Enjoying hot springs at Yugakure was merely incidental benefits. Taking advantage of being in Hot Water Country, Shuji planned seeing whether any unique tree species existed.
That required going out for a look. Considering squad leader responsibilities and avoiding unnecessary trouble, Shuji's main body remained at the inn while dispatching one shadow clone outside.
The shadow clone formed seals again, executing Transformation Technique, becoming an unremarkable middle-aged man, blending into Yugakure's street crowds.
He first slowly walked along main streets, gaze scanning trees planted along roadside. These were all common varieties lacking special features.
Subsequently, Shuji turned into quiet alleys tourists rarely visited, noting branches and leaves protruding from residential courtyard walls, hoping to discover some privately cultivated or locally unique species.
After searching yielded no significant results, he ultimately stepped into a shop located at a street corner that appeared quite aged.
Shuji entered the shop, pretending to casually browse while stopping before a shelf displaying small quantities of dried medicinal herbs and plant seeds.
"Customer, are you interested in Hot Water Country's medicinal herbs?" the shop owner enthusiastically greeted.
"Yes, somewhat." Shuji kept his head lowered, responding with a slightly hoarse voice matching his middle-aged man identity. "I personally am quite interested in different regional plants, habitually collecting some seeds or specimens."
The shop owner immediately introduced items. Shuji selected several seed packages as instructed. After paying, he did not leave. "Boss, besides these relatively common ones, does Hot Water Country have any rarer, more peculiar trees or flowers?"
"Or, does the local area have any ancient legends or folk stories circulating related to strange plants?"
"Honestly speaking, I once heard this world has one enormous tree called a divine being."
"Therefore I became interested in collecting information and seeds of various peculiar plants."
The Divine Tree once absorbed the entire world's natural energy, also leaving root systems in many world locations, though all were destroyed during the Six Paths Sage era.
Shuji figured if finding suitable tree species, even if not Divine Tree remnant root systems, being related would probably prove far more usable.
The shop owner showed a contemplative expression. "I haven't heard of divine beings related to trees. However, regarding divine beings..."
"Our local area does have legends circulating about a divine being related to death."
Death? Wait, couldn't be the evil god, right?
"However, it's merely legend. Some people speak of divine beings bringing death to enemies and such."
The shop owner seemingly unwilling to delve deeply into this topic quickly turned to organize other shelves, losing interest in conversation. Seeing this, Shuji knew asking more would yield little, politely bidding farewell and leaving the shop.
The Jashin cult. Not even mentioning how believers calling their own deity an evil god deserved criticism, speaking of which, this thing truly might exist.
Akatsuki organization's Hidan—that guy possessed an immortal body plus a curse technique called Death Controlling Possessed Blood. (Translator note: yes, it was called as such but english localized media and games called it Curse Jutsu: Death Possession Blood)
Discussing only the latter, actually from chakra theory perspectives, explanations could barely be found.
Human blood contained chakra. Chakra itself could be viewed as special backups of personal life information, capable of precisely locking personal identity.
Through blood as a medium, theoretically perhaps more precisely locking and connecting specific individual life information fields could be achieved, thus realizing injury for injury. Though specific principles remained unclear, compared to Senju Tobirama's Impure World Reincarnation, actually not too outrageous.
However, Hidan's immortal body made the evil god's existence a high-probability event. Just unclear what kind of operational method that deity employed. The original work also provided no explanation.
In the shinobi world, sage referred to existences capable of using natural energy. Gods often involved more abstract matters, closer to conceptual or rule-based things.
However, now was not the time researching evil gods. He currently still had Chūnin Exam squad leader work requiring responsibility, plus another current-stage mission—utilizing this long journey opportunity to collect as many valuable plant samples as possible.
Shadow clones proved excellent techniques, on par with wood clones.
While the main body enjoyed comfort, it would not feel shadow clones' hardships until dispelling, returning with an entire night's memories and fatigue.
The next day, Shuji again assembled Konoha shinobi, embarking on the final journey segment toward Cloud Village.
The night spent at Yugakure was probably the most comfortable night they could enjoy before reaching their destination.
Frost Country was no comfortable nation, especially during January when cold cut to the bone. However, they still rested one night there according to plans.
After all, when arriving at Cloud Village, shinobi representing Konoha absolutely could not display any fatigue or dishevelment.
Shuji's decision proved wise. Because just after exiting Frost Country borders, formally stepping into Lightning Country territory shortly, Cloud Village's reception personnel already awaited ahead.
A blonde female ninja with blue-green pupils and fair skin.
Also the first person Shuji encountered whose figure did not lose to Tsunade in stature.
"Root base interior—all existing intelligence materials completed preliminary archiving and organization. Root personnel remaining within the base also basically completed reorganization and position arrangements."
Kakashi stood before the Hokage's office desk, reporting half a year's work progress, yet eyes carried helplessness.
"However, only this far." He paused, continuing. "Root has massive long-term infiltrated spy personnel abroad. However, inside the base, corresponding detailed personnel rosters, contact methods, or even mission records cannot be found."
"Even if current Root members are willing cooperating with investigations, they remain constrained by the 'Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal,' plus Root's own extremely tight, single-line contact intelligence operational mechanisms. This causes them knowing little regarding these core secrets, unable to start."
The mission Tsunade assigned him—clearing and receiving Root's surface assets and personnel proceeded fairly smoothly.
However, more critical matters—those secret intelligence Root independently collected over these years yet never reported to village leadership, plus other action records they executed in shadows unknown to others—remained entirely shrouded in fog.
Kakashi expended fully half a year's effort and energy yet made minimal progress in this aspect.
The reason for such certainty was that he could not even find Tenzō's experimental materials in Root's current base archives library.
After hearing Kakashi's report, Tsunade's previous satisfaction from toying with Danzo instantly dissipated by more than half.
"Shizune, the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal—has the Sealing Team researched solutions?"
Shizune shook her head. "No results yet."
"If so, continue according to original plans. Shizune, go prepare the next batch of documents 'requiring' Advisor-sama's personal review. Categories can be more diverse. Exhaust him!"
Anyway, Konoha's village establishment spanning decades accumulated old unsolved cases and documents involving various secrets with vague processes—quantities absolutely sufficient.
"Kakashi, don't relax on your side either." Her gaze returned to the silver-haired jōnin. "Continue attempting finding other breakthrough points. That old guy Danzo still won't truly relinquish control, indicating Root definitely still hides more, more important things."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild