Konoha, roots.
Taking the scroll tied with a rope from Kabuto's hand, Danzo untied the rope calmly, opened the scroll, and saw the contents on the scroll at a glance.
Then, he turned his eyes to look at Kabuto and asked, "Does Orochimaru only ask you to deliver this kind of thing?"
It was obvious that he was not very satisfied with Orochimaru's reward.
You know, even if Orochimaru defected, he also used the resources at his disposal to provide Orochimaru with a lot of convenience.
In Danzo's view, Orochimaru's reward for him, or the roots, and the roots' support for Orochimaru, the exchange of interests between the two is completely unequal.
Kabuto nodded and said: "Yes, this is Lord Orochimaru's answer to Lord Danzo. Lord Orochimaru said that he alone cannot copy the technology of the Demon Country. That kind of powerful military industrial system requires a complete Only a team can develop. And Konoha currently lacks such a technical team. Even Lord Orochimaru cannot shake the technical status of the Kingdom of Demons with the power of one person."
This reason can only barely convince Danzo.
However, the military industry is indeed a blind spot in Danzo's cognition.
In the past, he had never thought that Konoha would be made trouble by something like this.
Although there are such technical employees in Konoha, the number is not large, and they are not famous figures. In addition, the funds provided by the top management for this department have always been very short, so there has been no achievements for many years.
Because in Danzo's opinion, instead of studying the military industry, it is better to study the power of wood escape and tailed beasts, which can make Konoha quickly become stronger.
However, times began to enter a turning point.
Steel that was considered useless in the past has squeezed the ninja's war market.
The weapons produced by the Kingdom of Ghosts crowd out the traditional ninja power of the entire Five Powers system.
As for the local ninjas of the Ghost Country, they are originally a combination of traditional ninjas and industrial era ninjas.
At least according to the intelligence collected at the root, the wandering witches in the Kingdom of Ghosts and the debt collectors of the Chamber of Commerce in various places will carry a variety of strange weapons. Even elite ninjas will accidentally catch these people. road.
Therefore, the ninjas of the Ghost Country do not have to worry about their war market being squeezed. The Demon Country's military does not rely on entrusted tasks to obtain development funds. The one who really provides funds for the Demon Country's military is the Aster Flower Chamber of Commerce, a giant business alliance in the ninja world. If you want to curb the development of the Kingdom of Ghosts, you must first overthrow the Aster Flower Chamber of Commerce.
But the problem is that it would be a fool's errand to overthrow the Ziyuan Flower Chamber of Commerce.
So far, the industry chain of Ziyuan Flower Chamber of Commerce has matured to a terrifying level.
From food to medical, from furniture to arms, every industry has its presence in this chamber of commerce. And the products sold are also widely praised in the industry.
Even if one or two of the industries were suppressed by using the power of the Fire Nation, it would be meaningless.
Moreover, once unfair business competition is used to make things difficult for the Aster Flower Chamber of Commerce, the military forces of the Kingdom of Demons will follow suit.
Because of this, Danzo believed that the complete military, political and financial system of the Demon Country was terrifying.
Compared to the Kingdom of Thunder, the Kingdom of Ghosts is the real enemy of Konoha and the Kingdom of Fire.
"By the way, there is one more thing. Orochimaru hopes that Lord Danzo will agree to it."
Kabuto said as he remembered something.
"What?"
"Lord Orochimaru hopes that Lord Danzo can give him the research information on the banned tailed beast medicine. Lord Orochimaru is very interested in the banned tailed beast medicine developed by Root."
"Is this your idea or Orochimaru's?"
Danzo's gaze pierced people's hearts like sharp blades.
Kabuto smiled slightly and said without any fear: "Of course it's Orochimaru-sama's idea."
Danzo did not speak immediately, but after a short silence, he sneered and said: "That guy Orochimaru really takes care of you. Seeing you like this reminds me of Nono U. If she sees You must be very disappointed with your duplicitous behavior now."
