Otsutsuki Quxian thought to herself, but if they turned out to be useless trash, they could not blame her for being ruthless!
The young master's subordinates had no need for incompetents!
She would not question Otsutsuki Toneri, nor would she torment the subordinates he recruited.
But surely pushing them to train would not be going too far?
"Let's go. Let's look around the Shinobi World's foremost ninja village some more. We have to leave tomorrow," Otsutsuki Toneri said with a light laugh, unconcerned by Otsutsuki Quxian's little thoughts.
After all, he understood perfectly well that every thought Otsutsuki Quxian had revolved around him.
Naturally, he would not mistreat such a devoted personal maid.
He was merely waiting for the right time.
The two then continued strolling around Konoha before returning to Kurenai Yuhi's home.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi was smoking his pipe, with Kakashi and Asuma standing before him.
"Someone just reported that the boy Toneri visited Root." Hiruzen Sarutobi's low voice revealed the heaviness in his heart.
He simply could not believe that Otsutsuki Toneri had actually gone to see Shimura Danzō!
"Father, is the information accurate?" Asuma's expression shifted slightly at this, and he asked with a hint of disbelief.
Rather than Konoha's roots, Shimura Danzō was better described as Konoha's shadow!
He specialized in handling Konoha's affairs that could not stand the light of day, and who knew how many filthy things he had done behind the scenes!
Why would Otsutsuki Toneri get mixed up with Danzo?
"I have people inside Root. The information cannot be wrong. What's more, he seems to have reached some sort of agreement with Danzo!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows were tightly furrowed as well. Had his ominous premonition come true after all?
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought helplessly that Otsutsuki Toneri had actually joined up with Danzo. This really was bad news.
He knew better than anyone what kind of man Danzo was, though he did not know why Otsutsuki Toneri had sought him out.
But that no longer mattered at all. What mattered was whether Danzo had truly secured Otsutsuki Toneri's help.
Then Danzo really would become a major threat!
"Lord Third, I suggest keeping those two children under close surveillance. Although they have already made contact, we cannot act rashly."
After pondering for a while, Kakashi offered his thoughts to the Third Hokage.
Danzo making contact with Otsutsuki Toneri was indeed bad news, but they did not know exactly what agreement the two had reached.
Watching and waiting was the best choice.
"That boy Toneri... what a shame." Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent at this and only sighed helplessly after a long while.
He truly thought very highly of Otsutsuki Toneri. Although he remained undecided, he had indeed leaned toward keeping Otsutsuki Toneri in Konoha and nurturing him.
Now, however, there was no need to agonize over it!
He would forgive no one who dared harm Konoha!
The three then continued discussing some details to guard against Otsutsuki Toneri and Danzo suddenly making a move.
Although the chances were not high, there was no harm in taking precautions.
In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived, and Otsutsuki Toneri and Otsutsuki Quxian rose early.
They headed toward Root's base, and along the way, Otsutsuki Toneri sensed attention and gazes coming from the shadows.
As expected of the Third Hokage. He really does have some ability. With a quick turn of his thoughts, Otsutsuki Toneri immediately understood why and marveled inwardly.
He had only contacted Danzo yesterday, yet Hiruzen Sarutobi had already received the news and made arrangements. His reaction could hardly be called slow.
But...
Would it do any good?
(Asking for everything~)
Chapter 40: I do not wish to be your enemy - fifth update!
The Byakugan was his greatest objective in coming to Konoha. Once he obtained it, no one in Konoha could stop him if he wanted to leave!
Arriving at the house outside Root headquarters, Otsutsuki Toneri led Otsutsuki Quxian straight into the basement.
This time, no Root member came out to stop him. Presumably, Danzo had given them instructions.
When they reached the deepest part, Danzo was already waiting there.
"You're here?" Hearing footsteps, Danzo glanced at Otsutsuki Toneri and tossed the two saline bottles on the table toward him.
"These are two pairs of pure Byakugan from children of the Hyuga Main Family. You should be satisfied, yes?" Danzo said flatly when he saw Otsutsuki Toneri catch them.
Those two pairs of Byakugan had cost him considerable effort, but as long as they secured Otsutsuki Toneri's help, it was worth it!
And...
Danzo quietly sized up Otsutsuki Quxian behind Otsutsuki Toneri. This girl was strong too.
He had not lost out on this deal!
"Truly... thank you, Lord Danzo!" Otsutsuki Toneri carefully inspected the two pairs of Byakugan, and after finding that Danzo had not tampered with them, he broke into an irrepressible smile.
The Byakugan! He finally had them!
