Just after arriving home.
Before Tenya could even relax, a figure suddenly appeared by the window.
The person wore a fox mask, his entire body concealed in a black cloak—a standard Anbu outfit.
Why would Konoha's Anbu be looking for me?
Tenya wondered silently.
He had just returned from the Third Hokage, so it didn't make sense for him to send Anbu after him.
This visiting Anbu member's origin was unmistakable.
He was likely from Danzo's Root.
As for the purpose of this Root member's visit, Tenya didn't even need to ask; he already knew the answer.
It was undoubtedly an invitation to join the Root.
"Gekkou Tenya, Lord Danzo requests your presence. Come with me!"
Just as expected, Danzo's recruitment had arrived.
Not long ago, Orochimaru personally came to recruit him.
Not only was Orochimaru sincere, but he also offered substantial benefits.
The A-rank sword technique scroll still on his person was the best proof of that.
Now, look at Danzo, who only sent a Root member and did so with a rather coercive attitude, as if Tenya was already his subordinate.
This condescending attitude made Tenya quite displeased.
"I wonder what Lord Danzo wants with me?"
Tenya didn't move, his tone indifferent.
"You'll find out when you come with me." The Root member didn't answer Tenya directly, instead urging him, "Don't keep Lord Danzo waiting. Come with me now, or if Lord Danzo gets angry, it won't be something you or I can handle!"
Tenya still had no intention of moving.
Danzo was inviting him to join the Root. Not only did he not come in person, but he also expected Tenya to obediently go to the Root. This was impossible.
Now, Danzo was trying to recruit him, not the other way around.
Frankly, Tenya saw no need to heed this invitation.
Besides, he was already Orochimaru's direct Jounin, making it even less likely he would join Danzo's Root.
The Root was nominally an extension of the Hokage's power but had become Danzo's private military force.
The darkness there was not something most could endure, and life and death were controlled by Danzo.
This was something Tenya could not accept.
Instinctively repelled by such a place, Tenya would never join such an organization.
Previously, he might have worried about the consequences of rejecting Danzo.
But now, with the strength of a regular Jounin, he essentially had the ability to protect himself.
Additionally, his current status as Orochimaru's direct Jounin gave him even more confidence.
Even if he refused Danzo's invitation, it wouldn't be a big deal.
"You can leave now. I don't have the time."
Tenya thought for a moment, then directly refused the Root member's invitation.
"What did you say?" The Root member in the fox mask looked at Tenya in disbelief. "You dare to refuse Lord Danzo's invitation?"
Before Tenya could respond, the Root member continued, "Do you know what consequences you'll face for refusing Lord Danzo?"
Tenya was silent for a moment, then calmly said, "I don't know what consequences will follow from refusing Lord Danzo, but I do know one thing: there's no subordinate relationship between Lord Danzo and me. He cannot command me, and I have the right to refuse his invitation."
Finally, Tenya added, "Besides, I am now Orochimaru-sama's direct Jounin. I won't join the Root. If there's nothing else, you can leave."
"Hmph!" The Root member snorted coldly, his tone turning hostile, "What if I insist on taking you to see Lord Danzo?"
"Then you'll have to see if you have the skill to do so."
Tenya's gaze remained calm, but his grip on his sword tightened.
The tension between them grew.
At a certain moment, both moved simultaneously.
Boom!
Tenya was slightly faster, kicking the Root member directly out.
After retreating more than ten meters, the Root member finally steadied himself.
Standing in the courtyard, they looked at each other without saying a word.
Reaching this point, words were unnecessary.
"Everyone says you performed exceptionally in the Chuunin Exams. I'd like to see how skilled you really are." The Root member drew a blade from his back, his tone icy, "If you lose any parts, don't blame me for not warning you."
Before he finished speaking, the opponent turned into a blur, charging at Tenya, his blade slashing towards Tenya's vital points.
Slash!
The sword light flashed, slicing through Tenya's afterimage.
Clang!
Immediately after, a fierce collision resounded as the Root member staggered back, unable to withstand the impact.
His sword-wielding hand trembled uncontrollably as if it had suffered a significant blow.
In that strike, Tenya used the newly unlocked technique "Smasher Fang." The effect was better than expected.
Seeing the Root member almost lose his grip on his sword, Tenya chuckled softly, "Want to continue?"
Barely recovering, the Root member looked at Tenya more cautiously.
The opponent's strength was formidable; it was no wonder he could defeat the elite ninjas from the four major villages.
However, returning empty-handed would make it hard to explain to Lord Danzo.
Gritting his teeth, the Root member attacked Tenya again.
This time, his assault seemed even fiercer, his moves carrying a faint killing intent.
Meanwhile, Tenya remained calm.
No matter how ferocious the opponent's attacks were, they couldn't break Tenya's defense.
Every attack from the Root member was either intercepted or easily dodged by Tenya.
As the battle continued, they had exchanged dozens of blows.
Mostly, the Root member was on the offensive, while Tenya either defended or evaded, rarely counterattacking.
Yet, despite this, the Root member couldn't even touch Tenya's clothes, let alone injure him.
"Just this?"
Tenya was somewhat disappointed.
The opponent's swordsmanship was far inferior to his; he hadn't even taken it seriously.
Seeing this, the Root member changed tactics.
"Nirvana Temple Technique!"
Suddenly, Tenya's vision changed, and countless white feathers fell from the sky. A wave of drowsiness hit him, making his eyelids heavy. He wanted to sleep immediately.
"Genjutsu?"
"Mind Zen, activate!"
Tenya entered the Mind Zen state, instantly dispelling the white feathers, restoring his vision.
"You're not affected?"
The Root member was astonished.
"What could happen? It's just a genjutsu; it can't harm me!" Tenya said, smiling lightly, "Want to try again?"
The Root member fell silent.
In just a few exchanges, he realized this young man was far more formidable than he had imagined.
Continuing to fight would only be self-humiliation.
No wonder Lord Danzo valued him!
Unfortunately, they were too late.
Now Gekkou Tenya was already Orochimaru-sama's man.
It seemed today's task from Lord Danzo was destined to fail.
The Root member gave Tenya a deep look and disappeared after a few flashes.
"I wonder what Danzo will do after this failed recruitment?"
Tenya thought silently.
Regardless of any schemes or plots Danzo might have.
Tenya didn't care about any of them!
His only concern was his own strength.
With enough power, any conspiracy or plot would crumble before him.
With his current strength still lacking, he needed to reach Kage-level power to disregard all of Danzo's machinations.
He had to keep working hard.
Root Base.
A Root member in a fox mask knelt before Danzo.
Danzo had already been informed of what had happened.
However, he said nothing.
"Unfortunately, we were a step too late!" Danzo sighed inwardly, his eyes gleaming, "But do you think being Orochimaru's direct Jounin means I can't deal with you?"
"Hehehehe…"