Naruto: Forbidden Arts and an Immortal Agenda

Natsuki was still bleeding. The wound on her finger, bitten open earlier, hadn't healed yet.

Aozora said, "The contract is already signed. You should dress that wound!"

Natsuki grunted and popped her finger into her mouth to suck on it.

So what if we signed a contract? He made such a big deal about it! I almost started thinking the worst.

Aozora sent Gray Feather back to the Summoning Realm and said to Natsuki, "Now that you've signed a contract with Gray Feather, we have a stable way to communicate.

When you arrive in Kyoto, you can contact me anytime through Gray Feather."

Natsuki replied with an unenthusiastic "Oh."

Right now, she felt emotionally deceived and was in a bad mood.

Aozora said, "What do you mean 'oh'? If there's nothing else, then go already! What more do you want staying in my bedroom?"

"Brat!"

Natsuki shot him a glare and turned away, leaving Aozora's bedroom.

In the living room, after Aozora reminded her about some details, Natsuki took her leave.

Aozora then began studying the techniques [Tai Hua Yi Xing] and [Embodiment Beyond the Self].

The knowledge of [Tai Hua Yi Xing] was incomplete, but based on scattered clues, Aozora realized this technique mainly involved Dao foundation construction and physical form transformation.

Dao foundation building here didn't refer to the cultivation stage, but rather constructing the basis of the Dao itself, continuing along the path of Dao Yin Lian Qi. Aozora sensed that foundation building wasn't meant to help refine chakra faster, but instead to evolve one's body into a higher form attuned to natural energy.

As for shape transformation, it was an advanced skill surpassing [Jia Xing]. With this technique, internal changes—even at the genetic level—could occur.

Young or old, man or woman, beast or bird — mastery of [Tai Hua Yi Xing] allowed one to transform into any form at will.

However, since the inheritance wasn't complete, Aozora dared not recklessly cultivate this ability.

His main focus fell upon [Embodiment Beyond the Self].

Considered a great divine ability from ancient myths, even deities rarely possessed mastery over [Embodiment Beyond the Self].

Now possessing this supreme power, Aozora naturally wanted to learn it as soon as possible.

More importantly, it was directly linked to his ultimate survival technique.

"The first step is soul division."

"Before dividing the soul, testing must be done. If the soul isn't large enough or strong enough, cultivation won't succeed."

Following the method passed down, Aozora began testing himself.

Soon, a pleasant smile curved the corners of Aozora's lips.

While Aozora smiled happily, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no reason to laugh.

The squad leader of Anbu's third detachment reported everything that happened earlier that morning to Hiruzen in full detail.

For reasons unknown, Danzo was also present in the Hokage's office at that moment.

He sat diagonally across from Hiruzen, listening intently to the report, his eyes gleaming with concealed intent.

After hearing the report, Hiruzen angrily said, "You never act appropriately when matters are serious! Why did you provoke conflict with the Uchiha clan without authorization?"

The Anbu squad leader replied, "Spies from foreign villages naturally fall under Anbu jurisdiction. Any enemy daring to infiltrate our territory using jonin-level ninja as spies clearly poses significant threat; only Anbu can extract all available intelligence from a corpse."

Hiruzen remained silent.

Though the Uchiha were skilled interrogators, their strength lay in extracting information from the living. When it comes to obtaining intelligence from dead bodies, the Anbu and interrogation department were the true professionals.

But since it was the Uchiha who discovered and killed the spy, Anbu's intervention was clearly too heavy-handed.

In broad daylight, they actually dared to provoke the Uchiha and even falsely accuse them.

Did they really think everyone around here—even the shinobi—were blind?

You're wearing masks, but I'm standing right here in plain sight!

Even so, he didn't scold the Anbu squad leader, speaking calmly instead. "The secret hidden inside his skull is the key. You may leave now."

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi wave his hand, the Anbu squad leader bowed and took his leave.

Only two remained inside the office. Hiruzen picked up his pipe from the desk, puffing out clouds of smoke.

Danzō spoke quietly, "That young Uchiha Aozora learns quickly. He modified what you said during the Chunin Exams and used it immediately."