As if he had touched the taboo in Kabuto's heart, Kabuto couldn't help but change his face, clenched his fists tightly, and glanced at Danzo with cold eyes, as if he had eaten Danzo alive.
"Isn't this what Danzo-sama wants? To turn me into this."
"No, this is just a choice you make. I just provide such a platform."
Danzo said.
"Like Uchiha Itachi? Be careful that it will bite you back sooner or later."
"Although the chick has learned to fly, it still has shackles around its neck. This is the fate of you and Itachi."
"I'll remember this."
Kabuto's expression returned to normal, his cold gaze disappeared, and there was a smile of unknown meaning.
Seeing Kabuto adjusting his emotions so quickly, Danzo couldn't help but feel regretful.
It's a pity that such a perfect spy doesn't belong to Gen.
"You are no less talented in espionage than your adoptive mother Nonoyu. But unlike you, Nonoyu is a clear lotus in the dark. Unable to bear the darkness, she broke away from her roots and went to work in an orphanage. But you are used to it. You fell into the darkness and gradually enjoyed deceiving others. You are a born spy."
"This kind of provocation is of no use to me. Precisely because the dean is too clear-minded, death is her greatest salvation."
"Really? Forget it, let's stop this topic."
I don't want to continue irritating Kabuto.
Dealing with such a battle-hardened spy, Danzo knew that the power of words alone could not shake Kabuto's heart.
Kabuto is different from Itachi. Itachi has a bond and can easily be locked up by words.
But Kabuto's ties were dead.
Genji can't guide Kabuto's path forward, and naturally he can't talk about controlling Kabuto's life.
"Since you want the research data on tailed beast banned drugs, I'll give it to you. All this is for the sake of happy cooperation next time. By the way, there is another question. The meteorite fell outside Konoha a few days ago. Do you have any clues? According to Kakashi’s report, he met Kisame Kisame, the rebel ninja of Kirigakure Village, and the kid Itachi. They were wearing black red cloud coats, and they seemed to be from the same organization as Orochimaru."
"Lord Orochimaru has temporarily left the organization and serves as a support staff of the organization. As for the name of the organization, Lord Orochimaru has not told me, maybe there is some hidden meaning in it. But the meteorite Danzo-sama mentioned, this matter I don’t understand, it can’t be man-made.”
Regarding the meteorite landing around Konoha, Kabuto believed that it was an extremely accidental and probabilistic event.
"But people from that organization appeared there by coincidence. In the analysis report of the Anbu investigation after the incident, it was stated that the meteorite split from the inside, and there seemed to be something inside that was taken away."
Danzo stared at Kabuto.
If meteorites fall from the sky, if they are man-made and intentionally take something away, then it is not a simple accident.
And it was already planned.
Kabuto shook his head and said: "I'm sorry, I don't know anything about this. Orochimaru-sama has always been tight-lipped about such confidential matters. According to Orochimaru-sama, the leader of the organization is very powerful. In terms of fighting alone, in today's ninja world, Arguably the most powerful ninja.”
"How is it compared to the three people from the Kingdom of Ghosts?"
"Of course that includes those three people. But if the three of them join forces, the outcome will be unpredictable."
This is just a guess, Kabuto doesn't know much about the specific things.
Even though he is a close confidant of Orochimaru and is taken care of by Orochimaru in many matters, there are some things that even a close confidant cannot explain to him.
It's not a matter of distrust, but the more you know, the quicker you die.
Or, he is not yet at a level where he can know the answer.
"Forget it if you don't know. That's it. You can go down. Hiruzen is currently investigating foreign enemy spies in the village. Don't expose him. If you die, it will be very troublesome to contact Orochimaru."
Danzo advised.
"Cleaning out spies at this time?"
This news surprised Kabuto slightly.
"This has nothing to do with you, just do your job well."
