Undercurrents

Hidden Leaf Village, headquarters of the Root Division.

"Lord Danzo, why did you let that brat we brought in earlier go?"

Following Yun Xi's departure, the two Root Division chunin who had brought him in reappeared before Danzo.

Watching Yun Xi leave and seeing Danzo remain silent, the two ninjas were filled with confusion.

Since joining the Root Division, they had never seen an outsider enter the headquarters and walk out unscathed...

Especially not a civilian.

"Get out!"

Danzo had no desire to explain anything. He fixed his dead-fish eyes on the two subordinates below the steps before vanishing into the shadows.

"Yes, Lord Danzo!"

Feeling the killing intent radiating from Danzo, the two Root Division chunin dared not linger.

In an instant, they vanished.

A long while later, two figures appeared within the Root Division.

Aside from the Danzo who had just left, there was another.

It was...

Orochimaru!

Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin!

"How are the experimental subjects coming along?"

The cold and sinister Orochimaru glanced at the visibly displeased Danzo and asked first.

He then paced slowly, speaking in an incredibly casual tone: "The Sharingan transplant is no longer an issue, but the experiments with the First Hokage Cells still require a large number of test subjects..."

"Stop rushing me. I will send people over in due time."

A shadow flickered across Danzo's face as he muttered, "There was an exceptionally excellent subject today, but I never expected him to refuse me..."

"Who was it?"

Hearing this, a flash of curiosity crossed Orochimaru's brown eyes, and he said in a teasing tone, "I am quite curious to know who in this Hidden Leaf Village would dare to refuse Lord Danzo..."

"A Hidden Leaf civilian with abysmal talent."

Seeing that his temporary ally Orochimaru was asking, Danzo had no intention of hiding it and stated Yun Xi's identity directly.

In truth, Danzo had not focused his attention on Yun Xi from the start.

Although he desperately needed subjects for his experiments, it wasn't as if he couldn't find any...

Yun Xi not only had exceptionally poor talent, but his presence was also remarkably low.

At first, Danzo hadn't even noticed him.

It wasn't until two days ago that Danzo received a report from his subordinates.

They claimed that Yun Xi possessed an incredibly powerful regenerative ability, which might make him suitable for the First Hokage Cells experiment.

That was why Danzo had set his sights on Yun Xi...

What Danzo hadn't expected was that Yun Xi would refuse him outright...

To avoid alerting Yun Xi, Danzo simply decided to let him go for now.

He would find another opportunity in the future...

"Yun Xi..."

After listening to Danzo, Orochimaru murmured the name while slowly looking into the distance.

A faint glint flashed within his grey-brown eyes...

A long while later, he spoke to Danzo again: "Give me his file. I will go investigate him myself..."

Although Orochimaru did not know just how powerful this so-called regenerative ability was, anyone who could catch Danzo's attention was bound to be extraordinary!

Orochimaru was also filled with interest in this unusual Yun Xi...

"I can give you the file, but do not make a move within the Hidden Leaf."

Danzo and Orochimaru had been working together for a long time.

As soon as Orochimaru spoke, Danzo naturally understood what he was thinking.

After handing Yun Xi's basic file to Orochimaru, Danzo couldn't help but offer a warning.

Although Danzo was considered a top-tier official within the Hidden Leaf, Orochimaru was now a defector. If Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, were to discover Orochimaru because he made a move within the village, even Danzo, as a high-ranking advisor, would not have an easy time of it!

"Heh, rest assured..."

Facing Danzo's warning, Orochimaru did not seem to care much.

With only a cold sneer, he was the first to depart from the Root Division...

Standing where he was, a trace of inexplicable gloom flashed across Danzo's face.

It was unclear whether it was because of Yun Xi's earlier refusal.

Or...

Orochimaru's attitude...

However, Danzo did not remain in place for long; after Orochimaru left, Danzo also vanished from the spot...

At the same time.

Konoha, inside the Hokage Office Building.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sat before the Hokage's desk, staring intently at the Crystal Ball in front of him.

The image displayed within the Crystal Ball was none other than the Root Division base...

"Shiranui Genma, has Danzo shown any movements recently?"

After a long silence, the Third Hokage finally took the initiative to ask Shiranui Genma, who was standing behind him.

"Reporting to you, Lord Hokage, Lord Danzo has shown nothing unusual lately, other than specifically summoning a civilian named Yun Xi earlier."

Shiranui Genma was a Special Jonin of Konoha in the Land of Fire and had once been one of the Fourth Hokage's bodyguards.

Following the death of the Fourth Hokage, he had come to serve under the Third Hokage.

He was primarily responsible for relaying intelligence and communicating the Third Hokage's orders.

After informing the Third Hokage of what had transpired within the Root Division, Shiranui Genma slowly drew a file from the ninja tool pouch at his waist.

Only after handing it to the Third Hokage did he slowly speak: "Lord Hokage, this is the detailed information on Yun Xi."

"Yun Xi..."

After reading through the file in his hands, the Third Hokage repeated the name Yun Xi.

Clearly, the name Yun Xi held some impression in the Third Hokage's mind.

As the student who had spent the longest time at the Ninja Academy in all of Konoha, the Third Hokage was very curious as to why Danzo would summon such a dead-last student...

After some deliberation, the Third Hokage could not think of a very reasonable explanation.

Consequently, the Third Hokage spoke directly: "Shiranui Genma, keep a close eye on this child named Yun Xi for the time being. Remember to report any abnormalities to me."

"Yes!"

Having received the order, Shiranui Genma did not linger, instead leaping directly out through the window!

The Third Hokage slowly stood up, gazing at the setting sun that had just appeared, lost in his own thoughts...

At this moment, Yun Xi had no idea that he was being watched by so many of Konoha's big shots!

He was still leisurely preparing his dinner...

"Bang, bang, bang!"

Just as Yun Xi had finished preparing his dinner, a series of violent knocks sounded at the door, which had only been quiet for a short while!

"Who is it? Coming, coming!"

Upon hearing the knocking, a look of obvious impatience appeared on Yun Xi's face.

After all, it was rare to have a moment of peace, only to be disturbed.

But the moment he opened the door...

Yun Xi could no longer remain calm!

Yun Xi had not expected that standing before his door was actually!