CH 337

Half an hour later.

The prisoners had already cleaned up Aoba's office.

These people did not know Aoba, but they were not deaf. Just now, they had heard the guard leader's words, and all knew the identity of this person wearing the black mask.

Torturer Ninja Squad Leader.

All the torturer ninjas in any compartments were under his control. In other words, even the legendary cat-faced demon. They were all his subordinates!

How could they dare to neglect such an identity? They quickly cleaned up the office, which looked slightly old.

"Thank you."

Aoba thanked the prisoners who came out of the office. However, no one saw the expression on his face behind the black mask.

After hearing what Aoba said, these prisoners all felt flattered. No one dared to speak and just lowered their heads.

"Squad Leader..." The guard leader stared at Aoba. While trying to guess Aoba's identity, he asked, "Should we send them all to the cat-faced demon?"

As soon as the guard leader said this. All the prisoner's eyes were focused on Aoba. Everyone's eyes were flashing with anticipation.

They all hoped to win a chance not to go into the cat-faced demon's little compartment through their efforts just now.

After the guard leader asked this question, he also stared at Aoba. He also wanted to know what this person was thinking. He didn't just want to know what kind of style this newly arrived squad leader had. He also wanted to confirm the speculation in his heart.

When he first saw this newly arrived squad leader, a familiar feeling welled up in his heart, as if he had seen this person somewhere before.

However, this feeling always made him feel as if there was nothing.

At one moment, he felt as if he had discovered some secret, and at the next moment, he felt as if everything that had just happened was an illusion.

Just like this, the guard leader observed Aoba for more than half an hour. Finally, he felt more and more in his heart.

This new torturer ninja squad leader was very similar to the cat-faced demon. He always felt that some parts of the two people gave him a resemblance. But he couldn't tell what it was.

Because of this, he also wanted to use this method to ask the new squad leader in front of him.

If there was no cat-faced demon. That means the cat-faced demon was promoted.

So...

Could this person be the cat-faced demon?

The guard leader's curiosity had already started to swell. He felt that he had guessed the identity of this newly arrived squad leader, but he also thought that he had yet to guess it completely.

"This is your job. You can do whatever you want. I won't interfere with your work." Aoba said lightly.

As soon as this was said. Those prisoners who were originally looking forward. In an instant, it withered.

The expressions on everyone's faces dimmed. They had worked so hard just to get a chance not to be sent to the cat-faced demon. Who knew that this person did not say anything at all?

Of course, they had no idea at all.

The person they were facing now was the cat-faced demon himself. It was just that he was not meeting them as the cat-faced demon.

Most importantly...

Relying on his acute paranoia ability, Aoba could determine that the guard leader suspected his identity accurately. Therefore, he naturally wouldn't say anything for these prisoners at this time.

"Then I will send them to the cat-faced demon." The guard leader said meaningfully.

"Go."

Aoba casually waved his hand. His body movements showed that he did not want to be entangled in this topic anymore.

After that, Aoba opened the door of his office. He walked straight in, then gently closed the door. He left the guard leader, the other guards, and the prisoners in the corridor.

Other than the guard leader. The others did not feel anything at all. The guards only wanted to send these prisoners to the cat-faced demon's compartment. This was already a daily matter for them.

As for these prisoners, they seemed to be in a daze. They seemed to have already lost half their lives before the official interrogation.

Only the guard leader here silently looked at the door that had been closed.

'Had I guessed wrong?'

'That person is not the cat-faced demon?'

Thinking of this, a hint of determination flashed through the eyes of the guard leader. He immediately led the guards to escort the prisoner to the cat-faced demon's compartment.

After a while, the guard leader brought these people to the door of the No. 7 compartment. He gently knocked on the door and pushed it open.

In the dark room, the guard leader saw the cat-faced demon wearing a cat-face mask.

Only...

This cat-faced demon gave him a very strange feeling. It was different from before.

'It is definitely different!'

'This is not the same person!'

The guard leader immediately felt that he had discovered something. His eyes stared intensely at the "cat-faced demon" in front of him, who was very different from before, and instantly fell into deep thought.