Danzo took the scroll, turned around and left, unwilling to say more to Kabuto.
Kabuto didn't lose heart. His identity meant that Danzo would not tell him anything that was too confidential.
However, the Third Hokage began an internal investigation, which was a troublesome matter.
Recently, he felt that it was better for him to be honest and low-key.
◎
The Country of Waves, Area D.
With the outbreak of the resistance movement of farmers and workers, the power of the aristocracy in the Kingdom of Waves began to shrink sharply.
The decline and demise of the Daming Palace dealt a fatal blow to the traditional nobles of Wave Country, making it impossible for them to gather sufficient troops to fight against the rebellious workers and farmers.
At first, only the working class attacked Damingfu, and there were less than 500 workers. However, only when they were equipped with sophisticated weapons, the Damingfu of Wave Kingdom was defeated in one battle and fell completely.
The aristocratic forces of the Kingdom of Waves, which were originally concentrated in Area A, after suffering a heavy blow, also moved closer to Area B of the Kingdom of Waves, relying on their last strength to hold their ground and confront the resistance forces.
However, now both Areas C and D of the Country of Waves are occupied by the resistance force - the Agricultural and Industrial Group, and half of Area A has also been taken over.
It can be said that the power of the aristocracy has been weakened to the limit.
The war is not over, but the nobles who have been exploiting the interests of the people of Wave Country for many years have also tasted the bitter consequences of their evil deeds over the years.
After occupying half of the country of Waves, the Agricultural and Industrial Corps was not in a hurry to expand its power. The rapid expansion of power led to internal management chaos. Under this situation, the Agricultural and Industrial Corps began to switch from offense to defense, solve the security problems underground, and began to resume field production and accumulate strength.
Not only that, with the support of the Demon Country Chamber of Commerce, the construction of important institutions such as hospitals and schools began to gradually emerge in the poor and backward Districts C and D of the Country of Waves.
A series of flat and wide roads also appeared, striving to control all the acquired territory in the shortest possible time, without giving the noble forces any chance to counterattack.
Located in a certain mansion in Area D, this place serves as a temporary base for the Shion Flower Merchant Association from the Country of Ghosts to settle in the Country of Waves.
In the study, Yiji scanned the recently submitted reports one by one, and said in a regretful and boring tone: "Really, I thought these nobles could resist more fiercely, but I didn't expect it to be so useless. They just used it as shrinkage. Here comes the turtle."
"There is nothing we can do about it. It cannot be said that most nobles bully the weak and fear the strong, but there are certainly not many nobles in such a small country who have the backbone. It is only because of the shadow of their ancestors that they are able to be tyrannical here."
Cardo said with a smile.
If the resistance is fierce, many people will die.
And in a battle that is bound to be lost, those nobles will choose to protect themselves wisely.
"What did the Fire Nation say?"
Although the aristocratic power of Wave Country has shrunk, it has not suffered a devastating blow. It is just that it lacks the leader of the Daimyo family and briefly fell into panic.
Therefore, not long ago, they sent envoys to the Kingdom of Fire to ask for help.
It is hoped that the power of the Country of Fire can be used to quell the unrest within the country.
"It's just a reputational condemnation. The consequences of military intervention are likely to turn into a war like the Kingdom of Rain. Now both of us are restraining our impulses to war."
Because once a war breaks out between major powers, a war will break out in the ninja world, rather than a small fight like now.
Although the Third Ninja War was a battle between big countries, it affected countless small countries, and the Rain Country was just one of the victims.
It's not worth starting the Fourth Ninja War for the sake of a country of waves.
This is a tacit understanding between the top leaders of the Kingdom of Ghosts and the Kingdom of Fire.
"The old man said that the Fire Nation will not give up, so they will take action soon. The reputational condemnation is just to divert our attention. They should take other actions."
Yiji said.
Cardo nodded. Although as a businessman, he didn't know much about politics, he also understood that the Country of Waves was an important gateway to the Country of Fire, and it was impossible to allow the Country of Ghosts to take over.
