Chapter 428 – Zetsu: The Anonymous Enemy

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Hiruzen folded his hands. "The Forbidden Scroll was created to preserve dangerous, high-level techniques in a controlled way," he said. "Jutsu that are too valuable—and too hazardous—to be lost or spread freely. If you're willing to let your three be added to the scroll, I'll authorize you to study something from it in return."

Daichi was silent for a few moments before he spoke. "I'm assuming there are some techniques you'll put restrictions on…?"

Hiruzen nodded. "There are some jutsu I will not approve for you, like the reanimation and those that need a steep personal cost," he admitted. "But I'm willing to grant you access to powerful techniques within reason as compensation for strengthening the village's arsenal. But the jutsu you choose must be appropriate to your level and… survivable."

Daichi nodded. "Yeah. That's fair. What do you need?"

"Document their mechanics. Conditions of use. Risks, and recommended training prerequisites." Hiruzen said. "Enough for them to be understood, and used by someone capable one day."

"…Alright," Daichi said finally. "I'll share them. But a piece of warning, Lord Hokage."

"Tell me." Hiruzen clasped his fingers and looked at the boy.

"They're to be sealed in the Forbidden Scroll only. No other copy should be made." Daichi said. "They're high-risk techniques. Misusing them will cripple or kill an idiot who doesn't understand their mechanics. And that's not even considering the chakra needed to pull it off. Even a Jonin wouldn't survive."

Hiruzen had a small smile when he heard that. He nodded his head and took the warning seriously.

"Explain them to us." Tobirama said suddenly. "Briefly."

Daichi drew in a breath and folded his arms. He began with the Fire Rasengan.

"The Fire Style Rasengan," he began, "is built on a standard Rasengan core, but with the fire-natured chakra perfectly mixed into it. But even before starting this process, one needs to have absolute mastery over the Rasengan and the Fire Chakra Nature."

"The Fire Rasengan you used on Orochimaru, was that its true completed form?" Hiruzen asked.

"No." Daichi shook his head. "What I used in that battle was the first version. I call the completed form the 'Hell Star Rasengan'. It's much stronger and the effects are far more powerful."

"I'm assuming the same goes for the Rasengan made with the Wind chakra nature." Tobirama asked the boy.

"Yes." Daichi nodded. "The completed version would be extremely powerful and have dangerous side effects just like the previous one." 'Not that they would have affected me in my Yin release state. But still. It's not a complete lie.'

"What are the side effects?" Hiruzen asked.

"Only someone with an extreme level of chakra reserves would be even qualified to learn them. And even if they did learn it, there will be a severe strain on the chakra coils and the cells, if they use two or three of these in succession." Daichi said. "The two variants place a heavy stress on the arm muscles, bones and even the cells. Anyone who wants to learn it should first have a strong physique and then also train their body to handle recoil."

Hiruzen leaned back and slightly exhaled. "So many harsh conditions. As expected of such jutsus. The completed versions of Minato's techniques are truly fearsome. I assume the conditions for the Fire Hydra are even worse."

"Well, that one's not so tricky but it is a chakra intensive jutsu. I'll document everything for review."

"Submit it to me after you're done with the blood tests. I'll have the Forbidden Scroll ready in a few days and we'll discuss what you're allowed to look at."

Daichi gave a small nod. "Understood. Then I'll head to the lab." He bowed to both Hokages, turned and left the chamber, closing the door behind him.

Silence settled again for a moment.

Tobirama looked at Hiruzen. "You're investing a lot in that boy," he said quietly.

Hiruzen exhaled a plume of air where smoke should have been. "I'm already past the point where I can afford not to," he replied. "Between Dragon, and a possible successor to Madara and whatever shadowy figure Dragon was talking about, this village will need all the powerful shinobi it can get."

The Second looked at his old successor and nodded.

Hiruzen turned to his teacher and there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I already know… what you're thinking."

Tobirama gazed at the old man and sighed. His eyes softened as the image of a young man with big dreams, great determination, bravery and a wide smile appeared in his memory and it overlapped on the Third Hokage's face. "It's almost time, Hiruzen. Me staying here is already defying the natural laws. I can feel my body degrading. It's slow. But still…"

"When?" The Third Hokage asked softly. Having his sensei here brought back some of the courage he had somehow lost during all these years. But he accepted the current situation nonetheless.

"After Tsunade wakes up. I want to talk to her. Once that's done, I'll undo the Reanimation jutsu." Tobirama was calm and collected as he spoke about returning to the pure land.

Hiruzen gave a small nod. "Yes, Lord Second. And I'm sorry I disturbed your sleep."

Tobirama shook his head. "I understand why you did what you did. I don't blame you…"

"There is something I wanted to ask you for a while now." Hiruzen spoke in a soft tone.

