"What? Pakkun, what did you just say?"
Kakashi felt like he had misheard. He looked at Pakkun, who was seriously sniffing the air, and asked again.
Had he really misheard?
Pakkun said he smelled the assassin's scent? And it was strong?
"Kakashi, there's definitely the assassin's scent here, and it's strong, like they just passed by!" Pakkun said seriously, sniffing and starting to walk in the direction of Genya.
"That person should've gone this way!"
Kakashi's eyes trembled as he listened to Pakkun's words.
Still not quite believing, he asked again, "Pakkun, are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"
His suspicion about Genya's identity was just a simple guess. He only had a slight suspicion about Genya, even the idea that Genya might be the assassin had only a 1% chance in his mind. After all, the assassin was too strong.
Even though Genya's figure was somewhat similar to the assassin's, Kakashi suspected more that Genya might have had some contact with the assassin, which is why he asked Pakkun to sniff the air to see if they could track the assassin through Genya.
But Pakkun seemed to have detected something important.
"Are you doubting my sense of smell?" Pakkun said, clearly upset by Kakashi's doubt. But it quickly added, "I can smell the scent here, almost exactly the same as the assassin's from last time, and it's fresh, like they just passed by!"
With that, it looked up again. "Did you encounter him? That assassin is so bold, daring to walk through Konoha?"
"Is it really him? The Konoha assassin?" Kakashi had no time to answer Pakkun's question now, repeating the same question over and over.
Uchiha Genya. Konoha assassin, Uchiha Genya. Konoha assassin?
Although these two people have somewhat similar physiques, could they really reach the strength of a Kage? Can Genya do that now?
As he thought, Kakashi felt a chill run through his body. If that assassin really was Genya, things would be a lot more serious.
With Genya's talent and his attitude toward the current higher-ups in Konoha, it's likely that Konoha will undergo a major change in the future. No, I need to find time to ask Genya again.
Although Pakkun had confirmed that Genya was the black-clad assassin, Kakashi still needed to verify it.
Genya had hidden himself too well.
"Kakashi, what are you thinking?" Pakkun called out when he saw Kakashi zoning out, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Kakashi's state of mind was a little chaotic now.
"It's nothing!" Kakashi shook his head and said to Pakkun, "I understand the situation. You can go back for now. I'll call you again if anything comes up!"
Kakashi absentmindedly dismissed the summoning, watching as Pakkun vanished, but his mood still didn't calm down.
When did the black-clad assassin first appear? Wasn't Genya only around four or five years old at the time? Even then, Genya could easily crush Chūnin and even overpower Kakashi himself.
And now... how strong has Genya become?
Kakashi was lost in thought, staring at Genya's retreating figure, still in a daze, his expression blank.
The news today was too much of a shock for him. He even thought about the time when he took Genya to Konoha's secret location to steal the Sealing Scroll, and when he learned about Obito.
No, he couldn't let it go . He had to find Genya and get clear answers.
After softly muttering to himself, Kakashi gradually regained his composure. He took a deep breath and walked in a certain direction.
The wind was starting to pick up in Konoha.
At this moment, the Konoha Council had gathered in the office. Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo both had serious expressions.
The two of them had been researching Hashirama's cells and Wood Release, but with no success so far.
During this time, they had lost many civilians!
Now, however, they learned that there was a ninja capable of using Wood Release once again. How could they not be shaken by this news?
Especially Danzo, who was even more anxious. He had already integrated a small amount of Hashirama's cells and understood the strength and terror of Wood Release.
So when he heard someone could use large-scale Wood Release, his heart grew uneasy.
No matter what, they had to capture this Wood Release ninja for research.
He hoped to fully integrate Hashirama's cells. With that, Danzo believed he could reach the strength of a Kage even without relying on the Sharingan, and perhaps even become as powerful as the First Hokage.
For this, the Wood Release ninja was a must-have.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were less excited. Though they were Konoha's advisors, they were essentially just supporting Sarutobi Hiruzen. Moreover, they hadn't been involved in the research on Hashirama's cells!
"Well then, what have you two decided? The Wood Release ninja has appeared, what do we need to do?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, puffing on his pipe, his expression serious.
"Naturally, we capture him. I've already sent Root ninja to search for the whereabouts of this Wood Release ninja!" Danzo spoke first, his tone firm:
"Wood Release is too important to Konoha. Not only are we after this Wood Release ninja, but other factions in the ninja world are also investigating him. If we delay, someone else will capture him first!"
"Other forces?" Sarutobi Hiruzen murmured, not stopping his pipe from smoking.
"I think it's just a Wood Release ninja, no need to make such a big fuss!" Mitokado Homura however said.
"Make a fuss? Do you know how strong a top-tier Wood Release ninja can be?" Shimura Danzo looked at Mitokado Homura and lightly scolded him. "If that person has even half of the First Hokage's strength, they could shake the entire ninja world!"
"But... if we capture him, will he come peacefully to Konoha?" Koharu's voice also held some doubt. "Acting recklessly might cause Konoha significant losses!"
"Not cooperate? Then we'll use force. Even if we lose some members, what does it matter?" Danzo, however, stuck to his view.
Seeing that Koharu and the others were still hesitant, he added, "Can you imagine what would happen if a Wood Release ninja falls into the hands of other forces? It will definitely be a tragic end. We're capturing him to save him. I believe he'll understand our intentions!"
Danzo continued to talk, his voice growing more insistent in his opinion.
"But..." Koharu still seemed cautious, thinking that Konoha shouldn't be so fixated on a Wood Release ninja.
After all, what difference would one more Wood Release user make?
That ninja couldn't become Senju Hashirama; there's only one Hashirama.
"Hmph, short-sighted!" Danzo scoffed coldly, no longer wasting words with Koharu. He turned his gaze to Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Hiruzen, it's your decision to make."
When Danzo asked this, he had already made up his mind. If Sarutobi Hiruzen disagreed, then he would act with Root, no need for their involvement.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep puff from his pipe, the glow flickering at its tip. His tone was low and serious. "Wood Release... is of great importance to Konoha."
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