Purple Cat waited in the study for a long time, but the Clan Head never returned. Filled with worry, she headed to the Yamanaka Great Hall, but he wasn't there either. Others told her that after Advisor Danzo left, the Clan Head had hurried to the neighboring Nara compound.
Yamanaka Ryu searched the compound for her sister and finally found Rika in the hall. "Sister, you left before finishing your meal. I brought you some rice balls."
Rika ate the rice balls and sighed. "I didn't spoil you for nothing. At least you knew I was hungry."
Several hours later, Yamanaka Inozono returned from the Nara compound and immediately summoned Rika. Entering the study and seeing the pained expression on the Clan Head's face, Rika knew something terrible had happened.
Inozono spoke slowly. "Rika, I just spent a long time talking with the Nara and Akimichi Clan Heads. Advisor Danzo is demanding that every clan provide talent to Root. Shikaku says there is no way out of this. The Third Hokage relies heavily on Danzo; many missions the Hokage cannot handle personally or those requiring long absences are Danzo's responsibility."
"Root was severely damaged by an unknown figure and needs reinforcement. Shikaku says this isn't just Danzo's demand; it's the Hokage's will. Danzo bears the karma and the hatred of the village's enemies so that others don't have to.
The village cannot exist without Root. As supporters of the Hokage, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio must lead by example. Danzo wants one elite Chunin or Special Jonin, plus a gifted child who hasn't entered the Academy yet. We have to agree."
Rika was horrified. "How can a child enter Root? They'll be brainwashed from birth to be nothing but mission machines!"
"Danzo hates betrayal and demands absolute loyalty." Inozono looked at Ri with eyes full of guilt. "Rika, setting the child aside for a moment... Danzo specifically called for Yamanaka Ryu to enter Root for training."
"What!" Rika stepped forward, her eyes frantic. "Clan Head, when Root came to pick people last year, I was the one who volunteered for the ANBU to save the family and protect my sister! I've already served the clan; how can they take my sister too?"
Inozono was equally pained. "Rika, I feel worse than you, but I have no choice. Danzo is aggressive. Right now, he cannot be defied. Root has the moral high ground of performing the village's dark tasks and the full support of the Hokage.
I wanted to refuse—I did refuse. But the pressure is too much. After Root was hit so hard, Danzo won't budge. He can't find the killer who's been assassinating his men, but he can find us. We are right here. I'm sorry, Rika. This same scene is playing out in every clan."
"Don't worry too much," Inozono added weakly. "After training, not everyone stays in Root. Some go to the ANBU. I will try to ensure Ryu ends up in the ANBU instead. C is already in Root, and D, another Yamanaka, died in the Land of Rain. This is the life of a ninja. Cruelty is our constant companion."
Inozono sympathized deeply, but he was powerless. Being a staunch supporter of the Hokage brought benefits, like a rapid increase in Jonin numbers, but it meant they were the first ones who couldn't say no when the Hokage asked for a sacrifice.
...
At Yakushi Nono's orphanage, Danzo suddenly appeared in the hallway with C and D.
"Root is conscripting orphans," C announced. "Open the dorms. I need to test their ninja talent."
"Sir," the assistant director protested, "this orphanage was built by Miss Nono. These children haven't even gone to school. They are too young to be drafted!"
C formed a seal and instantly controlled the assistant director with a Yamanaka secret technique, leaving her slumped against the wall. Kurumi tried to step forward, but D's finger was already touching her headband.
"Chunin Kurumi, do you intend to defy a village order?"
Kurumi looked at Danzo behind D and realized she was helpless.
"The village does not provide a safe environment for orphans for free," Danzo said coldly. "From now on, all orphans have a duty to serve the Hidden Leaf Village. The orphanage only enjoys safety because the village is secure."
C entered the dormitory. It was just one large room divided by a curtain. Over twenty girls slept on the south side, and over twenty boys on the north. C touched each child's head, quickly selecting six. Some woke up dazed, unaware that their lives had just changed forever.
After Danzo left, Kurumi moved the unconscious assistant director to a bed and immediately went to contact the director, Yakushi Nono.
...
At the Tsuruzuki Tavern, Yagami was filling the water tank in the backyard. Suddenly, he dropped the bucket and leaped onto the roof, staring into the distance.
"What is it?" Qiaoyi asked from the yard.
"The village is a bit strange tonight. But it's none of our business."
'I'll find out tomorrow at the ANBU,' Yagami thought. He jumped down and scooped Qiaoyi into his arms.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. "You scared me. I thought you wanted to get intimate on the roof tonight."
"Oh? You gave me an idea. How about we stay by the door tonight?"
"No! What if a ninja jumps over the roof and sees us?"
"Trust my strength. I'll notice them long before they see us."
After a "thorough investigation" that moved from the doorway to the courtyard, Yagami felt refreshed. The next morning, he went to the ANBU early, only to find Purple Cat already waiting.
He touched her abdomen playfully, thinking of their fun the night before, but her urgency stopped him.
"Captain," Rika said breathlessly, "you've seen my file. I have a sister. Danzo specifically called her to enter Root for training yesterday. The clan couldn't refuse. The Clan Head says he'll try to get her moved to the ANBU afterward, but Root is a nightmare. Even though the ANBU is dangerous, it's better than that place. Captain, is there any way you can help my sister?"
Yagami froze. Rika's sister had been snatched? He remembered her from the Land of Rivers—she had only just been assigned to an Ino-Shika-Cho squad. How long had she even been graduated?