The Hokage's office.
" Hiruzen! Naruto Uzumaki has wasted two months at the Ninja Academy!"
Tanzo Shimura said distressfully, "Why are you doing such a pointless thing?"
Actually, when he first heard that Naruto Uzumaki had enrolled in the academy, he didn't react strongly.
After all, he knew Hiruzen Sarutobi well and was sure that he would never let him take over the Nine - Tailed Fox Jinchuriki.
But the talent that Naruto Uzumaki showed was simply too terrifying.
The Three Basic Body Techniques that ordinary children took six years to learn, he mastered them in just a few days.
Coupled with his terrifying Chakra, there was no doubt that he was another Minato Namikaze.
If he could be in my hands, why worry about the Root not prospering?
The position of Hokage would also be within reach.
"This is not a pointless thing. He can better understand the Will of Fire at the Ninja Academy."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a drag on his cigarette, looking a bit helpless.
Because of this matter, Tanzo Shimura had come to him no less than four or five times.
Every time they argued, the atmosphere was extremely tense.
Hearing this, Tanzo Shimura really wanted to blurt out, "What's the use of the Will of Fire!"
But he knew that this would completely offend Hiruzen Sarutobi, and it wasn't necessary.
"How can you guarantee that he won't meet bad people at school?"
Tanzo Shimura changed his strategy and said, "If he makes friends with the Uchiha clan, he will go astray. It's better to hand him over to me. I will definitely train him into a weapon exclusive to Konoha."
"Your prejudice against the Uchiha clan is too deep!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned and said, "They are also a ninja clan of Konoha, not the enemy."
"Do you really believe what you're saying?"
Tanzo Shimura snorted and retorted, "That night, when the Nine - Tailed Fox went out of control, who was it exactly? Don't you have any doubts? Are you really okay with letting Naruto get in touch with them?"
In the research left to them by their teacher, The Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, the Mangekyo Sharingan was mentioned.
Moreover, there was not no precedent for controlling the Nine - Tailed Fox.
Madara Uchiha had once controlled the Nine - Tailed Fox and fought Hashirama Senju at the Valley of the End.
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.
He really couldn't fully trust the Uchiha clan.
"Handing Naruto over to our Root is the best choice."
Seeing that he didn't say a word, Tanzo Shimura immediately pounced on the opportunity and emphasized again, "I can also teach him the Will of Fire."
"But you can't give Naruto friends."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and said, "Feelings and bonds are the fundamental guarantee to hold a person in check."
Tanzo Shimura himself was a loner.
If Naruto was in his hands, he would eventually become a weapon without any emotions.
It was too dangerous.
If the Nine - Tailed Fox ever got out of control, there'd be no way to set things right.
" Hiruzen!"
Tanzo Shimura shouted angrily, his face red, "These are all useless things!"
"Enough! Tanzo!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly slapped the table and said, "I'm the Hokage!"
"You'll regret this!"
Tanzo Shimura rushed out of the door.
"Hey? Old man, has your office been robbed?"
A moment later, Jiraiya suddenly appeared, looking at the empty door frame, full of confusion.
"..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand and inquired, "What do you want from me?"
"I heard you've asked Tsunade to be the chief examiner for the Chunin Exams. Add me to the roster as well," Jiraiya said casually while sitting on the sofa.
"Chief examiner?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his cigarette, looked at him, and asked, "Since you came back, you've been investigating the Uchiha clan and the Hyuga clan. Now you want to be the chief examiner. Tell me, what's the reason?"
"Old man, don't you trust me?"
Jiraiya was a bit dissatisfied.
Since it involved the Uchiha clan and the Hyuga clan, he was being extremely cautious and couldn't let anyone find out.
But if Hiruzen Sarutobi really wanted to investigate, he could figure out what Jiraiya was up to.
"Humph, I think it's you who doesn't trust me, this old man!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi knocked on his pipe and asked, "What? In your eyes, does Mount Myoboku hold a higher position than Konoha?"
Without a doubt, his unusual behavior was due to the instructions from Mount Myoboku.
Most likely, it was another prophecy from the Great Toad Sage.
After all, Jiraiya was so easy to read.
But he was also curious about what kind of prophecy could be related to the Uchiha clan and the Hyuga clan.
"Of course not."
Jiraiya immediately denied it.
Both Mount Myoboku and Konoha Village were of utmost importance in his life, and there was no disparity in their significance.
He hesitated for a moment but still revealed the prophecy.
Anyway, the Great Toad Sage didn't say it had to be kept a secret.
"Special eyes, huh?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi instantly felt that it was too much of a coincidence.
He had just conversed with Tanzo Shimura about the Nine - Tails Incident.
