Naruto: Manipulation

What... Is this some kind of joke?

When Shigen asked Yakushi Kabuto, Kabuto's heart clenched violently—he had never expected Shigen to invite him!

Although Kabuto had always tried to dissuade Shigen, even thinking his ideas were far too naive and foolish, the sudden invitation made Kabuto subconsciously mock himself.

Someone as ordinary as me...

Could I really be fortunate enough to receive such recognition?

Kabuto's heart pounded wildly, his emotions surging uncontrollably, even making his mouth feel dry.

"Lord Shigen..."

"Do you not wish to?"

Shigen was slightly surprised by Kabuto's reaction.

"Of course not..."

Kabuto became even more anxious. The moment he heard Shigen's invitation, he had wanted to follow him without hesitation.

"Then come with me and give it a try."

Shigen glanced at the dilapidated orphanage and spoke softly: "Come with me and change this world. Let's bring about eternal peace. When that time comes, you can return to this orphanage..."

[SSS-Rank Mission: When Yakushi Kabuto finds himself lost in life, help him discover a true purpose. Mission complete. Reward: Edo Tensei (Complete Version), Human Body Modification Technology (Complete Version), and Cell Transplantation Technology (Complete Version).]

"!!!"

Shigen's mind jolted.

So the "Complete Version" granted by the mission rewards meant the final perfected forms?

Shigen deeply understood the vast differences between various versions of Edo Tensei, as he had been continuously improving and researching the technique since obtaining it.

Now...

There was no need to waste any more time.

The perfected Edo Tensei was terrifyingly powerful—its requirements for a corpse were drastically reduced, while the resurrected individual could return to their peak strength, retaining their intelligence and self-awareness!

Most importantly...

This perfected version greatly enhanced the caster's control—just by issuing a simple command, the resurrected soul, even if unwilling, would be forced to act according to the caster's will!

Compared to Edo Tensei...

The Human Body Modification and Cell Transplantation technologies were just as terrifying.

Shigen had studied biological technology before, using it as a cover to deceive Black Zetsu about his true power.

However...

The perfected versions were beyond his imagination.

These two techniques could transform the human body into a monstrous weapon, enabling an individual to acquire all abilities that shared a biological foundation through experimentation!

For example...

The Curse Mark that Shigen had researched.

Since chakra is extracted from human cells, anyone whose chakra was tainted by Shigen's Curse Mark would have their cells record its properties—meaning that Shigen could acquire their abilities through cell transplantation.

Naturally...

This implied another possibility.

If someone else obtained Shigen's Curse Mark and his cells, they could use these technologies to gain the abilities of all others marked by Shigen's seal—even acquiring a portion of Shigen's own power.

Shigen was never stingy toward those who followed him. He placed a Curse Mark on Kabuto's arm, significantly enhancing the natural energy within it.

"This is Lord Shigen's Curse Mark?"

Kabuto was well aware of the Curse Mark's nature, having seen Orochimaru implant it in others. However, unlike Orochimaru's Curse Mark, Shigen's did not feel as domineering.

"This is a form of power."

Shigen gazed at the seal with a hidden meaning, softly explaining, "Perhaps... you could also call it a key."

"A key?"

Kabuto didn't quite understand.

"When it unlocks, you will know how to use it."

Shigen patted Kabuto's shoulder, subtly changing the subject: "Take your time getting used to the Curse Mark's power. I'll meet with Danzo in your stead."

"Last time..."

"He took too much from me..."

"I need to reclaim what I once gave him."

Shigen flexed his fingers, his eyes gleaming sharply, for a new mission had just appeared in his task list.

[SSS-Rank Mission: Destroy Shimura Danzo's Kotoamatsukami Mangekyō Sharingan.]

So that Mangekyō Sharingan...

Has finally emerged in this era?

And it has fallen into Shimura Danzo's hands?

Konoha's Back Mountain.

Deep underground, an expansive base lay hidden.

This base was once the headquarters of Danzo's Root organization.

However, two months ago, during the Uchiha Clan's massacre, Danzo had incited Uchiha Itachi to slaughter his own clan. As a result, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had stripped Danzo of his position, dissolving Root and reassigning its members to the ANBU.

Now...

