Chapter 28: Root Questionnaire
Far from the center of Konoha Village, in a small house within the Nara Clan compound, the atmosphere was eerily quiet.
Under the dim yellow light, the simple, aged furnishings of the house could be seen clearly. The slightly moldy ceiling formed a stark contrast with the surrounding white walls.
In the corner, a tall figure stood silently outside the cabinet.
Asuka crossed his arms, his index finger lightly tapping his forearm as a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.
There were five people in the room, and they were most likely waiting for the "real culprit." Unfortunately, the "real culprit" was standing right there in the room, but bringing it up now didn't seem very appropriate.
At that point, his movements would probably be bound by the Nara Clan's Shadow Possession Technique. Then the plump Akimichi lady would grab his neck with both hands and leap into the air for a vicious "Plum Blossom Drop." Finally, the Yamanaka Clan members would seize control of his body and do a series of inhumane things.
Hmm.
Thinking about the possibility of social death, Asuka shivered. Then he recalled Nara Ryoko's strange behavior just now, and a look of realization appeared on his face.
He finally knew what was wrong.
The Yamanaka Clan must have used their Mind Body Switch Technique to control "Nara Ryoko" and use her as bait.
And now...
The fish had swum right into the trap.
Alas!
There was no point staying here tonight. He should just go treat the child.
After thinking it over briefly, Asuka, who never forgot his original purpose, turned and walked straight toward "Nara Ryoko" by the door.
Thump! Thump!
Hearing the faint knocking from outside, Asuka immediately stopped in his tracks and looked toward the door with surprise and suspicion.
Good heavens.
Could Nara Ryoko really have another man?
The moment he saw a thick, masculine hand appear at the doorway, Asuka hurriedly searched for somewhere to hide.
It's over!
Realizing the bed was too far away, he gritted his teeth, pressed his palms together tightly, and circulated his chakra.
Bang!
Hmm?
A chakra fluctuation?
Sensing the sudden chakra fluctuation inside the house, the person outside instantly flashed into the room.
When he saw Nara Ryoko looking at him vigilantly and a child standing there blankly, he quietly let out a sigh of relief.
The chakra fluctuation just now must have been Ryoko's instinctive reaction to an unexpected visitor.
"Ryo!"
Calling out her codename, he adjusted the fox mask on his face and said in a low voice,
"Hokage-sama needs you."
Needs me?
Seeing the fox mask and hearing his tone, "Nara Ryoko" vaguely guessed his identity.
One of Danzo's subordinates.
How troublesome.
She had opposed Ryoko joining that so-called "Anbu Training Department" from the very beginning, but Ryoko had been as stubborn as a mule, refusing to listen and secretly seeking out Danzo herself.
Being a ninja and carrying out missions was already dangerous enough.
Danzo's missions were even more dangerous.
It was easy to get in.
Not so easy to get out.
Thinking that Ryoko's body was currently occupied by her, and that even if she returned it now, Ryoko would sleep until tomorrow morning, she brushed aside the loose strands of hair on her forehead and replied in Ryoko's voice,
"What mission?"
"Ryo, first complete your final psychological evaluation. If everything is fine, we'll meet at the usual place tomorrow."
"Okay."
"That is..."
At that moment, the Root ninja looked at the child standing beside Ryoko and pointed at him hesitantly.
"Aren't you bringing him?"
???
"Ryoko" looked at the Root ninja in confusion, then looked down at the child.
Her face was filled with bewilderment.
Wasn't this just a psychological evaluation?
Why bring him?
The Root ninja frowned as he watched her reaction and said in a strange tone,
"During the previous two psychological evaluations, your son cried nonstop every time he left your side. You were constantly distracted, and your scores barely passed."
"Hokage-sama is already dissatisfied."
"It's fine."
"He won't cry this time."
Uchiha Asuka had transformed into a child right before her eyes.
If he wasn't embarrassed, he could cry all he wanted.
After all, he wasn't really her son.
His crying wouldn't distract her.
The Root ninja thought for a moment before speaking firmly,
"Bring him anyway."
"Don't waste your time or mine."
"..."
"Nara Ryoko" froze.
Looking at the Root ninja's unwavering gaze, the words of refusal caught in her throat.
