Naruto: I Roamed the Ninja World as a Woman

Chapter 74 The Birds Are Gone and the Bow Is Put Away; Nonou's Crisis

During the meeting between Hanzo the Salamander and the Third Kazekage.

Konoha, a thousand miles away, was also not idle.

The lights in the Hokage Building stayed on all night, and people moved around inside.

The Chunin Exams organized by Konoha, the wrangling and negotiations with Kumogakure, and the reply to the Daimyo's office in the Land of Fire.

The distribution of benefits and appeasement of the various ninja clans within the village...

One thing after another piled up, making it incredibly stressful.

Meanwhile, the Anbu base beneath the Hokage Building was equally bustling with activity.

Danzo Shimura.

This man, who was in charge of Konoha's Anbu and Root, was known in the ninja world as the "Dark One of the Ninjas".

His strong relationship with the Third Hokage, coupled with his own considerable strength, made him the king of the shadows in Konoha.

Now, this ninja, who strikes fear into the hearts of countless enemies, sits in a chair with his eyes slightly closed, listening to his subordinates' reports.

"Overall, no abnormalities have been found in the current review of Pharmacist Nonou."

The Root ninja, wearing a painted mask, knelt on the ground and methodically listed them one by one.

"First of all, in terms of strength, after multiple assessments, Yakushi Nonou's current strength is only at the Chunin level, and she has not mastered any ninjutsu above A-rank."

"Secondly, regarding her daily life, we monitored her activities and social interactions for a full month after her return. We found that her daily routine was normal, mainly revolving around three places: the orphanage, the hospital, and the library, and she did not contact any strangers."

"Finally, half a month ago, Lord Ryoma sent additional personnel to Iwagakure. According to feedback, the reaction within Iwagakure to the information leak is consistent with her previous reports."

The ninja concluded, "Sir, should we continue to secretly monitor Yakushi Nonou? Or should we resort to torture?"

Danzo listened without saying a word, then questioned, "Why wasn't genjutsu used for torture?"

The Root ninja explained helplessly, "Yakushi Nonou is an elite spy who has undergone extensive training. She has a high resistance to genjutsu. Unless we can get help from a three-tomoe Uchiha, otherwise..."

'

The blame lies with Root for raising Yakushi Nonou to be too outstanding!

Danzo snorted.

He was unhappy, but couldn't put his mind to it.

In the end, he didn't respond at all, but simply waved his hand, signaling him to step back.

"The absence of any abnormality is the biggest abnormality!"

After the ninja left, Danzo murmured, "I understood this principle long before I even learned ninjutsu!"

Ryoma Aburame, who was hidden in the shadows, quickly asked, "Should we... ask the Uchiha for help?"

He is the most promising newcomer in the Root group.

Although he had only been a member of Root for a short time, he was deeply trusted by Danzo and was considered for promotion to Root's deputy.

Danzo thought for a moment, then said in the opposite direction, "Forget it! I don't want to beg those lunatics for something like this."

The relationship between the Uchiha clan and the Hokage faction is currently relatively good and is not as tense as it will become in the future.

Although Danzo was a staunch anti-Uchiha faction member and was very unpopular.

But if he comes to their door and asks.

Considering the bigger picture, the other party probably won't be able to refuse.

However, Danzo himself did not want to reveal information about Root.

He could tell with his own eyes that if he invited a Jonin from the Uchiha clan to perform genjutsu, the Uchiha would inevitably try to find out his secrets during the interrogation!

"In a few days, I will ask the Hokage for another batch of personnel, citing the heavy losses suffered by the Anbu."

Danzo said coldly, "Once the training is complete, move the genjutsu ninjas from inside over here and prioritize strengthening the Root's forces."

He made his point very clear, and Ryoma Aburame nodded in tacit agreement.

He then whispered a hint: "The Kurama family seems to have quite good illusion abilities..."

'

Without hesitation, Danzo said, "In that case, let them send two people to serve the village."

