Kaede Tsukasa remained utterly calm, even when becoming the object of pity—his mind completely undisturbed.
"It was when part of my palm was cut off… I lost a lot of blood. The wound also makes me more susceptible to infection. If luck turns against me, I'll get sick again."
These were the thoughts running through Kaede Tsukasa's head.
As for being unable to form hand seals… a joke, really. In his eyes, it wasn't even a concern.
Zombie Release, at its core, uses his chakra as a medium to apply the zombie virus to a target. Even if he couldn't form flashy hand seals, it didn't stop him from continually exercising his abilities.
If anything, the limitation might affect his ability to develop other chakra natures or master ninjutsu of corresponding types. But the question was: why would he bother learning different chakra natures?
He could simply store zombies with different chakra natures and deploy them to use specific ninjutsu when needed.
Most importantly, Kaede Tsukasa had long prepared to replace this native body. This human body from Earth was ultimately meant to be permanently sealed.
Lose two fingers? Lose the ability to develop more ninjutsu? Become a pitiable figure in others' eyes?
None of that mattered.
"Before I realized it, I've even earned the attention of a ninja like Nono… that's a remarkable step forward," he silently thought.
Then he spoke to her: "Director, your injuries are worse than mine. You'd better take the time to rest. Obtaining valuable intelligence from a great ninja village like Sand must have cost you a lot. A meritorious ninja like you truly deserves better treatment."
Nono said, "The village also has some human experiment projects. Root is one of the leading departments. I could approach Danzō…"
"Director, that's not for me to decide. You don't need to go that far. As an exceptional ninja, I've already mentally prepared to face my own fate. I feel neither despair nor frustration. I've always been mediocre, and for many years I've shown no real talent," Kaede Tsukasa interrupted.
Nono fell silent for a moment, then said firmly: "You may refuse, but Root cannot. This mission was originally assigned by Aburame Ryōma, and it should have been Root's mission—but you got caught up in it."
Such a person, overflowing with empathy… who would have thought someone like this could be a top-tier spy? Yet, it indeed brought unexpected benefits.
At this period in Konoha, many human experiment projects were just beginning. After World War II ended, when villages prepared for the Third Great Ninja War, dangerous experiments expanded rapidly.
Sand Village's human puppets, Konoha's first-generation cell transplant experiments, and Cloud Village's Tensō no Jutsu—all received unprecedented attention during the peaceful period between the Second and Third Wars, aiming to rapidly boost the villages' combat capabilities.
Kaede Tsukasa didn't expect to obtain first-generation cells immediately, but it was at least a breakthrough opportunity.
Given his unique talents and his dealings with corpses, he was never going to be a "village sun" like Minato Namikaze, praised and worshiped by everyone. Perhaps after the Second Great Ninja War, his abilities would make him more likely to be selected for various forbidden experiments.
As long as he didn't end up as disposable material on an experiment table, that was enough.
"The perfect body would, of course, be cultivated from first-generation cells. But obtaining first-generation cells myself and creating a compatible body is impossible. I need to plan carefully."
Kaede Tsukasa decided to rest. His favorite activity, above all, was sleep.
"There's one more thing, which is why I stayed to speak with you alone. Chiyo's grandson, the prodigy known as Akasuna no Sasori, seems very interested in you. He's willing to betray Sand Village's confidential intelligence just to obtain some ordinary information about you. You should be cautious—he probably has his own agenda."
Medic Nono carefully gave her instructions before staggering away with her weakened body.
"Akasuna no Sasori… that's only natural. He seeks eternal art, so he would get along with me. My techniques can help him accelerate the refinement of his human puppet secrets," Kaede Tsukasa thought.
He nodded. There was also a crucial matter that required starting with Akasuna no Sasori. Currently, only Sasori could help him accomplish it.
…
Soon, the various details of this mission gradually reached the hands of the higher-ups. The results were so impressive that even Sand Village's defense layouts were brought back, along with a large amount of material intelligence. If properly utilized by Konoha, this could establish a significant strategic advantage.
Sand Village's secrets were almost completely exposed. The only reason they hadn't been fully stripped bare yet was thanks to Chiyo's unparalleled, impenetrable poison.
But that wouldn't hold for long.
Konoha Village, Hokage's Office.
Two of Konoha's most powerful men, controlling the vast majority of the Fire Country's military forces, were currently in discussion.
Normally, someone like Kaede Tsukasa—a minor figure without special achievements—wouldn't even be allowed a glance in their direction, not even as a Chūnin.
Chūnin? Hah. These two controlled tens of thousands of ninja nationwide. Eight thousand or ten thousand Chūnin—how could they care?
Only those with impeccable lineage or exceptional talent could have their names noticed by them.
And merely having your name seen was just the first threshold. Getting them to remember your name was another almost insurmountable barrier. Being personally summoned, reassigned, or trained by them? That would be a once-in-a-lifetime honor, enough to stir the whole clan and bring congratulations from countless friends and relatives.
Being granted an audience? Forget it—your ancestors' graves would probably be smoking in celebration.
The Third Hokage had not gone to the frontlines. He sat in his office, smoking and carefully reading the documents in his hands.
"Is that so? Truly an outstanding ninja. Yakushi Nono has never disappointed. But Danzō, your methods for handling her are too crude, always favoring threats."
The Third Hokage was very satisfied. He didn't truly feel displeasure with Danzō's actions.
This was his way of governing Konoha with Danzō: all righteous deeds were borne by the sacred, inviolable Third Hokage alone, while all the dark, ugly deeds were left to the even more unsightly Danzō Shimura.
Everyone would praise the Third Hokage as wise and virtuous, without political blemishes, and mention of Danzō was met with caution and curses.
The Third Hokage enjoyed this system. Sometimes Danzō's minor maneuvers caused headaches, but it never affected the bigger picture.
Danzō opened his eyes and said coldly, "A ninja's duty is to complete missions. The village isn't withholding her pay. Taking money to do work is a ninja's obligation. The real problem is that the shrine maiden left Root and refuses to follow my orders without threats. Someone like her should be treated with the harshest measures—she's an unqualified ninja."
"Completing the mission already makes her qualified. I won't argue with you over that. As for the war orphans, don't interfere— Nono will handle it, and the corresponding financial support will be ensured," the Third Hokage said, taking a puff from his pipe.
Danzō snorted, silently cursing.
"However… among the war orphans, a talent has emerged. I did not expect this," the Third Hokage said, drawing a data card from the files.