Shimura Danzō

Toneri and Minato worked hard in the little woods all day.

Minato happened to have no missions during this time, so they agreed to meet in these woods from then on... No, to train.

Toneri still focused on taijutsu. Of course, from the moment he met Minato, he'd also added ninjutsu training to his schedule.

Inspired by Minato, Toneri had also settled on the main direction for his taijutsu.

Speed first, layered armor as support.

Don't ask me. If you have to ask, ask Minato Namikaze!

Satisfied, he set off to find his way home in the glow of the setting sun.

Every day around this time, the Anbu Ninja assigned to watch Toneri found themselves at their wits' end.

They knew Toneri wasn't very good with directions. Even after nearly two weeks, he still couldn't find his way back to the Nara Clan's compound...

But... did he really have to run laps around the entire Konoha Ninja village just because he couldn't find his way?

He always did five laps, as if his brain only started working after he finished, allowing him to find his way home.

At times like this, the Anbu Captain watching over him really wanted to appear in front of Toneri and pick up the troublesome kid, then dump him at the Nara Clan compound.

Wasn't this just making trouble for everyone?

They couldn't exactly stop following him, and after two weeks, their stamina had improved to varying degrees.

As Toneri put it, wasn't it cool to stroll around Konoha with a squad of Anbu Ninja?

Who else in Konoha got that kind of treatment?

But today, something unexpected happened...

The Anbu Captain, who was about to follow Toneri on another run, suddenly made a hand signal.

He stopped on a concealed tree branch. When the other Anbu Ninja received the signal, their faces, hidden behind their masks, all changed.

The signal meant there might be enemies nearby!

This was Konoha, after all. The Anbu Ninja knew better than anyone how serious the consequences of an enemy attack could be.

As soon as they stopped, a black Kunai appeared in the Anbu Captain's hand.

A shadow appeared before him in an instant, and the two immediately clashed at close quarters.

The other Anbu members were also engaged by opponents, leaving them no chance to send out a distress signal.

It seemed these people knew their movements and tactics very well.

Toneri, of course, knew nothing about any of this.

While he thought he was looking cool, leading the Anbu around, they had already been held up.

Thud—

Toneri came to an abrupt stop as he ran at full speed.

An unexpected person stood before him.

He leaned on a cane and wore a loose white robe. The cross-shaped mark on his chin stood out as clearly as ever.

He stood silently in Toneri's path. No one else was around.

Shimura Danzo!

Toneri's thoughts raced.

Danzo's appearance meant the Root Ninja had definitely tied up the Anbu Ninja watching him.

Toneri had been expecting Danzo to come looking for him, but he hadn't expected it to happen like this.

Fortunately, he'd made some preparations in advance.

The memory of the Root's brainwashing was still vivid.

Poof—

Move fast and be submissive!

He quickly dropped to one knee. "Lord Danzo!"

At the sight of Toneri's gesture, Danzo's usually impassive face changed slightly.

Hmph! Hiruzen, I told you not to underestimate the Root's abilities. It's still uncertain who will end up with this Jinchūriki!

"Get up," Danzo said in a low voice.

Toneri obediently stood, keeping his head lowered. He remained silent and didn't dare meet Danzo's eyes.

Danzo was nothing like Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen sometimes did things that disappointed people, but overall, he had certain principles, especially when he was still at the height of his power.

Danzo, on the other hand, was a genuine villain who would do anything to achieve his aims, black through and through, from the top of his head to the soles of his feet!

He was also utterly self-centered. He might keep saying, "Everything is for Konoha," but in truth, everything was for the Konoha he envisioned—the one under his control!

Many of Konoha's major incidents in the future would be inextricably linked to him.

That included the White Fang incident, which might happen soon...

So when dealing with Hiruzen Sarutobi, Toneri showed off his talent and abilities.

But when facing Shimura Danzo, all he had to show was loyalty.

Only after proving your loyalty could you show what you were worth.

The Root's informants were spread throughout the Shinobi World. Hiruzen knew about some of them, but even he didn't know about most. That was the reach of Danzo's intelligence network.

Before being sent to the various countries, these informants were all taken to the Root to be brainwashed.

They were loyal to Danzo first, and Konoha second.

Not only the informants scattered throughout the Shinobi World, but every Root Ninja was the same!

That was enough to reveal Danzo's ambition.

So before Toneri had the strength to protect himself, he only needed to remain respectful toward Danzo.

After all, with Hiruzen Sarutobi around—and given the importance of the Two-Tails—Danzo probably wouldn't go too far.

"I heard you've been working hard on your taijutsu lately," Danzo asked suddenly.

Toneri nodded honestly.

As Konoha's second-most powerful man, it was far too easy for Danzo to find out what Toneri had been doing over the past few days.

Poof!

A puff of smoke appeared, and two scrolls materialized in Danzo's hand.

"These contain the early-stage taijutsu training insights compiled by some of the Root's taijutsu specialists.

"The other contains some of Konoha's basic Nintaijutsu, combat techniques, and the like.

"I believe these two scrolls will be a great help to you!"

Taijutsu tips from specialists? Even if they were for beginners, wasn't Toneri still a beginner?

And Konoha's Nintaijutsu was exactly what he needed right now.

For example, Thousand Years of Death, Thousand Years of Death, Thousand Years of Death, and so on...

"I know you're a smart boy. If Hiruzen Sarutobi can give you something, I can give it to you too! And if he can't, I can still give it to you!

"I don't care what you're thinking right now, but remember this! I, Danzo, am the one who can offer you the greatest benefits!" Danzo stared at Toneri's bowed head and spoke each word deliberately.

Compared to Hiruzen Sarutobi's empty promises and inspirational speeches, Toneri thought Danzo's straightforward gifts were much more practical than promises of enormous rewards.

No wonder Orochimaru would choose to work with him in the future. Hiruzen Sarutobi really couldn't give him what he wanted.

"Thank you, sir!" Toneri bowed and accepted the scrolls from Danzo. His taijutsu training had done nothing to affect his hands, which now trembled ever so slightly.

An excited heart, trembling hands...

Seeing Toneri's reaction, Danzo nodded in satisfaction.

He was right to be excited, and right to tremble. Now that Danzo knew what he wanted, things would be much easier!

Of course, whether Toneri was truly that excited was open to question.

"If there's anything else you need, you can tell me now. I'll consider it," Danzo said, pleased with Toneri's attitude.

A Jinchūriki under his complete control... The thought was rather exciting.

Toneri, head bowed, thought for a moment before speaking slowly. "If possible, I'd like to learn about the Shadow Clone Technique."

Toneri's heart began beating faster, beyond his control.

At this, Danzo narrowed his eyes as he watched Toneri maintain his respectful posture.

Feeling Danzo's gaze fixed on him, Toneri's forehead and back began to sweat profusely.

Danzo definitely knew about the Shadow Clone Technique's other use.

To anyone else, that use was practically worthless.

But for a Jinchūriki with powerful recovery and a huge amount of chakra, it could have unexpected benefits.

So never underestimate anyone in this world!

Don't underestimate Jin Mu. Even I'm afraid of what I'll become when I grow up! If you don't want to be scared out of your wits, hurry up and send me your recommendation votes! Just kidding.