Konoha Year 36
Root Headquarters
A Root shinobi wearing a cat-faced mask lowered his head respectfully.
"Lord Danzo Shimura, while disposing of the bodies, we discovered that one subject was not actually dead."
Danzo's visible eye narrowed.
"Not dead?"
"The bodies were examined by ANBU first before being handed over to us," he said coldly.
"Who survived?"
The masked Root shinobi replied, "Shawn."
Danzo rose instantly.
"Take me to him."
Shawn was a Root operative Danzo had personally trained, one of the first generation of shinobi cultivated directly by Root. This time, many Root members had been sent to participate in the Wood Release experiments—Shawn included.
Danzo had assumed complete annihilation.
Yet one survived—and even the ANBU had failed to notice.
If…
Danzo's heart burned with excitement.
Should this be reported to Hiruzen…?
The hesitation lasted only a moment. Soon, Danzo stood before the unconscious youth.
"No injuries at all?" Danzo murmured.
The masked shinobi explained,
"At first, he was identical to the other dead test subjects. But after we detected faint vital signs, we severed the branches that had grown inside his body. His wounds healed immediately, and his life signs kept strengthening."
"Self-healing…"
The joy in Danzo's eyes was impossible to conceal.
"This matter is classified as S-rank secrecy," he ordered sharply.
"Without my permission, no one is to speak of it."
The masked shinobi hesitated.
"But Lord Danzo… the Hokage—"
Danzo's gaze turned icy, killing intent erupting.
"I said—anyone."
The Root ninja stiffened.
"Yes, Lord Danzo!"
"Good."
Danzo gave Shawn one last look before turning away.
"Guard him closely. The moment he awakens, inform me immediately."
"Yes, Lord Danzo!"
When the door closed and their footsteps faded,
the young man lying on the bed slowly opened his eyes.
"So I transmigrated into the Naruto world… and of all things, became a Root shinobi," Shawn muttered.
"No future prospects. No money. Truly the worst possible start."
Danzo wasn't just a boss with no future—
he wasn't even a good boss.
Being his pawn meant dying sooner or later.
If I defect now, it might still be possible…
As the only survivor of the Wood Release experiment, Hiruzen Sarutobi would never ignore him.
But—
Shawn lowered his gaze and refined his chakra, attempting Wood Release's nature transformation.
It failed.
"So I didn't obtain Wood Release itself… but my physical strength has skyrocketed. My chakra reserves are at least ten times higher than before."
"Still, without Wood Release, my value drops sharply."
He frowned.
This was Konoha Year 36.
The Second Great Ninja War hadn't even begun.
At this time, the relationship between Hiruzen and Danzo wasn't nearly as fractured as it would become decades later.
Danzo's ambitions hadn't fully awakened. Root was still young.
Even the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal didn't exist yet.
"This is the period when Hiruzen and Danzo are working in close cooperation, jointly controlling Konoha after the death of the Second Hokage."
"Defection isn't the best option… it's not even a decent one."
Shawn thought deeply.
"And even if I joined Hiruzen's side—could I ever become Hokage?"
"No chance against the Sannin.
No chance against Minato and his space-time cheat."
A shinobi who doesn't dream of becoming Hokage is no true shinobi.
But if Hokage was nearly impossible…
"Then staying in Root… isn't completely unacceptable."
Shawn smiled faintly.
"At this stage, Danzo is Konoha's second-most powerful figure. Once Root becomes his private force, the authority it holds will be terrifying—like a shadow court ruling from behind the scenes."
If he couldn't become Hokage—
Then becoming the leader of Root wasn't bad at all.
No matter what, in this life, Shawn would never stand beneath anyone.
If there was no one above him—
He would climb to the top himself.
And it would all begin
with taking control of Root.
Just then, darkness washed over his vision.
The world shifted.
Above his field of view, a translucent status bar appeared.
Current Status: Immortality
Refresh Countdown: 04:32:32
Shawn's eyes widened.
"So that's why I survived the Wood Release experiment."
"Less than five hours left… then Immortality disappears."
A bold thought immediately formed.
Continue transplanting Hashirama cells.
If he gained Wood Release—perfect.
If not, more chakra or regeneration would still be worth it.
"I've already absorbed part of the cells' power while Immortal. Even after the status disappears, future transplants shouldn't be a problem."
Shawn stood up and pushed the door open.
"You're awake?" the masked Root ninja exclaimed.
"Stay here. I'll report to Lord Danzo immediately!"
Slap!
Shawn struck him across the face, sending him stumbling back. The mask nearly flew off.
"Do you think Lord Danzo should come see me?" Shawn snapped.
"I should be the one visiting him. Idiot—lead the way!"
The masked shinobi was stunned.
This bastard… he actually hit me?!
Killing intent surged—
Then vanished instantly.
This man was no longer the same.
Let alone killing him—even injuring a hair would earn Danzo's punishment.
"…Too arrogant," the masked shinobi cursed internally, but silently led the way.
Shawn didn't move.
"Hey."
"Since you realized your mistake, shouldn't you apologize? And thank me?"
The masked shinobi stopped. Veins bulged beneath the mask. The urge to stab Shawn with a kunai nearly overflowed.
He suppressed it.
Turning back, he bowed deeply.
"My sincerest apologies."
"Thank you for your guidance."
Satisfied, Shawn stepped forward and patted his shoulder.
"That's better, Nakamura-kun."
"Only by correcting your mistakes can you improve—and become a more reliable tool in Lord Danzo's hands."
Nakamura:
Shouldn't you be using my codename?
He didn't dare say it.
He was afraid of getting slapped again.