Konoha, Anbu.
Kakashi Hatake rested his head on one hand, processing intelligence documents from Konoha and the Anbu.
Three days wasn't enough to accomplish much for the whole of Konoha; they were simply doing their best to refill the gaps in their intelligence network.
However...
Regarding the Hidden Mist Village——
"Senior, look at this one."
"Mm."
Kakashi Hatake stared at the intelligence scroll, his expression solemn.
It read:
Suikazan Fuguki colluded with foreign enemies and was executed internally; the Great Sword Samehada is suspected to have changed hands.
He set down the intelligence scroll.
"Is the news verified?"
"Unclear. Our people can't reach core secrets; they can only gather circulating rumors."
Yamato replied.
Kakashi Hatake's face darkened as he said, "If it's true, something major must have happened in the Hidden Mist Village——"
Colluding with foreign enemies?
The other villages were unknown, but Konoha certainly hadn't colluded with Suikazan Fuguki. As for Danzo——
"Let's wait and see."
Kakashi Hatake set down the scroll.
Masahiko had already gone to Danzo's side to investigate; he believed there would be news soon.
A moment later.
"Sir, this is intelligence sent back from the border."
Whoosh!
Kakashi Hatake used the Body Flicker to appear beside him.
After taking the scroll, he was first delighted, then his eyes widened slightly, a look of bewilderment appearing on his face.
Attack Danzo?
Us?
A moment later.
"Kakashi, don't worry."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked with a smile and said, "Masahiko discussed it with me. This operation is indeed imperative; otherwise, the outside world won't know what to think of our Konoha."
"But——"
Kakashi Hatake naturally understood the logic.
But right now, the Anbu were short-staffed; where would they find people to participate in such an operation?
"Look at this first."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took out a document and handed it to him.
Kakashi Hatake took it and read from top to bottom, his expression slowly turning to shock.
It was a sketch of the area around Danzo's base, along with an operation plan.
He found it hard to believe.
Just by going to the Land of Rivers, Danzo sold the base's intelligence to Masahiko?
"This is the intelligence Masahiko gathered. Although specific details may change, the base's location is fixed. What do you think?"
"It's worth a try."
Land of Rivers, Katabami Gold Mine.
Inside a mine shaft, a young boy was locked in a cage, which was wrapped in Sealing Jutsu formulas.
"Lord Terai, his Bloodline Limit is very special. It seems to have an effect similar to the Byakugan, and even the sealing formulas are useless. I believe we can develop it extensively."
"Mm."
Terai stared at the boy.
After a long while, he spoke: "He's too weak."
"You mean?"
"Gouge out one eye and see if it can be transplanted into someone else. If not, transplant it back."
Terai's tone was ice-cold.
"Yes!"
The subordinate accepted the order without hesitation.
In the cage, a look of deep terror flashed in the boy's eyes, and he kept shrinking back.
Having gone a long time without communicating with others, he didn't seem to know how to speak well; he just slapped the cage in terror, tears shimmering in his eyes.
However.
Neither Terai nor his subordinates showed any sign of being moved.
They reached toward the cage without hesitation.
The formulas were undone.
But in front of a Ninja, the young boy had no ability to escape at all.
Right then——
Boom!
A loud explosion came from outside.
Immediately after, screams rang out continuously. Terai's pupils shrank, and he immediately used the Body Flicker to rush outside.
A moment later, bang!
He was kicked flying back, crashing heavily into the stone wall.
The other subordinate immediately grabbed for the boy, throwing an explosive tag toward him.
Root's creed was to leave no corpse behind.
A special Bloodline Limit like this certainly couldn't be left for the enemy.
But just as he ignited the explosive tag, a figure appeared before him like a ghost or a phantom. At the moment the explosive tag detonated——
He saw the boy in front of him turn into an afterimage along with the phantom, like an illusion.
In his mind, only one thought remained—so fast!
Followed by——
Boom!
An explosion occurred; the cages and the prison all collapsed, and wails filled the air.
Terai had already escaped using Earth Release.
When he regrouped with the main force, he found that the enemy hadn't lingered anywhere else; their goal was very clear—the boy they had captured, Ranmaru.
After getting Ranmaru, the other party left immediately without staying for a second.
"Lord!"
"I originally wanted to claim credit from the Lord, but I didn't expect—— Damn it!"
Terai's face was livid.
He wanted to show his face, but ended up showing his ass!
He was silent for a long time before saying, "Inform the Lord of the situation here, as quickly as possible!"
"Yes!"
Outside the mine.
Ranmaru opened his eyes in terror, staring blankly at the Black-Robed Man in front of him.
The other person had an incredibly powerful Chakra, and his speed was astonishing—more powerful than everyone he had seen these past few days.
Who was he?
He blinked, terror, curiosity, and timidness surfacing one by one, yet he couldn't speak.
The Black-Robed Man looked down, sizing up the young boy through his mask.
"How old are you?"
"S-six..."
Ranmaru struggled to speak, holding out his two hands to gesture his age.
Masahiko was somewhat surprised.
——
The other party looked very thin and weak, as if he were only three or four years old or even younger, but he was actually six?
Long-term malnutrition!
"Your eyes are a powerful force, but special people are often rejected and isolated by others——"
"This is not your fault."
"Are you willing to come with me? I'll take you to a different place to live and see a different world."
The Black-Robed Man reached out his hand.
Ranmaru's eyes brightened upon hearing this, and he grabbed the man's palm, refusing to let go.
He led the child toward the east.
A moment later, the dilapidated mountain village welcomed a new resident.
Xiang looked at the child who was even thinner than her, her eyes full of shock and curiosity. Then——
She slowly reached out her hand.
"Hello, my name is Xiang. I am also the Lord's subordinate."
"Ran... maru."
The boy replied with difficulty.
Xiang stared into his eyes.
This pair of red eyes seemed to contain a different kind of power.
As expected.
Not a single person the Lord brought back was ordinary.
"Let's work hard together!"
"Work... hard."
Ranmaru seemed to understand but not quite.
"Grandmother——"
"Hahaha, feel free to stay. The more people, the livelier it is. Tonight I'll make something delicious to welcome Ranmaru."
The old lady was equally happy.
She had received a sum of financial aid, enough for her to take care of two children for a year or even longer.
Moreover, she liked children very much.
Seeing these two children, this deep mountain area no longer seemed so desolate.
Compared to them, things were quite uncomfortable on Danzo's side.
He looked at the various reports in his hand, feeling that his luck had turned sour—first, a squad went missing in the north of the Land of Rivers.
Now, the mine in the south of the Land of Rivers had been visited by that guy, who kidnapped a child suspected of having a powerful Bloodline Limit.
Danzo's gaze was ice-cold: "Tell those below that if there are such people in the future, they must report to headquarters immediately. Do not make decisions on your own!"
"Yes, Lord."
Toge responded.
Afterward, he carefully looked up: "Then, should we change the base we are moving to?"
"Change it as soon as possible. This place will soon be abandoned."
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