Assistant to the Hokage

The rules of the ninja world are harsh.

Even a child is merely a tool for the ninja.

During the Ninja World War, various ninja villages sent children as young as six into battle, all in the name of victory. This was not uncommon.

The only ones who had a slight sense of decency…

Were perhaps the parents of Naruto Uzumaki, who were heroes.

Naruto's father, Minato Namikaze, was the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, and his mother, Kushina Uzumaki, was the previous host of the Nine-Tails.

During the Nine-Tails attack, the couple sacrificed themselves to protect Konoha.

They might have believed that the village would care for their orphaned child.

After all, Minato was the Fourth Hokage, and he had a close relationship with the Third Hokage. Over the years, he had many comrades in the village.

They might have also believed that Konoha would protect the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. After all, Kushina was the previous Jinchuriki and had been well-protected by the village, rarely experiencing any discrimination or exclusion.

Regardless, both of them were now dead.

Only their child, Naruto Uzumaki, was left to face this world, constantly exposed to the dangers that could strike at any moment.

"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki…"

"The most ferocious Tailed Beast in the world…"

"Also the most powerful weapon of war!"

Danzo Shimura put down the newly born list in his hand and muttered coldly to himself: "If Wood Release can suppress the Nine-Tails… then we can implement a true Nine-Tails Jinchuriki training plan and turn the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki into Konoha's sharpest weapon!"

Danzo's ambitions were simple:

First, to become Hokage and reach the peak of his life; second, for Konoha to unify the ninja world and rise to the top.

Unfortunately,

Neither of these ambitions had been achieved. With Danzo's increasing age, these ideals were close to turning into dreams.

However, great ideals must always take the first step. Danzo remembered the Akihara Kagura he had brought back from Orochimaru and felt a surge of excitement!

As long as this child's Wood Release talent was strong enough, he could find a way to eliminate Hiruzen Sarutobi and help him ascend to the Hokage position. Then, using this child's Wood Release, he could forge the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki into a war machine, utilizing the Nine-Tails' power to start a ninja world war and unify the ninja world!

Now…

It was time to take the first step!

The first step was to test Akihara Kagura's Wood Release talent!

Knock, knock, knock…

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in."

Danzo called for the person to enter.

"Yes, Lord Danzo."

Ryoma and Kagura walked in.

Danzo looked up, and immediately saw that Ryoma had bandages wrapped around her shoulder. He instinctively furrowed his brows.

"Ryoma, you're injured?"

"This is…"

Ryoma hesitated, unsure how to explain.

"I injured her," Kagura interrupted Ryoma, speaking up. "The room senior arranged for me wasn't comfortable, so she helped me loosen my bones, and I helped her with some bloodletting."

"…"

Ryoma couldn't help but glance sideways.

"…"

Danzo's expression was not pleased.

"Ryoma."

"Don't indulge in momentary comfort."

After scolding, Danzo suddenly remembered something and asked sharply, "Did the two of you have a conflict… who won?"

"Senior helped me get a more comfortable room," Kagura responded casually, "It's just a minor injury, nothing to worry about. I wanted to see Lord Danzo quickly, but senior insisted on dressing the wound first…"

"…"

Ryoma's eye twitched.

Was this kid speaking like a human?

Although seeing Lord Danzo sooner was indeed important, there wasn't a particularly critical task today. Moreover, when they came here, they were just getting some bandages. How was that unreasonable?

"…"

Danzo began to feel that something was off.

Logically speaking, Ryoma was fine, but what Akihara Kagura said made sense — not coming to see him immediately to dress the wound…

Root…

Everything should be based on his will.

The members of Root…

Would sacrifice their lives for the mission…

Ryoma had always been his bodyguard, and her missions had been becoming easier, to the point where she could no longer even tolerate a minor injury?

No, this wasn't right!

The key issue wasn't that!

The key issue was that this kid defeated Ryoma!

Even though Ryoma's reputation wasn't high, and she specialized in infiltration and intelligence gathering, she was still a seasoned Konoha Jonin. Yet, she had lost to a child!

Danzo's heart stirred as his gaze fixed on the boy in front of him. He stood up, about to say something, but suddenly stopped.

"Ryoma, go to the Land of Water."

"Perhaps you've become too comfortable being by my side."

"You seem to have forgotten that a ninja does not fear sacrifice."

Danzo turned to Ryoma and spoke in a deep voice, "I remember that you are the best at infiltration in Root. Go investigate the situation in the Land of Water and find out what conspiracy is hidden in the Hidden Mist Village."

"Yes, Lord Danzo."

Ryoma accepted the task but then looked up, wanting to explain to Danzo that she wasn't the kind of person who avoided danger.

"I…"

"Lord Danzo!"

Akihara Kagura interrupted Ryoma, saying, "How about you give this mission to me? I haven't done anything for Lord Danzo yet!"

"No need."

Danzo shook his head and continued, "This mission is too dangerous and too early for you. Your Wood Release bloodline is more important than anything else…"

"Since you've already defeated Ryoma, it proves your strength surpasses her. For now, you will stay by my side as my personal guard, and I'll teach you the will of Root…"

Danzo spoke as he slowly stood up, leaning on the table, "Let's go to the training ground. I'll teach you a new Wood Release jutsu…"

"Yes."

Akihara Kagura quickly followed.

"…"

Ryoma stood at the door, watching the two of them leave, a look of confusion in her eyes.

What exactly happened here?

Never mind.

Ryoma stopped thinking about it.

Once she returned from the mission in the Land of Water, time would prove everything. Lord Danzo would realize that she was never the kind of ninja who feared death.

On the bridge,

The boy followed the old man calmly and focused.

Even though Root members always obeyed Danzo's will, they were never the same person, and their different paths would lead to divergence through their words and actions.

It was destined from the start.

Because Danzo would never fully trust Root members. If he did, he wouldn't have placed the cursed tongue seal on them to prevent them from leaking information.