Sasuke

Inside Danzo's Root office.

Hyuga Hiashi explained his purpose to Danzo:

To abolish the elder system, and the main and branch family system.

Danzo finally understood why Hyuga Hiashi had asked if he intended to cultivate Uzumaki Menma as the next leader of Root.

If Hyuga Hiashi requested Root's assistance, the Hyuga Clan and Root would be connected, but Hyuga Hiashi didn't trust Root, or rather, he didn't trust Danzo.

Therefore, Hyuga Hiashi would only request Root's help if he was certain that Danzo intended to cultivate Uzumaki Menma as the next leader of Root.

Danzo tapped the desk rhythmically with his index finger as he pondered.

Each tap made Hyuga Hiashi's heart clench with tension.

Danzo didn't immediately agree to Hyuga Hiashi's request, but instead asked, "Why didn't you go to Hiruzen about this?"

Hyuga Hiashi replied, "Lord Danzo, you know that Konoha is a village formed by the gathering of many ninja clans. Each ninja clan has independent autonomy, and the Hokage cannot interfere with the internal systems of the clans. Even if I were to request the Hokage's help, it would likely be fruitless."

After saying that, Hyuga Hiashi gave a wry smile.

If he hadn't been completely out of options, he definitely wouldn't have come to Root to seek Danzo's help.

Danzo stopped tapping his finger and looked at Hyuga Hiashi with a sharp gaze, saying, "Not enough!"

Hyuga Hiashi frowned and asked in confusion, "What's not enough?"

"The stakes aren't high enough. I can't interfere in the internal affairs of a ninja clan and help you abolish the Hyuga Clan's system for a promise that may or may not be fulfilled."

"Then what stakes does Lord Danzo want?"

"I need some of the Hyuga Clan's ninja to join Root!"

"That's impossible!" Hyuga Hiashi refused excitedly.

Hyuga Hiashi knew the way Root trained its ninja.

Ninja who joined Root would undergo training to eliminate their sense of self. To maintain secrecy, they would also be branded with a curse seal, completely turning them into pawns who only executed missions.

Danzo understood Hyuga Hiashi's concerns and explained, "If you're worried about Root's training methods, then you don't need to be. To pave the way for Menma's future, those methods have already been abolished. If you're still uneasy, you can periodically come to Root to observe.

"As for the Curse of Silence Seal, it must be applied. This seal will only be triggered if the person it's cast on speaks about me or Menma. It will cause full-body paralysis, making them unable to speak or move. As long as the seal isn't triggered, it's just for show."

When Danzo decided to cultivate Uzumaki Menma as the Hokage, he had already abolished Root's "eliminate the self" training, precisely so that Uzumaki Menma wouldn't be criticized when competing for the Hokage position in the future.

Hyuga Hiashi's expression was a bit strange. How did it feel like Root was now entirely at the service of that Uzumaki Menma kid?

Danzo stated bluntly, "If you agree, then I will help you abolish the Hyuga Clan's elder system. Otherwise, there's nothing to discuss."

Hyuga Hiashi pondered.

If Hyuga ninja who joined Root wouldn't undergo that "eliminate the self" training, then it would be alright. Danzo had also shown his sincerity by allowing him to periodically enter Root to observe.

The Curse of Silence Seal wasn't like the Caged Bird Seal, where one's life was controlled by others. As long as one didn't speak about Danzo, everything would be fine.

Thinking about it that way, joining Root wasn't unacceptable.

Hyuga Hiashi agreed, "I can allow some Hyuga ninja to join Root, but only after the Hyuga Clan's elder system and the main and branch family system are abolished."

"Alright, that's acceptable. However, the first batch of Hyuga ninja must join Root within a month after the fact. After that, it will be entirely voluntary, with no coercion. When you're ready to implement your plan, just let me know."

Hyuga Hiashi got up, intending to leave.

As he walked to the door, Hyuga Hiashi couldn't help but ask, "Lord Danzo, why are you pouring so much effort into Uzumaki Menma?"

Shimura Danzo's mind conjured up the image of Uzumaki Menma's cheeky face as he called him Grandpa Danzo.

"Heh, he's Shimura Danzo's grandson. Isn't that reason enough?"

Hyuga Hiashi was stunned. A smile appeared on his face as he bowed slightly to Danzo before leaving Root.

After leaving Root, Hyuga Hiashi turned his head to look at the Root base.

'The current Root is completely different from before. Uzumaki Menma... that kid is truly strange. He and Naruto Uzumaki have even improved my relationship with Hinata. He's quite the unexpected little rascal.'

The sun had gradually set.

Uzumaki Menma said goodbye to his friends.

Today, Naruto was going to Root with Uzumaki Menma to freeload a meal.

They had eaten and drunk so well at his other friends' houses recently that he was starting to miss Root's 'nutritional meals'.

Walking along the banks of Konoha's river, Naruto suddenly stopped when he saw a boy with spiky black hair sitting by the riverbank, about the same age as them.

Uzumaki Menma asked curiously, "What's wrong, Naruto? Do you know him?"

Naruto shook his head. "I don't know him, but I have the same feeling as when I first met you, Menma. I think I should be friends with him too."

"If that's the case, then go and introduce yourself."

Naruto felt that Uzumaki Menma was right, so he began to act, walking up to the black-haired, spiky-haired boy.

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki, what's your name?"

The black-haired, spiky-haired boy stared blankly at Naruto. When their eyes met, he felt the same way Naruto did—they were supposed to be friends.

"Sasuke... Sasuke Uchiha," Sasuke answered softly.

Naruto happily asked, "Sasuke, will you be my friend?"

Sasuke's little face turned red, making him look very cute.

Sasuke nodded his little head, "Okay!"

Just then, Uzumaki Menma came over to them and asked Naruto, "Naruto, how did it go?"

"He's Sasuke, and we're friends now!"

Uzumaki Menma looked at Sasuke in surprise.

He's Sasuke Uchiha?

The legendary Sasuke Uchiha, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Laughter, known for his "The skies have cleared, the rain has stopped, and I'm back on my feet again"?

Looking at Sasuke's somewhat shy and excited, yet adorable expression...

He's not quite what he imagined.

Is it because he's only three years old like them, and hasn't reached that point yet?

Uzumaki Menma suddenly felt like playing a raising simulator game.

Uzumaki Menma introduced himself to Sasuke, "I'm Uzumaki Menma. So, we're friends now. It's getting late today. How about we meet up on Konoha street tomorrow? Naruto and I can introduce you to our other friends."

Sasuke nodded his little head in agreement.

"Okay."