"What did you say!"
Inside the Hokage Office, Hiruzen's voice sounded as if amplified by a megaphone.
Shinji, sitting on the sofa, once again helplessly poked his ear.
Why were people so fond of expressing surprise loudly these days?
"Old man, you're the Hokage. Can't you be a bit more reserved?" Shinji said with a helpless expression.
"You brat!"
Hiruzen, who had just stood up, was speechless at Shinji's demeanor.
"Do you know what a descendant of the Uzumaki clan means?"
"I do, but, sensei—"
Shinji looked directly at Hiruzen and slowly said, "I think you'll understand Karin's experience after the investigation."
"Before that, my advice is not to be too wishful. Karin is not like Kushina. Her current mental state simply cannot bear it."
Hearing this, Hiruzen frowned and sat down on the sofa.
"Tell me about it."
Shinji didn't hesitate when he heard this and immediately spoke of what he knew.
Hiruzen knew that he possessed a Ninjutsu that could perceive thoughts.
As Shinji recounted, Hiruzen's brows gradually furrowed.
"Hmph—"
After a long while, Hiruzen slowly exhaled a puff of smoke.
"If that's the case, it will be difficult."
Shinji blinked and helplessly said, "Sensei, you should know that in the past ten years, Konoha has not had Kushina's participation. Didn't we also manage Fuinjutsu very well?"
"Don't forget an entire forest because of one leaf."
Hiruzen took out his pipe, intending to tap Shinji's head.
Seeing Shinji dodge, he couldn't help but say, "You think I don't know? But some Fuinjutsu can only be performed by those of the Uzumaki clan."
"Otherwise, do you really think someone would have been able to infiltrate during the Nine-Tails Attack?"
"It was precisely because Kushina was about to give birth and couldn't maintain it, so she had to give up and use the village's improved Fuinjutsu."
This was something Shinji didn't know, but it made sense when he thought about it.
"Forget it, there's nothing that can be done at this point." Hiruzen waved his hand, no longer dwelling on it.
After all, Shinji was right. Konoha's Fuinjutsu was already the strongest in the Ninja World. Everything else could wait.
"Oh, and sensei, I plan to take this girl as my disciple." Shinji said.
Karin's talent was not bad. Although he could now be said to be very strong, who wouldn't want to be even stronger?
The Ninja World would only become more chaotic in the future.
"Even if you didn't say it, I would have arranged it that way." Hiruzen nodded.
He no longer had the energy to take on another disciple. It would be better to simply entrust her to Shinji.
Shinji spoke up, "However, I actually have another idea, which is to have Jiraiya-senpai join as well."
"Hmm?" Hiruzen was somewhat unclear about Shinji's intention.
"Let Jiraiya-senpai temporarily not leave the village. Otherwise, I'm worried he might be in danger."
Saying that, Shinji then spoke of the individuals on the front lines that ordinary people couldn't sense, as well as other matters.
"Shinji, do you know something?" Hiruzen asked with a frown.
"No, it's just, you should also consider, to be able to recruit so many rogue ninjas under their command..."
"How strong would that person be?"
Shinji waved his hand. It was better to wait for the Akatsuki to expose itself.
"I understand." Hiruzen nodded, no longer asking, but instead brought up another matter.
"Before you all returned, Itachi had already found Orochimaru."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Shinji looked at Hiruzen, waiting for the next piece of news.
"Orochimaru was defeated. He also revealed information about that organization, but it seemed more like an enticement for Itachi to go."
Hiruzen rubbed his brow. How could he not understand his disciple's personality?
Yet, Itachi felt that this organization was already a threat to Konoha. He requested Hiruzen to go undercover.
Shinji didn't know what to say when he heard this. Was this simply delivering himself?
Without the clan's extermination, how could Obito possibly allow Itachi to join?
"You agreed?" Shinji asked, looking at Hiruzen.
Hiruzen nodded. "Yes, Anbu itself exists for such matters. Although Itachi isn't a professionally trained spy, he can still meet the requirements."
In terms of strength, Itachi had it. Although he defeated Orochimaru by relying on his eyes, this represented Itachi's strength. He was already among the top in the Ninja World.
Shinji couldn't refute Hiruzen's explanation. After all, Anbu itself existed for this purpose. Previously, Root could also be utilized. Now, it was almost all Anbu-led.
Shinji thought of the ninja next to Ōnoki and spoke, "By the way, sensei, Iwagakure has medical ninja who can use the Mystical Palm Technique."
Hiruzen said, "Yes, even before you all returned, I had already received information from Jiraiya."
"The one Root sent out back then probably left something at their residence and was discovered by Iwagakure."
At this point, Hiruzen was secretly annoyed. Was Danzo's mind sick?
Sending a top medical ninja out as an undercover agent? How big of a hole in his head would he have to do such a thing?
Moreover, it now led to the leak of Konoha's Medical Ninjutsu, which had always been unrivaled.
"Don't worry about Jiraiya's matter." Hiruzen no longer thought about it and said to Shinji.
"Oh? Sensei, do you have a plan?"
"Heh, I can't keep Jiraiya, but there are plenty of people who can."
Jiraiya always disliked staying in the village. Hiruzen knew that. However, now that there was a bloodline of the Uzumaki clan, that person should also be able to be called back.
Shinji's eyes flickered as he thought of that person. His lips couldn't help but twitch. He would probably meet the last Sannin soon.
—
"Everyone, let's begin." Inoichi looked at the people around him and spoke gravely.
In front of them was Karin, whom Shinji had brought back, currently sitting with her eyes closed on a stone platform.
No matter who it was, anyone who wished to enter Konoha had to undergo confirmation by the Intelligence Division and the Torture and Interrogation Unit. This was also their duty.
Even Shinji couldn't interfere too much, only instructing Inoichi to be gentle.
Fortunately, Inoichi knew the importance of the situation, after all, it was the bloodline of the Uzumaki clan. After many years, they finally saw it again.
They would follow the routine procedures and then let this child wake up as soon as possible.