NARUTO: SECOND GOD OF SHINOBI

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Hiruzen was dumbfounded. The sheer amount of natural energy present in every beast sage region was astronomical. Seeing this, he spoke,

"If this amount of natural energy is released into the ninja world, then we wouldn't have to wait for Sage Mode to charge up. It could be deployed instantly.

Even someone like Jiraiya could become as proficient in the Sage Arts as Naruto was during the Pain invasion."

Soon, with his Rinne Sharingan and Sage Eyes technique, Hiruzen observed almost every nearby dimension visible to him. He muttered,

"That place has significant spatial fluctuations… Could it be the space channel of the Moon Otsutsuki clan?"

As he speculated, his spatial power strengthened once more.

Soon, he saw coordinates but couldn't confirm if they were the exact location of the Moon.

Marking the coordinates, he decided to deal with them later.

After more searching, he pondered,

"Should I make peace with the Sage Beast regions and Holy Lands or eradicate them?

The benefits are there, but so are the losses. I must carefully choose and deploy my strategy accordingly."

After some thought, he came to a conclusion,

"Let's first obtain all knowledge and techniques from the Holy Lands and other beast regions. After that, we will see whether they need to be destroyed or not."

With that decision made, Hiruzen closed his eyes and sat down, contemplating other matters.

Soon, he realized something and muttered,

"It seems some of the space channels and transportation seals have been deployed in certain regions, gradually connecting those places via space channels."

Since Hiruzen had deployed clones made from his real body cells, they had a certain level of life in them.

Over time, when they accumulated enough chakra, they could convert their chakra bodies into real, independent life forms, maintaining a connection with the main body.

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In the western parts of the Fire Nation, beyond the grasp of Iwa and Suna, lay various countries.

One of them was the Land of Keys, located a few countries behind the Land of Stone, bordering Iwa to the northeast.

At this moment, one of Hiruzen's clones had arrived and entered the main village inside the Land of Keys.

Inside a main city gate, a figure entered. He wore a black scarf covering his head and a brown kimono that blended in with the ordinary people in the city.

After paying some currency, he stepped inside. This was Hiruzen's clone, sent to take control of the Land of Keys.

As he entered the village, he was greeted by rock constructions, stone houses, and wooden exteriors painted with earthy tones. Looking at the city, Hiruzen's clone muttered,

"So this is the Land of Keys… Nothing special. But soon, it will become something under my management.

This is just one city—I must find Lock Village first. After that, I can start with my plans."

Releasing his senses, he scanned the city for chakra-capable ninja. After a minute, he detected various chakra signatures. Smirking, he muttered,

"Being a small village, they must have certainly sent someone here. Let's begin interrogating them."

His figure vanished.

Inside a narrow alley, a lone ninja passed by. As he did, Hiruzen's clone swiftly dragged him into the shadows without alerting any civilians.

Sealing his chakra, he wasted no time using Soul Manipulation to read his mind.

A vast amount of information surged into his consciousness. After some time, the clone opened his eyes and nodded,

"Seems my luck is good. I found a Chunin on my first try… and a Jomae Village Chunin at that."

Reviewing the information, he gradually pieced together the power structure of Jomae Village.

The Village Leader held absolute power over the Village of Locks.

There were 20 Jonin officially, but more might be hidden in the shadows.

This city served as a main market for Jomae Village, where assassination and espionage missions were contracted.

A young Jonin was also present in the city.

Hiruzen's clone pondered,

"Should I take the same approach as before—silent infiltration? Or should I forcefully take over?"

After some thought, he decided,

"Nah! I'll make my move with force. Becoming someone I'm not will only irritate me more."

He erased the Chunin's recent memories and left him unconscious in the alley. Then, he burrowed underground using Earth Release and exited the city.

Speeding toward Jomae Village, he arrived one hour later.

Hidden deep within a forest, Jomae Village was shaped like a key, with only one entrance and rounded walls. Seeing this, the clone muttered,

"A single entrance? A well-defended structure… But it won't matter to me."

Using Earth Release, he burrowed underground again and emerged inside an alley within the village.

Observing the stone and wooden structures, he swiftly made his way onto a rooftop.

From there, he scanned the village.

"Sensing from the amount of chakra auras… There are more than 44 Jonin and 15 Elite Jonin here."

A smirk spread across his face.

"Jomae Village has hidden itself well. It's as strong as Kusagakure… Very well, this makes it more worthwhile.

Other clones of mine will have to build from scratch, which may take decades. But this place? It already has a foundation."

His eyes locked onto the central building—most likely the Village Leader's Office.

Without hesitation, he activated Transparent Release and vanished.

Inside the Leader's Office…

A middle-aged man sat at a desk, working through documents.

Hiruzen's clone first invoked a barrier, ensuring no one could detect their conversation.

Then, using Mayfly Technique, he bypassed the wall and walked inside.

The moment his aura was released, the leader's instincts screamed danger.

Instantly, he leaped away, leaving a wooden log behind as a substitution.

Landing a few meters away, he drew a kunai, his voice filled with fear and shock,

"Who are you?! How did you get into my office?!"

Hiruzen's clone, still seated, exuded Kage-level pressure and spoke calmly,

"Relax, Jomae Leader. I mean no harm to you or your village. I've come to offer power and strength."

The middle-aged man frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

As he spoke, he realized something terrifying—no ninja had arrived from outside. His gaze flicked around and finally landed on the barrier covering the walls, ceiling, and floor.

The clone chuckled.

Taking a seat at the leader's desk, he continued,

"Relax. I am a ninja. I have come here to take control of Jomae Village and become its leader."

The leader tightened his grip on his kunai.

"If you surrender to me," the clone continued, "I promise to provide Jomae Village with various jutsu and arts capable of rivaling the Five Great Nations."

The middle-aged leader hesitated. Lowering his weapon slightly, he asked,

"You haven't told me your origin. And you talk of providing power… How can I trust you, Your Excellency?"

The clone smirked.

"My true name is forbidden for you to know—for now. But you may call me 13. That is my codename."

"As for my origin…"

His smirk widened.

"I come from the central lands of the Five Great Nations. And my purpose?"

He leaned forward, his gaze sharp.

"It is to unify the Western forces and make them as powerful as the Five Elemental Nations."

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