Meanwhile, in a room on the second floor.
Yakushi Nonō sat in a chair, looking at Shimura Danzō across from her.
"Nonō, you should remember what would happen to your orphanage without the aid Konoha provides. I shouldn't need to spell it out. Think it over carefully."
Shimura Danzō spoke.
Members of Root stood behind him.
Shimura Danzō was very confident that he could persuade Yakushi Nonō to return to Root this time.
Had she still been the Wandering Shrine Maiden with no attachments, he would indeed have struggled to control her.
But now, the foolish woman had formed bonds with these orphans, and that gave Shimura Danzō a firm hold over her.
"Also, be careful that the children don't get stolen. Children do have some value, after all."
Ryoma Aburame began making threats.
Watching Yakushi Nonō's increasingly grim expression, along with the stout female caretaker behind her, Shimura Danzō felt certain that he had this in hand.
He had originally intended to bring Orochimaru along, but unfortunately, Orochimaru had a mission to carry out, so he had abandoned the idea.
"You're despicable! Can you even call yourselves ninja?"
The stout caretaker couldn't help speaking up.
Just as Shimura Danzō was about to press further, another Root ninja bent down and whispered something in his ear.
"Lord Danzo, it seems some Konoha ninja have arrived."
"Konoha ninja?"
Shimura Danzō frowned.
Why would ninja from Konoha come here?
Everything he was doing here was being kept from Sarutobi Hiruzen. He couldn't risk exposure.
With that, Shimura Danzō lost any desire to continue the conversation.
"Sunagakure has been making frequent moves lately. On the surface, they're negotiating an alliance with Konoha, but I don't trust them. I need someone to infiltrate Sunagakure and uncover their true plans. You're the best spy for