Chapitre 887: Chapter – 880 The Visitor at Midnight

Hyuga Kuroto's house.

After closing the document in his hand, Kuroto massaged his forehead in frustration. It had only been a few days since he assumed the position of Godaime Hokage, yet he was already experiencing a tinge of melancholy. Despite delegating the daily administrative duties to the advisory elders, there were certain government documents that only he, as the Godaime Hokage, could sign. This required him to spend a considerable amount of time signing various official papers every day.

Beyond the realm of work, his personal life had also been significantly affected. In the past, he could roam the streets freely, indulging in any activities he desired, without drawing much attention. However, now, whenever he stepped foot outside, people along the way would bow and greet him respectfully, which greatly annoyed him.

Previously, if he wanted to slip out of the village unnoticed, he could easily leave behind a shadow clone. But as the Hokage, his every word, action, and decision garnered intense scrutiny. There were numerous responsibilities he had to attend to, making it risky to rely solely on a shadow clone. After all, a clone might not be equipped to handle certain matters, and if its true nature was exposed, it would cause chaos.

"Sigh... What should I do?" Kuroto muttered, turning his gaze towards the window. Even though darkness had fallen, his Hokage Platoon faithfully guarded his residence from the shadows, further adding to his discomfort. "Sometimes, having overly diligent subordinates can also be troublesome."

In truth, the four members of his platoon were still the best option. When Kuroto had shared his choice of the Hokage Platoon with Elder Hiruzen and Elder Koharu, they had expressed concerns about the perilous state of the world and suggested selecting a more capable platoon. However, Kuroto had remained steadfast in his decision, disregarding their advice. It wasn't that he couldn't have chosen others; it was simply too much of a hassle. Ideally, Kuroto would have preferred to have Shinichi, Shisui, Itachi, and Naomi, but unfortunately, that option had been rejected. Consequently, he settled for Kurenai, Hayate, Yugao, and Anko.

Nonetheless, the Hokage Platoon was merely a formality and carried out missions of limited significance. They did not offer substantial protection for the Hokage. Kuroto pondered on historical events that had proven the uselessness of the Hokage Platoon time and time again.

Where was the Hokage Platoon when the Shodaime Hokage fought against Uchiha Madara?

What use did they serve when the Nidaime Hokage sacrificed his life to stop the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers?

Where were they when the Yondaime Hokage sealed the Kyuubi inside his son, Naruto?

Even during the Sandaime Hokage's battle with Orochimaru, the Hokage Platoon remained ineffective and played the role of commentators rather than protectors.

History had repeatedly demonstrated that the Hokage Platoon could not genuinely protect the Hokage. It was evident that the Hokage, being the strongest shinobi in the village, would encounter threats that the platoon couldn't handle. They would merely perish in vain. Thus, instead of selecting stronger shinobi, it was better to choose individuals who were reliable and easily controlled. In this regard, Kurenai, Hayate, Yugao, and Anko were the ideal choices since they possessed trustworthiness and were easily manageable.

"Regardless, I must find a solution to this predicament," Kuroto muttered, contemplating the challenges brought about by his Hokage status.

…

At the same time, an unidentified figure clandestinely breached Konoha's outer wall. "Who goes there?" a vigilant Konoha shinobi questioned, observing the figure cloaked in darkness. However, before the shinobi could react or raise the alarm, he was overcome by a sudden bout of dizziness and swiftly lost consciousness.

Having dealt with the Konoha shinobi, the cloaked figure surveyed the illuminated village below and remarked to himself, "The security seems quite stringent. Well, it hardly matters." With a sly grin, he vanished in an instant.

Due to the heightened tensions surrounding the Godaime Hokage Election, security measures around the village had been doubled, resulting in an increased number of patrolling shinobi. Nevertheless, the cloaked figure remained unaffected by the heightened security, slipping through undetected and arriving at the village center within a few minutes.

Taking cover within the canopy of a tree, the cloaked figure cast his gaze upon Kuroto's house across the street and chuckled softly. "Heh, it's been a while since I last came here. Things have certainly changed," he mused. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared once more, reappearing at the gate of Kuroto's residence.

No longer concealing his presence, he boldly entered the courtyard of Kuroto's house.

Whiiish! Whiiish!

Predictably, he was intercepted, with the four members of the Hokage Platoon surrounding him from all sides, their weapons poised menacingly. One of them demanded, "Identify yourself!"

The cloaked figure raised both hands in a gesture of non-aggression and replied, "I mean no harm."

Kurenai spoke firmly, "Lower your hood!"

The cloaked figure complied, revealing his face.

"Yakushi Kabuto?" The former ANBU members recognized him as the former teacher at Konoha Ninja Academy who had mysteriously vanished several months ago. They were taken aback by his sudden appearance in Konoha and questioned him skeptically, "What are you doing here?"

Facing the Platoon's doubts, Kabuto responded calmly, "I merely seek an audience with Godaime Hokage-sama."

Anko scoffed at the prospect of allowing a traitor to meet the Hokage and refused, "Haa… since when can a traitor like you meet Hok–!"

