Chapter 648: Sosuke's Assassination Squad

"If that's the case, then the Ninja Sect is actually harder to deal with than imagined." Yashamaru said.

He seemed to understand why Iwagakure's attitude had been so strange before.

They were only willing to give money, but when it came to sending people, it was out of the question.

Looking at it now, Iwagakure probably already had intelligence at that time, wanting to eliminate the Ninja Sect but fearing retaliation from Sōsuke, so they took such actions.

"That's right. To strike against the Ninja Sect, we must first find a way to kill Sōsuke, otherwise there will be endless trouble." Retsuseki nodded and said.

For Iwagakure, destroying the Ninja Sect is a must. The stronger Sōsuke becomes, the more urgent it is to eliminate the Ninja Sect.

Right now, only Sōsuke can carry the banner for the Ninja Sect. If they don't seize this opportunity and let the Ninja Sect continue to develop, perhaps the Ninja Sect will become the next Konoha—a Konoha with Hashirama Senju.

This is something Iwagakure cannot tolerate; the Land of Rain borders the Land of Earth.

"The question is how to kill Sōsuke. How much intelligence does Iwagakure have on him?" Dotoi thought for a moment and continued speaking.

A shinobi's battle begins before the fight even starts. Having intelligence or not makes a world of difference in difficulty.

If they had no intelligence at all, Dotoi felt that going after Sōsuke would be suicide.

If they had sufficient intelligence and gathered elites from several major hidden villages with thorough preparation, Dotoi believed there was a decent chance of success.

The exact probability depended on how comprehensive the intelligence was and what specific information it contained.

"This is all the intelligence Iwagakure currently has on Sōsuke." Retsuseki took out two identical scrolls and handed them to Dotoi and Yashamaru.

"In terms of the five elements, confirmed intelligence is that Sōsuke is extremely skilled in Fire Release, able to suppress Hanzo's Water Release with it. Besides Fire Release, he is also proficient in Wind Release, having once demonstrated a powerful Wind Release technique during a lecture.

Additionally, Sōsuke is suspected to be skilled in Water, Lightning, and Earth Releases. Although he hasn't used these nature techniques much in public, he showed a level beyond ordinary people during lectures." Retsuseki explained.

"Sōsuke has a secret technique with a very special effect. The principle is unknown for now, but it manifests as a shield covering his entire body. Its defensive power is so strong that it can completely block the Tsuchikage-sama's full-power Dust Release without any damage."

Retsuseki originally didn't want to mention Ōnoki too much, wanting to save face for his village's Tsuchikage, but for the accuracy of the intelligence, he had to bring it up.

Ōnoki's Dust Release is unparalleled in power across the shinobi world. Using it as a comparison best demonstrates the strength of Sōsuke's defensive jutsu.

"Blocked the Tsuchikage's Dust Release without a scratch!" Dotoi looked at Retsuseki in surprise.

The Third Raikage's Lightning Release Chakra Mode is called the strongest shield, but if someone said the Third Raikage could block Ōnoki's Dust Release without injury, Dotoi would be the first to doubt it.

If the defense of the Lightning Release Chakra Mode were that strong, the Third Raikage would have long surpassed the other Third Kage to become the era's strongest shinobi.

Dust Release is a Kekkei Tōta that can decompose matter. Usually, one dodges its attacks.

Yashamaru also showed a shocked expression again.

Everyone knows how powerful the Third Tsuchikage's Dust Release is. Blocking it without injury goes completely against common sense.

"Sōsuke is also proficient in taijutsu, and the taijutsu he has mastered is extremely powerful..." Retsuseki continued explaining.

In the battle between Ōnoki and Sōsuke, the only injury Ōnoki received was from exchanging a punch with Sōsuke.

While reading the intelligence scroll and listening to Retsuseki's explanation, Dotoi frowned deeply.

With a defense capable of blocking Dust Release, and also mastering powerful ninjutsu and taijutsu, how are they supposed to counter that?

Yashamaru tried to imagine Sōsuke as a hypothetical enemy of the entire Sunagakure, thinking about what methods could be used to defeat him.

"Our higher-ups believe it is necessary to form a multi-village assassination squad specifically to study Sōsuke and ultimately kill him." Retsuseki finally said.

In fact, the Iwagakure higher-ups discussed this decision for a long time before finally confirming it.

Because there had always been another voice among the Iwagakure higher-ups: to ally with the Ninja Sect and jointly oppose Konoha.

However, the Ninja Sect never gave positive feedback in this regard, leading the Iwagakure higher-ups to believe the Ninja Sect would not stand with Iwagakure against Konoha, so the voice for alliance gradually faded.