At this time, Danzo's public position was Hokage advisor and head of the Anbu, wielding immense power.

But he's very cunning.

While in charge of the Dark Division, he also established the Root Division under the pretext of personnel training.

This allows them to secretly intercept the elite members of each batch of ANBU ninjas...

"Lord Danzo, Orochimaru has arrived and is heading this way," another ninja whispered a reminder.

Danzo nodded.

They continued their previous conversation: "What do you think of Yakushi Nonou?"

Ryoma Aburame is from the Aburame clan and is particularly skilled in intrusion techniques.

He managed most of the spies sent out by Root, including Yakushi Nonou, who was originally one of his important subordinates.

"He is a very talented person."

Aburame Ryoma said solemnly, "She possesses exceptional talent in both espionage and ninja skills."

This is a very high evaluation.

But it's not over yet.

Ryoma Aburame continued, "Moreover, she has a great talent for medical ninjutsu. I had previously planned to send her into Konoha Hospital and push her closer to Tsunade."

The infiltration at the root is not limited to enemy countries.

Similarly, they also have personnel in some important departments within Konoha.

According to Danzo Shimura, "To repel external threats, one must first secure internal stability." This is a crucial step in internal monitoring and maintaining stability in Konoha!

"So, you're saying it still has value?"

Danzo said calmly, "Cancel the Konoha Hospital project. Let her stay in Root and continue to be observed."

"For a spy to return safely from Iwagakure alone... even if there was an element of luck involved, it's still a remarkable achievement!"

Danzo said coldly, "I want to see if she's really just lucky, or if she has some hidden trump card."

Aburame Ryoma nodded silently.

Although he valued this subordinate highly, he would not offend Danzo for him.

Orochimaru, dressed in a black kimono and wearing wooden clogs, walked through the Root base.

"The ANBU is really sinister!"

He said bluntly, "Just walking inside, it's as if you can hear the mournful cries of many dead people."

The Root ninja leading the way dared not speak.

But Danzo suddenly appeared in front of him with Ryuma Aburame, and said indifferently, "Orochimaru, anyone who dies here deserves their fate."

"Oh....

""

Orochimaru smiled and continued, "Elder Danzo, you should know why I've come today, right?"

He followed the other person to a quiet room and sat down, then poured himself a cup of tea: "Although the war is over, the village's finances are tight, and the teacher intends to reduce funding for the Dark Division."

Orochimaru ignored Danzo's cold expression and said with a smile, "As requested by the advisors, I need to conduct a thorough review of the Anbu's past expenditures and cut unnecessary future projects!"

Danzo remained silent.

What financial difficulties, what projects are being cut?

In short, it all boils down to one sentence: When the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away!

The Second Shinobi World War is over!

It's time for me, the head of the secret service, to step down and hand over the reins to a more capable person!

Once the war ends, he will naturally no longer need to be treated as the Hokage's right-hand man as before.

monkey!

You really are heartless, turning your back on me after you've served your purpose!

Why did the teacher choose you in the first place?

"All the expenditure details since I took over the Dark Division are here."

Danzo suppressed his resentment and clapped his hands.

Ryoma Aburame, who was standing to the side, took out the account book at the right moment and gave it to Orochimaru.

"But I don't think any of those projects need to be cut."

Danzo watched Orochimaru flip through the ledger and continued, "Whether it's training spies or infiltrating other ninja villages, these are tasks that cannot be stopped."

Orochimaru remained noncommittal.

He pointed to one of them: "What exactly was the 60 million taels spent on cell experiments last year used for?"

Danzo gave a mysterious smile.

He turned and instructed Ryoma Aburame, "Go and bring the results of the cell experiments, so that our cold-hearted Orochimaru can see them!"

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.

Soon, Ryoma Aburame walked in carrying a petri dish.

Danzo coldly replied, "Exchanging live experimental subjects? Isn't that more direct?"

Aburame Ryoma turned and left again.

Shortly afterward, a seven or eight-year-old child who was fast asleep was pushed in by Ryoma Aburame in a small cart.

