Uchiha's personal opinion

"Uchiha Tokumitsu asked."

After handing over the captured toad to the Konoha Research Institute and the Uzumaki Research Institute, the Uchiha ninjas, who were skilled in genjutsu, tried to extract information about Mount Myōboku from him through genjutsu hypnosis. However, whether it was because the toads of Mount Myōboku had a special kind of restraint or because of their physical condition, the Uchiha ninjas' genjutsu either had no effect on him or completely knocked him out so that he could not be interrogated. Therefore, the information interrogation did not make much progress.

"All I know is that Mount Myōboku enhances the affinity between the human body and natural energy through a substance called toad oil. However, it's understood that this so-called toad oil cannot exist outside of Mount Myōboku's environment, so..."

A researcher with thick glasses, resembling the bottom of a wine bottle, explained.

"Toad oil..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu also recalled this "divine object" from his past life, which could be described as a cheat device for Sage Mode chakra.

However, given the current blood feud between the Uchiha clan and Mount Myōboku, unless Uchiha Tokumitsu leads his troops to attack Mount Myōboku, it is impossible to obtain such a precious item.

"...Are there any other ways?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu originally intended to directly sense the natural energy and forcibly absorb it into his body to refine Sage Chakra, but then he thought that as the saying goes, a noble person should not sit under a dangerous roof, and it was really unnecessary for him to take such a risk. So he quickly gave up the idea.

At least Mount Myōboku has toad oil and black sticks as aids for training, so its contemporary earthly practitioners won't turn into stone frogs due to failed training. But if Uchiha Tokumitsu makes a mistake on his own, who knows what will happen to him.

"...There is no better method yet, but we are currently conducting various exhaustive research on natural energy-affinity substances, and perhaps we will make some progress after some time."

The head of the vortex research department looked at his subordinates, who had once again cowered in fear, and spoke up again with a sigh.

Uchiha Tokumitsu gave him a speechless glare.

The so-called exhaustive search method involves combining various materials or sealing techniques in an attempt to find a substance that can react with natural energy.

Who knows how much time and money this method will require!

"...I'll give you two directions."

After pondering for a moment, Uchiha Tokumitsu said, "One is divine particles, and the other is tailed beast chakra; let's see if these two substances can form a melting reaction with natural energy!"

"As ordered!"

The researchers at Vortex breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, this is the research route personally designated by the big boss, so even if something goes wrong, there's not much psychological burden.

The so-called sacred particles are high-concentration cell extracts of White Zetsu cells, while the tailed beast chakra is because Naruto Uzumaki's Sage Mode from his past life memories seems to be somewhat compatible with the Nine-Tails Mode, so we'll take a look at it together, maybe we can get some results.

"Since we've already spent so much money, a little more won't make a difference..."

"Uchiha Tokumitsu sighed."

Chapter 322 The Collusion of the Rogue Ninja

Ou Castle in the southern part of the Land of Lightning is also the central command post of the Konoha garrison army, which is mainly composed of exiled ninjas from the original Hokage lineage.

Jiraiya, dressed as a ronin, swaggered down the street, lewdly whistling at the women of the Land of Lightning as he carefully observed the local customs and culture of this Konoha-occupied area.

After the defeat of Kumogakure, the southern part of the Land of Lightning was occupied by the Shogunate and Iwagakure respectively. However, after Uchiha Tokumitsu killed the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, in the Battle of Settsu, the Shogunate ninja forces originally stationed in the southeastern part of the Land of Lightning gradually withdrew to their respective garrisons. They were replaced by the exiled Sarutobi, Shimura, and die-hard ninjas from the Hokage lineage.

Currently, apart from one shogunate detachment directly under the command headquarters and three detachments composed of ninjas recruited by the village, the remaining eleven detachments of the Konoha garrison are all composed of exiled ninjas.

The complex factional relationships and the mutual animosity within the ninja army, coupled with Uchiha Tokumitsu's neglect of the occupied territories as a buffer zone, naturally led to extremely lax command at headquarters. Various counter-espionage measures were riddled with loopholes, and samurai, ronin, and black market ninjas gathered in droves, resulting in a constant stream of murders and robberies, turning the city into a veritable "chaotic metropolis."

In just the time it took to stroll around the streets, Jiraiya sensed that no fewer than ten assassination attempts had occurred in the dark alleys along the main road.

"This shows just how perverse and wicked Uchiha Tokumitsu was..."

Jiraiya increasingly felt that his cause was just and correct, and he was full of confidence in overthrowing the tyranny of the Uchiha clan.

Jiraiya left Mount Myōboku for the Land of Lightning to find someone—a former Konoha ninja who, like him, was listed as a rogue ninja.

……

"Chūnin Sarutobi Tomoaki, your secret has been exposed!"

A somewhat furtive Sarutobi ninja was walking through an alley when suddenly a large hand reached out from the shadows behind him, landed on his shoulder, and shouted into his ear.

"I didn't! I didn't! I was coerced!"

