You and our Root Organization's will don't quite align.

Chapter 6: Your Will Doesn't Quite Align with Our Root Organization's

On the road back to Konoha.

Shimura Danzō had always believed Akihara Kagura was an obedient child. Most children used as experimental subjects were typically terrified into docility by the horrific human experiments.

As it turned out.

This little one was an exception.

Throughout the journey, Akihara Kagura displayed immense curiosity about the outside world. He even asked, while resting by the river, whether they knew how to fish.

Fish?

Only lazy, idle-minded people fished!

As the Root that supported Konoha's darkness, how could they waste time on such things? Even in dire necessity, they would only spear fish to supplement their food!

Shimura Danzō realized this child might have a great curiosity about the world, perhaps having never witnessed true darkness. He would need proper training upon return.

As long as the youngster saw the cruelty of this world, he would surely become well-behaved and sensible. Danzō considered himself skilled at raising children, especially adept at turning a slightly normal child into a murderous tool.

However...

Akihara Kagura soon made him change his mind.

"Wood Style: Impaling Technique!"

Akihara Kagura used Wood Style to demonstrate a fish-spearing operation by the river!

A wooden spike emerged from the youngster's palm and was abruptly thrust into the river, piercing a fish over a meter long. The large fish immediately thrashed violently!

The next moment!

The youngster's fingers pressed together!

The wooden spike split and branched out again!

A dense cluster of wooden spikes grew inside the fish's body, completely skewering it through. Blood instantly dyed the river surface red!

This Wood Style technique...

Appeared extremely cruel.

"Lord Danzō, I caught a fish!"

Akihara Kagura looked at Shimura Danzō with a face full of delight.

The youngster's smile seemed utterly innocent and pure, yet against this bloody method of fishing, it appeared exceptionally cold-blooded and ruthless, as if killing was a joy to him.

This was a born killing tool.

"Truly..."

The old man stared at the bloody scene before him, slowly uttering a rare compliment: "Exquisite Wood Style... a good child..."

Whether it was the youngster's Wood Style bloodline or his attitude toward life, Shimura Danzō felt he had truly found a promising seedling this time. As long as he ensured the boy's loyalty in the future!

Konoha.

The wealthiest ninja village in the ninja world.

Worried about his movements being discovered, and eager to see just how perfect Akihara Kagura's Wood Style talent was, Danzō hurriedly brought the youngster back to Konoha.

Shimura Danzō never liked entering the village through the main gate. Instead, he preferred sneaking in through Konoha's Back Mountain, opening the sealing barrier to return to the Root Organization's base.

When Akihara Kagura followed Shimura Danzō into a well and entered the Root Organization's base, he was immediately met with a gloomy, dark atmosphere.

This superior...

Had a far too dark way of doing things!

The entire Root Organization's base was buried deep underground.

Even though the base's interior was built with classical pavilions and towers, some lavishly attached to the rock walls, it could not change the eerie feeling shrouded in darkness.

Thump, thump, thump...

The dull sound of knocking on wood echoed through the underground.

A group of people couldn't help but turn to look at the youngster who had suddenly started tapping the railing.

"Kou."

Shimura Danzō's expression showed displeasure. Dissatisfied with the youngster's actions, he said coldly, "What are you doing? Be quiet."

"Yes, Lord Danzō."

Akihara Kagura responded, then explained, "I originally thought the railing would be made of stone, but it turns out it's wooden. Lord Orochimaru once mentioned..."

"Shut up!"

A flash of anger crossed Shimura Danzō's face. His gaze fixed on the youngster, his voice icy: "Kou. From today on, completely forget the name Orochimaru!"

"Yes, Lord Danzō."

Akihara Kagura agreed once more, then continued, "That person mentioned that underground air is damp, and wooden buildings easily rot."

"..."

Everyone present fell silent.

Shimura Danzō felt that his words earlier might have been too subtle. He wanted to reiterate that this youngster should forget the person Orochimaru, not just the name, but that would make him seem overly petty.

"I'll attend to official matters."

Shimura Danzō waved his hand in slight exasperation, instructing his subordinate: "Ryoma, arrange lodging for him, make him understand the will of Root, then bring him to see me."

"Understood."

Aburame Ryoma nodded respectfully, then turned a cold gaze toward the youngster: "Follow me. Don't wander off—this base has many traps and restricted areas."

"I understand."

Akihara Kagura obediently followed behind Aburame Ryoma.

The Root Organization's base was vast in scale.

The entire base resembled a massive well, with a cluster of tall classical buildings pressed against the stone walls, connected by a series of covered bridges.

"Kou, this is your quarters."

Aburame Ryoma led Akihara Kagura to a dormitory room.

The room contained only a single cabinet, a futon laid out on the floor, and a lamp placed in the corner—it looked rather empty.

"Hmm..."

Akihara Kagura surveyed his lodgings and made a request: "Help me get a bed. I don't really like sleeping on the floor..."

"No."

Aburame Ryoma shook his head, his voice cold: "Members of Root have no need for useless emotions or external comforts. Your only task is to accept arrangements."

"..."

Akihara Kagura raised an eyebrow and asked: "So... are you my superior? Or will you be my superior in the future?"

"No, and I won't be."

Aburame Ryoma shook his head again and replied: "Only Lord Danzō is the sole superior. All actions stem from Lord Danzō's orders."

In theory, that was true.

In practice, Root had its unspoken rules. As Shimura Danzō's personal attendant and guard, Aburame Ryoma's status was clearly higher than that of other members.

Yet Root members harbored no distractions in their hearts—only the missions assigned by Lord Danzō. When had they ever cared about rank or hierarchy?

"Now I will convey the will of Root to you..."

Aburame Ryoma, oblivious to the youngster's mood, continued on his own: "Members of Root have no name, no emotions, no past, no future. In their hearts, there is only the mission. What supports the great tree of Konoha from the shadows is the will of us, the 'Root'..."

"What's your name?"

Akihara Kagura posed his first question.

"Aburame Ryoma."

"Isn't that a name? Aren't you a member of Root?"

"It's not a name."

Aburame Ryoma's answer came swiftly, as if he had long been subjected to similar brainwashing: "Aburame Ryoma is my code name within Root. Lord Danzō is familiar with my past, so he set my former name as my code name in Root."

"So you remember having a past..."

Akihara Kagura seemed to have found a loophole, speaking slowly: "That doesn't quite align with the will of Root we just discussed..."

Good morning!

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