After closing the Amatsukami Analysis Report, Kakashi turned to Kuroto and spoke, "We have instructed Deidara to make contact with the Amatsukami. If there is any communication with them, you will be notified."
"Got it," nodded Kuroto.
Kakashi continued, "One more thing to keep in mind, now that you are Hokage, the members of Amatsukami may directly approach you to discuss certain matters. Therefore, you must be prepared in case you suddenly encounter them."
Hearing Kakashi's words, Kuroto was momentarily intrigued and thought to himself, 'Yes, now that I consider it, being the leader of Amatsukami and Hokage at the same time is unexpectedly advantageous. I can bypass involving too many people in my decisions and interactions, omitting trivial details.'
While Kuroto pondered the advantages of his dual identities, Kakashi proceeded, "There is one more matter we hope you can figure out."
"Figure what out?" asked Kuroto, not comprehending Kakashi's implication.
"The main family of your clan appears to be engaged in undisclosed transactions with unknown external forces. Moreover, Amatsukami is also involved in this…!" explained Kakashi, with an air of concern left unsaid. He knew Kuroto would grasp his meaning.
Kuroto nodded, "I will do my best to address this."
Having personally fought against Ōtsutsuki Toneri's puppet to rescue Hizashi, Kuroto was well acquainted with the intricacies of the situation. However, this matter involved the Ōtsutsuki Clan and the secrets of the Tenseigan. Personally, Kuroto did not want Konoha to become entangled in this affair either.
Hence, Kuroto decided to assist the main family in concealing the matter.
As for the threat posed by Toneri to the Shinobi World, Kuroto would have to deal with him as well. However, to confront Toneri, he needed to lure him out, and for that, suitable bait was required.
Surveying the entire Shinobi World, there were few entities or individuals suitable to act as bait.
The giant Tenseigan of the Hyuga Clan was one such bait, but the predicament lay in its current control by Aoki. If Kuroto wished to use the Giant Tenseigan as a lure for Toneri, he first had to acquire that treasure.
And in order to obtain the Hyuga Clan's Giant Tenseigan, Kuroto had to first entice Aoki out, or else all efforts would be futile.
'The stage is being prepared, I hope the actors won't delay in assuming their roles,' Kuroto ruminated to himself.
Aside from being engrossed in the creation of the Rinnegan, one of the primary reasons why Kuroto allowed the situation in the village to escalate to this extent was to delay his intervention and let those who sought chaos take the bait. They needed an opening to strike, and Kuroto was deliberately providing them with an opportunity while he pursued his own objective.
The dissatisfaction of the Uchiha Clan presented the perfect chance for these individuals, and Kuroto believed they would not remain idle this time.
As Kuroto contemplated these matters, Kakashi suddenly produced another set of papers and handed them to him, saying, "This is a comprehensive list of all the ANBU operatives, including detailed descriptions of their abilities. Take a look and select a suitable shinobi for your Hokage Guard Platoon."
"Hokage Guards?" muttered Kuroto with a furrowed brow, shaking his head in disagreement. "No, that's unnecessary. I don't want guards around me."
The presence of the ANBU operatives already posed a headache for Kuroto within the Hokage Office. He did not desire another team constantly trailing him for the sake of his "security."
Kuroto shrugged, "Kuroto, you should be well aware of the current situation. If the Uchihas... if someone intends to act, I will be their primary target. As the Hokage, my safety is not merely a personal matter; it holds great importance for the village. Therefore, I cannot be stubborn in this regard, and I must promptly establish a Hokage Guard Platoon."
The formation of a Hokage Guard Platoon was a customary practice in the ninja world. Every Kage in a shinobi village had their personal team of guards. Furthermore, the situation in Konoha was undeniably complex. After contemplating for a while, Kuroto finally nodded, "Alright, fine!"
With Kuroto's agreement, Kakashi was satisfied and departed from the Hokage Office.
Once Kakashi had left, Kuroto began perusing the pages, contemplating whom to select for the task. Suddenly, his eyes lit up with an idea!
…
Knock! Knock!
"Come in," Kuroto called out, as four familiar faces appeared in his office and stood before him.
These four individuals were none other than Kurenai, Yugao, Hayate, and Anko. Observing their presence, Kuroto spoke, "I have gathered the four of you here to discuss something. I am considering transferring all of you to the New Hokage Guard Platoon. Do any of you have objections?"
