Chapter 80: Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi
Chapter 80: Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi
The news of Feng Ye single-handedly annihilating a hundred-strong elite team of Sand Ninjas in the Rain Country had reached the higher-ups of Konoha, leaving them all in a state of shock.
This included Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The source of their astonishment wasn't merely the fact that Feng Ye had eradicated a hundred-strong unit, but that this Sand Ninja force had stealthily made their way to the rear of the Rain Country without a trace.
If it hadn't been for Feng Ye's intervention and their sudden attack on the rear camp, the consequences could have been dire, greatly impacting the outcome of the war!
On the surface, it seemed like only a hundred lives had been lost.
But in reality, the implications of this incident could very well decide the outcome of the entire war!
And with this shock came wariness. Whether it was the clan leaders or Hiruzen and Danzo themselves, a sense of caution had taken root in their hearts.
Although there were other ninjas capable of such feats, Feng Ye was too young, alarmingly so.
...
In the highest conference room of the Hokage Building, Danzo spoke in a grave tone to Hiruzen Sarutobi: "This is no longer solely an issue of talent, Hiruzen... There's something otherworldly about that child!"
Ten years old!
Not even eleven yet! While his exceptional performance on the battlefield in the Grass Country could be attributed to remarkable talent, a once-in-a-few-decades occurrence, this time felt different.
Setting aside the 'coincidence' of encountering the elite Sand Ninja force that had stealthily infiltrated the area, the fact that a lone child could wipe out a hundred-strong unit was akin to a fantastical tale. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi might not have been capable of such a feat!
How earth-shattering!
"Otherworldly..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes narrowed, reflecting the weight of his thoughts.
The term 'otherworldly' was used as a placeholder, and he understood Danzo's implication—that there was something abnormal about Feng Ye, and that some unforeseen change might have occurred within him.
Since this change could potentially influence the outcome of a war, it also meant that it could bring about significant losses for Konoha, making it a matter of grave concern.
"He's White Fang's child; it's unlikely he'd pose such a threat," Homura Mitokado, sitting beside them, opened his half-lidded eyes slightly as he spoke.
"White Fang was a steadfast and resolute ninja... Danzo, are you not jumping to conclusions by labeling his child a threat?" Koharu Utatane added, her voice steady.
"No," Danzo shook his head, his gaze intense. "I'm not labeling him as a threat per se, but rather, there's clearly something unusual happening with him. A ninja who hasn't even reached the age of eleven shouldn't be capable of such feats. Whatever this change is, it warrants caution."
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent, his eyes conveying the depth of his contemplation.
The ninja world was rife with otherworldly powers, with the tailed beasts being one such example. While Konoha's possession of the Nine-Tails served as a formidable deterrent, it also posed a significant risk should it ever run amok, endangering the entire village.
There were also other monstrous entities in this world whose threat levels rivaled that of the tailed beasts.
Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't overly concerned about Feng Ye himself. His assessment of the boy was that while he possessed an adult's way of thinking at a young age, he didn't seem to harbor any hatred or pose a direct threat to Konoha. However, the presence of a parasitic entity within him would be an entirely different matter.
"What do you intend to do?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, breaking his silence after a few seconds.
Danzo narrowed his eyes. "I suggest we exert control and ensure that no threats emerge. If there truly is some sort of parasitic entity within him, we must act swiftly to restrict it using sealing techniques."
Early intervention... Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into deep thought.
"Feng Ye is Jiraiya's disciple. Do you think Jiraiya is unaware of this?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly asked.
Danzo narrowed his eyes and replied, "Perhaps he already knows and is doing something behind the scenes without reporting it to you."
Hearing Danzo suspecting even Jiraiya, Hiruzen Sarutobi hummed in response, "You also never report every one of your covert actions to me."
He had made his decision.
He would continue to communicate with Jiraiya and gather more information about Feng Ye from him. He trusted this disciple of his, and he wouldn't hastily make any decisions regarding Feng Ye.
Moreover, everything Feng Ye had done so far had been meritorious on the battlefield. Based on some unconfirmed suspicions, choosing to control Feng Ye would undoubtedly cause some turmoil.
During wartime, turmoil must be avoided.
Danzo heard Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision and slowly said, "It seems you still trust your disciple deeply. Then I have no further advice to offer."
As he spoke, he stood up and left, his figure gradually fading into the darkness.
...
Over the course of about three days, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya communicated several times. Finally, Jiraiya provided him with information that left him somewhat astonished—Feng Ye had awakened a certain kekkei genkai! A bloodline limit that enhanced his speed, and it was this kekkei genkai that gave Feng Ye his extraordinarily powerful abilities, allowing him to display such shocking prowess on the battlefield.
All previous suspicions were dispelled.
As one of the figures standing at the pinnacle of the ninja world, Hiruzen Sarutobi was well aware of the significance of speed to a ninja. A kekkei genkai that enhanced speed could indeed have a tremendous impact on a ninja, making it possible to take on a hundred opponents alone!
The ability to enhance speed could render the human sea tactic ineffective, allowing one to advance and retreat freely in situations where they were otherwise restricted. No wonder Feng Ye had accomplished something even he found difficult.
"Is that the power you left behind for your child, White Fang?"
Holding the latest intelligence scroll from Jiraiya, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at the window and couldn't help but murmur.
It was true that the will of the deceased could continue to have an impact after their death, leaving behind some ability to protect their child, such as sand that could automatically protect the body without conscious manipulation. There had been many recorded instances of such occurrences.
Of course, it was also possible that Feng Ye's spirit and body had undergone some kind of mutation, giving rise to a kekkei genkai. But regardless of the situation, it was a good thing, as Feng Ye was a ninja of Konoha! Possessing such formidable combat power could greatly influence the outcome of a war.
"Inform Jiraiya to maintain previous instructions and dispatch Feng Ye to the frontline camp in the Land of Wind."
Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly made his decision, sticking to his previous plan to deploy Feng Ye to the battlefield in the Land of Wind. However, the previous purpose had been to provide support, while this time, the objective was to inflict casualties! Taking advantage of the Sand Ninja Village's ambush force being destroyed and their morale being low, Feng Ye would be redeployed to launch a major campaign, dealing a heavy blow to the Sand Ninja Village's strength and utterly crushing them!
(End of Chapter)
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