Konohagakure, Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was contemplating utilizing the crystal ball on his desk to observe Konohagakure's current state.
Kakashi no longer constituted pressing concern. Despite enduring significant hardships, his resilience demonstrated commendable quality.
The investigation concerning the mysterious organization and Obito Uchiha had been transferred to Danzō Shimura, and Kitagawa Minamoto remained under Jiraiya's vigilant supervision. With these matters delegated, Hiruzen could finally afford minor relaxation.
"Hiruzen."
Just as he prepared to inject Chakra into the crystal ball, the door suddenly opened, and Danzō entered. Hiruzen experienced momentary awkwardness.
"Danzō? What motivates your presence?"
Feigning confusion, Hiruzen casually positioned cloth over the crystal ball before addressing him.
"Does news from Kirigakure exist?"
"Hmph."
Danzō, fully aware of Hiruzen's likely activities, elected to avoid commentary.
"Progress has occurred in the Kirigakure investigation. Their internal situation appears chaotic, with potential civil war approaching."
Danzō stated facts plainly. He comprehended that if he desired full power restoration, cautious progression remained advisable. After all, he didn't constitute Hokage—yet.
"Civil war?"
Hiruzen produced facial expression suggesting concern, his visual focus intensifying.
Regarding Kirigakure, both he and Danzō shared identical sentiment—disdain. A Kirigakure civil war didn't represent negative development in their perspective.
However, given current circumstances, Hiruzen needed to implement more careful consideration.
"So, you're suggesting that our investigation subjects might be assisting one faction?"
"Precisely."
Danzō implemented affirmative cranial gesture.
"While tension exists, I don't believe maximum danger point has been reached."
"Oh?"
Hiruzen elevated one eyebrow, detecting his old associate's machinations again.
However, he couldn't immediately identify the issue. After brief contemplation, he inquired:
"Share your thoughts. What additional discoveries have you made?"
"I've located Orochimaru's traces. He currently occupies the Land of Hot Water."
Having decided to betray Orochimaru, Danzō demonstrated no hesitation.
"Orochimaru constitutes organization member. His absence from the Land of Water suggests the situation hasn't reached critical stage.
"Therefore, I propose deploying additional operatives to conduct deeper, more comprehensive investigation.
"Simultaneously, someone should track Orochimaru. That might produce superior results..."
"Orochimaru, huh?"
Hiruzen contracted his brows, immediately comprehending Danzō's intentions.
Deploying his own operatives merely represented Danzō's methodology for gradual power reclamation.
Yet, Hiruzen couldn't implement direct refusal. Entrusting investigation to Root demonstrated reasonable approach, and Orochimaru represented individual he couldn't disregard.
"Very well, I comprehend."
After momentary deliberation, Hiruzen finally communicated.
"If truly critical situation existed, he should already occupy the Land of Water. However, since he occupies the Land of Hot Water, which maintains sea routes to the Land of Water, investigation merits implementation.
"Regarding your proposal..."
He paused, demonstrating apparent hesitation. After temporal interval, he reached decision and implemented affirmative cranial gesture.
"I will temporarily authorize Root operative deployment for this mission. But you comprehend protocols—no information exposure permitted. I trust your understanding."
"Hmph, reminders unnecessary. I comprehend requirements."
Danzō produced mild nasal exhalation in response, but internally, he experienced elation. His objective had achieved completion!
"Well then, I'll implement departure. Numerous tasks require attention."
Without further communication, Danzō rotated and departed. This time, his ambulatory movements appeared lighter, almost jubilant.
"..."
Observing Danzō's retreating form, Hiruzen couldn't suppress temple contact.
Still, he elected to avoid extended contemplation. After all, countless other matters demanded his attention.
Implementing light contact with his desk, he vocalized:
"Please summon Jiraiya. Discussion requirement exists..."
"Juvenile, it appears you're experiencing difficulty, correct?"
Deep within Konohagakure's forests, Jiraiya produced mischievous facial expression directed at Kitagawa Minamoto.
"Multiple days have elapsed, yet you still don't demonstrate comprehension."
