Cunning as a Fox

Konoha

In the Ministry of Education Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen, pipe in mouth, looked out the window, with a short young man standing behind him.

"Shisui, the Fourth Hokage hasn't shown up for half a month? As Hokage, what's going on...?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated for a moment, then finally sighed.

Uchiha Shisui stood bowing behind Sarutobi Hiruzen. In recent years, Shisui had especially enjoyed talking and learning from Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was a contemporary of his grandfather Kagami Uchiha and served as the previous Hokage.

"Lord Hiruzen, the Fourth Hokage is probably busy with confidential matters, and Lord Minato is assisting him in handling political affairs..."

Shisui hesitated for a moment, then paused to think. It seemed that the Fourth Hokage was indeed as Sarutobi Hiruzen had said, somewhat neglecting his duties and often disappearing without a trace.

"Shisui, you're Anbu directly under the Hokage. How could you not know about the Hokage's confidential affairs? Does that Uchiha Zensui really have the power to control Tailed Beast?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen was somewhat restless. He knew something about Uchiha Zensui. If Uchiha Zensui was controlling the Nine-Tails, then the Fourth Hokage's absence on the Night of the Nine-Tails could only be due to his confrontation with this powerful Uchiha ninja.

Hiruzen Sarutobi generally believed the Fourth Hokage's announcement that Sarutobi Hiruzen the culprit in the Night of the Nine-Tails massacre, but he still restlessly asked Sarutobi Hiruzen Uchiha Shisui a question he already knew the answer to.

"Uchiha Zensui, who served as the Fourth Hokage's bodyguard for many years, possesses unfathomable strength..."

Shisui had interacted with Uchiha Zensui before and was somewhat familiar with him. He knew that Zensui was very strong, but he had some doubts about Zensui's Shisui to control Tailed Beast.

"Yes, Shisui, you are a leading figure among the younger generation of the Uchiha, a true ninja with the Will of Fire."

I'm already fifty-seven years old, which is considered quite old in the Shinobi World. I just never imagined that at this age, Konoha would still need me to worry about things."

Sarutobi Hiruzen his pipe, exhaled a puff of smoke, and spoke as if reminiscing, then his expression turned serious as he said:

"As the Hokage, how can he not show his face for half a month... Wouldn't that make other countries mistakenly think that Konoha is like Hidden Sand, where the Kage of a village mysteriously disappears?"

Shisui, I hope you can report the Fourth Generation's information to me as you did today. When the time is right, I will advise the Fourth Generation to heed my advice.

Sarutobi Hiruzen turned his face, his words carrying a plea, but his expression was quite serious.

Upon hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's words and seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen serious expression, Shisui replied somewhat earnestly:

"Lord Hiruzen, you have truly devoted yourself to Konoha. The Fourth Hokage cannot do without your assistance, and Konoha cannot do without you either. I will cooperate with you!"

Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded somewhat reassured, then turned his face away to continue gazing at the scenery outside the window, a thought flashing through his mind:

"I've been observing Uchiha Shisui for over half a year. He's punctual and knows how to keep secrets. He's a very reliable ninja, and he's worried about Konoha and the Fourth Hokage."

Most importantly, Shisui trusts and respects me greatly, and there are many things I cannot say. Perhaps, it would be better to let Shisui make contact with Danzo."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's thoughts returned, and he took out a scroll from his robes, saying in a deep voice:

"Shisui, please deliver a letter to my classmate Shimura Danzō. His residence is at 16 Third Street, Konoha. The Shimura is written on the gate of his residence."

He used to be my right-hand man, though there's no legend about him in Konoha.

But this was only because he adhered to the belief that ninjas should dedicate themselves silently and not care about fame or power. He was a very reliable man."

"Understood! It's my pleasure to serve you."

Shisui accepted the scroll from Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand, speaking respectfully.

Shisui was very interested in the deeds of the previous Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. At the end of the First Shinobi World War, he was appointed Hokage in a time of crisis and led Konoha to victory in the Second Shinobi World War and Third Shinobi World War.

At the end of the Third Shinobi World War, he elected the Fourth Hokage, stepped down to take over the education of Konoha, and was a very respectable senior and elder.

At this moment, the elder who had silently dedicated himself, mentioned by Sarutobi Hiruzen, attracted Shisui's interest even more, and he accepted the mission to deliver the message without hesitation.

"Okay, please."

Sarutobi Hiruzen greeted Shisui with respect, a warm smile on his face, conveying a sense of encouragement.

"Clear!"

With a calm expression, Shisui turned and left.

Danzo's Residence

In the living room, Danzo sat on a futon, with a tea table in front of him, while Shisui sat opposite Danzo.

Danzo's residence was not luxurious; on the contrary, it was very simple. The house contained only some simple furniture and some bookshelves, which were filled with scrolls and books.

Those who don't know him might think Danzo was a Danzo scholar.

"Uchiha Shisui, the number one genius of the Uchiha. Although I have lived in this mansion for a long time, I have heard of your reputation. I never expected that Hiruzen would send you to deliver a message for me. It is truly an honor to have you here."

Danzo was expressionless, somewhat cold and gloomy, but that was just his personality. Danzo spoke very politely, and poured tea for Uchiha Shisui, creating a sense of contrast.

Looking at the simply dressed old man with his right arm in a sling and his right eye wrapped in bandages, and considering the simplicity of his residence, Shisui realized that this image alone matched the person Shisui envisioned as someone who didn't care about fame or fortune and quietly dedicated himself to others.

In particular, the old man seemed to take great care of the younger generation, personally pouring tea for them.

"Danzo, Hiruzen said you are a person who doesn't care about fame or power, and quietly dedicates yourself. I've never heard of your legend in Konoha. As the Third Hokage's assistant, uh... I'm not trying to pry into secrets... it's just..."

Shisui accepted the tea poured by Danzo, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back, wanting to learn about Danzo's achievements.

"Hehe, Shisui, I was the Hokage's assistant during the Third Hokage's time, mostly handling matters related to the Anbu, which all need to be kept secret."

Hehe, the reason why Third Hokage trust me is precisely because of my character and personality.

Danzo's gloomy face broke into a smile more like a grimace. After a brief moment of self-praise, he continued:

"In our Konoha, during the time of the Third Hokage, the Third Hokage stood under the sunlight, spreading the Will of Fire, which never ceases to live."

And I am the root that silently guards you. Do you know what the Will of Root is?

"The Will of Root?"

Shisui was somewhat puzzled.

"Indeed, the Will of Root. The Konoha need more than just Konoha under the sunlight; they also need roots in the darkness. Without roots to provide soil and nutrients, how can the leaves sprout?"

The so- Will of Root is the creed of the special Anbu team I lead. In short, it means that ninjas don't need a glamorous appearance, nor do they need a distinguished reputation. Power and status are not important.

A true ninja is one who silently dedicates themselves to eliminating any threat to the village, even at the cost of their own life, even if no one knows.

Even if no one knows your name, no one knows your contributions, and you are misunderstood and insulted in every way, you must adhere to your principles of forbearance and never back down.

Because if Root doesn't intervene, Konoha will suffer; if you don't intervene, the Shinobi World will fall into darkness. Therefore, even if it costs us our lives, we are willing to do it. This is the Will of Root...

Danzo's face showed a hint of nostalgia as he slowly recounted the story of his roots.

"The Will of Root...?"

Shisui's mouth was slightly open, his face showing some shock, and he muttered to himself.