Chapter 688 Meeting

"This meeting ends here. If you have no other questions, let's end the meeting."

In a conference room in the Hokage Building, Konoha Kami, who presided over the Chunin exam process, stood up from his seat, glanced at the people present, and nodded when he saw no one proposed, and left with a sorted file between his hands.

There are about a dozen ninjas in the meeting room, including men and women, middle ninja and jninja.

They are the chief examiners who are in charge of the joint National Chunin Examination, and they are composed of ninjas from ninja villages in various countries.

Of course, since the kingdom of ghosts did not get involved this time, there was no picture of ninjas from the kingdom of ghosts participating in the meeting here.

After Jonin who presided over the meeting left, the rest of the people also left one after another. In the end, only the two stayed and did not leave with everyone.

It is Shikamaru, and Jonnin Temari from Sand Hidden Village.

Seemingly seeing Shikamaru's preoccupation, Temari patted him on the shoulder carelessly, and asked directly: "You were very silent at the meeting today, not like usual you, did something happen?"

Temari still admires Shikamaru, a boy who is slightly younger than himself.

Besides being a bit lazy and afraid of women, the rest of his abilities are among the best among his peers.

But at this time, the other party frowned tightly, as if there was an unresolved melancholy in his heart, anyone could see that he had something on his mind.

And this phenomenon has been maintained since the beginning of the meeting, and it is still like this until the end of the meeting.

While Temari was curious, he was also very worried about the other party's current situation.

I feel that with the mind of the other party, he should not fall into a dead end for a certain matter.

"It's nothing, since the meeting is over, it's time for me to leave."

Shikamaru didn't want to say more, suddenly the meeting was over, and he actually stayed in the meeting for a long time, and was about to stand up and leave the meeting room.

Unexpectedly, as soon as the body stood up, the sleeve was pulled by a hand, unable to move.

Shikamaru turned his head and looked helplessly at the person holding him back, it was Temari.

The expression of the other party suddenly became serious, and there was a sense of scrutiny in his eyes, as if he was inquiring about something.

"Well, what's the matter?"

Perhaps due to family factors, he subconsciously withdraws from women with strong personalities. Unfortunately, Temari is exactly the kind of strong females he doesn't want to face directly.

So, being stared at by her like this, Shikamaru couldn't help feeling anxious.

"My intuition tells me that you have something very serious in your heart."

Temari judged so.

Actually, this is not difficult to guess, and Shikamaru was not surprised.

With his appearance, anyone can see that he has something on his mind.

However, he didn't expect Temari to be the first to get straight to the point.

Although Temari and Temari can be regarded as strangers, they have reached the level of barely friends, but Shikamaru feels that his inner thoughts are Konoha's affairs, and there is no need to explain them to people from other villages.

"Well, this..."

Shikamaru was about to open his mouth to excuse, Temari interrupted: "Is it because I am not Konoha's ninja, so I can't talk about it?"

I was caught off guard.

As expected of Kazekage's daughter, not only is she stronger than her peers, but her eyesight is also extraordinary.

Shikamaru lamented this.

"Since I know, there is no need to ask."

Shikamaru said with a wry smile.

"No, I think that because I am a ninja from the outer village, I think I can help you analyze it from the perspective of an outsider. Of course, if it involves Konoha's secrets, there is no need to tell me."

Temari said so.

Hearing what Temari said, Shikamaru could only sigh and sat down again.

Temari also let go of Shikamaru's sleeves, and sat up straight.

"Okay, let's talk to you. Actually, it's not a secret, you should know Uchiha Sasuke."

"Ah, is that the descendant of the Konoha Uchiha clan? Of course I know, he was a big hit in the Oni Ninja Chunin exam a few years ago, and I heard that he even became the Chunin of Konoha Village in one fell swoop. It was only later that I heard that he defected from Konoha and took refuge in Orochimaru, one of the three ninjas, and a few days ago..."