"They are unable to get started from our side. Therefore, if the Fire Country wants to intervene, they will only start planning from within the Agricultural and Industrial Corps."
After all, there are many opportunistic people in the Agricultural and Industrial Corps. Such people can easily be bribed with money, causing problems in the internal management system of the Agricultural and Industrial Corps.
The so-called Agricultural and Industrial Corps is, after all, a group of uneducated farmers and workers. Even if they gain the upper hand for a while with the support of the Ghost Country, there are still many problems.
It is precisely for this reason that the Kingdom of Ghosts immediately started the construction of hospitals and schools, and began to organize the internal affairs of the Agricultural and Industrial Corps.
Of course, industrial equipment production plants are also being constructed simultaneously to try to improve the poverty problem in the Country of Waves in the shortest possible time.
"When people get rich overnight, they will gradually forget themselves, indulge in beautiful dreams, and become unmotivated. After acquiring the wealth of famous people, many people in the Agricultural and Industrial Corps are indeed satisfied. For them , this may already be the end of their lives.”
But this is not the result that the Kingdom of Ghosts wants.
Therefore, these opportunistic people will inevitably be bribed by the various benefits promised by the Fire Nation, and become worms within the Agricultural and Industrial Corps, ruining the good situation in front of them.
As for class struggle, these people will not care about it.
After the talks with the Daimyos of the Land of Fire in the Land of Rain, the tax reduction policy implemented in the country seemed very good, but it was really easy for the nobles to make money from the common people.
Taxes may be reduced, but the proportion of protection fees collected by the gangs who work for the nobles will increase.
This also led to the fact that the policies of the Fire Country Daimyos were as if they had not been promulgated. Internationally, it may bring fame to the great names of the Fire Nation, but domestically, it is estimated that many civilians will still hate it with itch.
Individuals just need to be self-disciplined.
But an organization and a country need strong management policies that cannot be relaxed.
On the matter of tax reduction, the interests of the Fire Nation's daimyo and the Fire Nation's nobles clearly began to conflict. The nobles would naturally find ways to get back the money they had lost from other places.
When the industrial reform was implemented in the Kingdom of Ghosts, it was also opposed by many local nobles.
But fortunately, there are huge chambers of commerce like the Shion Flower Chamber of Commerce that are fully supportive of the policy, and the previous generation of shrine maidens have given the green light in terms of policies. Therefore, when it comes to industrial reform, they are not too dependent on the support of the local nobles of the Ghost Country.
Unlike the local nobles of the Kingdom of Ghosts, the local nobles of the Country of Fire are more powerful and more deeply rooted.
They handle almost all the industries in the Country of Fire.
From businessmen to gangsters who collect security fees, the nobles are behind the scenes.
The Daming Mansion is only the most powerful branch of the nobility, but in many cases, the interests of these people cannot be ignored, otherwise conflicts and protests will arise.
"Then what do you want to do next, Miss?"
Cardo asked.
"The old man plans to relax here and not push the Fire Country too hard. Next, you contact the Thunder Light Group and ask them to contact the Wave Country Agricultural and Industrial Group and get a turnaround from there."
"Thunder Light Group? Do you want them to dispatch now?"
Kado was surprised.
The so-called Thunder Light Group is a mercenary group in the underground black market.
Like the Xuan Yuanzhong, the Thunder Light Group is a secret force trained by the military of the Kingdom of Ghosts.
All members of the Thunder Light Group are ninjas who possess secret arts or blood inheritance limited abilities.
In terms of hard power, they are only slightly worse than Xuan Yuan Zhong.
Recently, they have become famous in the underground black market. Like the Xuan Yuan Zhong, they belong to the pillar-level mercenary group in the underground black market.
"There is nothing we can do about it. If a big country fights, it will be painless at best, but the Country of Waves may not be able to bear it."
