Yes, this girl Root ninja hugged Satoru, but not because she liked him.
"Shadow clone?" Satoru realized immediately that the girl was a shadow clone because her body was covered in explosive seals.
"Explode!" a voice suddenly rang out nearby.
Satoru's nerves tensed instantly. It was his first time facing a ninja using a shadow clone for detonation.
*BOOM!*
Smoke from the exploding shadow clone enveloped Satoru's body.
However, fortunately, at the critical moment, Satoru used Armament Haki. The black Armament Haki Hardening covered his body, protecting him from the blast. The Sage's Cloak also mitigated much of the damage.
This was the first time Satoru took damage, though minor.
"What was that...? To think, because the opponent was a pretty girl, I hesitated for a moment and got hurt this badly..." Satoru couldn't help blaming himself. If the attack had been a bit stronger, he might have been seriously injured.
Shisui reminded him, "Don't get distracted! You can't underestimate an opponent just because she's a kunoichi."
*BANG!*
As soon as Shisui finished speaking, he was attacked by the girl Root ninja's explosive seals too.
"Here!" Satoru immediately activated his sensory abilities, instantly locating the girl's real body, then closed in quickly using Flash Release.
Once near, the girl ninja couldn't resist Satoru.
"Sharingan!" Satoru, from a specific angle, cast Sharingan genjutsu on the girl ninja. Her chakra was disrupted instantly, trapping her in Satoru's illusion.
"Hm? You showed mercy? You erased the other Root ninjas without a trace," Shisui noticed the change in Satoru's actions and looked at him curiously.
"Killing the opponent isn't my goal. My goal is just to protect myself.
"Whether ANBU or Root, they're all Konoha ninjas. Even if they belong to different factions, they're still part of Konoha.
"And sooner or later, it'll all be brought under control," Satoru didn't say he would take control, but Shisui understood.
"You want to control all of Konoha? Sounds like a conspirator," Shisui remained calm, his thoughts unreadable.
"No, it's not a conspiracy; it's a necessity," Satoru replied. "Shisui, let me ask you: do you belong to the Uchiha clan or to Konoha?"
Satoru's question was sharp and odd. Shisui countered, "Why do you ask? Isn't the Uchiha clan Konoha?"
Satoru nodded, "Yes, the Uchiha clan is a clan, and Konoha village is a settlement.
"Unfortunately, the Second Hokage's policies caused the Uchiha to gradually distance themselves from the village; their power was gradually weakened. Plus, the Hokage has 'hawks' like Danzo. I think something bad will happen to the Uchiha in the future," Satoru stated boldly.
In truth, Satoru was telling the truth. In the future, the Uchiha clan would be exterminated, with schemers like Danzo as the main culprit.
"No, Satoru, you're just speculating now. No one knows what will happen in the future. I know everything you're talking about, but things will change sooner or later," Uchiha Shisui said.
Satoru didn't know if Shisui was naive or saying it deliberately. The youth continued, "No matter what the future holds, I hope to become Konoha's leader. Then I'll find another way to solve the problems, a gentler one."
"A gentler way?" Shisui asked. "If that day really comes, what will you do?"
"Negotiations? Dialogue? Then I'll learn their thoughts.
"The Uchiha clan is a clan of love. Precisely because most of them have very sensitive souls, they crave love so much. But due to the Second Hokage's policies, they were alienated. Our task is to change the past so future Konoha is more stable.
"Beautiful Konoha, peaceful world—that's what I strive for. Shisui, what are your thoughts?" Satoru asked, looking at Shisui.
Satoru knew Shisui was a peace-loving Uchiha, one of the few who inherited the Will of Fire.
Satoru's goals were grand and beautiful. Uchiha Shisui eventually nodded, "Lord Satoru, as long as you act for Konoha, for a more stable and peaceful Konoha, do whatever you want."
"Thanks, Shisui," Satoru understood Shisui didn't object to his ideas, which calmed him.
Satoru looked up at the Root girl ninja standing before him.
"Sigh, all because of that damned Danzo. He brainwashed so many outstanding Konoha ninjas. Though maybe they had no choice..."
Satoru didn't kill this Root girl ninja but left her alive. Then he continued toward Konoha territory with Shisui.
Both moved very fast. The Daimyo's capital in the Land of Fire wasn't far from Konoha village. In just one day, they reached the Leaf Gates.
Danzo had already sent plenty of Root ninjas, but none succeeded in killing Satoru. After that, he sent no more for interception.
"Back. What now?" Satoru looked at Shisui, asking what to do next.
"Of course, first to the Hokage's office, to Lord Third," Shisui replied.
"Good," Satoru and Shisui went to the Hokage's office together. Entering, Satoru saw the familiar figure of the old Third.
"Two years! Satoru! You're back!" The Third Hokage looked very pleased.
"Don't worry so much, old man. When I was recently handling 'Konoha Barn' business, I already visited you," Satoru said somewhat quietly, looking at the Third.
"Right. Over these two years, you must have suffered quite a bit, huh? Your mission is complete! Now I officially promote you to Konoha Jonin!" Just as the Third Hokage announced it, someone burst in untimely again.
"Sarutobi, no! This kid absolutely cannot become Jonin! A nine-year-old Jonin? I disagree! He has no right; he needs at least three more years of training!"
The speaker was a man with his right eye bandaged and a staff in hand.
"Danzo!" Seeing Danzo, Satoru barely restrained himself from killing him on the spot.
Satoru also found it strange. Shisui was right there, so Danzo's right eye couldn't hide Shisui's Sharingan. And Danzo's right arm was filled with Wood Release energy.
"This guy already got Hashirama's cells transplanted at this time? And that eye? Even if not Mangekyo Sharingan, it's definitely a Sharingan..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, "Danzo, I'm the Hokage; I decide."
"Yes! Sarutobi, you're Hokage, but I'm also Hokage Advisor! And I still say: this kid has no right to become Jonin!" Danzo kept staring at Satoru.