Meeting Danzo

In the end, the reason Fugaku did this was because his "capacity" was lacking.

Just look at his son. For the convictions in his heart, he could resolutely wipe out his own clan with his own hands.

And for Sasuke's growth and safety, he could harden his heart and make him hate him beyond measure, even "coercing" Konoha's higher-ups to protect his younger brother.

Then look at Minato Namikaze. For Naruto's growth, he could harden his heart and let him grow up carrying "pain."

He also entrusted Naruto to the Third Hokage, ensuring he would not "go astray," and in the end, that was what made Naruto become the great "Child of Prophecy."

Compared with those two, Fugaku's capacity truly fell more than a little short.

Fortunately, Kyosuke existed. Otherwise, the fact that the Uchiha were doomed to extinction probably could not have been changed by anyone.

The next day, under Orochimaru's lead, Kyosuke quietly arrived at Root's base.

After a brief exchange, the two of them were led by an Anbu through a long cavern, and finally met Danzo.

Danzo, who was reviewing documents, rose after seeing the two arrive and led them to a secret laboratory.

According to him, aside from himself, only one Root member in charge of "procurement" knew about this place.

Moreover, that person had already been placed under a "seal" by him, so it was impossible for them to reveal anything about this place.

After saying that, he took out a set of Anbu uniform and tossed it to Kyosuke, while also granting him the codename "Snake."

At the same time, he stated that from now on, Kyosuke could freely take suitable missions in Root to use as cover for his "experiments."

Kyosuke was, of course, extremely pleased by this, and wished he could go pick one right now.

But it was obvious Danzo still had something to say, so he could only listen patiently.

"This old man has already arranged a squad for you. After all, you have only just joined Root, and still need to familiarize yourself with things," Danzo said, staring at Kyosuke with his one eye.

"Then I must thank Sama Danzo," Kyosuke said in a calm tone, already wearing the Anbu hooded cloak and toying with the mask in his hand.

Seeing that the two were speaking fairly well, Orochimaru thought for a moment, then took his leave.

Because he still needed to hurry back to the front line to take command. If not for the matter of the "experiment," he would never have made a special trip back at a time like this.

As for the reason, it was naturally the kidnapping last time.

In that battle, Sunagakure could be said to have suffered heavy losses. It would have been strange if they were willing to let it go.

Therefore, at this time, the border of the Land of Fire was truly seeing constant friction, both large and small.

And Orochimaru had received orders to resist the Sunagakure ninja who came to harass them.

Although it was not yet the time for war to break out, Sunagakure's hostility was already very obvious, so Konoha had no choice but to be on guard.

That was why this mission had come about.

In other words, Kyosuke even had to thank Sunagakure a little for their help.

After Orochimaru left, Kyosuke and Danzo stared at each other for a while, eye to eye.

In the end, it was Kyosuke who spoke first, breaking the awkward silence. "Speaking of which, I still haven't thanked Sama Danzo for your assistance earlier."

What he was referring to was when Danzo had previously dispatched Root to go and receive him.

Who would have thought that Danzo would completely ignore his thanks, and instead speak directly, saying something that left Kyosuke not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"Why not transfer to my command and become my disciple?" Danzo said.

Kyosuke froze when he heard this, then could only helplessly refuse him.

After all, even if he himself were willing, the Third Hokage and the others probably would not agree.

Danzo was also very clear on that point. Just now, he had merely been testing Kyosuke.

"Was your previous analysis of the situation your own view?" Danzo asked again.

Kyosuke understood in his heart that Danzo was asking about the remarks he had made previously in the Uchiha Clan Grounds, regarding Konoha's policies for handling affairs.

In response, he nodded bluntly and did not say anything.

"Have you paid attention to the situation in the Shinobi World recently? When do you think war will break out?" Seeing that he did not speak, Danzo did not mind. After a pause, he once again posed his question.

It seemed that today, he had come purely to assess Kyosuke.

If Kyosuke did not answer, he would probably keep asking forever.

