Escape From Konoha

"This mission was hard."

In the office located in the military jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Demons, after listening to Uchiha Yan's detailed description of the mission, he nodded and showed a satisfied look.

The Shitenxiang people, as radicals in Takunin Village who are hostile to the great powers, have been secretly planning to overthrow the rule of the great powers.

Seeking to seize the huge chakra energy, use the inherited ninja tools of the Takumi Ninja Village, and attempt to use forbidden techniques to resurrect its founder, thereby reviving the Takumi Ninja Village.

Although from Shiraishi's perspective, such a plan is not only full of loopholes, but also too far-fetched to implement. It is a difficult goal that is basically impossible to achieve.

But the essence of this matter is still an issue left over from history. Sharp conflicts between big countries and small countries occur in every era.

It existed in the past, exists now, and it may be difficult to change in the future.

In fact, if the Four Elephants hadn't attacked the mining area belonging to the Kingdom of Ghosts not long ago, plundered a large amount of ores and metals, and caused many casualties among mining workers, Shiraishi would have only turned a blind eye to this group of radicals. , after all, it can cause chaos to other big countries, and it can be regarded as attracting firepower on behalf of the Kingdom of Ghosts.

But when the fire is burned on one's own head, it is natural to deal with it seriously.

"No, in fact, in this mission, I basically didn't have much use. The three boys under me completed the mission very well."

When Uchiha Yan said this, he couldn't help but smile comfortably.

With such a group of capable subordinates, my boss can save a lot of energy and worry less.

"If they want to become independent ninjas, they little brats still have a long way to go."

Shiraishi also smiled, but it was obvious that he was in a very good mood.

The performance of the Cai trio in this mission is also quite recognized.

Uchiha smiled and said nothing.

He knew Shiraishi's subtext very well. The so-called ninja who stands alone does not refer to becoming a ninja. After all, genin and chuunin are also ninjas, but the ninja who stands alone in Shiraishi's mouth refers to ninjas of the jounin class.

Only ninjas who have reached this level can be said to be truly unique.

Personal strength, leadership ability, ability to judge the situation, and the degree of responsibility of team members are all very important assessment criteria and are indispensable.

If we only focus on personal strength, some of the outstanding chuunin in the Kingdom of Demons can fight equally with jounin, but their overall ability cannot be rated as jounin.

Giving ninjas who do not belong to this level and forcibly raising their responsibilities and abilities will definitely cause management problems for the entire army.

During a war, to put it bluntly, the organization and mobilization capabilities of combatants will be reduced, so that enthusiasm cannot be mobilized, leading to a serious defeat in a war.

Therefore, the ninja villages in various countries are very strict in their rating of jounin.

These are the lessons of blood and tears summed up in all previous ninja wars, and they are worthy of vigilance.

"So, will dealing with the Four Elephants cause problems with the recent cooperation project of the Craftsman Ninja Village?"

Speaking of this, Uchiha Yan's expression became solemn.

Dealing with the Four Elephants is not a difficult task for the Kingdom of Ghosts.

What's important is whether dealing with the Four Elephants will cause diplomatic conflicts with the Craftsman Ninja Village.

Although the Shitenxiang people are radical elements in the Craftsman Ninja Village, they are not rebels after all. In name, they are still affiliated with the Craftsman Ninja Village.

Regarding Uchiha Yan's question, Shiraishi pondered for a moment and replied: "I have already negotiated with the person in charge of the Takunin Village about this matter, and it will not affect the subsequent cooperation between the two parties."

The essence of this incident is that the Kingdom of Ghosts has been completely devastated.

The village of Takumi Ninja has become what it is today. It was squeezed by the five major countries in the past and has little to do with the Kingdom of Demons.

In addition, the Four Elephants attacked the mining area and caused many casualties among workers. This issue must be punished in accordance with the laws of the Kingdom of Ghosts.

The Artisan Ninja Village agreed to the Demon Country's approach and saved a lot of effort.

Otherwise, he would not have stated in the mission that except for the first criminal who must be captured, the rest, regardless of life or death, can be executed on the spot. The purpose is to resolve this incident as quickly as possible and give an explanation to the families of the injured workers as soon as possible.

"In this way, it is basically a certainty to win over the Artisan Ninja Village."

Uchiha Yan couldn't help but feel a little sad.

