The rules of the ninja world were this cruel.
Even children were tools of ninja.
During the Ninja Wars, villages would even send six-year-old children directly onto the battlefield in pursuit of victory. Such things were far from uncommon.
The only truly heartless part...
Was that Naruto Uzumaki's parents had been heroes.
Naruto Uzumaki's father was Konoha's Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze, while his mother was Kushina Uzumaki, Konoha's previous Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
During the Nine-Tails' Rampage, the couple sacrificed themselves to protect Konoha.
Perhaps they had believed the village would care for their orphaned child.
After all, Minato Namikaze had been the Fourth Hokage, had always been close to the Third Hokage, and had many comrades in the village.
Perhaps they had believed Konoha would protect the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki well. Kushina Uzumaki had also been the previous Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and Konoha had always protected her quite well. She had suffered almost no discrimination or ostracism.
No matter what, they were already dead.
Only a child named Naruto Uzumaki remained, facing this world alone and the dangers that could strike him at any moment.
"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki..."
"The most ferocious Tailed Beast in the world..."
"And the most powerful weapon of war in this world!"
Shimura Danzō set down the newborn registry in his hand and muttered coldly, "If Wood Style can suppress the Nine-Tails... then the true Nine-Tails Jinchuriki cultivation plan can be carried out. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki can be forged into Konoha's sharpest weapon!"
Shimura Danzō's ideals were remarkably simple.
First, become Hokage and reach the pinnacle of life. Second, have Konoha unify the ninja world and stand at its summit.
Unfortunately.
Neither ideal had come true. In fact, as Shimura Danzō grew older, both ideals were nearly becoming mere dreams.
Yet every great ideal had to take its first step. Thinking of Akihara Kagura, whom he had brought back from Orochimaru, Shimura Danzō could not help feeling a surge of excitement!
As long as this child's Wood Style talent was strong enough, he could find an opportunity to kill Hiruzen Sarutobi and help himself ascend to the position of Hokage. Then, he could use the child's Wood Style to temper the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki into a weapon of war, unleash the power of the Nine-Tails to start another Ninja War, and unify the ninja world!
Now...
It was time to take the first step toward his ideal again!
The first step was to test Akihara Kagura's talent for Wood Style!
Knock, knock, knock...
A series of knocks came from outside the door.
"Come in."
Shimura Danzō called for them to enter.
"Yes, Lord Danzō."
Aburame Ryoma and Akihara Kagura walked in.
Shimura Danzō looked up, only to see a layer of bandages wrapped around Aburame Ryoma's shoulder. He frowned instinctively. "Ryoma, you're injured?"
"This is..."
Aburame Ryoma hesitated, unable to bring himself to explain.
"I injured him."
Akihara Kagura cut him off and said, "The room Senior arranged for me was uncomfortable. He helped loosen my bones, so I helped let some blood out of him."
"..."
Aburame Ryoma could not help glancing sideways at him.
"..."
Shimura Danzō's expression darkened slightly.
"Kou."
"Do not covet momentary comfort."
After reprimanding him in a deep voice, Shimura Danzō suddenly seemed to think of something and sharply asked, "The two of you had a private conflict... who won?"
"Senior helped me change to a more comfortable room."
After saying that, Akihara Kagura continued nonchalantly, "It was only a minor injury. It wouldn't kill him. I wanted to come see Lord Danzō sooner, but Senior insisted on getting bandaged first..."
"..."
The corner of Aburame Ryoma's eye twitched.
Was that even something a human would say?
While coming to see Lord Danzō sooner was indeed more important, there was no especially important mission today. Besides, they had only stopped to get bandages and dress the wound along the way. What was wrong with that?
"..."
Shimura Danzō felt that something was off.
Theoretically speaking, Aburame Ryoma had done nothing wrong, but Akihara Kagura's words made sense as well. He had refused to come see him early just to dress a wound...
Root...
Everything should place his will above all else.
Members of Root...
Had always spared no concern for their lives in carrying out missions...
Aburame Ryoma had always been his guard, and his missions had become increasingly easy. Had he actually fallen so far that he could not endure even a minor injury?
No!
That was not the point!
The point was that this little fellow had defeated Aburame Ryoma!
Although Aburame Ryoma was not particularly renowned and merely excelled at infiltration and intelligence theft, he was still a battle-hardened Konoha Jonin. Yet he had lost to a little fellow!
A ripple stirred in Shimura Danzō's heart. He stared intently at the youngster before him and rose to say something, only to abruptly stop.
"Ryoma, make a trip to the Land of Water."
"Perhaps you have grown too comfortable at my side."
"To the point that you have forgotten that ninja do not fear sacrifice."
Shimura Danzō turned toward Aburame Ryoma and ordered in a deep voice, "As I recall, you are Root's best infiltrator and scout. Go investigate the Land of Water. Find out exactly what conspiracy Kirigakure is hiding."
"Yes, Lord Danzō."
After accepting the mission, Aburame Ryoma looked up, intending to explain that he was not that kind of person at all.
"I..."
"Lord Danzō!"
Akihara Kagura interrupted Aburame Ryoma and said, "Why not give this mission to me? I haven't done a single thing for Lord Danzō yet!"
"No need."
Shimura Danzō shook his head and continued, "This mission is too dangerous. It is still too early for you. The Wood Style Bloodline you possess is more important than anyone else's..."
"Since you were able to defeat Ryoma, that proves your strength has surpassed his. For the time being, serve as my personal attendant and remain by my side. I will also properly teach you the inheritance of Root's will..."
As Shimura Danzō spoke, he slowly braced himself against the desk and stood up. "Come with me to the training ground. I will teach you a new Wood Style Ninjutsu..."
"Yes."
Akihara Kagura hurriedly followed him.
"..."
Aburame Ryoma stood by the doorway, watching the backs of the old man and the youngster as they departed, his eyes filled with confusion.
Had something changed...
In the middle of all this?
Forget it.
Aburame Ryoma did not think any further.
Once he returned from his mission in the Land of Water, time would prove everything. Lord Danzō would see that he had never been the sort of ninja who feared death.
On the covered bridge.
The youngster followed behind the old man with a calm, focused expression.
Even though Root's ninja always obeyed Shimura Danzō's will, they were ultimately not the same person. Differences in their words could still lead them down divergent paths.
It had been destined from the very beginning.
Because Shimura Danzō had never fully trusted Root's members. Otherwise, he would not have planted the Tongue-Root Severance Seal on their tongues to prevent them from leaking information.
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