Temari knows Sasuke's information like the back of his hand.

"That's right. He used to be our good companion, but now it's different. He killed Orochimaru and took refuge in the kingdom of ghosts. And I'm 100% sure that he will attack Konoha next."

"so"

Temari's heart skipped a beat.

Shikamaru's expression was slightly silent, but he continued:

"So, I want to kill him before he launches an attack on Konoha."

"Since you have such an idea, it's fine to put it into action."

Temari thought about it, and gave Shikamaru his support.

Even if they were former friends, if they betrayed the village, it would be perfectly normal for them to go to confrontation and fight each other.

"I know this too. However, Hokage-sama rejected this proposal."

"Eh?"

Temari was slightly taken aback.

"Because she thinks my motives are impure."

"Impure motives?"

Temari became confused instead.

For the sake of eliminating rebellion in the village, how could it be impure motives?

"Yes, because I planned to bear these 'crimes' alone, Hokage took a fancy to this and rejected my proposal."

He didn't want Naruto and Sasuke to kill each other, and he didn't want Sasuke, a friend, to destroy the peace of the village.

So, in order to prevent Naruto and Sasuke from fighting, and to protect Konoha Village, he must attack first, and execute Sasuke as the biggest threat.

These things will not be made public, and will not be revealed to anyone. He will bear the crime of killing his friends alone and become an executioner in the dark.

This is his determination as a Konoha ninja.

"Really? Although I don't quite understand the cause and fate, are you really mentally prepared?"

After Temari finished listening, he looked at Shikamaru's silent face, and saw a trace of cruelty from his face.

"Yes, I am ready to kill my friends."

Shikamaru nodded calmly.

He struggled and thought for a long time, and thought of hundreds of solutions, but finally came up with only one answerto kill Sasuke.

As long as Sasuke dies, the bond between Naruto and Sasuke will be broken, so that Naruto can not avoid the pain of killing his friends. The grievances between Sasuke and Konoha will also be buried in the darkness with the death of Sasuke himself, and no one cares about it.

This kills two birds with one stone.

He was the only one who suffered.

But he has made up his mind in this regard and decided to carry such pain and darkness forward.

This is the only thing he can do for Naruto and the village at this time.

Therefore, Sasuke must die.

Temari looked at Shikamaru quietly, as if meeting him for the first time.

"Uh...do I have something on my face?"

Shikamaru was embarrassed by Temari's look, and touched his face.

"No, I just suddenly felt that you seem to be quite masculine."

Temari praised it like that.

"Male...manly?"

For this evaluation, Shikamaru is not sure why.

"Yeah, after all, you can make such a troublesome person like you make such a decision. It seems that you have really decided to embark on this path."

Temari said so.

Shikamaru can't deny it.

Take responsibility and responsibility, maybe Temari is right.

Now he is gradually beginning to assume the real responsibilities of a ninja.

In the past, he disliked trouble, including being one of the chief examiners of the Chunin exam this time, and his father Shikahisa forced him to come here. Only Sasuke was the one who proposed to Hokage on his own initiative.

"Since you have already planned to take on such a responsibility, you can't go back. But you also have to grasp the balance. It's best to discuss it with the rest of your partners, and bear everything alone. This kind of thing is not good, and it will be misunderstood by others."

"Is that so? I'll think about it."

"Then don't be so sad all the time. You have to pay more attention to the next Chunin exam. If you lose the chain, be careful that I will beat you up."

Temari was very satisfied with Shikamaru's obedient attitude, patted him on the shoulder very vigorously, stood up from his seat, and left the meeting room first.

Shikamaru rubbed his shoulder that hurt from being slapped. The woman was too forceful, almost breaking his shoulder.

"However, do you want to discuss it with other people?"

Shikamaru looked at the scenery outside the window, and sighed extremely melancholy.

How do you go to an acquaintance to discuss this kind of matter?

Especially those fellow villagers who share day and night.