But if someone had the Mangekyo Sharingan and could control a few tailed beasts, could they destroy Mount Myoboku?
After all, the tailed beasts were the most powerful weapons in the ninja world.
As for the Byakugan, over the years, he truly hadn't discovered anything especially remarkable about it.
"Then you want to be the chief examiner because of Itachi Uchiha?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi came back to his senses.
"Right."
Jiraiya came clean. "After investigating the two clans, I discovered Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha. At such a young age, they've already awakened the Three - Tomoe Sharingan. Given time, how terrifying their strength would be! So I want to figure out their personalities."
Fugaku Uchiha, Hiashi Hyuga, and the others were also fairly powerful.
But their ages were such that they were almost at their peak.
Without any fortuitous encounters, it would be very difficult for them to make further progress.
"Okay."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.
He also wanted to find out what kind of personalities Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha had.
Although their current performance was okay, they were still Uchihas after all.
Jiraiya took the order and left.
Time went back.
After Tanzo Shimura bolted out of the door, a female ninja stopped him.
"Lord Tanzo, Lord Orochimaru requests an audience with you."
"What's the matter?"
Tanzo Shimura was in a fit of anger and didn't want to see Orochimaru.
"I'm not sure, but Lord Orochimaru said you'd surely be interested."
"Lead the way," Tanzo Shimura gradually composed himself, casually tossed aside the door he was holding, and made his way to Orochimaru's abode.
Currently, the two are in a period of cooperation.
Back then, Tanzo handed over Yamato. In return, Orochimaru promised to support him in becoming the Hokage.
But three years have passed, and the position of Hokage still seems far away.
It's not that Orochimaru didn't try hard, but Hiruzen Sarutobi just wouldn't step down.
As long as he was unwilling to leave his post, no one could do anything.
"Guren, step back," Orochimaru said, looking at Tanzo.
"Yes," Guren replied and turned to leave.
"Orochimaru, what do you want from this old man?" Tanzo asked coldly.
"I have a cooperation proposal. I wonder if you're interested?" Orochimaru licked his lips and said, "I'll help you wipe out the Uchiha clan. In return, I want the eyes of Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha."
He was taking a risk.
The reason was simple.
He had lost Itachi Uchiha's trust, and their relationship had hit rock bottom.
During the war between Kumogakure and Konoha Village, he controlled Yugao Uzuki in an attempt to seize Shisui Uchiha's eyes.
But unfortunately, Natsume stopped him.
If he weren't Tsunade's apprentice, Orochimaru would have torn Natsume to pieces long ago.
Tsunade was a very useful woman.
Orochimaru didn't want to offend her for the time being.
In case he got an injury one day that he couldn't treat. He would still need her help.
Moreover, her status was special, and it would be quite troublesome to deal with her.
After much consideration, Orochimaru decided to cooperate to obtain Shisui Uchiha's eyes.
Previously, he didn't have the confidence to counter Tanzo.
But after three years of research, his strength had become extraordinary.
Even if Tanzo found out about the Mangekyo Sharingan later, he would be powerless.
"Are you serious?" Tanzo could hardly believe it.
"You covet the Sharingan, and so do I," Orochimaru said coldly, "And the place with the most Sharingan is the Uchiha clan."
"But you should know this is very troublesome," Tanzo said, though he was already tempted.
At this time, he didn't know that Shisui Uchiha had the Mangekyo Sharingan. He thought, like Itachi Uchiha, he only had the Three - Tomoe Sharingan.
In that case, it didn't matter to give them to Orochimaru.
After all, there were many Jonin in the Uchiha clan.
Moreover, he was confident that his strength could rival Orochimaru's. With the support of Root, he wasn't afraid of being deceived.
"If it weren't troublesome, why would I come to you?" Orochimaru retorted.
Tanzo was silent for a moment, then forced a stiff smile and said, "For the future of Konoha and the inheritance of the Will of Fire, no matter how troublesome it is, this old man won't shrink back from eradicating the Uchiha clan."
His words were righteous and imposing.
And he didn't think these words were hypocritical.
In his opinion, the Uchiha clan was an unstable factor. Sacrificing them for the peace of Konoha was worth it.
As for him obtaining the Sharingan, it was only natural.
There would be so many ownerless Sharingan on the ground. It would be a waste not to take them.
And only when they were in his hands could they better serve Konoha.
"..." Orochimaru was speechless.
The Will of Fire had become a means for the high - level of Konoha to seek personal gain.
How decadent.
Just like a windmill, Konoha Village could no longer turn.
Let him (the context - related person) create a strong stir.
And help the old man fan the flames.
"What do you plan to do?"
Tanzo Shimura suppressed the excitement in his heart and asked.
Previously, he had actually brought this up with Orochimaru, but he was always rejected.
