Assistant to the Hokage

Ryoma had never witnessed such a scene before.

Kagura merely stood there, surrounded by a swarm of insects, which dropped off one by one, creating a thick layer of bugs on the ground. How could an enemy be so indifferent to being bitten by insects? Why did the insects he had raised end up so stuffed?

Ryoma had used her family's secret techniques to deal with many enemies. Whenever an enemy was caught in the swarm of insects under her control, they would be drained of their chakra and lose the ability to fight. But this time, things had gone wrong.

As Kagura had said, insects are ultimately just insects.

The chakra the insects could absorb was limited, and Ryoma's imagination was also limited. She never imagined that someone's chakra could be so abundant that the insects within him would lose their ability to function.

"Secret Technique: Bug Cocoon!"

Ryoma had other tricks up her sleeve.

The Aburame clan often faced the issue of insects not being enough during battle, so they developed a unique secret technique, using chakra to form a cocoon to hatch more bugs.

"Parasitic Insects: Hurricane!"

A swarm of insects turned into a tornado, heading towards Kagura!

"I told you…"

"Insects are ultimately just insects!"

Kagura stomped on the ground, shattering the floor beneath him, and his chakra surged!

The fluctuation of chakra from the boy made Ryoma feel an enormous sense of danger. The insects she had just hatched were helpless against the surge.

The hurricane-like swarm of insects froze as if blown away by a windstorm, scattering and slamming against the walls!

"This chakra…"

A cold sweat beaded on Ryoma's forehead.

For many years, Ryoma had never seen anyone whose chakra could simply surge to such an extent and create this kind of overwhelming power. The sheer strength of the chakra alone was something Ryoma had never encountered!

This kid…

Was a terrifying individual!

Just as Ryoma was still amazed, she saw Kagura's body suddenly turn into a black shadow and charge at her. Alarmed, Ryoma quickly dodged!

"He seems to lack proper combat technique…"

Ryoma observed the boy's clumsy attacks and felt a little more at ease: "Although his chakra is incredibly powerful, he has never undergone formal ninja training."

It had to be said that this kid had decent talent, but there was still a long way to go before he could become a formidable force in the Root organization.

"Little brat…"

"Ninja combat isn't just about chakra…"

Ryoma relaxed and quietly appeared at Kagura's side, slamming his elbow down hard on his shoulder and neck!

Kagura felt intense pain in his shoulder! However, when he turned to face her, Ryoma had already sidestepped and was now in front of the boy, kicking him squarely in the chest!

Kagura was sent flying!

Ryoma leapt after him, grabbing the boy by the neck and slamming him into the wall: "Now… will you behave?"

"…"

The boy's face broke into a strange smile.

This bizarre smile made Ryoma's heart tighten! Could this kid have another battle technique? Now that she had controlled the boy, was he going to use ninjutsu to fight back?

Crack!

A tear appeared in Kagura's clothes!

A sharp wooden spike suddenly shot out from his body, piercing Ryoma's shoulder!

This was…

A technique without hand seals!

The Wood Release Kekkei Genkai's wooden spikes weren't cast with ninjutsu but grew directly from the user's body.

Ryoma immediately recognized the danger!

She wasn't afraid of a single wooden spike, but she had seen this boy use such spikes to catch fish. She knew how dangerous this spike could be!

This wooden spike…

It would grow inside his body!

Even though the spike was only in his shoulder, if it began branching out inside her, it could easily pierce through her entire body!

To escape this threat, Ryoma had to either stop the boy from forming hand seals or quickly pull out the wooden spike!

However…

It was too late!

Boom!

Taking advantage of Ryoma's distraction, Kagura slammed his elbow into the wall and used the momentum to send Ryoma flying!

"Wood Release: Insert…"

Kagura raised his finger!

"I surrender!"

Ryoma quickly raised her palm!

This kid was no meek, cowardly character!

Ryoma had witnessed firsthand that this boy took pleasure in ending lives. It would be too humiliating to die by this boy's hand.

"Sorry, senior…"

Kagura smiled warmly: "From now on, we'll do things separately. You'll call me 'Kagura-dono'."

"…"

Ryoma was speechless.

A newcomer, on his first day, was already trying to ride over his head?

As the loser, Ryoma couldn't really refute. At least the boy called him "senior," which was a small sign of respect.

Kagura, still smiling, asked, "Senior, I've been so respectful, don't you want to call me 'Kagura-dono'?"

"…"

Ryoma's face flushed with embarrassment. "That would go against Root's will…"

"Root's will…"

Kagura slowly shook his head, his smile becoming more innocent: "Root's will means nothing to me. Danzo-sama's will is what matters most…"

"…"

This kid actually understands!

Ryoma had to admit, the boy had hit the nail on the head!

"However…"

Ryoma still felt uneasy and tried to explain: "Danzo-sama's will is Root's will, and Root's will…"

"Root's will is just an extension of Danzo-sama's will!"

Kagura interrupted her, retorting: "Danzo-sama's will is Root's will, but Root's will is not necessarily Danzo-sama's will… According to your logic, we obey Danzo-sama's orders. Does that mean Danzo-sama should follow our orders?"

"You're right…"

Ryoma felt her mind short-circuit. She tried to prove his point: "But, Root and Danzo-sama are one…"

Kagura, discontented, stared at Ryoma, responding: "We are not one with Danzo-sama, we are just his subordinates. We can sacrifice ourselves for Danzo-sama… but should Danzo-sama sacrifice himself for us?"

"Of course not."

Ryoma quickly shook her head.

Although Ryoma still felt something was off, she couldn't refute Kagura's point. This kid made a lot of sense…

In her heart, Ryoma began to feel… this boy was more loyal to Danzo-sama than herself, a longtime bodyguard for Danzo-sama.

"Alright, stop thinking about it."

Kagura waved his hand, glancing at the messy room, and said: "Take me to see Danzo-sama, and arrange a room for me tonight. Make sure there's a bed."

"Understood."

Ryoma nodded.

This senior member of Root felt that such a small matter was not against principle.