Root Snatching Incident

Qinglong made quite a splash on the training grounds. All the junior students knew him now, and he was a hot topic wherever he went.

He'd earned the title of "Number One Genius Among Civilian Students."

At first, many junior students were unconvinced, but they were all beaten into submission soon after.

Meanwhile, Tsunade, who was gambling heavily and losing badly in a distant country, received a message via a Konoha ninja hawk just as she left the casino.

"A letter from the old man, huh? Trying to persuade me to return to Konoha again?"

Tsunade opened the letter and read it.

"Tenzawa Qinglong? Possesses immense strength, interesting!"

"But honestly, Konoha's affairs have nothing to do with me anymore."

She tossed the letter away, not having time to express her melancholy.

She then heard a shout: her creditors had arrived.

"There she is!"

"Pay up!"

Shizune grabbed Tsunade in a panic and they ran. The two of them ran incredibly fast, disappearing around the corner of the alley in the blink of an eye.

"It's fine!"

The leader of the creditors shouted, "We'll wait here. As long as she hasn't left this city, she'll come back here to gamble sooner or later. You can't run away from the temple if you run away from the monk!"

Konoha, Ninja Academy.

The teachers had given Qinglong a thorough "Will of Fire" education, tutoring him every day.

Qinglong never expected to be tutored even after transmigrating. He felt like he was dying every day, especially since the tutoring was about the "Will of Fire," which was incredibly boring.

He glanced at the sky and realized it was getting late. The tutor finally ended the day's tutoring, still not entirely satisfied.

The school was already deserted; the students had all gone home. Only Hanabi was waiting for Qinglong. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Qinglong with utter admiration, practically becoming his little follower.

In her heart, even her amazing older sister Hinata and cousin Neji weren't as formidable as Qinglong.

She wanted to learn from Qinglong and become an excellent ninja.

The two left the campus together and parted ways at the next intersection, heading to their respective homes.

As he walked into a secluded corner, several figures suddenly flashed out. They were all wearing animal masks, and it was unclear if they were from the Anbu or Root.

"Tenzawa Qinglong, Lord Danzo wishes to see you!"

One of them said, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

So it was Root, Qinglong scanned them. "Sorry, I don't know you. I can't go with you."

"Heh! Brat, Lord Danzo wants to see you. You don't have a choice whether you go or not."

A Root member cracked his knuckles and lunged forward. For disobedient children, it was best to be direct and teach them a lesson!

"Heh! Cowards hiding in the shadows!"

They really underestimated me! Seeing the Root member approach, Qinglong lowered his stance, swung his fist, and punched out!

The Root member only raised one arm to block, while his other hand continued to reach for Qinglong.

But then...

"Boom!"

He felt like he'd been hit by a Tailed Beast. In an instant, he clearly heard the sound of his blocking arm's bones breaking.

He was sent flying, crashing through the alley wall and into a house.

While the other Root ninjas were still in shock, Qinglong had already appeared at the alley entrance, smiling and waving goodbye to the few remaining Root members.

"Damn it!"

The Root members cursed inwardly. The commotion had attracted attention. Fearing further notice, they didn't dare to pursue. They were ninjas who operated in the darkness!

With hateful curses, they picked up their comrade, who was spitting blood and nearly unconscious, and quickly departed.

In the Hokage's office, Danzo strode in, leaning on his cane.

"Hiruzen, I want this Tenzawa Qinglong."

"Hand him over to Root, and I can train him into a sharp blade for Konoha's darkness."

Taking a deep drag from his pipe, the Third Hokage felt his anger rise at Danzo's words. Why did all of Konoha's promising young talents have to go to your Root?

Is Konoha yours or mine? Am I the Hokage, or are you?

If all the talented sprouts go to your Root, what will be left for me?

"Danzo! This child Qinglong studies very diligently. His progress in learning the Will of Fire is significant. Even without joining Root, he will become a ninja willing to burn for Konoha."

Danzo slammed his cane heavily on the ground, his voice laced with anger.

"Hiruzen! I wanted the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and you wouldn't give him to me. Now I want an ordinary kid, and you won't give him to me either. What exactly do you mean by this!"

"You should know that Root, hidden within Konoha, is the cornerstone that protects Konoha by walking in darkness. He's just a kid without chakra, hand him over to me!"

The Third Hokage was also getting angry. Over the years, how many talented children had you, Danzo, dug up from Konoha? I'm too embarrassed to expose you! If it weren't for me, Hiruzen, cleaning up your messes, the things you've done, Danzo, would have already blown up!

"No! I plan to recommend this child to Tsunade for guidance. With her similar monstrous strength, Tsunade will surely be able to teach him well."

"Bang!"

Danzo was truly angered this time!

The Sannin had been gone for so long, and Hiruzen was still thinking about his students, still thinking about calling Tsunade back, just not thinking about passing the Hokage position to me!

"Hmph! Anyway, I'm just telling you, I'm taking this kid, Amasawa Qinglong."

Danzo said this and turned to leave. He had long since figured out Hiruzen's mindset: indecisive and hypocritical.