Chapter 132: The Tongue-Curbing Seal
Danzo's proposal hung in the air, a carefully laid trap disguised as a strategic deployment. Sarutobi Hiruzen remained seated, the pipe in his hand serving as a focal point for his intense concentration. Clouds of smoke wreathed his head as he weighed the consequences, the political maneuverings, and the brutal necessity of the plan.
After a long, heavy silence, he finally spoke, his voice a low, resonant rumble. "Very well. Kagenori, you will proceed to the Land of Waves. You are to assume command of the Konoha forces there and lead the defense against Kirigakure's incursions."
He fixed his gaze on Kagenori, his eyes sharp and demanding. "You will have absolute authority over the Uchiha contingent. However, I have two conditions. First, the Uchiha must not be allowed to realize they are being deliberately targeted. Their deployment must appear as a logical, strategic necessity. Second," he emphasized, jabbing the stem of his pipe in Kagenori's direction, "the Land of Waves is a critical buffer. Its resources are depleted; it can offer no more support. You will have a high degree of autonomy, but you must not, under any circumstances, allow the country to fall to the enemy. Can you fulfill both of these requirements?"
Kagenori bowed his head, the picture of dutiful obedience. "Hokage-sama, I can. You have my word."
Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a curt nod. "Good. The matter is in your hands. You will receive the official transfer order tomorrow. The current acting commander is Nara Kubota. Upon your arrival, you will assume full command, and he will serve as your deputy."
He took another slow draw from his pipe. "The situation in the Land of Waves is deteriorating. The Mist ninja are employing reckless, high-casualty tactics. You will depart tomorrow and familiarize yourself with the battlefield immediately. The Uchiha reinforcements will arrive in batches; expect a total force of approximately one hundred clansmen."
Kagenori bowed again. "Understood."
It was then that Danzo chose to speak, his voice cutting through the room like a shard of ice. "There is one more matter, Hiruzen. It concerns the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
At those words, Kagenori's body betrayed the barest hint of a tremor, a minute reaction that did not go unnoticed by the ever-observant Hokage.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression instantly became grave, his eyes flicking momentarily towards Kagenori before settling back on Danzo with clear disapproval. "What of the Jinchuriki?" he asked, his tone guarded.
"Lady Mito's time draws near," Danzo stated flatly. "She may not last the year. Preparations for the transfer must be finalized."
"This is not news to me, Danzo," Hiruzen replied, a note of impatience in his voice. "The preparations are underway."
"Then let us reconsider the selection," Danzo pressed, his single eye gleaming. "Hear my analysis before you decide."
He didn't wait for permission. "Uzumaki Miyuki's innate talent demonstrably surpasses Uzumaki Kushina's. Her progress in fuinjutsu, in a fraction of the time, is remarkable. It is inevitable that she will become the superior master of the art. Given that, why cling to sentiment when a clearly more suitable vessel is available? A more compatible Jinchuriki means greater stability and a significantly reduced risk of a containment breach. You know as well as I do what a catastrophe a rampaging Tailed Beast would be for Konoha."
"Holding the Nine-Tails immediately after sealing is its most volatile period," Hiruzen argued, his brow furrowed. "Kushina, with her established training, is the safer, more stable choice. Is that not our primary concern?"
"In the long term, Miyuki is the superior candidate, is she not?" Danzo countered, his voice dripping with false reason. "And as for the risk of loss of control..." He gestured casually toward Kagenori. "We have a Mangekyō Sharingan user capable of subduing a Tailed Beast. Should a problem arise, Kagenori can contain it. Furthermore... Hiruzen, Kagenori is about to undertake a vital and distasteful task for the village. Should we not ensure his focus is absolute, his mind free of... distractions?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen massaged his temples, a headache blooming behind his eyes. He shot a frustrated look at Danzo. Must we discuss this in front of him?
Kagenori, for his part, felt a cold sense of satisfaction. Danzo was as ruthless as advertised, but he was also a man of his word. By forcing this issue into the open now, he was demonstrating his commitment to their bargain. Orochimaru's assessment had been correct; an alliance with Danzo, while perilous, yielded swift and tangible results.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was trapped. He could see the political landscape shifting. To refuse Danzo now, in front of the very asset they were about to send on a dangerous mission, would be a profound tactical error. It could breed resentment, doubt, even insubordination. The scales in his mind, once tilted toward the safety of Kushina, were now being weighted by cold pragmatism and the need to maintain the loyalty of a powerful, unstable weapon.
He glanced at Kagenori, reading the carefully masked anticipation in the young man's stance.
"I will... reconsider the matter," Hiruzen said finally, the words tasting like ash.
Danzo, who could read Hiruzen's capitulation as easily as a scroll, gave a thin, victorious smile. "Then think on it," he said, rising to his feet. "Kagenori, prepare yourself. You leave for the Land of Waves at first light."
Kagenori bowed slightly. "Yes, Lord Danzo."
He then turned to the Hokage. "With your permission, Hokage-sama, I will take my leave to prepare."
Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a weary nod. "Go. An ANBU will deliver your orders tomorrow."
Once they had exited the Hokage Tower, Danzo spoke without turning. "Come with me."
Kagenori followed the older shinobi through a series of concealed passages, descending into the labyrinthine depths of the Root headquarters. In Danzo's spartan office, the air was cold and still.
"The matter of the Jinchuriki is as good as settled," Danzo stated, taking his seat behind the bare desk. "You need not concern yourself with it further."
Kagenori offered another, deeper bow. "You have my gratitude, Lord Danzo."
Danzo's single eye narrowed, studying him like a specimen. "Now, you are officially a member of Root. All who serve in this organization are bound by a specific fuinjutsu. It is not a punishment. It is a curse seal that prevents the disclosure of classified information. Should you attempt to speak of restricted matters, your body will be paralyzed, rendering you incapable of speech or movement."
He let the implication hang in the sterile air between them.
"As my operative, you will submit to this seal. Do you have any objection?"
Kagenori's answer was immediate and devoid of hesitation. "I have no objection, Lord Danzo."
He knew precisely what seal Danzo intended to use—the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal. A powerful, insidious binding. But for Kagenori, with his vast reservoir of Witness Points and the system's potential, it was not an insurmountable obstacle. It was a price of admission, a necessary chain to wear for now.
A grim smile of approval touched Danzo's lips. "Excellent."
He rose and approached Kagenori. His hands flew through a series of familiar hand seals before he clamped a hand over the lower half of Kagenori's face. A surge of dark chakra, cold and restrictive, flooded Kagenori's senses, concentrating on his tongue.
"Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal!"
A moment later, it was done. The complex pattern of the curse mark was etched onto the surface of his tongue, a tangible symbol of his new allegiance and his bondage.
Danzo stepped back, a look of profound satisfaction on his face. Kagenori was now, in every sense that mattered, truly his.
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