I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 380 On everyone's path to growth, there's an "older brother" who guides them through new and exciting experiences.

Tatsuma did not directly respond to Hiruzen Sarutobi's hints. After responding subtly several times, he steered the conversation back to the mission, occasionally interjecting with matters of the Anbu.

To Tatsuma's slight disappointment, but also as expected, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not mention any changes in the personnel monitoring Kushina. Based on Tatsuma's understanding of Hiruzen Sarutobi's personality, it was highly likely that Hiruzen Sarutobi himself was unaware of this matter.

Hiruzen Sarutobi has the means to monitor the entire village, and as the Hokage, he also has the right to inquire about the village's every move, but there are some things that he can only find out by taking the initiative.

For example, if Hiruzen Sarutobi had noticed something about Root's actions, he could have used his "I am the Hokage" technique under strong questioning, and Danzo might have confessed something. But the prerequisite is that Hiruzen Sarutobi has to ask him.

Without asking Hiruzen Sarutobi, there would be no way of knowing or knowing. Tatsuma considered whether to give Hiruzen Sarutobi a hint, but he ultimately gave up.

Given the relationship between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, Hiruzen Sarutobi would most likely not stop Danzo unless Danzo takes any actions that seriously endanger the village.

Of course, the advantage is that if someone spontaneously tries to stop Danzo's actions that harm the village's interests, Hiruzen Sarutobi would be very happy to see it happen.

After talking with Hiruzen Sarutobi, Biwako invited Tatsuma to stay for a late-night snack and discussed the experimental project. Tatsuma didn't return home until midnight.

For the next few days, apart from attending a meeting on the second day, Tatsuma became somewhat idle, and the follow-up work in the Land of Water was taken over by the Analysis Team and the Staff Group.

The subsequent operations involve a power struggle between major nations. The requirements for those who carry out these operations are not only ability, but also sufficient experience and status. For example, Nara Shikato, who is the leader of the Jonin class and chief advisor, is suitable for these tasks.

Meanwhile, there had been no new developments from Root, as if they had simply recalled their personnel. Tatsuma felt that Root must have some ulterior motives, but he had no way of finding out.

As for Kushina's training plan, it was a huge project with a lot of preliminary work to be done, such as modifying the Death Forest and removing some of the valuable facilities that were originally set up there.

At the same time, it is also necessary to guide and relocate some villagers living in the surrounding area, and to keep the situation confidential, so that no one knows about the changes in the Death Forest. Obviously, this is not possible.

However, in the past day or two, Tatsuma has occasionally heard rumors that the village is preparing to transform the Forest of Death from a training ground into a Chunin Exam venue, and that some renovation work is needed.

The Forest of Death is a vast forest covering over 300 square kilometers. It wouldn't be unreasonable for it to take two or three years to transform it. Therefore, Kushina can train there without worry for the next two or three years.

If there isn't enough time, then it's perfectly normal for a project to be delayed. It's not unreasonable to delay it for a year or two, and Chenma can even think of some alternative solutions.

For example, if the village announces that it will carry out renovations every year or every two years to prevent the "exam room" conditions from being leaked, then Kushina can continue to train inside.

This is highly feasible. As long as those in the know don't leak the information, it's actually quite easy to do, just a bit cumbersome.

Of course, Chenma doesn't need to do these tedious preliminary tasks. He only needs to wait until the village clears out the Death Forest before setting up the sealing barrier.

However, this also resulted in Chenma having nothing to do these past few days. Appropriate training, coupled with a massive intake of nutrients, has helped him get rid of his inhuman and ghostly appearance.

This is also a good thing for Chenma. Although most people don't think they are ugly, their skin won't shrink after suddenly losing weight.

So these past few days, Tatsuma has become a "rubber man." You can pinch his skin and pull out a long piece of skin. Shizune plays with his face all the time.

Tatsuma considered resisting, but Shizune justified herself by saying that she was taking revenge for the time Tatsuma had pinched her cheek. Since it didn't hurt, Tatsuma let Shizune do as she pleased.

"Tatsuma-senpai, why have you become so thin-skinned?"

After the meal, Shizune came to retaliate again, but she couldn't pinch Tatsuma's skin; it remained pinched along with the flesh beneath. Her knowledge was insufficient for her to understand, and she could only conclude that Tatsuma's skin had become too thin to be pinched.

Hearing her childish words, Tatsuma looked speechless, Tsunade chuckled, and Kato Dan looked apologetic. He stepped forward, supported Shizune with both hands, and lifted her off Tatsuma, then said:

"Jingyin, you can't be so rude to your elders, understand?"

"I see."

Shizune was still a little scared of her uncle, whom she didn't know very well. After she could remember, she had spent most of her time living in the Senju clan's territory. Kato Dan lay in bed for several months, followed by rehabilitation training and missions.

