Kabuto adjusted his round-rimmed glasses with his index finger and revealed a sly smile, "Kuroto-Senpai, Orochimaru-sama asked me to tell you that he has more than just one way to acquire the information that he wants, so you have to be a little prudent."
Kuroto pondered about Kabuto's words, and then spoke, "You are Yakushi Kabuto, right?"
Kabuto was a little surprised that Hyuga Kuroto was able to directly figure out his identity in a matter of seconds, but he soon calmed himself, he reasoned this information to Hyuga Kuroto's identity being an Anbu and spoke, "I did not expect that Kuroto-senpai to recognize small-timers like me, I suppose I should be flattered."
'Small-timers? Yeah right! If Kabuto is a small-timer then Kuroto can't help but wonder what sort of monstrosities are big-timers?' – Thought Kuroto while shaking his head.
He really did not care about Kabuto's sly tone and spoke as if he was talking to himself, "Since you dared to appear in the village so openly and even approached me, it can only mean that Orochimaru-sama and Shimura Danzo have begun to cooperate again, which means that the other source of information that Orochimaru-sama spoke is through Shimura Danzo's Root sub-unit, right?"
By now Kabuto was no longer so calm, and spoke with a sullen look, "Sigh, senpai really is as Orochimaru-sama described."
Kuroto casually spoke, "It's not that difficult to guess, given that I know your background."
As Kuroto said, Shimura Danzo is aware of Yakushi Kabuto's existence. After all, Shimura Danzo pit Yakushi Nono, and Kabuto against each other in the hopes that both of them would kill each other.
Although Kuroto is not much aware of what happened to Kabuto in this time-and-space, and whether his story is the same, or different, it's not important.
What's important is that Kabuto dared to show himself in Konoha, so there is only one explanation to this, and that is the undeniable fact that Orochimaru and Shimura Danzo have re-established their once cooperative relationship.
Because if that wasn't the case, and if Kabuto dared to appear in Konoha so openly, then he would have inevitably been chased by Shimura Danzo's subordinates.
With this conclusion, Kuroto can't help but wonder.
Orochimaru agreed to cooperate with Shimura Danzo, this is something Kuroto can understand.
After all, Orochimaru is crazily infatuated with Sharingan, so it's no wonder that he would agree to work with Shimura Danzo who is one of the individuals who can help him get Sharingan.
But the fact that Shimura Danzo, who so crazily tried to eliminate all of Orochimaru's former subordinates a few years ago also chose to cooperate with Orochimaru again? This was strange, and Kuroto couldn't understand why Danzo would do so?
Of course, Kuroto did not know the impact that the actions of Amatsukami have had on Shimura Danzo, coupled with the fear of the Akatsuki Organization, unable to do anything to the Uchiha Clan because of lack of both types of powers, and finally the humiliation he experienced at the Gokage Summit, and BAM, Shimura Danzo no longer cared about his petty conflict with Orochimaru and reestablished their cooperative relationship.
By now, Kabuto suppressed the shock on his face and said with a forced smile, "So now you know the other source. And I don't think that I need to remind Kuroto-senpai about the power of the Root sub-division, as an Anbu you know this better than me. With the help of Root, it wouldn't take much time for Shimura Danzo to acquire information on Uchiha Tsukihi."
"Really? Let's just wait and see." – said Kuroto in a confident tone.
There are two reasons for Kuroto's confidence.
First is that other than him, no one is aware of who exactly is Uchiha Tsukihi, so no matter how much Shimura Danzo searches; he would never find any information on Uchiha Tsukihi.
The second reason is that the fearsome Root subdivision is no longer as strong as it used to be, and Kuroto credits, Shimura Danzo's own stupidity, and Uchiha Shinichi's viciousness for this.
Therefore, Kuroto is confident that Orochimaru would find nothing about Uchiha Tsukihi.
Kabuto narrowed his eyes upon seeing Kuroto's confidence.
Kabuto has heard from the mouth of Orochimaru-sama that Hyuga Kuroto is not so easy to deal with, but it is only now, after personally meeting with him, Kabuto has come to realize dealing with Hyuga Kuroto is even more difficult than he had initially assumed.
Kabuto would obviously not let off so easily, so after pondering a little, he suddenly said with his sly smile, "Yes, there is one thing I forgot to mention to Kuroto-senpai, I have already sent Yuki Haku back to Orochimaru-sama's laboratory."
As soon as Kabuto's word fell, Kuroto narrowed his eyes, and an intense murderous aura was released by him.
This news really caught him by surprise.
But when he thought that the place where Kuroto made Haku stay was actually the laboratory left to him by Orochimaru, it was no surprise that Haku was found and sent away by Kabuto.
Kuroto sighed, 'I was a bit careless!'
For a while now, Kuroto has been so busy with various things, that he actually forgot about Haku's matter, Kuroto believed that Haku was in his own hands, therefore, Kuroto relaxed and let down his guard. Didn't expect that Kabuto would suddenly come and take away Haku from that secret residence.
Clearly annoyed at his carelessness, Kuroto recalled the entire process of learning Ice Release from Haku.
When he was learning Ice Release, Kuroto is sure that other than Water Release, he did not use any other Chakra Nature, and he was unsuccessful in using Ice Release in front of Haku, so in this regard, Kuroto doesn't have to worry too much for the time being.