The Second Hokage looked at the old man and kept a calm face.

"Now that you've seen the result of your choice from that night, do you regret it…? Choosing me as the Hokage?" Hiruzen had many regrets as he thought about the things that happened in the village over the last several decades. He wanted to know what his predecessor thought of him.

The Second Hokage internally sighed. 'It seems the death of his wife, the Fourth Hokage and now Danzo, all had an impact on him. And he must have been rattled by what Dragon had said.'

"You've made some mistakes along the way, Hiruzen. I won't deny that."

Hiruzen nodded and closed his eyes.

"But you've endured and did the best you could given the situation you were in. And even after many tragedies, the village still stands strong. Now to answer your question, no! I don't regret the decision I made that night. Obviously if I could change the outcome of that night and made sure all of us could have survived, I would but… I would have still chosen you as a successor when the time came."

Hiruzen's eyes snapped open and looked at his teacher.

"Hiruzen, you were the only one qualified to lead the village."

To the old Hokage who had many regrets, Tobirama's words were like a warm light in the cold dark night. He exhaled a breath of relief and had a small smile on his face. "And now it's time for me to choose the leader of the new generation… Tsunade will make a far better Hokage than me. I'm sure of it."

Tobirama nodded and agreed with those words. "I have no doubt about that. But let's hope she's going to accept it first."

—-

Daichi's Laboratory.

The lab in the Hokage Tower was quiet when Daichi entered. The seals on the door recognized his chakra and slid open with a soft click.

He moved on autopilot. Quickly washing his hands, putting the gloves on, checking the instruments and taking the needed chemicals for the test.

While his body worked with precision on one matter, his mind was on another.

'What jutsu should I get from the Forbidden scroll? It has to be something that would be extremely useful to me. And I don't need anything like the reaper death seal…'

Daichi took Nawaki and Tsunade' original blood samples and began processing them.

'Hmm… The First thing that comes to mind is the Flying Thunder God. I was able to learn that just before I raided the Root Headquarters. But no one knows that and I was only able to learn it because of the documents I took from Orochimaru's base. The research he had done on space time techniques really helped me with that.'

As the samples were being processed, Daichi took another scroll and began noting down all the details of the three powerful techniques in his arsenal.

'If I can get access to the teleportation jutsu in the scroll, I can use it openly without any problems. But the question is, will they let me take a look at a valuable jutsu? I'll also need to see if there are jutsus that can revive or give life other than the reanimation. If not, I'll have to make a trip to the Hidden Sand village. Hmm… I'll also need to see if there are techniques that deal with the souls. Will Dan Kato's Spirit transformation be in that? I don't know if that's labeled as a forbidden jutsu or not… So many things to consider. If possible I'll have to ask for at least two jutsu from the forbidden scroll.'

—-

Night had come by the time Daichi was finished with his work in the lab. He gathered the final printouts and sealed parchments into a folder, checked them twice, then headed up the tower. Soon he was in front of the leader of the village.

The meeting felt heavier than it had in the morning. Tobirama stood with arms folded, leaning against the wall. Hiruzen sat in his usual spot, pipe unlit in his hand. Kakashi stood a little away, back straight, eye drifting between the Hokage and Daichi.

Daichi finished setting the last of his files on the low table. Several sheets with graphs and chakra-marker diagrams, a couple of sealed slides, and a notebook filled with dense writing was now spread on the table.

Kakashi stood near the wall to the right, hands in his pockets, one visible eye half-lidded but focused. Daichi exhaled slowly as he gathered his thoughts.

"This is everything?" Hiruzen asked.

"Yes," Daichi replied. "All the tests I could run with what we have."

Tobirama's gaze flicked to the papers. "Go on."

Daichi nodded. "I ran comparative tests on Tsunade-sensei's original blood sample – from before Orochimaru's modifications – and Nawaki Senju's," he began. "Focus was on latent bloodline markers, forward generational projections, and stability curves under different environmental and chakra conditions."

He tapped a specific page and slid it forward. "The short version," Daichi said, "is that both of them carried a weakened but still viable strain of the wood style gene. Not enough to manifest fully in their own body without deliberate awakening… but strong enough that, with the right pairings and time, their descendants would have a very high chance of developing stable Wood style chakra."

He tapped one sheet. "These are Nawaki's markers," Daichi said. "These are sensei's original markers. I ran multiple sets of simulations. The markers are weak in their blood, but the simulations show that they strengthen noticeably across generations." He tapped a projected graph. "With each generation, the chance of a Wood Style manifestation goes up. Nawaki's line especially."

Tobirama's eyes flicked over the data, sharp and fast. Hiruzen's gaze was slower, more deliberate, lingering on certain annotations.

