Konoha: Who is the good person?

"Human experimentation?"

Tsunade murmured, a hint of sadness and helplessness flashing in her eyes.

Wood Release, huh...

The power that suppressed the warring states period and ushered in the era of ninja villages—how many people could resist such temptation?

Yamanaka Kei revealed his plans.

Wood Release's reputation precedes it. Once exposed, who knows how many people will covet it.

There's only a thousand days to be a thief, but no thousand days to guard against one.

Yamato and Kohe, who can't even extract chakra yet, have no means of self-protection. It's best to delay their exposure for as long as possible.

"Okay... When... can I see them?"

Tsunade propped herself up from the ground, silent for a long while, but still wanting to see the two children.

In the end, the suffering those children endured was because of Konoha and Wood Release.

They should have been nestled in the arms of loving parents since childhood, growing up in their care and affection...

"Wait, what's with that guilty expression? Did you do the human experimentation? Or did you give the orders? Your ancestral tomb has already been dug up, what are you feeling guilty about?"

Yamanaka Kei looked at Tsunade with an expression as if she were an idiot, complaining about her overflowing empathy.

He was puzzled.

Why is it that people with a bit of conscience in this Konoha Village all like to take responsibility upon themselves?

And those without a conscience are like they're completely detached, always saying 'for the village' and constantly mentioning the Will of Fire.

"Shut up!"

A large 'vein' popped up on Tsunade's forehead.

If she couldn't beat him, she would definitely give this guy a piece of her mind.

"..."

Yamanaka Kei clicked his tongue in annoyance, got up, opened the door, and walked out.

He called out to Kushina, who was leaning on the railing at the end of the corridor watching the fireworks, and then headed towards home.

"Tsunade-nee, are you alright?"

Kushina stepped forward and took Tsunade's arm as she walked out of the specimen room.

Feeling the other woman's sweat-soaked clothes, she asked with some concern.

"Haa~ I'm fine, it's just that my mental state hasn't been very good lately, and I can't sleep soundly at night. Do you want to sleep with me?"

Tsunade glanced at Yamanaka Kei's back.

If she confronted him head-on, she definitely couldn't beat him in the short term.

But don't panic, she could still start with Kushina!

Damn it!

Spend the night alone in your empty room!

"Hehe~ Okay! It's been a long time since I slept with Tsunade-nee."

Kushina happily agreed.

Yamanaka Kei, walking in front, almost rolled his eyes to the sky.

Is it necessary?

Just asking, is it necessary?

"Is there any food at home? I'm hungry."

"Yes, yes, I made a lot of semi-finished dishes, just heat them up a little and you can eat them."

"Sake?"

"Yes, your favorite sake, I prepared a lot."

"..."

––––––––––––––––––––

The night passed without incident.

The next morning.

Yamanaka Kei, who had slept soundly all night, woke up at eight o'clock sharp.

As usual, he went to the Root to replace the shadow clone that had been working all day, then got up and walked towards the medical room.

After two days of rest.

Kohe, whose body was previously extremely depleted, had recovered a lot.

Her previously ignorant and somewhat tired big eyes had gradually become lively and spirited.

Yamato, who always didn't want to leave Kohe's side, saw Kohe getting better and better, and unconsciously felt closer to Yamanaka Kei and Yakushi Nonou.

Moreover, in just two days, he could already understand some less complicated words.

After Yamanaka Kei quietly replenished Kohe with a Medical Water Release: Water Jellyfish, he left the Root base.

The matter of changing the Tongue Curse Seal's control was still progressing steadily.

It seemed that in at most half a month, the White Zetsu disguised as Danzo would be able to truly retire.

Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, he returned home.

After having a hearty breakfast with Kushina and Tsunade.

Just as Yamanaka Kei was about to go and study the usage of the revised Kotoamatsukami, the door was knocked on by Jiraiya.

Jiraiya, dressed in battle gear, had less of his usual carefree and playful demeanor.

His face also carried a rare seriousness and heaviness.

He entered the living room and sat down.

Tsunade, barefoot, leaned lazily on the sofa, yawning.

Seeing Jiraiya remaining silent for a long time, she tapped the coffee table in front of her impatiently.

"Is this your first time going to war?"

"Tsunade, I feel like this time, something's not right."

Jiraiya pondered for a long while, then looked up at Tsunade and Yamanaka Kei, who was about to leave.

"What's not right?"

Tsunade raised her eyebrows slightly, her expression becoming more serious.

"This morning, I saw the expedition list drafted by the Hokage's office. Ninjas from the major ninja clans make up more than half of it, and their strength is quite good."

"Ninjas from ninja clans are indeed generally stronger than ninjas from civilian backgrounds. Since the purpose is deterrence, it's natural to have the stronger the better."

"Yeah, but it always gives me a bad feeling."

Jiraiya chuckled. Perhaps he was really overthinking things?

"...I'll keep an eye on things for you."

Tsunade didn't criticize Jiraiya for relying on a feeling, but remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"Hahaha~ I'm leaving! When a man goes to war, he should always be decisive, to show the spirit of a true man!"

Jiraiya laughed heartily.

After achieving his purpose, he waved to Yamanaka Kei and Kushina and left directly.

Watching Jiraiya's departing figure.

Yamanaka Kei sighed inwardly. He had to admit, this guy's intuition was really ridiculously accurate.

That list was carefully considered by the Third Hokage and the elders.

Yet he saw the problem with one glance.

"What's going on?"

Tsunade closed her eyes and pondered on the sofa for a long time, then turned to look at Yamanaka Kei, who was drinking water.

Although Jiraiya's premonition was somewhat inexplicable, she knew very well, from growing up with him, that he was always reliable when it came to serious matters.

Moreover, a ninja's premonition is sometimes more trustworthy than evidence and reason.

"I don't know."

"Haa... To be honest, the previous matter is written off."

"After the high-level meeting that day, another piece of information came: Kirigakure and Sunagakure have already reached an agreement..."

Yamanaka Kei scratched his cheek and told the truth.

Because Kirigakure intervened, there was a high probability that Sunagakure and Iwagakure would also reach an agreement to attack Konoha together.

Therefore, the Konoha higher-ups naturally had to make changes to the original plan.

Considering various factors.

The thousand-man team that was initially dispatched in the name of 'deterrence' remained unchanged.

But their main responsibility was no longer deterrence, but to become bait that Konoha placed on the surface to attract the enemy's attention, creating the best attack conditions and environment for the hidden ambush.

Knowing that this team might suffer heavy losses.

The original list naturally had to be adjusted.

It's just that the Third Hokage didn't tell Jiraiya about this. Was he afraid that the other party's personality would ruin things?

"Who proposed it...?"

Tsunade slumped against the sofa behind her.

Regarding the strategic issues of the entire village, what could she do even if she knew?

Yamanaka Kei didn't hesitate at all, firmly uttering two words.

"Danzo!"