"Bring in the prisoners who need to be interrogated!"

Shinichi was the first to speak. He did not imitate Aoba or know what Aoba had done previously. He was only doing his own cat-faced demon unique style.

"Okay."

The guard leader nodded. After that, he gave the guards around him a look. He knew that he had discovered something but did not know what this meant. Moreover, he was not a detective. He wanted to avoid digging deeper into the details of this place.

Following the instructions of the guard leader. These guards sent the prisoners to the No. 7 compartment, then they left together.

While the guard leader was leaving, he was still thinking about what he had just experienced.

'If I'm not wrong...'

'That squad leader is the real cat-faced demon.'

'This person is a newly replaced cat-faced demon.'

'The purpose should be to maintain the character of the cat-faced demon.'

After the guard leader thought about this matter, his heart immediately relaxed. After he knew that the squad leader was the first-generation cat-faced demon, he understood that the squad leader would not do anything against him. They were old friends.

As for the current cat-faced demon...

He would also help maintain this character. After all, the cat-faced demon's identity was also his money tree. He could receive many benefits when distributing the prisoners to be interrogated.

"I knew that the cat-faced demon would be promoted. There are not many people who can make such achievements!" The guard leader whispered in a voice that only he could hear.

After that, he left with the rest of the guards. Just as they walked out to the path they came from.

The guard leader glanced at the door of Aoba's office. His eyes flashed with deep meaning, but he didn't say anything else and directly walked away.

...

Aoba stood in the cleaned office and looked around the room. Although the place was not big, it was good to have a personal space.

There was a desk in the room.

There were also chairs.

The most important thing was...

There was light here that made it less dark.

As a whole, it was still very simple but compared to the modern world offices, it was still very simple, but in Konohagakure Intelligence Division's eyes, it was already extravagant!

Aoba looked around and finally stopped at the wall beside the door. It could be said to be a visual blind spot. It was difficult for people who had just entered to notice that place.

After confirming the location. Aoba slowly raised his right hand and pressed it down. A black circular symbol appears on the wall.

It was his Flying Thunder God Formula!

"This is much better!"

After Aoba took down the Flying Thunder God Formula, this office became a part of his strategic map. He could quickly teleport over through Hiraishin no Jutsu(Flying Thunder God Technique) at any time.

Instantly, Aoba immediately formed hand seals.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu(Shadow Clone Technique)!"

Aoba directly created a shadow clone that looked exactly like him. The shadow clone stood in front of him.

"Go to the tower's first floor and use shadow clone again. Let all the shadow clones continue to practice the puppet technique," Aoba said to the shadow clone.

"Yes!"

The shadow clone immediately responded. Then, with a thought, he directly communicated with the tower's Flying Thunder God Formula. He directly used Hiraishin no Jutsu(Flying Thunder God Technique) and instantly disappeared.

Almost at the same time.

The tall tower.

First floor.

Aoba's shadow clone appeared in a flash. Then, he raised his hands and extended his index and middle fingers to form a cross.

"Taju Kage Bunshin no Jutsu(Multiple Shadow Clone Technique)!"

Aoba's shadow clone immediately used Taju Kage Bunshin no Jutsu(Multiple Shadow Clone Technique). In an instant, one shadow clone after another appeared on this floor, filling up the first floor of the tower.

There was no need to explain anything. These shadow clones had all gone to their respective duties to do their training content. They were all Aoba. They had the same thoughts as Aoba.

The hands of each shadow clone began to fiddle with all kinds of wood parts, either polished or pieced together, and gradually got busy.

...

Aoba sat in his brand-new office.

He took out the book he had used in the morning, opened it to the first page, and again saw the relationship diagram between the Hiruzen, Danzo, and Tobirama.

He pulled his thoughts back to the thought of this matter.

"I'm going to look back!"

Aoba immediately closed his eyes and placed his hands on his temples. Anyway, he just arrived here. He was newly promoted in this position, and Eaton still needed to inform the people here. It just so happened to be the perfect time to laze around.