Although Sasuke is an enemy, after all, there are so many years of friendship. After the real encounter, can the rest really be ruthless?

Telling those people what they think is just adding more troubles to themselves.

Right at this moment, Koukou knocked on the door.

Shikamaru turned his head to look at the exit of the room, and there was a figure standing there, knocking on the door panel with his fingers, attracting his attention.

The other party looked over with a smile on his face, without saying a word.

Root membersSai.

Konoha is now divided into four factions.

The most powerful faction is undoubtedly the orthodox Hokage faction, the biggest supporters of which are the Inokacho clan, the wealthy Hinata, and more than half of the common people.

Followed by the martial arts faction headed by Genbu, the leader is Shimura Danzo, the former Konoha senior elder, who is currently serving his sentence in the Konoha Severe Sentence Room because of the crime of attacking the former Hokage Hiruzaru Sarutobi. Without a special reason, he shall not be released.

Followed by the traditional ninja forces headed by the Sarutobi clan, they occupy positions in many important departments of Konoha, and have a good reputation among Konoha folks.

The last is the Advisory Group, which belongs to the relatively neutral camp. Their positions will be easily changed as the various factions fight, and they are also a typical faction on the fence.

In the eyes of the rest of the factions, they are jokingly called the 'Old-age Faction', a group that has more than enough self-preservation but not enough offense.

Shikamaru sees Konoha's internal situation very clearly.

The Advisory Group has no room for growth. As soon as the two members of the Advisory Group abdicate, the faction will immediately fall apart and be absorbed by other factions.

In addition, the Sarutobi clan and the martial arts faction led by the root leaders are the most powerful enemies of the Hokage faction.

The former has a ruling foundation, no matter how weakened it is, it will not die, as long as it sinks down and finds another opportunity.

The latter is the same, a ninja village cannot only have doves, otherwise it will continue the appeasement policy of the third Hokage, internal balance and external compromise.

Therefore, as the root of the Fighting Hawks, even if it will be abolished in the future, it will just change its name. But in essence, they are still representatives of power among Konoha.

Compared to the former, Shikamaru thinks the latter is the greatest threat.

Ninjas can rely on the orthodox power of Naruto to merge, they are not essentially breaking the rules.

But the fighting faction headed by the roots is different. What they like to do most is to jump outside the rules and use force to get what they want.

Even attacking and controlling Hokage to seize the Konoha regime, such a rebellious thing can be done without the slightest hesitation, which shows the difficulty and horror of the roots.

But thinking about it from another perspective, in this turbulent era, with such an extreme power as the root, and with Konoha as the orthodox fighting organization, as one of its own people, it can make people feel at ease in their attitude towards the outside world.

At least Shikamaru thinks so.

Although he doesn't like some of the style of the roots, such as behavior without a lower limit... But it also means that they will be a sharp knife in Konoha's hand, destroying any enemy that threatens Konoha's existence by any means.

Now, he wants to borrow this sharp knife.

Follow Sai all the way to Konoha's torture room, not through the main road, but through a small road.

This small road, from the moment Danzo entered the severe punishment room, was taken over by the root and became an entry and exit place exclusively controlled by the root.

Even so, when Shikamaru followed Sai on this path, he was still wrapped in a black robe, covering himself tightly, with only a pair of eyes exposed.

It was noon, the sky was clear, but Shikamaru's heart was cloudy.

He knows exactly what it means to approach someone like Danzo.

Once this matter is done, it is tantamount to putting one of his own handles in Danzo's hands.

In the future, Danzo may use this excuse to ask him to do things.

But he can't use this to blackmail Danzo and restrain each other.

He has lost the power of political promotion, and can only live in darkness for the rest of his life, unable to see the light.

Thus, threatening, making excuses, framing, and framing are already the least things Danzo cares about.

This is a one-sided thing that is not good for Shikamaru.

