"The most perfect body would, of course, be one cultivated using First Hokage cells. But for me to obtain those cells and cultivate a compatible body on my own is simply impossible—I'll need a solid plan."
Fengjiansi decided to head back to rest. His favorite form of exercise was sleep.
"There's one more thing. This is also the reason I stayed behind to speak with you alone—Chiyo's grandson, the genius known as Sasori of the Red Sand, seems very interested in you. He even went as far as to trade Sand Village secrets just to obtain some basic information about you. He must have something in mind. Be careful."
Kabuto Nonoyu gave him a careful reminder, then staggered off with her frail body.
"Sasori of the Red Sand… Well, that's only natural. Someone who pursues eternal art would definitely get along with me. My jutsu can help him refine his human puppet techniques."
Fengjiansi nodded. He, too, had a critically important plan that required Sasori's involvement—for now, only Sasori could help him pull it off.
Not long after, the detailed report of the recent mission made its way to the highest levels of power. The results were too astonishing—the entire defense blueprint of the Sand Village had been brought back, along with a trove of material intelligence. If properly utilized, this could secure Konoha a significant strategic advantage.
It was as if the Sand Village had been stripped of all its secrets. The only reason it hadn't been completely exposed was due to Chiyo's virtually unstoppable poison.
But that wouldn't hold for long.
Konoha, Hokage Tower
Two of the most powerful men in Konoha—controlling the majority of the Fire Nation's military might—were deep in discussion.
Normally, someone like Fengjiansi, a small-time figure without exceptional merit, wouldn't even qualify to catch a distant glimpse of these two, even as a chunin.
Chunin? Hah! These two commanded tens of thousands of shinobi nationwide. With at least eight to ten thousand chunin under their command, how could they notice one?
Only those with exceptional bloodlines or talents might earn a glance.
And even then, for them to remember a name? That was a nearly insurmountable feat. To be personally mentioned or promoted by these two was a dream come true—enough to make an entire clan celebrate.
To be received in person? That meant your ancestors' tombs were practically smoking with luck.
The Third Hokage wasn't on the frontlines. He sat in his office, puffing smoke from his pipe, reviewing documents carefully.
"I see. Truly an exceptional ninja. Kabuto Nonoyu has never disappointed. But Danzo, your methods of manipulating her are too crude—always threats."
The Third Hokage was satisfied, though not truly disapproving of Danzo's methods.
This was their governing style for Konoha. All the noble, glorious actions were shouldered by the "sacred and untouchable" Third Hokage, while all the dark, dirty work was handled by the even darker Shimura Danzo.
Everyone praised the Third Hokage as wise and spotless. At the mention of Danzo, it was all caution and curses.
The Third enjoyed this dichotomy. Though sometimes Danzo's actions gave him headaches, it was tolerable as long as the overall balance was maintained.
Danzo opened his eyes coldly. "A shinobi's duty is to complete missions. The village didn't shortchange her payment. She takes money to do work—that is the shinobi's obligation. If she refuses to carry out my orders without being threatened, that's the real problem. Someone like her should be dealt with by the harshest means. She's an unqualified ninja."
"As long as the mission is completed, that's qualification enough. But I won't argue with you. Leave the war orphans to Kabuto Nonoyu. Make sure the corresponding financial aid arrives on time."
Danzo snorted, cursing silently in his heart.
"But among the war orphans, an unexpected talent has emerged." The Third Hokage pulled out a file.
Danzo was also surprised.
"A unique talent emerging from among the war orphans scattered across the Fire Country's towns?" The Third grinned behind his pipe, intrigued by the dossier in his hands.
It detailed evaluations of Fengjiansi's abilities, mostly ranging from D to B grade, along with his background—clean, traceable, and loyal.
"I didn't expect this. What a pleasant surprise."
"But his body is weak—both his taijutsu and chakra levels are rated D." Danzo scoffed.
"Don't be too harsh on the young. He's only 16. And for someone with such a poor body to develop a technique resembling space-time ninjutsu using corpse-based jutsu—doesn't that show immense potential? Who could have predicted he'd blossom this late?"
The Third Hokage was delighted. An unplanned talent, and one that inflicted significant losses on the Sand Village—this only strengthened Konoha's position.
Such calculated attrition matched the Third's strategic philosophy perfectly.
Danzo slowly closed his eyes, committing Fengjiansi's name to memory.
"Ryouma made a mistake… He failed to select him from the original batch of war orphans."
Danzo recalled seeing Fengjiansi mentioned briefly in one of Aburame Ryouma's reports—just a tool used to control Kabuto Nonoyu, dismissed in passing.
A war orphan who played with corpses was, in theory, not worth further attention.
But who would have expected such brilliance to emerge in such a short time?
As a newly promoted chunin, to participate in an A-rank mission and perform impressively—this was extremely rare.
"The Soul Transfer Technique—according to Terai's report, Kabuto Nonoyu doesn't possess this particular variant. Which means Fengjiansi has an innate talent for corpse research…"
Especially that technique where he performs hand seals alongside a corpse and then swaps places—it completely upended conventional understanding. Danzo had seen countless jutsu, but never imagined such a concept.
Mutual summoning? Perhaps. But who else could perform real-time positional swaps with their summon?
No one. Absolutely no one. In all recorded ninja history, only Fengjiansi had done it.
Chakra resonance? Mental linkage? Special devices in the corpse?
Danzo considered various possibilities, trying to find ways to extract value from Fengjiansi. Someone with such talent in corpse research could significantly aid his own taboo studies.
If Ryouma hadn't messed up and brought Fengjiansi into Root earlier… His strength would be far beyond what it is now, and his soul-based technique system even more advanced.
The Third Hokage sighed. "What a pity. A talent like him, yet he's lost two fingers. It'll affect his jutsu development."
"It doesn't matter. If he can make corpses utilize even a portion of their former power, we can give him worthless bodies to experiment with. The key is understanding the upper limit of his technique. If Root acquires it, we can push the research further."
"Danzo, we must not use force against our comrades. Coveting subordinates' jutsu has no place in Konoha."
The Third Hokage glanced sharply at Danzo in warning.
"He's Aburame Ryouma's subordinate. I'll promote him to head of corpse disposal. He's a chunin who's worked with corpses since joining—he's well suited."
"We'll discuss it after the war with the Sand ends."
"Hiruzen! He's not that strong—our enemies will surely notice him."
"Danzo, I am the Hokage. I know how to best use his talents."
And just like that, the two made their decision regarding Fengjiansi.
Danzo then turned his thoughts elsewhere.
If Fengjiansi's Soul Transfer Technique could truly be developed further—granting corpses even greater pre-death power—then its value would be immense. In some ways, it resembled that forbidden jutsu.
"Orochimaru has gained great merit in this war… He's very interested in Edo Tensei. If…"
Danzo's heart burned with anticipation.
(To Be Continued)