"Human Experimentation?"
Tsunade murmured, a flash of dimness and helplessness in her eyes.
Wood Release, huh...
The power that suppressed the Warring States Period and ushered in the Ninja Village Era, how many people could resist such temptation?
Even her Second Grandfather, who always respected her Great Grandfather immensely, had conducted related experiments.
And the current Konoha higher-ups...
"The little girl named Xiao He is still recuperating, and Yamato is learning everyday life from my assistant. I don't plan to inform the Konoha higher-ups of their existence."
Yamanaka Kei stated his intentions.
Wood Release was too famous; once exposed, who knew how many people would covet it.
There was only a thousand days to be a thief, but no thousand days to guard against one.
Yamato and Xiao He, who couldn't even extract Chakra and had no self-protection, were better off being exposed later rather than sooner.
"Mm, when... take me to see them."
Tsunade supported herself as she rose from the ground, silent for a long while, but still wanting to see the two children.
In the end, the suffering those children endured was because of Konoha and Wood Release.
They should have been nestled in the arms of their loving parents since childhood, growing up in their care and affection...
"Wait, what's with that guilty expression? Did you do the human experimentation? Or did you issue the orders? Your ancestral grave has been dug up, what are you feeling guilty about?"
Yamanaka Kei looked at her like she was an idiot, criticizing Tsunade's rich empathy.
He wondered.
In this Konoha village, why did people with a bit of conscience like to take responsibility on themselves?
And those without conscience were like they were uninvolved, spouting 'for the village' and never straying from the Will of Fire.
"Shut up!"
A large 'tick' mark appeared on Tsunade's forehead.
If she could beat him, she would definitely show this guy some color.
"..."
Yamanaka Kei clicked his tongue in displeasure, got up, opened the door, and walked out.
He called out to Kushina, who was leaning on the railing at the end of the corridor watching fireworks, and then headed home.
"Tsunade, are you okay?"
Kushina stepped forward and took Tsunade's arm as she walked out of the Specimen Room.
Feeling the other woman's sweat-soaked clothes, she asked with some concern.
"Haa~ I'm fine, it's just that my mental state hasn't been good lately, and I can't sleep soundly at night. Do you want to sleep with me?"
Tsunade's eyes glanced at Yamanaka Kei's back.
Head-on, hard-hitting, she definitely couldn't win in a short time.
But no worries, she could still start with Kushina!
Bastard!
Spend the night alone in an empty room!
"Hehe~ Okay! It's been a long time since I've slept with Tsunade-nee."
Kushina agreed with a smile.
Yamanaka Kei, walking in front, almost rolled his white eyes to the sky.
Is it necessary?
Just asking, is it necessary?
"Is there any food at home? I'm hungry."
"Yes, yes, I made a lot of semi-finished products, just heat them up a little and you can eat."
"Sake?"
"Yes, your favorite sake, I've prepared a lot."
"..."
——————————————
Nothing to say for the night.
Early the next morning.
Yamanaka Kei, who had a good night's sleep, woke up at eight o'clock sharp.
As usual, he first went to Root, replaced the Shadow Clone that had been working all day, and then got up and walked towards the Medical Room.
After two days of recuperation.
Xiao He, whose body was extremely depleted, had recovered a lot.
Her big eyes, which were previously ignorant and a little tired, gradually became agile and energetic.
Yamato, who always refused to leave Xiao He's side, saw that Xiao He was getting better and better, and invisibly became a little closer to Yamanaka Kei and Yakushi Nonou.
And in just two days, he could understand some less complicated words.
After Yamanaka Kei quietly gave Xiao He a Medical Water Release · Water Jellyfish, he left the Root base.
The matter of changing the Curse of Root's Silence control was still progressing steadily.
It seems that in at most half a month, the White Zetsu disguised as Danzo will be able to truly retire.
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, he returned home.
After having a hearty breakfast with Kushina and Tsunade.
Yamanaka Kei was just about to go and study the usage of the modified Kotoamatsukami when Jiraiya knocked on the door.
Jiraiya, dressed in battle gear, lacked some of his usual carefree and cynical demeanor.
His face also carried a rare solemnity and heaviness.
He entered the living room and sat down.
Tsunade, barefoot, leaned against the sofa, yawning.
Seeing Jiraiya silent for a long time, she irritably tapped the coffee table in front of her.
"Is this your first time going to war?"
"Tsunade, I feel like something's not right this time."
Jiraiya pondered for a long time, then looked up at Tsunade and Yamanaka Kei, who was about to leave.
"What's not right?"
Tsunade's eyebrows rose slightly, her expression becoming more serious.
"This morning, I saw the expedition list drafted by the Hokage's office. Ninjas from various clans account for more than half of it, and their strength is quite good."
"Ninjas from clans are generally stronger than those from commoner backgrounds. Since the purpose is deterrence, the stronger the better."
"Yeah, but it always gives me a bad feeling."
Jiraiya chuckled. Perhaps he was just overthinking it?
"...I'll keep an eye on things for you."
Tsunade didn't criticize Jiraiya for relying on his feelings. After a moment of silence, she spoke.
"Hahaha~ I'm off! When a man goes to war, he should be decisive to show the spirit of a real man!"
Jiraiya laughed heartily.
Having achieved his purpose, he waved to Yamanaka Kei and Kushina, who were nearby, and left directly.
Watching Jiraiya's departing figure.
Yamanaka Kei was filled with emotion. He had to admit that this guy's intuition was ridiculously accurate.
That list was carefully decided upon by the Third Hokage and the Council of Elders after repeated deliberations.
Yet he saw the problem at a glance.
"What's going on?"
Tsunade closed her eyes and pondered on the sofa for a long time, then turned to look at Yamanaka Kei, who was drinking water.
Although Jiraiya's premonition was a bit inexplicable, she knew very well, having grown up with him, that he was always reliable when it came to serious matters.
Moreover, a ninja's premonition is sometimes more trustworthy than evidence and reason.
"I don't know."
"Haa... to be honest, let's forget about what happened before."
"After that high-level meeting, another piece of intelligence came in, Hidden Mist and Hidden Sand have reached an agreement..."
Yamanaka Kei scratched his cheek and stated the truth.
Because Hidden Mist had interfered, Hidden Sand and Iwagakure were highly likely to reach an agreement as well, and jointly attack Konoha.
Therefore, the Konoha higher-ups naturally had to make changes to the original plan.
Considering various factors.
The thousand-man team that was dispatched first in the name of 'deterrence' remained unchanged.
However, their main responsibility was no longer deterrence, but to become bait placed by Konoha in the open, attracting the enemy's attention, and creating the best attack conditions and environment for the ambush hidden in the dark.
Knowing that this team might suffer significant losses.
The original list, of course, had to be adjusted.
But, the Third Hokage didn't tell Jiraiya about this, was he afraid that the other party's personality would ruin things?
"Who proposed it..."
Tsunade slumped against the sofa behind her.
When it comes to the strategic issues of the entire village, what could she do even if she knew?
Yamanaka Kei didn't hesitate at all, and firmly uttered two words.
"Danzo!"
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