Wild joy surged through Otsutsuki Toneri's heart. He had finally obtained the Byakugan!
Almost without hesitation, Otsutsuki Toneri opened one of the physiological saline bottles and took out the Byakugan.
Then he placed them directly into his eye sockets, and green chakra signifying healing spilled from his eyes.
Soon, the chakra dispersed, and he sensed the eyes gradually changing in response to his constitution.
Otsutsuki Toneri grinned. Next, he simply had to wait for the Tenseigan to develop!
"It was merely a transaction. However, you will probably have to be careful from now on. That fellow Hiruzen has already discovered our connection." Danzo frowned slightly as he looked at Otsutsuki Toneri, whose eyes remained tightly shut even after transplanting the Byakugan.
As he had thought, this fellow definitely had some other purpose in transplanting the Byakugan!
But Danzo set the matter aside for now. The more important issue was Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He also had spies around Hiruzen Sarutobi and had already received word of the order Hiruzen Sarutobi had issued yesterday to monitor Otsutsuki Toneri.
Clearly, Hiruzen Sarutobi had learned that Otsutsuki Toneri had contacted him.
"I already noticed, Lord Danzo. Apparently, not all your subordinates are completely loyal?" Otsutsuki Toneri handed the other pair of Byakugan to Otsutsuki Quxian for safekeeping, then teased Danzo.
He was absolutely certain that no one had followed him here yesterday.
That meant the problem had to be on Danzo's end!
"Hmph! No need to concern yourself. You should look after yourself, young friend!" Danzo snorted coldly, his gloomy face dark and a cold glint flashing in his eye.
Naturally, he understood that reasoning. This affair really had embarrassed him.
He had lost face before Otsutsuki Toneri for nothing.
"Me? Haha! Lord Danzo, could you be underestimating me? Thank you for today. My promise remains valid. Whenever you wish to act, you may contact me."
Perhaps because he had obtained the Byakugan and accomplished his objective, Otsutsuki Toneri laughed with a rare expression of arrogance.
He was indeed in an excellent mood. Once the Tenseigan finished developing, he could carry out his plans even more boldly.
"You intend to leave Konoha?" Danzo fell briefly silent at his words, then asked in puzzlement.
Otsutsuki Toneri's words indicated that he did not intend to stay in Konoha.
"Of course. I have other matters to attend to. Until next time, Lord Danzo." Otsutsuki Toneri composed his expression, stretched luxuriously, then turned and waved goodbye to Danzo before leaving.
A faint glimmer passed through Danzo's lone eye as he watched Otsutsuki Toneri's back disappear from view. Then he closed his eye again to rest.
Let him leave, then. It would not make much difference. In any case, he truly did not have a good opportunity yet.
But after leaving Root's base, when Otsutsuki Toneri walked out of the house with Otsutsuki Quxian, he found Hiruzen Sarutobi already waiting outside the door.
"What a pleasant pastime, Lord Hokage. Did you come especially to welcome me?" Otsutsuki Toneri extended his senses, then smiled gently at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Quite a few ninja were hiding in the shadows too. Interesting.
Was it because he had contacted Danzo again that Hiruzen could no longer wait?
That made sense. In Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, Danzo was a very restless character.
Watching and waiting was indeed good, but it was too passive, so Hiruzen Sarutobi had ultimately chosen to act first!
And...
"Toneri, you understand. I do not wish to be your enemy." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at this delicate, adorable child and sighed helplessly.
He truly did not want to make enemies of Otsutsuki Toneri and his companion. This child possessed monstrous talent and a meticulous mind. His future potential was simply limitless.
But a piece of news he had received earlier had forced him to come here!
"You must be joking, Lord Hokage. I am merely a blind child, unworthy of such praise from you." Otsutsuki Toneri gave a cold smile at this. Those were certainly nice words.
But Otsutsuki Toneri did not believe so much as half a punctuation mark of them!
(Asking for everything~ fifth update)
Chapter 41: Try taking them!
Otsutsuki Toneri knew very well that the Third Hokage had come here not only because he had met with Danzo again.
More importantly, it had to be because of the two Main Family members of the Hyuga Clan whose Byakugan had been gouged out. He must have become suspicious of him and Danzo!
After all, the Hyuga were Konoha's foremost clan. Who in Konoha would have the gall to provoke them at a time like this?
People from other villages were even less likely. There was absolutely no way they could sneak into the village and take the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan without anyone noticing.
That made Otsutsuki Toneri and Danzo the prime suspects, and Otsutsuki Toneri even had a motive!
Before you continue