chapter 108 part 1
Chapter 108: Revival, a New Body Structure
The prosperous Hidden Leaf Village siphoned off the wealthy from the Shinobi World. Well-off individuals, not short on cash, often came to Konoha to conduct business, issuing missions on the spot and hiring Konoha ninja.
But when people from the Hidden Sand Village entered the Hidden Leaf Village, it still attracted the attention of many.
"These people's clothes are strange, and they're wearing head wraps. They're from the Hidden Sand Village, aren't they?"
"No doubt about it. You can tell by their forehead protectors. But why are people from the Hidden Sand Village coming to the Hidden Leaf Village in such a grand manner?"
"Who knows? Maybe they're here to issue a mission, hahahahaha!"
Some people laughed and talked loudly, looking at the people from the Hidden Sand Village with strange expressions.
Konoha and Sunagakure had many grievances. Kaedence the end of the Second Great Ninja War, the Hidden Leaf Village had continued to bleed the Hidden Sand Village, snatching a large number of missions and rewards, which made it even harder for the already cash-strapped Hidden Sand Village.
But what did that matter? Who told the Hidden Sand Village to lose the war?
Some individuals even spat on the ground in front of the Sand Shinobi, then deliberately looked up to see their reaction.
"...These guys are too arrogant!"
"Stop, what are you doing? Don't forget our objective!"
The Sand Shinobi ultimately endured it. Led by Konoha ninja, they arrived at the Hokage's Office.
The Third Hokage met these Hidden Sand envoys. He originally thought they were there to complain, hoping to request that the Hidden Leaf Village relax some mission restrictions. The Third Hokage had already prepared his response mentally, even thinking of reasons for refusal.
But what the Hidden Sand envoys reported still exceeded his expectations.
"What did you say? Tsukasa Kaede is dead? Not only did he attack your village's ninja, but he also incited Chiyo's grandson to defect???"
He understood every single word, but strung together, it completely stumped the Third Hokage.
"What do you mean 'dead yet still inciting defection'? Is he dead or not dead, has he defected or not defected?" The leading Hidden Sand envoy said with a solemn expression, "This is the result of multiple confirmations by Kazekage and Lady Chiyo. Tsukasa Kaede's situation is definitely problematic! As a Konoha ninja, he committed such acts against the Hidden Sand Village. This is a serious act of provocation! This increases the hidden danger of war between our two nations!"
The Third Hokage leaned back in his chair, deep in thought.
To be honest, Tsukasa Kaede quietly pulling something off didn't really surprise him, nor was he angered by any sense of betrayal.
For no other reason than, he was used to it.
When Danzo was still in office, he would often initiate special operations, causing trouble all over the Shinobi World, openly and secretly committing countless misdeeds.
Some operations he knew about, some he only learned about afterward, and there were even some he still didn't know about.
"Tsukasa Kaede is an excellent ninja of our village. If he violated the village's orders, I will certainly punish him severely," the Third Hokage said, appearing very gentle.
"Hokage! He is doing something that will provoke war! Does this not violate Konoha's regulations?" the envoy cried, raising his voice.
The Third Hokage's expression remained unchanged. "I won't listen to your one-sided story. Furthermore, the claim that he is already dead is utterly inconceivable. Based on your description, I have never heard of a body appearance like that. There are too many questionable points."
Although he said that, the Third Hokage actually harbored a faint suspicion.
Skin covered in cracks, eyes dull and gray... very similar to the state of Impure World Reincarnation.
But... Tsukasa Kaede, this Corpse Release ninja, died without a sound, and was then brought back by Impure World Reincarnation?! This was simply too absurd.
Was there anyone in this world who could kill Tsukasa Kaede without a trace?
Not long after the Hidden Sand envoys left, Danzo arrived.
"It seems you've already spoken with those fellows from the Hidden Sand Village. Did you find anything?" The Third Hokage was not surprised.
Danzo had been silent for several months. The time was about right for him to appropriately take over, or rather, to take some blame.
The Third Hokage smelled a big scheme.
"Regarding Tsukasa Kaede's death, how credible is it, and how involved were you? Regardless, he was your subordinate."
"A former subordinate. The missions I assigned him, he outwardly agreed but inwardly defied to complete them, concealing a lot of information!"
Danzo snorted coldly, his expression displeased. "However, what those fellows from the Hidden Sand Village said is true. Tsukasa Kaede is indeed dead."
"As expected, it's Impure World Reincarnation... Was it you, or Orochimaru?"
"Orochimaru. You know me, I can't learn such complex jutsu."
Danzo said this without changing his expression. In front of the Third Hokage, he didn't need to hide anything.
At his very best, he was an elite jonin. In terms of ninjutsu talent, compared to the Third Hokage, who was known as "The Professor," it was truly nothing.
"How did he die?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know? Then why did Orochimaru use Impure World Reincarnation on Tsukasa Kaede? What role did you play in this? Or rather... what do you intend to do to the Hidden Sand Village?"
The Third Hokage slammed his hand on the table and stood up. His not-so-tall figure nevertheless exerted immense pressure on Danzo. "I will assume for now that Tsukasa Kaede was not killed by you, but he is now under your control! What exactly do you intend to do by sending him to invade the Hidden Sand Village?! Why did you take Sasori of the Red Sand?"
"You'll have to ask Orochimaru about that. I don't know either. My original intention was just to use him and Tsukasa Kaede to bring Nagato back to the village, but unfortunately, I failed." Danzo took the opportunity to badmouth Orochimaru.
Don't be fooled by his current calm demeanor. His clean and tidy appearance seemed poised and serene, but in reality, he was seething with unvented fury.
He had wasted four Sharingan. This was his second attempt to seize the Rinnegan. Besides helping Nagato develop the power of the Rinnegan, he gained absolutely nothing! Danzo didn't even know if Orochimaru had made a move after he fled, or if he had succeeded.
The Third Hokage had a splitting headache. These radical elements were making things worse and worse.
"No wonder Jiraiya's disciple appeared in the village and was staying at Tsukasa Kaede's house. So she was actually a hostage?!"
"That was Orochimaru's hostage too. I just don't understand. He clearly could have teamed up with Tsukasa Kaede and me to deal with Nagato, but in the end, he acted on his own and kidnapped Nagato's comrade."