Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 190 The powerless Sarutobi requests Danzo's assistance.

Meanwhile, at the Konoha Interrogation Department.

The newly appointed head of the Yamanaka clan, Yamanaka Inoichi, was sitting with the head of the Morino clan, Morino Iwakatsu.

"You want me to help you?" Morino Iwakatsu asked.

"It's not helping, it's cooperating," Yamanaka Kazuo said. "We..."

Morino Iwakatsu understood instantly and interrupted, "No need for further explanation, that's fine. But there's one condition: if there's a conflict with the elders, we'll remain neutral."

"I understand." Yamanaka Kazuhiro smiled, and the two shook hands, reaching an agreement.

With the interrogation agencies and intelligence departments completely out of his control, Hiruzen Sarutobi's power has been greatly diminished once again. Now, the only organization he can fully control is the Anbu, but the Anbu ninjas number less than a hundred in total.

Ten days later, the opening ceremony of Konoha Elementary School took place. As expected, the situation that Hiruzen Sarutobi least wanted to see still happened.

Almost none of the ninja clan geniuses joined the primary school this year; they all attended the clan school at home.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi maintained his amiable demeanor and delivered a two-hour speech, his heart sank as soon as it ended.

He felt utterly powerless at that moment, feeling that he had almost no one he could use.

He had to make a change; a force had to step forward to help him. He couldn't just stand by and watch the Uchiha clan grow stronger, Hanzo of the Salamander grow stronger, and the various clans expand in secret.

That night, in Konoha Prison.

When Hiruzen Sarutobi opened the cell door, Danzo Shimura was sitting cross-legged with a bowl of natto rice in front of him.

His face showed no hostility at that moment, like that of a middle-aged man who had cultivated himself to the extreme of tranquility.

"Hiruzen, what are you doing here?" Shimura Danzo said without turning around, while eating natto. "I'm not in the mood to listen to your woes right now."

"Danzo, I need your help," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. "Danzo, do you know? Hanzo of the Salamander's Land of Rain has overcome its food crisis and is now brimming with vitality. The ninja spies from various countries are scattered and impossible to trace. That's why I need you."

"However, I will not allow you to leave here."

Danzo Shimura's eyelids twitched: "Alright. Inform my new deputy, Ryoma Aburame, and Fu Yamanaka. Have them return to the Shimura clan with my orders and tell the current deputy head of the Shimura clan to remove the names of all ninjas in the clan and incorporate them into Root."

"Danzo, you..."

"No need to thank me. They know what to do next, spreading false information and creating unrest—they're very familiar with these conventional methods. And your hands are still clean. Go back, my Hokage."

"Danzo..."

"Let's go. Even if you let me go now, I won't leave. I still need to eat."

A few days later, the Shimura clan completely disappeared from the ninja community, and almost all the ninjas serving outside the clans quietly vanished.

Orochimaru, who remained at Root's headquarters to conduct experiments, merely licked his lips and chuckled softly after sensing that Root had been almost completely drained:

"Old man, it seems you really have no one left to use. As expected, Danzo is your most important pawn. Heh, the struggle for power is truly rotten!"

The capital of the Land of Rain.

Half a month ago, the Land of Rain finally overcame a severe food crisis.

The grain harvest was abundant and plentiful, even enough to be dumped abroad. Hanzo thought he could finally turn the tide, and even went so far as to open elementary schools in various cities, with the aim of selecting all the children in the country with the talent of ninja.

It's important to understand that this was unprecedented in other countries, and it was also one of his most bold decisions. The manpower, resources, money, and time invested during this period were all enormous.

Food, supplies, money... poured into the small towns all over the Land of Rain.

However, he did not expect that less than half a month later, a new problem would arise: some small town lords would outwardly comply but inwardly disobey his orders.

In addition, a group of idle young hooligans emerged in various cities. These young hooligans were local bullies and thugs.

Instead of working, they formed cliques and eventually underground gangs, which greatly affected the internal security of the Rain Kingdom and became a drag on the country's development.

This tactic seems to have the shadow of an old friend. Even now, he still hasn't caught them red-handed, because those thugs are indeed unambitious locals.

"As expected, the first step to stop prosperity is those who are the first to be full." Hanzo the Salamander looked out the window, a murderous intent rising in his eyes.

"Lord Hanzo." A voice came from behind. Hanzo turned around and saw a young man walking up the city wall. The young man was named Yushe, his newly promoted strategist, who was quick-witted and decisive.

"Ayusa, what's wrong?" asked Hanzo the Salamander.

"My lord, I have devised a new plan. Please take a look."

Hanzo the Salamander took the document and said, "A youth-training swordsman ninja policy? You're giving those thugs military-style training and then sending them to guard the border?"

"Yes, sir, as you know, although the situation in the country has improved since the food crisis was over, new problems have emerged. Those who once struggled for a bite to eat are now full, but they are no longer satisfied. They do not engage in production, idle away their time, gather crowds to cause trouble, and even form gangs to oppress the people."

These people are a cancer on the country. But if we suppress them directly, it will cause public resentment.

So I thought, why not gather them together, give them military training, and let them serve the country?

This solved the security problem on the one hand, and strengthened the border defense force on the other.

They could even select those capable of refining chakra from among these people, administer insect-based medicine, and directly train them into genin.

"What if they run away during training?" Hanzo the Salamander asked.

"There's no escaping it. I will establish strict rules and implement collective punishment: if one person escapes, the entire team will be punished."

Furthermore, the training camp was located on the border, surrounded by wilderness; running away would be certain death. Of course, those who performed exceptionally well after training could enjoy the privileges of a proper genin.

"The plan is very detailed; as expected of a second-generation strategist. In that case, let's implement it."

"You flatter me, sir. I am far inferior to Lord Bai Mu and have much to learn. However, sir, the policy of granting fiefdoms to city lords is not a long-term solution. You should reclaim the power as soon as possible."

"It's alright, competition brings pressure."

In the past, he would have been wary, but now he understands a principle: as long as he is strong enough, he can suppress everything.

As the nation grew stronger, his confidence never waned; he believed in his own wisdom and, even more so, in the sword in his hand.