"This is a significant matter; I don't have the authority to decide. I need to report the situation to the Raikage-sama and let him decide." Dotoi did not directly agree; his rank was insufficient.

However, Dotoi was inwardly inclined to agree.

Kumogakure had always ignored the Ninja Sect, first because of the distance, and second because they believed the Ninja Sect would need a long time to challenge the sixth major hidden village's position.

But if Sōsuke actually possessed the strength of a God of Shinobi, then the Ninja Sect's potential would be different.

Don't underestimate the Ninja Sect's current small number of shinobi. If Sōsuke were willing to reveal his true strength and rally support, relaxing the conditions for joining the Ninja Sect, many shinobi and clans would definitely join.

Yashamaru gave a similar response.

The meeting was temporarily adjourned.

…

Land of Fire, Konoha.

After learning that Sunagakure and Iwagakure were holding an exchange conference in Six Paths City, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately headed to the Hokage's office.

It wouldn't matter if Sunagakure and Iwagakure held an exchange conference among themselves, but the involvement of the Ninja Sect made it something to take seriously.

After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew Sōsuke's strength all too well.

In his haste, Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed the door open and entered without knocking.

Upon entering the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi noticed that Minato Namikaze was also inside.

He gave Minato Namikaze a slight nod as a greeting, then turned to Muyue with a serious expression and said, "Muyue, there's movement from the Ninja Sect."

"The exchange conference between Iwagakure and Sunagakure in Six Paths City?" Muyue asked.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

"Minato and I were just talking about this. But I think the Ninja Sect likely isn't involved—they're just renting out the venue," Muyue continued.

"The reason Iwagakure and Sunagakure set the exchange conference in Six Paths City instead of their own villages might be to mislead us, thereby intensifying the conflict between Konoha and the Ninja Sect."

"But if the Ninja Sect was willing to let Iwagakure and Sunagakure hold an exchange conference in Six Paths City, doesn't that imply they have their own ideas?" Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that the earlier exchange conference with Kirigakure had been a mistake.

It had sent the wrong message to the other hidden villages, as if Konoha intended to ally with Kirigakure to completely crush them.

In reality, Konoha had no such intention. The prevailing consensus among Konoha's upper echelons was only one thing: develop, and then develop some more, relentlessly.

"The Ninja Sect naturally has irreconcilable conflicts with both Sunagakure and Iwagakure. The Land of Earth and the Land of Wind both border the Land of Rain. Even if the Ninja Sect has no intentions, I doubt Iwagakure and Sunagakure would want to see the Ninja Sect keep growing stronger," Minato Namikaze said after a moment of thought.

His opinion was similar to Muyue's—he believed this was a deliberate attempt by Iwagakure and Sunagakure to mislead them and set Konoha against the Ninja Sect.

"But the Land of Fire also borders the Land of Rain, and our strength is the greatest," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a sigh.

He didn't think Iwagakure and Sunagakure would maintain a long-term alliance with the Ninja Sect, but under the current tense situation, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt it was very possible that the Ninja Sect would temporarily join forces with Sunagakure and Iwagakure to deal with Konoha.

"That possibility does exist. I'll send more ninja to investigate," Muyue said, not continuing to argue with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

As the leader of the Ninja Sect, he knew everything clearly, but Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't know he was the leader. There was no way to explain such a thing. Once the evidence was laid out, Hiruzen Sarutobi would see who was right and who was wrong.

Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. He really appreciated this quality in Muyue—the ability to listen to reason. Danzo Shimura certainly couldn't do that.

A few days later, after Muyue had his ninja obtain intelligence, he ordered the Anbu to summon Hiruzen Sarutobi to the Hokage's office.

"Third Hokage, this is the intelligence regarding the exchange conference between Sunagakure and Iwagakure."

Muyue didn't waste any words. As soon as Hiruzen Sarutobi entered, he handed the intelligence to him.

"The venue rental fee for the exchange conference, the movements of the Ninja Sect's key ninja during the period..."

After reading it, Hiruzen Sarutobi realized his judgment might have been wrong.

Iwagakure and Sunagakure had paid the Ninja Sect a huge venue fee. Even if they had approached Konoha instead, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have been somewhat tempted to agree, because who could say no to money?

For a moment, the atmosphere in the office became a little awkward.

Muyue didn't let the awkwardness last too long. He quickly took out another piece of intelligence and said:

"Furthermore, our intelligence ninja discovered something good in the Ninja Sect. I think we could cooperate with them on this."

"Puppet prosthetic limbs that are no different from normal limbs?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked surprised.

In a large hidden village like Konoha, every year some ninja lost limbs during missions, resulting in a sharp decline in combat power or being unable to continue as ninja altogether.

