Naruto Dream Fulfillment Master

Page 272

Upon thinking of this, Kakashi's heart tightened suddenly.

He tried his best to remain calm, slowly squatted down, and carefully examined the ground.

A thick layer of dust covered the floor, and apart from a few scattered debris, there were no signs of trampling caused by high-speed movement.

After a long while, Kakashi stood up, his gaze shifting uncertainly.

The absence of footprints on the ground, typical of a fierce fight, suggests that the mysterious second perpetrator did not dodge all attacks using speed...

Therefore, only one possibility remains.

A thought flashed through Kakashi's mind, and he was deeply shaken: "Could it be that the tragedy of the Uchiha clan back then was really related to him?!"

Seeing that Kakashi's expression was uncertain and he remained silent for a long time, Jiraiya finally couldn't help but ask, "Kakashi, have you discovered something?"

Kakashi's body trembled slightly upon hearing this, but he quickly regained his composure, shook his head, and said, "No, it's nothing."

He hesitated for a moment, then added in a low voice, "...just some immature guesses."

Seeing this, Jiraiya didn't ask any further questions.

He crossed his arms and then said in a deep voice, "It seems that there are some unknown secrets behind the massacre of our clan back then."

Kakashi nodded, a complex look appearing in his eyes: "What really happened back then is probably far more complicated than it appears on the surface."

“Yes.” Jiraiya sighed, shifting his gaze from the scars on the wall.

He pondered for a moment, then suddenly remembered something and turned to ask, "By the way, where are all the documents and records left behind by the Uchiha clan preserved now?"

Kakashi recalled for a moment and replied, "Back when I was in the Anbu, I never had access to any Uchiha clan documents. As far as I know, those things were later taken over by the 'Root' organization."

Jiraiya nodded knowingly, "I see... Then let's split up. I'll go find Itachi Uchiha; he should be arriving in Konoha soon. You go find Danzo and get the Uchiha clan's documents."

Kakashi replied in a deep voice, "Understood."

Jiraiya glanced around the empty and dilapidated Uchiha mansion, a forced smile appearing on his lips. He patted Kakashi on the shoulder and said, "Be careful. Danzo has a bad temper; he might not cooperate with you."

Kakashi nodded slightly: "Lord Jiraiya, please be careful as well. Itachi Uchiha... probably didn't come alone."

"Heh, don't worry." Jiraiya waved his hand and said confidently, "I know what I'm doing."

The two then parted ways, each disappearing instantly into the abandoned mansion.

……

Konoha, Danzo's residence.

In the courtyard, Shimura Danzo sat alone on the wooden veranda under the corridor, closing his eyes to rest, seemingly enjoying the morning sunlight.

However, no matter how bright the sun was, it could not dispel the gloomy aura surrounding him.

"Why...why can't I enter that dream again?!"

Danzo's long-suppressed questions resurfaced.

Just as Danzo's thoughts were churning and he was feeling agitated, he suddenly heard a very faint "whoosh" sound as the air was being cut.

Almost simultaneously, he keenly sensed an unfamiliar presence in the courtyard.

Danzo suddenly opened his one eye and saw a figure that had appeared in the center of the courtyard at some point.

The man had silver hair covering his head, wore a dark green vest, and had half his face shrouded in a black mask—it was Kakashi Hatake.

Instead of waiting outside the main gate for permission to enter, Kakashi silently slipped into the courtyard.

Danzo's pupils contracted slightly, and he became secretly wary: "He barged into my residence without even a word... This kid has some nerve!"

He slowly got up, took two steps into the courtyard with his cane, and his face showed displeasure.

Danzo's mind raced as he quickly guessed Kakashi's purpose for coming: First, Jiraiya had come to cause trouble time and time again, and now it was Kakashi...

Hmph, Hiruzen Sarutobi, you're such a persistent ghost!

He snorted coldly, a fire burning in his heart. "Could it be that that old bastard is planning to secretly harm me after he abdicates?!"

Danzo's gaze darkened slightly, and his vigilance increased sharply.

He maintained his composure and slowly asked, "Kakashi, what brings you here?"

Kakashi stepped forward and said respectfully, "Lord Danzo, please forgive my rudeness. I have come on the orders of the Hokage to ask for your assistance in investigating some matters."

Danzo frowned upon hearing this and sneered, "Assist in the investigation? Hmph, Kakashi Hatake, you're just a Jonin, you're not qualified to investigate me!"

"Even Tsunade would have to think twice before touching me, let alone you!"

When Danzo openly invoked his status to intimidate him, Kakashi remained unmoved, simply straightening his back and meeting Danzo's gaze.

He said in a deep voice, "Lord Danzo, please don't misunderstand. This investigation is not directed at you personally; it is a direct order from the Fifth Hokage. We are investigating matters related to 'Uchiha Madara,' and we hope you can cooperate. I need to review all the documents and records left behind by the Uchiha clan."

"Uchiha... Madara?" Danzo's pupils contracted slightly upon hearing this.

The tension in my heart eased a little.

So you weren't here to check on me?

It seems these guys got some new information from their dream and have turned their attention to Uchiha Madara...

