When Hearts Scatter, a Team Becomes Hard to Lead

Within Root's base, more than a dozen youths were undergoing intense, hellish training under the supervision of their instructors.

Danzo sat beside the training ground, wearing a grim expression as he stared at the youths one by one. His gaze resembled that of Christian clergy in France.

In theory, both were into children and craved young bodies.

But compared to those esteemed priests, Danzo merely put children through hellish training until they died. Relatively speaking, he was far more conscientious.

A competition in who was worse.

Though his eyes were on the training ground, Danzo's soul had already drifted beyond the heavens.

As long as he waited another hour—perhaps half an hour—the Wood Release ninja he had secretly cultivated for years would be able to join Root openly and legitimately.

Heh heh, Orochimaru, never expected it, did you? Among the failures you discarded back then, I found a hidden gem.

The Wood Release ninja you and I had painstakingly pursued for years was mine now. This was the price of parting ways with me.

And Sarutobi—so what if you produced the Sannin, promoted Hatake Sakumo, and unearthed Uchiha Mai from the Ninja Academy?

It was only a few people, yet you dared call yourself the Professor of Ninjutsu, the Konoha ninja most capable of nurturing the young.

I was going to produce a Wood Release ninja and slap you across the face. Let's see if you were scared.

Wood Release—the Wood Release with which the First Hokage had suppressed the Ninja World—was about to reappear in the world through my hands!

Today was a good day...

Feeling quite pleased with himself, Danzo was already imagining how he would slap the Third Hokage in the face.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted at Root's entrance, drawing everyone's attention.

"Don't stop! Keep training!"

The