Chapter 67
After devouring Sarutobi Hiruzen's spirit, Zixu felt a subtle shift in his temperament—something more sinister—but that was secondary. What truly mattered was the vast amount of knowledge he had obtained from Hiruzen's memories, including countless secrets and jutsu that would prove invaluable.
Zixu had always felt uncertain about his standing in the shinobi world and his own strength, but with these memories, he finally had clarity. Information passed through others was unreliable; only by truly experiencing it could one understand the rules of this world.
"Uchiha Itachi... he's a ruthless one..." Zixu muttered, now fully aware of the agreement between Hiruzen and Itachi, including his dealings with Danzo.
"He wiped out his entire clan, just like that. And even after all that, he remained loyal to Konoha, infiltrating enemy organizations as a spy. Damn..." Zixu shook his head, trying to comprehend such extremity. Was that really the only option? No better solution?
"It's already done. The Uchiha clan was eradicated when he was only a teenager..." With a sigh, Zixu moved on to other matters.
"But that brat, Yuanye, actually joined Root? Interesting. I guess for a civilian shinobi, that's one of the easiest ways to access advanced jutsu." He recalled how Yuanye once bullied the young Aburame Hatsuizumi. He likely didn't have the ability to bully her now.
From Hiruzen's memories, Zixu understood the immense importance of jutsu. Even in Konoha Academy, students were only taught the most basic techniques, with anything truly powerful kept out of reach.
Take the Shadow Clone Jutsu, for example. He had learned it from Hyuga Chinano, and it was considered common in Konoha. Yet, the advanced Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu was classified as a forbidden technique. Despite having the vast chakra reserves of the Uzumaki clan, Hiruzen had never intended to teach him such a technique.
Perhaps Hiruzen felt guilty and tried to compensate by allowing Naruto to learn it, but in reality, it was a calculated move. He used the traitor Mizuki and Iruka's teachings to reinforce Naruto's loyalty as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.