The Fourth Hokage's Brother, Do You Dare Touch Him?

"Join Root."

"Heh."

Listening to Danzo's absurd proposal, Naraku couldn't help but sneer. He knew exactly what Danzo was after—nothing more than a covetous desire for the Uzumaki Clan's constitution.

Danzo had harbored such thoughts since Naraku was very young, but he had never succeeded due to Minato's protection. After Minato passed away, Jiraiya had remained in the village for two years, leaving Danzo with no opportunity to strike.

Now that Jiraiya had been away from the village for a while, Danzo had begun making all sorts of petty moves.

"Join Root? That sounds great!" Naraku said to Danzo, his words masking his true intentions.

"However, I am still a member of the Anbu, after all. This matter would still require the Hokage's approval."

Danzo had been somewhat pleased when he heard the first part, but now, his smile vanished.

"Uzumaki Naraku, as long as you agree to join Root, I will naturally handle Hiruzen," Danzo said, his tone cold.

"Oh, Lord Danzo, the way you say that sounds like a threat. I suppose I don't have the option to refuse, do I?" Naraku offered a cold smile, his mind racing to find a solution.

Clearly, this was not the time to burn bridges. If he were alone, Naraku might have already become a rogue ninja of Konoha.

But Naruto and Kushina were still in the village. Naruto, in particular, was firmly under the Third Hokage's control under the guise of guardianship, while Kushina remained in a coma.

At this stage, Naraku still had to remain in Konoha.

"A threat? Heh, what a joke. I simply value your talent and don't want to see you buried in the Anbu."

"Is that so? Then I must thank you for your consideration, Lord Danzo."

The two continued to trade empty words.

Just then, Shisui, standing behind Naraku, seemed to sense something, his brow twitching imperceptibly.

Uchiha Clan Compound

Although the Uchiha were constantly marginalized in the village, as their clan head, Uchiha Fugaku lived in quite a luxurious residence.

Fugaku had just returned home after a clan meeting when he suddenly turned his head to the side. In the pitch-black night sky, only a few wisps of hazy moonlight shone down.

Fugaku shook his head slightly before stepping into the house.

"Itachi, Shisui, Uzumaki Naraku!"

"Minato, is it truly possible for the Uchiha to be saved?"

Sarutobi Clan Compound

Because the clan head was the most powerful person in Konoha, the Sarutobi Clan's compound occupied the best location in the village, looking no less impressive than bloodline clans like the Uchiha.

Having finished his tasks for the day, the Third Hokage had just finished washing up and was lying in bed, lost in thought.

The Third had been suffering from a headache lately. First, Orochimaru's defection had cost the village a top-tier combatant, and then Kakashi had taken an unexplained long leave, causing Anbu missions to pile up once again.

Not to mention Danzo's increasingly frequent petty maneuvers. Even though he had sent Shisui to infiltrate Root, the Third still could not find peace of mind.

After all, he is a member of the Uchiha Clan, the Third thought to himself.

Knock! Knock!

Just then, a knocking sound echoed.

"Lord Clan Head," came the voice of the steward, Sarutobi Kiyomi.

Hearing the voice, the Third did not hesitate; he stood up from the bed, donned his robe, and opened the door.

Standing there was a figure wearing a white mask, a short blade strapped to his back, his height similar to Naraku's current stature.

The Third signaled for the steward to withdraw before speaking. "Itachi, what is the matter so late at night? Has some news come from Shisui?"

Uchiha Itachi, the only person in the entire Anbu close to Naraku's age.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Itachi said, kneeling on one knee and handing a scroll to the Third.

After reading the contents of the scroll, the Third's expression changed drastically. He walked straight out of the room. "Summon all members of the Second, Third, and Fourth squads! Follow me!"

"Yes."

This night was destined to be restless. Many Anbu members who had no missions and were already resting were awakened once again to participate in an emergency mission led personally by the Third.

"Uzumaki Naraku, do not test my patience any further, or you will surely pay the price," Danzo said, his tone filled with killing intent.

By now, he realized that Naraku was merely stalling him.

"Oh, a price? What kind of price, Lord Danzo? Have you forgotten my identity? I am the younger brother of the Fourth Hokage. Do you dare to touch me?"

Having said this, Naraku looked at him with a mocking smile.

Hearing this, Danzo froze for a moment, and the surroundings fell silent.

Unlike the Third, the Fourth Hokage's reputation in Konoha had reached its peak; in this regard, only the First Hokage, who founded the village, could compare to him.

Although Root members executed Danzo's orders unconditionally, they would still hesitate if ordered to lay a hand on the Fourth Hokage's brother.

In truth, one could see the failures of the Third Hokage as a leader from this very situation.

"The Fourth Hokage's younger brother, heh," Danzo sneered inwardly.

"It is precisely because you are the Fourth Hokage's brother that I wish to recruit you into Root. You know as well as I do that Konoha is riddled with holes; it no longer possesses the strength to deter the other ninja villages."

"So, come to Root. As long as you are willing to assist me, we will surely be able to lead the village to even greater heights."

"Assist you? You jest, Lord Danzo. I, Uzumaki Naraku, only take orders from the Hokage within this village," Naraku said, his tone cold.

So, they really did come! Having activated his Kagura Mind Eye, Naraku vaguely sensed several familiar auras rapidly approaching their location.

Although the distance was too great to discern exactly who they were, Naraku already had the answer in his mind.

"The Hokage's orders? Hiruzen is not a qualified Hokage at all. If it weren't for him, how could the village have devolved into its current state?" Danzo said indignantly.

Just then, a man dressed in black and wearing a mask suddenly appeared beside Danzo and whispered a few words into his ear.

Danzo's expression shifted upon hearing this.

Naraku guessed that the Third Hokage must be arriving soon, and someone among them had received the news.

Naraku was not wrong; he watched as Danzo extended his right hand and gestured slightly backward, signaling the members of Root to retreat immediately.

Shortly after, everyone from Root who had been hiding—save for Shisui—vanished in an instant.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

At that moment, the Third Hokage arrived on the scene with a dozen Anbu.

Seeing that Naraku was still standing there, the Third Hokage breathed a sigh of relief.

Naraku sneered at this in his heart; he did not believe for a second that the Third Hokage was acting out of concern for him.

He knew the Third Hokage was merely putting on a show. The only reason he had rushed over to "rescue" him was simply to prevent Danzo from strengthening his own influence.