NOVEL NEXT Chapter 27: Early Graduation
Aizen examined the black scroll with a keen eye, detecting a faint yet distinctive sealing technique woven into its fabric. A sneer twisted his lips. "Trying a self-destructing seal, were you?"
In the ninja world, safeguarding information was paramount. Sealed scrolls often held self-destruction protocols that activated upon forceful prying. However, even the most intricate seals could be undone. This self-destruct trigger, while easily bypassed by a skilled hand, offered a false sense of security.
The true challenge lay in eliminating the target before they could activate the trigger. After all, even with a heart pierced by a blade, the surge of chakra from a Thunder Release technique could grant a fleeting moment of lucidity – enough to activate a seal. The fact that Cloud Shinobi had left the scroll behind piqued Aizen's curiosity. This wasn't a simple parting gift. Although the other party did appreciate Aizen before he died, more likely, he still wanted to kill Aizen.
While a hidden threat to Aizen was unlikely, If this thing was useful, Cloud Shinobi would have been used long ago, so it wouldn't be left for now. Aizen spreaded the scroll on the ground, revealing a circle of intricate markings reminiscent of forbidden Kidō spells. A sly grin tugged at the corner of his lips. "A time-space sealing technique, perhaps?" With a silent incantation of "Kai" (Release), Aizen pressed his palm against the seal.
A puff of smoke erupted, followed by the materialization of several glass vials filled with a crimson liquid. "Blood?!" The unmistakable crimson hue left no doubt about the substance's nature. "What kind of blood is this? An animal, or something more?" Aizen's eyes narrowed as he picked up a vial for closer inspection. A faint, unsettling familiarity wafted from the blood, a scent that vaguely echoed…"It can't be…" A jolt coursed through Aizen. "This… this feels strangely similar to Senju Nawaki's blood!"
As far as he knows, the place where Uzumaki Kushina was captured in the original book is likely to be the residence of the Senju clan. After all, the Uzumaki clan held distant ties to the Senjus. It made perfect sense that Kushina, an Uzumaki descendant, would be housed with the Senjus upon arriving in Konohagakure. While mere speculation, Aizen found the connection highly plausible.
Cloud Shinobi's silent infiltration of Konohagakure undoubtedly involved deeply embedded spies within the village. The success of such an operation underscores the spy's critical position and the lengths Cloud Shinobi was willing to go to – regardless of the mission's outcome. The hidden agent, a "dark child" lurking in the shadows, had to be eliminated. The infiltrators then proceeded to assassinate members of the Senju clan, including those tasked with protecting Uzumaki Kushina.
By posing as Senju personnel, they drew blood from their victims, creating a diversion and weakening Konoha's elite forces. This provided the window they needed to abduct Kushina, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. However, as Aizen points out, fate intervened. The presence of Namikaze Minato, the "golden-haired idiot" as he puts it, thwarted their plans. This incident served as a reminder to Aizen – that even the most meticulous plans have vulnerabilities. It underscored the need for greater caution in his own future endeavors.
"But providing me with Senju blood – that, my friend seems rather ill-advised," Aizen mused, a sly smile playing on his lips as he gazed down at Cloud Shinobi's corpse. A series of hand seals formed on Aizen's hands. He slammed his right palm onto Cloud Shinobi's chest, igniting a faint blue flame that steadily consumed the body. This technique, while not a secret jutsu, was akin to medical ninjutsu in its difficulty – the incineration of a corpse by igniting its remaining chakra. Though a common practice, this kind of ninjutsu is more used for suicide.
In the ninja world, where secrecy was paramount, disposing of bodies was a common practice. Hoshigaki Kisame's self-sacrifice in the original work served as a prime example. A similar technique, the burning of a corpse through its residual chakra, was also used on a dying Konoha ANBU.
The faint blue flames reflected in Aizen's glasses, igniting a new train of thought. "From the outset," he mused, 'From the very beginning, I didn't choose to leave but chose to continue the battle. Do you know what I want to hide'?
Indeed, although there is a possibility of a genius being arrogant, but as I explain later, this possibility does not exist at all.
"Knowing I wasn't completely loyal to Konoha, you remained vigilant. That's why you deliberately left behind this Senju blood…" A knowing smirk played on Aizen's lips. Senju blood, the lifeblood of the "God of Shinobi," was a coveted prize.
Aizen, a self-proclaimed prodigy with immense ambition, wouldn't miss such an opportunity. Of course, the presence of the blood also hinted at a growing rift between him and Konohagakure. Whether or not this incident came to light, it would undoubtedly strain their relationship, effectively severing any chance of true loyalty. This, in turn, would impede Konoha's potential growth fueled by his abilities.
"Who says Cloud Shinobi are all brawn and no brains?" Aizen chuckled, as the last piece of Cloud Shinobi's body crumbled to ash. He secured the vials of blood without hesitation. As he turned to leave, a single thought echoed in his mind: "There's no need for you to sow discord. Konoha and I… were never truly one".
The next day, Aizen resumed his normal routine, arriving at school as if nothing extraordinary had transpired. After his morning lessons, he headed to the playground for lunch when a familiar figure approached him. Uchiha Fugaku lowered his voice and inquired, "Aizen, we're considering applying for early graduation this year. Are you interested in joining us?"
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