Young Master, Please Become Hokage

She had just recovered from a serious illness, so there was no way she could catch up in the end.

The Hozuki Clan's "Water Transformation Jutsu" was extremely fast for escaping.

Plus, once she returned, she would have the protection of the Hozuki Clan. It was likely... the sword would end up belonging to that brat.

"..."

Akira Sarutobi watched the splash of water recede at a demonic speed, with no intention of pursuing.

Being severely injured was one thing.

Another was...

Ringo Ameyuri.

This person would be branded a traitor for colluding with the enemy, becoming a rogue ninja of Kirigakure and hunted by the entire village.

Her future days would not be easy.

If she had the Thunder Sword Fang, she would be much better off.

Without it... she would have to rely on herself, increasing the probability of cooperation with me.

As expected.

The prompt on his retina regarding Ringo Ameyuri changed.

[Inject Will of Fire into Ringo Ameyuri]

[Current Progress... 35%]

The additional 5% progress also reflected the subconscious thoughts she had made in a flash.

The strength of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen would greatly increase with the sword.

Without the sword, Ringo Ameyuri would just be a slightly stronger Jonin.

"Young Master!"

Compared to Ringo Ameyuri's thoughts, Ino Yamanaka was much more straightforward.

She immediately ran towards Akira Sarutobi and called for Nonō to treat her Young Master.

"This place is not suitable for staying long..." Akira Sarutobi shook his head, not sitting down to receive treatment, but intending to leave first.

After all, who knew if Kirigakure would send someone over three days ago.

"Let's return to the port first..."

Akira Sarutobi decided to return to the port town first.

"We understand..." Nonō frowned, worried about Akira Sarutobi's injuries, but still agreed.

Not long after.

Akira Sarutobi was already sitting in the ship's cabin.

On the swaying sea, waves crashed.

The group from Kirigakure didn't seem to be focusing their attention here. After that Hozuki Clan brat stole the Thunder Sword, they had disappeared.

The ship set sail smoothly.

Ino Yamanaka continued to sense their surroundings, preventing any attacks.

Nonō's palm glowed with a soft light as she healed Akira Sarutobi's body.

The few Root ninja guarding outside did not enter the cabin.

But their frequent glances inside revealed surprise.

In this operation without strong reinforcements, the Third Hokage's son not only incited Ringo Ameyuri of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen but also successfully broke through and even killed Kurotsuchi Raiga!

The latter was a prominent figure in Kirigakure, yet he was defeated in just a few moves.

Although his counterattack before death had injured Young Master Akira Sarutobi.

But this did not change anything.

Achieving such a record right after joining the Anbu, it was likely... his future promotion path would be smooth sailing.

Inside the cabin.

Ringo Ameyuri sat nearby, frequently gazing at Akira Sarutobi, her eyes flickering.

Akira Sarutobi closed his eyes to rest, letting Nonō treat him, and seemed to be completely unguarded against Ringo Ameyuri.

But Ringo Ameyuri knew very well that if she dared to act rashly, this young master of the Second Generation Hokage could definitely kill her with a single palm strike.

"They say the Third Hokage swept through armies... his son has clearly inherited his divine power, but the problem is... what on earth do the Sarutobi clan members eat to grow so strong..."

Ringo Ameyuri quickly gave up the idea of betraying Akira Sarutobi.

Without her twin swords, she was nothing.

Facing the pursuit from Kirigakure later, without a backer, she would easily die.

The thought of... facing the "Mist Pursuers"... the continuous pursuit by Kirigakure's Anbu... without any weapons, made Ringo Ameyuri's scalp tingle.

Unlike ninja villages like Konoha.

Kirigakure had a dedicated pursuit department to hunt down rogue ninja.

They were professionals, frequently engaged in such activities.

It couldn't be helped; Kirigakure's high-pressure policies inevitably produced rogue ninja, so a specialized department was needed to handle them.

And coincidentally, the head of Kirigakure's Anbu, the Anbu Commander... was an acquaintance of Ringo Ameyuri.

-- One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, wielder of the Great Sword Samehada... Suikazan Fuguki.

If Danzō was Konoha's Shadow of Shinobi.