Anko blinked in surprise, "Huh? Really, Kuroto-kun?"
Being a member of the Hokage Guard Platoon meant a promotion. Not only was it an immense honor to be the Hokage's guard, but it also presented an opportunity to access new information and experiences that were not available even to ANBU members.
Before Kuroto could respond to Anko's question, Kurenai whispered softly, "Anko, mind your manners. He is the Hokage now."
Anko nodded in response and bowed to Kuroto, saying, "Please forgive me, Hokage-sama!"
Unlike Kakashi, who had already ascended to the highest position and was about to become the chief advisor, Anko was still an ordinary Special Jōnin. Therefore, with Kurenai's reminder, she swiftly realized that the Kuroto standing before her was no longer the student or fellow squad member from their childhood. He was now the Godaime Hokage, the leader of Konoha.
Kuroto smiled and waved his hand, reassuring them, "It's all right." He added after a brief pause, "I value your opinions, so please feel free to express yourselves. If any of you genuinely wish to become part of the platoon, let me know. And if any of you are not interested, please also inform me."
Anko was the first to nod, saying, "Heh, if it means being your guard, count me in. No problem."
Kurenai, Yugao, and Hayate also nodded, following Anko's lead. "We have no objections either," they concurred.
Kuroto nodded in satisfaction and stated, "From this moment onward, the four of you are members of the Hokage Guard Platoon. You will be directly responsible for my safety and must obey all my orders. I assume that all four of you understand this?"
"Yes," the four of them replied in unison.
Kuroto smiled with a content expression, saying, "Very good." After contemplating for a moment, he turned to Kurenai, "Kurenai, you shall be the captain of the Hokage Guard Platoon."
Among the four, Kurenai possessed the greatest strength and experience, making her the most suitable candidate for the role of captain in the Hokage Guard Platoon.
Kurenai nodded, responding, "As you command."
With that, the new Hokage Guard Platoon, consisting of Yuhi Kurenai, Mitarashi Anko, Gekko Hayate, and Uzuki Yugao, was officially established, with Kurenai assuming the position of captain.
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A figure traversed through a cavern veiled in a dense mist. With each step forward, the mist gradually dissipated, thinning out and revealing a radiant light at the cave's far end. Unperturbed by the sight, the figure continued their unhurried approach towards the cave's exit.
Exiting the cave didn't take long, and as the figure emerged into the open, the brilliant sunlight showered upon them. Having spent the past few days in the darkness of the cave, the sudden exposure to such intense brightness instinctively compelled the figure to shield their eyes with their hands. The excess light caused discomfort, overwhelming their senses.
After a while, the figure's pupils adjusted to the light, and they cautiously withdrew their hands, only to discover that their vision remained blurry. "It must be due to the lingering mist," the figure mumbled to themselves, intending to wipe away the moisture from their glasses. However, at that moment, they hesitated.
Upon removing their glasses, the figure realized something astonishing— their vision was unexpectedly clear, even clearer than ever before! Overwhelmed by the clarity of the world seen directly through their unaided eyes, the figure couldn't help but express their surprise and delight. "Could this mean that Senjutsu has the potential to cure myopia?" they pondered aloud, their mind filled with wonder.
This figure was none other than Yakushi Kabuto, who had ventured into the Ryūchi Cave days ago, determined to attain the Senjutsu Mode even at the cost of his life. Undoubtedly, Kabuto possessed an extraordinary talent for Senjutsu, mastering it within an impressively short span of time. Even the venerable White Snake Sage herself marveled at Kabuto's aptitude for Senjutsu.
Naruto, being a reincarnation of Asura and inheriting the Sage of Six Paths' physical prowess, stood apart. On the other hand, Kabuto, originally an ordinary shinobi, managed to swiftly grasp the intricacies of the Senjutsu Mode. This exceptional accomplishment astounded even the White Snake Sage, who briefly entertained the notion that the Senjutsu Mode of the Ryūchi Cave was tailor-made for Kabuto.
