Chapter Thirty-Seven: Danzo Shimura

“Elder Shimura, Konoha Jonin Kato Yufeng, under the orders of the Third Hokage, have come to participate in the SS-class mission codenamed 'Spring Festival' and report to you.” After bowing, Kato Yufeng spoke.

Once Kato Yufeng finished his introduction, he stood quietly before Shimura Danzo. One sat on the sofa savoring hot tea, while the other stood opposite. At a glance, the scene in Danzo's office suggested a certain deference from Kato Yufeng, but upon closer scrutiny, after his bow and words, he stood with remarkable uprightness, a hint of pride barely concealed.

Kato Yufeng’s demeanor was both respectful and subtly proud. The respect was natural—Shimura Danzo, at this moment, was a member of Konoha’s Hokage advisory council, and with Yufeng now assigned to the Spring Festival mission, he could be considered Danzo’s subordinate. The pride stemmed from the rumors that had spread through Konoha: Kato Yufeng, another prodigy of the Kato clan, had mastered the Spirit Transformation Technique, reaching the level where his soul could leave his body. After formally becoming a Jonin, up to this meeting at the Spring Festival mission base, Danzo had covertly and overtly sought to recruit him, attracted by Yufeng’s unique talents in spiritual matters.

Due to memories from his previous life and the original story, Kato Yufeng had reservations—he neither clearly accepted nor rejected Danzo’s overtures. Now, Danzo used the Spring Festival mission, the allure of Hashirama’s cells, and the attraction of Wood Release for Konoha’s shinobi, to recommend Yufeng to the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen for this mission. Thus, standing before Danzo and reporting, Yufeng was, in a way, temporarily recruited as a direct subordinate.

“Hiruzen should have given you a general introduction to this mission. I imagine you’ve already familiarized yourself with some details. It pleases me greatly to see you here today,” Danzo said, gesturing for the administrative aide who had followed them in to leave the office.

He watched Kato Yufeng for a moment before speaking slowly. Though only in his early forties, his voice was hoarse and aged, perhaps deliberately so. As for the faint pride Yufeng displayed, Danzo noticed it easily. Despite appearances—only one left eye remained—years in Konoha’s leadership and countless subordinates had exposed him to many shinobi far more arrogant or eccentric than Yufeng. Danzo cared little for such pride; as long as his subordinates were useful, contributed to Konoha, and brought benefit, it was no obstacle.

“Reporting here formally today, I am now your subordinate. I hope you will guide me well throughout the mission,” Yufeng replied calmly.

While Danzo observed Yufeng, Yufeng himself was equally attentive to the man before him. Danzo dressed simply, nothing flamboyant, befitting his persona as a senior leader of Konoha. His most striking feature was the bandages wrapped around his face and right arm—a result, it was said, of injuries sustained during the First Great Ninja War, losing his right eye and suffering damage to the skin of his right arm. Despite ninja strength and medical techniques, recovery was impossible, so he wore bandages long-term. The upper half of the right side of his face and his entire right arm were tightly wrapped, making him something of a “half-bandaged man,” reminiscent of the Second Tsuchikage in the original story.

Was there a Mangekyo Sharingan behind those bandages now? After careful consideration, Kato Yufeng refrained from using his sensing abilities to probe Danzo. Since mastering the Spirit Nurturing Technique, Danzo had tried to recruit him several times, openly or discreetly. Though wary, the allure of Hashirama’s cells was too great. The power of Wood Release had fascinated him since childhood; he grew up hearing tales of the legendary First Hokage’s Wood Release, and more importantly, the attraction of the Sage’s body was undeniable.

Danzo’s notorious deeds in the original story had not yet occurred, so Yufeng could hardly judge him for acts not yet committed. If Sarutobi Hiruzen could tolerate Danzo, and if things ever went awry, Yufeng was prepared—Danzo might not have the upper hand. For now, his plan was to lay low and reap the benefits first.

Cell transplantation technology, even in his previous life, was cutting-edge science. Here in the ninja world, even with chakra as advanced energy, it remained a challenge. Transplanting cells differed from simply replacing Sharingan; the latter was a high-level surgery, feasible given ninja vitality, while cell transplantation was far more advanced, requiring greater knowledge and specialized equipment.