As a former member of Konoha ninja, he naturally knew what kind of oppression the Craftsman Ninja Village, as a supplier of ninja tools, had suffered from Konoha and other ninja villages.

The person responsible for handling this matter at that time was the root organization headed by Danzo.

Based on the extreme practices of that organization, one can imagine how much profit was gained from the Craftsman Ninja Village.

In addition, the other four big country Ninja Villages also intervened and punished the Takumi Ninja Village for violating the contract. They purchased the Ninja Tools from the Takumi Ninja Village at a price lower than the cost price and squeezed the labor force of the Takumi Ninja Village craftsmen. .

This also directly caused many craftsmen to be forced to leave the craftsman village. With the outbreak of war, they had no choice but to flee to neutral countries where there was no war.

As a neutral country at the time, the Demon Country took advantage of this opportunity and successfully recruited a large number of craftsmen who had fled from the craftsmen's villages and trained them into technical personnel for the Demon Country's military. Nowadays, many middle- and high-level technicians in the Demon Country's military were once elite craftsmen in the Craftsman Ninja Village.

This time, when dealing with the Four Elephants, they did not cause a diplomatic incident with the Craftsman Ninja Village. Instead, they were dealt with in a very low-key manner. The existence of this group of people was also very crucial.

"As long as they can protect themselves in the next time, that's all. A speck of ashes on the battlefield of a big country is like a mountain on the head of a small country... Even the weak-mouthed Country of Wind is far beyond what a small country can do. Resistant. Involved in such a battlefield, their sacrifices are meaningless and just add some gorgeous and sad numbers to the war."

Shiraishi's eyes were indifferent. From the beginning, he never expected these small countries to win over to play a decisive role in the subsequent battle.

The reason why they are given technology and weapons is just to give them a certain ability to protect themselves and to reduce the number of war data as much as possible.

If they really want to intervene in the battlefield of a big country, relying on their strength alone is just a mantis trying to act like a chariot.

This kind of sacrifice is very cheap and not of much value.

Unlike countries like Kongo Country, which have actual aggression and war ambitions, the reason why the Takumi Ninja Village is hostile to the big powers is because they are being squeezed too hard and have to speak out to resist.

But this kind of sound can only be made in the dark, in the ditch where no light can be seen, like a mouse whimpering.

Once exposed to the light, it will bring disaster.

The Kingdom of Ghosts has many enemies in today's era, but it also has many friends. However, most of these friends dare not make a sound and can only pay attention silently.

"In other words, war is coming again?"

Uchiha sighed quietly.

The dimness in his eyes reminded him of some not-so-pleasant memories.

"Take this opportunity and wander around the central part of the continent. You should have discovered it. The number of ninja garrisoned by Konoha at the border has quietly increased a lot."

Shiraishi said meaningfully.

Uchiha nodded silently.

He did discover this fact.

He was once a jounin of Konoha, so he naturally understood what this move meant. Although Konoha claimed that it was a military exercise, only Konoha itself knew whether it was true or false.

"Then, do we also need to strengthen the defense force at the border?"

Uchiha Yan asked.

"No, the Land of Fire is in the center of the continent after all, and there are still several countries away from here. As long as Sunagakure and Iwagakure don't use military exercises as an excuse to strengthen the border ninja troops, they can just stand still here."

If the border garrison strength of Konoha has been strengthened, then the Oni Kingdom should strengthen the border defense strength accordingly, which would be too deliberate.

"But it cannot be ruled out that Sunagakure and Iwagakure will secretly send troops to the border next. You must pay special attention to this issue."

Shiraishi continued.

"clear."

Uchiha nodded.

He is not only the jounin who leads the Aya trio, but his job is also to patrol the border security of the Kingdom of Demons and be alert to the military trends of neighboring countries.

Therefore, he will go out from time to time in the form of carrying out missions. The essence is to investigate the trends of various countries on the spot, rather than simply to perform superficial tasks.

◎

"I am very disappointed with your performance."

In the dark cell, Danzo stood in the center of the cell, leaning on a cane, facing Sai, who was kneeling on one knee in front of him, with a gloomy and stern face.

Sakai, who was kneeling on the ground, looked weak and pale, and many parts of his body were covered with white medical bandages, giving people the feeling that he would fall down at any time.

Perhaps due to Danzo's reprimand, Sai's already pale face became even paler.