Orochimaru's gaze sharpened: "Elder Danzo, what do you mean by this?"

"Just keep watching," Danzo replied calmly.

Aburame Ryoma came to the side of the car.

He acted swiftly, slashing the sleeping boy open with a single stroke!

Orochimaru clenched his fists, but remained silent.

Danzo silently observed the other's reaction, without saying a word, but with a smile in his eyes.

Then, Ryoma Aburame injected a vial of medicine into the boy's body.

Soon, the horrifying wound began to heal rapidly.

This self-healing speed...

Orochimaru's pupils dilated for a moment in surprise.

But soon, he clenched his fist again.

Because a small tree with green buds sprouted from the boy's body.

Rooted in the body, with flesh and blood as its soil, it flourishes.

Orochimaru understood everything at once.

"Wood Release Experiment!"

He spoke slowly and deliberately: "Advisor Danzo, your ambitions are truly considerable! You even dare to touch something like this!"

"It's not ambition!"

"It's not just about love for Konoha!"

Danzo declared his original intention: "You have seen the effect of this reagent. It has unparalleled healing power. As long as there is still a breath left, it can bring a person back."

"But the consequences are equally terrible!"

Orochimaru couldn't help but stand up and gently stroke the boy's face with his palm.

The other person may still have a sliver of consciousness, but cannot say anything or make any response; they are no different from a person in a vegetative state.

He said coldly, "Even if they were saved, what use would it be?"

That's why improvements are needed.

Danzo then explained, "This self-healing ability is inherent in Wood Release; the stronger the self-healing ability, the easier it is to turn into wood."

He approached Orochimaru and said, "Perhaps we need to find a way to reduce its side effects."

Orochimaru remained silent for a long time before asking, "Does the Hokage know about this experiment?"

"Of course I don't know."

Danzo frankly stated, "I admit that such behavior, to a certain extent, is a desecration of the First Hokage and would not be approved by Hiruzen."

"But it is precisely for this reason that I gave up on Tsunade and chose to reveal this only to you."

He gazed at the lush green sapling and leisurely sipped his tea: "Orochimaru, do you really want to see the tragedy of Nawaki repeat itself? Perhaps next time, you'll be the one blown up!"

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes trembled.

His emotions were complicated.

Danzo was right. If Nawaki had possessed this back then...

Greed and remorse intertwined, along with a hint of fear of death, causing him, usually so composed, to lose his composure for the first time.

"Orochimaru, I have answered all your questions."

Whether or not the experiment is reported is up to you! Anyway, I have a clear conscience!

"But I'm certain that once Hiruzen finds out about this, he will decide to seal off the Wood Release experiments!"

He plucked a leaf from the small tree, took a deep sniff of its fragrance, and revealed a blissful yet sickly smile.

He then said calmly, "Of course, you can choose to cooperate with me and jointly develop and research Wood Release."

'

Orochimaru remained silent for a long time before asking, "Where do the experimental subjects come from?"

Danzo waved his hand: "You don't need to worry about that... It's just a few necessary sacrifices!"

Orochimaru chuckled coldly.

He glanced at the sinister Danzo and warned, "The Chunin Exams are just around the corner, and I've heard this year's are quite large. You'd better behave yourself."

Danzo didn't say much, but muttered to himself, "What do you know? The Chunin Exams are precisely the perfect opportunity to make your move."

After Orochimaru left, Danzo glanced at Ryoma Aburame and ordered, "Didn't you say that Nono Yakushi has a lot of talent for medical ninjutsu? Add her to the Root's experimental team and have her work with Orochimaru!"

Aburame Ryoma's expression changed.

He quickly reminded him, "Sir, given Yakushi Nonou's personality, I'm afraid..."

'

Danzo said calmly, "Of course I know what you're talking about."

He touched the bandage in his right eye, his tone playful: "But this is also a good opportunity, isn't it? Anyway, in Konoha, no one can turn the tide!"

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