The Root's Attempt to Recruit Him

Qinglong had made quite a name for himself on the training ground. There wasn't a lower-grade student who didn't know him, and wherever he went, he was the center of attention.

He'd earned the title of the top genius among civilian students.

At first, many of the younger students refused to accept it. One by one, though, he beat them into submission.

Far away in another country, Tsunade had just lost a fortune gambling. As she stepped out of the casino, she received a message from Konoha via Ninja Hawk.

"The old man's letter. Hmph! Is he trying to talk me into returning to Konoha again?"

Tsunade opened the letter and read it.

"Tenzawa Kiyotaki? He's got incredible strength. Interesting!"

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

She tossed the letter away, before she could even voice her melancholy.

Then she heard someone shout. The debt collectors had arrived.

"There she is!"

"Pay up!"

Shizune grabbed Tsunade in a panic and ran. The two of them sped off, disappearing around the end of the alley in an instant.

"It's fine!"

The leader of the debt collectors shouted, "We'll wait here. As long as she hasn't left the city, she'll come back to gamble sooner or later. She can run, but she can't hide!"

Konoha, Ninja Academy.

The teacher had been giving Qinglong an intense education in the Will of Fire, tutoring him every day.

Qinglong had never imagined that he'd still have to attend extra lessons after being reincarnated. Every day was sheer agony, especially since the lessons were about the Will of Fire. They were unbearably dull.

He glanced at the sky and saw that it was getting late. Only then did his tutor reluctantly bring the day's lesson to an end.

The school was already deserted. The students had all gone home, and only Hanabi was waiting for Qinglong. Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at him with admiration; she'd practically become his little shadow.

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

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

The two left the school together. They parted at the next intersection and headed home separately.

As Qinglong reached a secluded corner, several figures suddenly darted out. They all wore animal masks, making it impossible to tell whether they belonged to Anbu or Root.

"Tenzawa Kiyotaki, Lord Danzo wants to see you!"

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

So they were from Root. Qinglong glanced over them. "Sorry, I don't know you. I can't go with you."

"Heh! Kid, Lord Danzo wants to see you. It doesn't matter whether you want to go or not."

A Root member cracked his knuckles and stepped toward him. When a child wouldn't listen, the best thing was to use force. A good beating would teach him to behave!

"Hah! Cowards who hide their faces!"

He'd really underestimated himself. As the Root member approached, Qinglong lowered his stance and threw a punch!

The Root member raised one arm to block it, while reaching out with the other to grab Qinglong.

But then—

Boom!

It felt as if he'd been struck by a Tailed Beast. In an instant, he clearly heard the bones in his blocking arm snap.

He went flying, smashing straight through the alley wall and into a house.

While the other Root shinobi were still stunned, Qinglong had already darted to the entrance of the alley. Smiling, he waved at them.

"Damn it!"

The Root members seethed with resentment. The commotion had already attracted people, and they didn't dare chase him for fear of drawing attention. They were shinobi who walked in darkness!

All they could do was curse under their breath, hoist their bloodied, nearly unconscious comrade onto their backs, and leave in a hurry.

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

"Hiruzen, I want Tenzawa Kiyotaki."

"Hand him over to Root. I can train him into a blade in Konoha's darkness."

The Third Hokage took a deep drag on his pipe. Danzo's words infuriated him. Why did every promising young talent in Konoha have to join Root?

Was Konoha Danzo's village or his? Which one of them was the Hokage?

If every promising talent went to Root, what would be left for him?

"Danzo, Kiyotaki is a hardworking child. His understanding of the Will of Fire is improving remarkably, too. Even if he doesn't join Root, he'll become a shinobi willing to burn for Konoha."

Danzo planted his cane heavily on the floor, his voice full of anger.

"Hiruzen! You refused to give me the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and now you won't even give me an ordinary brat. What exactly is your problem?"

"Remember, Root, hidden within Konoha, is the cornerstone that protects the village from the shadows. He's just a brat without Chakra. Hand him over to me!"

The Third Hokage was getting angry, too. Over the years, how many promising children had Danzo poached from Konoha? Hiruzen was too embarrassed to even call him out on it! If Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't been there to clean up after Danzo, his actions would have been exposed long ago!

"No! I intend to recommend this child to Tsunade. She has the same monstrous strength, and she'll be able to teach him well."

Thump!

Danzo was truly furious now!

The Sannin had been gone for so long, yet Hiruzen Sarutobi was still thinking about his students. He still wanted to bring Tsunade back, but never once considered passing the Hokage Position to him!

"Hmph! I'm just informing you. I'm taking that brat, Tenzawa Kiyotaki."

Danzo turned and left as he spoke. He'd long since seen through Hiruzen Sarutobi: indecisive, hypocritical, and falsely benevolent.