"Hmph!"

Smoke spewed from his mouth, blurring Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.

"Isn't the Police Force taking initiative to show goodwill toward villagers beneficial for village unity?"

Danzō scoffed slightly at Hiruzen's words before saying, "Let's not talk about such trivial tricks! However, that Throwing Knife of Uchiha Aozora deserves attention. He injured Yūgito—it might have been because Yūgito was already weakened from fighting Kakashi.

But this time, he decapitated a Jonin-level spy with one strike."

Hiruzen gave a slight nod upon hearing this.

That Throwing Knife truly was sharp; facing an opponent head-on, it could possibly kill a Jonin. If used secretly for assassination, it could even pose a threat to himself.

He turned to Danzō. "Didn't he fall under your watch? Have you noticed anything unusual?"

Danzō shook his head. "Nothing unusual was found. The only oddity was after becoming Fugaku's assistant, he stayed home resting for three days, leaving the Uchiha Compound only on Saturday."

Hiruzen replied, "The role of assistant can hold either minor or major authority. He could even act on Fugaku's behalf in handling many matters. You still need to keep a close watch."

Danzō nodded. "I understand."

After finishing their discussion about the conflict, Hiruzen switched topics to the intel on the Hidden Cloud border.

Compared to internal village conflicts, those were minor affairs.

"Yūgito has appeared at the frontline, and Jiraiya failed to intercept him. I didn't expect him not only to escape but recover so quickly as well."

"All jinchuriki are monstrous beings beyond normal comprehension."

"With another jinchuriki added to the frontlines of Hidden Cloud, our situation has become critically dangerous. To minimize casualties, Jiraiya had no choice but to retreat and tighten our defensive line."

Hiruzen briefly summarized the intelligence report—not just to inform Danzō, but also to process and contemplate solutions while speaking.

"Jiraiya urgently needs sensor-ninjas, especially those possessing dojutsu abilities. Without sensors, the vast borderlines would allow Hidden Cloud forces to cross undetected, bringing flames of war into the Land of Fire itself."

After brief contemplation, Danzō responded, "Supply him with sensor-ninjas. Let the Inuzuka and Aburame organize more shinobi for deployment."

Hiruzen asked further, "What about the Hyuga and Uchiha clans?"

Dojutsu users excel not only in combat ability but also in perception and reconnaissance—far surpassing ordinary shinobi. That's precisely why Jiraiya mainly requested their support.

Danzō didn't respond immediately—he understood exactly what Hiruzen was concerned about.

The Uchiha and Hyuga represented Konoha's true noble clans—each boasting over twenty Jonin within their ranks alone.

No matter where they were, this was an immense power.

With such strength, those two clans should've easily taken control of most departments in Konoha.

However, the Hyūga were bound by the Caged Bird Seal, and while the Main and Branch families appeared united, they were divided at heart, making true unity impossible.

As for the Uchiha, they were strictly restricted by the Police Force and found it difficult to earn merits or secure promotions.

Of course, both clans weren't about to sit still and take that. At every chance, they tried to get their hands into other departments.

In normal times there was no opportunity—but war presented the biggest chance of all.

If they earned battlefield honors in war, even Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi would have no choice but to grant rewards.

During the Third Great Ninja War, Shisui the Teleporting Flash had been greatly overshadowed by the Golden Flash and remained stuck at the rank of Tokubetsu Jonin.

What if either clan gave rise to another world-famous prodigy? How on earth could Danzō keep them in check?

After deep thought, Danzō said, "Let Hizashi lead the Hyūga Branch members into battle. As for the Uchiha... let them form a group of Chunin to escort supplies."

Upon hearing this, Hokage Hiruzen raised his eyebrows slightly and nodded.

Hizashi leading the team—as a member of the Branch family, if he earned great achievements, it would only provoke resentment from the Main family, who would never allow the Branch to stand above them.

As for the Uchiha, what kind of result could be expected from Chunin-level ninja escorting supplies?

At best, they might earn a few small rewards; at worst, they'd just end up as cannon fodder.

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