Danzo's Invitation

Three days later, after the battlefield had been dealt with, Konoha's two major legions still retained roughly two-thirds of their forces. Everyone set out on the journey home with faint smiles on their faces. Naturally, Jiraiya did not return. He still had to remain in the Land of Rain to continue teaching Yahiko and the other two.

After returning, they received the villagers' enthusiastic welcome at Konoha's entrance as usual. Then everyone went their separate ways, returning home to handle their own affairs.

Beichen Haotian also went home to pack his belongings before moving into Tsunade's large estate.

Three days later, the shinobi's military achievements were tallied and rewards began to be distributed. As key members of Konoha's new generation, Beichen Haotian and Minato Namikaze were personally summoned by the Third Hokage.

Konoha, Hokage Building.

"Minato, Haotian, the two of you performed exceptionally well in the war. You now both possess combat strength close to that of a Jonin, which is remarkable at your age. Therefore, after discussion among the higher-ups, we have decided to grant you the opportunity to choose a ninjutsu reward for yourselves."

The Third Hokage spoke with the satisfaction of seeing worthy successors rise. As soon as he finished speaking, he formed Hand Seals. A puff of white smoke flashed, and a yellow book inscribed with strange patterns appeared on the table.

"This is the Scroll of Seals. The techniques recorded within are all treasures of Konoha. Choose a technique you like first. Aside from certain Forbidden Jutsu that are too harmful and immoral, you may choose freely. Once you have chosen, I will undo its seal, and you can memorize it here."

The two nodded. Beichen Haotian did not stand on ceremony and picked up the Scroll of Seals first, beginning to leaf through it.

"This Scroll of Seals contains every kind of ninjutsu imaginable: Fire Style, Earth Style, Water Style, Lightning Style, Wind Style, Wood Release, Yin Release, Yang Release, Fuinjutsu, Barrier Ninjutsu, and some unusual ninjutsu as well. However, because of the seals placed on it, one can only see the names and introductions of the techniques, not their specific training methods."

Beichen Haotian had long since decided which ninjutsu he wanted from the moment he saw the Scroll of Seals. With a clear goal in mind, he found it easily.

"Lord Hokage, I want to learn this ninjutsu."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took one look and was immediately surprised.

"Haotian, the Eight Inner Gates are extremely difficult to train in and require a certain talent for Taijutsu. Are you sure you want to learn this Forbidden Jutsu?"

"Yes, Lord Hokage. I have my own plans for the path I will take in the future. The Eight Inner Gates will be of great help to me."

"Mm... very well. Since you have made up your mind, I will not try to persuade you otherwise." Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment before agreeing.

Next, Beichen Haotian began memorizing the training methods and precautions for the Eight Inner Gates in the Hokage Building. He had an excellent memory and soon committed them all to memory.

Minato Namikaze took much longer to browse through the Scroll of Seals because he had no clear objective. Yet in the end, he spotted the ninjutsu destined for him at first glance—the Flying Thunder God Technique—and his resolve became exceptionally firm.

"Very well, you two brats have both given me quite a surprise. These two techniques are extremely difficult; even I have not mastered them. Still, I respect your choices. Train diligently and work hard to protect Konoha."

The two nodded. After memorizing the ninjutsu, they eagerly left the Hokage Building.

"Haotian, once I master the Flying Thunder God Technique, I must spar with you again." A rare fighting spirit rose on Minato Namikaze's gentle face.

"Haha, Minato, we'll talk about that when the time comes. The Flying Thunder God Technique is far too troublesome. You could be said to stand undefeated. Unless a powerful Barrier Ninjutsu capable of sealing space is set up beforehand, fighting you would simply be more trouble than it is worth."

"Fine, we'll talk about it then." Minato was a very open-minded person and did not dwell on the matter.

"See you later, Haotian."

"Mm."

After Minato left, Beichen Haotian slowly headed toward his new residence. Before he had gone far, he suddenly felt uncomfortable, as though someone were secretly watching him. Observation Haki silently activated, sensing everything around him.

Beichen Haotian deliberately walked into a secluded alley and said coldly, "You coward hiding in the shadows, get out here already."

Whoosh. A shinobi dressed in a black cloak and wearing an animal mask suddenly appeared before Beichen Haotian. His entire body radiated coldness, as if he possessed no emotions at all.

"Anbu? No, you are not one of the Anbu. State your purpose."

"Lord Danzo wishes to see you."

"So you're from Root. No wonder you're like a machine, filled with deadness and without a trace of emotion. Why is Danzo looking for me? To recruit me into Root?"

"Lead the way." Beichen Haotian was bold because of his skill. With the successive instant movements of Shave and the ability to walk through the air with Geppo, he believed that even if Danzo attacked him, he could escape.

"Besides, the war has only just ended. As one of the village's most outstanding young geniuses, Danzo should not dare go too far. The Third Hokage is still in his prime; he would not tolerate anyone openly challenging his authority."

Upon hearing Beichen Haotian's answer, the Root shinobi silently led him toward Konoha's back mountain. On a cliff, they met Danzo, who was followed by two Root shinobi standing like wooden dolls.

"Haotian, you have arrived. Your performance was outstanding, even better than Minato's. How about it? Are you interested in serving in Root? Here, you will gain greater power." Danzo spoke with his back turned, his words carrying the majesty of one in authority, vastly different from Hiruzen's demeanor.

"Root? I have never heard of such a department." Beichen Haotian pretended not to know. He used an honorific for Danzo, not because he respected the man's character—Danzo's character was truly beneath contempt—but simply because he respected his strength. At this time, Danzo was also in his prime. Though he was inferior to the Third Hokage, he was still a genuine Kage-level powerhouse, somewhat stronger than he had been when fighting Sasuke.

