"Hokage," Rasa said with a faintly meaningful tone, "it seems your village has produced quite a few geniuses. I noticed that several teams performed remarkably well in the written exam."
The Third Hokage chuckled.
"Wind Shadow, don't misunderstand. That girl's name is Haruno Sakura. You may not believe it, but her academic record has always been excellent—ever since the Academy."
"Oh?"
Rasa clearly didn't believe it.
He had looked over the exam paper himself. The questions were genuine chūnin-level material. If Konoha hadn't given its genin special preparation, he'd eat the paper on the spot.
"But she's only good academically," the Third Hokage continued calmly. "In other areas she's rather average. At this stage, that's really her only strength."
"..."
Do you think I'm stupid?
Rasa let out a cold laugh and didn't bother responding.
There was no proof anyway. At most, it was idle complaining.
Besides—
Gaara's techniques were blatantly obvious, yet Konoha hadn't intervened.
Kankurō was practically cheating in public, and Konoha's ninja had simply turned a blind eye.
In a sense, the exam process itself had already been simplified.
Of course—
That was by chūnin standards.
For ordinary genin, this exam was brutal enough to send them packing until next year. Many teams from small villages were eliminated this way.
Any team that reached the second stage represented a village with real strength.
For example—
Amegakure.
Takigakure.
Still, compared to that, what truly shocked Rasa was Konoha's Telescope Technique.
A jutsu capable of remote observation…
Which meant it could just as easily be used for remote surveillance.
In wartime, such a technique would be terrifying.
"I must learn how this jutsu works," Rasa thought grimly.
Just then, the Third Hokage showed a trace of surprise before smiling.
"Wind Shadow, please rest for now. I need to step out and handle some official matters."
"Very well."
Rasa nodded.
The Third Hokage left the room and entered a temporary office set up in the adjacent Academy building. Two ANBU ninjas were waiting anxiously.
"What happened?"
"Hokage-sama, ANBU has been attacked by a swarm of snakes. Aburame Shibi-sama is currently engaging the enemy. We suspect it's one of Orochimaru's shadow clones."
The Third Hokage's expression hardened.
"Is the fight still ongoing?"
"Yes. The enemy has many summoned creatures, but the offensive isn't particularly fierce. It feels… strange. Shibi-sama asked us to consult you."
"No need to intervene," the Third Hokage said firmly.
"Just hold them back. Orochimaru himself isn't there."
He wasn't certain of Orochimaru's true objective—but he strongly suspected it was him.
That resentment…
He understood it well.
Still, Orochimaru's temperament and methods were utterly unsuitable for a Hokage.
That was the Third Hokage's honest judgment.
The ANBU ninja bowed and left.
Then the Third Hokage turned to the second one.
"Hokage-sama, Yagyū Souma sent me to consult you. This is the intelligence scroll he provided."
"Good."
The Third Hokage relaxed slightly.
If Souma had the time to compile intelligence, then his situation wasn't critical—only something requiring strategic confirmation.
Though—
Hadn't he already granted Souma discretionary authority?
The Third Hokage frowned faintly and opened the scroll.
After only a few lines, his expression turned complicated.
So…
Danzō was involved as well.
Even without overt hostility, attempting to use genjutsu on Souma—while knowing full well who he was—
What exactly was Danzō trying to do?
A trace of killing intent flickered in the Third Hokage's eyes.
He cherished old friendships, but this had long ceased to be about sentiment.
Just as Souma said—
If internal chaos remains unresolved, how can one face external enemies?
And Konoha now faced more than one external threat.
Orochimaru.
The Fourth Kazekage.
Unknown agents and infiltrators.
If Danzō stirred trouble on top of that—
The village would descend into total chaos.
And how would the Daimyō view such disorder?
The Third Hokage's gaze turned icy.
"Deliver a message," he ordered.
"Tell him I wasn't joking that day. Also inform him that ANBU has been attacked by Orochimaru's Manda Serpent Array."
