Codename: Yaksha

Shimura Danzō, an inescapable shadow.

I didn't go looking for trouble with him, yet he insisted on coming to my doorstep.

Akashi felt a jolt in his heart, but he chuckled dismissively, "I'm quite busy today. Can I pay a visit another time?"

"Depart immediately for Waterfall Canyon."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then please forgive my offense." The man extended a finger, upon which a small black insect rested. A closer look revealed it vibrating its wings rapidly and twisting its body in a highly eerie fashion.

Akashi keenly sensed that similar insects were perched on his own shoulders; without him even noticing, he had already been surrounded.

Bugs?

In Konoha, the only ones capable of such bizarre methods were the renowned Aburame clan.

Their clan usually kept a low profile and sometimes lacked presence, but they were likely one of the most underestimated forces in the village.

Danzō's Root had more than one member of the Aburame clan, which spoke volumes about how much he valued them.

Akashi's expression darkened, "Is this a threat?"

"This is an order from Danzō-sama that I must execute. Furthermore, I have a message to relay: if you don't want your identity exposed, you had best be obedient."

He didn't know the opponent's intelligence, so he couldn't act rashly.

Akashi understood this clearly. Moreover, given the current situation in the village, where the attitudes of various factions remained unclear, Danzō had no reason to risk taking action against him just yet.

"Fine, I'll go."

"Please be quick."

After delivering the message, the Aburame ninja vanished in a flicker.

A swarm of black insects drifted from behind Akashi to the front, acting as both a threat and a guide, leading him toward the Waterfall Canyon of Konoha.

The surroundings were composed of stacked stones and lush forests.

A long, white ribbon of water hung from the cliff, cascading down like a silver dragon hitting the ground, stirring up snowy foam and a pervasive mist.

Arriving here, it was only natural to recall the scene where Shisui was ambushed by Danzō and lost one of his Mangekyo Sharingan.

For some reason, it felt like a bad omen.

"You aren't late."

From behind a rock wall to the side, Danzō stepped out. There was no one else around; he was alone.

His face wore an expression of absolute confidence and arrogance.

Danzō's strength was not to be underestimated. With his powerful Wind Style, summoning beasts, and sealing techniques, even if he wasn't on par with the Third Hokage, he was certainly capable of matching an elite Jonin.

Furthermore, he surely had a guard unit protecting him from the shadows at this very moment.

Akashi did not yet have the confidence to face him head-on and win.

"How could I dare not come to Danzō-sama's invitation? We could have discussed whatever this is just now. Although this place is beautiful, there are too many bugs, and I'm afraid..."

"Enough chatter."

Danzō frowned, his face stern, "Uchiha Akashi, I have never trusted you, but to be honest, you do have some redeeming qualities."

Akashi offered a fake smile, "It is my honor to be recognized by you."

"That is why I have sought you out today—to realize your value."

"I don't quite understand."

"Join Root." Danzō stated bluntly, "Sarutobi promised you entry into the Anbu in two years, but before that, you must first come to my Root to undergo training."

Akashi was stunned, "Does the Hokage know?"

Danzō said coldly, "This is the conclusion reached after I consulted with Sarutobi. You have no room to refuse; for you, this is a notification, not a request for your opinion."

Good grief, did the Third Hokage sell me out directly?

Although Root was nominally a department for training Anbu, in reality, it had nothing to do with them.

Compared to Orochimaru, it was a true pit of fire.

Akashi's face showed signs of distress.

Danzō ignored his expression and continued, "Since you are already lurking by Orochimaru's side, you might as well help me retrieve his latest anatomical research data. This is your first mission and the assessment for joining Root."

Akashi was amused by the last sentence. An assessment to join Root? To hell with that!

Shimura Danzō truly deserved whatever end he met.

And this mission... playing the double agent yet again?

Akashi scratched his head in frustration.

"You should be quite practiced at this by now," Danzō said with a calm expression.

Is this a matter of being practiced or not! Do you think obtaining Orochimaru's research data is as easy as eating or drinking?

Akashi sighed, "Then what if I fail the mission and don't pass the assessment?"

"There is no 'what if'." Danzo scrutinized the young man before him, his poker face devoid of any humor. "You had best behave yourself, otherwise I cannot guarantee your safety... Remember your codename: Yaksha."

"Is there nothing better? Like Dragon King, Asura, or Judge?"

"No."

"Can I choose one myself?"

"Absolutely not!"

Danzo suddenly felt that this kid was different from other Uchiha; he was a bit eccentric. It was said that he kept a copy of the Exegesis of the Will of Fire in his bag at all times. Could this be the reason he had earned Sarutobi's trust?

However, it did not matter.

In any case, he was only using him for a short while.

Thinking of this, Danzo's tense face relaxed, and he handed over a mask with purple patterns.

"Put it on and try it."

"Are there any other styles?"

"No! Do not ask such questions again, do you understand? In Root, you must speak less and follow my instructions in everything!"

Danzo was growing impatient.

Akashi chuckled and shut his mouth.

He put on the mask, his thoughts drifting.

The Root of Konoha had effectively become a private militia, holding vast amounts of intelligence; at times, they were even better informed than the Hokage's Anbu. No one knew how many Root operatives were buried throughout the ninja world.

Most of them were orphans, while others had entered the darkness for various reasons, only to be taken in and raised as ninjas by Danzo.

Psychologically, they held a strange, dependency-like reverence for Danzo, akin to "honoring Father."

Just as Akashi was pondering this, Danzo instructed: "After joining Root, everyone must discard their real names and identities. There are only codenames, and you are no exception. Do you understand?"

"Understood. By the way, what is your codename?"

"I do not have a codename."

"Then... what about them?" Akashi's eyes suddenly sharpened as he spotted two figures approaching from the front.

They wore standard ninja vests, carried ninja blades on their backs, and their masks were painted with animal motifs. They stood about 1.7 meters tall, half a head taller than Akashi.

Danzo introduced them: "Owlman, Tanuki. They entered a few days before you, so they are semi-newcomers and will be your teammates."

Akashi was slightly surprised: "I thought Root ninjas always operated alone."

"Go and say hello." Danzo called out from a distance, "This is the newcomer, Yaksha."

With that, he tilted his chin.

"Yes."

The two responded in unison, quickening their pace toward Akashi.

Just as Akashi prepared to say, "Seniors, please take care of me," a sudden change occurred.

Owlman and Tanuki lunged forward, launching over a dozen shuriken within seconds. They spread out like a vast net, covering the sky and blotting out the light as they descended.

Akashi was puzzled: "What is this?"

Danzo immediately retreated a distance and said indifferently: "The welcome ceremony for entering Root."

He intended to teach this kid a proper lesson, to make him understand that Root was no simple organization. Furthermore, he wanted to give the Uchiha a stern warning!

"Is this how you people in Root greet each other?"

Akashi raised an eyebrow, looking unconvinced, and then let out a low, cold laugh. "Besides, this shuriken technique is far too pathetic."