Hiruzen scanned the last page once more and slowly put it down. His usual warmth was absent. 'So it really is like that…'

Tobirama narrowed his eyes and he turned to the boy. "You're certain about this?"

"As certain as I can be with the tools we have," Daichi replied. "I repeated the projections with different variables. The result was the same each time. Given enough generations, their line would have produced multiple wood-style users without needing… external interference. Nawaki's genetic profile shows an even stronger potential curve than Tsunade-sensei's."

"Tell me, Daichi. Is your conclusion the same as the one Dragon noted down in his scroll?" Hiruzen asked with a stony expression.

Daichi exhaled. "Yes. Both Nawaki and Dan were most likely targeted for assassination," he said. "Not random casualties."

Hiruzen's hands clenched at his sides.

Even though he didn't show it, Tobirama was also angry that the descendant of his brother was targeted like this. 'I suspected someone would target them. Everyone respected but also feared my brother's strength. I just never thought it would be like this…'

Daichi looked at them and continued in a softer tone. "From a strictly strategic standpoint… Nawaki and Dan were ideal targets," he said. "Nawaki because of direct bloodline potential. Dan because of his relationship with sensei and what his death would push her to do with her life."

Hiruzen's eyes moved over the lines he'd already read once before, his expression dark. "I've reviewed the mission reports on both their deaths. Along with all the information Dragon noted down in his scroll. Taken individually, each incident looks coincidental… But now… Looking at it together, the probability of it all being random is low."

"Yes. What Tsunade-sensei believes is a curse on the necklace isn't a curse at all," Daichi continued. "Someone made sure she would believe that. Her losing Nawaki, then Dan, then convincing herself the necklace was to blame… that wasn't coincidence. Someone wanted her traumatized, broken and away from the village long enough that any potential line she could form would never happen."

Hiruzen closed his eyes for a moment. 'We called it bad luck. Fate. The price of war…'

Tobirama had a frown as he looked through the reports. "You're basing this on probability models," he said. "Correlation does not prove intent."

"I know," Daichi said. "But when you combine it with what was in Dragon's scroll…"

He glanced at the side table where that document lay open. "The cluster of Senju deaths that don't line up with battlefield exposure. The destruction of the Uzumaki clan. The death of the Fourth Hokage and his Wife. The Uchiha massacre. On their own, each event has some kind of an explanation. But together, with the same pattern of 'remove dangerous bloodlines, strong individuals and clans'… it's hard to ignore."

Hiruzen's eyes went to Tobirama. They had both read the scroll Dragon gave Daichi. The mission reports from different nations. The half-redacted notes. The Root annotations. The quiet, chilling way certain deaths lined up with later power shifts.

"It's as if someone is pruning the world," Hiruzen said quietly. "Cutting away Uzumaki, Senju, Uchiha and anyone else strong enough to oppose them… one by one."

Daichi nodded. "There's only one name in Dragon's material that ties all of that together," he said. "One name that keeps coming up."

"Zetsu." Hiruzen murmured as he looked at the scroll. "If we're to believe everything in that scroll, then this Zetsu is responsible for everything that's happened."

Kakashi had been silent up till then, but now he spoke. "…Then Rin?" he asked. "Was that… also connected to this Zetsu?" His voice was quiet, but the strain was obvious.

Hiruzen looked at him, then at the scroll. His face was grim. "We don't have formal proof," he said slowly. "Dragon's account is… uncorroborated. But if Dragon deliberately brought up her death, and then linked it to manipulation of the Mizukage… There is a chance that incident was also orchestrated. Using the Three-Tails as a tool."

Kakashi's hand tightened into a fist inside his pocket.

Hiruzen continued. "But we can't confirm it. Remember, Dragon said that the person who orchestrated that incident is dead now. And from the reports Dragon notes down, this Zetsu is someone who is still among the living… So that incident may be unrelated to this person."

"According to Dragon," Tobirama said, eyes on Hiruzen, "that thing—or person—has been active since before the founding of the villages. Hiding and watching all of us."

The Third Hokage nodded. "That's what the documents suggest," he said. "Multiple events, different countries but similar style of operations."

Tobirama's eyes were sharp. "An entity with that much patience and reach isn't a simple enemy," he muttered.

The room was quiet for a moment. Tobirama turned back to Daichi. "Are you going to tell Tsunade the truth?"

Daichi didn't hesitate. "Yes."

Hiruzen's head snapped toward him. "Daichi—" his words stopped when he saw the boy's expression.

Resolute and determined with no doubts in his eyes.

Finally he spoke. "…You understand what that truth will do to her, right?" Hiruzen said softly. "You will be taking everything she's believed for decades and tearing it apart."

