Danzo's Temptation

Kakashi's expression turned grim as his chakra began to surge.

The Anbu were under the direct command of the Hokage; for their movements during a secret mission to be discovered by Root ninja was no longer a simple matter of overstepping boundaries, but an open defiance of the Hokage's will.

What exactly was Root planning?

"Lord Kakashi, please, there is no need for tension."

The middle-aged man's face remained expressionless, his tone carrying an unquestionable certainty:

"It was only because I was reporting intelligence on Lady Tsunade that I happened to discover your trail."

As he spoke, he pulled a scroll from his robes and held it out to Kakashi.

"This contains Lady Tsunade's detailed itinerary."

Kakashi inspected the scroll, confirming it was authentic and free of traps before slowly unfurling it.

It not only marked the precise route Tsunade had taken since leaving Tanzaku Town, but also included several clear photographs.

In the photos, the blonde-haired Tsunade was walking side-by-side with Shizune into an antique-style hot spring inn.

The name of the inn:

Jade Spring Inn.

"Lady Tsunade is in the Hot Spring Town of the Land of Hot Water."

The Land of Hot Water, known as the "Nation That Forgot War," was small in size but world-renowned for its abundance of natural hot springs.

And Hot Spring Town was the most prestigious landmark city in the Land of Hot Water.

Naturally, a place like this would not lack casinos.

Kakashi quickly scanned the information on the scroll, his vigilance easing slightly.

The intelligence on the scroll was detailed and accurate; the Root ninja's explanation held no inconsistencies.

"Kazuhiko, we are going to the Land of Hot Water."

Kakashi turned to look at Kazuhiko behind him, but just as he was about to move, the middle-aged man called out to him again.

"Wait."

The man narrowed his eyes at Kazuhiko:

"Before that, Lord Danzo has words for me to relay to Uchiha Kazuhiko. Of course, this is unrelated to your mission to find Lady Tsunade."

Kakashi's gaze turned guarded once more, his expression sour.

Although Root was nominally under the Hokage, it was actually controlled in secret by Danzo and had long since become a mysterious force beyond the oversight of the Anbu.

"Uchiha Kazuhiko, is it? Lord Danzo has discovered your talent. With your gifts, remaining in the Uchiha clan is a waste. Joining Root would allow you to fully display your potential. What do you think?"

Kazuhiko scoffed inwardly.

"Happened to discover" was clearly just an excuse.

From the moment he helped Shota awaken his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, he had been targeted by Danzo.

Delivering the intelligence on Tsunade was a ruse; making open contact with him was the true objective.

"I have no interest in joining Root."

Kazuhiko refused decisively, without a second thought.

What good intentions could Danzo possibly have for inviting an Uchiha to join Root?

Even a fool could guess what the man was plotting.

It was nothing more than coveting the secret to awakening the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, hoping to use it to further develop the dojutsu.

Even if he failed, it would provide him with a steady supply of Sharingan "consumables."

"No need to refuse so hastily."

The middle-aged man pulled out another scroll and handed it to Kazuhiko.

"Why not take a look at this before making your decision? This is a 'gift' Lord Danzo specifically brought for you."

Kazuhiko glanced at Kakashi, then took the scroll and unfurled it to examine the contents.

What was recorded on the scroll was, in fact, human experimentation data regarding the Uchiha Sharingan!

It detailed physiological data such as the test subjects' chakra fluctuations, emotional changes, and ocular tissue reactions.

Materials involving human experimentation of this nature already fell under the realm of forbidden jutsu research.

It was human research strictly prohibited by Konoha.

Kakashi's pupils contracted sharply. How could Danzo dare to conduct such appalling human experiments?!

Was he not afraid of the Uchiha clan demanding an explanation, or of the Hokage punishing him?

Kazuhiko was equally puzzled. How could Danzo so carelessly hand over such incriminating evidence to an Uchiha?

And to perform such an operation right under the nose of an Anbu captain who possesses the Sharingan.

Is it really true that those who are favored have nothing to fear?

The moment they saw the signature on the documents, both men were instantly relieved.

Senju Tobirama.

Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief; so these were research documents from the Second Hokage.

I actually thought the Root organization was conducting human experiments on the Uchiha's Sharingan.

Kazuhiko looked at the blood-stained experimental data, feeling utterly speechless.

As expected of the naturally evil Senju Old Ghost, he didn't consider us Uchiha as human beings at all.

Is the life of an Uchiha not a life?

Openly conducting human experiments and engaging in blatant racial discrimination—the sky over Konoha is truly pitch black.

I'm shaking with rage.

When will we Uchiha ever be able to stand tall?

"How is it?"

Seeing Kazuhiko's grave expression as he read the scroll, the man assumed he had been swayed.

"These are precious materials left behind by the Second Hokage, things you could never access on the outside. Join Root, and you will gain even deeper, more detailed experimental data. This should be quite helpful for your research in psychological medicine."

"Of course, our Root organization does not conduct human experiments or research forbidden techniques. These are simply the precious legacy of the Second Hokage; you can rest assured about their origins."

If you don't conduct human experiments or research forbidden techniques, then where did the Hashirama cells and Sharingan on Danzō's body come from?

Is his name Nicholas Senju Uchiha Zhao Si Shimura Danzō or something?

Senju Old Ghost, I never expected you would one day end up taking the fall for the Pot Kage.

If the ninja world didn't have Danzō and Root, who knows how peaceful it would be.

Kazuhiko looked at the Root ninja with a blank expression:

"And so?"

The man paused, then dangled the final bait:

"So, join Root. This is the place where you can truly spread your wings. Lord Danzō will fully support your research—whether it be secret documents, funding, an independent laboratory, or the most cutting-edge equipment, or even the 'experimental materials' you require, Lord Danzō can provide them all for you."

Kazuhiko tossed the scroll directly back at him.

"I refuse. None of the things you mentioned hold any attraction for me."

Secret documents were worth nothing to him.

In the entire Naruto world, no one understood the Sharingan better than he did.

Not even the Senju Old Ghost.

Kazuhiko ignored the man further and looked at Kakashi:

"Let's go."

"Wait, take a look at this."

The man tossed out two more photos: one of Kazuhiko kissing Kurenai Yuhi goodbye, and the other an application report for a clinic assistant position.

Kazuhiko felt completely bewildered. What is the meaning of showing me these two photos?

Are you trying to threaten me with Kurenai Yuhi's assistant application?

Is it any of Konoha's business what we Uchiha do internally?

"What is the meaning of this?"

"You transferred her to work by your side because you love her, right? Join Root, and Lord Danzō will help you clear away all obstacles to obtaining this woman. She has many suitors, after all, and they are stronger than you in both strength and background."

I suppose this counts as a honey trap?

But is this how a honey trap is supposed to be used?

You're trying to tempt me with something I already have; is this really something a human would come up with?

What? If I don't agree to join Root, is Danzō going to help Sarutobi Asuma win over Kurenai Yuhi instead?

Kazuhiko was speechless and simply turned to leave.

As expected, the world is just one giant, amateurish stage.

Using this to test a cadre?

What kind of cadre couldn't withstand a test like this?

The man had completely failed to anticipate this situation and could only watch helplessly as the two walked away.