Yi Ji sighed.
It is precisely because she is a ninja that she understands how desperate and powerless ordinary people are when facing ninjas.
The Agricultural and Industrial Corps of the Country of Waves did defeat the local nobles of the Country of Waves, but in her opinion, this kind of battle was just a small fight.
Even if the strength of the Agricultural and Industrial Corps were ten times stronger, she could handle it alone.
There is no shortage of elite ninjas in the Fire Country.
"It doesn't make sense, right? That's right. Using the Kingdom of Waves as a springboard to infiltrate the Kingdom of Fire is not a project that can be completed in a short period of time. Then, I'll go down and contact the people from the Lightning Regiment first."
Kaduo gave a slight salute, turned and left.
◎
In the dilapidated temple, the Buddha statues are dilapidated and the corners are covered with cobwebs.
In addition, there was a crater in the floor caused by the explosion, and thick smoke was rising.
A young boy with dark blond hair, about twelve or thirteen years old, was adjusting the black and red cloud uniform he had just put on. He said in an unhappy tone to the three people next to him: "Let me tell you first, I have no intention of doing anything for you. The organization is completely dedicated, and it’s just because you said you could find art there that we reluctantly agreed to join you.”
The shark-faced man chuckled and said, "He seems to be a arrogant brat. I didn't expect that after eating Itachi's illusion, he would dare to be so arrogant. If he had been a step later, he would have exploded into the sky."
The hideous man with a hunched waist and a few hairs on his head also sneered.
"This kind of kid looks like he will die early. I hope he can last a little longer. He also said that instant explosion is art. This is just self-impression. Only eternity is the real art."
"Hmph, I disagree with this statement. Guys like you will never be able to understand the essence of art in a lifetime. The so-called art refers to the aesthetics of instant explosion, huh."
The boy put on his clothes, put his hair behind his back, and said in a very contemptuous tone.
"What did you say?"
The voice was laced with murderous intent.
"Hey, this is a newcomer. Give him a little space, Scorpion."
The shark-faced man laughed.
"Don't cause trouble here, or I'll kill you too, Kisame. Didn't you hear this brat arrogantly provoking me?"
Scorpio's tone was filled with impatience.
The eyes that looked at the young man were filled with ferocious bloodshot eyes and filled with murderous intent.
"Scorpion, if he dies, it will be very difficult to find a new person. The leader also said that you should be more patient. This guy's power will be of great use in the future."
Just when Xia couldn't help but want to take action, Itachi, who was silent on the side, spoke and stopped Xia's actions.
Scorpion tilted his head slightly. Although he was very unhappy with Itachi's attitude, he also knew that finding new people was a troublesome matter.
If he did something here, Itachi and Kisame would definitely come and stop him.
One on two, no matter how confident he is, he can't guarantee victory. Besides, there was no reason to fight the two of them.
"Even if I let him team up with me, I won't agree with his art. The instant aesthetics dominated by illusions is really ridiculous."
Xie snorted coldly, turned around and left first.
Itachi didn't speak, turned around in silence, and followed Scorpion's footsteps and left.
"Your name is Deidara, right? Come on, I'll take you to see our leader now. He's a scary guy. Be careful not to say the wrong thing, otherwise no one will be able to save you."
Kisame reminded.
"What? This kind of organization has no artistic taste. I regret agreeing to join you."
The boy named Deidara complained, especially looking at Itachi's back with a hint of unwillingness and resentment in his eyes.
Sharingan genjutsu... is really a very annoying thing.
One day, this guy is going to explode. It actually made his art look bad.
With this thought passing through his mind, Deidara looked at his clothes again and said in a rather satisfied tone:
"The design of the clothes is quite artistic. Wearing this clothes will definitely make you more handsome and artistic when you become colder. Hmm."
Kisame heard Deidara talking to himself and scratched his head helplessly.
He seems to be a problem child with a very troubled personality.