Because Orochimaru wasn't interested and thought it was a waste of time.
Now that he'd experienced the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan, Orochimaru naturally became interested.
"We need a reasonable excuse to act against the Uchiha clan."
Orochimaru's eyes glinted dangerously. "Find a way to make Sasuke Uchiha disappear for a while tomorrow."
Although he hadn't managed to sway Itachi Uchiha after spending three years with him, he knew him inside out.
This Uchiha genius only cared about two things.
One, the Will of Fire.
Two, Sasuke Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha.
Fugaku Uchiha, Mikoto Uchiha, and the others should step aside a bit.
"Tomorrow, I'll invite Itachi Uchiha under the pretext of the Chunin Exams."
Orochimaru paused for a moment and continued, "Most likely, Shisui Uchiha will come too. Once a conflict breaks out, you can show up."
Tanzo Shimura's eyes lit up.
Attacking Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, was almost equivalent to betraying the village.
Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi knew, there was nothing he could do.
Of course, there were many details that needed further discussion.
At the Ninja Academy.
After Mikoto Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha left, Itachi Uchiha secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Interacting with the Nine - Tailed Fox Jinchuriki was bound to arouse suspicion from Konoha Village.
He didn't want to stay any longer. After telling Natsume, he walked towards his teammates.
This chapter isn't over yet!
"Big bro, I have to go back to class."
Itachi Uchiha's behavior made Naruto Uzumaki sense something amiss.
It didn't bother him that he was being cold - shouldered.
But he felt bad that Natsume was being affected.
"Go ahead."
Natsume patted his head.
[Due to your actions, Sasuke Uchiha's destiny has changed. You've gained 19 destiny value points.]
[Due to your actions, Naruto Uzumaki's destiny has changed. You've gained 8 destiny value points.]
Not long after Naruto Uzumaki left, Tsunade arrived at the exam hall.
She looked around and spotted Natsume sitting in the corner, then quickly walked over.
"Sister."
Natsume noticed her and greeted her actively.
He'd chosen a secluded spot to avoid being disturbed.
Tsunade straightened her coat and sat down next to him. "Nervous?"
"Just a little."
Natsume blinked and said, "But after seeing you, I don't feel nervous anymore."
Tsunade immediately burst into laughter and reached out to pinch his cheek.
So much collagen.
It was truly... irresistible.
It was so soft.
Natsume thought to himself, 'You're really lusting after my body, you naughty woman!'
It's a pity that if you were completely bad, then I'd... let you do whatever you want.
Just then, Jiraiya's voice came over the school building's broadcast.
"All examinees, please return to the classroom. The exam is about to start."
Natsume was slightly stunned.
The happy time is over.
Even though he was the one being taken advantage of.
"Natsume."
Tsunade let go of his hand, stood up, and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "This is a lucky kiss from your sister."
Wait a minute!
Is this really a lucky kiss?
I don't believe it.
Natsume felt like he had been hit with a negative buff.
"What? Aren't you satisfied?"
Tsunade noticed his expression and curled her lips. She pointed her index finger at his forehead and said, "When you become a Chunin, your sister will give you a reward."
Reward?
Natsume perked up, and his eyes became sharp.
He patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, sister. The Chunin Exams are a piece of cake for me!"
The smile on Tsunade's face became even broader.
I'm still quite charming, huh?
After Natsume left, she suddenly realized what she had done and covered her face.
What was I doing just now?
Flirting with a kid?
How did I sink so low again?
The written exam was held in three classrooms, which served as the exam rooms. It happened to separate the ninja squads.
Natsume was sitting in the first exam room, listening to Jiraiya explain the rules. Suddenly, he realized something was wrong.
Why was Jiraiya the chief examiner instead of Tsunade?
And Jiraiya hadn't left Konoha for so long.
Something was fishy!
After thinking it over, Natsume could only come up with one reason.
It's just a mission from the Great Toad Sage.
Oh no, it's a mission from Mount Myoboku.
Only the Great Toad Sage could make Jiraiya stop looking for the Child of Prophecy.
It seemed that there was another prophecy. Could it be related to me?
Natsume fell into deep thought.
So far, he had caused quite a few things, all of which could have a butterfly effect.
It was hard for him to tell which one it was.
But he could take precautions for the future.
So far, he had obtained a total of 1,611 destiny values.
The Sage Body, which could make him invincible instantly, required 3,900 destiny values. It was still a long way off.
But he could exchange for a temporary Sage Body, which cost 30 destiny values per minute.
In other words, his destiny values wouldn't even last for an hour.
It was quite expensive, but it was worth it.
Because he didn't need an hour at all. He could finish the fight in one minute.
All about speed.
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