Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

Chapter 13: Iconic Moment!

Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Iconic Moment!

"You wicked and cunning little brat!"

Danzo's voice rang out, and Sh?ichi Hoshita reacted like a startled rabbit, instantly jumping and hiding behind Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen's eyes lit up. Impressive speed, but more importantly, quick reflexes.

Is he as talented as Minato?

Hiruzen wondered to himself.

Danzo, his face dark with anger, glared at Sh?ichi. "Hiruzen, this Sh?ichi is trying to drive a wedge between us!"

"I suspect he's been influenced by forces outside the village!"

Sh?ichi quickly spoke up, "Lord Danzo, can you honestly say you didn't threaten me?"

"You've had your Root ninjas watching me for a long time, haven't you?"

"You chose this moment to recruit me because the academy is about to start, and you feared that I'd make a name for myself and catch the Third Hokage's attention. So, you tried to bring me into the Root before Lord Third could learn more about me."

"As the Hokage's advisor and subordinate, Lord Danzo, your actions are an attempt to deceive and hide things from the Third Hokage. That's betrayal!"

"Threatening me with the village's comrades is a betrayal of Lord Third Hokage's Will of Fire!"

Danzo responded coldly, "Everything I do is for the good of the village. A little sacrifice is necessary."

Sh?ichi immediately retorted, "Then why isn't the sacrifice you? Why must it be me, a student who hasn't even graduated from the academy yet? Why must it be the poor orphans in the orphanage or the kind and gentle Director Non? Yakushi?"

"As the Hokage's advisor, who inherited the Will of Fire from the Second Hokage, isn't it your duty to stand at the forefront, protecting the younger generation, and safeguarding Konoha's tender sprouts?"

Danzo's face twisted in anger as Sh?ichi's words struck a nerve, reminding him of the time he lost to Hiruzen and failed to become Hokage.

Sh?ichi's words had hit Danzo where it hurt the most, leaving him speechless and causing a surge of murderous intent to explode from him.

Tsunade, watching from the side, was thoroughly enjoying the show. Sh?ichi's words were incredibly satisfying and echoed her own thoughts.

But when Hiruzen saw the murderous intent radiating from Danzo, his expression darkened, and he called out sternly, "Danzo!"

Danzo snapped out of it immediately, reining in his killing intent.

Hiruzen then turned to Sh?ichi with a gentle expression. "Sh?ichi, don't worry, I'll handle this matter."

He then spoke to Tsunade, "Tsunade, take Sh?ichi and leave for now."

Tsunade was a bit reluctant, not quite done enjoying the show, but she was smart enough to know when to stop. She grabbed Sh?ichi and started to leave.

As they were walking out, Sh?ichi lightly scratched Tsunade's palm, then gave her a wink when she looked at him questioningly. He silently mouthed the word, "Director..."

Tsunade suddenly remembered, stopping in her tracks, and turned back. "Oh, right, old man, that Non? Yakushi is an excellent medical ninja. It's a waste to use her as a spy."

"Besides, I might leave Konoha soon."

Her voice grew somber towards the end.

Hiruzen sighed and nodded. "I'll transfer Non? Yakushi to Konoha Hospital."

Tsunade nodded in satisfaction and walked out with Sh?ichi.

After they left, Danzo immediately spoke up, "Hiruzen, Non? Yakushi has excellent intelligence-gathering abilities..."

Hiruzen cut him off in a stern voice, "I've already promised Tsunade. That's final!"

Danzo had no choice but to relent, but he quickly added, "That Sh?ichi Hoshita has an astonishingly mature mind. If we don't control and train him properly, he could become a threat to Konoha in the future."

"Hiruzen, the Root is the best place for him. If you entrust him to me, I can turn him into a blade no less sharp than the White Fang of Konoha!"

Hiruzen took a drag from his pipe and said, "Sh?ichi is better suited for the Anbu."

To Hiruzen, Sh?ichi's understanding of the Will of Fire was more important than his talent.

Moreover, what Konoha needs isn't just a killing machine. It needs someone with the Will of Fire, someone who can inherit the precious legacy of the predecessors and protect the village.

If he weren't so old, he would have wanted to personally teach Sh?ichi Hoshita.

"Tsunade might be able to do it. Maybe this could even keep her in Konoha..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered to himself while saying aloud, "Danzo, submit a report on Sh?ichi's profile tomorrow."

Danzo was reluctant. "Hiruzen, Sh?ichi Hoshita needs to be controlled. His thoughts are too dangerous."

"Precisely because of that, he needs proper guidance."

Hiruzen remained firm. "Danzo, I am the Hokage!"

"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!"

Danzo stormed out, leaving the office in silence. Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, his mind replaying Sh?ichi's earlier words.

Not a single word was wrong.

And how could he not be aware of Danzo's ambitions?

After a long pause, Hiruzen suddenly gave an order, "Shinnosuke, go inform Orochimaru to see me tomorrow."

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

...

At a small eatery.

Sh?ichi, Tsunade, and Shizune were having a late-night snack together.

After watching such a good show, Tsunade's appetite was huge, and she was devouring her food with gusto.

Shizune, however, was a bit worried. "Lady Tsunade, Sh?ichi has completely offended Lord Danzo. Won't that be a problem in the future?"

Tsunade glanced at Sh?ichi. "That depends on his own abilities."

Sh?ichi smiled confidently, "Don't worry, Shizune, I'm a genius!"

Tsunade scoffed, "A dead genius is no genius at all!"

Her mood suddenly darkened.

Her brother Nawaki had been a genius too.

How many geniuses has Konoha lost?

Gulping down a cup of sake, Tsunade said, "Kid, if you're a prideful and complacent ninja, it's easy to end up dead."

"On the battlefield, even a J?nin must be extremely cautious."

Sh?ichi accepted her advice humbly, "Thank you for the warning, Lady Tsunade. I'll be careful."

After finishing their meal, Sh?ichi returned home alone, sitting on his sofa to rest.

Danzo's threat had been dealt with—at least for now.

Yes, only temporarily.

As long as Danzo lives, the problem isn't truly resolved.

If Danzo doesn't come for him, he'll eventually take Danzo out himself.

"Looks like I really need to change my plans..."

Sh?ichi mused to himself.

Initially, he hadn't planned to graduate from the ninja academy early. But the results of his summer operation made him consider early graduation.

Now, he's decided to graduate early.

The ninja academy isn't enough to support the growth of his tag tree!

He shifted his focus to the tag tree.

Several tags on the tree remained unactivated.

Fire Release Expert, Clone Expert, Substitution Expert, Taijutsu Expert, Ninja Tool Expert, Medical Expert, Sealing Expert.

These specialist tags were all tempting, but activating them wouldn't be easy.

For example:

Tag: Clone Expert

Condition to Obtain: Master at least five different Clone Techniques.

Effect: Increases mental strength by 100%, allows effortless use of Clone Techniques without hand signs.

(End of Chapter)

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