A Strange Desire to Win

But those three hours of getting beaten by Kazashiro had not been for nothing. At the very least, he had figured out Aburame Ryoma's attack patterns.

At first, he would be sent flying by the very first punch. Now, he could endure up to the fourth move.

Lying on the ground and gulping for air, Kazashiro struggled to climb back to his feet.

"Not bad. That's enough Taijutsu training for today." Having thoroughly enjoyed beating him up, Aburame Ryoma waved a hand, and several Root ninjas instantly appeared, quickly restoring the damaged courtyard wall.

Hearing Aburame Ryoma announce the end of training, Kazashiro let out a long breath and prepared to lie back down.

"Who said you could lie down?" Along with a sharp shout, something supported Kazashiro's back.

The dense sensation against his back made Kazashiro realize that he was not lying on soft grass, but on Aburame Ryoma's insects.

Frightened into springing upright by that disgusting sensation, Kazashiro ignored the pain in his body and scrambled away from the area.

"For a ninja, hand-sign speed is also extremely important. I only said the Taijutsu training was over. I never said hand-sign training was over as well." As he controlled the insects circling around Kazashiro, Aburame Ryoma's sunglasses gleamed black.

"W-Weekly Boss Zhou..." Kazashiro wanted to resist a little, but Yamanaka Zen beside him had already taken out a whip.

Whenever Kazashiro wanted to give up, this man would wave the leather whip in his hand.

Come on, everyone, join the fun! Get transported into Naruto, log in for four years and receive thirty pulls, every day!

Not wanting to be whipped, and not wanting to be bitten by bugs either, Kazashiro suddenly regretted following Sakumo to Konoha.

Evening.

By the time Danzo leisurely arrived at his new home, he saw Kazashiro sprawled flat in front of the entrance, his chest rising and falling slightly. He was clearly asleep.

"How did the training go?" Seeing how completely defenseless he looked, Danzo frowned slightly and asked softly.

Aburame Ryoma appeared behind Danzo. "Young Master Kazashiro has decent talent. Although his physical condition currently puts him below children his age, once his nutrition improves, he should make considerable progress."

"I see. Were the living conditions in Kirigakure that harsh?" Danzo recalled the state of the civilians he had seen when he visited Kirigakure years ago.

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

Stepping around Kazashiro, who lay at the entrance, Danzo opened the floor-to-ceiling window, entered the house through the living room, and headed 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 barren Kirigakure.

But the aching pain throughout his body reminded him that everything he had experienced today was not a dream, but naked reality.

"You're awake." A low voice sounded, startling Kazashiro so badly that he jolted.

Looking in the direction of the voice, Kazashiro realized that Danzo was sitting cross-legged beside him.

"If you're awake, wash up and get ready to eat." Before Kazashiro could figure out what was going on, Danzo had already stood and entered the house.

Wash up? But where was he supposed to wash up?

Before he had even had the chance to properly look around the house he was in, Kazashiro dragged his exhausted body around by instinct. Somehow, he actually found the bathroom.

After washing his hands and following the scent of food to the dining room, he saw Danzo already sitting properly at the head of the table, waiting for him.

Though he was exhausted and starving, Kazashiro did not immediately pick up his chopsticks after taking a seat, out of fear of Danzo. Instead, he looked at him.

"Well, eat." Danzo was very satisfied with Kazashiro's behavior. He did not show it on his face, but he felt a bit pleased inside.

Hm, my son really does understand proper manners.

It's just that the fear in his eyes outweighs any familial affection.

If Kazashiro could read minds, he definitely would have fiercely mocked the old bastard in front of him.

You're a famous Konoha hardliner, an orphan killer, and a pioneer in Konoha human experimentation. Even if I were an Uchiha, I wouldn't dare act without watching your expression!

Seeing Danzo pick up his chopsticks, Kazashiro finally did the same, frantically shoveling food into his bowl as though he had been possessed by the Akimichi Clan.

Very quickly, the food before him vanished like a whirlwind, all of it entering Kazashiro's stomach.

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

"Mm, it's pretty good." Kazashiro nodded. Though it was a little salty and far inferior to Sakumo's cooking, after a day of intense training, as long as he was not fed crap, everything tasted delicious.

"Mm, that's good." Satisfied by the answer, Danzo nodded, then pressed further. "How does it compare to Sakumo's cooking?"

Kazashiro: ???

Why are you asking so much, you old bastard? It's not like you made it... Wait, you didn't actually cook these dishes, did you?

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

The time to test his conscience had come.

Forced to choose between conscience and life, Kazashiro opened his mouth. "It tastes better than Uncle Sakumo's cooking."

"Is that so?" Danzo continued nodding.

"I heard from Ryoma that you train very diligently. Keep it up. I have great expectations for you." Feeling somewhat refreshed, Danzo did not hold back his praise.

"In your spare time, you can also spend time with children your age."

In Danzo's view, Kazashiro's friendship with Kakashi was entirely beneficial. It could strengthen his relationship with Hatake Sakumo, while Kakashi, that prodigy, could motivate Kazashiro to improve.

And besides...

Danzo recalled the conversation the four of them had that morning.

If not for his group's vigorous support back then, how could the Ninja Clans in the village have believed a mere final message?

As Hokage, one had to have capable assistants like himself.

Without him, weak Hiruzen would have long been overthrown by those deeply entrenched Ninja Clans. How could he possibly sit in his chair every day, spouting such treasonous nonsense as, "I'm the Hokage, Danzo"!

At the thought of Hiruzen, Danzo hardened—his fist hardened.

I really want to smash that old face of his with one punch!

Kazashiro, sitting across from him, did not think that much about it. Danzo had said he could go play with children his age during his free time, but that assumed he even had free time.

Getting beaten up double-digit times every day—wouldn't even Might Guy cry out in shock at that?

"Yes, Father."

Outwardly, he wore an obedient, submissive expression, but inside, Kazashiro had no idea how many times he had cursed the old bastard before him.

I really want to smash that old face of his with one punch!