After leaving the underground space, Habara couldn't help but stretch. Although he had just verbally provoked and physically threatened Shimura Danzo, he didn't really take it to heart.
So what if he'd given Danzo a good dressing-down? Could Danzo formally punish Habara? He couldn't find a suitable excuse; Konoha didn't have a crime of "lèse-majesté" (great disrespect). Send people to assassinate Habara? How many people would it take to achieve that result? What if the matter was leaked? What if Habara captured someone "alive"?
The Land of Fire wasn't a lawless land.
After leaving the underground space, Habara went to another location and continued digging downwards, then met up with the black-labor duo to continue laying the "pipelines."
Since the latter half of the tunnel had already been pierced through by the summoned snake, the remaining work was considerably easier. After another week, the three-man team finally finished their journey from the Penglai East Road to the South Heaven Gate (basically, from start to finish. It's a metaphorical way to express they completed the whole length).
Having finally completed this work, they then joined up with Shiranui Genma and the other two, who had been working at the Nameless Mountain, to continue setting up the great barrier array. This work lasted another three weeks… There were certainly construction missions accepted by the ninja village, but a continuous two-month construction project like Habara's was unprecedented.
Next, they only needed to activate the barrier, or rather, the system was already in a standby state, ready to be activated.
Before returning to Konoha, Habara looked back at the completely natural scenery and felt that something was slightly off.
"Habara, is there still a problem?" Kakashi asked.
Habara shook his head and said, "No, no major problem, it's just…"
"Just?"
"It just needs some decoration."
With that, Habara turned his gaze to Tenzo. Realizing he was the target of Habara's attention, Tenzo, who pretended to have heard the conversation, couldn't help but sigh.
Subsequently, a row of torii gates appeared on the mountainside. Below the torii gates was a winding stone staircase, and at the end of the staircase was a smooth rock face. On the rock face, five large characters were written: "Daigo Daigongen." (Daigo Great Avatar).
After completing this "minor mountain decoration," the construction team was finally able to return to the village.
Once the group returned to Konoha, although everyone wanted to go home and sleep immediately, they had to first report the mission's status to Kushina Uzumaki.
"So, the hardware preparations are complete? Good work, you guys…" Kushina noticed that everyone looked exhausted, both physically and mentally, so she didn't ask many questions. "You've worked hard. Go home and get some rest."
But just as they were about to leave, Kushina suddenly called out to Habara.
Just as Habara thought Kushina wanted to discuss the future organizational structure and development plan with him, he heard Kushina say, "Habara, did you say something to Shimura Danzo before? I heard you met with him once, and he's been causing trouble for the organization lately…"
Habara: "…"
Really, people who have lived for so many decades, can't they be a little more mature?
Habara shook his head and said, "Previously, Danzo-sama wanted to inquire about the plan the organization is currently undertaking, but I refused him on the grounds of confidentiality. I have a slight understanding of that gentleman, and I know he's always aspired to the position of Hokage. So, I kindly suggested that he use a more direct, more open, and more shocking method to seize the Hokage position. He probably found my suggestion a bit…harsh."
Kushina sighed and said, "He's a dangerous person, accustomed to acting arbitrarily. Your good intentions might not be correctly understood, so it's best to avoid contact with him as much as possible…"
Habara immediately nodded. "I share the same view. Danzo-sama certainly doesn't appreciate good intentions."
Thinking about it carefully, Habara had seemingly never actively provoked Danzo. Instead, it was Danzo who was constantly causing him trouble. It had to be said, some people really had too much time on their hands.
After saying this, Habara took his leave. As he was leaving Kushina's office, he happened to run into Inuzuka Tsume, who was walking towards him.
Suddenly remembering something, Habara directly called out to her, "Inuzuka-senpai, please wait a moment. I have something I want to discuss with you… No, this should be considered a commission from the organization."
Habara then explained a task that was very suitable for her, and one she would very much enjoy.
"This task is indeed very suitable for me, but what about the quantity?"
"As many as you can get, the more the better. They will be used as dispatched personnel in the future," Habara said.
After confirming this matter in a few words, Habara finally left the small earthen building… Earthworks aged a person. He really needed to rest for a few days.
......
Three days later.
As a young ninja was walking down the street, someone suddenly stopped her.
Habara looked at the two medals hanging from the headband strap, half-hidden in her long hair. This indicated her recognition and acceptance of certain changes in the village after the war, and it was for this reason that he had approached her.
"Chunin Jingu, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Habara…"
Jingu Maki, twenty years old, Chunin, not from a ninja clan. This was her general information.
"I know who you are, Habara-jounin…" Unexpectedly, this Chunin Jingu happened to know who Habara was.
Habara smiled and said, "That makes things easier. Please come with me."
Jingu Maki followed Habara without any suspicion. After all, she was just an ordinary Chunin, while he was a Jounin who had protected Konoha.
Habara explained as they walked, "Recently, the village has initiated a secret project. This project is currently seeking test subjects, and you have been selected… Oh, this is a permit specially signed by the Third Hokage-sama."
With that, Habara showed her a written document with the Third Hokage's personal signature, proving that he wasn't engaging in any illegal activities.
"A secret project? Test subjects?" Jingu Maki was still somewhat skeptical.
There was official documentation proving that the so-called project was a legitimate project approved by the Hokage. However, a legitimate project didn't mean it wasn't dangerous. On the contrary, some projects were more dangerous the more legitimate they were. The ninja world was full of bizarre experiments, most of which came from the secret development plans of the Great Ninja Villages.
"Don't worry, there's definitely no danger. You can sign the confidentiality agreement first, then read the test details, and finally decide whether or not to participate."
According to Habara's explanation, the so-called test plan was very humane. After all, some experiments in the ninja village might force some ninja to participate, and since it was an official mission, ninja naturally couldn't refuse.
Habara led this Chunin, one after the other, to the small earthen building near the Hokage's office building. After leading Jingu into an office, Habara handed her several documents and then left her alone to read them.
After signing the confidentiality agreement, Chunin Jingu Maki opened the document with a trace of curiosity. She then saw the bold title on the cover:
"Integrated Information Thought Entity and Chakra Infinite Library Trial Operation Plan."
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