Naruto: Zombie Release

Arata remained utterly calm, even as he became the object of pity. His heart showed no trace of disturbance.

'It was when part of my palm got cut off… I lost quite a bit of blood. The wound could easily get infected too. If I'm unlucky, I'll come down with something again.'

That's what he was thinking about.

As for not being able to form hand signs… please. He didn't even consider it a problem.

Zombie Release, at its core, was a technique that used his chakra as a medium to spread a zombie virus into his targets. 

Even if he couldn't weave flashy hand signs, it didn't stop him from unleashing his full strength.

If anything, the only real downside was that it might hinder him from developing other chakra natures and mastering their associated ninjutsu. 

But really, why should he go through all the trouble of learning different chakra-based techniques?

He could just preserve different chakra-natured zombies and assign specific ones to cast specific jutsu when needed.

The most important point was that Yoshida Arata had already planned to replace his native body. This Earthling body's final fate was to be sealed away permanently.

Two lost fingers? The inability to develop more jutsu? Being seen as a pitiful figure?

None of it mattered.

'Without realizing it, I've reached the point where someone like Nono Yakushi actually cares about me… That's an incredible step forward.'

Arata thought silently, then said to Nono, "Your injuries are far worse than mine. You should take this time to rest. 

To gather intelligence from a major shinobi village like Sunagakure must've taken a heavy toll. It's people like you, true heroes, who deserve proper recognition."

Nono replied, "There are a few human experiment programs in the village. Root is one of the lead departments. I can speak to Danzo…"

"This isn't something I should be hearing," Arata interrupted. "And there's no need for you to go that far.

As a competent shinobi, I've already accepted my fate. I don't feel despair or regret. I've always been a mediocre person. All these years, I've never shown any real talent."

Nono fell silent for a moment before replying firmly, "You may refuse, but Root must respond. 

This mission was originally assigned by Tatsuma, it was supposed to be Root's responsibility. You got dragged in unfairly."

'Such overflowing compassion… Who would've thought someone like her could be a top-level spy?' Arata mused. 'Still, it was an unexpected stroke of luck.'

At this point in Konoha's history, most of the human experimentation programs were still in their early stages. 

It wasn't until after the Second Great Ninja War ended, when all the villages began preparing for the Third, that these dangerous projects really ramped up.

Sunagakure's human puppets, Konoha's First Hokage cell transplantation experiments, Kumogakure's Flying Thunder Formation, all of them gained unprecedented attention during the interwar period, purely to rapidly boost each village's military might.

Arata didn't expect to gain access to First Hokage cells overnight, but at the very least, he'd found an opening.

Given his unique talents, and the fact that he dealt with corpses, there was no way he could ever become like Minato, someone universally praised and worshipped across the village. 

But maybe, once the war ended, his peculiar skill set would make him a prime candidate for involvement in various forbidden experiments.

As long as he didn't end up being the test subject strapped to the table, it would be fine.

'The ideal body is one cultivated from First Hokage cells. But there's no way I could obtain them and develop a compatible host on my own… I'll have to plan this carefully.'

Arata decided to head back and rest. His favorite activity was, after all, sleeping.

"There's one more thing," Nono said, her tone suddenly serious. "This is actually why I stayed behind to speak with you alone. 

Chiyo's grandson, the genius boy known as Sasori, seems very interested in you. 

He was even willing to trade sensitive intel from Sunagakure just to get basic information about you. Be careful. He clearly has something in mind."

She gave him a final warning before staggering off on her weakened legs.

'Sasori… That makes sense,' Arata nodded to himself. 

'Someone obsessed with eternal art like him would get along with me. My technique could help him perfect his human puppet jutsu faster.'

Arata also had a critical objective that required Sasori's help. For now, Sasori was the only one capable of doing what he needed.

…

Not long after, the full details of the mission trickled into the hands of Konoha's higher-ups. 

The results were simply too stunning.

Not only had they recovered Sunagakure's deployment maps, but also a vast trove of logistical intel. If used wisely, it would grant Konoha a massive strategic advantage.

Sunagakure had practically been stripped bare. The only reason they hadn't been completely exposed was thanks to Chiyo's terrifyingly potent poisons holding the line.

But even that wouldn't last much longer.

Konoha Village, Hokage Building.

Inside, the two most powerful men in Konoha, men who held dominion over the majority of the Land of Fire's military might, were deep in discussion.

Normally, someone like Arata, a total nobody, wouldn't even have the right to glimpse these two from afar unless he had achieved some remarkable merit. Even as a Chunin? Please. 

These two oversaw tens of thousands of ninja across the country, at least eight or ten thousand Chunin alone. How could they possibly keep track of them all?

Only those with impeccable bloodlines or extraordinary talent had any chance of even getting their names seen by these two.

And even having one's name seen was already a near-impossible feat. To have one of them remember the name? That was a whole different level. 

To be personally selected or transferred and groomed by them? 

Nearly impossible.

The Third Hokage had not gone to the front lines. He sat in his office, puffing smoke rings as he studied a file intently.

"I see. An excellent shinobi indeed. Nono has never let us down. But Danzo, your methods are too harsh. You always rely on threats to force her compliance."

The Third Hokage was clearly satisfied, but he didn't seem genuinely disapproving of Danzo's approach.

This was the governing model he and Danzo had agreed upon.

All the noble, radiant deeds were to be borne by the wise and just Third Hokage alone, while all the darkness and filth were left to be carried by the more sinister Danzo.

Everyone praised the Third as a virtuous and untarnished leader, while they looked at Danzo with suspicion and scorn.

Hiruzen took pride in this arrangement. Though he occasionally found Danzo's side dealings troublesome, it didn't matter. It never threatened the bigger picture.

Danzo opened his eyes and said coldly, "A shinobi should complete the mission. It's not like the village didn't pay her. She left Root. If I don't threaten her, she won't follow my orders. 

That's the problem. People like her should be dealt with using the harshest methods. She's an unqualified shinobi."

"As long as she completes the mission, that's enough," said the Third. 

"I won't argue with you about it. But stay out of the war orphan affairs. Nono Yakushi will handle that. Make sure the financial support goes through on time."

The Third took a puff from his pipe.

Danzo snorted in contempt, silently cursing.

"However," the Third added, pulling a data card from the file, "one of the war orphans has shown exceptional promise. I didn't see that coming at all."