Kuroto wanted to mention the Ryumyaku and Moryo to Orochimaru, but after considering that it would be difficult to explain how he knew these secretive and highly classified pieces of information, Kuroto hesitated, and finally choose not to speak.

And taking a look at Orochimaru, he seems to have no interest in artificial tailed beasts. ​​

However, this is also quite normal. Chakra Volume is not a problem for Orochimaru, who has mastered Furō Fushi no Jutsu [Living Corpse Reincarnation] and The Secret Technique of Physical Regeneration and is now developing the “Edo Tensei!”.

After weighing all the information, he has in his hands, Kuroto finally asked the million-dollar question: “Orochimaru-sama, could you tell me what will it cost me to get information about artificial tailed beasts from you?”

Orochimaru looked at Kuroto with interest: “I’m curious Kuroto-Kun, why are you so attached to the artificial tailed beast? Is there any specific reason you would like to share with me? Who knows I might share the know-how of its research without you paying me anything!”

Obviously, Kuroto won’t reveal his true intention, the first rule of negotiation is, never reveal your true intentions, only then can you get benefit from it.

Therefore, Kuroto didn’t answer directly, but asked a question in return, “Then why are you so fascinated by the Kinjutsu [Forbidden Technique]? As you said before you and I are the same type of people. To research something, do I need to have a specific reason? It’s just a matter of interest.”

Orochimaru patiently waited for Kuroto to complete his speech and then spoke, “Although what you speak is indeed true, but your explanation isn’t enough to convince me.” After shaking his head while staring at Kuroto, he smiled slightly, “However, I also wish to see what kind of monsters can you make, and what you become! So, this time I’ll excuse your request.”

Kuroto was obviously overjoyed upon hearing Orochimaru agree, “So you agree?”

However, Orochimaru didn’t answer Kuroto’s question but stretched out two fingers, “I will give you all the information, but there are two conditions.”

“Please speak!”

Orochimaru smiled and said, “First, I want you to share the research results with me. Second, I want you to collect information on all the members of the Anbu unit, including Old man’s Shadow Guards.”

The manner in which; Orochimaru spoke was not conditional but like an order. This obviously meant Kuroto didn’t have any other choice or any room for bargaining, so he nodded and agreed.

After some more discussion, Orochimaru got up and left.

On the night of the same day, Kuroto got all the information about the artificial tailed beast stored with-in a sealing scroll from the mouth of the One-eyed Viper.

Seeing the scroll in his hands, Kuroto can infer that Orochimaru had stolen most of the Forbidden Technique and research material from the Archives before defecting from the village, and this may also be a reason why the Village senior officials carried out a bloody cleansing of Orochimaru’s former subordinates.

Unfolding the scroll recording the data of the artificial tailed beast, Kuroto just glanced slightly and frowned.

The complexity of the research articles and the experimental data about the artificial tailed beast is beyond all his previous expectations.

The research states that there are more than 700 kinds of complicated Fuinjutsu techniques involved in the process, many of which are sealing techniques that would be difficult to perform even for the likes of elite Jonin ninjas.

Additionally, the artificial tailed beast has unusually high requirements for the type of material used for its core body.

According to the data, the village has conducted tests using 17 different types of material. Of which, only one material namely, “Purple Clay” could barely carry a huge volume of Chakra.

‘Purple Clay’ is a special product of the Numa no Kuni [Country of Swamp], it is a special type of clay soil found in the deepest part of the Swamps.

Because of its source ‘Purple Clay’ is difficult to mine, so the overall output is quite scarce. As a result of this, it’s the market price is equivalent to Gold, which is a very rare and expensive metal.

Kuroto had the idea that only obtaining a large source of Chakra would be the problem in creating an artificial tailed beast, but after learning this information, almost everything from the source of Chakra to the material for the core body is a problem!

“It’s no wonder that even Shinnō, who controls the remaining military power of the Land of Sky also took so many years to finally be able to create Zero Tail even if it was in the incomplete state.”

After sighing with disappointed emotion, Kuroto shook his head and put away the scroll.

With his current means, it is simply a pipe dream to be able to create an artificial tailed beast, whether it is the suitable materials required or the necessary Fuinjutsu [Sealing Technique] knowledge, or the most important of all funds to carry out research and experiments, he lacks it all, so Kuroto doesn’t have any option but to temporarily give up the Artificial Tailed Beast Project.

After clearing all the thoughts, Kuroto went to sleep, as he was mentally exhausted by the series of events that took place today.

………………..

Early the next morning, Kuroto rushed to the Anbu Office.

After going through the complete recruiting procedure, he received his new ninja ID, now he was officially a Tokubetsu Jonin of the Konoha Village, and at the same time, he was also an Anbu working directly under Hokage.

In the equipment room, Kuroto met Might Guy and Uchiha Shisui.

After greeting each other, the three of them carefully selected the equipment for each of them.

When it was their turn to choose the mask, Kuroto tried an eagle-faced, it felt just right, so he opted for this mask.

Guy chose an ordinary Dog-face mask.