Within a few days of dedicated practice, Kabuto not only honed the skill of absorbing natural energy but also learned to instantly enter the Senjutsu Mode without the need for prolonged stillness to gather the surrounding natural energy. Presently, Kabuto's mastery of Senjutsu surpassed that of Jiraiya and Naruto, placing him on par with the esteemed First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
It is crucial to note that Kabuto's extraordinary achievement was not a mere stroke of luck. Even within the canon storyline, following Orochimaru's demise, Kabuto inherited his mentor's legacy while embarking on a quest to unravel the meaning of life. In his pursuit, Kabuto went to great lengths, incorporating the cells of others into his own body, which tainted his chakra and resulted in a malignant chakra composition.
Indeed, to master Senjutsu, it takes more than purity of heart and unwavering determination; it requires a body that harmonizes with nature. Kabuto's ill-fated decision to integrate the cells of Orochimaru and his test subjects tainted his body, creating a disharmony that contradicted the necessary conditions for Senjutsu mastery.
Nevertheless, Kabuto defied the odds and achieved mastery in Senjutsu, showcasing his exceptional talent in this art. Unlike his canon counterpart, Kabuto did not engage in such misguided actions in this particular world, allowing his achievements here to surpass those of his canon self.
Kabuto clenched his fists, reveling in the newfound strength coursing through his body. It was an unprecedented level of power he had never experienced before, elevating him to heights previously unimaginable.
Closing his eyes and attuning himself to his surroundings, Kabuto could sense the omnipresence of Natural Energy, permeating the heavens and earth. Despite acknowledging that its density paled in comparison to the abundance found within the Ryūchi Cave, Kabuto couldn't help but be amazed by the sheer ubiquity of Natural Energy.
"Now that the Senjutsu Mode has been mastered," Kabuto murmured to himself, stowing his glasses away in his Shinobi Bag. "The utmost importance lies in finding Orochimaru-sama," he declared, his determination resolute and focused.
…
Otogakure, the Land of Sound
After Kabuto returned to Otogakure, his first course of action was to summon the Sound Four, Orochimaru-sama's most loyal subordinates. In addition to the main laboratory in Otogakure, there were four major laboratories scattered across the Land of Sound, with each of the Sound Four assigned to search for one of them. It was time to hear the results of their search.
Kimimaro was the first to report, stating, "The laboratory I searched contained research on various Fuinjutsu and Kinjutsu."
Tenzō spoke up next, saying, "The one in the South was focused on Orochimaru-sama's Chimera Jutsu and the Chimera Buds."
Haku produced a few scrolls and informed them, "The laboratory in the west had research related to Cloning technology."
Jugo then spoke, his voice tinged with hesitation, "The one in the east had research pertaining to different types of 'Cursed Seals'." Sensing Jugo's conflicted state of mind, Kabuto questioned him, "Did you find something significant in the laboratory?"
After carefully considering his words, Jugo responded, "Orochimaru-sama may no longer be present in the Shinobi World."
Kabuto shook his head, asserting, "No, I can confirm that Orochimaru-sama is not dead."
Jugo interjected, clarifying his previous statement, "I didn't mean to imply that Orochimaru-sama is deceased. What I meant is that his physical body may have perished, but he is still alive... in a suspended state of sorts."
The others furrowed their brows, seeking further clarification. Jugo continued to explain, "Through the use of Cursed Seals, Orochimaru-sama not only sealed his chakra within us, but also a portion of his soul. By merging these fragments of his soul, Orochimaru-sama's essence can be restored."
Haku questioned, "But how can we merge these souls?"
Jugo shrugged, stating, "It's not overly complicated. Once the seal is released, the corresponding fragment of his soul can be extracted. However, we will need a strong body capable of accommodating Orochimaru-sama's soul."
Kimimaro inquired, "How strong does the body need to be?"
Jugo shook his head, unable to provide a definitive answer. "I cannot say for certain, but the stronger the body, the better."
Without hesitation, Kimimaro spoke up, offering his own body, "In that case, use my body. I am the strongest among us, and my body should be perfectly suited for this purpose."
However, as soon as Kimimaro finished speaking, he coughed up blood and experienced an intense burning pain in his chest. Realizing that Kimimaro's condition had worsened, Kabuto intervened, "Let's use my body instead. It should be safer."
The others nodded in agreement, accepting Kabuto's suggestion. With the decision made, Kabuto approached Tenzō and Haku, pressing his hands against their necks. He proceeded to unseal the Cursed Seals implanted in their bodies, absorbing Orochimaru's chakra and a fragment of his soul that had been sealed within them.
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