The Devil of Konoha: Starting as a Medical Ninja

It's no big deal; the one who's saddened certainly won't be Hongzhi himself.

Not long after, Tsunade arrived with Mei Terumi and her group, half an hour later than the originally agreed time. This was probably to let the Konoha ninjas and residents know that Kirigakure and Konoha were temporarily at peace.

As for when this thing would be broken, Hongzhi didn't know, but he figured it was impossible in the short term.

All we need to do now is keep an eye on Iwagakure. As long as that guy doesn't cause trouble, the entire ninja world will be in a period of peace until the right opportunity arrives, or until Hiroji admits defeat.

"Thank you for your help."

Mei Terumi placed her hand on Hiroji's shoulder and smiled as she spoke. Hiroji did not react at all. After noticing that everyone had arrived, he immediately used the Flying Thunder God Technique.

In the forest on the border of the Land of Fire, as soon as Hiroji appeared with the people from Kirigakure, he sensed that something was amiss.

"It seems that the ninjas of Kirigakure are in some trouble."

After briefly assessing the situation, Hongzhi casually remarked that there were no problems within the Land of Fire's border, but the situation of the dozen or so Kirigakure ninjas waiting outside the border was not particularly good.

"This couldn't have been arranged by Konoha, could it?"

Mei Terumi had obviously noticed the problem over there as well, and she asked, half-jokingly.

Do you think Chapter 307 is correct?

"If Konoha has any plans, they can easily imprison you, the Mizukage."

As Hiroji spoke casually, Mei Terumi frowned slightly. Although his words made her a little uncomfortable, it was the truth. If Konoha had any designs on her, she would not be able to return here safely.

"Then you'll just have to watch from the sidelines!"

Mei Terumi frowned and spoke, then sped up and headed in that direction. The Hidden Mist Village ninjas naturally didn't sit idly by either, and followed Mei Terumi.

"Their strength is still quite good, but they still won't go for the kill."

Hongzhi frowned and looked into the distance. Haku had already started fighting with Mei Terumi. Although Lava Release was effective against Ice Release in some ways, Mei Terumi and Haku were clearly hesitant.

Mei Terumi didn't want to hurt the Hidden Mist Village ninjas who were bound by Ice Release, while Haku remained soft-hearted, unchanged despite Zabuza's long-term instruction.

Hongzhi watched quietly. After a new round of exchanges, Bai jumped onto a tree to the side, showing no intention of continuing the attack. Terumi Mei, who had been on guard, was also somewhat puzzled by this situation.

However, the next second, a guillotine was pulled out by Haku. Seeing this, Mei Terumi became somewhat excited. Wasn't the guillotine in Zabuza's hands? How could it suddenly appear in this person's hands!

While Mei Terumi was in a daze, she suddenly noticed that something was wrong with the Executioner's Blade; there was a scroll hanging on the hilt.

Mei Terumi was filled with confusion as she watched this scene, but what happened next made her feel even more incredulous.

That guy actually threw the Executioner's Blade right in front of her, then immediately released the control of the Hidden Mist Village ninja, and then disappeared from the spot.

"Huh, Zabuza is unreliable!"

Upon sensing this, Hongzhi shook his head helplessly and then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to Konoha.

As for whether there would be any further contact between Mei Terumi and Haku, Koji wasn't particularly concerned.

Mei Terumi picked up the guillotine from the side in surprise. After confirming that there was no problem, she looked at the scroll tied to it.

"Lord Mizukage?!"

Noticing that Mei Terumi was about to open the scroll, the surrounding Kirigakure ninjas immediately tensed up, and Chojuro couldn't help but call out to remind them.

"It's nothing."

Mei Terumi spoke casually, then opened the scroll. Although she said that, Mei Terumi was still somewhat wary. However, when the contents of the scroll came into view, Mei Terumi's wariness vanished without a trace.

[Upon seeing this, you should be witnessing my masterpiece of recent years: Haku, a Kage-level ninja with a bloodline limit. Aside from being somewhat merciful, he has no weaknesses. Of course, the Executioner's Blade should have already returned to Kirigakure. As for whether you can keep Haku, that's up to you—Zabuza.]