All of a sudden, Aoba once again opened up Danzo's memories. He immersed himself again in Danzo's memories.

Scene after scene began to appear in Aoba's mind, and they were presented in front of him from the first perspective.

After Tobirama went to cover the rear and fought with the Kinkaku Force, the six-member group headed by Hiruzen quickly left the Country of Lightning and returned to the Country of Fire territory.

Throughout the entire process, Danzo was in a state of confusion, jealousy, and frustration.

However, there was one thing that never changed. That was Danzo's gaze had always been focused on Hiruzen.

Because of that matter, he had always been brooding over Hiruzen. He felt that he had suffered a loss because of his slow reaction and was unable to speak of the matter of him wanting to become bait before Hiruzen said those words.

Apart from the intense regret and frustration in Danzo's heart, the entire team was immersed in sorrow.

They all knew after such a thing happened. The Second Hokage, who had exhausted his physical strength and did not have many chakras as bait, probably would not be able to come back alive.

Aoba followed Danzo's perspective and kept staring at Hiruzen, who was leading the team at the front.

This made him discover more problems clearly.

Hiruzen did not look as sad as the other people. The whole image showed a rare "for the big picture", which was to quickly take his companions away and make the feeling of running away very wonderful.

"Now is not the time to be sad. We must return to Konohagakure. We can't let sensei die in vain!"

Hiruzen said to the other companions in a low voice. Through words, he lets these people walk out of their sad emotions and concentrate on returning to Konohagakure. He did not want any accidents to happen along the way. Moreover, when he spoke, he already had the attitude of a leader.

"Yes!"

Except for Danzo, everyone responded. However, this sentence ignited Danzo's thoughts about Tobirama, and tears instantly blurred his vision.

When Aoba saw this, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous. He suddenly realized a problem that he had never thought of before. He had always known that Hiruzen was hypocritical, and his hypocrisy only allowed Danzo to do the things he could not do on the stage.

But was it really like that?

When Aoba looked at these things from Danzo's perspective.

At least, he felt that…

At least, he felt that all the time when the time node of Tobirama's death was pushed forward.

Danzo was a normal person.

It was just that he was more decisive in his way of doing things and had Tobirama's demeanor. However, he was still upright and did not use any schemes or tricks.

But the Hiruzen at this time node...

Oh, no!

It was already the Third Hokage.

On the other hand, it revealed the shadows of those typical ruthless characters he had seen in history books.

The things that Hiruzen had done. It seemed like it was unintentional. In reality, it was filled with schemes.

The more Aoba felt, the clearer it became. It was just that he did not know what the people around were thinking, nor did he know what Danzo was thinking.

No wonder...

No wonder the remnants of the old era appeared. Logically speaking, the Ino-Shika-Cho clan should have been on the side of the Sarutobi Clan at that time.

Unless.

Their hearts were following the Sarutobi Clan but they were not following Hiruzen!

Aoba continued to look at the memories. After Hiruzen returned to Konohagakure, he began preparing to take over Third Hokage's position.

However, things did not go so smoothly.

Although Hiruzen temporarily stayed in the Hokage's office and temporarily sat in the Hokage position, planning and managing the village, he did not receive the support of most of the villagers. This caused him not to have the title of Hokage for some time officially.

Things were complicated during this time.

In the first month since Hiruzen returned to Konohagakure. The entire Konohagakure was in chaos. There were both internal and external problems.

The Senju clan in the village wanted to promote another clan member to inherit the position of Hokage, which was greatly recognized.

At the same time, the Uchiha clan also pushed out an Uchiha clan member to compete for the position of Third Hokage.

As for the Ino-Shika-Cho clan that originally should stand behind Hiruzen, they did not clearly express their attitude.

At that time, Konohagakure was shaken by a storm.

After returning to the village, Danzo saw everything but did not have any thoughts. He was still immersed in the pain of losing the Hokage position, lying at home every day, and just going out once every few days.

Then, Hiruzen personally came to visit.

Aoba suddenly focused his attention. He faintly felt that the turning point of future events might be born here.

