NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Chapter 3
Damn, why do beings in astral or soul form fly so slowly? And I still can't use my full power, not even 0.000000000000...00000000...000000000000000000000000000001% of it, because even a tiny fragment of my soul might not endure. Being a soul, my speed isn't great, so covering large distances isn't for me. I don't even know how much time has passed since I took the body of Otsutsuki Kaguya and turned her into blood.
I need to calculate how much time has passed, roughly. Back when I was here on Earth, it took me almost a year to gather all the necessary genes. More precisely, 11 months, 19 days, 14 hours, and 45 minutes. Then I flew to the Moon. Here's the problem: I don't know how long the flight there and back took. But I do remember spending two days on the Moon. I guess it's been more or less 20 years. Wondering how I figured that out?
It's simple: just now, I saw a blond boy rescue a red-haired girl right in front of my eyes. Yeah, it turns out I landed at the very spot where that legendary romantic story unfolded. And, I have to admit, it looked pretty cute. Wait, what am I even thinking about? I should focus on things that can benefit me.
Right, some sources mentioned that Kushina's rescue was orchestrated to make her bond with Minato and prevent her from going against the village. I need to verify this.
Several hours later.
"Well, I didn't expect this," I said, holding a book or photo album full of women's nude photos. I guess that's normal since the Third Hokage was the teacher of the Great Perverted Sage from Mount Myoboku. But what surprised me wasn't the naked photos but the secret compartments for such books hidden inside the cabinet. Like a perverted version of Narnia: through the cabinet, into a world of obscenity. Some of these books even featured women with... sausages. Judging by their forehead protectors, I could tell they were from the Mist Village. Now it makes sense why Haku is like that. Probably that's why the Mizukage executed so many clans—to prevent such people from appearing. It just so happened that he later fell under the Sharingan's control, conveniently explaining that he didn't want to exterminate clans, but was forced.
Oh right, that's not why I'm here. I need to continue my search, and someday destroy this place because it's painful for my eyes to see all this.
Several hours later.
I found a hidden compartment under the floor where the Hokage's chair stood. It was full of documents.
"Finally, found it," I muttered. "Let's see what dirty deeds the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzo have done."
After reading, I realized that the Third Hokage was truly more of a politician than a ninja. So many conspiracies, covert missions, each stamped with "FOR THE GOOD OF KONOHA." There was enough incriminating evidence against the Third Hokage, Danzo, and the council members to have them easily removed if this information went public. I copied all the documents and returned them to their place. Yes, Kushina's rescue was indeed orchestrated, and not even Minato or Jiraiya knew about it. Only four signatures were under that information: Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Mitokado Homura, and Koharu Utatane.
I have everything I need. Now I have to create an embryo and find a strong woman to bear me. While thinking about who could be the one, several people entered the Hokage's office: the Hokage himself, Jiraiya, Minato, Kushina, and several ANBU hiding in the shadows.
"So, enemy shinobi from the Land of Earth infiltrated the village and tried to kidnap you? And Minato noticed and alerted Jiraiya, who then saved you himself?"
The Third Hokage asked questions, and they answered in turn. He scolded them, then praised their bravery and heroism. Afterward, he dismissed them, but Jiraiya stayed behind.
"Sensei, I don't mean to trouble you, but something about this feels off."
"Oh? What exactly?"
"How did enemy shinobi manage to sneak into Konoha unnoticed, especially since we're on high alert, with doubled patrols to prevent enemy spies? And when I checked the place Minato mentioned where the battle occurred, there was nothing there, which raises only two possibilities."
"And those are?"
"First: they infiltrated Konoha in large numbers before the state of emergency was declared. That could explain why there were no bodies; there were many of them. But this explanation raises more questions: why wait so long? Why not attack or cause a diversion as soon as the emergency was declared? Why target Kushina, who no one in the village knows is a jinchuriki? All these questions lead to the second answer: we have traitors among us, possibly in Konoha's upper ranks."
The Third Hokage nearly choked on his smoke. Jiraiya's words were so convincing that even he, who had staged the event to integrate the jinchuriki into the village, would have believed them.
"Cough, cough. After what you said, Jiraiya, I'll look into this personally. Don't worry. And you, Orochimaru, and Tsunade have a mission: support the Village Hidden in the Rain."
"Understood."
Jiraiya vanished, and the Third Hokage muttered something. I decided that Uzumaki Kushina would be the one to bear me, but she's only 12 or 13 now. I'll have to wait.
"Ah, I'll just follow Kushina and Minato for now."
Just as I was about to leave, the office door opened again. A man with a bandage over his right eye entered. His body otherwise seemed fine.
"Well, Sarutobi, did the plan work?"
"Danzo, why are you here? You should already know it went smoothly; your Root agents were there."
"Sometimes it's best to confirm in person. Even if your trusted agents bring information, there's no guarantee they haven't been tricked."
"What are you implying, Danzo? That I lied to keep the jinchuriki from you? Don't forget, I'm the Hokage."
"I know, but remember: you'll regret this, Hiruzen."
Classic. I think I'll follow Danzo instead of watching the kids. I need to find a way into the Root's secret base.
Some time later.
"So, it turns out you can just walk in through the front gate. But if you're an outsider, the traps activate." I memorized everything and flew off to find Kushina.