Doing it casually?
Looking at Kabuto Yakushi Senju Chen in front of me, I understood clearly.
It seems that Orochimaru left when he came here. The child suddenly lost his direction in life, but he didn't know where he should go, so he just stayed here habitually.
"That's it." Senju Chen's face showed just the right amount of "loss" and "worry". He sighed, walked over to Kabuto Yakushi, and patted his shoulder naturally.
This action made Kabuto Yakushi's body stiffen imperceptibly.
"Kabuto, the teacher is not here, so you have to work hard here." Senju Chen's tone, with the concern and trust of the senior brother for the junior brother, "Although the teacher has left... From now on, we senior brothers must still support each other."
Senior brother... that's the word again.
Kabuto Yakushi's heart skipped a beat for no reason.
He has been trained as a spy since he was a child, a tool, and a "setting" that exists for a certain purpose. It wasn't until he met Orochimaru that he found a new identity as a "subordinate".
But Senju Chen, this genius who was looked down upon by Orochimaru, yet again and again used such equal and warm words to call him.
This feeling is very strange, but also very... warm.
"Senior is serious, I just..."
"No more." Senju Chen interrupted him, and the smile on his face faded a bit, replaced by a solemn one, "Kabuto, I am here this time for a very important matter and I need your help."
Seeing Senju Chen's serious expression, Kabuto Yakushi also straightened his body subconsciously, and the humble smile on his face was replaced by a trace of solemnity, "Senior, please tell me, as long as I can do it."
"I want to take over 'Root'."
Senju Chen only said five words, but like a heavy bomb, it exploded in Kabuto Yakushi's heart.
Take over "root"?!
Kabuto Yakushi's pupils shrank suddenly, and for the first time, an unconcealable shock appeared on his normally calm face.
He was once a member of "Root", and he knew better than anyone else how it was an independent kingdom that was impenetrable to water and needles. Danzo's prestige in "Root" was like that of a god.
Trying to take over the "root" is tantamount to wishful thinking!
"Chen-senpai... you... this... is this?" Kabuto Yakushi lowered his voice subconsciously.
"Shimura Danzō has been taken into custody, and 'Root' is leaderless. Council of Elders intends to disband 'Root', but I think that the power of 'Root' should not dissipate. It should be guided and used in the right place."
"So, I proposed to Council of Elders that I should reorganize the 'root' department."
Senju Chen stared into Kabuto Yakushi's eyes and said word by word, "'Gen' was originally founded by my second grandfather. This can be regarded as the return of the property to its original owner."
"And I need someone I can trust to help me. A deputy who understands the workings of 'root' and is wise and capable enough."
"Kabuto, are you willing to help me?"
Kabuto Yakushi's breathing almost stopped at this moment.
He was not a fool, he instantly understood the meaning of Senju Chen's words.
Senju Chen not only knew about his past and that he had been a member of "Root", he even used this as an opportunity to offer him an olive branch that he simply could not refuse.
And this is not an order, it is an invitation.
Do not regard him as a tool, but regard him as a "brother" who can fight side by side.
In Orochimaru, he is a "useful subordinate".
And here at Senju Chen, he seems to be a "needable companion".
This desire to be recognized and needed instantly hit the softest and most vulnerable part of his heart. That was what he longed for most after walking in the endless darkness for many years as a spy - a true identity.
"I..." Kabuto Yakushi's fingers holding his glasses trembled slightly.
Behind the lenses, in those eyes that always hide true emotions, a battle between heaven and man is going on at this moment.
On one side is the "home" he has just found, the Orochimaru who gave him a new life.
On the other side is Senju Chen who promised him "identity" and "future".
"There is no conflict between doing things for the teacher and doing things for me." Senju Chen seemed to see through his hesitation and spoke again, with a hint of temptation in his voice, "Even, you can do better. Think about it, how much convenience can a new department in charge of Konoha's underground world provide for the teacher's research?"
This sentence became the last straw that broke the camel's back.
Kabuto Yakushi suddenly raised his head, the struggle and hesitation in his eyes disappeared, replaced by an unprecedented firmness and determination.
He bowed deeply to Senju Chen. This time, it was no longer humility, but conviction from the bottom of his heart.
"I understand, Chen... senior brother."
For the first time, he called out this title.
"I, Kabuto Yakushi, am willing to serve you."
The headquarters of "Root" is hidden deep underground in Konoha, an unknown place.
There is no sunshine here, only cold stone walls and dim lights. The air is filled with an oppressive atmosphere mixed with blood and dust all year round.
When Senju Chen appeared at the gate of Root with Kabuto Yakushi and a warrant signed by Council of Elders, the "root" members responsible for guarding just checked the authenticity of the warrant like a machine without emotions, and silently opened the door to the depths.
There was no inquiry, no curiosity, not even a superfluous glance.
This is the "root".
After passing through the deep and depressing passage, the two came to a huge underground square.
As the piercing siren sounded, figures wearing various masks and black costumes appeared from the shadows in all directions like ghosts and quietly gathered in the square.
In just a few tens of seconds, hundreds of "root" members were neatly arranged into square formations, standing there quietly, like a group of lifeless terracotta warriors and horses.
Dead silence.
In the entire square, except for the "crackling" sound of burning torches, there was no sound at all.
An invisible, cold pressure enveloped the entire space.
Senju Chen stood on the high platform, overlooking the group of "weapons" below who had their humanity wiped out.
Danzo This guy is indeed a genius in terms of brainwashing and mind control.
"From today on, I will take over the 'root'."
The voice of Senju Chen sounded in the empty square and reached everyone's ears clearly.
The crowd below showed no reaction at all, still standing as silently as sculptures.
"I know that many of you are dissatisfied, confused, and even scold me in your heart." A playful smile appeared on the corner of Senju Chen's mouth, "It doesn't matter, I'll give you this opportunity."
"Shimura Danzō, who was suspected of colluding with foreign enemies and assassinating Hokage and fellow villagers, has been personally ordered to be taken into custody by Council of Elders! 'Gen', this cancer harboring evil and evil, should have been disbanded on the spot, and everyone will be nailed to Konoha's pillar of shame forever as traitors!"
These words finally caused a hint of commotion in the silent crowd below.
Lord Danzo... was taken into custody?
Are we going to be treated as traitors?
Panic, confusion, disbelief... all kinds of emotions began to spread among the crowd.
"But," Senju Chen changed the subject, his voice became gentle again, but with an unquestionable power, "I, Senju Chen, thought that you were also deceived by Danzo, and gave you a chance."
"A chance to live again!"