Metamorphosis

Shiraishi left, and Sakumo returned to the Broken Blade, leaving the two young people alone.

After leaving Kakashi's house, Shiraishi went straight to the Hokage Building.

It was still wartime, and Konoha's ninjas couldn't leave the village freely. Shiraishi needed to get Kakashi a permit to leave the village.

In the Hokage Office, Danzo had just returned after secretly seeing off a ninja unit and was preparing to resume his work.

As usual, Shiraishi flew in through an open window.

"You came at just the right time," Danzo said as soon as he saw Shiraishi from his seat.

"Oh! What's up?" Shiraishi walked over and sat on the desk in front of Danzo.

"Two things. Orochimaru will head to the front with the next ninja unit, and Hiruzen plans to transfer you there." Danzo spoke concisely.

"The cloning experiments only need their nutrients replenished periodically. Orochimaru doesn't need to keep watch over them. Just assign an ordinary researcher," Shiraishi said, picking up a pen from the desk and twirling it in his hand.

"As for heading to the front, I'd go even if you didn't ask. I need to collect the souls in the Soul Banner as they become available."

Danzo corrected him. "It wasn't me who asked you to go. Hiruzen wants you to go."

"Go on, then. What does the Third Hokage want me to do?" Shiraishi stopped twirling the pen and looked up at Danzo.

"He wants you to look after Asuma in secret and ensure his safety," Danzo said.

Shiraishi smiled. "As the head of Root, does he really need to tell you about something like that?"

"You're an officially assigned Root ninja. Besides, he asked me about you, mainly about your strength," Danzo explained.

"Looks like the Third Hokage thinks pretty highly of my abilities," Shiraishi said teasingly.

Danzo frowned slightly and corrected him. "I'm the Third Hokage now."

"Yes, Lord Third Hokage." Shiraishi looked at Danzo and put on a show of respect.

Danzo knew Shiraishi was acting, but his attitude and words still stirred a sense of pride and satisfaction in him.

If only Shiraishi would show him this much respect all the time!

With Shiraishi's strange abilities, Danzo was a hundred percent certain he could lead Konoha to become the dominant power in the Shinobi World.

"Asuma is impulsive and eager to prove himself. When you go to the front, whatever else you may be there for, please make sure he stays safe." Since Asuma was his nephew, Danzo rarely made a request of Shiraishi.

"I have a great idea. It'll keep Asuma safe and change his temperament, too." A flash of inspiration came to Shiraishi, and he thought of a promising plan.

"What?" Danzo wasn't pleased. Instead, he grew wary.

In Danzo's eyes, Shiraishi was just like him: ruthless, callous about human life, and full of schemes.

"Relax, it's not some scheme. It's a good plan that really can change Asuma's personality." Shiraishi's lips curled up, and he put particular emphasis on the last three words.

Danzo's wariness didn't fade. Keeping his expression calm, he said, "Let's hear it."

"Remember the Reincarnation Technique I used to switch your soul with the Third Hokage's?" Shiraishi asked with a knowing smile.

Danzo nodded. He was beginning to understand Shiraishi's plan. "You mean..."

"Exactly. Asuma hates being the Hokage's son, doesn't he? So I'll temporarily remove his soul from his body and put it into the body of a recently deceased war orphan or a child from a poor family. That'll give him a taste of how hard life can be." Shiraishi spoke with a smile.

Danzo looked thoughtful. He felt Shiraishi's plan was indeed quite feasible.

"Would that damage Asuma's soul?" Danzo asked cautiously.

"There'll be a little damage, but nothing significant. He's still young, so he'll recover quickly," Shiraishi answered honestly.

Danzo nodded. After weighing it over, he agreed.

"Fine, but make absolutely sure Asuma stays safe."

"Relax. I've never broken my word in our dealings." Shiraishi got down from the desk.

"Dealings?" The moment Danzo heard the word from Shiraishi, he instinctively tensed up.

"Of course. Using the Reincarnation Technique takes a lot out of me," Shiraishi said with deliberate exaggeration.

"The war has already begun. You'll be able to obtain plenty of souls soon," Danzo countered.

Shiraishi smiled and shook his head as he walked over to Danzo. "You start a war and gain power and prestige, while I collect souls. That was the deal we made from the start."

"Don't worry. What I want in this deal is simple."

Danzo grew even more wary. He sat up straight and stared at Shiraishi. "What do you want?"

"I want Kakashi." Shiraishi raised his right index finger with a smile. "Just him."

Danzo smiled too. "What do you want him for? I still have uses for Kakashi."

"I only want him," Shiraishi said, keeping his smile.

Danzo fell silent. His smile gradually faded, and he asked seriously, "Tell me what you want Kakashi for."

"The boy has good potential. I plan to train him properly and make him a spare vessel for reincarnation." Shiraishi came up with an excuse.

Danzo accepted his explanation, though he hesitated a little. No matter how much Asuma improved, he still wouldn't be as important to the village as a genius like Kakashi.

But then he remembered his deal with Hiruzen. After a moment's hesitation, Danzo agreed. "Fine. I'll do it."

"Then please write me a permit allowing Kakashi to leave the village." Shiraishi rested his right hand on the desk.

"What are you having Kakashi leave Konoha for?" Danzo pressed.

"That's my business." Shiraishi gave him no answer.

Danzo was displeased, but he didn't show it. He simply opened a drawer, took out a departure permit, and filled it out for Kakashi.

After stamping the permit, Danzo handed it to Shiraishi.

"Shiraishi, I hope our cooperation can continue indefinitely," Danzo said, giving him a veiled warning.

"Of course. Haven't things gone smoothly between us so far?" Shiraishi took the permit, glanced over it, folded it, and tucked it into his inner pocket.

Having obtained what he wanted, Shiraishi stepped back, ready to leave.

Watching Shiraishi's back, Danzo added, "Don't do anything that harms the village. I'm the village's Hokage now!"

Shiraishi waved a hand and disappeared from the office, leaving behind one last remark.

"Didn't our cooperation begin with plotting against the Hokage?"

At his words, Danzo's expression darkened. He clenched his right hand into a fist and slammed it against the desk.

That bastard!