However, what Kuroto is worried about is the fact that he used Tenseigan Soul Descend to leech his soul to Haku for a short time, and urged Haku to use Ice Release at that time.
It stands to reason that Haku should not have any understanding of what actually happened at that moment, because Haku was and is still a kid.
But there is still a hidden danger now, and Kuroto has to consider an option to solve this hidden danger.
While Kuroto was busy thinking, Kabuto no longer had his sly smile, at this moment he seemed to be shivering, and his back was filled with cold sweat because of being the direct target of Kuroto's killing intent.
He subconsciously took a few steps back and tried his best to maintain his sly look, as he said, "If… If Kuroto-senpai can investi… investigate and collect the information Orochimaru-sama wants, then Orochimaru-sama doesn't mind sharing the information that Kuroto-senpai needs, but I want to remind Kuroto senpai that his actions must be faster. If Shimura Danzo gets a step ahead, then you might not be able to get anything out of it."
Leaving this sentence, Kabuto did not wait for Kuroto's reply and left immediately in panic, no way, as a trained spy, Kabuto is sensitive to threats, and he could feel that if he were to stay here any more and he would be killed without any resistance.
Although Kabuto may have tried to hide it, Kuroto can obviously see his panicked state.
Not caring about whatever Kabuto said Kuroto muttered thoughtfully, "Shimura Danzo and Orochimaru have started to cooperate again, what do these two guys want to do?"
Unable to figure out a suitable reason, Kuroto shook his head and started walking towards his home.
As soon as Kuroto reached home, Yui who was wearing a cooking Apron over her normal clothes welcomed Kuroto, and also said, "Kuroto-Kun, we have a guest waiting at home."
"A guest? Who?" – questioned Kuroto as he noticed a pair of Shinobi sandals that were a bit smaller, and neatly kept near the shoe drawer.
Yui whispered lightly, "He is from the Uchiha Clan, the eldest son of the current Patriarch of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Itachi. He came by in the evening, said that there are some things he wants to talk about with you and has been waiting since."
'Uchiha Itachi? What's going on? Am I going to meet all the future-big shots in one day?' thought Kuroto in wonder but this didn't stop his reaction, he nodded towards Yui, changed his sleepers, then walked inside.
In the living room, Itachi sat while sipping on some green tea.
His whole demeanor gave off a refined and sophisticated vibe.
Seeing Kuroto arrive, Itachi respectfully got up and greeted Kuroto.
Kuroto nodded, and asked, "Uchiha Itachi, this is our third meeting if I remember correctly, right?"
Itachi nodded, and said, "Yes, Kuroto-san, I am also here to apologize for my Otouto's rude behavior towards the heiress of the Hyuga Clan."
Kuroto glanced at Itachi, he was a little speechless, "You came here because of this?"
Itachi nodded, and said, "Well actually, I don't have a personal interaction with other members of the Hyuga Clan, so I came here, if necessary, I can go to the mansion of the Hyuga patriarch and apologize to Hinata-san for my Otouto's rudeness."
Kuroto sighed, "Did Shisui told you about this?"
Itachi shook his head, and explained, "It was Sasuke himself, when he came back home today, he told me about the events of today, I have reprimanded him, and I hope that the Hyuga Clan and Hinata-san can forgive my Otouto for his ignorance."
As far as Itachi knows, Hyuga Hinata is the heiress of the Hyuga Clan, and if nothing unexpected happens, she will become the next Patriarch of the Hyuga Clan.
And Sasuke's arrogant behavior might affect the relationship between the Hyuga Clan and Uchiha Clan.
And considering that there are not many allies of the Uchiha Clan, and the fact that Uchiha Clan is facing threat from all sides, Itachi naturally does not want such a small matter to affect the relations of the two clans.
Kuroto said, "Don't worry, I will ask Yui to forward your apology to Hinata-san, so you don't have to worry about it."
Itachi nodded with a relieved look, "Thank you Kuroto-san."
With that out of the way, both of them had some casual discussions, when Kuroto asked, "So, this should not be the only reason who personally came to my house, right?"
Itachi nodded and after a while of silence, he said, "Kuroto-san, not long ago, I received the recruitment into the Anbu Black Ops, should I accept it?"
Kuroto was surprised, and asked with a smile, "Are you sure you should ask me such an important thing?"
Itachi nodded seriously, and said, "I asked Shisui-san's opinion, but he did not have any right answer with him, so he told me to ask you."
Kuroto raised an eyebrow, "Is that so?"
Itachi nodded.
Kuroto was silent for a while, and after serious consideration, he spoke, "If you ask me, I personally recommend that you do not join the Anbu department. You are the heir of the Uchiha Clan, so your identity is extremely sensitive.
More so with your personality. So once you join Anbu, you will be trapped in a whirlpool between village and clan, and inevitably fall into a dilemma. In the end, it would be very difficult for you to be part of either, without being distrusted by the other."
Itachi thought a little and said, "But the act of recruiting me to Anbu by Hokage-sama displays his trust in me. If I reject it, will it lead to…"
Kuroto interrupted Itachi midway, and spoke, "Was it Sandaime-sama's personal recruitment, or was it under the directive of Shimura Danzo? You have to think clearly."
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Read up to Chapter - 533 on P.a.t.r.e.o.n.. Page: p-atreon.com/Milta_translations