The joy of Nawaki's miraculous recovery had not yet faded, yet the Third Hokage's so called righteous request had already pressed down with an unquestionable weight.
Ryo's calm gaze swept over Danzō's empty sleeve and bandaged face. The naked greed and desire in that single eye made a wave of instinctive disgust churn in his stomach.
Contribute a secret technique for someone like this.
How laughable.
Hiruzen's gaze finally settled on Tsunade, carrying both an elder's expectation and the Hokage's sense of greater good. "Tsunade, Nawaki's recovery proves the value of the improved Earth Grudge Fear. Elder Danzō has sacrificed greatly for the village and urgently needs such a technique. For Konoha, and for more shinobi like him, I hope you can contribute the Earth Grudge Fear technique so the village can research and apply it uniformly."
Tsunade's folded arms tightened slightly, her expression darkening.
Contribute.
That meant losing control of the technique, handing it over to Danzō's shadowy Root.
Just as she was about to speak, Ryo took a quiet half step forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with her.
The small movement was like a stone dropped into still water, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Hiruzen's heart sank. The trouble he feared most had arrived.
Ryo's voice was not loud, but it was cold and unmistakably clear, piercing straight through the lofty rhetoric. "Earth Grudge Fear has an extremely low success rate."
Tsunade glanced at his sharp profile. She did not object, only stood silently, offering her support without words.
Hiruzen frowned deeper. "Ryo, what do you mean by that. Nawaki clearly…"
Ryo interrupted calmly, every word landing like a nail. "That was a single exception. Earth Grudge Fear was extracted from the body of my captive, Kakuzu."
He deliberately emphasized captive and extracted from the body, his icy gaze sweeping over Danzō. "Only after Tsunade modified it was Nawaki barely able to use it. This technique must coexist with the host and reach an extremely delicate balance. Nawaki's success is an exception among exceptions. It is a miracle of Tsunade's medical skill. It does not mean others can."
The office fell into dead silence.
Everyone stared at Ryo.
In truth, Ryo was not lying.
Earth Grudge Fear was not some ready made treasure that could be freely distributed. At its core, it was a forbidden technique secretly passed down.
Its essence lay in using precise chakra control to generate black tendrils within the body for attack, defense, and even stitching wounds. More dangerously, it allowed the user to seize and transplant other people's hearts, granting multiple chakra natures and an abnormally long lifespan.
It belonged to the category of learnable secret techniques, but its threshold and risks were so extreme that almost no one could reach it. In the original records, the only confirmed successful practitioner was Kakuzu himself, which alone proved how difficult it was.
So Nawaki's success was indeed a special case achieved by Tsunade under specific conditions, impossible to replicate on a large scale.
But in the end, it was still a forbidden technique.
With sufficient talent and conditions, it was theoretically possible to master.
Ryo's voice carried a faint, nearly imperceptible mockery as his gaze returned to Danzō. "So yes, Tsunade took a shortcut. But that does not mean it is a benefit anyone can enjoy."
He changed direction sharply, his tone firm and decisive. "It is a forbidden technique. With enough talent, it can be mastered. For example…"
He paused slightly, a trace of restrained pride flickering deep within his silver blue eyes. "I mastered it myself."
Tsunade turned sharply to look at him, shock flashing through her golden eyes.
Hiruzen and Danzō also lifted their heads at once, staring at Ryo in disbelief.
Ryo spoke as if stating an unimportant fact, his tone flat. "It is just that I do not need Earth Grudge Fear to add icing on the cake."
After all, it affected appearance.
"But that does not mean I am willing to hand over my spoils."
His gaze finally locked onto Danzō, the cold disdain undisguised. "Kakuzu is my captive. The right to decide the fate of Earth Grudge Fear lies with me. Even if it can be cultivated, I do not like being taken advantage of for free, especially…"
The corner of his mouth curved into a cold arc. "Especially by certain people."
The words struck like a loud slap across Danzō's face.
The hand hidden in his sleeve clenched violently, knuckles whitening, his single eye bloodshot with fury and humiliation.
But he did not dare explode. Kamiyama Ryo's reputation and power were undeniable.
Standing beside Ryo, Tsunade felt the unyielding firmness in his words and the clear defense of her stance.
She said nothing. The tension along her jaw quietly eased.
Before outsiders, she chose silence and gave the stage entirely to her man.
That silent support was stronger than any words.
Hiruzen looked at the two standing side by side and sighed inwardly.
Tsunade's position was already obvious.
As for Ryo, a powerful shinobi who showed him no deference and dared to confront Hokage authority head on, he did not want to provoke him further.
Nawaki's recovery was a blessing. To completely rupture relations over Danzō's matter, or even provoke Ryo's anger, was far too costly.
He waved his hand wearily, the glow in his pipe seeming to dim. "Enough. Tsunade, you may go."
His voice was filled with fatigue.
Tsunade turned without hesitation and left decisively.
Ryo cast one last cold glance at Danzō in the shadows, the look like tangible ice that made Danzō tense instinctively.
Then Ryo turned and followed Tsunade, the two of them leaving the Hokage's office without regard for authority or resentment.
The heavy wooden door closed behind them, sealing off the oppressive air within, and cutting off Danzō's gaze that seemed ready to burst into flames.