Sai, who was leading the way, glanced at Shikamaru behind him from time to time, and when he came to the side door of the torture room, the shadow of the huge building engulfed the two figures.

Before officially stepping into the dark entrance, Sai stopped and turned to stare at Shikamaru.

The smile on his face disappeared, and it was no longer that fake smile that made people feel hypocritical.

"After entering, you can't go back on your word. It's too late to stop now. To be honest, I don't know what you're going to do, but it's an extremely stupid decision to make a deal with Danzo-sama."

"Of course I know, but now I must borrow the power of my roots to accomplish one thing."

Shikamaru said calmly.

Before coming, he had experienced quite intense psychological struggle.

But in the end, it was discovered that, apart from Hokage, only the root of Danzo could accomplish this on his own.

Hokage clearly rejected it. Although he knew that Hokage was thinking of himself and was unwilling to let him bear this burden alone, but now is not the time to hesitate.

Sasuke may launch a revenge action against Konoha at any time, and he must be prepared before then.

Now, only Danzo can help him.

This opportunity must be seized.

Seems to have sensed Shikamaru's determination, Sai didn't say anything, turned around, and continued to lead the way.

"Naruto there..."

"Don't worry, I won't talk nonsense."

Sai gave an affirmative answer.

"Naruto and I are friends, but even between friends, it is impossible to share any secrets. This is what I read from the book, so I will not talk nonsense, and I don't want to know the reason why you are looking for Danzo-sama."

Sai's words reassured Shikamaru.

Leading the way ahead, in the dim passage, there were only the sound of two people's footsteps, other than that, there was no sound, and the silence was a little scary.

Finally, Sai stopped in front of an iron gate, stepped aside, and stood on the side of the iron gate.

"Next, you need to face it alone. Don't make Danzo-sama angry, otherwise even your father can't save you."

The root is the ultimate darkness of Konoha, moving around Danzo's will.

Even if nothing can be done to Shikamaru on the bright side, countless assassinations will follow.

Even the power of the Zhuludie clan could not protect them.

However, Sai just mentioned it, telling Shikamaru to be more cautious.

After all, it is impossible for Genbu to really kill Shikamaru and offend the Inokabutterfly clan, especially if there is no conflict of interest.

"Thank you, I will treat you to dinner later."

Shikamaru nodded, pushed open the iron door and walked in, and darkness rushed in.

As the sound of the iron gate closing sounded, Sai kept standing by the side of the iron gate and did not leave, because after the conversation between Shikamaru and Danzo ended, he would lead Shikamaru to leave the root base.

The iron door was closed, and only one candle was burning in the room, bringing a few lights in the darkness.

Shikamaru got his wish and met the person he wanted to see.

Former Konoha Senior Elder, root leader Shimura Danzo.

Gloomy face, in the eyes that see everything, there is a palpitating darkness.

I don't know if it's an illusion, but Shikamaru noticed that Danzo's face seemed older than the one he saw a few years ago.

Although the aura is still sharp, the aura of twilight can't be concealed from leaking out.

Time is running out. This is Shikamaru's judgment.

If there is no accident, this root leader who is powerful in the darkness of Konoha has reached his twilight years, half of his foot is in the coffin board.

Even so, Shikamaru did not dare to underestimate it.

He had a hunch that even Danzo in this state would kill him easily.

What's more, in the darkness, he felt countless crises that could kill him.

In the darkness, how many rooted ninjas are hidden?

I am afraid that only Danzo himself knows the answer.

He sat there, just staring at Shikamaru, Shikamaru also looked at him, did not speak, and the first private meeting between the two began with silence.

After a long time, Danzo said in a resounding old voice: "In your eyes, I see darkness."

Shikamaru still didn't speak, allowing the old man to look at him.

"But this kind of darkness is different from the darkness of the root. You still yearn for redemption in your heart. Your determination and your capacity are not enough to bear these darkness."

"I'm here to make a deal with you."

