Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Mission Target: Ishihara! Action!
Chapter 14: Mission Target: Ishihara! Action!
What?!
Kakashi and the others showed expressions of astonishment.
Given their experience, they understood that the Body Refinement Technique was not something an ordinary person could develop.
They could believe it coming from Orochimaru, who frequently conducted forbidden experiments.
But Orochimaru's disciple?
Did he have so much experience and knowledge, so many secret techniques accumulated?
The group was still somewhat skeptical and puzzled.
The Root team leader anxiously said:
"The experimental data has proven the authenticity of the Body Refinement Technique, so who developed it is not important!"
"We need to get the technique first!"
As he was about to proceed, Yamanaka Hirako quickly intervened, "No!"
In the astonished eyes of the group, he trembled and said:
"Ishihara is very important! Extremely important!! Even more so than the Body Refinement Technique!!!"
In the astonished eyes of Kakashi and the others, Yamanaka Hirako said solemnly:
"That mysterious person named Ishihara didn't just develop the Body Refinement Technique!"
"In his memories, Ishihara also created an explosive technique that can double one's strength!"
"And there's a genjutsu so shocking that even Orochimaru is astonished by it, rumored to be at least S-rank!"
"There's also a technique that can petrify the skin, making it harder than iron and stone!"
"Furthermore, there's a terrifying Lightning Release technique comparable to the Cloud Village's body techniques!"
"There are even rumors that Ishihara can rapidly absorb energy from blood to accelerate his physical growth, which seems to be another technique!"
"And they even speculate there might be more secret techniques that they just don't know about!"
Silence.
A dead silence!
Everyone stared wide-eyed at Yamanaka Hirako, horrified.
The Root team leader angrily shouted:
"What nonsense! Orochimaru has only been away from Konoha for six years."
"Are you asking me to believe that someone could develop five or six secret techniques comparable to or surpassing the Body Refinement Technique in just six years?!"
"And how could such confidential information come from mere cannon fodder under Orochimaru?!"
Hirako trembled, his gaze shifting to the depths of the base with a chill in his heart.
"Because this information was deliberately spread by a boy named Jūgo."
"Though I don't know why he did it, have you considered that if it's true?!"
The group looked at each other in confusion.
If this were true, then...
"That would mean that Orochimaru has a disciple with an extraordinary talent!"
"With enough time, he could develop even more S-rank, or even higher-level secret techniques!"
"If Konoha could obtain these techniques..."
Heavy breathing filled the room.
Even the skeptical Root team leader's eyes were reddening.
In the ninja world, the power of a ninja is heavily based on the potency of the techniques they master.
Even someone like Kakashi, with an average chakra amount, had significantly increased his strength by mastering multiple techniques and developing Chidori.
If Konoha could master so many S-rank techniques,
How powerful would Konoha become?!!!
No one could resist the temptation!
Moreover, the Anbu were already deeply influenced by the Third Hokage's Will of Fire.
And as for the Root, it was needless to say.
For the sake of Konoha, they were willing to kill comrades and sacrifice themselves.
Even if it were only a possibility, it was worth the gamble!
Win, and Konoha would grow!
Lose, and it would be just death!
The Root team leader turned to Kakashi, "What's the plan?"
Kakashi's expression shifted, conflicted.
In the world of ninjas, obtaining intelligence and capturing a person were entirely different tasks.
Moreover, they might face Orochimaru's pursuit.
But! But!!!
If Ishihara really had such terrifying talent!
Could they really let him go?
Kakashi's resolve hardened, his voice resolute:
"The primary objective of the mission is now changed to capturing Ishihara alive! I want him alive!"
"If necessary, I will hold off the enemy while you all retreat with the information!"
"Additionally, immediately send information to the Hokage and Danzo-sama!"
"Regardless of whether we succeed or fail, this information must be sent back immediately! Immediately!!!"
"Yes!!!"
Everyone prepared themselves, even starting to take military rations to replenish energy, checking their gear, and readying themselves for a deadly battle.
He arranged for someone to immediately send the information and then turned to Yamanaka Hirako, saying:
"I need more intelligence about Ishihara! Preferably information about the Body Refinement Technique in advance!"
Someone who could develop so many secret techniques must be highly skilled.
To capture him alive in a short time, they needed to be well-prepared.
"The information about the Body Refinement Technique is sealed with destructive curse seals by Orochimaru and cannot be obtained."
Yamanaka Hirako shook his head and quickly grabbed another person to perform a memory-reading technique.
The entire passage fell into a dead silence once more.
Everyone anxiously watched Yamanaka Hirako.
Although they had launched a surprise attack and had not yet found Orochimaru, if he appeared, all their plans would be in vain.
Time was of the essence.
Yamanaka Hirako, aware of the urgency, was sweating and his eyelids were twitching, muttering:
"Faster! Faster!! Faster!!!"
Suddenly, Yamanaka Hirako opened his eyes, his face filled with excitement:
"I've got it!"
Kakashi urged, "Speak quickly!"
Hirako, not daring to delay, said urgently: "Ishihara is only six years old. We can definitely take him!"
Six years old?!
Are you kidding me?
Kakashi shook his head, feeling a surge of frustration.
He was already prepared for sacrifice, and now you tell me it's the work of a six-year-old?
How can I believe that?
Everyone felt the same way.
The roller-coaster of emotions caused the Root team leader to curse:
"Do you believe this?! A six-year-old child developing five or six secret techniques? Did he start developing them while drinking milk?!"
Yamanaka Hirako, however, was very excited.
"No, after repeatedly comparing the information, I'm sure it's true!"
"It may sound incredible, but the child didn't grow up on milk; he drank beast blood!"
"It might be a bloodline limit or some secret technique. In any case, Ishihara could rapidly grow by drinking blood from infancy!"
"He doesn't behave like a normal human being at all!"
"And Orochimaru had no reason to fabricate such a lie in his own base; it would benefit him in no way!"
Kakashi, regaining his composure, thought it over and frowned:
"Orochimaru indeed has no reason to lie about this. Could those secret techniques really be created by a child?!"
It was hard to believe.
It seemed almost surreal!
It couldn't be more absurd if it were a dream.
Itachi calmly said, "Regardless of whether these techniques were created by Ishihara or not, we must obtain the Body Refinement Technique through him!"
Since Ishihara was Orochimaru's disciple, he might not have the sealing curse seal on him!