"Jiraiya-sensei is very diligent," Naruto replied with a smile.
"Your Kekkei Genkai is very special. Have the Sages in the Summoning Realm been able to help you?" the Third asked amiably.
"Yes, the two Sages have given me some assistance. They've helped me gain a new understanding of my Kekkei Genkai," Naruto answered all of the Third's questions gently. (Whether his answers were true or false was up to the listener to judge.)
"Your Kekkei Genkai is rather unique. Neither the Summoning Realm nor Jiraiya has researched it deeply, so you still have to rely on yourself," the Third said, stroking his beard and nodding.
The strange turn in conversation made Naruto feel as if he had sensed something. He thus feigned helplessness and went along with it: "However, my current strength has also hit a bottleneck. Developing my Kekkei Genkai is still quite difficult, and most of the ninjutsu Jiraiya-sensei excels at aren't very useful to me."
"In that case, have you considered becoming Danzo's disciple? He is a Konoha Elder and controls Root; his strength is considerable," the Third said, feigning nonchalance.
They had had similar conversations before, and back then, Naruto could sense that the Third was unwilling to let him become Danzo's student. But now, it seemed from the Third's words that he hoped Naruto would have some interaction with Danzo.
The Third actually felt quite helpless himself. The rift between him and Danzo had widened considerably over the Hokage position, and someone needed to take the fall for the Konoha Crush incident. At the same time, a new Hokage with prestige was needed. Danzo's sinister personality made him unsuitable for the role. The Third understood that his old comrade had coveted the Hokage seat for a long time. So, while repeatedly denying him the chance to become Hokage, he also felt a little guilty.
To ease relations with Danzo and also to regain control over Root, he finally decided to let Naruto, an inheritor of the Will of Fire, join Root. He firmly believed that Naruto would not be influenced by Root. Because, after all, he was the Fourth Hokage's son!
"If Elder Danzo has researched Kekkei Genkai and can help me, I have no objection," Naruto nodded. "After this incident, I've come to understand that only by possessing great power can one bring 'peace' to Konoha."
Within a dark, hidden space deep inside Konoha. Countless masked Root ninja moved about. For a Root ninja, the most important thing was to conceal one's identity. And Root, true to its name, delved deep into Konoha's foundations, unknown to any villager, also serving as Konoha's most powerful intelligence organization. Since its establishment, Root had provided countless secret pieces of information to Konoha's upper echelons and ANBU.
In the deepest room, only a single dim lamp cast a yellow glow. A one-eyed old man sat in the center of the room, eyes closed in rest. He was the leader of the Root organization, Danzo Shimura.
Just moments ago, he had learned that Naruto was willing to join Root and become his disciple. A surge of excitement unexpectedly welled up in this solitary old man's long-cold heart. Even his perception of the Third had improved considerably.
"I want to see him immediately." He instantly ordered his subordinates to bring Naruto to him. He sat on his cold seat, his murky eyes gleaming with a strange light.
On the training grounds, Naruto was training with Sasuke and Sakura. Sasuke was bathed in lightning, continuously honing his Lightning Style chakra nature transformation. Sakura, meanwhile, was repeatedly slaughtering fish and then reviving them. Finally, she turned a mischievous gaze upon Sasuke.
"Sasuke, how about you let me beat you half to death, and then I'll heal you, okay?"
Hearing Sakura's words, Sasuke's face instantly filled with black lines. "What are you talking about?"
"It's good for you too! Repeatedly suffering severe injuries is how you grasp the chance to break your limits!" Sakura said, widening her eyes innocently. "Think about it, your cells can become more active under the stimulation of Lightning Style, and the threat of severe injury and pain can cause an adrenaline surge. In that situation, your body's lightning-infused cells might be able to better influence your body..." Sakura began spouting nonsense with wide eyes.
"Hiss... that actually sounds somewhat reasonable." Sasuke's eyes widened, a thoughtful expression on his face. He was actually a little tempted. And so, soon enough, Sasuke's miserable screams and Sakura's encouraging shouts could be heard:
"Hang in there, Sasuke! I'll heal you right away! Don't worry, next I'll just pound your chest a bit. It won't hurt! Even if it does, you'll just pass out from the pain. It's just for a moment, close your eyes, open them, and it'll be over! You have to hold on! This is also an excellent opportunity to train your willpower!"
"Damn it, Sakura—!"
Listening to Sasuke and Sakura's exaggerated noises, Naruto, who was cultivating his Reiatsu on the side, smiled faintly.
"Ahem, Naruto, I heard you're joining Root." Jiraiya, the wanderer who had been loitering around the bathhouses, also came over at this time to ask Naruto.
Seeing Naruto nod, Jiraiya couldn't help but sigh. He understood that Naruto had once again become a tool for politicians.
"Root is a bit shady, but you can still learn some things there," Jiraiya said, offering Naruto some advice after a moment's hesitation. "You can return to the Summoning Realm anytime. You should also go back occasionally to spend time with the two Sages, okay? They really like you," Jiraiya said, scratching his head with a goofy grin. He wasn't worried that Naruto's mind would be controlled by Root. Because by now, Naruto had already formed bonds with everyone. Besides, such a gentle personality couldn't be changed by simple brainwashing.
"I will," Naruto nodded.
Just then, a Root ninja wearing an animal mask arrived. "I am a Root ninja. I am under orders to take you to Lord Danzo."
After bidding farewell to Jiraiya and his comrades, Naruto followed the Root ninja to the Root headquarters.
"Naruto is going...?" Sakura looked puzzled.
"Naruto has joined Root," Jiraiya sighed. "In a few days, someone will replace Naruto on your team."
"Huh? How come? Why?!" Sakura and Sasuke's expressions changed, and they cried out in unison.
Meanwhile, Naruto followed a hidden passage to the Root headquarters. The masked ninja around him showed no reaction to a new face, repeating their tasks like emotionless robots.
Arriving at a room deep within, he pushed open the heavy door, which emitted a grating, teeth-setting-on-edge creak. A rotten stench assaulted his nostrils. Through the dim light, Naruto saw Danzo stand up and walk towards him, leaning on his cane. His steps were slow, his shadow stretching long behind him. Only when Danzo stood before him did Naruto clearly see the joy in his murky eyes.
"Welcome to Root. From now on, I will be your teacher, Uzumaki Naruto," Danzo said in a low voice, stopping in front of Naruto.
"Bang." The heavy door slammed shut, cutting off the light from outside.
Naruto looked at Danzo and offered a gentle, confident smile. "Please give me your guidance from now on, Danzo-sensei!"