Just as Kakashi, feeling cornered, was about to perform a Substitution Jutsu, a sharp thunk-thunk rang out from behind him—
The sound of metal blades piercing a wooden log.
Immediately after came Uchiha Jiyue's voice, tinged with concern.
"Kakashi-senpai, are you alright?"
Seeing Jiyue rush up the tree toward him—barely finding his footing before hurrying closer—Kakashi suddenly began to doubt his earlier assumptions.
If this kid had truly fallen into darkness… then those blades triggered by the trap should have been aimed at me.
But they weren't…
He's probably like I was back then—
Avoiding burdening others with misfortune, and deliberately steering clear of people's concern.
Lowering his forehead protector, Kakashi unexpectedly thought of his old friend Might Guy.
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he murmured inwardly:
Still, Jiyue… the care of your comrades isn't something so easily avoided.
Pulling himself back to the moment, Kakashi gave the boy a solid thump on the head.
"Of course I'm not fine!"
"You nearly killed me, you little brat!"
"Ow! Kakashi-senpai, go easy! What if you damage my brilliant brain—then I'll never be able to find a wife…"
Jiyue knew the Third Hokage and Danzō were surely watching them through the Telescope Technique, so he made a point of acting full of "Will of Fire" spirit.
"So… does that mean I passed the test?"
"Not so fast. Before I announce the results, Jiyue—come with me somewhere."
Amused, Kakashi didn't give the boy a chance to refuse and pulled him northward.
Five minutes later.
Kakashi brought Jiyue to the Memorial Stone.
The stone's ink-dark surface stood silent in the glow of the setting sun. Kakashi's voice dropped low.
"Actually… I was here earlier this afternoon. Every time I come here, I can't help but keep blaming the foolish version of myself from back then…"
Falling silent for a long moment, Kakashi seemed lost in memories tinged with grief. Eventually, he spoke again:
"Jiyue, I'm not against you seeking revenge… but aside from revenge, don't you have any other goals?"
"Me?"
Jiyue had never considered such a question before. His eyes reflected only confusion.
"Yes."
Kakashi smiled gently.
Jiyue turned to face the memorial stone, saying nothing.
If my father hadn't died at Itachi's hands… when he passed away naturally someday, would he have been buried here among these heroes?
Drip… drip…
Before long, rain began to fall.
Kakashi was nowhere to be seen.
Something shifting within him, Jiyue opened his blood-red eyes, cradled his head, and sprinted toward Training Ground Three.
Through the pounding curtain of rain—
He spotted a wooden pavilion erected in the clearing, and beneath it stood the Third Hokage and Danzō.
"Lord Hokage, I succeeded."
Stepping inside, Jiyue spoke with excitement.
"Kakashi already told me."
The Third Hokage's wrinkled face wore a warm smile.
"Well done, Jiyue."
Danzō, at his side, gave Jiyue a look of approval.
"You are indeed excellent, boy. But don't grow arrogant—the ninja world is vast, and there are countless people stronger than you."
"I am honored by your teaching, Lord Danzō."
Jiyue bowed deeply.
This surprised Danzō.
In his impression, the Uchiha were proud and insular, rarely lowering their heads to outsiders, much less bowing.
This made him appreciate Jiyue all the more.
Excellent… it seems I've caught his interest, the Third Hokage thought, noting his old friend's reaction and feeling inward relief.
It had been a delicate game, but at last, success seemed close at hand.
If Danzō took Jiyue into the Root, then Hiruzen would have an ear inside that organization.
"Jiyue," the Hokage asked, "would you like to join the ANBU?"
"ANBU?"
Jiyue tilted his head in feigned puzzlement.
Smiling, Hiruzen explained:
"The ANBU—founded by my teacher, the Second Hokage—is an assassination and tactical unit. Their duties include guarding the Hokage, preventing enemy infiltration, and eliminating key enemy targets. How about it—interested?"
"I…"
Jiyue had barely opened his mouth when—
"Hold on, boy," Danzō interrupted.
"How about joining my Root?"
If he were here, he wasn't going to pass up the chance to try.
"Root? And what's that?"
Jiyue looked curious again.
Danzō's tone grew solemn.
"Those in Root have no names, no emotions, no past, no future. They are the unseen hands that support the great tree of Konoha from the shadows."
"If they have none of those things," Jiyue asked without hesitation, "then what do they have?"
Danzō: "…"
It was such an odd question that it left him momentarily at a loss.
"Well… how should I put it… perhaps—"
Seeing the boy frown, both Danzō and Hiruzen grew tense.
Damn! they both thought—
Each was afraid the other might win him over first.
Danzō quickly placed a firm hand on Jiyue's left shoulder.
"Resources! Root has a vast store of resources. If you come to my Root, I will spare no effort in cultivating you."
"Really?"
Jiyue seemed tempted.
But Hiruzen knew that alone wouldn't be enough—he needed to throw in something that would convince Danzō Jiyue had no ties left to the Hokage.
So he placed his hand on Jiyue's right shoulder and declared:
"Anything Danzō can give, I can give too! And I'm willing to break precedent and take you as my disciple."
Shameless!
Danzō nearly swore aloud.
He, too, could take Jiyue as a disciple, but between being the Hokage's student and being the student of a mere elder, which would anyone choose?
"Hmm… then I'll join…"
Jiyue's hesitant voice made both men hold their breath—
But their thoughts were moving in opposite directions.
Then Danzō pressed on:
"Hiruzen is a dove. If you suffer injustice, he may not stand up for you. But I'm not like that—if anyone dares bully you, I'll cut them down myself!"
"In that case," Jiyue said smoothly, "I choose to join Lord Danzō's Root."
Got him!
The Third Hokage covered his chest, letting out a long sigh.
Another round like this, and he might not have survived—
But judging by Danzō's reaction, it seemed he suspected nothing.
So in the end, it wasn't a loss.
In fact… perhaps even a small gain.
Excellent!
For his part, Danzō was thrilled.
At last, he had beaten Hiruzen at something!
Seeing the Hokage's darkened expression, Danzō's smile grew even wider.
He preferred youths like Jiyue—practical, not lofty.
Otherwise, how could he outmaneuver Hiruzen, that master manipulator?
"Good, good, good!"
Once the Hokage left, Danzō said it three times over, brimming with satisfaction.
"From today, you'll be with me. Konoha's Root will not treat you poorly."
Since Jiyue had awakened the Sharingan, Danzō immediately gave him the highest treatment available within the Root.
"As for your codename—let's call you 'Alpha.'"
"Thank you for your generosity, Lord Danzō!"
"No—we'll be making each other stronger."
Lifting the boy from his bow, Danzō gazed toward the distant Hokage Rock with a smile.
"With you, my coming plans will be all the more certain."
And so—
Danzō, the Third Hokage, and Uchiha Jiyue were now all players within the same game.
Only one question remained—
Whose hand would seize victory?
Author's Note:
This battle's tactics are a tribute (read: copy) to Sasuke's style. As for why Danzō would recruit the protagonist, think of why the Second Hokage took Uchiha Kagami as a student. With Shisui and Itachi as precedents, and Jiyue being so young, a man like Danzō, as Root's leader, would have the confidence to bet on him.