What Is Root, Anyway?

Konoha, the Inuzuka Clan.

"What! That's outrageous!"

The Inuzuka Clan has always maintained neutrality; even their investments are merely gestures of goodwill, designed to avoid offending anyone. Moreover, the clan's overall strength is not particularly formidable.

The Inuzuka Clan is considered the weakest of Konoha's secret ninja clans in terms of overall strength, but they have developed extremely rapidly due to their advantage in training Ninja Dog.

However, things were tough during the battlefield. As an indispensable tracking ninja, he was also a target for enemy ninjas.

Therefore, before each Shinobi World War, the Inuzuka Clan's strength rapidly increased until they were no longer the weakest among the secret technique clans. As a result, after the war ended, they suffered heavy casualties.

Having essential tracking abilities but lacking powerful protection has been a constant headache for the Inuzuka Clan. They originally wanted to contact the Aburame Clan to see if they could take their relationship to the next level.

Like the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans, their long-standing, staunch alliance has fostered a complementary tactical approach to secret arts.

He understood the principle of sticking together for warmth, but just when his relationship with Aburame had reached a crucial point, the alliance between the Aburame Clan and the Uchiha occurred, which was so embarrassing that they had to stop their plans.

But right now!

Inside the Inuzuka Clan's living room, Inuzuka Tsume on the table in anger, roaring, "How much did the Inuzuka Clan suffer in the Third Shinobi War! Doesn't the Hokage-sama know? And now Root is still so presumptuous!"

The most senior and mature middle-aged Jōnin, Inuzuka Gaku, calmly looked at the clan members in the living room, who still couldn't gather ten people, and couldn't help but shake his head.

"The Root has already explained everything. Personnel from the Yamanaka, Akimichi, Nara, and even the Sarutobi Clan have been transferred. Our Inuzuka Clan cannot use this as an excuse."

Despite this, the hot-tempered Inuzuka Tsume couldn't help but angrily say, "For the sake of the village, if it weren't for the Third Hokage's misjudgment, our clan wouldn't have suffered such heavy losses in the Third Shinobi War!"

"Inuzuka Tsume!" When Inuzuka Tsume mentioned the mistakes of the Third Shinobi War again, Inuzuka Gaku couldn't help but show a solemn expression and directly slammed the table to stop the topic.

The fact that the Third Shinobi World Third Shinobi War could lead to the Third Hokage's resignation shows just how serious the mistakes were; otherwise, why would the Hokage have to step down?

Knowing she was being impulsive Inuzuka Tsume took a deep breath, but she still couldn't suppress her anger. "My dog was seriously injured in the Third Shinobi War, and he didn't survive the second year of the Nine-Tails Night. Now I only have one son and one daughter, and I absolutely disagree with sending them to Root!"

At this point, Inuzuka Tsume revealed a fierce protectiveness towards her cubs; she was none other than Inuzuka Hana and Inuzuka Kiba's mother.

The other Inuzuka Clan also showed grim expressions. Unlike other families, the Inuzuka Clan, although known as a family of secret techniques, was actually a ninja family.

Each of them had their own family, and when something happened, the strongest ninja from their respective family would come to discuss it. Anyway, at its peak, the Inuzuka Clan only had about fifty families, and the number of ninjas had just exceeded one hundred.

There are only nine families at present, which means that the so-called Inuzuka Clan is probably lucky to have twenty or thirty members now.

Inuzuka Gaku looked at everyone, whose faces were all extremely ugly. Whose child isn't their own? Besides, given their already scarce population, who could bear to part with their child?

"Sigh, I have two illegitimate sons who both have ninja talent. One of them can join Root, but before that, they must return to the Inuzuka Clan."

Inuzuka Gaku finally sighed and offered a solution: powerful and influential people in large families often have lovers or illegitimate children outside of marriage.

However, due to long-standing traditions in the Shinobi World, especially in conservative Noble Houses families, illegitimate children are not recognized, let alone allowed to inherit the family business.

At most, allowing you to inherit the surname is already a favor. Most families turn a blind eye to this, as long as you don't cross the line.

After Inuzuka Gaku spoke, everyone's minds started working. The matter of an illegitimate child should never be brought up in public. As for inheriting the family's secret techniques? If you dare to teach them, you'll be kicked out of the family the next day. Some stricter families even dare to execute you internally.

Unless it is through recognition, and this time Inuzuka Gaku also used this opportunity to exchange for the two illegitimate children returning to the Inuzuka Clan, receiving the treatment of ordinary clan members, and even being able to cultivate the clan's secret techniques, but definitely the ordinary kind, until the next generation has a sense of belonging will be qualified to learn deeper levels of secret techniques.

"The Root's demand for three spots this time is outrageous."

