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( Translator: I miss some paragraphs for almost all the chapters and I added them sorry )
After leaving Konoha Hospital, the sky had already dimmed into evening.
Mujin tossed the training scroll he had just acquired into the air, catching it effortlessly. Despite only obtaining the method to train up to the fifth gate of the Eight Gates, he showed no sign of disappointment.
The requirements for mastering the Eight Gates were extraordinarily harsh. Not only did it demand an exceptionally strong physique from the practitioner, but the higher the gate, the slower the progress became.
Rock Lee had managed to master the first five gates in just a year, yet it had taken him nearly six years to advance from the fifth to the sixth gate. Even now, it was uncertain whether Might Guy had truly unlocked the eighth gate.
A power that required several years of effort to achieve would be of no use in their current situation. In contrast, the first five gates—trainable in a relatively short period—were far more suitable for their needs.
Moreover, Mujin and Karin had been using the Six Harmonies and Six Clashes seal to strengthen their bodies. Their physical condition wasn't far behind Rock Lee's, and in some aspects, they even surpassed him. Their training for the first five gates would likely progress at an accelerated pace.
However, Karin still expressed some concern. "Isn't this technique said to grant power surpassing that of the Hokage in a short time? Won't our actions provoke hostility from Konoha?"
Mujin reassured her. "It shouldn't. When Lee trained, he didn't seek anyone's approval. Moreover, this secret technique, which allows one to trade life for temporary overwhelming strength, aligns perfectly with Danzo Shimura's Root operatives. Yet, even Danzo never sought to claim it. It seems Konoha doesn't place much importance on it. Besides, we've only obtained the first five gates. Even if Konoha does confront us, we can simply hand it over."
As they spoke, the two returned to the inn where they were staying.
The Shadow Clone, disguised as a scarred young man, approached them upon their arrival. "Grass and Green stayed up all night gambling at the casino and drank heavily, so they didn't show up."
"Hmph, how typical…" Mujin smirked. "Where are they now?"
The Shadow Clone pointed to the room behind him. "They're awake."
Inside the room, Grass was rubbing his head, feeling groggy. "Damn it, I drank too much last night. What time is it now? Didn't someone mention something about watching the preliminary matches?"
Green shook his head to clear his thoughts. "It's… evening, I think. No one's back yet. Could those brats have all died? Heh, I wanted to teach those two losers a lesson."
As they spoke, the door opened, and Mujin and Karin entered.
Seeing them, Green's eyes lit up. His good mood seemed to return instantly.
But before he could say anything, Mujin walked straight past him and closed the window behind him, sealing it with a soundproof talisman. Karin also shut the door and applied a similar seal.
"What are you doing!"
Their actions immediately aroused suspicion. Grass reached out to grab Karin, who was closer to him.
However, Karin swiftly turned around, grabbing his wrist with one hand and crushing the bones with a sharp snap. She followed up with a kick to his knee, breaking it, and then twisted his neck as he screamed in agony.
With a thud, Grass collapsed to the floor, his wide-open eyes devoid of life.
The drunken haze vanished from Green's mind in an instant. A chilling sensation surged from his toes to the top of his head.
"You… what are you doing!!! Help!!! Murder!!!"
He tried to call for Konoha's shinobi, but…
Outside, the Shadow Clone gazed at the starry sky, hearing no sound from within the room.
Green shouted as he attempted to break through the window, only to collide with an invisible barrier. With a loud thud, he fell back into the room.
Clearly, the sealing talismans weren't just for soundproofing.
Mujin formed a single-handed seal in front of him and softly muttered, "Kinbutsu no Jutsu."
The Kinbutsu Technique—a simple jutsu taught to every ninja academy student—was enough to paralyze Green, a chūnin-level shinobi.
In an instant, Green's body stiffened, rendering him immobile.
Karin stepped forward, ready to twist his head off, but Mujin raised a hand to stop her. "This time, let me handle it."
Karin nodded and stepped back.
By now, Green had regained his composure. Realizing there was no way out, he shouted desperately, "You can't kill me! The elders will never forgive you! Spare my life, and I'll help you prove that Grass was killed by someone else!"
"No, the elders won't have any questions."
Mujin pulled a pure white mask from his pocket and placed it over his face. At the same time, his crimson hair transformed into pure white.
"That… that's…" Green's jaw dropped, his pupils shrinking to pinpricks as his face contorted in terror. "No mercy, not even for the old or the young—the bloodless and tearless assassin of the Grass! The Faceless One! You're the assassin Mujin!!! Wait, wait! I'm from the Grass faction too! I've killed members of the Flower faction! We're on the same side! You can't kill me!!! Please! I'm still useful! I'm still useful!!!"
