Strange Competitive Spirit

However, these three hours of being beaten by Kazashiro weren't for nothing. At the very least, it allowed him to see through Aburame Ryoma's attack patterns.

Initially, he'd be sent flying with the first punch, but now he could withstand up to the fourth move.

Lying on the ground, gasping for air, Kazashiro struggled to get up.

"Not bad, that's enough taijutsu training for today." Aburame Ryoma, who had enjoyed beating him up, waved his hand. Several Root ninjas instantly appeared and quickly repaired the damaged courtyard wall.

Hearing Aburame Ryoma declare the end of training, Kazashiro let out a sigh of relief and was about to lie down again.

"Who told you to lie down?" With a sharp shout, Kazashiro felt something prop up his back.

The dense, crawling sensation on his back made Kazashiro realize that it wasn't soft grass behind him, but Aburame Ryoma's insects.

Startled by the disgusting feeling, Kazashiro jumped up, ignoring the pain in his body, and scrambled away from the area.

"For ninjas, the speed of hand seals is also very important. I only said the taijutsu training is over, not that the hand seal training is also finished." Aburame Ryoma, controlling the insects swirling around Kazashiro, had his sunglasses gleam with a dark luster.

"You... you're a real slave driver..." Kazashiro tried to resist a little, but Yamanaka Zen beside him had already pulled out a whip.

Every time Kazashiro felt like giving up, this person would swing the leather whip in his hand.

Family, come and play! Travel to Naruto, get 30 draws after four years online, available every day!

Not wanting to be whipped or stung by insects, Kazashiro suddenly regretted following Sakumo to Konoha.

Evening.

When Danzo slowly arrived at his new home, he saw Kazashiro sprawled out at the entrance, his chest rising and falling slightly. He had clearly fallen asleep.

"How was the training?" Danzo frowned slightly, asking softly as he looked at the unguarded figure.

Aburame Ryoma appeared behind Danzo. "Young Master Kazashiro has good talent. Although limited by his physical fitness, he's temporarily inferior to children his age. However, if his nutrition improves, he should see significant progress."

"I see. Is life in Kirigakure that harsh?" Danzo recalled the appearance of the villagers he saw when he visited Kirigakure years ago.

"Continue tomorrow. Make sure to squeeze out every last bit of his energy, understand?" Danzo's expression relaxed, returning to his usual cold demeanor.

Walking around the sleeping Kazashiro at the entrance, Danzo opened the floor-to-ceiling window and entered the house from the living room, heading straight for the kitchen.

When Kazashiro opened his eyes again, the first thing he saw was the darkening sky. For a moment, he thought he was still in the impoverished Kirigakure.

But the soreness all over his body reminded him that everything he had experienced today was not a dream, but stark reality.

"You're awake." A deep voice startled Kazashiro.

Looking in the direction of the voice, Kazashiro realized Danzo was sitting beside him with his legs crossed.

"If you're awake, wash up and get ready to eat." Before Kazashiro could even process what was happening, Danzo had already stood up and walked inside.

He said wash up, but where was the washing area?

Before he could even explore the house properly, Kazashiro, dragging his exhausted body, fumbled around by instinct and actually found the bathroom.

After washing his hands and following the aroma of food, he arrived at the dining room to find Danzo already seated at the head of the table, waiting for him.

Although tired and hungry, out of fear of Danzo, Kazashiro didn't immediately start eating after sitting down. Instead, he looked at Danzo.

"Well, eat up." Danzo was very satisfied with Kazashiro's behavior, though he didn't say it aloud, he felt a bit pleased inwardly.

Hmph, my son is quite well-mannered.

It's just that the look in his eyes showed more fear than filial affection.

If Kazashiro had mind-reading abilities, he would definitely have cursed the old man in front of him:

You, a famous hawk in Konoha, a killer of orphans, a pioneer of Konoha's human experimentation, I wouldn't dare to act without considering your feelings even if I were an Uchiha.

Seeing Danzo start eating, Kazashiro finally picked up his chopsticks and frantically shoveled food into his bowl, looking like an Akimichi Clan member possessed.

Soon, the food in front of him disappeared in a whirlwind, all of it going into Kazashiro's stomach.

"How was the food?" Danzo, who had only taken a few bites, asked Kazashiro.

"Mmm, it's quite good." Kazashiro nodded. Although it was a bit too salty and not as good as Sakumo's, for someone who had undergone high-intensity training all day, anything was delicious as long as it wasn't garbage.

"Mmm, that's good." Danzo nodded in satisfaction upon hearing the answer, then continued to press further: "How does it compare to what Sakumo made?"

Kazashiro: ???

Why are you asking so much, old man? It's not like you made it... Wait, did you actually make these dishes?

Recalling Danzo's expression and tone when he asked, Kazashiro became more convinced of his guess.

It was time to test his conscience.

Making a choice between his conscience and his life, Kazashiro opened his mouth: "It's tastier than what Uncle Sakumo made."

"Is that so?" Danzo continued to nod.

"I heard from Ryoma that your training is very diligent. Keep it up. I have great expectations for you." Danzo, feeling somewhat relieved, didn't hold back his praise:

"You can also find peers to interact with in your free time."

In Danzo's view, Kazashiro's interactions with Kakashi were very positive. It would allow him to foster a good relationship with Hatake Sakumo and use the prodigy Kakashi to motivate Kazashiro.

And also...

Danzo recalled their conversation that morning among the four of them.

If it hadn't been for his strong support back then, how could the ninja clans in the village have believed a mere dying wish?

As Hokage, one must have capable helpers like himself.

Without him, the weak Hiruzen would have long been overthrown by the deeply entrenched ninja clans, how could he sit in his chair every day spouting nonsense like "I am the Hokage, Danzo," such treasonous lines!

The thought of Hiruzen made Danzo clench his fists.

He really wanted to punch that old face!

Kazashiro, sitting opposite him, didn't think too much. Although Danzo said he could find peers to play with in his spare time, that was only if he had any spare time.

Waking up every day to double-digit beatings, even Might Guy would call out in surprise, right?

"Yes, Father."

On the surface, he put on a submissive act, but inwardly, Kazashiro had already cursed the old man in front of him countless times.

He really wanted to punch that old face!