Root's Weapon

After sealing Orochimaru's body inside a scroll, the Wood Release boy finally opened his eyes.

"Where is this...?"

Everything his gaze fell upon was a sea of crimson.

Simu adjusted his glasses. "You're awake?"

The boy raised his head, braced himself with both hands, and backed away a step. "Who are you?"

"My name is Kamizuki Simu."

With a kindly smile on his face, Simu stated his name directly.

"Kamizuki... Simu?"

The boy frowned. He had never heard that name before.

"Then, can you tell me your name?"

There seemed to be some strange magic in Simu's voice, making people unable to resist following his words.

The boy shook his head. "I don't have a name."

Simu's question reminded him of his cruel past.

Bright shadowless lamps, green nutrient fluid, sharp needles, companions constantly dying, a world that endlessly swayed and spun...

Just as the boy's head began to ache more and more, a broad palm pressed down on top of his head.

He raised his head and met those deep eyes. They seemed capable of seeing through everything.

"Enough. Don't think about it anymore. It's all over."

The boy swallowed hard and asked in disbelief, "It's... all over?"

Simu withdrew his hand and lightly adjusted his glasses. "More precisely, the experiments on you have come to an end. You have now successfully obtained the power of the First Hokage's Wood Release."

The boy did not feel delighted at obtaining the legendary Wood Release. He merely raised a hand to cover the top of his head.

He could still seem to feel the warmth Simu had left behind there.

Never before—never before had anyone done that to him.

Until now, his entire life had been spent in endless experiments. He had never felt even the slightest warmth.

Seeing the confusion