With no other choice, Kyosuke could only try saying, "I think that right now, every nation is resting, rebuilding, and accumulating strength. But... peace will probably be very hard to maintain for long."

"Why?"

"Interests, and hatred."

Danzo's eye brightened slightly, then he signaled for him to continue.

"Our Land of Fire is rich in resources. Not only is its economic environment good, it is also easy to live in." Kyosuke paused there, then looked straight into Danzo's eye and said, "These are all reasons for war."

"And hatred?" Danzo asked with an unreadable expression.

"It's simple." Kyosuke's expression dimmed slightly, and only then did he continue, "The First and Second Shinobi World Wars have already caused countless killings. Every time one person dies, one more share of hatred is born. Revenge, naturally, becomes unavoidable."

"Then what do you think... can be done to change this situation?" When Danzo asked this question, his gaze fixed tightly on Kyosuke's eyes, because he truly wanted to know whether this child possessed the same "insight" as him.

"It's very simple. We only need to become strong ourselves. Strong enough that everyone else fears us, and naturally, war can be avoided," Kyosuke said.

Danzo heard this and nodded silently. He asked nothing more, then turned and left Kyosuke's laboratory.

"Not a bad way of thinking, but is he still too young? His ideas are still a little one-sided," Danzo judged Kyosuke's performance inwardly.

"Still, this child is worth nurturing. At the very least, he's far better than those useless fools who only know how to shout about the 'Will of Fire.'"

Danzo stood in the corridor outside the laboratory, his gaze drifting toward the Hokage Building in the distance.

"Hiruzen, I will not let you ruin such an outstanding child. Absolutely not!!!"

The Hokage Building, inside the Third Hokage's office.

Danzo, the Third Hokage, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura had all gathered together.

The purpose was to discuss Kyosuke joining Root.

"Absurd!" the Third Hokage shouted, his beard bristling and his eyes wide. At the same time, he squeezed the pipe in his hand until it creaked, using it to express his anger.

However, as his dear old friend, Danzo was not about to be intimidated by that display.

He even sat there with his eyes closed, too lazy to pay him any attention.

Seeing this, the Third Hokage, knowing he could not scare him, could only sit back down. After sighing, he slowly said, "Danzo, that child is only six years old. Isn't it a bit early for him to join Root?"

"Hmph. If we wait any longer, I'm afraid he'll be ruined under your Will of Fire." Of course, Danzo could only think those words. He did not dare say them aloud.

After all, this "Will of Fire" was an ideology proposed by the First Hokage. Regardless of how effective it was, at least no one dared openly deny it.

Otherwise, the three people present would probably drown Danzo in spit.

Seeing that Danzo still had no intention of responding to the Third Hokage, Utatane Koharu, who had always served as the one to ease the atmosphere between them, spoke up.

"Even if we don't consider the child's age, we still have to consider his identity. Haven't you always been wary of the Uchiha..." She stopped there.

Because what came next was not suitable to be said publicly at present, even if there were only the four of them here.

Danzo naturally understood what she meant. Hearing this, he said calmly, "This child is different. His vision will not be so narrow as to be limited to the clan level."

When the three heard Danzo say this, they could not help recalling that speech back in the Uchiha Clan Grounds. Then all of them nodded, indicating their agreement on this point.

"Ahem, of course, the reason he's so outstanding is because Orochimaru taught him well," the Third Hokage said shamelessly, praising his own disciple.

When Danzo and the others heard this, they gave the Third Hokage a disdainful look, making his face flush slightly.

As for Kyosuke joining Root, the matter was smoothly approved with the tacit consent of the few of them.

"Just you watch, Hiruzen. I will train this child into the most outstanding ninja," Danzo said, leaving those words behind before turning and departing.

The remaining people looked at one another for a while, then laughed in unison.

"It seems Danzo really does like this child," Mitokado Homura said with a smile.

The Third Hokage and Utatane Koharu also nodded along, indicating that they agreed with him.

"I hope this child can change Danzo's radical methods and bring some change to Root," the Third Hokage said with a smile, standing up and looking at the flowers blooming outside the window.