Chapter Fifty-Two: Danzo's Schemes

"Hirazan, you've received the news, haven't you?" In the Hokage's office, Danzo pushed the door open, dismissed the Anbu guards on either side with a wave, and addressed Sarutobi Hirazan directly.

"So what if I have, Danzo? Are you considering some underhanded move again?" Hirazan replied without looking up from the secret letter in his hand. Although the wars between the great nations had ended, the covert struggles continued unceasingly; to win the allegiance of smaller countries and secure missions, the five major ninja villages still dispatched Anbu squads and task forces to battle in the territories of minor nations.

The last attempt at manipulation hadn't succeeded; instead, it had heightened the vigilance of their adversaries. Where once they would occasionally come to Konoha to check on business, now it was as if they'd abandoned all enterprise within the village—they hadn't visited in ages.

Moreover, this time, after arriving, he stayed at Tsunade's side throughout and spent the night in the Senju compound.

Even Kushina and Tsunade seemed to grow distant toward him. Reflecting on it, Hirazan felt regret. After so many years in power, he'd nearly forgotten that information was paramount for a ninja. Last time, he hadn't investigated thoroughly and was rashly persuaded by Danzo and the other three. That was a failure of his own judgment as Hokage, and he swore he wouldn't repeat the mistake.

"Hirazan, the Anbu have discovered some drugs in the Land of Water—word is they're from the capital, supposedly delivered by the Hidden Mist Village..." Danzo produced two pills returned by Root ninjas and placed them on Hirazan's desk. Though they looked impressive, only Karn could craft such refined medicine in the ninja world.

If Danzo's claim held true, then Hidden Mist was also purchasing the drugs in bulk...

Hirazan's brows knitted. This was the fallout from the last incident; though their plan had failed, Minato's leak was a mere accident—he hadn't expected the other side to be so perceptive.

"Hirazan, what do you intend to do?" Danzo pressed again, but Hirazan puffed on his pipe and shook his head. "Danzo, do you know how many Anbu I've sent to gather intelligence on Karn? There are three squads outside Konoha, but there's been no result... The only time a sensory ninja detected someone using Earth Style, the signal vanished in an instant."

"Earth Style?" Danzo frowned in thought, a shadow passing over his face. "If that's the case, why not just take him by force..."

"Don't speak of such things when we haven't even uncovered his background. If we gain nothing from capturing him, it would be foolish. Better to wait; otherwise, with his resources, he could become a real headache for Konoha."

Hirazan rejected the suggestion without hesitation. Seizing someone was easy, but if they got nothing from Karn, it would be a stupid move.

"By the way, Hirazan, now that Karn and Tsunade have returned to Konoha together, does that mean Tsunade's research..." After much prelude, Danzo finally voiced his true intent. During the battle with the Sand Village, he had been wounded by a puppet master, and though treated, his right arm and eye were lost, forcing him to keep them bandaged.

Even the medical ninjas could do nothing for his injuries. Upon learning this, Danzo's hopes for becoming Hokage all but vanished; Konoha didn’t need a crippled leader—his dreams were nearly destroyed.

But upon hearing that Karn possessed a serum capable of healing all wounds—the Desolation Virus cure—Danzo's ambitions revived.

"I’ll talk to Tsunade about it, but you know as well as I do that the so-called Desolation Virus serum is controlled by Karn, and Tsunade..." Hirazan shook his head. If not for the recent incident, Tsunade would certainly have spoken up for Danzo, but now it was difficult.

"I understand; I was just asking. The needs of the village come first..." Danzo's tone grew somber, as if he were a loyal servant whose sacrifices went unacknowledged. This softened Hirazan’s heart; after all, his old comrade had become like this for the sake of the village. Hirazan took another drag of his pipe, pondered for a moment, then said, "I'll mention it to Tsunade, Danzo, but I can’t promise success."

...

"Sister, is this true?" In the Senju compound, Nawaki asked joyfully. When he first heard the news, he thought he'd misheard, but after confirming it, tears of happiness filled his eyes.

"It's true, Nawaki; you'll even gain great strength from it. Be sure to use it well," Tsunade said, delighted as she patted Nawaki's hair. Seeing her brother genuinely happy was perhaps her greatest reward in recent times.

"Sister, when can I go..." Tsunade patted Nawaki's shoulder, signaling him to calm down. "Wait for Orochimaru’s notice. So far, there's only been one successful case. For now, I'll take a sample of your cells; later, I'll bring the finished product, and you'll be fully restored, Nawaki!"

"So Teacher Orochimaru is helping me too!" Nawaki smiled with joy at this, but his words made Tsunade a bit jealous. She thumped his head, prompting him to cover it and shower her with compliments until she laughed again.

While Tsunade was sharing this news with Nawaki, Karn had already returned to his guest room.

Tomorrow he would meet Nanami and recommend Yakushi Nonoyu to Tsunade. With Nonoyu's talent, she could master Tsunade's skills in a few years and become Karn's most reliable assistant.

Tsunade would accompany Karn as he requested; otherwise, a few Root members could cause him trouble.

Knock, knock.

Suddenly, there was a tap at Karn's guest room door. After he called out for the visitor to enter, the door opened and a small red head peeked in.

"Kushina, don’t visit a man’s room late at night," Karn admonished upon seeing her. Such behavior could be easily misunderstood; he was a merchant but not interested in such affairs.

"Boss, it doesn’t matter..." Kushina muttered softly, closed the door behind her, and sat on the edge of the bed, hugging her slender legs and curling up.

Karn noticed Kushina seemed troubled and asked, "Kushina, is something bothering you?"

Hearing this, Kushina paused, not answering immediately but remaining silent for a while. Karn patiently waited for her to speak.

After about five or six minutes, Kushina finally spoke in a somewhat aggrieved tone, "Boss, what if I become a monster—what should I do?"