Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 75: The Story of Little Kakashi

Many of Konoha's forbidden jutsu were created by Senju Tobirama.

Although Tobirama's reputation was far from stellar, Orochimaru didn't concern himself with matters of morality. In fact, he greatly admired the Second Hokage.

After all...

Tobirama's methods had truly brought power to Konoha.

But...

Simply obtaining Emiya Shigen's body was not enough.

Orochimaru still needed to find a way to acquire the Edo Tensei technique.

He secretly infiltrated the chamber where Konoha's forbidden jutsu were sealed, only to discover that Edo Tensei was not stored there. Instead, he stumbled upon something that intrigued him even more—a jutsu that granted immortality.

Unfortunately...

The difficulty of mastering this technique was exceptionally high.

It involved the study of souls—an entirely new field that even Orochimaru, despite his vast knowledge, found challenging.

Thankfully...

Tsunade was still traveling.

Orochimaru believed he had plenty of time.

If nothing unexpected happened, Edo Tensei should still be recorded within the Hokage's Scroll of Seals. He just needed to find it.

During this period, things in Konoha began to take a turn for the worse.

Although Konoha had won the Second Shinobi War, they had suffered heavy losses, to the point where they had been forced to send newly graduated academy students into battle. In order to strengthen the village, Konoha's leadership began to push the same boundaries as their former teacher, Senju Tobirama.

For example...

Experiments with Hashirama's cells.

During a routine meeting among Konoha's higher-ups, Shimura Danzo proposed the idea of using human experimentation to revive the First Hokage's Wood Release abilities.

"This is desecrating the memory of the First Hokage," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with concern, visibly hesitant. "If the villagers find out..."

As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen was growing older, and the weight of his responsibilities became heavier by the day. He had to consider both the feelings of Konoha's shinobi and the imminent threats from the outside world.

"Hiruzen."

"Hasn't this war made things clear to you?"

Danzo's face, partially wrapped in bandages, was solemn as he took a sip of tea and continued, "This war may have ended, but the next one will come even sooner. To protect Konoha, we must be willing to do whatever it takes. We need to reclaim the First Hokage's power. As long as the experiment remains secret, there won't be an issue..."

"Then let Danzo handle it."

Hokage advisor Koharu Utatane agreed with Danzo's proposal.

"This experiment must be kept strictly confidential,"

Homura Mitokado, the other advisor, added, without objection.

"But..."

Hiruzen reluctantly agreed but laid down his conditions: "If the experiment results in significant casualties, it must be terminated immediately!"

"Human experimentation can never be completely safe..."

Danzo dismissed the issue of lives lost but took the opportunity to bring up another matter:

"If we could acquire some of Lord Shigen's knowledge, we might be able to reduce casualties. After all, he was the greatest medical ninja and the first to use surgical techniques to treat people..."

"Lord Shigen's soul has already ascended."

Hiruzen cut him off, refusing to entertain the idea.

"Actually..."

"I've received some interesting information."

Danzo glanced at Hiruzen, unwilling to believe that his old friend had not already caught wind of it.

"I hear that Tsunade brought back a crystal coffin from Shikkotsu Forest..."

This...

Had not escaped Danzo's notice.

At first, he had refrained from taking action due to Tsunade's status, her close watch over the coffin, and the risk of causing internal unrest. Additionally, he had not yet mastered Edo Tensei, so he had put the matter on hold.

But now...

Tsunade had left Konoha.

During this period, Danzo felt it was the perfect time to bring up the subject again. Konoha had recovered another half of Emiya Shigen's body—only one problem remained: no one in Konoha had yet mastered Edo Tensei.

To remedy this, Danzo secretly took the scroll containing the Edo Tensei technique from the archives—explaining why Orochimaru had been unable to find it.

However...

After studying it firsthand, Danzo realized that Edo Tensei was far more difficult to master than he had expected. Fortunately, he understood that the true key to this technique was not the summoner but rather the one being resurrected—Emiya Shigen himself.

Now...

All Danzo needed was someone capable of performing the technique.

He knew Konoha's shinobi well enough. If there was anyone who could successfully learn Edo Tensei, it would have to be the so-called "Professor of Ninjutsu," the Third Hokage himself.

Once Hiruzen resurrected Emiya Shigen, Danzo wouldn't have to worry about what happened next—he already had plans for how to "utilize" him.

After all, Danzo had spent ten years traveling with Shigen as a young man. He knew all too well how kind and naive Shigen was. Manipulating him would be child's play—he was confident he could do it better than even their teacher, Tobirama.

But...

Hiruzen immediately refused.

"We absolutely cannot exploit Lord Shigen again!"

Hiruzen's rejection was swift and firm, as memories of his late comrade Akimichi Torifu and their teacher's mistakes resurfaced. He recalled the shame Konoha had suffered in the past.

To put it bluntly—

If Danzo had been Hokage instead of him, he would have been forced to clean up the mess!

Hiruzen had spent years carefully repairing Konoha's reputation after Tobirama's actions, and he had no intention of reliving that nightmare.

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Many people who had witnessed the First Shinobi War were still alive.

If word got out that Konoha was once again trying to use Emiya Shigen, it would be disastrous.

Even if they gained strength from him, the damage to their reputation would be irreparable.

If the people lost faith in Konoha's honor, not even sacrificing himself like Tobirama did would be enough to restore it.

"The village's reputation is at stake."

Hiruzen's voice was grim.

"If we break our promise and use Edo Tensei after I swore we wouldn't, who will ever trust Konoha again?"

"Hiruzen, you should know..."

Danzo locked eyes with him, emphasizing the issue he cared most about:

"If we bring him back, we can save countless lives in the village..."

"Danzo!"

Hiruzen's rejection was even more forceful.

"Do you want the next generation of Konoha to feel the same shame and regret that Torifu did?"

Back then...

Akimichi Torifu's accusations still echoed in his ears.

How could Danzo dare to reopen old wounds?!

At this point in his life, Hiruzen understood the value of a good reputation.

In times of peace, it brought in missions.

In times of war, it provided diplomatic leverage.

These were things no amount of money or power could replace.

"No one in Konoha is allowed to study Edo Tensei. This is an absolute order from the Hokage. Anyone who disobeys will face severe punishment!"

Hiruzen issued his decree on the spot, worried that Danzo might still try to act on his own.

"Hiruzen..."

Danzo tried to argue.

"Give up on this ridiculous idea immediately!"

Hiruzen's voice was icy.

"I know better than anyone what will happen if that man is resurrected.

"You've become too focused on the village's interests and have lost sight of the bigger picture.

"The honor of Konoha is far more important than anything else!"

"No one is to touch that jutsu!"

"No one is allowed to go near that crystal coffin in the medical archives!"

Danzo's face darkened.

He had never been so directly reprimanded.

With nothing more to say, he took up his blade and stormed out.

"Hiruzen, you will regret this."

"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"

Hiruzen's voice carried through the room, a final declaration of authority.

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