But before she could finish her words, Kuroto's voice that came from inside the mansion cut her off, "Allow him in."

The four members of the Hokage platoon exchanged glances and reluctantly stepped back.

Kurenai spoke, "Alright… go…"

Although this unconventional method of meeting the Hokage was highly irregular, especially considering Kabuto's status as a rogue shinobi, Kuroto's personal directive left them with no alternative but to grant him entry.

Without hesitation, Kabuto entered Kuroto's house from the main gate.

…

"Imagine a traitor of the village entering the house of the Hokage from the main gate. Isn't that something new?" spoke Kabuto as he stepped into the house.

"So, you have mastered Senjutsu... no wonder you were able to navigate here without any trouble," Kuroto remarked with a knowing expression.

Kabuto was taken aback by Kuroto's words and asked cautiously, "You can tell that I have mastered Senjutsu?"

Kuroto responded, not denying Kabuto's statement, "Hmm, yes, I do have some knowledge about Senjutsu, so I noticed." He then shifted the conversation, probing further, and asked, "So, what brings you back to Konoha? Sneaking into the village late at night and coming directly here... I am curious to know what prompted you to take such a significant risk."

A faint smile played on Kabuto's lips as he replied, "It is not me who wishes to speak to you, Hokage-sama... Someone else desires an audience with you." With that, he closed his eyes, and upon reopening them, his pupils, expression, and aura underwent a profound transformation. It was as if a different being had taken control of Kabuto's body. Kuroto instantly recognized the distinct aura and blinked in surprise. "Orochimaru-sama?!"

As Kuroto identified the individual, raspy laughter resonated, "Kuroto-kun, who would have thought that while I was preoccupied with something else, you would end up becoming the Hokage."

"Well, circumstances led me here," Kuroto replied, a tinge of concern furrowing his brow. "However, I did not anticipate seeing you in this state. Have you taken over Kabuto's body?" He shook his head slightly, correcting himself, "No, it seems the two of you are coexisting within the same body."

Orochimaru chuckled, "As sharp as ever, Kuroto-kun."

A teasing smile graced Kuroto's lips. "The fact that you are willing to coexist with someone suggests that you have made a grave mistake, isn't that right, Orochimaru-sama?"

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Chapitre 888: Chapter – 881 The Fragile 'Immortality'

Recalling the abrupt disappearance of Kabuto from the Konoha Ninja Academy without any prior notice or statement, and Orochimaru's ignominious predicament where he is compelled to coexist in Kabuto's body like a parasitic entity, Kuroto understood that Orochimaru must have committed a grievous error; otherwise, he wouldn't be in such a deplorable state.

Back when they were still aiding Danzō in the Kekkei Genkai Absorption Ritual, Orochimaru had set his sights on Danzō's 'perfect' physique, and to obtain it, he went as far as clandestinely implanting a Cursed Seal inside the old man, aiming to corrode his soul using Natural Energy and seize the 'perfect' body.

It's regrettable that Orochimaru overestimated himself and underestimated both Danzō and the power of the 'Kekkei Genkai Absorption Ritual.' The Cursed Seal Orochimaru secretly embedded in Danzō's body not only failed to erode his soul but also enabled Danzō to, to some extent, successfully complete the ritual and become an exemplary shinobi, which further wrought havoc upon the five great shinobi villages.

Had it not been for Kakashi severing the Chakra Absorption Network outside the Volcano, Danzō was determined to fully absorb the chakra of fifteen hundred shinobi, even if it meant their demise. Should he have succeeded, there was a high likelihood that the Yin and Yang chakra within his being would have melded completely, potentially awakening the Rinnegan on that day, leading to even greater turmoil.

Fortunately, none of those cataclysmic events came to pass, and Kuroto managed to put an end to Danzō before he could unleash any substantial devastation upon the Shinobi World. Moreover, it's not as though Kuroto gained nothing from that entire debacle. Alongside the invaluable data, Kuroto also procured a pair of Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, which he later fused with his existing pair to create a pair of Rinnegan for his backup plan.

Given his subsequent acquisitions, Kuroto harbored no anger towards Orochimaru for the trouble caused. Instead, he was intrigued to discover what had truly befallen Orochimaru to leave him in such an ignominious state.

Hearing Kuroto's derision, Orochimaru remained unperturbed and calmly confessed with a sigh, "I had an unfortunate encounter with Shimura Danzō not long ago."

Orochimaru's words caught Kuroto off guard; he hadn't anticipated Orochimaru's straightforward admission. As Kuroto expressed his surprise, Orochimaru continued, "The rumors he spread regarding a flaw in his soul were all false... His condition appears to be perfectly intact, and as for his strength... I dare say it is second only to that of Yama of Amatsukami and Nagato of Akatsuki, and he definitely surpasses them in terms of the threat level."

"Why am I not surprised?" nodded Kuroto, making no effort to conceal his astonishment. He added, "However, he seems to have vanished. The five great nations have been collectively searching for him for the past few months, yet there have been no traces thus far. Do you happen to know his whereabouts or what might be the cause of his disappearance?"