Sarutobi Tomoaki was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground, howling with a sob in his voice.

"...It's me!"

Jiraiya emerged from the shadows somewhat helplessly, speechless at the Sarutobi clan ninja who had been so easily intimidated by him.

"Lord Jiraiya!"

Sarutobi Tomoaki immediately scrambled to his feet, pulled Jiraiya aside, and looked around nervously, his expression extremely tense. "You... how did you get here!"

"I've come to find him."

Jiraiya grinned, and although he still looked as gentle as ever, he gave Sarutobi Tomoaki a chilling feeling.

"You mean..."

Sarutobi Tomoaki asked tentatively.

Do I need to spell it out?

Jiraiya suppressed his smile and stared at Sarutobi Tomoaki, whose expression was unusual.

"I...I don't quite understand what you mean..."

Sarutobi Tomoaki lowered his head, avoiding Jiraiya's gaze.

"Where is Shinnosuke? Take me to see him."

Jiraiya asked directly.

"..."

Sarutobi Tomoaki's expression shifted, but he remained silent.

"You should know that I am now a rogue ninja..."

Jiraiya chuckled. "You don't really think... I'd use Shinnosuke to collect a bounty, do you?"

"It's not that bad..."

Sarutobi Tomoaki chuckled twice, finally lowering his guard. "How about this... Lord Jiraiya, I'll take you to the safe house first, and then I'll go and inform Lord Shinnosuke to come over. What do you think?"

"As long as your safe house is actually safe, that's fine."

Jiraiya remained noncommittal.

"...Of course, please come with me!"

Sarutobi Tomoaki said humbly.

……

"By the way, why have you become such a coward?"

Led by Sarutobi Tomoaki, Jiraiya navigated through the extremely complex alleyways.

Although Sarutobi Tomoaki's strength was average, he was, after all, a ninja from the Sarutobi clan. Moreover, he was a member of the interrogation department during the reign of the former Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. Although he had relatively little experience in battlefield killing, he was a figure who struck fear into the hearts of prisoners.

Moreover, as Jiraiya knew, Sarutobi Tomoaki was once nominated as a special Jonin for his exceptional interrogation skills. However, before the promotion process was completed, the Sarutobi clan fell into a deep abyss with the death of Sarutobi Hiruzen, and he himself was exiled to the garrison.

Logically speaking, such a person shouldn't be so timid.

"Lord Jiraiya... that line you said is exactly the same as the standard line the Internal Affairs Department uses when they arrest people..."

Sarutobi Tomoaki gave a bitter laugh. "A while ago, two members of the Shimura family were taken away from the camp by the Internal Affairs Department, and now there's no news of them, and their fate is unknown..."

"This……"

Jiraiya was speechless.

"This is all we prisoners of Aoyu City can do..."

"Although everyone was unwilling to accept this behind the scenes and had tried various underhanded tactics, once things were exposed, there would be no other choice..."

While cautiously observing his surroundings, Sarutobi Tomoaki said, "His family was left in Konoha as hostages. He's all alone in exile. Even if something happens, he wouldn't dare to resist..."

"So you still have contact with Shinnosuke?"

Jiraiya was quite puzzled.

"It's alright, if something happens, just take poison and commit suicide..."

Sarutobi Tomoaki chuckled lightly and said nonchalantly, "Besides, as long as the poison takes effect quickly enough, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will immediately close the case and conclude that it was a suicide out of guilt, which will not involve the family."

Jiraiya was even more at a loss for words.

From a bloodthirsty torturer ninja to someone who would collapse in fear at the slightest tap on the shoulder, he was able to face his death with such equanimity...

Is this due to backbone, or is the Konoha Internal Affairs Department more terrifying than death?

This is the best proof of the Uchiha clan's brutal rule!

Jiraiya then reconsidered and found another reason to condemn the Uchiha clan, further solidifying his resolve to "set things right."

"arrive……"

Sarutobi Tomoaki stopped in front of a dilapidated hut and looked around.

Jiraiya thought he was going to push the door open and go in, but Sarutobi Tomoaki turned around and lifted a paving stone in the drain, revealing a narrow hole entrance, gesturing for Jiraiya to go in.

"..."

Although the smell after lifting the drainage ditch tiles was extremely unpleasant, Jiraiya still covered his nose and shrank his body to crawl inside.

"Please wait a moment, Jiraiya-sama. Shinnosuke-sama will be here shortly..."

"After we crawled into the secret room beneath the drainage ditch, Sarutobi Tomoaki immediately said."

"...How did you notify Shinnosuke?"

Jiraiya asked, frowning.

“On our way here, every ordinary person we encountered was an informant…”

Sarutobi Tomoaki smiled smugly and said, "Although the bunch of useless people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs don't care about counter-espionage, they are very careful to guard against criminals like us. Without some special means, it's impossible to move around in this city."

"...You guys have it tough too!"

Jiraiya remained silent for a long time before letting out a long sigh.

"You seem to be doing quite well!"

A voice came from behind the wall of the secret room, and then a person walked straight through the wall.