"Yes."
Yamanaka Hiroshi didn't fully grasp the meaning—but he understood one thing clearly:
Souma would.
That was enough.
Souma waited quietly, contemplating the earlier test of his mental defense technique.
It worked.
But this level of defense wouldn't stop Kotoamatsukami—
It might not even block a standard Sharingan restraint illusion.
Perhaps—
Souma glanced at Yamanaka Inoichi.
In the realm of mental techniques, the Yamanaka clan stood unrivaled. Even the Uchiha couldn't truly compare.
The Uchiha relied on bloodline power.
The Yamanaka relied on pure cultivation.
The former was unattainable.
The latter—only required access to their techniques.
Souma knew it.
And Inoichi knew it too.
So Souma waited.
Inoichi hesitated internally.
Clan secret techniques were invaluable—but the Aburame had already shared their kikaichū with Souma, gaining terrifying power and influence in return.
If the Yamanaka clung stubbornly to isolation, then even if they remained strong externally, they would inevitably be squeezed into a second-tier position within Konoha.
They needed initiative.
So—
Inoichi spoke first.
Leaning in, he lowered his voice.
"Souma… that technique you used earlier. Can we discuss it later?"
"I'd be happy to," Souma replied.
"But it wasn't developed by me alone."
Inoichi's heart tightened.
"Who else?"
Another person meant another share of bargaining power.
Kakashi?
"Jōnin Yūhi Kurenai."
"…Her."
Inoichi was surprised—then enlightened.
Of course.
If Souma wanted to test anti-genjutsu defenses, aside from the now-extinct Uchiha, Yūhi Kurenai was the ideal candidate.
And if Kakashi hadn't been involved—
Then this technique was indeed a recent creation.
"Very well. We'll talk later," Inoichi said.
Kurenai wasn't from a clan.
Even if techniques leaked slightly, restricting further spread would limit impact on the Yamanaka.
More importantly—
She wasn't overwhelmingly powerful.
Inoichi was confident he could manage that variable.
Souma smiled faintly, satisfied.
Good.
He returned to his notes, continuing his research.
Next door, Souma's shadow clone was still chatting with Daimyō.
"Souma-kun, your ideas are excellent. It would be a pity if they were never implemented. Things like nin-tech agriculture—they should really be tested and put into practice!"
Daimyō was visibly excited.
While he couldn't interfere in combat matters, agriculture, construction, and land development?
Those were absolutely within his domain.
After all, he was the largest landholder in the country.
"Are you facing difficulties?" Daimyō asked.
"Should I speak with the Hokage?"
"No need," the clone replied smoothly.
"The Hokage-sama takes very good care of me. Otherwise, I wouldn't be a Special Jōnin at my age—nor the head of a research institute."
He paused, then added,
"The main issue is the scarcity of Wood Release users, and… funding. Many experiments simply can't proceed."
The Daimyō laughed boldly.
"That's nothing! Even without touching the treasury, I have ample personal assets. Whatever you lack, I'll cover it all."
He'd realized something important—
Beyond combat, the ninja world still held enormous untapped potential.
Daily life.
Production.
Craftsmanship.
Konoha alone couldn't support all of it.
But—
The Land of Fire could.
This was an opportunity to expand his influence.
Seeing the Daimyō's decisiveness, Souma knew—
The whale has taken the bait.
"Currently, I have several projects," he continued casually.
"Such as nurturing techniques. While not all results will be true ninja beasts, they'll be far superior to ordinary animals—and far more intelligent."
"Excellent industry! Fully supported!"
Daimyō's eyes shone.
Noble ladies would adore this.
Add the label 'pet-type ninja beasts' and Kyoto's markets would explode.
"And also—"
Souma listed project after project.
At first, the Daimyō listened carefully.
Eventually, he simply waved his hand.
"Souma-kun, no need to explain further. I trust your judgment. Prepare a list and tell me how much you need—I'll have it transferred."