The contents of the scroll caused Mei Terumi's expression to change immediately. She recognized Zabuza's handwriting. Back when she hadn't yet ended the Blood Mist Village, she had tried to contact the demon who wanted to kill the Mizukage to end the Blood Mist Village.

Unfortunately, Zabuza did not join her side in the end. Instead, he gradually left the Land of Water while being pursued by the Hidden Mist Village's hunting force, and his whereabouts have been unknown ever since.

"Blood successor limited shadow level."

Mei Terumi closed the scroll in her hand and looked directly at Chojuro beside her. Although this guy's target was the Executioner's Blade, it was impossible for him to use this sword.

Whether it can be used well or not is another matter. Since Zabuza had someone send back the Executioner's Blade, and it was that so-called masterpiece that was sent back, the chances that he is still alive are probably not very high.

In this situation, if that Kage-level ninja had seen Chojuro use the Executioner's Blade so clumsily, he would most likely have doubted Zabuza's decision, and might even have killed Chojuro outright.

"go back!"

Mei Terumi didn't say much, and simply picked up the Executioner's Blade and put it into the scroll.

Although Zabuza wanted Kirigakure to accept the ninja named Haku, Mei Terumi wouldn't make a decision so easily. The reason was simple: Kirigakure lacked strong ninjas.

However, they will not accept a ninja of unknown origin. If their background can be investigated, then there will be no problem. If not, then they will have to miss the opportunity.

After walking a short distance, Haku stopped abruptly. Although he wanted to see Zabuza again, Zabuza had told him during their last meeting that he should have his own life and that he was never a tool.

Furthermore, Zabuza clearly indicated that he did not want him to be controlled because of Zabuza, and the return of the Executioner's Blade was Zabuza's wish.

He's already dead, so there's no point in him holding the Executioner's Blade. As for Haku, since he never thought the Executioner's Blade could return, Zabuza never trained him in that direction.

As Haku watched the group from Kirigakure gradually walk away, he turned around and headed towards the Land of Water.

Behind Konoha, Hongzhi held a scroll and slowly surveyed his surroundings. Beside him was Kakashi.

Kakashi was also informed of all the speculations, which Tsunade told him. After receiving this news, Kakashi felt a little better.

At the very least, it's possible that Obito Uchiha was outmaneuvered by Madara Uchiha, rather than directly succumbing to darkness on his own.

Upon learning this news, Kakashi wanted to find out the so-called truth, so he naturally came to report to Hiroji.

At this moment, Hiroji is leading Kakashi to search for the possible laboratory of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, based on the compiled information.

If we were to pinpoint the most likely location for Madara Uchiha's remains, it would undoubtedly be the laboratory, given Tobirama Senju's quirks.

This guy kept Madara Uchiha's body for research purposes. If he had just gouged out his eyes and cremated him, there probably wouldn't have been any of this later.

However, it wouldn't be Tobirama Senju who would handle it that way.

Kakashi walked out of a laboratory with a frown. There were no corpses or even any equipment inside, which made Kakashi question his life.

Hongzhi was not surprised at all. Back when Orochimaru was in the back mountains of Konoha, Hongzhi had his shadow clones loot most of the laboratories in the back mountains, and everything usable inside was taken away.

Bringing Kakashi here this time was to show Tsunade that we're really working hard to investigate, but unfortunately, your elders are hiding their secrets too well!

"Kakashi, do you think that theory is correct?"

On the way to the next suspicious location, Hiroji casually asked.

Will Chapter 308 be there?

In the back mountains of Konoha, Kakashi, who was pondering whether the next location would yield any gains, suddenly froze. He turned to look at Hiroji beside him, seemingly lost in thought.

Whether it's right or wrong is no longer important...

Finally, Kakashi sighed and solemnly said that if the mysterious person was indeed Uchiha Obito, then all he could do was try to send him, who had gone astray, to repent.

"Prioritizing the interests of the village is the first requirement for becoming Hokage. I'm casting my vote for you as the next Hokage."

Hongzhi spoke calmly and walked straight ahead. As for Kakashi's reaction, Hongzhi didn't care at all. Whether that day would come was still unknown.

Of course, Kakashi didn't react much. He just stared at Hiroji's back in astonishment, then shook his head and followed.

The sun in the sky doesn't care about people's hard work. When the workday ends, it disappears into the night sky, and in its place is a bright, clear moon.