...

After hearing the knock on the door, Danzo walked to the door and opened it. He saw Hiruzen standing at the door, wearing Konohagakure's ninja clothes. The corners of his mouth curled into a mocking smile.

"Hiruzen, oh, no, Third Hokage-sama, how come you have time to come to this broken place of mine!" Danzo said in a strange tone. His hatred for Hiruzen had yet passed. During this period of time, he was thinking of the scene of that day, and it would even appear in his dreams. He dreamed that he did not step forward to be the bait, and in the end, he lost the position of Hokage that should belong to him.

"Are you not going to invite me in to talk?" Hiruzen stared at Danzo with an indifferent expression. There was no change in his expression. He looked like an emotionless machine.

"Come in."

Danzo turned around and walked into the house. Hiruzen followed behind Danzo. The two of them walked toward the living room.

"I won't make tea for you, and you don't need any hospitality. Please do as you please!" Danzo sat directly on the futon and had no intention of talking to Hiruzen. He still regarded Hiruzen as a thorn in his side and could not say any words of blessing. It was similar to Obito's complex emotions when he saw Kakashi become Jonin.

"I'll make it for you!"

Hiruzen was not angry at Danzo's rejection. He then began to busy himself.

Wash the teapot and tea cups.

Boil the water.

Brew the tea.

The whole process took more than ten minutes. In the end, Hiruzen walked to Danzo with the steaming tea that had already been brewed.

"The tea is ready."

Hiruzen placed the teapot and teacup on the table. Then, he sat on the futon on the other side. He began to pour a cup of tea for Danzo and pushed it to Danzo's side.

Then, Hiruzen pours himself a cup of tea.

Two cups of tea were placed on the table.

In this cold weather. There were traces of white smoke rising from it. At the same time, the refreshing fragrance of tea entered their noses.

"You are not looking for me to make tea, are you?" Danzo rolled his eyes at Hiruzen and said grumpily. He would not forgive Hiruzen so easily just because of Hiruzen's simple coaxing.

"Danzo, I am not here to make tea. I have something very important to find you!" Hiruzen's eyes suddenly became extremely serious, and his expression was serious, as if he had encountered something big.

"I can't help you." Danzo refused without even listening. What kind of joke was this? How could he help Hiruzen?

"Danzo, I need your help. The village situation is too bad now. Only you can help me!" Hiruzen lowered his posture, giving off a feeling of being polite.

"How do you want me to help you?" Danzo was stunned for a moment. This was the first time he had seen Hiruzen act like this, and his heart was somewhat distressed.

"I want you to be Hokage's assistant!" Hiruzen immediately stated his purpose.

"Forget it; I'm not interested in assisting you. To be honest, I didn't dismantle you when you became a Hokage because I still care about friendship and companionship." Danzo directly waved his hand. At that time, he had no interest in helping Hiruzen at all.

"Danzo, only you can take this position. Now that sensei is gone, the only person I can trust the most in the whole Konohagakure is you. If you don't help me, I won't be able to sit steadily in the Hokage position." Hiruzen's tone was very firm. He stared at Danzo and said, "For the sake of sensei, I hope that you can come out and help me."

"Hiruzen, you think too highly of me. I don't even dare to be the bait. What can I help you with?" The corners of Danzo's mouth curled up in a mocking smile.

"I want you to be the darkness of Konohagakure!"

Hiruzen's eyes suddenly widened, and when he spoke, his pupils kept trembling, and he said something that shocked Danzo.

"I want to be the village's Third Hokage, but there is too much resistance in the village to me becoming the Hokage. If I use tough means, it will make me, who is originally in a weak position, even more vulnerable."

"My doctrine must be benevolent. I can't hurt too many people. There are many things that I absolutely can't do!"

"But..."

"Where there is light, there will be darkness!"

"Whether it is lack of light or darkness, it will cause the world to be unable to function normally!"

"Danzo."

"You are my other half!"

Hiruzen's voice reached Danzo's ears, causing him to be stunned and unable to say a single word.