Shimura Danzō was indeed infamous throughout the ninja world. At first, these matters had nothing to do with Shihouin Naraku!
Initially, all Shihouin Naraku wanted was to use his natural talents to grow stronger and hopefully stay alive in the dangerous world of shinobi!
But everything changed when Shimura Danzō noticed the talent that Shihouin Naraku was gradually revealing. Danzō wanted to bring Naraku into his Root organization and train him as his subordinate.
The head of the Shihouin clan at that time was Shihouin Harumoto. As a long-standing Jōnin, he knew all too well how cruel the Root organization truly was.
The Shihouin clan had finally produced a genius after many years, and Shihouin Harumoto would never allow Naraku to be quietly pulled into Danzō's Root organization, his fate unknown.
It was common knowledge that under Shimura Danzō's strict control, ninjas from major families who entered Root would forever obey only his commands, bound by the constraints of the curse seal.
The Shihouin clan was small, with only one Jōnin, Shihouin Harumoto himself. After his death, if no new Jōnin emerged from the family and there was no strong person to protect it, the Shihouin clan might easily disappear.
For the survival of the clan and Naraku's safety, Shihouin Harumoto stood against the powerful Shimura Danzō and approached Tsunade.
At that time, Tsunade had no desire to accept students because of the deaths of her brother and lover.
She was living in a daze, lost in her grief.
Shihouin Harumoto used their previous family friendship and supported Tsunade's medical program, finally convincing her to accept Naraku as a member of the Hokage lineage.
Of course, this involved a lot of behind-the-scenes fighting.
Although Shimura Danzō couldn't take Shihouin Naraku, he forced Shihouin Harumoto to serve on the most dangerous battlefront between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth.
After the war, Harumoto didn't return to the village but continued to guard the border of the Land of Fire.
When Shihouin Harumoto left the village, he had already passed the position of clan head to Shihouin Naraku, knowing there was a good chance he wouldn't survive.
Fortunately, Shihouin Naraku did have a talent for medical ninjutsu, and his value gradually became apparent. After Tsunade left the village, he became the head of Konoha's medical emergency team.
Without saying, Shihouin Naraku's status grew higher and higher, which meant Shihouin Harumoto became safer and safer.
As for why Harumoto wasn't transferred back to the village as soon as possible, it was mainly because with his safety guaranteed, it would be easier for him to accumulate achievements and qualifications at the border. When he eventually returned to the village, he could obtain a higher position with Naraku's help.
The reason Shihouin Harumoto returned to the village now was mainly because Naraku discovered that outside the village, more and more people were being targeted more aggressively. If this continued, Harumoto might die out there.
After all, the Akatsuki's intelligence capabilities couldn't be underestimated.
Therefore, it was better to bring him back quickly, take the opportunity to gain some credit in the Konoha collapse plan, and then secure a high position after Tsunade became Hokage.
...
While Shihouin Naraku was lost in thought, Yakushi Kabuto appeared.
"Naraku-sama..."
"Oh, you're here... is there something you wish to tell me?"
Seeing Shihouin Naraku's indifferent expression, Yakushi Kabuto said directly, "Naraku-sama, I'm resigning from my position as leader of the corpse disposal team."
"I see you've made your choice. Very well."
Shihouin Naraku picked up his pen and signed the resignation letter Kabuto handed him.
As Yakushi Kabuto prepared to bow and leave, Shihouin Naraku narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Your choices are your own, but you must bear the consequences! That's all I have to say."
Cold sweat ran down Yakushi Kabuto's back. He could clearly feel the killing intent in Shihouin Naraku's eyes, but he finally bowed respectfully, "Thank you for your guidance over the years!"
Shihouin Naraku didn't try to stop Kabuto and let him go. He knew Kabuto was going to work for Orochimaru, and Kabuto knew that he knew.
"By the way, if we opened a psychological clinic in the ninja world, we'd make a fortune. These people are all mentally ill."
Rubbing his chin, Shihouin Naraku suddenly had a strange thought.
At this moment, Yakushi Kabuto was confused. He hadn't figured out what he truly wanted, so he left.
None of this mattered. Shihouin Naraku's words just now made the meaning very clear.
He wouldn't interfere with Kabuto's choice, but the next time they met, he would be ready to kill him!
However, there was a silver lining to Kabuto's departure. Shihouin Naraku directly appointed himself as the temporary leader of the corpse disposal team.
Though he had great influence in the medical department and had always been the squad leader of the medical emergency team, and could also influence the corpse handling team and the animal rehabilitation team, he didn't hold specific positions in these two departments.
Later, he became deputy minister and then minister, with real management power, but still didn't hold a specific position.
Therefore, now that Shihouin Naraku was also serving as the leader of the corpse disposal team, he was still eligible for the reward.
"Really—"
[Ding! Host becomes the leader of the corpse disposal team of the Konohagakure Medical Department!]
[Congratulations to Host for winning two prize draws!]
[Currently, Host lottery qualification is: eight times!]
"I'm only two draws away from saving enough for the next ten draws. This is easy."
"Last time I was appointed as the logistics squad leader and the director of the disassembly team. This time, I was appointed as the squad leader of the corpse disposal team. That's three positions. I have two more chances left."
"If I'm lucky, I can get two draws from the remaining two appointments, and I'll even have two extra chances!"
Shihouin Naraku thought about this and decided to use both opportunities this year.
It just so happened that he was in charge of preparations for the Chūnin exam, which was a perfect opportunity.
Although Orochimaru was no longer a problem for him now, and Shihouin Naraku could even be considered Orochimaru's nemesis, his influence on the world was growing, and no one knew what would happen next.
If enemies united against him, it would be a disaster.
Therefore, improving his strength as soon as possible was most important.
...
[Ding! Host becomes the head of Konohagakure Chūnin exam logistics preparation!]
[Congratulations to Host for winning a lucky draw!]
[Currently, Host's lottery qualification is: nine times!]
...
[Ding! Host becomes the class leader of the Konohagakure Chūnin exam practice field!]
[Congratulations to the Host for winning a lucky draw!]
[Currently, the Host's lottery qualification is ten times!]
The system's notification sounded at the perfect moment, and Shihouin Naraku had completed ten consecutive draws.
He could start his third ten-draw streak anytime!
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