Danzo's hatred intensified when he thought of this.

Since losing his position as Hokage's advisor, he has been unable to access any secrets of the dream projection, and this intelligence advantage has also been severed.

This feeling of being excluded from the core of power and intelligence made him extremely unhappy.

However, despite his inner resentment, Danzo remained outwardly calm.

He looked at Kakashi with feigned confusion, then slowly nodded and said, "I see... Uchiha Madara? I didn't expect you guys to start noticing him too."

His tone softened slightly, as if to cooperate: "Since it is the Hokage's order, I will comply. I wonder what aspect of Madara Uchiha you wish to know, Kakashi? The Uchiha clan has a wealth of documents and files; I can have my men find them for you, which will save you time."

“No need.” Kakashi shook his head without backing down, his voice still calm. “Please give me all the original files from back then, and I will review them myself.”

Upon hearing this, Danzo's face darkened abruptly, and he let out a cold laugh: "Heh... truly a newborn calf unafraid of tigers."

For a moment, the entire mansion fell into a deathly silence.

Kakashi and Danzo stood facing each other, neither of them speaking.

Chapter 216 The Weasel's Secret Meeting with Jiraiya

The forest surrounding Konoha Village in the Land of Fire.

Kisame, with his shark-like face, grinned, revealing a mouthful of sharp, serrated teeth, and casually asked, "Ichishichi-san, aren't you going in this time?"

Itachi shook his head slightly and said in a deep voice, "No, we won't go in for now. It's been too short since we last came to Konoha, and Konoha probably hasn't let its guard down yet."

Kisame grinned upon hearing this: "That's true. We caused quite a commotion last time. Konoha must be on edge right now. It would be unwise to rush in."

"I wonder what Payne called us here for. I'm really getting impatient."

As he spoke, Itachi recalled the scene from when he rashly infiltrated Konoha last time.

Sasuke charged at him recklessly... The pained and twisted expression and the heart-wrenching screams still seem to echo in his ears.

Thinking of the pain Sasuke had endured back then, a barely perceptible sadness flashed across Itachi's eyes.

That time, thanks to Jiraiya's sudden arrival, he and Kisame were forced to retreat in a panic.

Although his initial intention was for Sasuke's good, he did not intend to let his younger brother go through the same torment again in the short term.

Therefore, Itachi decided not to rashly enter Konoha Village this time.

Just then, Tobi's voice came from Itachi, his tone quite dissatisfied: "Come in! I haven't been to Konoha in ages!"

Itachi ignored the sudden commotion and simply turned to Kisame, instructing, "Kisame, go find a secluded spot nearby to set up camp and rest. We'll wait here for Pain's next instructions. I'll be in charge of scouting Konoha."

Kisame readily nodded: "Understood."

He then shouldered his bandaged sharkskin sword, turned and walked into the forest, preparing to find a place to stay.

Seeing that Itachi remained unmoved, Tobi continued to persuade him relentlessly: "Come on in! There's so much good food in Konoha! It would be such a waste not to go in now!"

Itachi paused for a moment upon hearing this, then narrowed his eyes slightly: "Judging from your tone... you're very familiar with Konoha?"

Afei smugly snorted, "Of course! I came to Konoha more than ten years ago!"

"Oh?" Itachi gave a thoughtful "oh," then pressed on, "So what were you doing in Konoha back then?"

Afei was speechless: "Uh..."

As soon as he uttered the words, he immediately realized he had let something slip, and his voice stopped abruptly.

After a brief silence, Afei suddenly yawned exaggeratedly: "Ah—I'm so sleepy! I can't take it anymore, I'm going to sleep!"

Seeing this, Itachi narrowed his eyes expressionlessly. This idiot is quite wary.

He then ignored Ah Fei and let him "sleep," while he sat down cross-legged.

Itachi quickly formed hand seals.

"Psychic art."

A cloud of white smoke billowed up, and when the smoke cleared, a crow was revealed on the ground in front of him.

"Come here." Itachi stretched out his arm, and the crow flapped its wings and flew to perch on his wrist.

The weasel took out a short copper tube from its pocket, stuffed it into the crow's beak, and then gently waved its hand.

The crow understood, silently flapped its wings and flew off towards Konoha Village.

Watching the crow disappear into the foliage, the weasel closed its eyes, its consciousness connecting with the crow's.

In an instant, the bird's-eye view replaced his vision—

He seemed to transform into a crow in the sky, looking down at the vast Konoha Village below.

In the distance, the high walls of Konoha Village stretched across the edge of the field of vision.

The village is crisscrossed by streets and lined with houses, and pedestrians move about as tiny as ants.

Everything was calm and peaceful as usual, with no unusual disturbances.

At the edge of the horizon, the massive stone statues of the Hokage of each generation are clearly visible on the Hokage Rock, silently overlooking the entire village.

The weasel did not rashly order the crow to descend, but instead circled in the air for a moment, quietly observing the activity within the village.

He noticed that at the village entrance, several Konoha guards were checking pedestrians coming and going, and occasionally groups of two or three ninjas would sweep across the rooftops, patrolling every corner of the village.