Chapter Thirty-two: SS-Class Mission

"Lord Sarutobi, Konoha’s jonin Kato Mikaze has arrived; he’s right outside the door." After hearing the response from inside, the Hokage’s secretary opened the door and reported to the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Through the open door, Kato Mikaze heard the voice of the Third Hokage.

"Let him in."

The secretary turned and gestured for Kato Mikaze to enter, but did not accompany him into the office.

Kato Mikaze approached the broad desk of the Hokage, bowing respectfully as he spoke, "Third Lord, Konoha jonin Kato Mikaze reporting."

"Wait a moment," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, his pen swiftly scribbling across a document on his desk. "The reason I called you is still related to the matter we discussed last time."

Sarutobi Hiruzen set aside the annotated file, then raised his head, his gaze stern as he focused on Kato Mikaze standing before him.

With a formal and solemn tone, Sarutobi Hiruzen declared, "There is a mission in the village that requires your abilities. Before I tell you the specifics, I must once again emphasize to you, Kato Mikaze, the confidential intelligence regulations of Konoha. Whether you choose to accept or decline this mission, you are forbidden to disclose any information related to it to anyone else. You know the consequences for violating these rules."

"Understood," Kato Mikaze replied crisply, abandoning his usual relaxed demeanor for a more respectful posture, waiting for the Third Hokage to explain the mission.

Sarutobi Hiruzen lingered a moment, his severe gaze scrutinizing the jonin before him.

Then, his right hand reached into the large drawer behind the desk, retrieving a thick dossier. He glanced at the cover and pushed it toward Kato Mikaze.

"Take a look," he instructed. "This is a brief introduction to the mission. More detailed materials will be available only after you officially accept the assignment."

Kato Mikaze took the dossier, about an inch thick, and read the cover: "Mission Codename: New Spring. Mission Rank: SS. Confidentiality Level: SS."

He glanced up at Sarutobi Hiruzen, then quickly opened the folder and began to scan its contents.

While Kato Mikaze read, Sarutobi Hiruzen summarized, "This is a long-term mission, one the village attempted in the past, but every attempt ended in failure."

"Recently, following the advice of the village's advisor, Danzo Shimura, the mission has been restarted. You joined at just the right time. Your unique talents regarding souls are needed. Originally, your elder brother Kato Dan was also considered for the assignment, since he too mastered your clan’s secret Soul Dispersal Technique."

"Unfortunately, your brother Kato Dan’s personality is ill-suited for this task, and he himself explicitly refused the mission."

Hearing his brother’s name and the Soul Dispersal Technique, and reading the dossier in his hands, Kato Mikaze realized which events from his memory corresponded to the SS-ranked mission codenamed New Spring.

...

Spring refers to the season of renewal. It is when the earth awakens and all things grow, and trees flourish in spring.

New Spring signifies new trees, new Wood Release shinobi.

Wood Release is the legendary technique mastered by the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju—a jutsu capable of suppressing the immense power of tailed beasts. Over thirty years ago, Hashirama used his formidable Wood Release to defeat Madara Uchiha, quell the chaos of the Warring States era, and establish the Hidden Leaf Village.

He further used Wood Release to capture eight of the nine tailed beasts, distributing them at the first Five Kage Summit and shaping the current shinobi world order.

These historical facts attest to the might of Wood Release. After the First Hokage’s death, no member of the Senju clan in the Leaf Village ever awakened Wood Release again.

To suppress tailed beasts, the most effective methods in Leaf Village history have been Wood Release and the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan.

Without new shinobi inheriting Hashirama’s Wood Release, the village is forced to rely solely on the Uchiha, but relations between Konoha and the Uchiha are complicated, causing an imbalance and posing a grave threat.

Since the First Hokage’s passing, the Leaf Village has never ceased research into Hashirama’s cells, hoping to uncover the secrets of Wood Release and inherit his power.

New Spring, new wood, nurturing new Wood Release shinobi—this is the village’s official project to research the First Hokage’s cells.

...

Kato Mikaze’s dossier contained not only the mission’s history and summary but also numerous records of failed experiments. From his prior life’s perspective, the village’s research into Hashirama’s cells could be considered a high-tech medical biotechnology experiment.

Those who failed after transplanting Hashirama’s cells met tragic ends, their bodies overwhelmed by uncontrollable powers, dying gruesomely from internal explosions.

To date, the longest anyone survived after transplanting Hashirama’s cells was ten days, and none ever left the laboratory alive. The survival rate is zero.

Initially, most volunteers for transplantation were members of the First Hokage’s clan, the Senju, who participated willingly. Later, other Konoha shinobi volunteered, and eventually, war orphans were used.

It is cruel, even inhumane. No wonder his brother Kato Dan adamantly refused to participate; his personality truly was not suited for this mission.

The reason the task came to Kato Mikaze was that the village leadership recognized his unique abilities concerning the soul, hoping he could help those undergoing cell transplants survive the rejection phase from a spiritual angle.

Records of the earliest New Spring experiments trace back even to the First Hokage’s lifetime.

...

Sarutobi Hiruzen, seeing Kato Mikaze had finished reading, knew he understood the mission’s essentials.

He continued, "The SS-ranked mission codenamed New Spring has recently been restarted. The current leader is Danzo Shimura, advisor and elder of Konoha. Other main participants include my student Orochimaru and some members of the medical corps."

"The purpose of recruiting you is to leverage your expertise in souls to advance the mission."

Sarutobi Hiruzen finally asked, "Do you have any questions about the mission? I will answer as appropriate."

Kato Mikaze weighed the pros and cons of accepting, and the image of golden hair shining in sunlight flickered through his mind.

He replied, "Regarding the New Spring mission, I have only one question: Third Lord, does your student Tsunade know about this project? After all, it involves her grandfather Hashirama’s cells. You know my relationship with Tsunade—I worry about how she might feel..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen paused at this unexpected question, his stern expression softening into a faint smile.

"I knew my judgment was right, Kato Mikaze. It’s rare for someone to consider Tsunade’s feelings. Good, very good."

He nodded as he spoke. "I can answer you clearly: Tsunade is aware. Even the First Hokage himself, Lord Hashirama, knew. The Second Hokage, Lord Tobirama, was the original proposer of the New Spring mission."

"On this matter, I grant you special permission: you may discuss it with Tsunade, and it will not count as a violation of the confidentiality regulations."

Sarutobi Hiruzen formally asked, "Having answered your question, what is your response regarding the SS-ranked mission codenamed New Spring, Konoha jonin Kato Mikaze?"

"To uphold the Will of Fire! Third Lord, Konoha jonin Kato Mikaze accepts the SS-ranked mission codenamed New Spring!" Kato Mikaze answered formally.

...

P.S.: New author seeking support, recommendations, and favorites.

Another P.S.: Chapter twenty-nine was locked; I’ve edited it and applied for release. I posted an apology and explanation in the comments. I got carried away writing that chapter and hadn’t realized there were no female characters, yet it was locked for the reason of being ‘x youth’. My apologies again.