Inside the Hokage's office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu were all present, their expressions grim as they looked at the weakened Oyashiro En.
Originally, Sarutobi Hiruzen had been somewhat displeased with Yamanaka Shinno for delaying his return to the village by over twenty days. But upon hearing the intelligence about the alliance between Kirigakure and Iwagakure, he had completely forgotten his previous concerns.
Meanwhile, the temporarily summoned Shimura Danzo kept casting appreciative glances at Yamanaka Shinno.
Just from the suspicious timing of the assassination attempt on the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Shinno had boldly speculated, cautiously verified, and ultimately obtained such crucial information—bringing back the informant as well.
This young man was far more capable than Danzo had initially thought.
'Why the hell is this old man staring at me like that?'
Shinno felt incredibly uncomfortable under Danzo's intense gaze.
It had only been a little over a month since he last saw him.
Now, Danzo no longer had his head wrapped in bandages, and he didn't look at all like the battered mess he had been in the Konoha hospital.
Though years spent in Root had left him with an inherently sinister aura, revealing his full face somehow made him... surprisingly more bearable to look at?
'Wait a damn minute… Is Sarutobi not enough for him or something?'
Shinno muttered internally, before instinctively glancing at the trait above Danzo's head.
...
Name: Shimura Danzo
Occupation: Ninja
Traits: Shimera Level Two (Purple), Wind Release Mastery (Blue), Mind Manipulation Specialist (Blue), Genjutsu Expertise (Green), Water Release Proficiency (Green), Sealing Expertise (Green), Ruthless Schemer (White), Heartless (White), Balanced Offense and Defense (White), Open-Minded (Black).
...
Shimera Level Two (Purple): By using the forbidden technique Shimera, and with the aid of top-tier shinobi scientists, he has successfully fused the Three-Tomoe Sharingan and the Hozuki Clan's bloodline, developing an artificial dual Kekkei Genkai. This significantly enhances his Yin Release affinity, genjutsu talent, mental strength, perception, genjutsu resistance, Water Release affinity, and Water Release techniques. The difficulty of learning Hozuki clan secret arts is greatly reduced. (Note: Maintaining this state accelerates life force consumption.)
...
'What the hell!?'
'He evolved!?'
Shinno's mind raced as he stared at the purple trait hovering over Danzo's head.
It had only been a little over a month!
How the hell did this old fossil manage to get Orochimaru to create something like this!?
In the original story, wasn't the Shimera technique supposed to require a very specific time and place to perform? Did Danzo just happen to hit the jackpot?
Or was it because fusing only two Kekkei Genkai was much easier than Hiruko's attempt to merge five?
Or maybe, just maybe, Orochimaru the mad scientist had simply cracked the problem entirely?
'Seems like it comes with a cost…'
Shinno noted the line at the end of the description.
He was sure Danzo had made the necessary preparations.
Otherwise, knowing how much this old man valued his life, there was no way he'd be sitting here calmly discussing things with Hiruzen and the others.
Comparing Danzo's previous traits to his current ones, the old bastard had gained not just a purple trait, Shimera Level Two, but also two green traits, Genjutsu Expertise and Water Release Proficiency.
Back when his aging body had severely weakened him, he was already unbearably arrogant.
Now, with such a massive power-up, wouldn't he just become unstoppable?
Wait a second…
'Where the hell did "Bro, You Smell So Good" go?'
Shinno's eyes locked onto the white trait Balanced Offense and Defense.
Just one glance at the trait's description made goosebumps rise all over his arms.
He understood immediately.
The white trait Bro, You Smell So Good had undergone a transformation… turning into Balanced Offense and Defense!
'This old bastard… who the hell did he do it to!?'
Shinno's eyes subtly swept over Sarutobi Hiruzen and Mitokado Homura.
Seeing no changes in their traits, his mind suddenly flashed to a certain elegant, snake-like figure.
'No way… right?'
At this stage, Orochimaru should still have some baseline morals, right?
But then… who the hell was the victim!?
Shinno's curiosity reached its peak.
If it weren't for the inappropriate setting, he genuinely wanted to hit Danzo with a genjutsu and interrogate him on the spot.
...
"Shinno, go back and rest for now."
After taking a long drag from his pipe, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally issued his order.
"Yes, Lord Hokage. I'll take my leave then."
Shinno nodded and was just about to leave the office, eager to go home and kiss his little pepper.
But before he could step out, Danzo suddenly spoke up.
"Wait."
Danzo pulled out a scroll from his robes and placed it in front of Hiruzen.
His gaze locked onto his old friend, his expression solemn.
"This is what you wanted. My Root division indeed requires a ninja like Yamanaka Shinno."
...
'What!?!?'
Shinno froze for a second, barely stopping himself from shivering on the spot.
'What the hell!? Before I left the village, didn't Nara Shikaku say you two were just testing each other like usual!?'
'Are you serious, Danzo!?'
'Think this through! I'm a hardcore supporter of the Hokage faction, a ninja of the Yamanaka clan!'
'Not to mention, I'm the fiancé of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and have openly backed Kushina multiple times!'
'Our ideologies don't match at all!'
'Besides, weren't you still suspicious that I tried to kill you before? Please keep doubting me!!'
Hiruzen didn't pick up the scroll. Instead, he took another slow drag from his pipe before speaking again.
"We'll discuss this later. Shinno, you may leave."
"Yes."
Shinno bolted.
...
The moment he stepped out of the office, he quickly formed a hand seal, using a backdoor link into Konoha's sensory barrier.
In no time, he pinpointed Nara Shikaku, who was leisurely drinking with Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza at Sanmiya's tavern.
A few teleportation jutsu later, Shinno burst into their private booth, grabbed Shikaku by the collar, and started shaking him violently.
"Spit it out! Did you sell me out!?"
"I don't believe for a second that you didn't anticipate Danzo actually trying to recruit me! No, wait—was this your idea!?"
"Stop! Stop! If you keep shaking me, I'm gonna—ugh!"
Shikaku gagged, barely holding back the alcohol threatening to come up.
Meanwhile, Inoichi and Choza exchanged guilty glances before quietly sipping their drinks.
They had no idea how to explain, so they simply looked at Shikaku and decided to let their "external brain" handle it.
"Damn it! Your faces say it all! You all knew!?"
Shinno clenched his fists, glaring at the trio before reluctantly letting go of Shikaku's collar.
"You better have a damn good explanation."
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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