Some people couldn't help but grumble, saying that the Root was basically a place where once you went in, you could forget about getting out.

The main reason is that the Inuzuka Clan doesn't have a single outstanding genius in this generation. Otherwise, the Root clan wouldn't want three mediocre people; they would directly demand a genius.

"Let's draw lots. Everyone knows the situation of the Inuzuka Tsume family, and we all know what each of us is up to in private. Taking this opportunity, I suggest we bring back all the outsiders. After all, the Inuzuka Clan is at its lowest point in history."

As someone who has been through it all, Inuzuka Gaku understands even better that a clan needs people to grow, and Inuzuka's current situation is already very dangerous.

Although the Inuzuka Clan now stipulates that even women cannot marry outside the clan and can only marry into the family, illegitimate children are still the fastest way to increase the population.

Let these people return to the Inuzuka clan and bear the Inuzuka surname. Those with ninja talent can at most learn the Inuzuka Clan's ordinary secret techniques. This is the fastest way to restore the clan's vitality.

Furthermore, ninja talent is very selective, and as for ordinary secret techniques? Ordinary level techniques are enough for them to reach the Chunin level.

Chunin! That's the ultimate achievement for most ninjas.

I agree.

I second that.

I second that.

As each family nodded in agreement, Inuzuka Tsume couldn't help but snort coldly. Although she was unhappy that these so-called illegitimate children could openly bear the noble Inuzuka surname, there was nothing she could do about it.

This problem is not unique to the Inuzuka Clan; all the major families are also having headaches about it.

Root wanted people, but they wanted geniuses, which nobody wanted. They didn't want to offend Root either, so they had no choice but to hand over a few decent kids with ninja talent.

These are the future of the family, but there's nothing they can do about it.

However, these are still better than others, at least there was a process of discussion. For ordinary ninjas, it's much worse; they have no choice at all.

Once selected, it doesn't matter how many children you have; you'll be transferred with a single order. Families unaware of Root's affiliation are fine; they excitedly celebrate for their children, thinking it's a top-secret department of the village. Even the children are flushed with excitement, anticipating becoming legendary ninjas in the future.

Those whose parents were ninjas and had heard of Root all looked pale, but under Root's orders that they could not refuse, they could only prepare a last sumptuous meal and give their children all their love in the last few days.

Unable to refuse, they could only watch helplessly as they sent their child to the Root.

Ninja families with two or more children are a little better off, as they can only offer comfort to the other children.

Some are happy, some are sad. Those who don't know the inside story may be happy, at least they won't despair. But those who do know can only accept it all.

Konoha Military Police Force, Conference Room.

The Meeting Room was packed with over a hundred Jōnin sitting cross-legged on the floor, while Hizashi Hyuga, Shibi Aburame, and Uchiha Yoru, who was sitting at the head of the table, were also present.

Below, the Uchiha made up half of the densely packed group, with the majority of the remaining half Hyuga Branch Family ninjas, followed by ordinary ninjas and Aburame Clan.

However, the lowest-ranking person to be able to come here this time is Special Jonin. It can be said that this meeting has gathered 80% of the high-end combat power of the Uchiha Yoru system.

Within the entire Konoha Village, there are only about six or seven hundred Jōnin within the combat ranks, and more than half of them are Special Jonin, which shows how valuable Jōnin.

Of course, besides these, the greatest foundation of the Five Great Ninja Villages also Jōnin who have retired from combat due to injuries or old age. Although their combat power is no longer at its peak, they possess rich experience and will pass on everything they have to the next generation.

Their responsibility is to supply fresh blood to the new generation, which is the biggest reason why the Five Great Ninja Villages have been able to stand for so many years.

"Gentlemen, you've all heard about what happened with Root, haven't you?"

Looking at the power he possessed, Uchiha Yoru felt a surge of pride. This power was the source of his confidence in intimidating the old guys in Konoha.

Although there will likely be some hesitant and wavering individuals once a true civil war begins, his force of Jōnin is enough to threaten Konoha. Even the number of supporters of the Sannin at their peak was only about the same.

Although they shamelessly relied on their family's power, that was also part of their strength.

"Lord Yoru, Root is preparing to recruit three Byakugan youths from the Hyuga Clan." The first to speak was Hizashi Hyuga, a member of the Hyuga Branch Family, whose expressionless face revealed no emotion.

However, everyone could clearly see the anger on the Branch Family of the Hyuga Clan's Jōnin below. Ever since the Caged Bird incident, what the Branch Family hated most was being controlled by this kind of Cursed Seal. The Root's actions were simply rubbing salt into their wounds.

Then, Shibi Aburame and said in a deep voice, "The Root's conscription order also requires the Aburame Clan to select three young ninjas."