“A subordinate? Heh, perhaps. You’re much smarter than your elder brother, Kato Dan. In my opinion, he’s sometimes too rigid,” Danzo remarked, mentioning Yufeng’s brother, Kato Dan. “Hiruzen’s student, Orochimaru, is also here. You can seek him out for specifics about the mission. You two are expected to collaborate—the loss of Wood Release in Konoha has endured for too long…”

Yufeng ignored Danzo’s comment about his brother, steering the conversation toward Wood Release: “Wood Release… Since childhood, I’ve heard my parents speak of the First Hokage’s legendary Wood Release. Truly a formidable jutsu.”

“Heh, indeed, the First Hokage Hashirama’s Wood Release was unmatched. Our mission is to research the powerful force within Hashirama’s cells, so as to inherit his Wood Release.”

“The key issue is that no one has yet been able to withstand the immense power of Hashirama’s cells. Once transplanted, no one has survived the post-experiment rejection period. I recommended you to Hiruzen for this mission, hoping your spiritual abilities could help the recipients survive the rejection phase after transplantation.”

Danzo finally stated the crucial purpose behind Yufeng’s involvement in the Hashirama cell transplantation experiment, and Yufeng was well prepared for this.

With sincere resolve, Yufeng said, “Lord Danzo, I will do my utmost. Please rest assured.”

Danzo nodded at Yufeng’s words and continued, “I hope your participation will advance the mission smoothly. Orochimaru has just joined as well, and he was your classmate at the ninja academy. You are well aware of his skills—he excels at biological experiments. Your abilities complement each other: one approaches from the cellular perspective, the other from the spiritual. I believe you two can succeed.”

“I will cooperate closely with Orochimaru on the First Hokage’s cell transplantation project,” Yufeng replied.

“If the mission progresses smoothly in your hands, or even succeeds, and a new Wood Release ninja is cultivated for Konoha, neither the Third Hokage nor I will be stingy with rewards. I hope you’ll give your best and contribute your abilities and strength for the sake of Konoha, for the Will of Fire,” Danzo continued, painting enticing promises and even offering encouragement.

“For Konoha, for the Will of Fire.”

Yufeng gladly drank this bowl of motivational “Will of Fire” soup, and in turn offered Danzo the same. Motivational words were familiar to Yufeng—he’d relied on them often in his previous life, and now, after more than twenty years in Konoha, he found himself once again sipping the same familiar brew from Danzo. Thinking back, there was even a hint of nostalgia—the same recipe, the same flavor.

“Yes, all for Konoha, for the Will of Fire.” Danzo was pleased to accept Yufeng’s offering. “If there are important issues or problems regarding the Spring Festival mission, you may inform me. I will resolve what I can, and for what I cannot, Konoha will be your support. Orochimaru should have arrived already—I will arrange someone to take you to him.”

After exchanging words and encouragement, Danzo said no more, summoning the administrative shinobi to lead Yufeng to Orochimaru.

As for Danzo, a leader need only give orders and, in the end, enjoy the results. As the saying goes, the leader moves his mouth, the subordinates run their legs. Danzo was the core of Konoha’s leadership, the actual second-in-command. He was usually very busy, his main focus on the Root organization, hardly more leisurely than the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Today, Danzo came to the base and spoke at length with Yufeng mainly to show his respect for Yufeng, knowing that Yufeng’s arrival to report on the Spring Festival mission signaled his importance. When Orochimaru first reported here, Danzo had shown the same attitude.

…

After leaving Danzo’s office, Yufeng followed the administrative shinobi to find Orochimaru.

He realized that the area he’d observed upon entry was only a small part of the underground base, with much more space within. Following the aide through twisting corridors, Yufeng saw various laboratories and rooms—dissection rooms, mutation specimen chambers, animal transplantation observation rooms, human transplantation observation rooms…

Yufeng considered using the Spirit Nurturing Technique to sense more detailed information, but vaguely sensed a barrier’s energy emanating from the surrounding walls. He thought to himself that he would be working here often, and as part of Danzo’s leadership group, these things would eventually be revealed. There was no need to use ninjutsu to investigate everything on the first day. Truly confidential matters would not be so easily accessible, and now that he had joined the mission, there would be opportunities to obtain what he desired.

Having thought it through, Yufeng ceased to scrutinize the rooms and simply followed the aide, finally finding Orochimaru in a surgical room.

…

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