Naruto: I am the Hokage

"Sir, a message has arrived from the Land of Waves."

"Is he dead?" Danzo glanced up.

Yamanaka Shu nodded. "Yes, sir. However, our men only saw an explosion and don't know the specific details. They went to check afterward, and the area below was completely destroyed."

"It should be Hiruko's doing," Danzo replied calmly. He knew Hiruko all too well. That guy was arrogant but hated those more talented than him. In the end, he definitely wouldn't leave anything for Konoha.

Yamanaka Shu did not reply.

Danzo pondered for a moment. "Hiruko is dead. In that case, our actions that day might have also been within Konoha's surveillance range…"

Yamanaka Shu shook his head. "Your subordinate did not sense any enemy movements that day."

"It's not your fault. Kyohiko's methods are beyond what ordinary people can comprehend. If he doesn't want us to know his location, even your clan's secret techniques are useless," Danzo's expression was grave. He never underestimated Kyohiko's abilities, especially after his shadow clone was so easily defeated last time. Although there was a difference between a shadow clone and the real body, it still proved that the other party already had the ability to threaten him. This was also the reason why Danzo urgently needed to improve his own strength.

Unfortunately, Hiruko died just like that!

"That fool!" Danzo snorted coldly. Although he had anticipated Hiruko's death, upon actually receiving the news, he couldn't help but curse. If only Hiruko had been willing to cooperate obediently like Orochimaru used to… Danzo sighed with regret. The old Orochimaru, aside from his requirements for test subjects, was generally indifferent to everything else. A pity that guy, Orochimaru, had betrayed him! A trace of hatred appeared in his eyes. If it weren't for Orochimaru, he wouldn't have fallen to this state.

"There's no need to follow up on Hiruko's matter anymore. That little brat is even more excessive than Orochimaru. He would have certainly taken everything he could sweep away and left nothing for us," Danzo said faintly.

Yamanaka Shu nodded and then withdrew.

Leaving the Daimyo's mansion. After a long while, a passing bird, carrying a small bag in its beak, flew up from an alley and headed into the distance.

---

Two days later, the Konoha Hospital was bustling with activity. Even Kyohiko had to take time off from his Anbu work to help them restore memories and emotional stability. However, at the Anbu, Gekko Shusaku usually handled things, and occasionally Sarutobi Shinnosuke would come to help, so Kyohiko's workload wasn't actually that heavy.

In comparison, Namikaze Minato had been busier recently. Although he wasn't leading a team, the effectiveness of the Flying Thunder God Formation had been fully proven in the battle against Hiruko. He needed to fully summarize and write down the Flying Thunder God Formation, and ideally, apply it widely. At the very least—Tsunade's personal guard team would definitely need to master the Flying Thunder God Formation to ensure the Hokage's safety. Of course, besides Minato, Kyohiko would sometimes help with instruction as well. Especially after the intelligence network was established and there were no major events in the shinobi world, as the Anbu captain, he didn't have much work on his hands.

---

[Under your leadership and participation, the Flying Thunder God Formation has been promoted.]

[Reward: Flying Thunder God Formation proficiency increased.]

[Under your guidance…]

One by one, these were the rewards Kyohiko had received over the past few months. Now, his Flying Thunder God Formation had reached the Master level. The Flying Thunder God Technique benefited from this, advancing to the "Expert" level. Additionally, techniques like the Water Dragon Jutsu and the Dance of the Willow had also improved. However, the improvement of ordinary ninjutsu was no longer of much use to the current Kyohiko. He was more concerned with more important improvements like his Smoke Transformation and physical body.

Smoke Transformation, he had now developed to the "Expert" level—on one hand, it was due to his own development, and on the other, it relied on the benefits from the Iburi clan settling down and taking root in Konoha, gradually tying themselves to him. The current Iburi clan, with the improvements to the curse mark by Orochimaru, had gradually obtained a relatively stable smoke transformation ability, and their numbers in the Anbu were increasing.

Therefore, the current intelligence network was quite robust—ordinary ninjas handled relatively simple intelligence work, while the more difficult infiltration work was mostly done by the Iburi clan. Gekko Shusaku had been under immense pressure before. As it turned out, after the Iburi clan began to exert their strength, he found that intelligence work could actually be very simple!

Furthermore, during this period, the rewards from Kyohiko's previous bloodline enhancement gradually manifested. His physique and bones experienced rapid growth, but since he hadn't made many moves recently, not many people had noticed the change in his strength.

However, there was one exception.

"Kyohiko-kun, I haven't seen you for a month, and your body has become stronger again!" Orochimaru licked his lips.

"Eat more, grow more," Kyohiko replied naturally. At his age, it was a rapid stage of physical development; it was normal for his physique and foundation to become stronger.

Orochimaru said with envy, "Limited by their own bodies and bloodlines, many ninjas, despite having numerous ideas, find it difficult to improve."

"Like Hiruko?"

"Yes, he is a good example. And another example, me." Orochimaru chuckled lightly. "With my abilities, to go further, I also need to consider bloodline research and fusion. As for Sage Mode…" He sighed softly. Ryuchi Cave was hopeless. Orochimaru didn't go into detail, but Kyohiko knew that in the past few months, he had been away from Konoha for a period of time and had asked him not to reveal it. He had most likely gone to Ryuchi Cave.

