Why haven't you submitted your registration form yet?

Deep within the Root Organization's base.

Danzō Shimura was still busy in his office.

Upon seeing Akihara Kagura and Kabuto Yakushi enter, Danzō Shimura's first instinct was to reprimand him, "Kano, I heard you always drive away the people who train with you."

"It's too much of a waste of time."

Akihara Kagura shook his head, his face immediately showing some displeasure. "Those guys' abilities are too poor. Half a month of training with them is not as effective as half an hour of training with Lord Danzō."

"Hmph..."

Danzō Shimura nodded with some self-satisfaction and continued, "You're going to participate in the Chunin Exam tomorrow. Don't disappoint me."

"It's starting already?"

Akihara Kagura took out a piece of paper from his inner pocket, asking in surprise, "I haven't submitted this Chunin Exam application form yet. Should I submit it before the exam tomorrow?"

"Huh?"

Danzō Shimura's expression turned strange, feeling as if he was about to tremble with anger at this young man. "Why haven't you done something as trivial as submitting the application form? It was supposed to be submitted a week before the exam. Why didn't you submit it!"

Akihara Kagura was silent for a moment, then whispered, "Because Lord Danzō didn't allow me to leave the Root base and training grounds, and I didn't know who to submit it to..."

"..."

Danzō Shimura's anger instantly vanished.

The old man helplessly reached out and took the application form from Akihara Kagura's hand. "Give it to me, I'll help you deliver it to the Chunin Exam proctor."

Facing such a situation...

Danzō Shimura could only help by pulling some strings.

"By the way..."

Akihara Kagura quickly raised another question. "I'm not very familiar with the village roads yet. Will Lord Danzō have time to take me to the exam venue tomorrow?"

"..."

Danzō Shimura really didn't want to appear in crowded places.

The old man, who only wished to hide in the darkness, saw Kabuto Yakushi standing beside him and his expression immediately turned cold. "Kabuto, I have a new mission for you. Tomorrow, you will take Kano to the Chunin Exam venue."

"Yes."

Kabuto Yakushi lowered his head and agreed.

"Kabuto, why do you seem a little reluctant?"

The young man couldn't help but chuckle, the corners of his mouth curling into an evil arc. "I've been taking good care of you. You don't want to accompany me? Or do you not want to live anymore?"

"Kano!"

Danzō Shimura sternly stopped Akihara Kagura's killing intent and reprimanded him, "Kabuto is still useful to Root. Without my orders, you are not to kill people casually."

"I understand."

Akihara Kagura smiled and agreed.

Danzō Shimura finally relaxed and turned his attention back to Kabuto Yakushi.

The old man's face was cold as he continued to instruct, "After you take Kano to the Chunin Exam venue tomorrow, you will go to the Land of Earth to find an opportunity and infiltrate Iwagakure to await further orders!"

"Yes."

Kabuto Yakushi could only accept this order.

"Alright, you can go out and wait!"

Danzō Shimura waved his hand, signaling Kabuto Yakushi to leave. The office was left with only him and Akihara Kagura, and the old man's gaze became unfocused.

"Kano."

Danzō Shimura's expression became somewhat somber as he spoke about this matter. "How is your progress with the Wood Dragon Technique I taught you? If you can't learn it, there's no need to force yourself to learn the First Hokage's ninjutsu..."

Danzō Shimura was actually a little angry.

Because the old man believed that he couldn't possibly teach Akihara Kagura the First Hokage Hashirama Senju's Wood Style ninjutsu through such abstract teaching methods, he had requested Hiruzen Sarutobi, hoping to be allowed to view the Scroll of Seals written by past Hokage again.

However...

Hiruzen Sarutobi refused Danzō Shimura's request.

Danzō Shimura had reason to suspect that Hiruzen Sarutobi was worried that Akihara Kagura's strength would increase, and that the power of Root would threaten his position as Hokage.

This put Danzō Shimura in a difficult situation.

If he wanted to become Hokage, he had to make this child Akihara Kagura stronger; if he wanted to make Akihara Kagura stronger, he had to obtain the Scroll of Seals; if he wanted to obtain the Scroll of Seals, he had to become Hokage.

This... was a vicious cycle!

Danzō Shimura could only temporarily abandon the Scroll of Seals and place his hopes on Akihara Kagura's talent, hoping that he could develop powerful Wood Style ninjutsu on his own using his [Wood Style Kekkei Genkai]!

"You can try to develop Wood Style ninjutsu yourself..."

Danzō Shimura spoke as if he were an encouraging team leader. "I've seen your talent for learning ninjutsu. The Wood Style ninjutsu you develop yourself might not be inferior to the First Hokage's Wood Style ninjutsu."

"Yes, Lord Danzō."

Akihara Kagura nodded and, after a moment of hesitation, began to explain, "However, I think I've mastered a Wood Dragon Technique. I'm not entirely sure if it was taught by you, Lord Danzō, but the power of the jutsu is quite astonishing..."

"Oh?"

Danzō Shimura raised an eyebrow.

Why didn't he tell me about this?

Before Danzō Shimura could ask, Akihara Kagura seemed to understand his suspicion and quickly added, "A few days ago, I mastered the Wood Dragon Technique and have been wanting to tell you, Lord Danzō!"

Akihara Kagura sounded a little unhappy as he said this, "But the people who trained with me wouldn't let me see you, Lord Danzō!"

"..."

Danzō Shimura remained silent, feeling awkward.

Because those Root ninjas were right. Danzō Shimura, to avoid embarrassment, really didn't want to see him. Who would have thought this kid would actually achieve results in his studies?

Danzō Shimura avoided the topic and proactively praised him, "Never mind, there's no need to fuss over them. It's enough that you've mastered the ninjutsu I taught you..."

"Yes."

Akihara Kagura nodded quickly, doing his best to show his respect and admiration for Danzō Shimura. "As long as you, Lord Danzō, can point me in a direction, I will strive to move forward in that direction. No matter what ninjutsu it is, I can master it..."

"Mm."

Danzō Shimura's expression immediately improved.

However, the old man thought for a moment and decided to avoid the topic of teaching Wood Style ninjutsu for now. "Later, when I have time, I'll go through the Scroll of Seals left by the First Hokage, and then I'll teach you new ninjutsu."

This was Danzō Shimura trying to save face for himself. He couldn't get the Scroll of Seals himself, yet he tried his best to protect his dignity in front of his subordinate.

"Yes."

Akihara Kagura wouldn't expose his superior.

At any time, one must leave enough room for their superior to maneuver.

Even if Lord Danzō didn't get the Scroll of Seals now, what if he got it in the future? The action of slapping his face shouldn't be too fast or too urgent.

If all else fails...

If Lord Danzō can't get the Scroll of Seals...

He could think of a way to help Lord Danzō get it!

"Go rest."

Danzō Shimura waved his hand, signaling Akihara Kagura to leave, and finally warned him, "During the Chunin Exam, you absolutely cannot lose to that kid named Uchiha Itachi!"

"Can't I kill him?"

Akihara Kagura's counter-question seemed more like an answer to Danzō Shimura.

Danzō Shimura shook his head and sighed faintly, "Don't always think about killing. Especially since some people are still useful. That kid Uchiha Itachi is still useful to me."