"..."
It truly is a consistent mindset of power doctrine.
Thinking about it this way, Hakushi felt like he worried for Ruri for no reason.
"You're too fixated on the so-called truth, the past you was like this, needing to thoroughly understand the so-called truth."
"Exploring truth is my job."
Hakushi provided the answer.
"You're obviously lacking a sense of security."
Ruri gave a look of 'don't even try to fool me,' her eyes appeared able to see through the essence of everything.
"Since you understand that, why say it out loud, it's quite hurtful."
Hakushi pulled a helpless smile.
Just as he understood everything about Ruri, Ruri also understood everything about him.
This kind of trick is impossible to conceal from the other.
"Because I rarely see you in such a conflicted manner, it's quite interesting."
Ruri laughed as she said this.
"You... wouldn't be Ayane using Transformation Jutsu, would you?"
Hakushi hesitated for a moment before asking this somewhat rude question.
Indeed, upon hearing Hakushi's words, Ruri's dark pupils suddenly fixed on him, without answering, the air cooling as it slowly flowed around.
Seems like the real deal.
Ayane didn't possess such a powerful and intimidating aura.
"How is the progress on Immortal Technique?"
Ruri asked about the topic she was most concerned with.
"In the most recent experiment, the success rate of synthesizing Sage Art Chakra has steadily increased to over eighty percent. Give me another six months to a year, and it can be formally put to use."
Hakushi offered a relatively conservative timeline.
Ruri nodded, six months to a year was a completely bearable timeframe.
After all, she currently had plenty of free time, being one of the sub-captains of the Security Team, she mostly delegated work to her subordinates, only stepping in when confronted with difficult problems.
After Ruri left, Hakushi fell into contemplation.
Indeed, as Ruri mentioned, rather than speculating on what Konoha's higher-ups intended, enhancing one's own power would never be a loss.
"But no matter how I enhance my combat prowess, I can't surpass Ruri, her growth speed is simply abnormal. My 'strength' isn't displayed in combat..."
Discarding all training time, and dedicating all time outside of work and rest to research is what Hakushi could think of as a course of action.
Not only Ruri, but even Ayane's strength growth speed was not slower than his.
His cultivation talent wasn't poor. Compared to Ruri and Ayane, the gap could be negligible.
However, both of them benefited from their bloodline abilities, Sharingan and Byakugan, which are among the most distinguished Kekkeigenkai in the Ninja Realm.
This was an advantage Hakushi did not possess.
And the power of Kekkeigenkai, with the continuous development by its bearers, becomes increasingly formidable.
Not to mention, both of them are geniuses in their own right.
Abandoning training time to invest all energy into research was also a means to enhance 'strength.'
Creating 'weapons' was Hakushi's job, using 'weapons' in battle was Ruri and Ayane's task.
Hakushi suddenly felt a sense of clarity, seeing through to truth.
Everyone born into this world isn't perfect.
Thereby needing others to complement one's shortcomings, advancing and retreating together.
Compared to combat, his strength lay more in research, possessing insights and thoughts that surpassed the Ninja era. This was where he excelled over Ruri and Ayane.
Thus, there was no need to refine excellence in battle now, that wasn't the path he should choose.
Thinking this way, the secret plans of Konoha's higher-ups weren't such a critical matter after all.
What's important is personal enhancement.
◎
The weather in May was already quite warm.
The creature named 'White Zetsu' had already silently infiltrated into Konoha.
Compared to other villages, infiltrating Konoha was the most challenging among these Ninja Villages.
The sensory barrier surrounding the entire village, capable of seeing through entities with Byakugan, made White Zetsu extremely cautious in his endeavors after infiltrating.
A total of three people infiltrated, while two more White Zetsus remained outside Konoha Village for surveillance.
The three White Zetsus infiltrating Konoha Village had very clear objectives, to investigate a previously missing White Zetsu, whether it was related to Konoha's higher-ups, and to gather intelligence in the Uchiha Clan Land, seeking the so-called 'representative.'
As for what kind of character, talent requirements the 'representative' needed, the White Zetsus knew little, everything awaited determination by their 'Lord Madara.'
But the 'representative's' age certainly couldn't be too old, preferably between a few to a dozen years old, as such individuals were easily controlled.
Thus, they focused surveillance on Uchiha clan members, mainly targeting young ninjas in their teens, or children studying at Ninja School.
One is responsible for investigating the higher-ups, one for Ninja School, and one sneaking within Uchiha Clan Land; the three White Zetsus operating within Konoha divided their tasks extremely clearly.
They have long been adept at intelligence gathering, even in this most difficult village to penetrate, given enough time, they can successfully operate intelligence channels.
The White Zetsu responsible for the Uchiha Clan Land moved freely underground.
He was like a ghost that didn't exist, until now no one had discovered his actions.
Even the Uchiha Race couldn't possibly detect his tracks.
This White Zetsu was quite pleased with himself.
Though weak combat capabilities were a flaw shared by most White Zetsus, each one's infiltration abilities were excellent, only a few special Perception Ninjas could perceive their presence.