen with him?"
Although Danzo cared about the village, he had done a lot of extreme, questionable things in the past.
That old schemer wouldn't be targeting Shinju, would he?!
"It's nothing. I just think he looks creepy and… kind of scary," Shinju brushed it off casually.
Tsunade smirked teasingly:
"You? The kid who's not afraid of anything, scared of that old fossil?"
Shinju only smiled silently and then used Flying Thunder God to teleport straight back home.
...
Over the next few days, Shinju, Naruto, and Sai continued their training as usual and completed several missions.
After one mission, Sai suddenly leaned close to Shinju and whispered mysteriously:
"You should stay on guard these next couple of days."
Shinju blinked in confusion:
"Why? Don't tell me you see dark omens on my face or something?"
Sai didn't explain. Without another word, he mounted his ink eagle and flew away.
Shinju stood there full of question marks, muttering under his breath:
"What a weird guy."
...
A few nights later.
Shinju was leaning against his bed, deep in meditation, trying to comprehend genjutsu.
He wanted to create an illusion technique that could directly interact with reality—and ideally, one that could be activated with the simplest possible hand seals.
Suddenly, a knock came at the door.
Knock, knock, knock…
Shinju glanced at the clock hanging above his bed.
"It's past 1 a.m.… who could be here at this hour?"
Careful not to wake the sleeping Naruto, Shinju tiptoed to the door and opened it.
Outside stood a masked ninja dressed in full ANBU gear—a complete stranger.
ANBU showing up this late at night could only mean something urgent, Shinju figured, so he asked directly:
"What happened?"
The ANBU gestured for Shinju to step outside.
Shinju glanced up at the night sky.
The moonlight was pale and thin, the stars sparse and distant.
A few black bird silhouettes occasionally flitted across the sky…
And for a moment, Shinju thought he saw that same crow again—the one that had been tailing him.
Following the ANBU outside, Shinju asked again:
"Why so secretive? What exactly happened?"
The ANBU lowered his voice:
"A body was discovered on Naka Bridge… a member of the Uzumaki clan."
"Lady Hokage said some of the chakra signatures on the bodies are unusually similar to yours. She wants you to come and take a look."
Shinju paused to think, then nodded.
"Alright. Lead the way."
The ANBU sounded serious, but Shinju stayed cautious.
First, Tsunade usually contacted him directly—if not through Shizune, then at least via a familiar messenger.
Second, something about this whole situation felt… off.
...
The Naka River flowed east of Konoha, its branching streams twisting and splitting until eventually merging into the sea.
Konoha had built two bridges across it.
One was inside the village, for daily civilian use.
The other, located about twenty li outside Konoha, sat on a major trade route, constructed at the request of the Land of Fire's upper council.
This was where the ANBU was leading Shinju now.
On the way, Shinju asked, puzzled:
"Why not bring the bodies back to the village?"
The ANBU replied smoothly:
"There are signs of battle on the bridge. Lady Hokage thought your sensitivity to chakra might help determine which village was behind the attack."
Shinju found the explanation reasonable and nodded.
"Which ANBU squad are you in?" he asked casually.
"My squad leader is Yamato."
Hearing this, Shinju relaxed a little.
If Yamato-sensei was involved, then this shouldn't be a trap… right?
A few minutes later, they arrived near Naka Bridge.
Under the faint moonlight, Shinju noticed there was only one person standing on the bridge.
The figure wore a long cloak, bandages wrapped around his hands, his back turned against the moonlight.
From atop the bridge, the man gazed down at him with cold authority.
Facing him, Shinju narrowed his eyes in suspicion and spoke:
"…Danzo?"
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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