Use official titles in public

Hiruzen Sarutobi had already agreed, and Shihōin Naraku's plan began rolling out at full speed.

As their superior, he actually wasn't all that busy. He only had to settle the broad outlines; his subordinates would naturally handle the specifics.

"Clan head!"

"Oh, Baihuo, you're here."

Shihōin Naraku looked at his clansman, a middle-aged Ninja who was no longer young.

"Well, Baihuo? Is there still any hope?"

"Clan head! I've let you down! I lack the talent to become a Konoha Jonin and share your burdens!"

Looking at Shihōin Baihuo's ashamed expression, Naraku could only scratch his head helplessly. The Shihōin Clan wasn't short on resources now. If he still couldn't manage it, perhaps he really had no talent as a Ninja.

"Since you're not cut out to be a Ninja, go be a director instead!"

"Huh?"

Shihōin Baihuo was somewhat bewildered, not understanding what his clan head meant.

"You must have heard about the Medical Emergency Response Unit's restructuring. You can manage the Convalescent Center being established for the various countries' Daimyo and nobles."

Although Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu would certainly interfere, he had no intention of handing the director's position to one of their people. After all, anyone could see how lucrative that position would be.

"Yes! Understood!"

Shihōin Baihuo nodded at once. This was a good assignment, and for the clan's sake, he certainly wouldn't turn it down.

"Is everyone else doing all right? I haven't paid much attention to the Medical Emergency Response Unit lately. Has anyone caused trouble because of the change in my position?"

Shihōin Baihuo immediately shook his head and looked proudly at Naraku as he spoke.

"Our clansmen are doing well. Even after you left, no one dared say anything to us."

After Naraku took charge of the Medical Emergency Response Unit, he had placed some members of the Shihōin Clan there. Even if they couldn't learn Medical Ninjutsu, working as ordinary nurses or administrative staff was still easy enough.

The pay was good, and the danger was greatly reduced. Opportunities like this had never come the Shihōin Clan's way before.

Unfortunately, even with all his support, the Shihōin Clan hadn't produced many more powerful Ninja.

There was no helping it. They still had too few people.

"Remember one thing..." Naraku patted Shihōin Baihuo on the shoulder and reminded him, "Someone will certainly covet your position, but no matter who it is, you must not give it up!"

"Yes! Understood!"

"All right, get to work..."

Naraku continued handling the clan's affairs and finished everything in little time. It was a small clan, after all.

Although the Shihōin Clan couldn't offer much help at present, Naraku continued supporting its members, because they truly would fight to the death for him!

Because every member of the Shihōin Clan understood who had made their lives better!

Konohagakure's main gate bustled with people coming and going most of the time.

Civilians, Ninja, nobles, merchants, and others could pass through the main gate after registering.

Of course, Konoha certainly had more than this one road and passage leading outside.

"Phew..."

Yamanaka Tsuki, who had just returned through one of Konoha's hidden side gates, let out a breath. The past few days' mission had been rather tiring, but she was finally back in the village and had time to rest for a while.

Still, she had to go to the Anbu base and turn in her mission before she could change clothes and get rid of the mask on her face.

Yamanaka Tsuki led her squad toward the Anbu base, the four of them walking together.

"Hm?"

Although they had returned to the village, none of the four had lowered their guard. Sensing something amiss, they immediately focused their attention on the nearby woods.

"Rustle..."

A figure emerged from the woods and looked at Yamanaka Tsuki, who had yet to remove her mask.

"Yamanaka Fū?!"

Yamanaka Tsuki remained on guard. She frowned at Yamanaka Fū's sudden appearance. Wasn't her older brother Shimura Danzō's bodyguard? Why had he come here to intercept her?

"Lord Danzo wants to see you!"

Tall and orange-haired, Yamanaka Fū wore fitted combat gear. His face was utterly expressionless as he looked at his younger sister, as though he would attack if Yamanaka Tsuki refused to leave with him.

"I'm a member of ANBU! I serve under Lord Shihōin Naraku!"

"Without orders from Lord Naraku and Lord Hokage, I won't go with you!"

Yamanaka Fū raised his eyebrows slightly. He lifted his black-gloved hands and spread them toward Yamanaka Tsuki.

Was he going to attack over a disagreement?

Clang!

Yamanaka Tsuki and the Anbu Ninja behind her all drew their swords and aimed them at Yamanaka Fū.

Killing intent filled the space between the two sides, as though a battle to the death would erupt at any moment.

"Don't get worked up, Fū!"

Leaning on his cane, Shimura Danzō slowly emerged from the dark woods. Another bodyguard followed behind him: Aburame Torune of the Aburame Clan!

This is trouble...

At that moment, an Anbu Ninja behind Yamanaka Tsuki silently backed away. Just as he was about to turn and leave, he discovered that another Ninja had appeared behind him at some point and was watching him.

We can't even call for help?

Without looking back, Yamanaka Tsuki knew that calling for help was no longer possible. Strategies flashed rapidly through her mind, but she rejected them one by one.

"Tap-tap-"

Shimura Danzō approached step by step with his cane. The pressure he exuded grew stronger, and sweat had begun to drip from Yamanaka Tsuki's forehead.

Thud!

His cane struck the ground hard, and Shimura Danzō spoke in an unquestionable tone. "Tsuki! You belong to Root!"

Yamanaka Tsuki remained silent!

Shimura Danzō had never liked others questioning him. Even at this sight, he remained calm and composed, looking as though he held everything in the world in his grasp.

"It seems you've all forgotten Root's strict rules!"

Shimura Danzō then fell silent and watched Yamanaka Tsuki and the other three impassively. He believed they would soon kneel before him and submit once more!

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

Suffocating silence.

A crow flew overhead, cawing-

Why is there no reaction?

Surprise and suspicion flashed through his eyes, and Shimura Danzō immediately understood what had happened.

The Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal has been undone!!!

The other formulas hidden within the Sealing Jutsu have vanished too!

"Who undid it?"

"I did!!!"

Everyone present snapped to attention!

In the light that entered their eyes, a sun seemingly blazing with flames rose. The shadows receded little by little, and the chill slipped away without a sound.

Everyone present involuntarily swallowed as a scorching wave of air washed over them.

Thud, thud, thud...

Steady, powerful footsteps gradually drew closer.

They narrowed their eyes slightly. The sunlight shifted, and the newcomer finally came fully into view!

Shihōin Naraku!

With one hand in his pocket and a smile still on his face, Naraku strode over and stopped before Shimura Danzō.

Patting away the flames dancing on his shoulder, Shihōin Naraku looked curiously at Shimura Danzō. "What are you doing here, senior Danzo?"

"Do you need something from my subordinates? You can ask me directly. I know more!"

Shimura Danzō's expression remained unchanged, but veins now stood out on the hand gripping his cane.

"You should address me as lord!"

"I see..." Naraku nodded with a completely serious expression. "Use official titles in public. I understand!"

"By the way, what's your official position, senior Danzo?"

Who are you, anyway?

Shimura Danzō's entire demeanor turned sinister in an instant, but he was, after all, renowned throughout the Shinobi World. He wouldn't lose his composure so easily.

"Senior! What were you doing just now?"

Shihōin Naraku's voice abruptly rose as he stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Shimura Danzō.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune rushed in front of Shimura Danzō at the same time, taking combat stances against Shihōin Naraku. Another Ninja moved to guard Danzo's flank.

Whoosh-

At that same instant, the four ANBU members led by Yamanaka Tsuki moved in front of Naraku!

Only Shimura Danzō and Shihōin Naraku kept their gazes locked on each other without the slightest shift, as though neither had noticed the movement around them.