Standing atop a brand-new mountain peak, Hiroji quietly gazed at the distant scenery, while Kakashi stood beside him, his eyes filled with weariness.

Although I no longer lack mana, I'm inevitably tired after a whole day of work.

"All the experimental bases with even the slightest trace of records have been confirmed, but unfortunately, we haven't found the place where Madara Uchiha's remains are kept. However, we did discover two forbidden techniques that were not fully developed. The Second Hokage truly lives up to his reputation..."

Hongzhi gazed at the bright moon in the sky and spoke helplessly. Although Uchiha Madara's shadow clones would definitely disappear with death, Hongzhi's knowledge and Konoha's knowledge were not the same thing.

"Could it be that that place isn't even near Konoha?"

Kakashi casually speculated that all the laboratories around Konoha had been cleaned up, and even several of Orochimaru's laboratories had been discovered, but there was not a single clue about the laboratory where Madara Uchiha's remains were stored.

"Very likely. If it's not near Konoha, then where would be the most likely place?"

Hongzhi spoke casually. If Kakashi hadn't come along, Hongzhi would have had his shadow clone pretend to be diligent while he studied the Eight Gates of the Eight Gates Formation himself.

"The battle ended in the Valley of the End, could it be there?"

Kakashi wasn't speaking casually; he was quite concerned about this matter. Madara Uchiha's reputation was still terrifying, and if that guy had any schemes, it was definitely something that needed to be taken very seriously.

After all, it's unlikely that another First Hokage will emerge to stop Madara Uchiha or Obito Uchiha, who inherited Madara's will.

"Maybe. Let's look in that direction tomorrow. That way we can see if any spies from Iwagakure have come here."

Hongzhi casually remarked that they should still search over there. If they found it, Konoha's vigilance would be raised to a whole new level, and that would be quite a spectacle.

After directly teaching Naruto the Sage Mode of Mount Myōboku, transplanting Hashirama's cells to activate Wood Release, and then learning the Sage Mode improved by Hashirama Senju.

At the same time, it allowed Sasuke Uchiha to successfully awaken the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, and then injected Hashirama cells to complete the prerequisite for awakening the Rinnegan.

If everything goes smoothly, Madara Uchiha doesn't actually need to be resurrected; Obito Uchiha would be a good sacrifice for Kaguya.

Of course, specific situations still need to be analyzed and handled specifically, after all, Black Zetsu is not a puppet.

"Speaking of which, the information from the Mizukage is that the mysterious person possesses a complete pair of Sharingan. If that's the case, the person who once infiltrated Konoha to attack Danzo and steal your Sharingan may have cooperated with Uchiha Obito. This is not good news for Konoha."

As they left the back mountain, Hongzhi spoke casually, and Kakashi's lips twitched. This basically confirmed that the mysterious person was Uchiha Obito!

"You're no match for that man?"

Kakashi tentatively asked, because Hiroji felt a little awkward being addressed as "you" (formal), so he told Kakashi that the two were actually about the same age.

"If you're going it alone, you're evenly matched, but you have to analyze each situation specifically."

Hongzhi casually explained, then placed his hand on Kakashi's shoulder and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to reach the rooftop of the Hokage's office building.

After leaving Kakashi to report to Tsunade, Hiroji returned directly to the courtyard and then entered the Kamui dimension.

The scroll of the Eight Gates Formation was placed on the table. Hongzhi studied it briefly and found that the middle dantian, along with the Open Gate and Rest Gate, had been occupied by the meridians between the upper dantian and the Sharingan.

The location of the seventh gate of surprise is roughly the location of the lower dantian, while the middle dantian is roughly the location of the fifth gate of obstruction. These locations have also been directly occupied.

As for the Death Gate, it's located in the heart area, so we don't need to consider it at all. Then, the Life Gate and Injury Gate can be regarded as transit stations between the upper and middle Dantian.

As for Jingmen, it serves as a transit point between the middle and lower levels.

However, these are all just speculations. To see if it is really occupied, Hongzhi still needs to verify it, which means trying to open the Eight Gates.

His physical condition should be fine. He tentatively opened the first gate. After completing it, Hongzhi felt that the speed at which his upper dantian absorbed the body's natural energy had increased significantly. However, he did not experience any other reactions.