He lowered his head deeply, as if he was about to bury it in the soil. Even though breathing was very painful, he still suppressed the pain and tried to make his breathing steady, acting as if nothing had happened.

"I'm very sorry, Danzo-sama."

However, in the face of Sai's apology, Danzo's expression not only did not improve, but instead looked even more gloomy.

"The importance of the Jinchuuriki to the village is self-evident. I don't want such an accident to happen again. You should be aware of the consequences of another failure. You will be abandoned by the organization."

The cold words were like sharp thorns piercing into Sai's heart, making him feel the hallucination of suffocating to death.

Although he verbally calls himself a machine without emotions, his duty exists to complete tasks, and all emotions are a burden... But when faced with the punishment of 'abandonment', Sai still felt inexplicable confusion and fear. .

As someone who has lived in the root organization since he was a child, being 'abandoned' by his superiors is equivalent to a punishment more cruel than death.

The root is your home, your destination, and the meaning of your existence.

Once it loses this destination, it is like a fish leaving the water and can only slowly wait for death on land.

Therefore, Sayi, who had no fear even in the face of death, felt the taste of fear in her heart for the first time.

And such fear will be firmly engraved in his genes, often accompanying him throughout his life.

In the final analysis, he is just a mouse living in the darkness. Once he loses the protection of Danzo, the most powerful "darkness", he will no longer have a foothold in this world.

"Yes, Lord Danzo!"

Sai suppressed the fear in her heart and lowered her head to Danzo to promise that she would not make such a low-level mistake again.

Without Danzo and without roots, he cannot survive. This is a bloody reality before his eyes.

Even if we understand that such a decision is against humanity, it is still very ridiculous in the eyes of ordinary people.

But this is the meaning of one's own survival.

Danzo is the supreme, holy and noble ‘god’ in our hearts.

As a 'god', in this village, his interests must take precedence over the Hokage, overriding all rules, even the rules of the village itself.

I don't have a name, and I don't need a name.

Sai was just a false code name made up to complete the mission.

He is just the root, Danzo's sibling, and the minions of darkness.

No one, not myself.

No thought is required, no self-awareness is required.

Just dedicate everything to your roots and Danzo’s ideals.

Thinking of the nature of such a thing, Sai's inner panic quickly calmed down.

Yes, just keep walking down this dark road.

"Go down. Since you are injured now, I will give you three days to recover."

Danzo lowered his eyebrows and glanced at Sayi before spitting this sentence out of his mouth.

Sai stood up silently, like a working machine, and left the cell with great obedience.

After Saoi left, Aburame Horine and Yamafaze walked out of the shadow of the cell and came to Danzo's side.

As Danzo's most trusted right-hand man today, it not only represents loyalty, but also represents the ability of the two of them, which exceeds that of most of the root members.

"I'm sorry, Danzo-sama, this is my dereliction of duty. I should choose someone else to join Team 7 to protect the Jinchuriki. I know that he failed in the last mission, but I still firmly believe that his ability can atone for his sins..."

Takegen lowered his head and said.

"Now it is not a question of right or wrong. What is important is the safety of the Jinchuuriki. Special precautions must be taken to deal with the problem of the Demon Country, but the organization hidden in the shadows cannot be careless. Moreover, this matter is dereliction of duty. Not only you, but also the Anbu under the leadership of Tsunade. Regarding this matter, I will put pressure on Tsunade through the advisory group and place a root team next to Uzumaki Naruto. This team will be composed of Terai will lead it. Terai’s ability is not weaker than yours, Saoi can just act as a guard on the surface.”

Danzo thought for a moment and answered.

After all, if there is a fault, even he, the root leader, needs to reflect on his own mistakes.

"Terai? With his ability, isn't it a bit..."

Shan Feng frowned.

Terai, like them, is also an outstanding cadre in the root group.

Their own strength is very high, and in terms of qualifications, they still belong to their seniors.

Letting such high-level cadres serve as bodyguards would be overkill.

Moreover, the root volume is huge and requires sufficient management to manage and assign tasks.

Especially when Danzo's freedom is now restricted, middle and high-level managers are particularly important.

"Just do this. The Jinchuuriki will grow up sooner or later, and you can just withdraw when the time comes."

Danzo's eyes flickered, not knowing what he was calculating.

Although Torine and Shanfeng were surprised, they did not hesitate at Danzo's order and nodded.