Uchiha Yoru. Instead, he looked towards the Uchiha Side, where Uchiha Shisui took a deep breath and reported in a low voice, "Clan head, the clan has also received orders to transfer two young ninjas from the Uchiha."

"The clan chief has been busy at the garrison recently, so we are only informing you now."

Everyone understood Shisui's excuse, and as the clan head, how could Uchiha Yoru allow himself to not be the first to know the news?

However, Uchiha Yoru looked at everyone with a strange smile on his face, slowly took out a transfer order from his pocket, and teased everyone, "Coincidentally, the Konoha Military Police Force also received a transfer order from Root, asking the Konoha Military Police Force to transfer five civilian boy ninjas in a curt tone."

In an instant, Jōnin expressions of the ordinary ninjas below all changed. Few ordinary ninjas could reach the rank of Jōnin. They had thought this was a matter between the major ninja clans, but they hadn't expected it to involve them as well.

It's important to understand that a large part of their joining the Konoha Military Police Force was due to Orochimaru, but it was also for their own benefit; they practically brought their families with them. Moreover, their joining the Konoha Military Police Force was also based on their faction.

For example, their respective family cliques and small civilian groups banding together. If this is ignored, then their so-called captains will not be able to hold their positions in the future, and the people's hearts will be scattered.

Seeing the changes in everyone, even the proudest Uchiha Clan, though angry, showed a hint of resentment on the surface, Uchiha Yoru shook his head, feeling slightly disappointed.

It seems that the prestige of the Hokage's leadership over the years has been ingrained in their very being. While everyone's first reaction was anger, they were also filled with resentment, which indirectly confirms that although they felt resentful, they would ultimately accept it unless they had a strong reason to.

But Uchiha Yoru didn't think so. The Third Hiruzen Sarutobi, wanted to use this as a test. If they tolerated it this time, they would only be able to pinpoint their weaknesses, just like the Uchiha Clan in the past, and be slowly devoured again.

The slow, insidious erosion, like boiling a frog in lukewarm water—wasn't this how the Uchiha Clan was brought down by the Third Hokage in the original timeline?

Moreover, he was not like Uchiha Fugaku, who was only thinking about compromising with the village and finding an opportunity for reconciliation. From the beginning, his goal was very clear: the entire Konoha.

"Hehe."

After glancing around at everyone, Uchiha Yoru gave a self-deprecating smile, and the transfer order in his hand slowly began to burn amidst everyone's shocked gazes.

"When did a mere Root to have such audacity?"

Looking at everyone, Uchiha Yoru wore a relaxed yet deeply sarcastic smile. "The Konoha Military Police Force was established during the Second Hokage's reign, and it was strictly mandated that the Konoha Military Police Force be the top priority in protecting Konoha, and Root!"

Uchiha Yoru couldn't help but sneer, "If I remember correctly, Root was a department that the newly appointed Third Hokage had no choice but to establish because he couldn't control the overall situation."

Uchiha Yoru's statement was still an understatement.

According to official records, because Hiruzen Sarutobi failed to effectively continue the basic policies of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju governing the Uchiha Clan after succeeding as Hokage, Danzo was burdened with the darkness of the village. As a result, Danzo gained the right to establish his own independent organization, "Root," under the name of the Anbu Training Department.

"Since when did this lowly Root have the right to bark at the Konoha Military Police Force? Is it the Third Hokage who resigned and then returned to power?!"

Uchiha Yoru perfectly embodied the arrogance and disdain of the Uchiha Clan. The first half of his sentence directly showed his contempt for Root, because Root was a department established during the Third Hokage's time, while their Konoha Military Police Force was established by the Second Hokage.

The second half of the sentence is even harsher, directly reopening old wounds and providing a completely unvarnished critique of the current Hokage of the Hokage.

"Hiss!"

Upon hearing this Jōnin's expressions changed, and many even gasped in shock as they stared at Uchiha Yoru.

This! This is blatant distrust and contempt for the current Hokage of the village.

It's blatantly saying that you, the Third Hokage, resigned because you were responsible for a major mistake, and now that you've taken office, aren't you planning to step down?

However, Uchiha Yoru's attitude also drew fervent glances from many. This group consisted of martial arts enthusiasts, which at least proved one thing: Uchiha Yoru's ambition —to Hokage Position!

If you, the Third Hokage, are unwilling to step down, then I'll make it clear that my sights are set on the Hokage Position!

Shisui's Shisui changed as he looked at the arrogant Brother Yoru. He sighed inwardly, thinking that Brother Yoru knew it was impossible, but still wanted to give the village a chance and force the village to elect the Fifth Hokage.

At this point, either Tsunade or Jiraiya could become the Fifth Generation, but Uchiha Yoru's chances are the slimmest.

Seeking support