Chapter 534: An Unexpected Visitor

Chapter 534: Chapter 534: An Unexpected Visitor

The discovery of the new material had put the improvement of the Chimera Technique on the fast track. Many of the problems that had previously troubled Kagami were resolved with the discovery of this new material.

Over the next few days, Kagami redesigned the Bloodline Fusion Ritual based on the characteristics of the new material.

Building upon the original ritual, he added a temperature-control system that allowed him to increase or decrease the new material’s activity by adjusting the external temperature, ensuring that it remained under control at all times.

At the same time, he subjected the new material to a series of extreme-limit tests.

The results were even better than he had anticipated. The new material met all the performance standards of the old material, proving itself fully capable of replacing it.

In addition to conducting experiments at the Root base, Kagami, now in possession of a massive sum of 100 million ryo, also dispatched Shadow Clones throughout the shinobi world to purchase various instruments and experimental materials. He even established an entirely new gelatinous material cultivation laboratory within his aerial fortress.

This new laboratory alone cost Kagami more than 70 million ryo to build and equip.

However, thanks to his willingness to spare no expense, the equipment in his new laboratory was now almost on par with that of Danzo’s Root laboratory.

As a result, any research breakthrough achieved in Danzo’s Root laboratory could be perfectly replicated in Kagami’s own laboratory, allowing him to effortlessly claim the results for himself.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

After a month of reconstruction, the village had shed its desolate, war-ravaged appearance and was once again brimming with life. Walking through the streets, one would see nothing but brand-new roads and beautifully constructed houses.

Almost all visible traces of the previous catastrophe had been swept away. However, the shadows lingering in people’s hearts were not so easily erased.

Various remarks unfavorable to the Third Hokage began circulating among the villagers. Even Kagami, who hadn’t been paying much attention to the matter, could sense that an unseen hand was manipulating public opinion from the shadows.

There was no need to guess who was behind this campaign. It was undoubtedly Danzo.

However, this time, Danzo was employing an overt scheme. He hadn’t fabricated rumors or distorted the facts. He had merely stirred up the emotions people had been suppressing deep within their hearts, bringing their pent-up doubts and dissatisfaction toward the Third Hokage out into the open, one by one.

Kagami’s small courtyard had also been restored. Although the interior renovations were not yet completely finished, the house was at least barely habitable.

After completing his ANBU patrol duties, Kagami returned home, casually tossed his ANBU mask aside, and lay down on the sofa to contemplate his next experimental plan.

Over the past few days, he had been periodically taking control of his Fire Release clone to participate in the development of the Chimera Technique, doing his utmost to advance its improvement while closely monitoring the progress made by Danzo and Orochimaru.

In this regard, he had Danzo’s distrust of Orochimaru to thank.

As the party Danzo was using to keep Orochimaru in check, Kagami was able to obtain timely updates on all of Orochimaru’s experimental progress.

Of course, Kagami was certain that Orochimaru could likewise obtain his own experimental results at the earliest opportunity.

Whether it was Kagami, Orochimaru, or Danzo, all three maintained an unspoken understanding, setting aside their differences to jointly advance the improvement of the Chimera Technique.

Just then, a distorted vortex suddenly appeared out of thin air in Kagami’s living room. Immediately afterward, a familiar figure stepped out of it.

"Obito? Has my identity been exposed?"

Kagami was secretly startled. He had never expected Obito to suddenly come looking for him.

Stepping out of the vortex, Obito folded his arms across his chest and chuckled in a deep voice.

"Hyuga Kagami, there’s no need to worry. I’m only here to discuss a deal with you."

"A deal?"

Kagami narrowed his eyes slightly, his mind rapidly analyzing Obito’s intentions.

Judging from Obito’s expression and demeanor, Kagami felt that he probably hadn’t discovered his identity as the leader of Kamigami. Otherwise, there was no way he could be acting so calmly.

"Your disciple is Hyuga Neji, isn’t he?" After a brief pause, Obito continued with a mocking smile, "You should already know that he’s in our hands. I have no interest in killing an innocent child. If you’re willing to do something for me, I can return him to you."

"So this idiot is trying to use Neji to threaten me!"

Kagami’s expression changed as he roughly figured out Obito’s intentions.

The instant he realized what Obito was after, he put his extensive acting experience to full use. An expression of shock, suspicion, and anger immediately appeared on his face, while his hand slowly reached toward the ninja tool pouch at his waist.

Noticing Kagami’s subtle movement, Obito grinned.

"Don’t force me to kill you."

Kagami stopped reaching for his ninja tool pouch at just the right moment, the anger on his face growing even more intense.

Looking at Kagami’s expression of someone who was furious but dared not speak out, Obito secretly felt pleased with himself.

"That idiot Kagami really hasn’t changed at all since our days at the Ninja Academy. He hasn’t improved one bit!"

Meanwhile, Kagami stared at Obito, acting out the helplessness and anger of someone being threatened while secretly calculating the chances of a successful sneak attack.

He had many ways to kill Obito, but because of the forbidden technique Izanagi, he had no means of delivering a truly decisive blow that would eliminate Obito once and for all.

Moreover, they were currently inside the village. If he made a move, his identity as the leader of Kamigami would be exposed. This was also one of the reasons he hadn’t acted rashly.

At this moment, Obito continued, "You should understand that I can kill you with ease, so just cooperate with me."

Kagami thought for a moment before saying, "I’m a member of the Hyuga Branch Family. I have the Caged Bird Seal on my forehead. If you think you can make me betray the village, dream on!"

"No, no, no!" Obito casually waved his hand and said, "I have no interest in Konoha’s intelligence. Cooperating with me won’t require you to betray your village."

Kagami was taken aback and asked in confusion, "What exactly do you want me to do?"

Obito’s smile disappeared as he said in a deep voice, "I want you to gather intelligence on Kamigami for me!"

"Uh..."

For a moment, Kagami didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He almost failed to maintain his expression.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that Obito would ask him, the leader of Kamigami, to serve as an informant for Akatsuki and gather intelligence on Kamigami!

Obito continued speaking as though everything were already settled.

"Don’t bother making excuses. I know you’re an ANBU squad captain in Konoha. You must have the authority to access the agreements between Konoha and Kamigami. For the sake of your own life, as well as your disciple’s, I hope you’ll make a wise decision."

Kagami stared blankly at Obito, silently cursing in his heart.

"Obito, you really are a complete idiot!"

Obito stared right back at Kagami, thinking to himself:

"You dead last, I’ve got you right where I want you!"