"Hiruzen!" Danzō finally snapped, stepping out of the shadows, his voice sharp with rage and unwillingness. "You are just letting them walk away. Kamiyama Ryo did this on purpose. He holds a technique that can create Kage level shinobi. Does he have no respect left for you at all."
Hiruzen slammed his pipe against the desk with a dull thud, ash scattering.
He looked up sharply at Danzō, the authority of long rule pressing down and crushing Danzō's momentum.
"That is enough, Danzō," Hiruzen said heavily. "The technique came from his capture of Kakuzu. The right to decide belongs to him. That is beyond dispute. You and I both know Ryo's strength and potential. For a forbidden technique that is difficult to replicate and carries enormous risk, do you really want to anger a shinobi with peak Kage level strength or even greater potential, and possibly alienate Tsunade as well. Have you considered the consequences. Is it worth it."
Danzō was left speechless, his face dark, yet his hunger for power would not allow him to give up so easily. His single eye spun wildly, searching for another opening.
Hiruzen no longer looked at him.
The burden of being Hokage weighed heavily on him.
Ryo and Tsunade's issue was temporarily set aside, but Danzō would never let it end there.
Deep in Hiruzen's heart lay another secret, heavy and invaluable. A personal promise from Ryo himself, a favor from someone who might one day reach the level of the God of Shinobi.
That favor was a trump card reserved for critical moments, worth far more than the uncertain Earth Grudge Fear.
No matter what, it could not be squandered.
As expected, after a brief silence, Danzō spoke again, his voice lowered and more insidious. "Hiruzen, Ryo and the Nine Tails jinchuriki… their power is too strong and too unstable. Ryo is unruly, Uzumaki Kushina is a tailed beast vessel. They are like two blades hanging over Konoha's head. We need power that can restrain them."
Hiruzen's tapping fingers paused slightly. He raised his eyes, signaling Danzō to continue.
Those words struck a hidden concern he had long carried.
In a sense, keeping Ryo's favor was also a means to preserve balance if things ever tipped.
Seeing Hiruzen waver, Danzō stepped closer, his voice carrying unhealthy fervor. "Wood Release. The First Hokage's Wood Release. If we can recreate a Wood Release shinobi, even just one, it would be enough to restrain Ryo and the Nine Tails jinchuriki. This is for the village's future. For balance, we must have a bargaining chip. Research is worth it."
Hiruzen's eyes flickered violently.
Wood Release, the power of the God of Shinobi.
If it could be reproduced, even partially, the strategic value to Konoha would be immeasurable.
Not only could it restrain Ryo and Kushina, it would also intimidate the other villages.
The temptation was overwhelming.
Ryo's favor represented immense future potential, while Wood Release was a tangible and immediate power that could be shaped and controlled.
There were risks.
Human experimentation was taboo.
But for Konoha's absolute security and supreme interests, and to compensate for the loss of Earth Grudge Fear…
As he weighed the pros and cons, another thought surfaced.
Orochimaru had achieved great merit on the Land of Rain battlefield and assisted Tsunade in saving Nawaki. That contribution could not be ignored.
A healthy power structure required clear rewards and punishments.
Although Hiruzen knew that even without reward, his prized student would not complain, it did not fit his philosophy.
Moreover, Orochimaru possessed near obsessive talent and passion for biological research.
The Second Hokage Senju Tobirama had failed to master Wood Release cells. Perhaps Orochimaru could succeed.
At the same time, Danzō's ambitions were growing unchecked.
Orochimaru was calculating and powerful, suitable to be placed at Danzō's side as a counterbalance.
On one hand, the position of Root deputy leader would reward Orochimaru's merits. On the other, it would allow Orochimaru to monitor Danzō and balance Root's power.
Hiruzen made his decision, his tone regaining the authority of Hokage. "Transfer Orochimaru into Root as your deputy. This is his reward for his merits in the Land of Rain."
He paused, looking at Danzō meaningfully. "Use his research abilities well. Keep a close eye on him and do not let him stray too far."
"As for Wood Release research…"
He did not say it outright, but his eyes made it clear.
What if it really succeeded.
He lifted his pipe again and took a deep draw, smoke obscuring his expression. "Root will be returned to your management for now. Remember your duty, Danzō. You are Konoha's shadow, its roots in the darkness. Do what you must."
Beneath the bandages, Danzō's mouth twisted into a grim, satisfied smile.
He had reclaimed his lost authority, and more importantly, gained the key to forbidden research.
He bowed deeply, his voice hoarse but reverent. "Yes, Hiruzen. Everything for Konoha."
Hiruzen waved him off, closing his eyes.
Danzō turned and left at once, his single eye burning with ambition as he strode from the office, already envisioning a future where he held power, restrained Ryo, and controlled Konoha's destiny.
The office was left with Hiruzen alone.
He gazed out at the bustling village, smoke drifting as his expression grew complex.
Abandoning Earth Grudge Fear was to avoid angering Ryo and to preserve that invaluable favor. Allowing Danzō and Orochimaru to pursue Wood Release was to seek another path to controllable power capable of restraining the strongest forces.
Release and restraint, control and balance, using Danzō's ambition to chase Wood Release while keeping Ryo's favor in hand, this was the dangerous game he had to play as Hokage.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
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