"I know," Daichi replied. "Lord Hokage, she's been blaming herself and that necklace for decades. Believing she kills everyone who wears it. If I keep this to myself, I'm helping whoever did this keep winning. She deserves to know her brother and Dan weren't punished by some curse her grandfather left behind. She deserves to know that it wasn't her fault."

Hiruzen opened his mouth, then stopped. Then the old Hokage let out a tired breath and leaned back slightly.

"…I see," he murmured. 'So that's why Dragon chose him.'

Hiruzen sighed. "I still think this is dangerous," he said. "But… since you've already decided."

Daichi nodded once. "I have."

"Then I won't waste breath trying to stop you," Hiruzen said quietly. "Just… be careful how you say it. She's lost enough."

"I know," Daichi said.

Hiruzen turned to Kakashi. "As for you," he said, voice gentler, "don't let this pull you back into the past. "Now that you know at least part of the truth, you can have some closure. You have to learn to forgive yourself."

Kakashi's eye lowered. "I don't know if that's possible," he said. "I still… killed her."

"Rin chose her path," Hiruzen said quietly. "One day, perhaps, you'll have the chance to strike at whoever is truly responsible. To avenge Rin properly. Until then…" He gave a small smile. "You have a new team to look after. Three Genin who will need your full attention."

Images of Naruto's grinning face, Sakura's frustrated determination, and Sasuke's cold eyes flashed in Kakashi's mind.

"They need you now. More than your ghosts do." Hiruzen had faith that Kakashi would pull through.

Kakashi was quiet. Then he gave a faint nod. "…Understood."

Hiruzen sighed in relief and straightened in his seat. "For now," he said, voice taking on the tone of command again, "all of this stays confidential. Until we know more about this 'Zetsu,' and about Dragon's true motives, these findings are to remain strictly confidential. No one outside this room except Jiraiya should hear a word."

Tobirama nodded. "Agreed. Until we know more, spreading this will only cause panic or be dismissed as paranoia."

Kakashi simply replied, "Understood."

Hiruzen picked up the top sheet of Daichi's report and tapped it lightly against the stack.

"Very well," he said. "That will be all for tonight. Daichi, Kakashi, you may go. Rest while you can. Tomorrow will bring more work."

Kakashi and Daichi bowed to the Hokage and quickly left the chamber.

—-

The night air outside the tower was cool and carried the sounds of the village settling down. Daichi and Kakashi walked side by side in silence for a while. Kakashi's shoulders were a little tenser than usual, his eye turned toward some point far ahead that only he could see.

Daichi glanced at him from the corner of his eyes. 'He heard enough about Rin to reopen old wounds. And then I handed him a new enemy with no clear face.'

"Kakashi-sensei," Daichi softly called out to him.

Kakashi glanced at him. "Hm?"

"My grandfather told me something once," he said. "He said… 'Shinobi are people who endure pain, suffering, and hardships that would crush an ordinary person.'"

Kakashi was silent.

"I didn't really understand what that meant," Daichi continued. "Not… properly. Not what it feels like. Not what it's like when you're in the middle of it."

The Genin was silent as he recalled the events of the week and what he had to do.

"The last few days…" Daichi murmured, "…made it a lot clearer."

Kakashi was silent for a few seconds. Then a small, almost amused breath left him. "Your grandfather is a wise man," Kakashi said.

"He's also annoyingly smug when he's right," Daichi replied with a smile.

That made Kakashi's visible eye crease just a bit.

Daichi looked at him. "You have a new team starting in two days," he said. "They're loud. Stubborn. Reckless. And they're going to drag you into trouble every few hours." He exhaled and continued. "So… you don't have time to sit around brooding endlessly," Daichi finished.

Kakashi gave a small huff. "I know," he said. "You don't need to worry about me, Daichi."

He looked up at the sky for a moment and spoke softly. "I doubt she'd be happy if I wasted this chance with them."

He slipped his hands deeper into his pockets. "I'll handle those three," Kakashi said. "You just focus on Lady Tsunade. Good night, Daichi."

"Good night, sensei."

They parted at the crossroads, Kakashi disappearing into the shadows of a side street while Daichi continued toward home.

—-

When Daichi reached the familiar gate and stepped onto the front porch, he slowed.

Kensei was sitting on the wooden step, arms resting on his knees, a small sake bottle by his side. He looked up as Daichi approached. "You're back late," Kensei said.

Daichi blinked. "There was… a lot to go over."

Kensei studied his grandson's face for a moment. The lines at the corners of his eyes deepened just a fraction. "I have something to say to you," Kensei said.

He pushed himself to his feet with a soft grunt and slid the door open. "Come inside," he added. "We should talk. It's about that man… Monkey D Dragon."

"What?" Daichi blinked once, then nodded and stepped in after him, closing the door on the quiet night outside.

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