Shikamaru was not swayed by Danzo's words, and chose to take the initiative.

Danzo sat there and listened patiently.

"Uchiha Sasuke will soon launch a revenge action against Konoha. The consultant, as well as you, are all his revenge goals."

Regarding Shikamaru's judgment, Danzo did not affirm or deny it.

"The chick did start to spread its wings and fly high, just like the chick named 'Uchiha Itachi' that flew away from my hand... The hatred has turned into a seed in his heart, and this seed will make his Sharingan enter a stronger state. The more you suppress it, the more ferocious the hatred will rebound."

Shikamaru nodded, things that even Hokage could understand, as Danzo of the martial arts faction, it was impossible not to see it.

Even, he got far more information than them.

"What you want, I will give you."

As if he knew what Shikamaru was going to do, Danzo directly agreed.

Shikamaru felt bitter in his heart, and before he could speak, his mind was seen through.

This Ninja Darkness is far more terrifying than imagined.

"What am I going to give?"

After clearing up the complicated mood, Shikamaru's expression became solemn.

Danzo's gaze is neither cold nor sharp, it's just like a cloud of darkness, turbid, engulfing people's hearts.

"Are you interested in...getting into the roots?"

Ghost country, military jurisdiction.

On the practice field, two figures collided with each other.

The shock wave that unfolded after the collision of the figures made the earthquake hum and tremble.

But if you look closely, the two are not evenly matched, but one is standing on an absolute advantage, acting as a superior, feeding the other.

"God Sky Strike!"

Under Ayane's palm, the floor directly caused an earth-shattering explosion.

The stone slab was shattered, and the flying fragments were like scattered bullets, and a shocking big hole appeared in the center bombarded by the palm of the hand.

While sweating coldly, Sasuke kept backing away, trying to distance himself from Ayane.

But when he was retreating, Ayane followed closely, not giving Sasuke a chance to breathe.

As a last resort, Sasuke had no choice but to stop, trampled on the ground, and swung his sword forward.

Ayane slapped out not to be outdone, and a surge of force reversed from the blade of the sword, causing Sasuke's arm to go numb, and he almost lost consciousness.

This unreasonable defense again. Sasuke cursed secretly.

If he didn't know that his Kusanagi sword hadn't been stolen, he would have suspected that the Kusanagi sword given to him by Orochimaru was a counterfeit.

On the palm of Ayane's fleshy palm that repelled the Kusanagi sword, there was only a white mark, and the wound was not even opened.

Every time he saw this scene, Sasuke kept wondering whether the white-eyed woman in front of him was a human being, but a tailed beast in human skin fighting him.

Even the Kusanagi sword, which cuts iron like mud, can't cut through the opponent's skin. Sasuke suspects that the opponent's cultivation is not soft fist at all.

"Looking at his expression of doubting life, it seems that he was hit hard"

On the edge of the practice field, two figures stood, looking at the two people fighting on the field, one of them looked at Sasuke, and the corners of his mouth twitched. It was Kazuhime who came here to visit.

"Ayane's body is already close to that of a tailed beast after receiving the body-refining secret technique from Mount Miaomu. The difference in physical strength between the two is too great, and the winner will be determined soon."

Liuli commented.

"Shouldn't you teach him how to use Susanoo? He already has the foundation to learn, right?"

Yiji glanced at her mother Liuli, and asked tentatively.

Using three hooks to write sharing eyes, attracting the power of Susano, although there is a gap with Susano in the kaleidoscope state, it is undoubtedly a hole card, which can turn defeat into victory at a critical moment.

With Sasuke's current strength, he is already qualified to learn this move.

Liuli looked at Sasuke in the field, and slowly shook his head.

"Not yet. After defeating Orochimaru, he was a little irritable. He must be calmed down. Otherwise, it will be difficult to learn Susano in this state."

After listening to Yiji, she didn't speak.

(end of this chapter)