The Spirit Transformation Technique. It sounded impressive, and in reality, it truly was; one of the rare soul-based secret techniques in the Shinobi World.
It was unlike the Reaper Death Seal, which was a direct suicidal gambit, or Impure World Reincarnation which utilized the souls of others. The Spirit Transformation Technique involved the genuine manipulation of one's own soul.
To a certain extent, it undoubtedly tempered the strength of the user's spirit. Otherwise, how could a normal soul fly about and possess enemies, causing their internal collapse and death? That was the stuff of literal ghosts! If one's soul weren't powerful enough, they would likely end up playing themselves into an early grave.
Thinking of this, Diarmuid's interest was piqued. He asked, "Is there a way for the Kato Clan to exchange or provide this technique?"
Orochimaru shook his head with a touch of helplessness. "The Kato Clan has fallen into decline; they don't even have active shinobi now. Moreover, they were on good terms with us, the Sannin. If you're thinking of using 'forceful' methods, I'd advise against it... Besides, I doubt the Spirit Transformation Technique is even in their hands anymore."
At this stage, the Kato Clan had essentially "faded" from the shinobi profession, seemingly pivoting toward becoming merchants. Diarmuid thought it over and realized he hadn't heard any news of Kato shinobi in the later eras either. It seemed Dan Kato's ambition to become Hokage was the clan's final hope for the ninja path; once he died, the Kato Clan gave up on the business entirely and changed careers.
"Then who has it?" Diarmuid pressed.
"Most likely, it is in the hands of Dan Kato's niece," Orochimaru replied.
Diarmuid blinked. Dan Kato's niece... Ah, right. That one. The woman always carrying a pig, Tsunade's little assistant, Shizune. Diarmuid wasn't sure if her surname was actually Kato.
Before he could ask, Orochimaru continued, "Shizune was just a young girl back then. Shortly after the Second Great Ninja War ended, she left Konoha with Tsunade. She is indeed Dan's niece, but she seems intent on studying Medical Ninjutsu under Tsunade. As far as I know, she's the only one left in the Kato Clan who can be considered a shinobi. Even so, the clan doesn't seem to have high expectations for her, and she never introduces herself as 'Kato.' We all just call her Shizune. If the Spirit Transformation Technique hasn't been lost to time, it is most likely with her."
"I see..." Diarmuid murmured. "So, to find the technique, I have to find Tsunade first? Aren't you two close? Do you know where she is?"
Orochimaru shook his head. "Since we parted ways years ago, we haven't been in contact. Perhaps that woman really has no intention of returning or being a shinobi again... If you want to find her, you'd have better luck and faster results looking for the 'Legendary Sucker' in the gambling world."
Diarmuid didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Back during his first visit to the Land of Fire, when he went to the Tanzaku Quarters, he had hoped for a chance encounter with Tsunade, but fate hadn't been on their side. It seemed fate was still playing hard to get.
After a brief chuckle, Diarmuid dropped the subject. "Forget it. I shouldn't bite off more than I can chew. I haven't even mastered Senjutsu or Wood Release yet, and my progress with the Sharingan is non-existent... By the way, are you interested in the Sharingan?"
"I'm not. Why?" Orochimaru asked bluntly.
"Nothing. I just wanted to say it's an excellent research subject. Perhaps you'll find it interesting once you actually take notice of it," Diarmuid noted.
Orochimaru frowned slightly, pondering. "I'll observe it when I have the time."
Having finished their meal, Diarmuid didn't dawdle and headed off with Orochimaru to find Danzo.
Initially, Diarmuid thought his first visit to the Root base would be his last. Yet, a year later, here he was again. Perhaps Danzo had given specific instructions; this time, the elder was somewhat prepared and wasn't caught in the awkward position of eating a bowl of noodles.
Facing Diarmuid, Danzo maintained a relatively pleasant demeanor, saying with a faint smile, "You haven't been very fair, have you? You accepted my commission, yet a year has passed without action. I hear your subordinates have been quite active in the Shinobi World this past year..."
"Hahaha, I just hadn't found the right opportunity until now. This time, I'm prepared to hand you a massive achievement, and capture a Tailed Beast while I'm at it," Diarmuid laughed.
Danzo's interest was instantly piqued. He cocked an eyebrow. "What 'massive achievement'?"
"You probably know that among my subordinates, there is a new recruit named..." Diarmuid began to explain.
"Biwa Jūzō, one of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, wielder of the Kubikiribōchō," Danzo interrupted. This wasn't secret intelligence; it was only natural for Danzo to know.
Diarmuid nodded. "Then you should understand that my intelligence-gathering capabilities regarding Kirigakure might be beyond your imagination."
Danzo's eyes sharpened. "Does it involve the current war?"
