Naruto evolution system

Chapter 156: Edo Tensei

Time flew by, and soon it was the next day.

Konohagakure

Hokage's Office

Minato Namikaze flipped through the reports on his desk with meticulous care, pausing occasionally to ponder their contents.

The sheer number of secrets hidden within Root had exceeded his expectations.

However, the unresolved issues left behind were just as numerous.

Putting aside other matters, even the spies Root had deployed to various ninja villages posed a significant problem.

Without the restrictions of the Curse Tongue Eradication Seal, the likelihood of these spies betraying Konoha had increased dramatically. If they defected, Konoha's intelligence would undoubtedly be compromised.

"This cannot be ignored," Minato thought, his gaze shifting to Kakashi, who stood before him.

"Kakashi," Minato said.

"Yes," Kakashi responded promptly.

"Arrange for personnel to contact those Root spies as soon as possible. Make sure to stabilize them," Minato ordered.

He paused briefly before continuing, "No matter the cost, Konoha's intelligence must remain secure. Do you understand?"

"I understand," Kakashi replied concisely.

Minato nodded approvingly, then asked, "Are we certain that Danzo was killed by Baishi?"

"It's almost confirmed," Kakashi replied. "Root's mission records indicate that one of Danzo's objectives on this trip was to lure and kill Baishi.

Additionally, according to the surviving Root operatives who accompanied him, Danzo was indeed taken away by Baishi after suffering serious injuries. Therefore, it is highly likely that Danzo met his end at Baishi's hands."

"What about Dust Release?" Minato asked, raising the report in his hand.

"That was something Danzo himself mentioned to his subordinates. While the Root operatives didn't witness Baishi using Dust Release firsthand, it seems credible.

I've already sent someone to the battle site to verify this. If all goes well, we should have concrete results by this afternoon."

Minato nodded in satisfaction.

He was pleased with Kakashi's thorough approach. Critical intelligence like this couldn't rely solely on hearsay; it required solid evidence to avoid disastrous consequences later.

With the first two matters addressed, Minato's expression turned serious. "Your report mentioned that Root had another operative who inherited Wood Release. What's the story there?"

"Yes, there is one other," Kakashi confirmed. "His codename is Alpha, and he was part of the same experiment as Baishi.

According to Root's records, over a decade ago, after the village banned experiments involving Wood Release, Danzo and Orochimaru continued their research in secret.

They selected sixty children from nearby villages and conducted experiments with new methods, attempting to recreate the First Hokage's Wood Release.

In the end, only two children survived: Baishi and Alpha."

Kakashi's normally composed tone wavered slightly, betraying his mixed emotions. Whether it was sorrow for the fifty-eight children who perished or a sense of wonder at the survival of the two, he could not say.

Hearing this, Minato finally understood Baishi's past and why he was unwilling to return to Konoha.

Still, just because Baishi wouldn't return didn't mean the other survivor would feel the same.

"Where is Alpha now?" Minato asked.

"In the Land of Fire's capital," Kakashi answered.

"Danzo sent him there?"

"Yes."

"What was his mission?"

"To monitor the Guardian Shinobi Twelve," Kakashi explained.

"As I suspected." Minato tapped his fingers on the desk thoughtfully before saying, "I recall that the ANBU is also monitoring this situation, correct?"

"Yes, there's a squad stationed there."

"What's the current status?"

Kakashi considered for a moment before replying, "An internal conflict among the Guardian Shinobi Twelve is inevitable. It should happen within the next day or two."

Minato deliberated before giving an order. "I want you to go there personally and handle this matter.

Remember, do not intervene unless absolutely necessary, and above all, do not let the daimyo suspect anything unusual."

"Understood," Kakashi replied.

"Also..."

"What else?"

After a moment's hesitation, Minato added, "If possible, bring Alpha back to the village. Someone who has inherited the First Hokage's abilities shouldn't be left to roam freely."

"What if he refuses to return?" Kakashi asked.

Minato hesitated briefly before sighing. "If he doesn't want to return, let it go. After all, the village is at fault here."

"I understand," Kakashi said, bowing slightly.

As Minato began preparations, Orochimaru was also making his own moves.

---

Land of Wind

Eastern Great Sand Dunes

Underground Laboratory

In the dimly lit laboratory, Orochimaru examined a report in his hands before shaking his head. "So, Danzo is dead after all. What a pity."

A small flame ignited in his palm, consuming the report in an instant.

Orochimaru walked to a storage cabinet and retrieved a test tube containing a crimson liquid. The label on it read: Shimura Danzo.

The contents were none other than Danzo's blood, a sample Orochimaru had collected during the process of cultivating Danzo's Sharingan-infused arm. Now, it was about to serve a new purpose.

"Fufufu..." Orochimaru licked his lips, chuckling softly as he gazed at the blood.

"Danzo-sama, you'll be returning to the world very soon," he murmured, striding out of the laboratory with a sense of urgency.

---

A Few Minutes Later

All preparations complete, Orochimaru entered a spacious, dimly lit chamber.

The room was empty except for a young man kneeling in the center, his hands bound.

As Orochimaru approached, the young man's face contorted in fear, but he didn't dare utter a word. His pleas for mercy were conveyed only through his desperate eyes.

Orochimaru ignored him entirely. Stopping a short distance away, he unfurled a scroll covered in intricate sealing patterns.

After placing the scroll on the ground, he broke the test tube and let Danzo's blood flow onto it.

Then, he quickly performed the hand seals: Tiger, Snake, Boar, Dragon.

"Edo Tensei!" Orochimaru intoned, slamming his hands onto the scroll.

The seals on the scroll lit up, spreading rapidly to encircle the young man. The symbols for Edo and Tensei appeared on the ground beneath him.

Dust and earth began to gather from all around, clinging to the young man's body like paper wrapping around a frame.

"AAAAHH!"

A blood-curdling scream escaped the young man's lips but was abruptly cut short as he became fully encased.

Orochimaru watched intently, his excitement palpable. When the earthen covering finally dissolved, revealing the figure beneath, a smile spread across his face.

(End of Chapter)

---

Read up to 20 chapter ahead of time on patreon.com/Legendryweeb

{please give this novel 5 Star review and power stone}

*Thank you*