If the Ninja Sect truly possessed the technology described in Muyue's intelligence, Konoha could instantly gain a group of veteran ninja with rich mission experience.

"It's certainly worth a try," Hiruzen Sarutobi acknowledged.

As long as the Ninja Sect didn't demand an outrageous price, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt he could accept a slightly higher price from them.

If all of Konoha's ninja who had lost limbs could receive puppet prosthetic limbs, it would be equivalent to several years of development out of nowhere.

Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.

Earlier, he had wanted to avenge Danzo Shimura, using various means to pressure the Ninja Sect, and had even ended up challenging Sōsuke to a duel, nearly making a grave mistake.

Now, because of Sosuke's exceptional strength, Konoha has become particularly wary of the Ninja Sect, and has once again made an erroneous judgment.

The latter, having no actual impact, can be set aside for now, but the former will indeed affect the relationship between the Ninja Sect and Konoha.

It would be perfectly normal for the Ninja Sect to try to cheat Konoha out of something, or simply reject Konoha outright because of this.

"Maybe I really am getting old." Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed in his heart.

Now, he was inferior to Sosuke and Moyue in terms of strength, and frequently made various mistaken judgments in handling affairs. This gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a strong sense of frustration.

He was no longer the Third Hokage who could dominate the battlefield with martial prowess and stabilize the rear for development with administrative skill.

"I'll trouble you, the Fourth Hokage, to be patient and handle this matter. Even if we have to pay some price, it is acceptable."

Konoha currently has too many commissions; puppet prosthetic limbs have come at just the right time.

Having said that, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and walked toward the door; the moment he turned, his face was full of loneliness.

Perhaps he really should retire completely.

"Third Hokage, there is a meeting tomorrow regarding the reform of the Ninja Academy—about the important positions in the academy after the reform," Moyue said.

The Ninja Academy reform has already been on track. The teaching building and various facilities have been completed, all textbooks have been edited, and publicity has been conducted within Konoha. It is just awaiting the official opening in April.

"Mm, I will attend." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and turned back to look at Moyue.

Perhaps cultivating the next generation well for Konoha is not a bad choice.

Not long after Hiruzen Sarutobi left, Shisui knocked and entered the Hokage's office.

"Moyue-sensei, this is the current opinions of the Uchiha clan ninjas regarding the Police Force, as well as the reference list for the third batch of Uchiha Police Force loan transfers." Shisui placed the collected documents on the desk and reported.

Currently, the Uchiha ninjas who have left the Police Force are only temporarily transferred in name. To truly sever the connection between the Uchiha and the Police Force, the "temporary" must be removed, allowing most Uchiha to actually leave the Police Force.

In order to prevent the sensitive Uchiha from developing bad thoughts and causing a major backlash, Moyue had Shisui regularly collect the Uchiha's thoughts to find the right timing.

"Currently, about thirty-five percent of Uchiha ninjas still think the Police Force is an indispensable power for the Uchiha. Among the remaining Uchiha ninjas, not all support the Uchiha leaving the Police Force; a considerable portion hold an indifferent attitude."

"That means the time hasn't come yet. We haven't done enough." Moyue replied while flipping through the documents.

Moyue was not too surprised by this result. The Uchiha had been in the Police Force for decades; it would be difficult to completely resolve this in a short time.

"Just these few for the third batch." Moyue circled the names of the selected Uchiha ninjas and showed it to Shisui.

Except for the first batch, Moyue selected only a small number for the second and third batches. What is too easily obtained is never treasured.

"Additionally, the cultivation reform within your clan must be implemented as soon as possible, ensuring there are no problems in the education of the new generation," Moyue reminded.

Shisui's life mission was to eliminate the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha and to integrate the Uchiha into Konoha. If the Uchiha's mindset did not change, this would be very difficult to achieve.

Currently, the Uchiha consider themselves Uchiha ninjas first, and Konoha ninjas second.

To meet the requirements of the life mission, even if it's not "Konoha first, Uchiha second," it should at least be equal.

Actually, even without the mission requirement, Moyue would do similar things. The Sharingan easily leads the Uchiha to extremes. If they had a relatively positive worldview, it might help change this situation.

【Name: Uchiha Shisui】

【Life Mission: Uchiha and Konoha】

【Primary Goal: Eliminate the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha, and integrate the Uchiha into Konoha】

【Mission Progress: 68.6%】

As Moyue expected, after he provided policy support as Hokage, Shisui's life mission progress would soon catch up to Obito's.

PS: Sorry...

I was too sleepy while writing yesterday and fell asleep. This counts as yesterday's update.

Also, I revised chapter 620 yesterday, mainly the later part about the ninja village meeting, modifying some inappropriate wording.