This Subordinate Was So Loyal That Even Danzo Was a Little Afraid

Akihara Kagura was a very sensible person.

Kakashi Hatake and Tenzo had arrived with such force that they had clearly caused Shimura Danzō to lose face and suffer a grievance. He had to step forward and say something!

If your superior lost face in front of others, then as a subordinate, you absolutely could not ignore it. You had to find a way to help your superior regain his dignity.

Only then...

Could your superior possibly become fiercely loyal to you.

That was also a workplace rule.

Kakashi Hatake's gaze narrowed as he watched Akihara Kagura seriously speak of wanting to kill someone, and an indescribable feeling churned within him.

This kid...

His mind had already been controlled by Shimura Danzō.

There was clearly an extra hint of appreciation in Shimura Danzō's gaze as he looked at Akihara Kagura, and he did not mind Akihara Kagura's treasonous words about the Hokage.

Whether it was Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi or the Anbu members, most of them knew that the Root Organization was Shimura Danzō's private armed force. It did not matter if such words were spoken here.

It was just that...

He should not say such things recklessly in the village from now on.

"Kou, do not speak nonsense."

Shimura Danzō gently reprimanded him, then spoke with disdain. "Since the Hokage has ordered you to participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams, then obey the Hokage's order and accept the registration form from Kakashi."

"Kou?"

That familiar codename...

Kakashi Hatake and Tenzo froze where they stood.

"Hmm?"

Akihara Kagura reached out and took the exam registration form from Kakashi Hatake's hand. Looking at the two people standing there in a daze, he curiously asked, "Is there a problem with my name?"

After saying that, the youngster seemed to recall something and added, "However, Lord Danzō bestowed this name upon me. Only Lord Danzō may call me that."

"What a good child."

Shimura Danzō narrowed his eyes and patted the youngster's head.

Although he felt that something was slightly off, nothing seemed to be wrong. Could it be that when a child said he was loyal to him, he should not believe the child? Besides, when this child spoke those words, he sounded somewhat childish and innocent, yet everyone present could hear the child's respect and affection for Shimura Danzō.

This child...

Seemed to have been brainwashed by Danzo a little too thoroughly.

"Wait, did Monkey only have you deliver one registration form?"

Shimura Danzō recalled something and suddenly looked at Kakashi Hatake, asking with his eyes, "I remember that the Chunin Ninja Exams require a team of three. Which team does Monkey intend to place him in for the Chunin Ninja Exams?"

Just as expected!

He had known that bastard Monkey was up to no good!

The Chunin Ninja Exams were merely a pretext. Monkey's real purpose was to snatch this child away from under his command. Once Monkey used the Chunin Ninja Exams as an excuse to assign this child to some team, would he still be able to bring the child back in the future?!

"We do not know the Hokage's intentions."

Kakashi Hatake shook his head from where he stood beside them and slowly replied, "If Lord Danzō has any other questions, you can ask the Hokage."

"Hmph..."

"This old man will ask him."

Shimura Danzō snorted coldly.

"..."

Akihara Kagura could not help glancing at Kakashi Hatake.

This guy was a little dishonest!

How could he throw a problem onto his superior?

As a subordinate, he should take the initiative to solve his superior's problems. If his superior had no problems, then he should help his superior create some!

"Lord Danzō!"

Akihara Kagura swiftly created a new problem for his superior. "If I am assigned to some team during the exam, and my teammates are too weak and I do not like them, can I kill them first?"

"You can."

Shimura Danzō had no psychological burden over that.

After all, Shimura Danzō had dreamed of killing his old teammate...

If this child killed the teammates Monkey arranged for him during the Chunin Ninja Exams, it would mean that the child could not get along with others. Then he could naturally bring the child back.

"..."

Kakashi Hatake's eyes shrank slightly.

Although he knew this kid could not possibly know about his past, nor could the kid be mocking him, a trace of pain still appeared in Kakashi Hatake's eyes.

Killing one's own teammate...

How helpless did one have to be before such a thing could happen...

Anyone who had personally killed his own teammate could never escape that nightmare for the rest of his life...

This kid spoke of killing teammates so casually. Had Shimura Danzō already turned him into a completely emotionless killing tool?

"Enough."

Kakashi Hatake no longer wanted to stay here and immediately bid farewell. "Since Lord Danzō has accepted the order, we will return first and report back to the Hokage."

"I will not see you out."

Shimura Danzō did not move at all, not even sparing them a proper glance.

"Goodbye!"

Akihara Kagura watched the two depart, his childish voice echoing through the Root Organization's underground base. "The next time we meet, do not disrespect Lord Danzō. Show some respect!"

"..."

Kakashi Hatake and Tenzo remained silent, walking toward the exit on their own.

Just as Kakashi Hatake was about to leave with Tenzo, he suddenly paused. Turning back to look at the youngster, he seemed to casually say, "Kou, it seems Lord Danzō has let others use that name too..."

"Kakashi-senpai..."

Tenzo stood beside him, not quite daring to speak.

The Root base fell silent.

Kakashi Hatake really did nothing but cause trouble!

That casual remark before leaving made even Akihara Kagura feel that things had become troublesome. Should he throw a tantrum and act spoiled toward Danzo, or should he pretend not to have heard it?

It seemed...

Neither was appropriate.

The only appropriate response...

"I have heard about it."

Young Akihara Kagura looked at the two figures standing at the end of the corridor bridge, his childish voice still filled with bloodlust. "The previous person called Kou betrayed Lord Danzō. I will find a chance to kill that traitor. I am the only one."

"..."

Kakashi Hatake was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "There is no need for that. That person is no longer Kou."

"Tenzo, let's go!"

Kakashi Hatake said no more and leaped up toward the exit.

Tenzo looked back at the old man and the youngster, then sprang up after him.

"Hmph..."

Shimura Danzō snorted coldly. Only after seeing them leave did he speak. "Remember this, Kou. Kakashi Hatake was the chief culprit who lured the previous Kou into defecting, and Tenzo is a traitor who betrayed Root..."

"What?!"

"Lord Danzō!"

"I should have killed them just now!"

The youngster's eyes widened as he stared at the old man in disbelief. He turned and tried to rush toward the exit. "I will go kill them!"

"Stop!"

Shimura Danzō shouted sharply, then said in a grave voice, "Do not act rashly. If you encounter them outside the village in the future, it will be enough to find a chance to kill them in secret. Within the village, without my orders, you are not permitted to attack anyone!"

Shimura Danzō finally noticed what was wrong.

In the past, he could have freely mocked Kakashi Hatake and Tenzo. Now, if he dared say a few more words, this child Akihara Kagura would probably attack them on the spot upon hearing it, causing a huge disaster...

Fortunately, he had not said it...

Fortunately, he had stopped this little fellow...

This subordinate was so loyal that even Danzo himself was a little afraid.

A little late!

But it did not matter!

Do not stockpile chapters during the new book period! There will be a huge release once it goes premium, trust me!