"Speaking of which, how did the mission you secretly carry out go?"

Danzo turned around and asked.

"That mission... I am currently searching carefully, but after unremitting efforts, I finally collected some. In addition, during the search, I also discovered Orochimaru's people and eliminated many of Orochimaru's minions. "

Answer by taking root.

Although Orochimaru himself was powerful, the ninjas he took in were not worth mentioning in front of the elite ninjas at the root.

The results of encounters in the wild, in most cases, were that Orochimaru's subordinates were all wiped out by their elite elites, leaving no one behind.

"Hmph, give that rotten snake some more time to live. When the time comes, kill Uchiha Sasuke too!"

A fierce look flashed in Danzo's eyes.

"Then, Uchiha Itachi's side..."

"After Uchiha Sasuke left, his position has become variable...and the best way to change this kind of situation is to kill them all from the ground up."

If Konoha continues to control Uchiha Sasuke, then Uchiha Itachi's stay will naturally be of great value to Konoha.

However, after Sasuke learned the truth and left, Uchiha Itachi's loyalty needed to be questioned.

This kind of spy whose loyalty is questionable, just like the pharmacist Nonoyu who was abandoned by him in the past, needs to be cleaned up.

The current Uchiha Itachi is already a sharp blade with an uncertain position. Whether it will stab the enemy or Konoha, it is possible... but the root does not need this kind of uncertainty.

Uncertainty is a hidden danger that needs to be eliminated.

"yes."

Take the root and sigh in your heart.

Uchiha Itachi is undoubtedly a good sword, so it would be a pity to give it up like this.

You can make good use of his residual value and share the dirty things that the root has no time to deal with.

But Danzo's orders need to be resolutely implemented. It seems that the information channel with that side needs to be cut off.

In the future, the only way to obtain information about that organization is from Orochimaru, or from Jiraiya.

After all, not only the roots of the organization were being targeted, Jiraiya, one of the three ninjas, was also paying attention using Mt. Myoboku's information channels.

"Besides, there is no need to investigate Asami Masumi."

Finally, Danzo added this sentence.

Takegen looked at Danzo in confusion.

Perhaps from the Hokage's point of view, there is not much problem with Asami Masumi, the current deputy director of Konoha Hospital, but judging from the results of the root investigation, no matter what, there are uncertainties behind Asami Masumi. Hidden danger.

Judging from Danzo's intentions, it seemed that he had no intention of secretly executing the other party immediately.

"However, after investigation, her fiancé Fujisaki Takeshi..."

"Takeshi Fujisaki died in my hands."

Danzo revealed this astonishing fact.

"?"

Torine looked at Danzo in surprise.

A trace of reminiscence also appeared on Danzo's face.

"That is an excellent ninja who has inherited the true will of fire. Unfortunately, no matter how excellent a chess piece is, it is still a chess piece. When this chess piece knows too much, the 'darkness' involved is far beyond what Naruto can When the scope is dealt with, Naruto will also become the protector and accomplice of the 'darkness'. Then, naturally there is only one left waiting for the fate of the chess piece."

Danzo said this with some regret in his eyes, whether it was sarcasm or emotion.

Take the root and the mountain wind to silence.

"Danzo-sama, is Takeshi Fujisaki a spy planted by the Sandaime in the past..."

Although it is doubtful, taking root and mountain wind seem to confirm something.

According to the records in the root, in the past, in order to limit the development of the root, the third generation secretly trained a group of spies among his direct subordinates, and instructed them to sneak into the root, collect information about the root, and monitor the movements of the root, in order to limit the root. the goal of.

However, this was a power struggle between high-level officials that occurred silently, so it did not have any obvious impact at the time. Even most of the jounin knew nothing about it, and it did not spread to the ears of the public. , became a talking point after dinner.

In the records of the roots, there is a blank history of the spy war... only the number of sacrifices of those who infiltrated the roots of spies was recorded, but the process, the names of the victims, whether the Sandaime finally achieved his political goals, the losses of the roots How much, all is not recorded.

Except for the core root members who were actually involved at the time, probably no one knew anything about the history of that period of root.

Danzo did not deny or approve this, but stated in an extremely calm tone:

"I'm giving him the last bit of dignity as a Konoha ninja... nothing more."

After saying that, Danzo closed his eyes, not knowing what he was thinking.