Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind the desk, looking at the closed door.
Is time really running out? How long can you actually live?
If Zenshu couldn't live long, then certain methods wouldn't be necessary. But if he actually had years remaining, then Hiruzen would probably have to take action.
It's just as well that Zenji graduated. Fortunately, he wasn't the target from the beginning.
Hiruzen thought of the youth who gave him a bit of a headache.
Gojo Satoru.
But fortunately, apart from being egocentric and arrogant, his sense of identity with the village was gradually building.
It's a pity there are no outstanding students from the same period. I can only let him interact more with Kakashi and Shisui.
Since the end of the Third War, Hiruzen had had several interactions with Shisui Uchiha. He'd keenly perceived that the other party strongly identified with the Will of Fire and the village.
If I can use him to influence the Uchiha clan, it wouldn't be a bad method.
Although he had this thought, Hiruzen didn't execute it immediately.
First—deal with Danzo Shimura.
Konoha's main gate.
Zenji followed behind Zenshu, spotting three familiar figures at a glance.
Akimichi Kuryo, Nara Yuto, and Yamanaka Mitsumi immediately became respectful upon seeing him.
"Lord Advisor!"
"Mm." Zenji responded. "Let's register and set off. Try to go and return quickly."
"Yes!" the three replied.
After completing the registration at the main gate, they left Konoha—guided by the controlled Shinno.
Along the way, Nara Yuto's gaze frequently turned to Zenji. He recalled the clan's orders in his mind.
An excellent Shadow Secret Technique?
We'll inevitably encounter enemies on this journey. Let me see if the information is true or false.
Nara Yuto lowered his brows.
He knew very well what kind of impact this information would have if verified.
For a clan specializing in secret techniques, alliances, friendships, and benefits were all superficial. Only their own secret techniques were real.
If a more excellent secret technique of the same type appeared, it would have an unavoidable impact on the clan.
The sky gradually grew dark. A street appeared in the distance—a nearby market town.
"Find an inn to rest. We'll continue tomorrow." Zenshu's voice rang out.
"Yes!"
Nara Yuto and Yamanaka Mitsumi immediately sped up to prepare rooms while Akimichi Kuryo followed closely to keep watch.
Zenji looked at Nara Yuto's back. The corners of his mouth curled slightly.
Finally. Someone took the bait.
The improved Ten Shadows Technique was never meant to be his trump card—but a practice piece, conveniently used as bait.
However, the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance has lasted for who knows how many years. A single technique might not be enough to completely win them over.
Zenji recalled the exclusive secret techniques of the other two clans.
He'd had some modification ideas before, but hadn't spent much effort on them.
It seems I need to put in some work.
The Ten Shadows Technique was enough for the Nara clan.
The characteristic of the Akimichi clan's secret technique was transformation taijutsu and consuming food to convert into massive amounts of chakra.
I could actually combine existing knowledge to create a Naruto version of the Six-Treasury Immortal Thief.
The Yamanaka clan was a bit troublesome. Their Mind Body Switch Technique was very exquisite and powerful.
But he had no ideas for modifying it.
The group quickly arrived at the street where Nara Yuto was waiting at the intersection.
After having a meal, they entered the inn to rest.
Late at night, Zenji slowly opened his eyes. Moonlight spilled through the window onto him.
The shadow beneath him writhed slightly, then returned to normal the next moment.
By a wooded mountain on the border of the Land of Fire, the shadow beneath a large tree slowly squirmed. Zenji gradually emerged.
Under the clear sky, mountains, waters, and jungle gleamed in the sunlight.
Sky Ninjas. These guys' technology isn't bad. But the only interesting thing is that cannon.
Zenji pondered internally.
Their researchers and production personnel still held some value. As for the remaining combat personnel—there were no outstanding individuals.
I'll leave them all for the three behind to put on a show.
One day is enough.
Zenji's body gradually turned black and sank into the shadow.
One day later.
Zenshu arrived leaning on his cane. Zenji and the others followed behind.
"According to this guy's memory, the remnants of the Land of Sky are hiding in ruins in the mountains. They've converted it directly into an experimental base." Zenji pointed at the distant mountain.
Nara Yuto and the other two looked at Zenshu, waiting for orders.
"You four act together. Move quickly to prevent them from discovering us and destroying the technology." Zenshu spoke directly, gazing into the distance.
"Yes!"
The four immediately set off, rapidly dashing toward the distant ruins.
Passing by a village, Zenji looked down. That should be the village from the movie.
Not long after, the group arrived at the ruins. A very obvious staircase appeared before their eyes.
It was partially buried underground. Behind it was a protruding section of a building.
This was exactly the aerial fortress disguised as ruins.
"The remnants of the Land of Sky are hiding here." Zenji reminded them.
"Prepare for battle." Nara Yuto's voice was serious. He turned his head slightly to glance at Zenji.
"Zenji, assist from the side. Don't be impulsive."
"Understood." Zenji remained composed.
In truth, he had long seen through Nara Yuto's thoughts.
The group rushed from the stairs into the ruins. The surrounding passages were made of hard rock, with vines growing in the crevices.
Two Sky Ninjas walked out from a distant corner and immediately shouted with vigilance.
"Who goes there?"
"Attack!"
As Nara Yuto's words fell, the shadow beneath his feet instantly moved—directly connecting to the opponents' shadows.
"What's going on?"
"I can't move!"
The two wore terrified expressions. Then they saw a shadow enveloping them.
BANG.
Akimichi Kuryo's large hand gradually withdrew, shrinking back to normal size. The two people were already lying on the ground.
"What's that movement?"
"We have a situation here!"
Noisy voices rang out. Nara Yuto's face was serious.
"Charge in!"
Zenji formed hand seals. The shadow beneath his feet roiled. Two figures—one white, one black—instantly leaped out.
Nara Yuto's pupils constricted slightly as he looked at the two massive wolf dogs. Nearly as tall as a person at the shoulder.
Sharp claws. Piercing fangs. They looked full of aggression at a glance.
But in reality, one was adept at scouting and keeping watch. The other excelled at tracking scents.
The black and white dogs leaped directly along the surrounding walls, blocking the enemies charging from ahead.
Akimichi Kuryo charged at the very front as a meat shield, quickly breaking through the enemies and arriving at a vast underground space deep within.
"Quick, quick, quick! Destroy what we can't take!"
"We absolutely cannot let the research results fall into the hands of those damn Konoha ninjas!"
Fighting into this space, the four heard panicked exchanges. A group of figures in lab coats were destroying materials and experiments.
"Stop!" Zenji shouted, pretending to care.
Then his entire person instantly sank into the shadow.
Moving at extreme speed, he emerged behind several white-coated figures—as if appearing simultaneously in multiple locations.
Seeing this scene, Nara Yuto's eyes immediately shone. His heart thumped fiercely.
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