Uncle Danzo, Don't Get Your Hopes Up

The Third Hokage struggled to keep his composure. After silently reminding himself to stay calm and think things through, he said:

"Youhu, it's good that you aspire to become Konoha's Guard Captain."

"But you have to take things one step at a time. First become a Jonin, then think about running for Guard Captain."

"Your reward is the same as Itachi's. You can choose a ninjutsu, too. Come back tomorrow."

After telling Youhu what his reward was, the Third Hokage impatiently sent Kakashi Squad on their way.

It was already the middle of the night, and he was well into his sixties. If he got sick from anger, who would steer Konoha's ship?

Tsunade and Jiraiya refused to become Hokage. Shikaku and Choza weren't suitable.

Surely he couldn't hand the Hokage Position to Danzo or the Uchiha.

Konoha would probably be destroyed in a matter of days. How could he face Teacher Tobirama and the First Lord then? He wouldn't be able to explain himself to Minato, either.

"The Hokage is always lying. Didn't he say I could ask for anything? He won't even let me become Guard Captain."

After leaving the Hokage Building, Youhu grumbled indignantly, as if complaining about the Third Hokage's unfairness.

Kakashi looked at Youhu and couldn't help saying, "Youhu, your request really was unreasonable. I've worked in Anbu for six years, and I'm only a Squad Captain."

"You want to become Guard Captain, a position on the same level as the Anbu commander. You might need to work at it for another ten years."

"If you don't believe me, ask Itachi..."

Itachi had no desire to answer Kakashi. He felt Youhu was always targeting his family, but he had no proof.

Spreading rumors that his father, Fugaku, was having an affair with the Hokage had driven a wedge between his parents.

Threatening to kill him if he betrayed the village had been a warning. And now Youhu was after his father's position as Guard Captain...

Only Sasuke had escaped being dragged into it...

Noticing Itachi's expression, Youhu quickly complained, "Captain Kakashi, Itachi doesn't seem to want to talk to me. You should keep telling me about Brother Obito instead."

"Are you really planning to look for Obito? What about our squad, then? Will we disband?"

Kakashi touched his forehead and rubbed his temples before replying, "I don't know. I probably won't look for Obito anytime soon, but sooner or later, I will."

"Or rather, I'm the only one in the Ninja World who can find him."

As he said this, Kakashi's gaze grew more determined.

Kakashi's conviction nearly made Youhu burst out laughing, but he managed to hold it in.

I'm Obito's spy in the village. I can contact him whenever I want.

It's much the same with Itachi. Obito will definitely keep trying to sway him, so meeting up will be easy.

Guess which one of us three can't get in touch with Obito and can only visit the Hero Cemetery alone to leave flowers for the dead?

That's a tough one.

After that little incident on the road, Kakashi Squad continued their patrol.

It wasn't until the sky began to lighten that Kakashi Squad finally returned to the Anbu Base and clocked out.

After changing into his Konoha Chunin uniform, Youhu said goodbye to Kakashi and Youhu, then headed toward Konoha's streets. He planned to grab something to eat to warm himself up before going home to rest.

There was no helping it. Staying up all night on patrol was exhausting, especially with Anbu's twenty-four-hour work schedule.

If he didn't eat something before going to sleep, he was worried he wouldn't wake up.

After buying some breakfast from a street vendor, Youhu planned to take it home and enjoy it at his leisure.

As he passed a street corner, a figure leaning on a cane stepped into his path.

The person was an old man with bandages wrapped around his head and a face full of wrinkles. His eyes were razor-sharp, and he looked like someone best avoided.

"Youhu, I've been watching you for a long time. You have something I want."

It was none other than Danzo, who wanted to recruit Youhu.

According to the intelligence network he had planted in Anbu, Youhu was only a Chunin, but his strength was comparable to a Jonin. He had played a major role in driving off the Masked Man.

As for Hiruzen Sarutobi telling him not to recruit Youhu, Danzo had no intention of obediently following orders.

"I have something you want?"

Youhu thought for a moment, then split the breakfast in his hands in two and tossed one portion to Danzo.

"..."

Danzo froze for a moment. After taking the food, he asked in confusion, "What are you doing?"

"Weren't you staring at my breakfast because you couldn't afford to buy your own? I've seen plenty of proud homeless people like you. You're too embarrassed to ask for money, so you hid here and waited for me to give you food."

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Everyone goes through hard times."

After saying that, Youhu turned and walked away, muttering as he went:

"The Fugaku Clan Head and the Hokage should do something about the homeless in the village. Winter's almost here, and I wonder if this old man even has any clothes to wear. He's already wrapped himself in bandages..."

"Hm?!"

Only then did Danzo realize that this kid had mistaken him for a homeless man.

He was just dressed plainly. Was not indulging in material comforts a crime? No wonder Hiruzen wandered around in his Mishin Robe all day. Comparing yourself to others really was infuriating.

No longer hiding his identity, Danzo used the Body Flicker Technique to appear in front of Youhu.

"Youhu, I'm Shimura Danzō, the Hokage Assistant. I came here to recruit you into Root Ninja. Only in Root Ninja can you realize your full potential."

"The Hokage Assistant, Danzo?"

Youhu's eyes widened, and he put on an incredulous expression.

He had actually known all along that the old man in front of him was Danzo. Ordinary Ninja didn't have that sinister air, and on top of that, he reeked of Senju from a mile away.

Danzo was no simple man.

Many tragedies in the Ninja World had been caused by Danzo. Shisui's death and Nagato's descent into darkness were both connected to him.

Through the "Trolley Problem," Danzo had even managed to brainwash Uchiha Itachi, making Itachi wipe out his own clan and resolve Konoha's Uchiha crisis.

Judging by those deeds, Danzo was quite capable.

Unfortunately, the Uchiha and Danzo were destined to be incompatible. Otherwise, Youhu would have liked to chat with Danzo about the art of setting people up.

After feigning surprise and giving Danzo the emotional validation he wanted, Youhu counterattacked, asking with a puzzled expression:

"Elder Danzo, do you know what my position is now? I'm not a Chunin in the Guard Division. I'm in the Anbu directly under the Hokage."

"I know you're Sarutobi's Anbu, but you'll be valued if you join me."

Danzo was confident Youhu would join him. He coaxed him patiently.

Youhu looked even more confused. Frowning, he said:

"But I thought Root Ninja was the Anbu's Training Class. I'm already in Anbu, so why would I need to go to Root Ninja for training? After I graduated from Ninja School, I didn't go back to be a student."

"..."

Danzo had never heard an answer like that before.

Root Ninja was indeed an Anbu Training Class, but it wasn't merely a training class. It was an organization hidden within Anbu, belonging to him alone.

Danzo couldn't be bothered to explain it to Youhu. He simply made an offer:

"If you join Root Ninja, I can get you things you could never get otherwise. Whether it's a Forbidden Technique from the Scroll of Seals or the rank of Jonin, I can give them to you."

"Then can you make me Guard Captain?"

Youhu looked at Danzo, his face full of expectation.