Chapter 62: Special Privileges, Everyone's a Hypocrite
"Take this scroll to find Orochimaru and the others, then follow their arrangements."
Hiruzen first retrieved a prepared scroll and tossed it to Yoru. Then he produced another scroll, gripping it as his expression turned serious. "I'm now granting you a special privilege. Aside from commanders who possess your Flying Thunder God kunai, you have the right to refuse mission orders from other jonin."
"In special circumstances, even if a commander issues you orders, you may choose to accept or refuse based on your own judgment."
"If they attempt to reprimand or punish you, give them this scroll."
"Remember—don't obsess over completing missions. Your safety is most important."
Hiruzen's final words were deeply moving.
Yet hearing them, Yoru found them utterly ironic.
If Hatake Sakumo from the original series heard these words, who knew what he'd think?
Everyone was a hypocrite. As long as your value proved high enough, you enjoyed special privileges.
To revive Wood Release, Hiruzen could approve Wood Release experiments, sacrificing volunteer lives.
Similarly, in Hiruzen's eyes, the Flying Thunder God Technique held importance equal to a jinchuriki.
In Hiruzen's view, Yoru didn't yet possess the strength to operate independently.
Konoha had finally produced a super-genius capable of mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique—who also served as chains binding the Nine-Tails jinchuriki. Hiruzen absolutely wouldn't permit any accidents, much less allow him to die due to his own people's overreaching foolish decisions.
As long as Yoru remained safe, let alone abandoning missions—even sacrificing some people would be worthwhile in Hiruzen's eyes.
All of this was for Konoha!
This privilege proved beneficial to Yoru.
He stepped forward to receive the second scroll, responding respectfully: "I understand, Hokage-sama."
The second privileged scroll's seal didn't bear the character for "seal" but instead, like the Hokage's hat, displayed a red character for "fire"—representing the Hokage's will.
Hiruzen exhaled smoke, smiling. "Go then. Perform well. Once the shinobi world's situation stabilizes, I'll grant you a special promotion."
"Yes. Farewell, Hokage-sama."
Yoru stored both scrolls, then bowed slightly to Hiruzen.
The next second, his figure vanished without warning.
Witnessing this familiar scene again after years, Hiruzen's eyes couldn't help flashing with nostalgia.
In several blinks, Yoru traveled from Konoha to Fire Country's western border base.
In the conference room, the Legendary Sannin and others still awaited Hiruzen's reply.
Even without the Flying Thunder God Technique, clan summoning beast scrolls could rapidly transmit intelligence back to the village.
The support forces included members responsible for intelligence transmission. At regular intervals, they'd summon designated creatures to check for encrypted intelligence.
For urgent intelligence, transmission occurred even faster.
The matter Orochimaru and the others reported to Hiruzen qualified as urgent intelligence.
From receiving intelligence about Iwagakure's surprise attack on Amegakure, to deciding to report to Hiruzen, to Hiruzen's conversation with Yoru—only slightly over an hour had passed.
When Yoru followed the Flying Thunder God seal's marker and appeared beside Orochimaru without warning, all eyes immediately focused on him.
Hatake Sakumo and Danzo Shimura, meeting Yoru for the first time, carefully observed this Flying Thunder God Technique wielder.
"Orochimaru-sensei, long time no see."
Yoru smiled and raised his hand in greeting to Orochimaru, then nodded to Danzo and the others in turn, introducing himself: "Danzo-sama, Tsunade-sama, Jiraiya-sama, Sakumo-sama—greetings. I'm Orochimaru-sensei's disciple, Gojo Yoru."
"Yoru, Sarutobi-sensei indeed sent you." Orochimaru's face showed a smile. He seemed unsurprised by Yoru's arrival.
"Though this is our first meeting, we've certainly seen you before and heard your name countless times." Jiraiya raised his hand in greeting, smiling. "I'm your teacher's companion and also Minato Namikaze's teacher. That kid constantly mentions you, eager for another match."
"I know you too—that kid always at Kushina's side." Tsunade likewise smiled. "The Rasengan—you agreed to let Kushina give it to Nawaki, right? Thanks. My brother absolutely loves that technique."
"Being remembered by you two is my honor." Yoru responded courteously. "The Rasengan training scroll—Kushina exchanged it from me using sealing techniques. She has the right to teach anyone. If Tsunade-sama wishes to thank someone, thank Kushina."
"Quite well-spoken." Tsunade re-examined Yoru with appreciation. "If I remember correctly, you're only eleven this year. Last year you looked about my height—now you're already noticeably taller. Such outstanding ninjutsu talent too. Orochimaru really struck gold."
Yoru straightened seriously. "No—being Orochimaru-sensei's disciple is my greatest fortune."
"Enough. Let's end the pleasantries."
Danzo suddenly interrupted, finding this scene thoroughly irritating. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
First the three independently capable members of the Sarutobi squad, then Yoru who'd mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, plus a Nine-Tails jinchuriki. Hiruzen possessed not just numerous cards but each a trump card.
By contrast, he didn't have even a single trump card yet.
Combined with being approximately Hiruzen's age, by the time Hiruzen retired, he'd have no hope of becoming Hokage either.
Thinking this, Danzo's mood soured further.
Looking at Yoru, he asked: "Did Hiruzen have you bring anything?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama instructed me to deliver this scroll to Orochimaru-sensei." Yoru nodded, retrieving the first scroll Hiruzen had tossed him and handing it to Orochimaru beside him.
"Thanks for making the trip, Yoru." Orochimaru smiled as he accepted the scroll, used an unsealing technique to open it, quickly scanned it, then passed it to Danzo.
The latter took it and likewise only glanced through it before addressing Tsunade gravely: "Hiruzen approved your decision. What's your plan?"
"I'm infiltrating Amegakure to see whether Iwagakure succeeded." Tsunade's voice also turned grave. "If Iwagakure's surprise attack on Amegakure truly aimed for the antidote formula, regardless of whether they obtained it, their intent will be exposed."
"Once Hanzo realizes this, such situations with Iwagakure will never occur again. To prevent another Sunagakure from emerging, he'll definitely strictly control antidote quantities."
"What we most need to do now is obtain sufficient antidote before Hanzo takes action, then rapidly develop our own antidote formula."
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