He didn't doubt Diarmuid. Jūzō's status as one of the Seven Swordsmen meant he was high-level personnel in the Mist; it was perfectly logical for him to possess vast amounts of intel or even maintain special channels to acquire more.
"Naturally. According to my information, Kirigakure is planning a rather bizarre conspiracy, colluding with two other Great Nations..." Diarmuid quickly spun the "intel" for Danzo.
In reality, it was just a story he was making up.
Danzo listened, visibly stunned. If anyone else had told him this, he might have slapped them for wasting his time, but coming from someone of Diarmuid's strength and status, he had to take it seriously, no matter how far-fetched it sounded.
"Supposedly, this plan is called the 'Konoha Crush,' I'm not sure if that's the real name or not," Diarmuid added.
As he spoke, he glanced at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru: "???" Why are you looking at me? I'm not the one doing a 'Konoha Crush,' I'm a Konoha shinobi!
After some deliberation, Danzo spoke. "I would rather believe it exists than be caught off guard. So, you plan to use this opportunity to capture the Three-Tails?"
"Exactly. And in the process, I can dismantle Kirigakure's plot. I'll disguise myself as Orochimaru's subordinate. Since Orochimaru is nominally under your command, wouldn't the credit be yours? You would not only expose and sabotage the Mist's plan but also seize the Three-Tails for Konoha... Since this is during wartime and the Mist used a Tailed Beast first, there won't be any issues with keeping it. It's perfectly justified!" Diarmuid argued.
Diarmuid had always been good at "painting a picture" for others, after all, he had once successfully swayed Smoker.
As Danzo listened, it sounded more and more reasonable. Originally, he had commissioned Diarmuid to steal a Tailed Beast to cover his own tracks and gain the power of a Tailed Beast in secret as a trump card. But now? He could gain fame and prestige, openly seize a Tailed Beast, and claim a massive contribution for Konoha, valuable capital for his future bid for the position of Hokage!
Thinking of this, his gaze toward Diarmuid turned fervent. "So, you didn't come here just for my approval. You aren't that kind of person, and we have no subordinate relationship... You want my support and assistance?"
"Mainly regarding intelligence. I have no desire to snoop around Konoha's secrets myself, lest it cause a misunderstanding that breaks our friendly relations," Diarmuid replied.
"What do you need?" Danzo asked directly.
"The whereabouts of Minato, Kakashi, and their team," Diarmuid stated.
Danzo nodded and gestured. Abruptly, a masked Root shinobi appeared, kneeling before him. Danzo commanded calmly, "Go and retrieve the intelligence Diarmuid-sama requested. Move quickly."
"Yes, Danzo-sama!" The Root ninja vanished instantly.
"Have some tea first." Danzo hospitably poured a cup for Diarmuid, and after a moment's thought, poured one for Orochimaru as well, though Orochimaru didn't touch it.
Diarmuid didn't mind. He naturally sipped his tea while exchanging "schemer" philosophies with Danzo, occasionally discussing the situation in the Land of Rain. As expected, Danzo hadn't severed ties with Hanzō of the Salamander, and the situation in Rain was becoming increasingly tense. Hanzō seemed to be losing the initiative...
They chatted idly for a while until the ninja returned, handing a scroll to Danzo.
Danzo scanned it, confirmed it contained no prohibited secrets, and raised an eyebrow. "Namikaze Minato and Hatake Kakashi are not operating together. Currently, Minato is near the southern coast of the Land of Fire, while Kakashi... his mission is to investigate the movements of Iwagakure shinobi at the border of the Land of Rain..."
This was normal. Since Kakashi was a Jōnin, it was logical for them to split up. After a pause, Danzo looked at Diarmuid and handed over the scroll. "Are you sure you haven't mistaken something?"
Diarmuid had been so certain that Kakashi and the others would be used as pawns, yet they weren't even on the front lines of the conflict with the Land of Water.
"As expected, a feint," Diarmuid said with total composure.
Though Danzo was skeptical, he didn't give up. From his perspective, whether the story was true or not didn't matter; as long as Diarmuid acted, he would eventually have to deliver a Tailed Beast to fulfill the contract. He couldn't lose. If the plan succeeded, he gained both fame and power. If not, he still had the Tailed Beast.
As for whether Diarmuid held ill will toward Kakashi or if this intel would lead to Kakashi's death, Danzo didn't care in the slightest. Kakashi and his team were of the Hokage's lineage, direct subordinates of Hiruzen. If they died, it only served to weaken Hiruzen's power.
Regardless of what Diarmuid did, Danzo saw no downside. He nodded. "Possible. In any case, here is the information you wanted. I hope for a successful cooperation."
"Rest assured, Danzo-sama. I'm still looking forward to those two Forbidden Jutsu," Diarmuid said with a smile.
Without further pleasantries, Diarmuid and Orochimaru soon departed the Root headquarters.