The base was nearly deserted.

Only a handful of people remained as guards.

These included children whom Danzo had secretly trained.

Though Danzo had lost his position as Konoha's advisor, he had not given up. The former Root members reassigned to the ANBU still remained loyal to him, and he was accompanied by two bodyguards.

Even with his remaining influence, few believed he could rise to power again. After all, Danzo was already sixty-four years old.

Sixty-four.

An age when one should retire in peace.

Yet, Danzo remained active, using his loyal spies within ANBU to gather intelligence on Konoha, seeking an opportunity for his return.

At the same time...

He continued his efforts to undermine his old friend, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"The S-Rank rogue ninja, Uchiha Obito, who orchestrated the Nine-Tails' attack..."

Danzo sat at his desk, reviewing the latest intelligence, his expression darkening. "As expected, wiping out the Uchiha was the correct decision!"

These Uchiha... born with evil in their blood!

His decision to eliminate them was not a mistake!

If another Nine-Tails incident occurred, Konoha—once the strongest village in the ninja world—might never recover!

The thought alone infuriated him...

Hiruzen, that old fool, had seen firsthand how dangerous the Uchiha were, yet he always favored leniency.

Did he forget about Uchiha Madara, that wicked monster?

For years, Danzo had never forgotten how he and Hiruzen, as young men, had repeatedly encountered Madara while traveling with Shigen. Each time, Danzo had been paralyzed with fear—memories that felt humiliating even now.

It was for this reason...

That Danzo had taken Tobirama's words to heart: Konoha must never allow another Uchiha Madara to rise again. He had executed this will without hesitation.

He had fulfilled their teacher's vision...

Yet Hiruzen still claimed he had gone too far!

For over two months, neither the Third Hokage nor his advisors, Koharu and Homura, had shown any intention of restoring Danzo's position, leaving him trapped in this underground base.

However...

Danzo was far from idle.

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The Uchiha Massacre had yielded great rewards.

He had acquired many Sharingan in secret.

Now, he only needed a way to use them...

Because...

He already had a Mangekyō Sharingan implanted in his eye socket.

Danzo touched his bandaged eye. This eye had been stolen over two years ago—it possessed a powerful genjutsu that could rewrite an enemy's will.

And he already had a target in mind.

A figure from his past.

Someone possessing ancient knowledge and power beyond comprehension.

Though that person had long since passed, Danzo believed they would one day return. He had even allowed Orochimaru to steal the crystal coffin containing their remains, waiting for the day when Edo Tensei would bring them back.

The power of the ancient era was too valuable to ignore...

If he could control them...

Then Konoha would finally be his.

Danzo clenched his fist.

At that moment—

Knock, knock, knock.

A young ninja with orange hair entered, kneeling nervously.

"Lord Danzo, someone is here to see you."

"A visitor...?"

Danzo frowned.

This place...

Never had visitors.

"Yes."

The young ninja hesitated for a moment before explaining, "The visitor claims to be a contact from Orochimaru. He found the entrance to our base and insists he has urgent matters that require a direct audience with you, Lord Danzo..."

"A contact from Orochimaru!"

Danzo's eyes widened slightly.

This was...

Exactly what he had been waiting for!

"Hmph..."

Danzo quickly concealed his reaction, half-closing his eyes again. Thinking back to Orochimaru's past subordinates, many of whom were arrogant and disrespectful, he found it rather amusing that this one was at least polite.

"Such a well-mannered one... That's rare. Bring him in."

Danzo glanced at the young ninja who was about to leave and, like an ordinary yet stern elder, ordered in a deep voice, "Fū, take a few of the boys and guard the perimeter. Do not allow anyone to approach the base..."

No matter what...

Orochimaru was still a missing-nin from Konoha.

Danzo did not like meeting Orochimaru's men within the village and had always taken care to avoid direct contact with the spies Orochimaru had left behind before defecting.

"It seems..."

Danzo muttered, standing up from his desk for the first time in a long while, stretching his body slightly.

"The weather outside should be quite nice today."

For months, he had not left this damp and dark underground base, yet his mood brightened slightly at the arrival of this mysterious contact.

All the troubles of the past few months...

Seemed as if they were finally about to be resolved.