Chapter 134: Three Generations

Ishihara stepped out of the room and gazed into the forest.

Dozens of figures were rapidly approaching.

"Who is it?"

Shush-shush-shush!

Several figures appeared before him, not far ahead.

"Third Hokage?"

Ishihara stared at the short old man at the front, his expression startled.

The leader of Konoha had the audacity to appear right before him.

Didn't he fear Ishihara would kill him?

The Third Hokage was deeply satisfied by Ishihara's surprised expression.

He wasn't surprised Ishihara recognized him—after all, Orochimaru was his disciple.

But that was exactly the effect he wanted.

Him, the Hokage, coming in person to meet him—surely that would shock him.

The Third Hokage stepped forward with a warm, amiable smile.

"You must be Ishihara. I've heard of you from Itachi."

"One-Oh-Seven" and the ANBU scattered around him, entering alert posture.

"So, Hokage, did you come here to avenge your Konoha ninja?"

Ishihara's face was calm, but his mind weighed his intentions.

He hadn't forgotten he had killed many Konoha ANBU.

Those ANBU were glaring at him with murderous intent.

The Third Hokage's expression faltered, a flicker of embarrassment in his heart.

He'd been so caught up in his excitement he'd forgotten this detail.

There were ANBU watching all around—he had to handle this properly.

He immediately adopted a stern expression.

"I will certainly deal with this matter, but I want to know what purpose a dangerous individual like you has in Konoha!"

Ishihara raised an eyebrow, smirking. "That doesn't seem to concern the Hokage."

"You're too dangerous. Since you've appeared in Konoha, I can't ignore it!"

The Third Hokage's face grew grim; a sense of unease stirred within him.

The situation had deviated from his expectations.

Under Ishihara's gaze, he felt as if he were being seen through.

This sensation made him deeply uncomfortable.

"Then what does the Hokage intend to do?"

Ishihara asked, narrowing his eyes.

He didn't care much for Konoha.

As long as it didn't interfere with his research into forbidden techniques, secret arts, and bloodline limits, he was indifferent.

The Third Hokage took a deep breath, his thoughts racing.

This man was not as easy to handle as he'd assumed—he needed a new approach.

"This matter isn't urgent. I've learned some things from Itachi. I hear you've developed many S-rank secret arts?"

As he spoke, he fixed his gaze on Ishihara.

"Correct!"

Ishihara now understood the man's intent, and grew impatient.

"Hokage, just say what you want outright. I hate this roundabout way of speaking."

"You want the secret arts I developed, don't you?"

The Third Hokage froze, unaccustomed to such directness, then nodded stiffly.

Ishihara extended one hand. "Fine. Then what will the Hokage offer in exchange?"

If he could obtain those secret arts and forbidden techniques through trade, he'd gladly save himself the trouble.

The Third Hokage took another deep breath and said gravely:

"No trade needed. I propose another way—perhaps better for both of us."

Ishihara stared at him without speaking.

"I want you to join Konoha."

The Third Hokage said firmly.

Ishihara's face instantly showed surprise.

Seeing this, the Third Hokage exhaled in relief and hurried on:

"Once you join Konoha, with my approval, you may study any secret art or forbidden technique you wish!"

"Konoha holds the greatest collection of secret arts and forbidden techniques in the ninja world—the arts left by the First and Second Hokages. Don't you want to study them?"

"Others can't even see these arts—but with my permission, you may study them anytime!"

"Your developed arts will influence Konoha, even the entire ninja world—making you a legend equal to the First Hokage!"

The Third Hokage pleaded fervently, saliva flying, face flushed.

Again, ideals, revenge, the First Hokage…

Pure bribery!

Shi Yuan hadn't gotten excited, but the Third Hokage had truly become agitated.

But when Shi Yuan heard this, he said nothing—only looked at him with the expression of someone staring at a fool, and sneered:

"Any other demands?"

The Third Hokage didn't notice his gaze; hearing this, he assumed Shi Yuan had been swayed, and immediately perked up.

"Since these secret techniques were developed based on the village's own secrets, they must be handed over to the village for safekeeping."

"But don't worry—Konoha won't treat you unfairly!"

Shi Yuan was utterly speechless.

In his past life, he'd heard that finding an antique meant surrendering it—but he'd never experienced it himself.

He never expected that in this life, he'd have to surrender secret techniques—how ridiculous…

"Anything else?"

The Third Hokage was still not fully recovered from his shock. "Also, all the secret techniques you developed before must be handed over to Konoha…"

His voice cut off abruptly.

He stared stiffly at Shi Yuan's mocking face—and instantly realized he'd been made a fool of. Rage surged through him.

"Go on. Why stop now?"

The Third Hokage's face flushed red; he opened his mouth to speak, but Shi Yuan cut him off.

"Do I need your permission to view secret techniques?!"

"Do I have to surrender secret techniques I developed to Konoha?!"

"Even the secret techniques I developed before must be handed over to Konoha?!"

"Are you fucking stupid to say something like that?!"

Shi Yuan's voice rose higher, and by the end, he couldn't help but grow angry.

Was this Third Hokage's IQ in arrears or what? How could he say something so idiotic?

"I…"