"Very well, I shall explain."

Danzo then gave him an introduction to Root's reasons for being established, its purpose, and its organizational structure. As for how much of it was true or false, Beichen Haotian would have to judge for himself.

"It doesn't sound too bad, but if I have to become like these three, I refuse. And the commitment is too long—a lifetime? I do not have that much time to waste in there. That kind of life is far too dull."

"Only emotionless shinobi can complete missions to the greatest extent. They are doing very well. Their mission completion rate is far higher than that of ordinary shinobi. They are Konoha's unsung heroes, buried deep underground, drawing the nutrients this great tree of Konoha requires. Do you not wish to become a hero?"

"Enough, Lord Danzo. Do not mistake me for a child. I have my own views on life. That sort of brainwashing should have begun when I was four or five. It has no effect on me now."

"Hmph, boy, watch your tone, or you will suffer for it!" Shimura Danzō said angrily. The atmosphere immediately tightened, and the gazes of the three Root shinobi sharpened.

"Lord Danzo, there is no need to try to intimidate me. I, Beichen Haotian, was not raised to be frightened. The three people beside you have probably not killed as many people as I have." Beichen Haotian had seen much and fought countless powerful opponents, so Danzo's threat meant nothing to him. He immediately struck back with sharp words while releasing his terrifying killing intent. The sword on his back slid slightly from its sheath, emitting a faint red glow.

The sudden eruption of killing intent made the three Root shinobi immediately draw their Ninja Swords and Kunai, surrounding Beichen Haotian. The slightest movement from him would bring an attack.

"Hahaha, Beichen Haotian, what a proud and unruly boy. That killing intent... I like you more and more. Hundreds of people have likely already died by your hand, haven't they? As expected, Root is the place best suited for you. Minato's personality does not suit Root's atmosphere."

"How about this? Join Root, and I will grant you the treatment of the Hokage's Anbu. You will not be like ordinary Root shinobi, either carrying out missions or on the way to carry out missions. Nor will I place any Cursed Seal on you. I suddenly realize that perhaps you and I are the same kind of person."

"Lord Danzo, you are mistaken. We are not the same kind of person. However, we do share one thing in common."

"Oh? What do we have in common?" Danzo asked with interest.

"We are both hawks. In other words, we belong to the militant faction, advocating a hardline stance toward the other shinobi villages and never compromising."

"Hawks? Those are good words. Your thoughts truly coincide with mine. What right do the other shinobi villages have to make Konoha compromise? They should all be conquered by Konoha. In the end, this world should have only one Konoha ninja village. All other villages should be wiped out!" By the end, Shimura Danzō's eyes flashed with cold light, and enormous ambition showed deep within them.

"Exactly. In my view, if the legendary First Hokage and Madara Uchiha had joined forces back then and led Konoha's shinobi forces, they could have completely destroyed the other shinobi villages. If they had done so, perhaps we would be much happier now. There would never have been the later Shinobi World Wars."

"Instead, the First Hokage was too softhearted and implemented some Tailed Beast balance policy. It resulted in weapons of war like Jinchuriki, and the Ninja World only grew more chaotic. The shinobi who have died over these years, together with those who will die in the future, will likely far outnumber those lost in one great war of unification."

Beichen Haotian's words were nothing short of shocking. He was slandering the First Hokage. If the villagers heard him, they would likely drive him out or even execute him. This was a matter of fundamental ideology; in the villagers' eyes, his values were utterly warped and beyond saving.

However, in the eyes of Shimura Danzō, a famous radical and hawk in the Naruto world, this person's values were perfectly sound. Their thoughts coincided completely—he was absolutely a kindred spirit. In this vast Konoha village, there were almost no people whom Shimura Danzō could call confidants. He could not share his thoughts with others either, since they considered them far too unorthodox.

"Excellent. Your ideas suit my tastes very well. Come to Root. I will not train you as an ordinary Root shinobi. I will train you as Root's future successor. After I die, you will become Root's leader!" Shimura Danzō felt as though he had found a kindred spirit. He turned around and extended his right hand in invitation. A faint smile actually appeared on his gloomy face. It seemed he had not smiled in a long time; it looked awkward and unnatural.

"Very well. Lord Danzo has invited me three times, and each offer has been better than the last. If I still refused, I would be failing to appreciate your favor. Position and authority do not matter. As long as I can grow stronger, that is enough." Beichen Haotian also forced out a faint smile and shook Shimura Danzō's hand.

"Beichen Haotian, is it? I acknowledge you. Take some time to settle your affairs, then report to Root. I will personally begin training you. All of Root's resources will be open to you."

"Alright." Beichen Haotian answered crisply.

Afterward, Danzo left with the Root shinobi. Danzo was very busy and still had many matters to handle.

"Going to Root should allow me to break through Thousand Man Slayer soon and step into the Limitless Sky-Slicing realm. Root's resources are also extremely formidable. They should provide considerable help in increasing my strength and exploring the pinnacle of the sword path. Still, although Danzo appears to value me greatly, I must remain wary of him."

In truth, Beichen Haotian had misunderstood this time. Shimura Danzō truly had no ill intentions this time and genuinely intended to train Beichen Haotian as Root's future leader. After all, it was extremely difficult to encounter a shinobi who shared his views while also possessing exceptional talent and ability. The people Danzo had favored in the past had always lacked one of those qualities.

Thanks to Ye Gankun, Giant Salamander1, Xianshi Ju Ahao, Qiuchan Dong, Old Wang Living on the Fifth Floor, Zhuhán Wàndāndàn, and ~~Beyond the Nine Heavens~~ for your recommendation votes. This hurts, everyone. I made a mistake at the company today and have to pay a penalty... this hurts.