Hiruko II

Danzo left the Hokage's office and arrived at Root's secret chamber.

Dim candlelight illuminated half his face, while the chill in his single eye was almost tangible.

Twelve Root shinobi wearing plain white masks knelt on one knee before him.

"Hiruko... Land of Waterfalls..." Danzo's low voice echoed between the stone walls.

"The Fourth Squad has already set out. Hiruzen and Tsunade both want him alive, hoping to pry something out of his mouth."

He paused, lightly tapping his cane against the floor.

"But some secrets are better buried forever.

Especially... the experimental data from that project."

The Root squad captain kneeling at the front slightly raised his head, his gaze behind the mask cold and still. "Sir, what are your orders?"

"Leave immediately. Infiltrate the Land of Waterfalls and find Hiruko, or his laboratory.

Your first priority is to ensure he remains silent forever and destroy all test subjects.

Second, retrieve all research materials, especially the core data concerning Hashirama Cells and host compatibility.

If you encounter obstacles... kill without exception."

A fierce glint flashed through his single eye.

"Including Leaf Village's ANBU. Eliminate them if necessary.

But it must be clean. Make it look like an experimental accident or the result of Hiruko's resistance.

That Hyuga brat has unusual abilities. Capture him alive if possible; it will also prevent future trouble.

Remember, you never left Leaf Village. Everything done on this mission has nothing to do with Leaf Village or Root."

"Yes!" The twelve Root shinobi answered in unison, their voices utterly flat.

Then their figures slowly sank into the shadows and vanished.

Danzo stood alone in the darkness, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold arc.

"Hiruzen, you should have listened to me back then. So long as we grasped the power of Wood Release...