"Thank you, Daimyō-sama. With such a magnanimous lord, the Land of Fire is bound to grow ever stronger."
The shadow clone laid on the praise thick—
Flattery was free, after all.
As for dignity?
Only Daimyō, himself, and Genma Shiranui were present.
And Genma?
Eyes forward.
Mind blank.
Perfect.
"Souma-sama."
"What did the Hokage say?"
Souma had long since given up correcting the honorific.
The answer mattered far more.
Yamanaka Hiroshi relayed the Third Hokage's words exactly.
"I understand."
Souma glanced toward Inoichi, who was still lecturing his clansmen.
He nearly laughed.
No wonder he's the head of Intelligence.
That awareness was impressive.
"Good. You may return to your duties."
"Yes!"
Hiroshi left.
Inoichi finished his "lecture" and returned.
"Well?"
"ANBU was attacked by Manda Serpent Array."
"Manda Serpent Array?"
Inoichi was startled—then relaxed.
Terrifying as it was, against an ANBU force saturated with Aburame shinobi, it was one of the least threatening options.
Enhanced kikaichū were far deadlier than snakes in narrow corridors.
This confirmed—
Orochimaru wasn't serious about rescuing Kimimaro.
It was a feint, a probe of ANBU strength.
And—
He didn't want to escalate matters.
"Orochimaru must be inside the exam venue," Inoichi concluded.
"Likely. But I can't leave. Until we understand Danzō's objective, Daimyō's safety comes first."
As he spoke, Souma quietly extended his mental energy toward Inoichi.
At first, Inoichi was confused.
Then—
He saw a scene.
Souma speaking with the Third Hokage.
Afterward, Inoichi's emotions were complicated.
This technique resembled sensory synchronization—but dealt with memory.
The Yamanaka could do it… in theory.
But—
Souma wasn't a Yamanaka.
And he'd never learned their secret techniques.
Good thing I chose cooperation, Inoichi thought bitterly.
Otherwise, Souma would eventually create countless substitutes anyway.
At least now, there was profit—and alliance.
Inoichi sighed inwardly and gave a thumbs-up.
"Souma-kun, that jutsu… incredible."
"Don't worry. For now, aside from the Yamanaka clan, only I can use it. The principle isn't complicated—it's just a reverse application of memory extraction."
"..."
Your definition of 'not complicated' is deeply flawed.
Inoichi could manage it.
But how many Yamanaka could?
Countable on one hand.
Souma's "simple" was already high-level clan technique.
Still, Inoichi refocused.
Souma had shared that memory for one reason—
Danzō Shimura.
After a moment's thought, Inoichi formed a hand seal.
A voice echoed in Souma's mind.
"Souma-kun, if you plan to deal with Danzō, be prepared. According to my intelligence, he has likely traded with Orochimaru—and obtained Wood Release."
Add the suspected Sharingan—
Wood Release.
Sharingan.
On paper alone, Danzō was a serious threat.
"Understood."
"One more thing," Inoichi continued.
"Danzō isn't ANBU Commander, but he leads Root and holds influence within the Shimura clan. If you act, it's best to kill him outright and secure decisive evidence."
Souma nodded internally.
Without proof, even detaining Danzō would leave dangerous repercussions.
He'd already considered it.
Danzō's Right Arm.
That grotesque limb alone would seal his guilt beyond dispute.
Even the Shimura clan, the two advisors, and Root wouldn't be able to argue.
Afterward, Inoichi frowned.
"Wait. Just now—was that mental transmission?"
"Yes. I didn't ask permission, but this was the only way to ensure secrecy. I won't spread it, and I won't use it again."
"…Forget it. If we're cooperating anyway, whether you learned it or not hardly matters."
Inoichi wasn't angry—just tired.
It was his clan's secret art.
Yet Souma grasped it after experiencing it once—
And used it better than he ever could.
He didn't even need hand seals.
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