Will of Fire Is Also a Sharp Weapon for Killing

The underground base of Root.

Shimura Danzō's two eyes were still intact, yet the expression that had been as calm as an ancient well now betrayed a subtle, imperceptible struggle.

Because she was standing with her back to him, Yakushi Nonō did not notice the abnormality on Shimura Danzō's face.

"What is it you seek?" Shimura Danzō asked indifferently.

Yakushi Nonō bowed her head. "The intelligence regarding Pakura's personality and movements is already being organized."

"Good. Once it is compiled, have Falcon deliver it to Shuten-doji."

"Lord Danzō, neither of them bears a Cursed Seal... and this mission is of great importance. I fear..."

"Your fears are superfluous." His tone turned suddenly stern. "Nonō, do not make the same mistake as Aburame Tatsuma."

Yakushi Nonō knelt in a panic. "This subordinate knows her error."

Aburame Tatsuma had once asked a question he shouldn't have, and for that, Shimura Danzō had dispatched him to Kirigakure in the Land of Water to gather intelligence.

"Speaking of you, I had originally planned to send you to Kumogakure, but with so many Root operatives scattered abroad, I changed my mind at the last moment to keep you by my side.

However, you need not worry about lacking merit. Do as I have instructed, and you shall take the place of the director at the orphanage in Konoha."

She suppressed the joy rising in her heart. "This subordinate will go through fire and water for Lord Danzō."

"Heh, go through fire and water for me, you say?"

"Yes!"

Shimura Danzō's gaze shifted to the calligraphy on the wall that read "Bide One's Time." He had written those four characters himself; from the moment he proposed the establishment of Root, he had decided to bide his time.

Now that a chaotic war had erupted across the ninja world and other villages were utilizing Jinchūriki, the situation was bound to shift with every battle. There was no longer a need to bide his time; it was time to accumulate strength and strike when the moment was right.

Shimura Danzō's tone softened instantly. "I know you are kind-hearted, Nonō, but you must cultivate the resolve of a Konoha ninja. Tell me, is it more important to save one or two children, or to save the civilians of the entire Konoha village?"

"This subordinate will keep Lord Danzō's teachings close to her heart."

"I hope so. I hope your Will of Fire does not waver. Regarding the mission assigned to Shuten-doji, do you believe he can complete it?"

Yakushi Nonō hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.

Shimura Danzō turned to look at her. "Is it that hard to answer?"

"Shuten-doji has clashed with Pakura in the Land of Rivers before. If he approaches her rashly, Pakura will surely kill him."

"Indeed, Pakura will kill him nine times out of ten. So, do you know why I still entrusted this mission to him?"

"I... I... This subordinate dares not speculate on your intentions."

"It is I who command you to speculate."

"Lord Danzō wishes to test his capacity."

Shimura Danzō nodded in satisfaction, his gaze falling upon the calligraphy on the wall that read Wind Forest Fire Mountain: "Swift as the wind, slow as the forest, aggressive as fire, immovable as a mountain. The core of this mission lies in the gamble, not the slaughter.

If Shuten-doji can use his wit and strategy to make Pakura suppress her murderous intent and agree to communicate, clearly conveying Konoha's desire for an alliance to the high-ranking officials of Sunagakure, it will prove he possesses the capacity to adapt to changing circumstances and remain fearless in the face of danger.

If he can go a step further and cleverly secure more benefits for Konoha based on the situation in Sunagakure, I am willing to grant him command of a squad personally trained by Root."

Yakushi Nonō said softly, "What you describe is the scenario where the mission proceeds smoothly. What if it does not?"

"Does not proceed smoothly?"

Shimura Danzō gave a cold laugh. "This mission was tailor-made for him. Konoha and Sunagakure can form an alliance, or they can choose not to; an alliance is merely a scrap of paper that can be torn up at any time.

If the mission fails, as long as Shuten-doji can demonstrate his value in a desperate situation and possess traits worthy of my appreciation, he will be permitted to live. He need not be treated as waste to be discarded."

"Lord Danzō, what if Shuten-doji cannot even handle the step of approaching Pakura and loses his life?"

Shimura Danzō replied as if it were a matter of course, "You said it yourself—he would have lost his life. Why ask me? If he dies, he dies. Konoha is not lacking in young, ambitious ninjas. Even if he is the son of Senkaku Tetsuji and Shika, I have already been very generous to him out of respect for the contributions they made."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a knock sounded at the door.

"Lord Danzō, the mission you ordered is complete."

A cold voice came from outside the door, as if the speaker had no interest in anything in the world other than the mission.

"Enter."

"As you command."

The door creaked open.

A petite figure wearing a Falcon mask, hidden beneath a black cloak, did not even glance at Yakushi Nonō, who was still kneeling on the floor, as she carefully placed the report on the desk.

Shimura Danzō picked up the report, opened it, and read it line by line, as if the words contained incomparable treasures.

"You have done well. I will not go back on what I promised you."

"This subordinate has never doubted your word."

Shimura Danzō said to Yakushi Nonō, "You may leave."

She dared not delay; although there were other matters she had yet to report, she hurried away.

The door creaked shut.

Shimura Danzō paced back and forth, losing his composure as he held the report.

"To think he is a descendant of Kagami Uchiha, this Uchiha Shisui."

"Yes. Although he is still a child, he is precocious and has been concealing abilities that far exceed those of his peers. However, he is still just a child in the Ninja Academy, and his temperament is somewhat impatient, leading him to inadvertently reveal a glimpse of his true prowess. The teacher currently responsible for teaching Uchiha Shisui ninja tools is eager to use him to boost his own performance record, and has already requested a variety of different ninja tools from the warehouse manager."

In accordance with the new policy issued by the village to the Konoha Ninja Academy, Hiroya had followed Shimura Danzō's orders to establish a reward mechanism for student graduation. In short, the goal was to have those teachers identify students with outstanding abilities and have them graduate as soon as possible, especially those from the Uchiha Clan, followed by other prestigious families, while excluding the Hyuga Branch Family members who bore the Caged Bird Seal.

Shimura Danzō stared at Falcon's mask: "You wrote in the report that Uchiha Shisui's potential is above that of other young Uchiha clansmen? How did you determine this?"

"Even though Uchiha Shisui hides his strength, the other students cannot even hope to catch up to him. This subordinate believes his talent is even greater than that of Hatake Kakashi; if he were to awaken the Sharingan, even Hatake Kakashi would be no match for him."

"What do you intend to do next?"

"I will instill the Will of Fire into him, so that even if Uchiha Shisui were to die, he would believe it was a death well-deserved—that his death was a sacrifice for the village."

Shimura Danzō closed his eyes and pondered for a moment: "Do as you say. You will personally explain the Will of Fire to him. You must make Uchiha Shisui willing to abandon his own Uchiha Clan for the sake of the Will of Fire and the village."

"This subordinate understands."

"Both you and Shuten-doji are unexpected gains for this old man. I hope you will not disappoint me."

"Yes."

Just as Falcon was about to withdraw.

Shimura Danzō suddenly asked: "What is the weakness of the Third Raikage?"

Falcon was suddenly stunned.

The weakness of the Third Raikage?

"This subordinate does not know."

It must be known that the renowned Third Raikage was a powerhouse famous for his "strongest spear," the Hell Stab: One-Finger Nukite, and his "strongest shield," the Lightning Release Armor. He was a terrifying existence who had cultivated both offense and defense to the absolute pinnacle of the ninja world.