She was currently impersonating Nara Ryoko.
If she exposed even the slightest flaw, with Danzo's suspicious nature, he would probably assign Ryoko several suicide missions.
That was also why she had opposed Ryoko joining Root from the beginning.
Getting in was easy.
Coming out alive was another matter.
Thinking this, she turned around, picked Asuka up, glared at him once, then calmly said to the Root ninja,
"Let's go."
Ignoring the child's struggles in her arms, Nara Ryoko followed the Root ninja directly into the living room to begin the psychological evaluation.
Also known as...
The questionnaire.
Even now, Asuka was still bewildered.
There had simply been too many unexpected developments tonight.
He reached out and tugged at her hair.
In return, she twisted the flesh on his thigh.
The sharp pain finally made Asuka accept reality.
Looking at the Root ninja preparing the questionnaire, Asuka wrapped his arms around "Nara Ryoko's" neck, pretending to be affectionate while secretly whispering into her ear,
"Can't you just fill it out however you want?"
Nara Ryoko stared straight ahead, supporting the child's bottom with her right arm while writing on his back with her left index finger.
[Shut up. Don't cause trouble for Ryoko. Danzo isn't someone easy to fool.]
After writing, she gently patted Asuka's back, then sat down on the sofa, accepted the paper from the Root ninja, quickly scanned the questions, and calmly said,
"I'm ready."
"Begin."
As soon as the words fell, Asuka noticed Nara Ryoko's eyes instantly become serious.
A questionnaire.
He had heard of Root's infamous questionnaire.
It was said that every question tested a person's true nature.
If he remembered correctly, the masked ninja before them should also specialize in sensory techniques.
By observing the respondent's mental fluctuations, heartbeat, and writing speed, he could determine whether the person's loyalty to Danzo-sama was genuine.
Thinking this, Asuka secretly looked at the questions on the paper out of curiosity.
Question: If you are a member of the [Anbu Training Department] and the Village is attacked by an enemy too powerful to defeat, what is your first priority?
1. Rescue, evacuate, and shelter the villagers.
2. Immediately gather other ninja and desperately stop the enemy's advance.
3. Gather intelligence on the battlefield and find an opportunity to deliver it to Hokage-sama.
4. Go to the Root base, obey Hokage-sama's orders, wait for the perfect opportunity, then launch a coordinated strike to eliminate the enemy in a single blow.
After reading the first question, Asuka raised an eyebrow and couldn't help sighing inwardly.
This question...
Was downright deadly.
Ever since entering the Ninja Academy, he had been taught that if Konoha came under attack:
Phase One: Eliminate the invading force. If that failed, proceed immediately to Phase Two.
Phase Two: Evacuate non-combatants, escort women and children to the shelters, then proceed to Phase Three.
Phase Three: Mobilize the entire village and eliminate the enemy.
Who would run to Danzo during Phase One?
If it were him, he'd choose 1, then 2, then 3.
Watching Nara Ryoko choose 4 without the slightest hesitation, Asuka twitched at the corner of his mouth before naturally looking at the second question.
Question: If Hokage-sama is engaged in a one-on-one battle against a powerful enemy inside the Village, what should you do?
1. Rescue civilians caught in the aftermath of the battle.
2. Remain nearby to guard Hokage-sama against hidden enemies.
3. Gather nearby ninja to surround the battlefield and place overwhelming psychological pressure on the enemy.
4. A ninja must always be prepared to sacrifice themselves. Believe in Hokage-sama's strength. Believe in Danzo-sama's judgment. As long as the Village exists, Root exists.
Immediately return to the Root base, obey Hokage-sama's orders, and prevent enemies from exploiting the Hokage's absence to attack elsewhere in the Village and cause even greater losses.
????
Watching Nara Ryoko choose 4 again without any hesitation, Asuka simply buried his face against her shoulder.
There was no need to read the remaining questions.
Choosing Danzo was always the correct answer.
Any hesitation, doubt, or wavering would undoubtedly result in a massive deduction.
It really was a test of human nature.
However...
Who exactly was possessing Nara Ryoko?
Wasn't Mrs. Yamanaka still hiding inside the cabinet?