Konoha White Fang said solemnly: "So, Zenkichi is not only immune to physical attacks and ninjutsu, but also immune to genjutsu?"
Namikaze Minato said: "His ability is definitely unusual, but there are ways to counter it. Even if he turns into light, sealing techniques should be able to restrain him."
The sealing techniques in the Naruto world are indeed powerful. Even the god-like Otsutsuki Kaguya was sealed using the Six Paths — Chibaku Tensei.
Zenkichi can turn himself into light by elementalizing his body, but pure energy still can't escape the restraints of fūinjutsu.
Ordinary sealing marks can't be imprinted on a body made of light, but sealing techniques have strong attraction and can potentially swallow him up.
Shimura Danzo grunted: "Judging by what we've seen so far, sealing doesn't seem to work well against Zenkichi. His speed is simply too fast—the sealing technique can't catch him."
Mitokado Homura said: "If we want to seal him, we'll have to restrain him first. If genjutsu doesn't work, what about the shadow techniques of the Nara clan or the mind techniques of the Yamanaka clan?"
The Nara clan's Shadow Imitation Technique and the Yamanaka clan's Mind Transfer Jutsu are both powerful secret techniques that excel in controlling targets.
Koharu Utatane shook her head: "Zenkichi can emit light and actively destroy his own shadow. The Nara clan's techniques probably won't work."
The Third Hokage said: "The Yamanaka clan's Mind Transfer Jutsu has a downside—it needs precise aim—but if used unexpectedly, it might be able to control Zenkichi."
Though both the Nara and Yamanaka clans use powerful Yin Release techniques, they each come with limitations.
The Nara clan's shadow techniques can only work when both the user and the target have shadows that can connect.
The Yamanaka clan's Mind Transfer Jutsu requires a straight-line aim and fails completely if the target dodges.
Because of their limited attack style, the Yamanaka are often labeled the "Boar" in the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, symbolizing a slow, direct style.
Shimura Danzo narrowed his eyes: "Aside from those, what about the Spiritual Possession Technique?"
This technique allows the user's soul to separate from their body and enter an enemy's body directly, killing them from the inside.
The Third Hokage frowned: "But… only Kato Dan has mastered that technique in all of Konoha."
Shimura Danzo said indifferently: "Exactly. Too few possess these abilities. It's a serious problem."
"But there are still other options. What about barrier ninjutsu?"
"We could trap Zenkichi in a barrier, cut him off from food and water for days—eventually he'd be done."
(Imagine if he was actually listening to them with Observation Haki)
The Third Hokage thought for a moment, then nodded with a smile: "That's one possibility. We should test it if we get the chance."
His mood had clearly improved.
Though they still had no one who could face Zenkichi one-on-one, the Third Hokage felt that, with enough strategies and secret techniques, they had a fighting chance.
After chatting a little longer with Uchiha Fukuyama and the others, he dismissed them.
With these methods to counter Zenkichi, the Third Hokage felt confident enough to negotiate with the Mizukage.
Uchiha Fukuyama and the others left—but Shimura Danzo remained.
Among Konoha's elders, Danzo held the most authority and influence.
His bond with Sarutobi Hiruzen ran deeper than anyone else's.
Many even considered Danzo the "dark hand" of the Hokage, handling the village's most shameful and dangerous affairs.
The Third Hokage represented the light of Konoha. Danzo was the darkness that protected it.
The ANBU training facility under Danzo's control—Root—was steadily becoming the Root of Darkness from the original series.
The Third Hokage looked at Danzo and asked: "You stayed behind. Is there something else?"
Shimura Danzo said: "Regarding Zenkichi… how do you plan to handle him?"
The Third Hokage replied calmly: "Handle? Zenkichi is a ninja of Kirigakure. As Hokage, I have no right to handle another village's shinobi."
Shimura Danzo scoffed: "Don't play dumb. You know full well how dangerous his ability is."
"If it's a kekkei genkai, then Kirigakure may have a bloodline more terrifying than the Uchiha or Senju."
"If it's a secret technique, they could train an entire force of users."
"His threat to Konoha is too great—we must eliminate him preemptively."
The Third Hokage frowned: "We're already dealing with Sunagakure and Iwagakure. If we add Kirigakure to that…"
Danzo interrupted: "I understand all that. But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
"If we weren't distracted by the other villages, do you think Zenkichi would dare to show himself in Konoha so boldly?"
A dangerous gleam flashed in Danzo's eyes.
He continued: "Eliminating the threat is only part of it. Studying his abilities is more important."
"If we can unlock the secrets of his power and replicate it among our own shinobi..."
"An army of Konoha shinobi with Zenkichi's ability could dominate the entire ninja world."
Danzo had always been greedy for kekkei genkai and forbidden jutsu.
Under his control, Root had recruited talents from every major clan in Konoha and obtained their hidden techniques.
Even the Senju clan's Wood Release and the Uchiha's Sharingan—he was secretly researching both.
Unfortunately, since these matters had to remain hidden, progress was slow.
This was one reason Danzo looked down on the Third Hokage.
If he were Hokage, he would have forced the clans to hand over their techniques, dissolved their family structures, and centralized power.
Clans with kekkei genkai would be forced into marriages with civilians to dilute and spread their bloodlines.
Their techniques and bloodlines would be studied intensely so even ordinary people could use them.
To Danzo, kekkei genkai and secret techniques were not personal possessions—they belonged to Konoha.
Every shinobi should obey orders and serve the village without question.
Hmm...
All in all, Danzo's ideals were both extreme and naïve.
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