"You're recovering well. You can prepare for discharge."
Tsunade leaned over, carefully inspecting Night's condition. A faint fragrance drifted from her, causing Night to zone out slightly.
Combined with her professional attire (white coat over her usual outfit), his heartbeat involuntarily quickened.
It had been over three months since they returned from the Rain Country battlefield.
Compared to Night, Nawaki and Shibi's injuries were minor. They had been discharged and sent home to recover weeks ago.
Especially Nawaki—thanks to his Senju physique, he was bouncing off the walls in less than a week. Tsunade had to physically restrain him in the hospital for an extra two weeks just to be safe.
As for Night, his bones had fully healed. His meridians, under Tsunade's meticulous care, had recovered to about 60-70%.
But whether they would fully recover... according to Tsunade, it was up to fate. Though she did praise his physique, calling his recovery ability one of the strongest she had ever seen.
"Night-nii! We came to visit!"
Nawaki and Shibi walked into the ward carrying fruit. Seeing Tsunade there, Nawaki toned down his volume.
"Sis."
"Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade nodded to them.
"Perfect timing. I was just about to be discharged. Lying here any longer would have driven me crazy," Night replied with a smile.
"That's great! We're treating you to dinner tonight to celebrate your recovery!" Nawaki proposed immediately.
Night had no objections. To protect his secrets, he had fully cooperated with Tsunade's treatment (though he admittedly enjoyed the process).
But per her orders, he had been eating bland hospital food for months. His stomach was desperate for something flavorful.
His battlefield promotion mission was indisputably complete. The mission report had been submitted by Nawaki and the others. Night just needed to register at the Hokage Tower to receive his Chunin flak jacket.
From their conversation, Night learned that the Stone ninjas had retreated from the Rain Country.
The official story was that they retreated to reduce casualties and train the new Five-Tails Jinchuriki. In reality, Konoha knew through their spy network that the Stone had lost the Five-Tails.
Although Night found the Stone's stubborn denial amusing, both major nations tacitly accepted this version of events to end the conflict.
With the Stone out, the Sand Village couldn't hold on alone and was already suing for peace and offering reparations. The Second Great Ninja War was effectively over, save for a few minor skirmishes.
The victory came at a heavy cost, but Konoha's prestige—and that of the Third Hokage, who led them to victory—reached its peak.
Stepping out of the Konoha Hospital, Night felt like he had returned from another world. Without the smell of antiseptic, he felt a little unaccustomed to the fresh air.
He didn't rush home. Instead, he wandered around the village, marveling at the speed of post-war recovery.
As victors, the villagers wore proud smiles. Many shops even hung banners: "Celebrating Victory! Storewide Sale!"
As he walked, a figure suddenly blocked his path. It was a ninja wearing an animal mask, dressed similarly to the ANBU.
But the robotic coldness radiating from him gave his identity away instantly.
"What do you want?"
Night didn't bother being polite to ROOT. Their attitude was the same regardless.
"Lord Danzo invites you."
The ROOT ninja's emotionless voice surprised Night.
They were being... polite? He had planned to ignore them, but this attitude made him suspicious.
"Is this the 'courtesy before force' tactic?" Night thought. "Trick me into the base, then tell me my crimes have been exposed and I should repent in prison for the rest of my life?"
But confident in his strength, he followed. He wanted to see what Danzo was plotting.
Although it wasn't his first time in ROOT, it was his first time entering through the front door.
After passing several layers of overt and covert checkpoints, he entered the base.
The interior looked the same as before. No visible structural changes, except for the busy ROOT ninjas everywhere.
On the way to the depths, he even ran into the genuine Nobumasa Shimura. Seeing that cold face, identical to Danzo's, Night lamented that scourges really do live a thousand years.
"Lord Danzo. Night Namikaze has been brought."
The guide knocked respectfully on the door of the deepest office.
The door opened slowly, and Danzo's voice came from within: "Enter."
Stepping inside, Night felt a momentary disorientation. The decor was completely different.
It was no longer a replica of the Hokage's office. The layout was now extremely simple, even shabby.
Perhaps Danzo really believed Hiruzen was warning him, so he made these changes to show humility.
Or maybe, as Night suspected (and caused), Danzo was just broke after being cleaned out.
"Lord Danzo."
Night greeted him with feigned respect, controlling his emotions perfectly.
"Mm."
Danzo looked unfathomable. He didn't seem surprised by Night's attitude, his voice devoid of emotion.
"You are impressive. I've read your file. Quite outstanding."
"You flatter me, Lord Danzo." Not knowing Danzo's intent, Night played along.
"As a civilian ninja, I know your struggles. Without unexpected opportunities, you might be stuck as a Chunin forever."
Danzo paused, observing Night's reaction. Seeing Night remain calm, he was even more satisfied.
"You need a backer. You need an organization. Join my ROOT. Ninjutsu, secret techniques... I can give you everything."
He looked at Night proudly, expecting gratitude and tears.
But after a long silence, thinking Night hadn't heard clearly, Danzo was about to speak again when Night interrupted.
"I refuse."
"Good. Welcome to... wait, what did you say?" Danzo seemed unsure if he had heard correctly.
"I refuse."
Night repeated, louder this time.