Naruto: What Kind of Starter Pack is 13 Years Late?

Hanzo.

Danzo was all too familiar with that ominous name!

He still vividly remembered the incident in the Land of Rain back then. His Root was destroyed because of Hanzo's actions.

If Hanzo hadn't known that his own territory was being stormed and had proactively stayed to deal with that lunatic, perhaps they would have been chased, crying out, side by side.

"Why are you asking about that guy?"

Although Danzo's fists were clenched, he tried hard to control his emotions.

"Because this investigation involves Hanzo."

Sarutobi Hiruzen knew about Danzo and Hanzo's past, which was why he sought him out.

"Jiraiya and the others went to Iwagakure and encountered some interesting people there, but the specific details need to be verified with Hanzo."

"Jiraiya?"

One Hanzo was enough to make Danzo's fists clench, but Jiraiya's name made him even more indignant. Why was there never any good news?

He still remembered that day when he entered the office and heard Sarutobi Hiruzen tell Jiraiya, 'I'm leaving the Hokage position to you.'

Why didn't you say that to me?

He now strongly suspected that Sarutobi Hiruzen was deliberately trying to annoy him by seeking him out this time.

But at this moment, he could only grit his teeth and bear it.

"Hanzo has been living in seclusion in Amegakure. I can't contact him."

"But weren't you two close more than ten years ago?"

"..."

"So, can you think of a way? I need to consult him about some matters."

"..."

Danzo's breathing quickened. He wanted to say: The past is the past, and now is now!

If he could, he would have strangled that bastard Hanzo. He had painstakingly managed Root for so many years, only for it to be ruined because he needed that bastard's support, and then...

"Wait, could it be!?"

Suddenly, Danzo also recalled the message transmitted from the Fourth Mizukage.

The orange-haired man, the blue-haired woman...

This scene, it seemed like those people from back then?

"That's not right, wasn't the orange-haired guy the one who died?"

Danzo remembered everything from that day, but he felt the characters didn't quite match up.

Didn't the red-haired one survive?

"Do you know something? Why do I feel like you..."

Danzo frowned in thought, while Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped his pipe and asked in confusion.

"Hmph, I'm wondering if that guy is already dead!" Danzo decisively shook his head.

Although he felt a little uneasy, he maintained a cold expression.

"According to intelligence, he has been living in deep seclusion and hasn't shown himself for several years. Perhaps he really is dead."

If Hanzo were dead, Amegakure would surely conceal it, as the Land of Rain is considered a 'strategic location.'

It borders many small countries and is adjacent to the three great nations of Wind, Fire, and Earth.

What would happen to this country without Hanzo? It's imaginable!

"It's certainly possible, but we should still try our best."

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, but he was still unwilling to give up on this crucial intelligence.

"Danzo, this matter..."

"Wait a moment, I heard that Ōnoki's disciple, Deidara, is currently in Konoha?"

Danzo couldn't hold back. He immediately interrupted Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He could do such a thing, but he absolutely could not make a promise, nor could he be ordered to do it.

No one understood the hellish situation in the Land of Rain better than him.

"Hmm? Yes, what about him?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned for a moment, instinctively becoming somewhat wary, while Danzo spoke coldly, "I propose we keep him here!"

"Are you crazy?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression instantly changed drastically, but Danzo shook his head.

"He came here on his own, we didn't capture him. Besides, Ōnoki values him greatly. Since that's the case, this card cannot be easily given up!"

"No! How many times have I told you, don't just look at the present. Forcibly keeping him here isn't a good idea. Don't you understand that the Ninja World needs peace?"

"Iwagakure is already at odds with us. What's wrong with detaining him as leverage against Ōnoki?"

"I said, this matter is out of the question!"

"You really haven't changed. Still so weak. Be it Uchiha or now, you'll regret it sooner or later!"

"Enough! I am the Hokage!"

"Hmph!"

Danzo seemed to be exasperated. He turned and intended to leave.

"Do as you please. I'll figure out something about Hanzo, but I can't guarantee success!"

Bang—

Slamming the door heavily, Danzo finally felt relieved.

Not only did he annoy his old friend, but he also avoided his old friend directly giving him orders.

Even if he himself was terribly annoyed...

"But how should I handle this matter?"

He couldn't help but ponder as he headed towards the Root base.

Have him go to the Land of Rain to find Hanzo?

Don't be ridiculous. The Land of Rain was a place of sorrow for him, his Root was buried there.

Moreover, he didn't know how Hanzo viewed him, and he wouldn't act rashly before ensuring his safety.

"I need to find someone to go and check, so..."

As he walked, a person suddenly came to his mind.

"Perhaps, I could let Orochimaru try?"

"It seems this could also stir up Jiraiya..."

— — —

"Ah, so annoying. Kitsuchi seems to be arriving soon."

"Isn't it good that he's here? That way, you can go back to your teacher."

In Konoha, at a training ground, Takemi was tinkering with Rasengan, while Deidara beside him hung his head, looking bored.

Days passed, and almost a week had gone by in a flash.

Takemi had a rather comfortable week.

For some reason, Naruto and the others were being watched more strictly. Every time he saw Naruto, he would hear him complain about Iruka being too strict.

However, this also prevented the two blondes, big and small, from causing him trouble together.

He also took advantage of this time to deal with Deidara, the big blonde.

To deal with Deidara, one had to start with his interests.

Coincidentally, Takemi had also set his sights on Deidara's secret jutsu, not only to prepare for Dust Release but also to use secret jutsu to cover up the Kekkei Genkai he had acquired.

Therefore, Takemi spent some effort to study it thoroughly. He finally understood why this jutsu was both like a Kekkei Genkai and yet could only be considered a secret jutsu.

"The key is the clay. It combines Earth Release and Fire Release through the clay. However, this also provides a foundation. Perhaps Ōnoki really wants to see if he can learn Dust Release?"

Now, if Deidara just perfected Wind Release and combined it with Ōnoki's proportions for Dust Release, he might actually be able to learn it.

Dust Release was a Kekkei Tota, but it wasn't passed down through bloodline. Anything was possible.

"Although Deidara's personality has some issues, as long as he believes Dust Release conforms to his 'art,' he will learn it more seriously than anyone else."

It was just a pity that Ōnoki seemed a bit too rigid and stubborn?