Chapter 182: The Will of Root, Only the Hokage Says What Goes
The agreed time of 10 o'clock had passed by ten minutes. Just as Shimura Danzo grew impatient and stood up to leave for home, his subordinate finally informed him that Uchiha Ryun had arrived at the Root headquarters.
Shimura Danzo suppressed his anger and sat back down in his chair.
Soon, Ryun was led by a Root ninja into a relatively enclosed room where he met the leader of Root, Shimura Danzo.
To be honest, Ryun disliked this environment because the Root headquarters made him feel unsafe. He understood the principle that a wise man does not put himself in danger, but he had no choice but to come tonight.
If a fight broke out in this place, given Ryun's current strength, escaping would be difficult. There were no weak ninjas in Root—almost every one was an elite selected from hundreds.
The reason Ryun dared to come tonight was mainly because he knew Danzo would not move against him during this sensitive period.
"I pay my respects to Lord Danzo..."
Ryun proactively bowed and saluted.
"You not only attacked my men but also arrived late for the time you yourself set. Is this how our Konoha hero behaves? Isn't this somewhat too arrogant?"
Danzo spoke expressionlessly, his tone revealing no emotion, but the words were clearly not friendly.
"My apologies..."
Ryun slightly lowered his head and admitted his mistake readily but offered no explanation.
Danzo coldly stared at him, while Ryun's eyes remained motionless, as if he was looking at nothing in particular. Both sides remained silent for a while, creating an eerie stillness in the room.
"Do you know what kind of organization Root is?"
After a long silence, Danzo asked calmly.
"I do..." Ryun nodded lightly.
"Oh? Then tell me." Danzo's tone carried a slight change in emotion.
"Konoha is like a healthy tree. The villagers are its leaves, the ninjas are its branches, the Hokage is its trunk, and Root... is equivalent to the tree's roots."
"The roots do not see light, but a healthy tree cannot lack the roots hidden underground that absorb nutrients."
Hearing this explanation, Danzo involuntarily nodded slightly, clearly very satisfied with Ryun's words.
Danzo was certain no one had ever said such things to him before, not even the Hokage. Yet this young man had such a "profound" understanding of Root. Danzo felt this person must approve of Root.
"Root is Konoha's most crucial underground organization. Root ninjas can accomplish what ordinary Konoha ninjas can, and they can also accomplish what Konoha ninjas cannot..."
"Anonymous, often undertaking tasks despised by others, silently dedicating themselves to Konoha without being understood, willingly hiding in the darkness—these are the ones who truly bear the weight for Konoha, the 'lifeblood of the tree.' This... is Root!"
After these words, both Ryun and Danzo unconsciously got goosebumps.
Ryun got goosebumps because he had disgusted himself...
Danzo got goosebumps because... he believed Ryun's glorifying words about Root!
Danzo had originally intended to ask Ryun about Root's nature, then explain the organization's purpose and greatness before inviting him to join.
Unexpectedly, Ryun's understanding of Root was even deeper than that of its founder.
If such a person joined Root, there would be no need for brainwashing. With this level of awareness, Danzo could easily control him...
"Who told you these words?" The suspicious Danzo couldn't help but ask.
"???"
A look of confusion appeared on Ryun's face, though inwardly he吐槽ed: This was what the 5.5-generation "Hokage" (Danzo) from the original story told me.
"Who would tell me such things? Of course, these are my own thoughts. Konoha has the 'Will of Fire' on the surface, but it also has the 'Will of Root' in the shadows. These two wills complement each other, one in the light and one in the dark. This is why Konoha is so prosperous today!"
"Clap, clap, clap..."
Ryun's "heartfelt words" made Danzo applaud in admiration.
"You are the first person to truly understand me with your heart, and the only one who could comprehend the 'Will of Root' without direct contact with Root!"
"Your words bring me great comfort. Come, work for me... child."
Danzo extended the invitation directly.
"..."
Ryun fell silent for a moment.
"What? You don't want to join Root? Were your earlier words just mocking me?" Danzo frowned, his gaze turning cold.
"Do you think I was making things up?" Ryun glanced at him and retorted.
"Then why refuse to join Root?"
Danzo didn't actually believe Ryun was joking or fabricating things to please him.
Insightful words required deep thought—improvised statements would inevitably have flaws. In Danzo's eyes, Ryun's words perfectly explained the "Will of Root." He must have some understanding and approval of Root.
"It's not that I don't want to, but that I can't..." Ryun said with a troubled expression.
"Reason?"
Danzo asked succinctly.
"With my abilities and current reputation, I'm not suited for development in Root. My role is more fitting for the frontlines. Moreover, the Third Hokage would never allow me to join Root..."
Ryun spoke plainly, even using the one person Danzo least wanted to hear as a shield.
"Why would the Hokage's permission be needed to join my Root? If I say you can, then you can." Danzo suppressed his anger and said in a low voice.
"I am, after all, the Third Hokage's disciple's student. It wouldn't be right to join Root without informing him. People would say I lack respect for my elders."
"Of course, if the Third Hokage permits me to join Root, I can report to you anytime. After all, it's all the same where I work—Root and ANBU are both core organizations serving Konoha. To me, there's no difference..."
Ryun smiled subtly, his words clearly implying:
Your authority is nothing compared to the Hokage's. If you want to transfer someone, you need the Hokage's approval first... If the Hokage says yes, then it's possible. If the Hokage says no, then your yes means nothing.
He didn't even need to bring up his teacher Orochimaru. Against someone like Danzo, the Third Hokage alone was enough...
Faced with the insurmountable "mountain" of the Hokage, Danzo could do nothing but rage helplessly.
Ryun could even imagine Danzo telling the Hokage, "You'll regret this," followed by the sound of a door slamming shut.
Hearing these words, Shimura Danzo's breathing noticeably quickened, his chest rising and falling visibly. However, years of self-control prevented him from losing his temper on the spot.
Besides, Ryun wasn't even the target of his anger... After all, Ryun had said that if the Hokage agreed, he would join. It didn't matter where he worked—he didn't reject Root.
The one stopping him from joining Root was Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, whose authority surpassed Danzo's!