"Damn it, Hanzō, are you really dead?!"

Konoha, Root base.

Danzo sat quietly in his seat, still looking calm and composed, while reviewing the intelligence reports from various parts of the Ninja World.

However, his heart was far from calm, because he still hadn't received any reply from Hanzō.

The Land of Rain, he truly didn't dare to go there. He couldn't forget the tragic scene from back then.

Even a someone like Hanzō, the Demigod could only hide. What good would it do for him to go there rashly?

"And, that guy's eyes..."

Danzo still remembered the shock that red-haired brat's eyes, with their ripple-like pattern, had given him back then.

He knew those eyes were definitely extraordinary, and he naturally had some thoughts about them.

Even if he couldn't get them temporarily, what about in the future?

"But where are these people? Jiraiya's information says they are scattered everywhere, which is very disadvantageous for me."

Danzo frowned, trying to calm himself down. He knew his opportunities were limited, and he had to seize them firmly.

"Also, what is their purpose? According to the information from Takemi and Takigakure, Obito is looking for Tailed Beasts. Is there a connection here?"

To be honest, Danzo suspected that they might be planning to target the Tailed Beasts.

But whether it was the incident in Konoha or the one in Kirigakure, it seemed that Obito had only used his Sharingan to control the Tailed Beasts to cause destruction.

It was clear that they were planning to ambush Jiraiya and the others in Takigakure. Perhaps Obito was planning to use the Tailed Beasts again, but was discovered by Takemi.

"A bunch of idiots. The Tailed Beasts have such destructive power, and they don't know how to use them properly. But maybe they have other ideas..."

Although Danzo also had some habitual thinking, he remained vigilant. This information was given to him by Sarutobi Hiruzen, and their ideas were similar to his.

Ultimately, there was simply too little information, and too little basis for him to make a judgment.

"Danzo-sama, there's a letter."

Just as Danzo was gloomily flipping through various scrolls, Aburame Torune suddenly came to the door and reported on one knee.

"It's from the Land of Rain."

"Oh?!"

Danzo's eyes lit up. He immediately stood up and walked over, taking the scroll before speaking.

"Go down. Don't let anyone in."

"Yes."

Torune obediently withdrew, and Danzo immediately opened the scroll and read it carefully.

Although the handwriting was different, that wasn't important. What was important was that it contained Hanzō's token, and the content basically matched his understanding.

"Those people left the Land of Rain back then, and Hanzō took the opportunity to seal off the Land of Rain and hide within Amegakure?"

"What a coward. But this also aligns with Jiraiya's information."

"He's also been investigating? And he's even tracked down that the organization's members might have gone to the Land of Wind?"

Seeing this, Danzo fell silent for a moment. Sarutobi Hiruzen had also asked him to investigate Orochimaru.

He was still wondering how to go about it. After all, he really did have a connection with Orochimaru.

Unexpectedly, Hanzō had sent him the information just like that?

"Moreover, this can also allow me to verify the authenticity of this 'Hanzō'."

"At the same time, I can also seriously consider how to proceed this time..."

— — —

"Takemi, what do you think of him?"

In Konoha's training ground, Takemi and Guy sat together, while on the other side, a young boy dressed similarly to Guy was training frantically.

Seeing this, Takemi immediately knew what was going on.

"Is this the newcomer Guy-sensei chose?"

"That's right."

Guy nodded and gave Takemi a thumbs-up.

"Although this child's talent can't compare to yours, he is definitely a model of 'the slow bird flies first'. Not only is his personality simple, but he also has a youthful spirit."

"And I see my own reflection in him, because we are both underachievers who refuse to give up."

"Hahahaha, I believe he will definitely become an excellent ninja!"

"I agree with that." Takemi nodded.

Rock Lee would definitely be an excellent ninja in the future and would inherit Guy's legacy well.

Although he might not be able to compare to Guy with all Eight Gates open, he was definitely a ninja not to be underestimated.

Takemi said, "Time flies so fast. I didn't expect another batch of new students to graduate in the blink of an eye."

Guy leaned against the tree trunk and said with a smile, "It's not that fast. You graduated around the same time."

"I still remember you following me every day when you were a child. I still have vivid memories of your hardworking appearance."

"But your growth is truly fast. You were already a Chunin last year, and now you're even waiting for the Jonin exam. You are truly incredible."

"This is all thanks to my hard work and sweat!" Takemi snorted lightly, but soon he looked around.

"Where are his two teammates? I don't see them."

"It's not time to gather yet, but my disciples are not simple either." Guy continued with a smile on his face.

"One is a genius from the Hyuga clan, and the other is a female ninja who is very skilled in using hidden weapons."

"Speaking of which, Kakashi doesn't seem to have chosen to take on new students this year. You'll probably be running around with him alone again."

"It's fine, I'm used to it." Takemi shrugged indifferently.

He was indeed used to it, after all, the missions they performed were a bit outrageous.

If they were to bring along a few deadweights, he himself probably wouldn't be able to stand it.

Besides, Kakashi had even asked him if he wanted to try working with new students, and it was his refusal that made Kakashi decide against it.

Of course, he thought Kakashi probably didn't want anyone in the first place and was just making him take the blame...

"But time passes so quickly. Lee and the others are graduating, and Naruto will graduate in about another year. So by then..."

By then, the Ninja World would become turbulent, and the Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki would begin to appear one after another.

For him, this was an excellent opportunity.

Even if he wouldn't wait for those things to appear one by one, he would strike hard in advance and enjoy the thrill of 'a max-level player dominating a beginner village'.

But at that time, it would also be a test of the results of his years of 'sweat and effort'.

After all—

"In four or five years, Otsutsuki Kaguya and the like will appear. Even without her, those Ōtsutsuki will find their way here in about ten years."

"At that time, I will definitely let you taste the iron fist of a true Ōtsutsuki!" Takemi thought to himself, and his fists clenched involuntarily.

However, at this moment, he suddenly saw Kakashi coming towards him.