'Maybe Amatsukami...' Orochimaru pondered silently, opting not to disclose their involvement in this matter, as it could potentially bring about future complications. As far as Orochimaru was aware, the higher-ups in Konoha seemed to have some affiliation with Amatsukami. If their connection to Danzō's affair were revealed, it might also expose Orochimaru's involvement. Moreover, aside from the five great shinobi nations, there was a possibility that Amatsukami would also target him—a predicament he wished to avoid in his current state.

With that in mind, Orochimaru nonchalantly shrugged and responded, "I have no inkling of his whereabouts or the possible cause of his disappearance."

"I see, well, that's a letdown," Kuroto nodded, his expression pensive. He then changed the subject, "In any case, what brings you to Konoha? Furthermore, why are you here to meet me?"

"I am here to retrieve something of utmost importance," Orochimaru answered with a solemn demeanor.

"Retrieve something?" Kuroto murmured, his confusion evident. He glanced toward the main gate and queried, "Retrieve what exactly?"

"On the night when Konoha was attacked by the Akatsuki Organization, I left a fragment of my chakra in Anko's body in the form of a Cursed Seal. I intend to reclaim that chakra. I hope you don't mind my retrieving it," Orochimaru explained.

The matter of the Cursed Seal Orochimaru had placed upon Anko was not a secret within Konoha. Most of the higher-ups were aware of it. However, unlike others, Kuroto knew the true capabilities of that Cursed Seal and how Orochimaru could exploit it to steal someone else's body.

Currently, Orochimaru was coexisting with Kabuto, and he undoubtedly required a new vessel. Anko, being a viable candidate, made Kuroto somewhat skeptical of Orochimaru's intentions.

Observing Kuroto's suspicious expression, Orochimaru offered a helpless smile and reassured, "You needn't be suspicious. I merely wish to retrieve my chakra; I have no ulterior motives this time."

Orochimaru's words held no falsehood; he genuinely had no hidden agenda. His primary purpose in coming (or rather, sneaking) to Konoha was to reclaim his chakra and the portion of his soul sealed within Anko's body.

It wasn't just Anko—over the past few days, Orochimaru had retrieved all the chakra he had imbued into others' bodies. Although this would diminish his chances of attaining eternal life, he remained resolute in his decision.

The reason behind his determination to recover his chakra from others' bodies stemmed from his realization of his own weaknesses after nearly succumbing to Shimura Danzō's assault. Orochimaru had come to understand the vulnerabilities within his soul caused by employing the "Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu."

While the "Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu" granted him immortality, it rendered him exceedingly susceptible to soul-based attacks. This was evidenced by his feeble resistance against Danzō's technique, which had nearly claimed his life.

Consequently, upon regaining consciousness, his first priority was to retrieve his chakra and soul fragments from the bodies of others.

Contemplating Orochimaru's words, Kuroto mused, 'If he harbored ulterior motives, he could have pursued them without disclosing his intentions to me. Since Orochimaru-sama has directly approached me, it appears he truly has no hidden agenda.' He nodded and called for Anko, "Anko… come inside…"

…

Following Kuroto's command, Anko arrived in the courtyard and cast a frown in Kabuto's direction. She sensed a peculiar familiarity emanating from him but struggled to articulate it, regarding him warily. Turning to Kuroto, she queried, "Kuroto-kun, what do you want me to do?"

Kuroto replied, "Just remain here for a while. Kabuto is going to nullify the Cursed Seal on your neck."

"Nullify the Cursed Seal?" Anko muttered in surprise, her gaze skeptical as she observed Kabuto. "Can this traitor truly accomplish such a feat?" Her doubts were not unwarranted; even Tsunade-hime had been unable to mitigate the effects of the Cursed Seal. Anko questioned Kabuto's capability to resolve it.

"Yes, he can," Kuroto affirmed.

Though still harboring doubts, Anko, trusting Kuroto, refrained from further inquiry and nodded, saying, "Very well." She stood her ground, fixing her gaze upon Kabuto.

Kabuto, embodying Orochimaru, wasted no time and approached Anko with a benign smile. As he reached her, he pressed his hand against her neck, cautioning, "You might experience some discomfort." He then began to absorb the chakra infused within the Cursed Seal.

Anko nodded as she felt the Cursed Seal warm under Kabuto's touch.

Meanwhile, utilizing his Byakugan, Kuroto scrutinized the entire process. He witnessed the foreign and restless chakra residing within Anko's body converge toward the Cursed Seal on her neck before transferring into Kabuto's form.

As Kabuto siphoned off all the chakra, Anko suddenly felt drained, succumbing to unconsciousness and collapsing onto the ground.

Simultaneously, along with the absorbed chakra, Orochimaru gained access to Anko's memories, acquainting himself with the tense situation festering within Konoha. A sly grin crept across his face as he locked eyes with Kuroto and taunted, "It appears your predicament is quite precarious, Kuroto-kun... tsk... tsk... the looming possibility of the Uchiha's Coup d'état. I wonder what you intend to do about it?"

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