"In any case, a constitution like yours would surely be very rare even in the Senju clan. Kyohiko, you must seize this well!" Orochimaru was unusually serious.

Kyohiko nodded. "Of course. Even now, I have never relaxed my standards for myself."

Orochimaru smiled. Then, he took out a scroll and threw it to him. "Your birthday a few months ago. I didn't have anything to give you. Unseal it and take a look. Of course, if you can't unseal it… then forget it." At this point, a slight smile touched his lips.

Kyohiko opened it and looked. On the sealing scroll was a rather complex sealing formula. If it had been a few months ago, he might not have been able to undo it. But recently, he had studied sealing jutsu, and the improvements to the Flying Thunder God and its Formation had also brought some knowledge of sealing jutsu. The sealing formula before him was very simple for him now!

Unseal.

Two swords appeared. One was the double-edged Sword of Kusanagi, and the other was a single-edged Sword of Kusanagi. These two… weren't they the two Swords of Kusanagi that Orochimaru later obtained? Kyohiko was a little surprised and looked up at Orochimaru.

"You're giving both to me?"

"They're useless to me. As for the other one…" Orochimaru fiddled with his research while calmly replying, "When can you let me see the materials you took from Hiruko's place?" Previously, his mind was on Ryuchi Cave, so he wasn't interested in Hiruko's research. But after returning from Ryuchi Cave, the path of the Sage was cut off. Orochimaru's mind became active again.

"You'll have to ask my sister." Kyohiko immediately passed the buck.

Orochimaru sneered. "Ask her? Am I asking for a beating?" He coughed lightly. "These two swords, are you not satisfied with them?"

"I have no use for two," Kyohiko glanced at them. However, he thought for a moment. Actually, there was no harm in saying some things. With Orochimaru's abilities, if he really wanted to research it, Tsunade couldn't stop him. "Actually, I've glanced at Hiruko's research. It's just so-so. Before he died, he was already showing initial signs of physical collapse…" Kyohiko described Hiruko's condition at the time, as well as the future state of Hiruko.

"According to my speculation, when Hiruko absorbs his fourth Kekkei Genkai, his physical condition will further deteriorate. By the fifth time…" Kyohiko smiled. "Although Hiruko was very confident and wrote in his predictions that he could achieve a state of immortality after the fifth time, I am not optimistic."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. When it came to immortality, he had more say than anyone. "This ability definitely can't achieve immortality. Or, he needs a special ritual to assist, to completely fuse his own Kekkei Genkai and thus complete a new evolution." Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. Even if he didn't know the specific details of Hiruko's Chimera Technique, the essence of everything was similar. This was true for both Kekkei Genkai and the Chimera Technique.

He pondered for a long time. "The conflict of Kekkei Genkai will inevitably lead the body to develop in unpredictable directions, and this development might even be malignant. As for fusion…" Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "I don't believe that bloodline alone can achieve immortality, and—" what he pursued was not just physical immortality, but eternal youth and immortality. Based on Orochimaru's earlier speculation, even if such a Kekkei Genkai fusion could achieve the "immortality" Hiruko spoke of, it would probably come at a great price. The soul definitely couldn't be maintained for too long. After all, there was only so much energy. Without external replenishment, how could one achieve immortality and indestructibility?

Orochimaru shook his head. "Not worth referencing. This kind of thing should be sealed away to prevent it from harming others."

Kyohiko's mouth twitched slightly. "It's rare to hear such words from you."

"Heh, forbidden jutsu should not be used indiscriminately. I know that much," Orochimaru chuckled lightly. But knowing was one thing, doing it was another. He was silent for a few seconds, then waved his hand. "If you don't plan on helping me with research, then take the swords and go. I need to continue my Kekkei Genkai research."

"Tsk, the Smoke Transformation Jutsu…"

"Don't say it. Thinking about it carefully, this thing is quite interesting," Orochimaru muttered to himself.

Kyohiko didn't disturb him further. Two Swords of Kusanagi… even he couldn't put down such weapons, especially the one Orochimaru originally used—now, Orochimaru had gotten it and given it directly to him. This was something that could clash with Monkey King Enma's Adamantine Staff!

Kyohiko unsheathed the sword. The wind whistled. He carefully sensed the condition of the sword, then gradually felt its difference. This sword was infused with chakra metal and could change its length through chakra. Besides that—Sword of the Sky!

Swish! With a sharp whistle, the sword shot out, directly nailing itself into a tree. A good sword! The Sword of the Sky combined with the Flying Thunder God… Kyohiko could already imagine many uses in his mind. This thing might be more useful than a kunai. A really good item! "With this sword, dealing with Danzo will be even easier."

Kyohiko put it away and took out the other one. He imbued it with Lightning Release. The blade immediately became different! This was also a characteristic of the Sword of Kusanagi. Each Sword of Kusanagi had a special ability, and this one was an enhancement for Lightning Release, perfectly suited for Kakashi. Kakashi was, after all, a great general under his command. He had been on frequent missions in recent months and had accumulated many merits. The stronger he was, the less work Kyohiko would have to do.