"It indeed presents certain complexity."
Minamoto didn't exhibit frustration. He implemented shoulder elevation and responded:
"But Jiraiya-sama, without your consistent interruptions, I might have achieved mastery already."
Temporal progression had occurred rapidly, with one week elapsing instantaneously.
During this interval, Minamoto had diligently reviewed and organized the Flying Thunder God Technique knowledge within his cognitive framework.
Since this didn't constitute System-granted ability, and the scroll had implemented self-destruction, reproduction remained impossible. Naturally, integration and acquisition costs had doubled.
Given secrecy requirements, this demonstrated complete understandability.
Although Jiraiya didn't represent most reliable instructor, he had maintained presence throughout Minamoto's process. To prevent excessive cognitive focus, Jiraiya had even implemented extraordinary measures to facilitate relaxation—including hot spring immersion or teaching alternative techniques to mitigate frustration.
According to Jiraiya, "Balance maintains crucial importance. Additionally, ninjutsu demonstrates interconnection. You might acquire insights regarding one technique while studying another."
But despite benevolent intentions, Jiraiya's actions had indeed disrupted Minamoto's concentration.
"Discussing self-aggrandizement. And you, juvenile, genuinely don't appreciate my benevolence."
Jiraiya implemented ocular rotation and descended to ground level, producing vocalization suggesting discontent.
"Space-time ninjutsu demonstrates incredible acquisition difficulty. Even this great Toad Sage hasn't achieved complete principle comprehension.
"This technique's complexity significantly surpasses others. Otherwise, only the Second and Fourth Hokage wouldn't have achieved mastery.
"Excessive focus demonstrates detrimental effects. Implementing pause might actually facilitate progress—it constitutes experiential knowledge!
"And you demonstrate such obstinacy. I offered Mount Myōboku toad contract, and you implemented refusal. Summoning Jutsu also constitutes space-time ninjutsu variant."
"Gratitude declined. I don't maintain particular affinity for toads."
Minamoto immediately implemented cranial negation, though he maintained private thoughts.
With ordinary bloodline, he would have gladly implemented acceptance.
The Flying Thunder God Technique could arguably constitute summoning jutsu variant. Summoning acquisition could indeed accelerate comprehension.
But the problem was...
"My bloodline now constitutes Ōtsutsuki. That elder toad once guided the Sage of Six Paths to oppose Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. If they detect anomaly, potential complications could arise."
For safety prioritization, Minamoto had ultimately decided to decline.
"Tch, implement personal preference."
Jiraiya contracted his lips, deciding against further insistence. At that moment, he detected Anbu approaching from distance.
"Additional problematic matter?"
Elevating one eyebrow, he achieved standing position and communicated to Minamoto:
"It appears you'll implement independent training today. Implement maximum effort."
"Comprehended."
Minamoto implemented affirmative cranial gesture, observing as Jiraiya implemented aerial movement to intercept the Anbu and departed the forest.
Implementing minor physical extension, Minamoto produced self-directed vocalization:
"I genuinely need to implement maximum effort. This Flying Thunder God truly constitutes patience examination..."
Unlike previously acquired techniques, also not System-granted, the Flying Thunder God's difficulty existed at superior level.
Regarding System-granted techniques, regardless of complexity, knowledge would undergo fragmentation and direct mental implantation, rendering acquisition process both simple and efficient.
But presently, he required personal effort for recall and comprehension, significantly reducing efficiency.
Moreover, the Flying Thunder God demonstrated exceptional intricacy, involving numerous complex elements. That explained his significant temporal investment.
"But now, I've nearly achieved complete knowledge digestion. Implementation attempt time has arrived."
Closing his ocular organs, Minamoto began channeling Chakra according to his mentally constructed framework.
Time progressed gradually, and Minamoto's internal Chakra demonstrated increasing intensity.
Suddenly, he detected faint spatial fluctuation. As he explored this sensation deeper...
Buzz—
Instantaneously, he experienced total bodily Chakra eruption.
Most significantly, he detected his very blood beginning to boil...
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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