Chapter 34: Danzō and Root
Konoha, Root Headquarters.
Outside an interrogation room, two ninja were chatting.
"Hey, Sahara, did you hear? Those genin got a raise. I wonder when we'll get one. I don't even have the money to buy the latest autographed collector's edition of Make-Out Paradise."
Sahara put down the kunai he was polishing, his face a mask of shock. "Wait, we're in Root... we get paid?"
He turned to his partner, lowering his voice. "I always thought we just worked out of a noble spirit of selfless devotion to Konoha..."
His partner was silent for a moment, then grimly pulled a crumpled slip of paper from his pouch. "Look. This is last month's stipend. It says: Monthly Stipend: 500 Ryo."
Sahara stared at the paper, his gaze going blank. "Five hundred Ryo? That's not even enough for one round of yakiniku!"
"Shh! Keep it down!" his partner hissed, looking around nervously. "I heard Lord Danzō is on a 'Will of Root' spiritual drive, promoting a life of austerity..."
Just then, a soft cough came from the shadows.
Both men instantly snapped to attention, cold sweat breaking out.
Torune Aburame stepped out of the darkness, pushing up his glasses. "What are you discussing?"
Sahara swallowed. "R-Report, Lord Torune! We were just discussing... how to better practice the Will of Root!"
Torune was silent for a moment, then suddenly lowered his voice. "Actually..."
He looked both ways, and after confirming no one was watching, he pulled a copy of Make-Out Paradise from his sleeve. "Here. I have a secondhand copy. You can take turns. Just don't let Lord Danzō find out."
Sahara and his partner stared, wide-eyed. "Lord Torune, you..."
Torune pushed his glasses up, the lenses flashing. "Remember, read it with a critical eye. And when you're done, burn it with the official Will of Root Fire Style."
Sahara and his partner looked at each other, then down at the worn-out book. On the inside cover, in neat handwriting, was an inscription:
"Danzō's personal annotation: This is poison that corrodes the will of a shinobi. Confiscated. —P.S. The posture on page 37 is worthy of research."
Just then, a voice came from the interrogation room. "I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!"
Sahara and his partner tensed, both looking toward the room.
"He broke already?" Sahara muttered. "I thought that guy was a tough one..."
"Tough?" his partner replied. "In Root, there's no such thing."
A moment later, a shinobi emerged, respectfully handing Torune a blood-stained scroll. "Lord Torune. It's all in here."
"Good." He took the scroll and headed for Danzō's office.
Halfway down the hall, he turned back. "Remember to burn it."
Sahara and his partner nodded frantically. The interrogator, however, looked confused.
"Burn it? Burn what? The prisoner?"
Danzō's Office.
Danzō looked at the scroll. It detailed the "reactionary's" plans, as well as his memories of the future.
"Ridiculous. They think they can overthrow us and make that woman Tsunade the Hokage... all based on some ethereal 'memory'."
Danzō contemptuously tossed the scroll aside.
He had also seen Kakashi's report, and he scoffed at the events it claimed were to come.
The Konoha Crush... Nagato's assault... Obito Uchiha, returned from the dead, attempting to cast an "Infinite Tsukuyomi" to control the entire shinobi world.
It was all utter fantasy. Especially the part about Obito. As long as he was alive, it was an impossibility.
"But, since they've played their hand, we must respond. Torune, find some rogue ninja. Test their mettle."
"Rogue ninja? Not our own men?" Torune asked, confused.
"Lord Danzō, this matter involves Tsunade's new faction and special targets. By standard procedure, this should be handled by Root's elite to ensure minimum cost, maximum secrecy, and highest efficiency. Using outside rogue ninja... it's a waste of resources, and our control over them will be limited..."
He hesitated, clearly confused by this uncharacteristic "generosity."
After all, saving money and maximizing the use of his own personnel were Danzō's iron-clad rules.
"It's better this way. If they fail, there's no trace back to us. If they succeed, we gain intel. Whether we're borrowing a blade or framing someone, the result is advantageous either way."
"As for the candidate..." Danzō tapped his cane on the floor, running through a list of names.
Suddenly, one came to mind.
"I recall Kakashi's report mentioned a man named Zabuza. He's currently in the Land of Waves, acting as muscle for a local tycoon named Gatō."
"Choose him. Contact him. Have him make his appearance... early. I'm very curious to see the looks on their faces when an 'unexpected' variable appears at this time and place."
"As for the timing? Next Tuesday. I will assign them the perfect mission."
As Danzō's long-time subordinate, Torune instantly understood.
By introducing a key figure from the "future" ahead of schedule, he wasn't just disrupting their 'timeline,' but also testing the ninja's reactions.
It would not only verify if their so-called future memories were real, but more importantly, it would expose their hidden strengths and secrets, allowing him to prepare for the future.
"Understood, my lord," Torune said, all doubt gone. "I will make the arrangements immediately."
He bowed and retreated silently into the shadows.
Danzō was left alone. He took a secret letter from his desk, preparing to open it.
It had appeared on his desk three days ago. No markings, no information. Just the words "For Danzō."
Normally, he had no interest in such things. Curiosity was a fatal weakness in a power struggle. He rejected all suspicious items.
But his conversation with Torune had given him an idea.
If there are reactionaries helping Tsunade rise, could there not also be loyalists helping me?
Danzō held the letter to the candlelight, checking for poison or seals. Seeing none, he broke the seal with his fingernail.
He unrolled the paper. It recorded his life's story:
Danzō. Konoha's shortest-reigning Hokage.
Possesses the Sharingan and Wood Style.
Died during the Five Kage Summit.
If you wish to change this fate, stand on the Hokage Monument tomorrow, spin in a circle three times, and I will provide further information.
P.S. No one knows the full details except me.
"Ridiculous. The person who can trick Danzō Shimura has not yet been born."
He sneered, holding the letter to the candle until it was ash.
"It seems... this game is even more interesting than I thought."