Then that fatso Suikazan Fuguki was Kirigakure's dark side.

Of course, no matter how dark, he couldn't be darker than that old geezer, the Third Mizukage...

Ringo Ameyuri grumbled inwardly, feeling nothing but darkness ahead.

"No serious injuries..."

Nonō, while healing, was extremely surprised.

A special layer of chakra enveloped the epidermis and subcutaneous tissue, mitigating external damage.

"This chakra... seems like a Kekkei Genkai?"

The Sarutobi Clan had no such thing as a Kekkei Genkai, making her even more curious about Akira Sarutobi.

"Yo~."

Meanwhile, having made up her mind, Ringo Ameyuri had already decisively prepared to defect.

"Can I join your Konoha?"

Her tone was relaxed, but her gaze was fixed tightly on Akira Sarutobi.

"Going to Konoha will only make things worse for you."

Akira Sarutobi opened his eyes, his gaze blazing.

His sharp eyes cut through Ringo Ameyuri's body like blades.

"Falling into Danzō's hands, you'll learn what it means to wish you were dead..."

These words were also meant for Yakushi Nonō.

The latter's expression slowly turned serious.

Clearly, she wasn't as loyal to Root as she appeared.

Nonō... was actually very reluctant to work for Root.

It was only due to certain pressures that she was forced to gather information for Danzō.

And at this time, Nonō had no weaknesses.

Only after she resigned in the original story and opened an orphanage was she coerced by Danzō.

Therefore...

Akira Sarutobi believed that Yakushi Nonō could also be swayed.

"Then what should I do?" Ringo Ameyuri's eyes widened.

Didn't you say we'd cooperate?

"You can go to the underground bounty exchange and become a bounty hunter..."

Akira Sarutobi devised a good path for Ringo Ameyuri.

This way, she could earn money while collecting information and avoiding pursuit by Kirigakure's Anbu.

"Bounty hunter..." Ringo Ameyuri nodded slightly, somewhat persuaded.

"Of course, if you have free time, you're also welcome to live in my manor..."

Ringo Ameyuri was, after all, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

She could teach Crimson Lotus and manage the operations of his businesses.

"Aren't you afraid I'll steal your money and run?" Ringo Ameyuri leaned back on her hands, crossing her legs.

"Heh heh..."

Akira Sarutobi's reply was enigmatic.

Seeing Akira Sarutobi's smile, Ringo Ameyuri couldn't help but recall the experience of that night.

She covered her mouth, immediately got up, and went outside to vomit.

"What's wrong with her?" Nonō blinked.

"Probably... seasick..." Akira Sarutobi said expressionlessly.

Nonō: "..."

Chapter 44: Path of the Beast · Love

Upon returning to the port town, Akira Sarutobi began a period of recuperation.

During this time, he was treated by Nonō, guided Crimson Lotus in her training, and imparted knowledge in various fields.

Ringo Ameyuri's complexion also improved day by day. Eating and drinking to her heart's content, she lived a carefree and happy life.

As for the events that transpired here, Nonō naturally reported them.

However, she concealed certain matters from Danzō.

Ringo Ameyuri was described as a rogue ninja who sold information to Konoha, and Young Master Akira Sarutobi had merely made a simple transaction with her. There were no other entanglements between them.

A ninja loyal to Danzō would absolutely not have acted this way.

But the people of Root were divided into different ranks.

Children from foreign lands, like Sai, who were captured and brought into Root from a young age, would have the "Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal" on their tongues.

Nonō was born in Konoha and was a true Konoha native. Danzō had no right to engrave a cursed seal on her tongue.

The same applied to talents supplied to Root from the Yamanaka Clan and the Aburame Clan. For instance, the current Root ninja of the Aburame Clan... Ryoma Aburame, also did not have the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal on his tongue.

Because the ninja from the Yamanaka Clan died in the Second Shinobi World War, Danzō coveted Ino Yamanaka, hoping she would fill the vacant position.

And in the original story.

After Itachi Uchiha joined the Anbu, he transferred to Root and became a squad leader, yet he also did not have the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal engraved by Danzō.

Therefore... believing that all Root ninjas have cursed seals is a form of pseudo-scientific rumor.