Shisui appeared confused between a Kitsune and a Neko mask, in the end, he gave up the Kitsune mask that appeared deceitful and opted for a relatively docile Neko mask.

While all this was going on there was one thought that seemed to really confuse Kuroto, and that was how come Might Guy selected in Anbu?

Kuroto is clear than anyone that the person named Might Guy, with his straight forward and honest to boot personality, lacks the necessary darkness needed to be an Anbu Ninja, and this fact should also be very clear to Kakashi and Sandaime-sama too, even then they decided to select Guy in Anbu Squad?

This is something that Kuroto can’t comprehend, and in-fact he can remember from the memories of his previous life, that although Might Guy tried to join Anbu to accompany Kakashi and help Kakashi overcome the darkness, but was eventually rejected by Sandaime-sama himself, using the same reason, so how in the hell is he now a part of Anbu?

Honestly, Kuroto could only sigh at such, unpredictable changes in the story, it most likely is his influence, because he can’t think of any other possible reason for this to happen.

Putting away the unnecessary thoughts Kuroto followed Shisui and Guy to exit the equipment room.

Hokage Office,

Hyuga Kuroto, Uchiha Shisui, and Might Guy, who had now changed into their official Anbu costume, stood upright in the presence of Hokage-sama.

The Sandaime-sama observed the three recruits carefully for a while, then nodded in satisfaction and said, “Yes, all three of you appear very energetic, I believe you all will retain this vigor, now before being officially becoming a member of the Anbu Black Ops, you three will have to undergo a recruitment test if you three pass the test successfully then you’ll undergo Anbu special training, let’s call your team, temporary Recruitment Class: 11 until it becomes official.”

After saying this much Sandaime-sama clapped lightly.

Following the sound of the clap, a figure fell beside him.

Hokage-sama introduced: “He is Kitsune, I believe you three knows his identity, he will be the captain of your temporary squad and also the proctor for your test.”

Kitsune took off his mask and indifferently introduced himself, “Hatake Kakashi, pleased to meet you all!”

Following Kakashi’s gesture, Kuroto, Guy, and Shisui also took off their respective masks and introduced themselves one-by-one.

“Now come that matter of your Recruitment task!” Hokage-sama knocked on the table with his tobacco-pipe for attracting the attention of the 4 teenagers, and continued, “A few days ago, the Witch of the Country of Demons sent a request to the Konoha Village, hoping that we would send some shinobi to help seal ‘A demon from another world’, the detailed mission information is in this scroll, this will be a semi-Anbu mission, that means you all wouldn’t be acting as Anbu, but Kakashi would be responsible for judging whether you three are qualified to join Anbu. The mission rank is S-Class! Good Luck!”

When Kuroto heard this, his heart almost froze.

Not because of the so-called recruitment test or something but because just yesterday he thought of the Moryo of the Land of Demons as a possible Chakra source, and today Hokage-sama has assigned a mission to help the Witch of the Country of Demons, seal the said Demon. Kuroto didn’t know if it was just a mere coincidence or whether the Village authorities have learned of the detail about his Artificial Tailed Beast Plan.

Not paying any attention to the three recruits, Sandaime-sama stood from his seat, turned around, and looked at the village from the window of his office, after a momentary daze, he continued “While on the mission, the four of you will operate as a team of a Jonin Captain and three Tokubetsu Jonnin ninjas, not as a member of Anbu Black Ops, it is highly likely that you’ll encounter the Shinobi of the other Great Villages too while on this mission, try to extra careful and operate in such a manner to avoid any unnecessary conflict with them.”

“Yes!” The four shinobi nodded in unison.

“That is all! Disperse!” With Hokage-sama’s final ordered the four shinobi left the Hokage office, the time was short and the task was urgent, none of the four delayed any longer and left the village and rushed to the Country of Demons; after preparing the required equipment and material supplies in the shortest amount of time.

As soon as the four left the village, Guy excitedly spoke while rushing toward their destination, “Kakashi my eternal rival! I am finally close to catching up to you!”

Kakashi replied feebly, “Yes, yes…”

Guy didn’t notice Kakashi’s impatience at all, or even if he did, he probably chooses to ignore it, “Kakashi, chasing after companions and growing together is the real youth, When I think of this, I feel so full of energy!”

Kakashi turned his head and slightly glanced at Hyuga Kuroto and Uchiha Shisui behind the team while continuing to deal with Guy’s antics.

Behind, realizing that Kuroto seemed to be a little upset, Shisui asked curiously, “Kuroto-san, is there something wrong?”

Kuroto shook his head slightly, “Nothing!”

Right now, Kuroto’s mind is highly focused on figuring out a certain possibility and that is his suspicion on the village for being given this mission.

Kuroto is indeed a little suspicious over this mission, just yesterday he met Orochimaru and discussed the artificial tailed beast plan, and although didn’t mention Moryo but still thought of it as a suitable chakra source, is it just a coincidence to be sent to the mission of sealing Moryo the very next day?

However, he did all the brainstorming all he could, and it seemed that the Witch of the Country of Demons did pass away around this time, leaving behind her only daughter Shion, as the next-generation of witch who was about the same age as Naruto…

………………….

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