Walking out of the Hokage Tower, he let out a long sigh of relief at the loss of thousands of people. There was reluctance in his heart, but more than that, there was relaxation released from years of depression in an instant.
In all fairness, Chao Yanqian and the Hokage line were contrary to each other. Over these years, in order to better integrate into the Hokage line, Chao Yanqian had acted and lived tremblingly, for fear of accidentally leaking his own ideas and arousing the suspicion of the Third Hokage.
In the past few years, Chao Yanqian had cooperated with Uchiha Chizuru, Orochimaru, Shimura Danzo, and others, and had also participated in the research involving the First Hokage's cells. Any one of these things, if exposed, would have caused Chao Yanqian to be suspected by the Hokage.
In addition, Chao Yanqian was still connected with Shimura Danzo. In the future, he would transplant the Sharingan and the First Hokage's cells. In order to cover up these things, Chao Yanqian would have to compose countless lies to deceive the Third Hokage.
But now it was different. After today's incident, Chao Yanqian and the Hokage had completely parted ways. In the future, whatever he did, he wouldn't have to worry about the Hokage's views, as long as Chao Yanqian didn't blatantly betray the village. The Third Hokage would be unable to act against the thousands of lost people out of respect for the village's stability.
What's more, there were still many things to do in the future, and these things were undoubtedly not permitted by the Third Hokage.
This was the confidence that strength brought to the court; or, as they say, a master of the craft is bold. With strength, there was no need to worry about doing many things.
Rather than making up countless lies to integrate into the Hokage line, it was better to completely break away and be free.
What's more, Chao Yanqian had only let Orochimaru go, which was not a felony. As long as other matters weren't exposed, no one could do anything to Chao Yanqian.
Shimura Danzo had done so many things secretly, and the Third Hokage had often turned a blind eye.
Shimura Danzo controlled Root and had power not inferior to ANBU. And Chao Yanqian had strength and prestige, making it not easy for others to act against him lightly.
In the next period of time, Chao Yanqian went back and forth between his home and Konoha Hospital every day. In his spare time, he gathered with a few classmates and occasionally contacted Shimura Danzo with ease.
However, even in his ease, Chao Yanqian CC never let down his guard.
From time to time, he would visit the Land of Water and occasionally chat with Uchiha Chizuru about the Mangekyō Sharingan. He also kept an eye on the relationship between Bo Feng Shuimen and Kushina Uzumaki, calculating when the sperm and egg that would make Uzumaki Naruto would combine.
Time passed, and it became Konoha Year 48.
This year, Be Feng Shuimen was very happy, because Kushina Uzumaki's belly was growing larger day by day. Bo Feng Shuimen often smiled and was in a cheerful mood at work.
Humans are also animals, and the most primitive instinct of animals is to reproduce. Nothing could be happier than that.
The Third Hokage also gradually delegated authority, preparing to retire completely after the child of Bo Feng Shuimen was born, officially handing Konoha over to BO Feng Shuimen.
It wasn't just the Shuimen family; many families in Konoha had new births this year.
The Hyūga, Uchiha, and Ino–Shika–Chō clans, along with many large and small ninja families, all welcomed offspring in the past two years.
Shimura Danzo had been very quiet recently, and Root had almost disappeared from everyone's sight. It seemed that, with the Third Hokage's abdication, Danzo had lost interest in becoming Hokage.
Of course, this was just an illusion to fool others. Anyone who knew Shimura Danzo knew that he must be brewing some conspiracy.
The future Konoha Twelve would slowly change from liquid to embryo, and from embryo to new life as time passed.
Unknowingly, Chao Yanqian witnessed the birth of several of the future Twelve at Konoha Hospital. As the day of Naruto Uzumaki's birth approached, Chao Yanqian grew more and more nervous. The first crisis since the founding of Konoha was about to arrive.
Since early October, Kushina Uzumaki had disappeared from public view. The wife of the Third Hokage also disappeared alongside her.
Except for Chao Yanqian, who had been paying attention to Kushina, almost no one noticed. After all, as Kushina's belly grew larger, it was normal for her not to go out.
That Kushina was the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails was only known to a few high-level officials in Konoha, and if not for reading the original Naruto works, even Chao Yanqian might not have known.
Hidden in a room at Konoha Hospital, Chao Yanqian silently counted the time.
As soon as Naruto Uzumaki was born, Chao Yanqian planned to sneak into BE Feng Shuimen's house and steal the sealing techniques of the Uzumaki clan.
Because on that day, Obito (Masked Man) would appear in Konoha. No matter what happened, it could be blamed on him. Stealing the sealing techniques was a felony, and it would be best to let the Masked Man take the blame.
October 10th approached very close to Chao Yanqian's estimated date. As night fell, Chao Yanqian arrived near BE Feng Shuime's house as usual to monitor his movements.
After coming out of the Hokage Tower, Be Feng Shuime's returned home. Everything seemed normal. But Chao Yanqian couldn't shake the feeling that something would happen tonight.
[Yin Seal: Release]
Entering Sage Mode, Chao Yanqian immediately sensed that there was no one inside Be Feng Shuime's house, except for two ANBU guarding nearby.
"Could it be that Naruto Uzumaki is about to be born today?" Chao Yanqian asked himself.
Expanding his sensory range, Chao Yanqian discovered that Be Feng Shuimen was nowhere in Konoha.
However, Chao Yanqian couldn't be sure whether it was because Naruto was about to be born, or because Be Feng Shuimen, overwhelmed by longing, had gone to visit Kushina.
"It doesn't matter. If Be Feng Shuimen returns halfway, I'll retreat immediately. If caught, I'll steal the sealing technique and defect!" Chao Yanqian steeled himself, finally making a decision.
It was a dark and windy night, and Be Feng Shuimen was not at home. The opportunity was too rare. Moreover, Chao Yanqian had an ominous premonition that something big would happen tonight.
[Summoning Technique]
He summoned a small snake, letting it carry his Flying Thunder God Kunai trait, and sneak into Be Feng Shuimen house. After the snake successfully sneaked in, Chao Yanqian used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport inside.
In fact, Chao Yanqian couldn't be certain whether the sealing techniques of the Uzumaki clan were kept at Be Feng Shuimen's house or had been handed over to the village. But even if Kushina had handed them over, she would likely have kept a backup for herself.
After all, her child was about to be born, and it was reasonable for her to want to teach the sealing arts.
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