Shimura Danzō's smile slowly faded as he heard this.
Looking at his trusted subordinate, he understood what Owl meant.
Indeed, as long as the Senju remained intact, those old men would be a danger for every day they lived.
They still couldn't let their guard down!
Tapping his fingers lightly on the desk, Shimura Danzō's mind began racing.
There was no intelligence to confirm why martial law had been imposed.
The worst possibility was that something had happened to Daiki!
But the Senju had made no other moves so far, so that was probably not it!
Daiki's identity was flawless, and he was only in contact with me through a single line. The chances of him being exposed were pitifully small.
I can put that aside for now. Whatever the reason, dealing with the Senju is the most important thing!
The Senju needed outside intervention. Daiki alone had already proved incapable of disbanding them.
That old Senju Sawagen was stuck inside the clan and couldn't be touched!
Then I'll go through the list from before and clean out the youngsters from his branch again.
Those stubborn fools need to feel the pain before they'll understand the benefits of disbanding!
As for Senju Toka's branch...
They were neutral to begin with, so I'll stick with the previous plan: bring them in for a talk and see how it goes.
Whatever the outcome, as long as I have Uka in my grasp, Toka won't turn against me!
Thinking of this, Shimura Danzō couldn't help regretting yesterday's failed plan!
That old Second Elder had ruined the excuse that had practically been handed to me.
Who knew how long it would be before Uka walked right into my hands again!
There was no point hoping it would happen anytime soon!
Then should I be more proactive?
After a moment's thought, Shimura Danzō looked up at Owl across from him and said gravely, "Have 'Baku' take some men and bring Senju Uka to Root!"
"Make sure you keep it quiet. Don't alert too many people!"
"Yes!" the cat-masked middle-aged Root member replied.
"Ding-a-ling!"
The school bell rang right on time!
Yuhi Katsuyo called loudly to the students who were training, "You can go home now. Gather your things, and remember to prepare well for next month's assessment!"
"Okay, Sensei!"
"Okay!"
After receiving their replies, Yuhi Katsuyo waved to the students and left Training Ground Nine.
"Phew-!"
Sheathing his blade, Senju Uka let out a long breath and ended his afternoon training.
He couldn't use Wood Release in combination with it at school, so his practice was certainly far less effective. But after training hard all afternoon, he had still found a way to improve.
A few practices at home should be enough to get him using it at a basic level!
"Uka-kun, wipe your sweat!"
The gentle voice drew Senju Uka's attention to Furin, who was standing nearby with a towel and a smile.
He didn't refuse her kindness. Smiling, he took it and replied, "Thanks. I was just wondering how to deal with it!"
Seeing Uka accept it, Inuzuka Furin smiled, then picked up the Ninja Dog and schoolbag beside her.
After wiping off his sweat and packing up, Senju Uka called to his friends nearby, "Let's go. Time to head home!"
"Let's go, let's go!" Inuzuka Sawa, who had been resting nearby with a Ninja Dog perched on his head, sprang to his feet with a kip-up and shouted with a grin.
"Charge, charge, charge!"
A group of boys followed behind Aburame Kaun and charged toward Sawa.
As they caught up, they deliberately poked the lazy dog on his head, trying to make it fall off!
Amid the noisy shouts and barking, Senju Uka followed along with a smile.
When everyone ran off, Harumi and Kafumi imitated what had just happened, teasing their friend together.
"Wipe your sweat!"
"Thank you!"
"Hahaha...!"
"Woof... whine!"
With her schoolbag on her back and her face red, Inuzuka Furin held the mouth of the dog that was egging them on shut with one hand and chased after the two girls teasing her!
At the crossroads.
"See you, everyone! See you tomorrow!" Uka called to the friends who were about to split up.
"See you tomorrow, Uka and Harumi!"
"See you tomorrow, Harumi and Uka-kun!"
After saying goodbye, Senju Uka headed down the alley with Senju Harumi.
It was the quickest way home. They had already been at school for a year and a half, and if they could take a shortcut, they certainly wouldn't go even a minute out of their way!
"Harumi, what have you been doing over the break?" As they walked through the alley, he thought of what Chiharu had told him about that special place in the clan.
Having learned about the children from Relief Hall, where Harumi had grown up, Senju Uka had become more curious about them and felt more kindly toward them.
Their blood relatives had all died fighting for the Senju. He really wanted to know how the clan treated Relief Hall!
"Don't bring it up. It's all because of that grenade you invented. I didn't get to enjoy my break at all. Grandpa Raizan and Grandma Hatsuhana gave us ninjutsu lessons for the whole break!" Unaware of Uka's thoughts, Senju Harumi rolled her eyes at the big hole beside her and complained in frustration.
She hadn't had a very happy break. She had thought that after staying up late for a whole term, she'd finally be able to sleep in during the holidays.
Who knew that apart from the day of the gathering, she'd spend every day training in defensive ninjutsu!
Uh... Uka was at a loss for words. He wanted to say that he was a victim of the grenade too.
But wasn't all of this his own doing?
"You trained in... Be careful!" Just as he was about to change the subject, he caught sight of several people suddenly appearing ahead. He hurriedly pulled Harumi behind him.
Frowning at the three people dressed as Anbu, he asked, "What do you want?"
Those two kids were pretty alert!
The Root member at the front, wearing a cat mask, silently praised them.
Then he stepped forward and said, "Anbu 'Baku.' Senju Uka, come with us. Lord Danzō summons you!"
Anbu?
Baku?
Danzō?
Senju Uka cursed inwardly. If I hadn't transmigrated, I really would have believed your lies!
So the person above that Nara Tamaki mentioned yesterday was Danzō.
His aunt hadn't gone yesterday, so today they'd sent people to grab him directly?
Had Danzō grown a bear's gall?
Or had something changed today?
Although he didn't know what had happened today,
he knew he absolutely couldn't go wherever Danzō was!
While his thoughts raced, Senju Uka held Harumi's hand and gave it a few light squeezes.
Then he spoke to the one in charge of the three: "Sorry, please send the relevant documents to the Senju. If the clan agrees, they'll arrange for me to go over!"
"Captain, enough talk. If he won't come, just take him by force!" said the impatient Root member at the back, wearing a Bird-Beak Mask. Two kunai slid from his sleeve, and he charged at Uka.
He was confident in his Taijutsu. Why was the captain wasting so much time talking to a kid who wasn't even a Genin!
Seeing the Bird-Beak Mask move, Senju Uka immediately activated Chakra Coating. With the boost it gave him, he flung Senju Harumi backward with one hand.
"Go to the clan and get help!"
Thrown into the air by Senju Uka, Harumi adjusted her position and quietly formed Hand Seals, but shouted, "Uka, hold on!"
Seeing Senju Harumi airborne, Baku, at the head of the group, charged straight at her. They were not far from the Senju.
If she got away, it would be very difficult for the three of them to complete their mission!