Thick Roots, Flourishing Trees

"Unfortunately, no, it's just that recently there have been discussions in the village, so you must be careful."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement, "We certainly need to be careful. The Chunin Exams are coming up soon, so I will be promoting the Will of Fire during the Chunin Exams briefing!"

"The Chunin Exams..."

Danzō's eyes flickered slightly. However, Hiruzen Sarutobi had always held the primary authority over the Chunin Exams, so he had no reason to get involved.

"Danzō, do you need anything else?"

Seeing his old friend still standing there, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, knowing that this guy must be plotting something.

"Hiruzen, you must know Hyakawa Yamei quite well by now, right?"

Upon hearing Danzō mention the name, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately turned his head to stare at him, his gaze becoming somewhat sharp.

"You're interested in him?"

Danzō narrowed his eyes, his voice very low, "He is a rare talent! And he wields such immense power! He is perfectly suited to be cultivated as a deterrent weapon for our Konoha!"

"Hand him over to me, and I guarantee Yamei will grow into the thickest root of Konoha!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent at this. After a hesitant glance at Danzō, his eyes sharpened.

Deterrent weapon?

The thickest root?

Hand him over to you, and whether he becomes your weapon or mine in the future is yet to be determined!

"Danzō, Yamei is someone I have my eye on! He is also a successor of the Will of Fire!"

"I have been watching his performance all along, and he is not suited for your Root organization!"

"He will become a towering tree in Konoha, growing in the sunlight! Not a root buried underground!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was unapologetic.

When he learned that Yamei had sealed the Source of Life, he had indeed considered how to control him!

But after seeing Yamei's relationship with Naruto, Shikamaru, and the others, he seemed to have figured it out.

Why control him? Aren't the bonds with his companions the best form of cohesion?

As long as Naruto and the others are in the village, Yamei will be the guardian of the village's future!

He was getting old!

The Hokage would eventually be passed on to someone recognized by him and by the villagers!

At that time! He would need strong individuals like Yamei to provide support!

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi refuse him so unceremoniously, Danzō's face darkened as he leaned on his cane, "Hiruzen! You will regret this! Hmph!"

Danzō snorted coldly and turned to leave.

Talking so righteously, if I didn't know your true nature, I would actually believe you were that amiable Third Hokage!

If it weren't for me, could you have peacefully served as the Third Hokage? The Uchiha alone were enough trouble for you!

You've always treated me like a tool, and now you're just discarding me!

You just wait!

Returning to Root, Danzō picked up Yamei's scroll again and examined it carefully.

"Source of Life... Terrifying vitality..."

"Take root. Send two people to secretly monitor Yamei! Report any special circumstances to me immediately!"

"Yes, Lord Danzō!"

The next day, Yamei, who was teaching Tenten Taijutsu hand-in-hand, suddenly paused.

"Wh-what's wrong? Yamei? Am I... is my movement incorrect?"

Tenten, whose hand was being held by Yamei, blushed and tilted her head, staring at Yamei's profile. She was slightly stunned and asked in confusion.

"No, your movements are very standard. Come... let's continue."

"Mhm... Mhm, okay!" Tenten shyly lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper.

Yamei didn't pay much attention to Tenten's shyness. His formidable senses scanned their surroundings. Originally, besides him and Tenten, only Neji was nearby.

But just now, three more people had appeared. Their Chakra levels indicated one Jonin and two Chunin!

They didn't seem like Anbu, so there was only one possibility.

"Root? It seems I've finally attracted the attention of that old geezer Danzō!"

Yamei thought coldly. He hadn't hidden the fact that he had sealed the Source of Life, and he knew that an old guy like Danzō would definitely target him.

He just hadn't expected it to happen so soon!

"I hope you don't do anything foolish! Otherwise..."

A fierce glint flashed in Yamei's eyes. He then completely ignored the three Root ninja and continued teaching Taijutsu.

In the afternoon, Yamei changed locations to teach Ino, Naruto, and the others. It wasn't until nightfall that he returned home to lie down.

Bang

A shadow clone suddenly appeared beside Yamei. Then, Yamei's main body instantly vanished, reappearing at the border of the Land of Fire.

"Flying Thunder God Technique!"

When Yamei's figure reappeared, he was already in a huge courtyard.

"Yamei-kun!!"

As soon as he appeared, several voices rang out in surprise.

Yamei turned his head and saw a four-person team led by Pakura, along with Izumi, Mikoto, and Karin.

"Why aren't you guys asleep yet..."

Yamei gave a wry smile.

"We couldn't sleep. We haven't seen you in over a month." Pakura stepped forward and pulled Yamei into the living room.

Mikoto immediately served a bowl of hot water, while Izumi presented a plate of fruit. Lastly, Karin diligently massaged Yamei.

Seeing the familiar actions today, Yamei skillfully leaned against Pakura's lap and began to enjoy himself.

It had been three years since he sent Izumi and Mikoto to the Land of Waves!

Over these years, Yamei had visited the Land of Waves at regular intervals, participating in political discussions or certain operations.

The time between visits varied, with the longest gap being about a month.

This courtyard was his residence in the Land of Waves. He had originally lived there alone, with a few housekeepers.

However, once Pakura, Izumi, and the others found out, the housekeepers were gone. Instead, the four of them moved in.

Although every visit here was an ultimate enjoyment, it was also a great torment.

But thankfully... in another two years, he would be considered an adult in the ninja world!

It seemed like they came of age at sixteen here?

Cough, that's how it is!

"Yamei, what have you been doing this past month?" Izumi looked at Yamei with gentle eyes.

The other women were also curious; they all wanted to know more about Yamei.

"Nothing much, just carrying out some missions..."

Yamei briefly recounted his trip to the Land of Rivers. When he mentioned sealing the Source of Life, their faces showed signs of nervousness.

"Hey, hey, hey... Mikoto, why are you touching it!"

As he was talking, Yamei suddenly looked at Mikoto, who had pulled open his clothes. Her eyes were fixed on the special sealing runes on his body.

"Such terrifying power sealed here... will it affect you? Isn't it too dangerous..." Mikoto said with some worry.

Pakura and the others also stared at him, their concern unwavering.

"Don't worry, I'm fine! You have to trust my strength."

Feeling the sincere concern from the women, Yamei's heart warmed.

However, when he looked at Mikoto, Yamei felt a little uneasy.

Originally, there was nothing between him and Mikoto at first... but after frequent contact over the past few years... Mikoto had also gradually fallen for him.

He wondered how he would face Sasuke when he found out Mikoto was still alive and had become like this...

I'm sorry, Sasuke.