"Clan Head Fugaku. Please hand the mask to me."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was much better than Danzo Shimura's. But his piercing gaze and serious expression clearly indicated his stance.
An ANBU ninja immediately stepped forward. Looking at the ANBU ninja extending a hand in front of him, Fugaku Uchiha felt stifled internally.
He had clearly followed orders to snatch a mask. Even if he didn't receive a commendation, he was a person of merit.
Yet now, he was being guarded against like this.
Unfortunately, an arm cannot twist a thigh. Fugaku expressionlessly placed the mask into the ANBU ninja's hand.
The other party immediately returned to Hiruzen's side. Hiruzen reached out and took the mask. His mood was extremely complex.
But he also felt a faint sense of relief. At least they had one. This way, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki could unleash their strongest power.
With the Nine-Tails' might, even with just one, it could contend against the other Tailed Beasts.
Danzo immediately moved closer. His eyes even more fervent. Greed filling the depths of his gaze.
At this time, all the surviving individuals walked over.
Among them, the clan heads of the major clans were all still alive, though a portion were injured. After all, these people possessed at least Jonin-level strength.
The ANBU and Root ninjas, however, suffered miserable casualties. At least half died in the attack just now. Many of the survivors sustained serious injuries. Some even had their entire abdomens pierced by hidden weapons.
Seeing this scene, Hiruzen felt heavy-hearted. Those who died were his direct subordinate ANBU—the very reliance of his power.
He caught a glimpse of Zenji out of the corner of his eye. His expression was the same as usual. But changes had already occurred internally.
The Nine-Tails incident, Orochimaru's defection, and now this modified creature from the laboratory.
Too many major events have occurred these past few years. The village needs to rest and recuperate.
"Everyone. When Orochimaru defected previously, his laboratory was not cleared out. If there are similar dangerous experimental subjects there, the village will be in danger."
"To prevent any deranged subordinates of Orochimaru from acting out, martial law is declared tonight. Everyone, return immediately to pacify your clan members and do not come out at night."
Hiruzen immediately issued orders. His gaze pointedly lingering on the Uchiha and Hyuga clans.
Hiashi Hyuga's heart jolted. He immediately sensed Hiruzen's faint dissatisfaction.
He turned to glance at the two elders. After exchanging a look, he turned and headed back.
Fugaku, with a cold face, led his two companions and walked to the side.
Their clan compound was on the edge of the village. Not very far from here.
Watching the retreating backs of the clan heads, Hiruzen slowly breathed a sigh of relief and immediately issued orders.
"Kakashi. Take people to clear out Orochimaru's laboratory immediately."
"Yes."
"The injured, head to the ninja hospital for treatment. The rest, guard this place. If there are any discoveries—especially suspicious individuals—report immediately. Do not engage rashly."
He hadn't forgotten that mysterious masked man. The Nine-Tails incident was caused by this person.
He had thought the other party had given up after being repelled. But to think he was still eyeing Konoha Village.
Danzo looked at the imposing Hiruzen at this time. His eyes shifting slightly. He spoke, feigning calmness.
"Hiruzen, Root has also suffered significant losses. I will return first to tally them up. We will need to recruit new personnel to replenish our ranks later."
After speaking, he turned to leave. But an emotionless voice froze him in place.
"Halt."
Hiruzen looked expressionlessly at Danzo.
"Come with me."
This simple sentence made Danzo's heart tighten. He turned around, wanting to speak in his usual tone. But the words caught in his throat as soon as he opened his mouth.
"Hiruzen..."
He had seen that gaze before. It was his gaze on the battlefield back in the day.
"Alright."
A drop of sweat rolled down Danzo's forehead. He hurriedly agreed.
He then followed Hiruzen toward the center of the village. Not long after, they returned to the brightly lit Hokage Building.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane were anxiously waiting for Hiruzen. They were stationed here and couldn't move out easily, so their information was somewhat delayed.
Seeing the imposing Hiruzen, Homura and Koharu actually breathed a massive sigh of relief.
Without waiting for Hiruzen to catch his breath, the two immediately fired off multiple questions.
"What happened? What exactly was in the laboratory? How could there be such a huge commotion?"
Hiruzen didn't answer. He walked over, sat down, and stared fixedly at Danzo.
This gaze made Danzo extremely uncomfortable. Hiruzen's aura tonight was truly too overwhelming.
A moment later, Hiruzen finally spoke. And his single sentence made Danzo's heart sink.
"Hand it over."
Danzo's face remained as usual. He looked at Hiruzen and said somewhat strangely, "Isn't the mask in your hands? What are you asking me for?"
Looking at the composed Danzo, Hiruzen was in no mood for nonsense.
"Do you think I don't know you well enough?" His voice was very deep.
Homura and Koharu exchanged an astonished glance. Hiruzen tonight was somewhat different from usual.
Very unfamiliar. Yet somewhat familiar.
A flash of inspiration crossed their minds. They knew where that familiar feeling came from.
This demeanor was exactly the same as the "Hero of Shinobi" Hiruzen during the Second Shinobi World War.
Danzo naturally knew this as well. Sweat rolled down his cheek from his forehead.
He suddenly had a premonition that if he continued to hide it, he would probably lose all his power.
His left hand clenched slightly into a fist. Slowly reached into his coat. And finally pulled out a scroll.
He unrolled the scroll, formed a hand seal, and with a poof—
A massive amount of books, stone tablets, and other items appeared in the office.
"What is this?" Koharu asked her doubt once again.
Hiruzen placed the mask he had been holding onto the table and slowly began to explain.
"Completely controlling a Tailed Beast. Becoming a perfect Jinchuriki who won't go berserk and can control it at will?"
Koharu's aged, flat face revealed a look of pleasant surprise.
Tailed Beasts are ultimate weapons capable of contending against nations. The Nine-Tails incident last time nearly destroyed Konoha Village.
And that was just a slow-moving beast without Ninjutsu.
If a Tailed Beast possessed a human's mind, a ninja's combat literacy, and a Ninjutsu system...
Then its actual power would be extremely terrifying.
"We only got one? What is that embryo? Why did it attack right at this time—and that mysterious masked man. Could it be...?"
Homura spoke suspiciously.
Hiruzen knew exactly what he was suspecting. And who he was suspecting.
After thinking for a moment, he shook his head.
"It shouldn't be related. My attack shattered the cultivation pod. That caused the subsequent changes."
Koharu picked up a book from the pile, reading as she spoke.
"Listening to your description, that embryo's abilities are very similar to Zenshu's."
"Could it be Zenshu?"
Hiruzen also began examining these books. Hearing the question, he pondered for a moment, then shook his head.
He wasn't sure either. But judging from the various intelligence obtained previously, Zenshu had the motive and capability to do this.
"Here. There's information on that embryo."
Homura suddenly raised a book and said.
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