Danzo's Latest Outrageous Move

Konoha, Root Organization Headquarters.

Located three hundred meters underground, it was carved out by Earth Style ninjutsu.

Just like the meaning of Root, this was Konoha's deepest structure, connected everywhere by massive pipes, spreading out like the roots of a tree burrowing deep into the soil.

Darkness and oppression were the unchanging atmosphere of the Root Organization.

"Five days. Have you found out anything about that damn brat?" Danzo asked, suppressing his rage, to a group of Root Organization members below.

Aburame Ryoma, his right hand bandaged, quickly jumped out and said, "Lord Danzo, I've investigated all traces of that brat these past few days. Please review it."

He respectfully presented a scroll, a hint of lingering fear in his eyes.

The pursuit mission, he had botched it.

Against Kisame Hoshigaki, he had only assisted Uchiha Shisui. Apart from exhausting his chakra, he hadn't sustained any serious injuries.

The wounds on his body were inflicted by a furious Danzo using a Vacuum Blade after his return.

With just one strike, his right hand was completely severed.

If not for Konoha's medical team's prompt action, he would already be a one-armed ninja.

Danzo's staged "Tanuki swapping the Crown Prince" scheme was supposed to conclude perfectly according to plan, but now this secret was in the hands of an outsider.

And he, Aburame Ryoma, having failed the pursuit mission, was directly responsible for the intelligence leak.

With the core secret in the hands of an outsider, it was like a Sword of Damocles hanging over the head of someone like Danzo, who had a twisted desire for control.

Danzo hadn't slept well these past few days.

Fortunately, the intelligence regarding the person who impersonated Orochimaru's subordinate and tricked him into participating in the Hyuga coup had now been gathered.

His face grim, he took the scroll and scanned it.

"Kazama Kaguya, an orphan from the Kirigakure Kaguya Clan Rebellion. On his escape route, he encountered Orochimaru and exchanged information for the Ryūchi Cave summoning contract and my contact channel? His goal was to use me to obtain the Hyuga Main Family's Byakugan?"

"When he came to Konoha, he also brought another Kaguya Clan brat, who is now at Nonō's orphanage?"

Danzo looked up, his expression growing even uglier.

No one would feel comfortable realizing they had become someone else's pawn, let alone a schemer like him.

His eyes filled with killing intent, and he slammed his cane heavily on the ground.

"Go, bring Nonō here."

"Lord Danzo, Nonō is just outside." Aburame Ryoma had anticipated Danzo's actions and was already prepared.

Soon, a woman wearing a white cloak, radiating a gentle motherly aura, appeared with a flash.

She knelt on one knee, head bowed, and said, "Lord Danzo, Kimimaro is just a seven-year-old child with a very immature mind. I've already questioned him, and he knows nothing about Kazama Kaguya's plans in Konoha."

Nonō instinctively wanted to protect Kimimaro.

After a few days of interaction, she found him to be a child who desperately lacked love.

Especially after learning that he had been locked in a dungeon since childhood, deprived of parental love and a proper childhood, her pity reached its peak.

However, Danzo had no such superfluous thoughts.

He had always preferred to assume the worst of people.

He stared at Nonō and said coldly, "Nonō, mind your position. You belong to Root for a day, and you will belong to Root for a lifetime."

"I allowed you to become the director of the orphanage, not to indulge your laughable and excessive maternal love, but to find talent for Root. But look at your actions now, how long has it been since you've supplied talent to Root?"

Danzo's facial lines were deep and dark, his words filled with dissatisfaction:

"Starting next month, the orphanage's funding will be cut by another 50%. Konoha doesn't need orphans without ninja potential. The reduced funds will be used for other areas more beneficial to Konoha."

"Lord Danzo..."

Nonō was greatly alarmed. She wanted to plead further but was blocked by Danzo's indifferent gaze.

With another 50% cut in funding, the children in the orphanage would starve next month.

She knew Danzo's personality, and nothing she said now would be useful, unless she immediately offered two exceptionally talented children to Root.

But she had persevered for so long, how could she easily give in.

She mumbled, her eyes reddening, appearing frail and weak, but her inner strength was as stubborn as a mule.

Danzo, seeing Nonō's "fierce mother" demeanor, was also troubled.

This woman before him was someone he had discovered years ago, possessing great talent in medical ninjutsu.

It was just that her compassion and maternal love were too excessive; even Root's ultimate trials couldn't erase her love.

If it weren't for Kakashi, Tenzo, and other excellent talents being poached by Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Root Organization being desperately short of people, he would have executed this woman long ago.

However, the thought that Nonō hadn't supplied a single talent to Root for a full two years only made him angrier.

"Go bring that Kaguya Clan brat. The Kirigakure's Shikotsumyaku is the most powerful among Taijutsu-based Bloodlines. Even if he hasn't awakened his Bloodline, he can only become a breeding machine for Root in the future."

What a dehumanizing order.

"Lord Danzo, please don't..." Nonō cried out in shock.

Danzo's expression was blank as he ignored Nonō and gave Aburame Ryoma a look.

Aburame Ryoma, understanding the order, was about to use Body Flicker to leave, but was called back just before he departed.

"Wait a moment."

Danzo had thought of something.

He stared at the helpless Nonō, a dark glint flashing in his eyes.

"Don't touch that child for now. He still has a greater use."

Danzo tapped his cane, countless dark thoughts popping into his mind.

He looked at Nonō and said, "You had full contact with them. What is the relationship between that child and that damned brat?"

"Their relationship is very good, Lord Danzo. The concern in his eyes was genuine when he brought Kimimaro here," Nonō replied truthfully.

"Is that so..."

A sinister sneer curled Danzo's lips. "In that case, don't touch that child for now. Keep a close eye on him and don't let him leave the orphanage. Being able to send someone all the way from Kirigakure here shows that the bond between them is very important. This is a good pawn, we can't waste it."

After speaking, he turned to the Root Organization members and instructed:

"Tatsu, go to the underground exchange and post a bounty. Set the reward at 35 million ryo. Let those bounty hounds test the mettle of that guy."

"Hyō, go contact Orochimaru again and have him leak the information about that child being in my hands. Also, warn him that I'm very displeased with his actions. The price for all the precision medical equipment he needs in the future will increase by 30%."

"As for you..."

He looked at Aburame Ryoma and said, "Tell me more about that guy's abilities. Everyone else can leave."

Soon, only Danzo and Aburame Ryoma remained in Root.

Aburame Ryoma recounted everything he had seen while pursuing Kazama Kaguya in detail.

He focused on how All-Killing Ash Bones had crippled Susanoo, spending a lot of time describing it and even adding some of his own speculations.

After hearing everything, Danzo's plan became even more refined. He let out a cold laugh:

"Shikotsumyaku, Byakugan, flight, and a method to erase the upper limit of pupil power and forcibly close Mangekyo. The bane of the Uchiha has arrived."

"Kazama Kaguya, you hold my core secret. You only have two paths."

"Either death, or join us."

"That child, Kimimaro, will be the most effective bridge of communication between us."

"Bonds, haha... they really are a good thing!"

Beside him, Aburame Ryoma couldn't help but get goosebumps as he listened to Danzo's sinister laughter.

He had been raised by Danzo since childhood, and his fear and obedience towards him were ingrained deep in his bones.

He didn't dare to resent Danzo, only touching his arm, which had been reattached not long ago, and thinking bitterly:

That damned guy, why didn't you just get killed obediently? You made me suffer so much. Hmph, just you wait.