The time she actually spent with Shizune was not long, not even as long as Tatsuma spent with her. Moreover, children are naturally close to their elders, but at the same time, they also feel distant from them.

Most children don't share their lives with relatives and elders. Perhaps it's because the elders' indifference after they've shared so enthusiastically time and time again has hurt the child's feelings.

But it's different with peers, or older brothers and sisters next door. They not only value the life they share, but they also take you to do things that elders would refuse.

For Shizune, Kato Dan is the bad guy who keeps telling her that eating sweets will cause cavities and takes away her snacks, while Tatsuma, her "big brother," is the good guy who occasionally leads her to break the rules and sneak ice cream.

After apologizing somewhat aggrievedly, Shizune secretly glanced up at Tatsuma, only to see him looking gloating. Shizune's cheeks puffed up with anger, thinking that she would definitely not be polite next time Tatsuma treated her to ice cream.

"Go outside and have some fun. Didn't you say you recently learned a new ninjutsu? Go practice it."

Kato didn't see the exchange of glances between the two. He only saw his niece standing there looking aggrieved, reflecting on her actions. He couldn't help but pat her head, giving her a way out, which was considered as forgiving her.

Shizune also ran out of the living room with her head down. Kato Dan then looked at Tatsuma and said, "I heard you've accomplished another incredible mission?"

The missions of the Anbu are all classified or even top secret. Generally speaking, even Kato Dan, who is a Jonin, cannot get in touch with them. However, this mission involves too many people and too many departments.

The intelligence gathered by more than 20 spies over a year, as well as the information on the nodes of the intelligence chain they established, all had to be reported to their superiors and transferred to different departments. In this process, the level of secrecy would gradually decline.

Given Kato Dan's status, it's quite normal that he would have found out some things since he was back in the village these past few days to report on his duties.

Tatsuma nodded, then shook his head, and said, "The mission is complete, but not very well. There's a lot of unfinished business that my colleagues need to clean up."

"I heard you also fought and defeated a high-ranking member of Kirigakure? Was it one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, or some elder from Kirigakure?"

Kato Dan looked curious. What he could find out had lost its value as a secret, so it wasn't unreasonable for him to ask. If it involved core secrets, Tatsuma could refuse.

After Kato asked his question, Tsunade also looked on curiously. After all, Tatsuma was so exhausted when he returned from his mission that day, and she was curious about what kind of opponent could make him so disheveled.

Tatsuma did not refuse, but generously said, "No, it's the Third Mizukage."

"three"

After exchanging glances with Kato Dan, Tsunade decisively shook her head and said to Tatsuma, "You're talking nonsense."

In fact, Tsunade already knew on the day Kushina lost control that her disciple had most likely surpassed her, and that she would not be able to overtake her disciple for a while before her technique was truly completed.

But to defeat a Shadow is just too exaggerated, isn't it?

Tatsuma shrugged and said, "It's true. This news probably won't be kept secret for long. Given the Third Mizukage's current state, he can't maintain his iron-fisted rule."

Consequently, the closure policy will be forced to be lifted, or rather, even if Kirigakure doesn't lift it, it will no longer be able to stop the port from opening freely. It could be as quick as two or three months, or as slow as a year and a half, and the Land of Water will reopen.

Kato Dan frowned and said, "This is an opportunity for the Land of Fire."

The reopening of the Water Kingdom means that trade conditions will be relaxed, economic and cultural exchanges will become more frequent, and with more people traveling between the two countries, the Water Kingdom's supervision will become more relaxed.

This presents a tremendous opportunity for the Land of Fire, whether it's the Daimyo's residence or Konoha Village.

But Tatsuma shook his head and said, "I said I didn't do a very good job. Even if the Land of Water reopens, the Land of Fire can only watch as others divide up the first wave of benefits."

"That's such a pity."

Kato Dan shook his head. Although he didn't know exactly what had happened, he figured Tatsuma would feel guilty for missing such a good opportunity. Thinking this, Kato Dan changed the subject:

"Tell me the details of your victory over the Mizukage. Compared to you, my mission this time was really boring."

Tatsuma understood Kato Dan's intentions; he simply wanted to use the sense of accomplishment from sharing to wash away some negative emotions. However, Tatsuma did not regret it, nor was he blamed, so he did not feel any guilt or remorse.

Of course, he wouldn't refuse Kato Dan's kindness and told the two of them about the situation on the battlefield. As he was talking, Tatsuma suddenly stopped.

"Go on, didn't we just talk about you using the Rasengan to hit the Mizukage? Why did you stop there?"

The impatient Tsunade began to urge him on, but Tatsuma frowned and pursed his lips, deep in thought. Seeing him like this, Kato Dan suddenly began to wonder why Tatsuma was thinking, and then...

He clutched his side and said, "The opportunity hasn't been lost!"

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(End of this chapter)