Hidden behind the pure white mask, no one could tell what Mujin was thinking. Perhaps there was no need to guess. Twelve eerie heavenly demons had already begun to materialize behind him.
Mujin formed a series of hand seals, then turned to the green-haired man—Ryoku—and spoke calmly. "So, would you like to experience being eaten?"
"Sealing Technique: Black Coffin."
In an instant, four pitch-black curtains rose from beneath Ryoku's feet, swallowing all light as they enclosed him in what resembled a coffin. At the same time, the Twelve Demon Lords surged into the blackened void. From within came muffled screams of agony, followed by the grotesque sounds of gnawing and chewing. Eventually, silence reigned.
A short while later, the door to the room opened, and Mujin and Karin stepped out. Behind them were Grass and Ryoku—or rather, shadow clones created by Karin using the Face-Stealing Technique. Their real faces had been replaced with those stolen earlier.
After a moment of thought, Mujin addressed the shadow clones. "We initially planned to use these three faces to stir up some blood feud for Grass Village. But upon reflection, such petty actions are unnecessary now. After you leave Konoha tomorrow, simply dispel yourselves. Once Orochimaru's plan fails, I'll ignite the Fourth Shinobi World War. In the face of a war that engulfs the entire ninja world, personal grudges become utterly insignificant."
With that said, everyone dispersed to rest.
The next morning, the two arrived at the entrance of the Hokage Tower.
The receptionist inside learned they were scheduled to meet with the Third Hokage and led them toward his office on the top floor.
As they ascended, Mujin began verifying the layout of the building against the intelligence he'd gathered earlier. Meanwhile, Karin used her Mind's Eye of Kagura to scan the distribution of guards throughout the tower.
Though the barrier surrounding the Hokage Tower prevented outsiders from prying, it couldn't stop reconnaissance originating from within.
When they reached the third floor, Mujin approached one of the Konoha shinobi stationed there and said apologetically, "Excuse me, but could you tell us where the restroom is? My sister can't hold it any longer."
Karin blushed deeply, keeping her head bowed to avoid eye contact.
Her blush was genuine.
Though slightly annoyed, the Konoha shinobi couldn't refuse guests of the Hokage. Nodding, he replied, "This way. Follow me."
They walked a short distance down the corridor. As soon as Karin entered the restroom, Mujin glanced toward the end of the hallway. There lay their objective—the heavily guarded...
Confidential Archive Room.
A faint chuckle escaped Mujin's lips. How did Naruto manage to steal the Scroll of Seals from here?
Come to think of it, the Sandaime truly doted on Naruto. Not only had he gifted forbidden techniques to the boy, but he'd also never mentioned the theft of the Scroll of Seals. Moreover, Naruto enjoyed freedoms unprecedented for a jinchūriki—freedoms unheard of even among other villages' hosts.
A short while later, Karin emerged and gave Mujin a subtle nod.
He understood—she had thoroughly mapped out the guard placements.
With that settled, there was no reason to linger further.
"I'm terribly sorry," Mujin said to the shinobi escorting them, "but we've decided not to meet with the Hokage after all."
"What?" The shinobi froze, stunned. "But Lord Hokage is already expecting you!"
"Then please convey our message to him. He'll understand. Tell him the Uzumaki have no desire to be tied to Konoha anymore. We guarantee that once this Chunin Exam concludes, he'll never see us again."
With that, they left the bewildered shinobi behind and exited the Hokage Tower without another word.
Once outside, Karin hesitated before asking, "Shouldn't we ask the Third why Konoha didn't support the Uzumaki back then?"
"There's no point," Mujin replied. "Even if we knew the truth, it wouldn't change anything. Our lives won't rewind because of it. Besides, our revenge isn't about seeking justice or righteousness. We don't need excuses to justify ourselves. We're villains, murderers, the most dangerous criminals in the ninja world. Our vengeance is purely selfish—it's meant to make us feel better, to forgive our past selves for being weak and powerless..."
"Mm..." Karin nodded, then proceeded to provide Mujin with detailed information about the interior layout of the Hokage Tower.
After listening intently, Mujin stroked his chin pensively, frowning. "I underestimated how tight security would be. Whether through direct assault or infiltration, attempting this with just the two of us poses too much risk. Our original plan needs adjustment—we'll need some cannon fodder..."
Meanwhile, deep within the Hokage Tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi received Mujin's message.
"The Uzumaki still cannot forgive Konoha, eh? It's better if we don't meet again... Just so long as they don't dig into the truth behind the Uzumaki clan's destruction. Otherwise..."
Hiruzen pondered for a moment, then gestured. A masked ANBU operative appeared before him instantly. "Keep an eye on them. These are extraordinary times. If either of them makes any suspicious moves, detain them immediately."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"