Nawaki pretended not to catch the deeper meaning in Sarutobi's words and naturally turned to Yamato. "Since Teacher Sarutobi has already agreed, I have no reason to object. You will carve the 'Will of the Forest' onto these Root members and admit them into the Branch Family."
Yamato hurriedly thanked them both. "Thank you, Lord Hokage! Thank you, Teacher!"
"Don't celebrate too soon!" Nawaki warned Yamato with a stern expression. "Once these Root members join the Branch Family, they'll be your direct subordinates. But Danzo's brutal training has damaged their minds. Even with the restrictions of the 'Will of the Forest,' they remain extremely dangerous. You must pay close attention to their mental state!"
"This disciple will do his utmost to persuade them to pledge loyalty to the Senju Clan!" Yamato replied respectfully.
"Not do your utmost—make certain of it! If even one of them becomes a problem, I'll hold you responsible!" Nawaki emphasized again.
"Yes, Teacher! This disciple will approach it with the seriousness of completing a mission!" Yamato answered earnestly.
"There's nothing wrong with treating it as a mission!" Nawaki continued. "As it happens, there's something that requires your cooperation, along with these Root members!
We can't simply let this assassination attempt against Teacher Sarutobi go. Teacher Sarutobi may have pardoned you, but Danzo, the mastermind behind it all, must be punished!
Afterward, you will need to come forward and testify against Danzo, make a clean break with your past, and prove your loyalty at the same time.
No problem with that?"
Yamato knew Nawaki wanted him and these Root elites to offer up a pledge of allegiance and sever all ties with Danzo completely. But they had no way back now, so he promptly lowered his head and accepted the order. "This disciple guarantees the mission will