Thunderbird!
Lightning Release Armor!
Looking at these two jutsus recorded on the scroll, along with the extremely detailed training methods, Danzo finally realized what incredible creativity and talent the boy standing before him possessed. Coupled with the fact that at such a young age, he already had the strength to easily kill Jonin, Danzo subconsciously touched his right eye, which was hidden behind bandages.
One didn't need to ask to know that this old schemer was entertaining the thought of using Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyo ability, Kotoamatsukami, to brainwash and control him. However, in the end, he didn't take action. Allen currently showed no signs of betrayal or disobedience.
Quite the opposite! Whether it was the hesitation-free public break with the Third Hokage or the straightforward handing over of two powerful jutsus that could be classified as Forbidden Jutsus, it all spoke to his loyalty to Root. Furthermore, his cold-blooded style toward enemies revealed a subtle alignment with Root's philosophy.
Thus, Danzo decided to observe for a while longer. If Allen truly became the sharpest blade in his hand, he wouldn't mind grooming him as his successor. Given their age gap, by the time Danzo was too old to continue and retired, the boy would be fully grown. There was no risk of them turning against each other over power.
Once he reached this conclusion, Danzo's gaze softened significantly. He carefully tucked the scroll away and promised in a low voice, "Rest assured, I can give you anything you want, even the position of the leader of Root. But on one condition: you must help me oust Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Allen nodded without a second thought. "Understood! As long as it is an order from you, I will carry it out immediately, even if it is the assassination of the Hokage."
"Excellent! I admire your attitude. Now, go to the Hokage Residence to report on the mission. Remember, do not believe anything Hiruzen Sarutobi says to you. His weakness has already resulted in countless tragedies. Only our Root can restore vitality to the decaying tree of Konoha."
As he said this, Danzo deliberately let half of his body be shrouded in darkness while the other half was bathed in firelight, creating an illusion of both mystery and resolve.
Unfortunately for him, Allen knew exactly what kind of person this old man was and didn't have the slightest interest. After feigning a bow, he immediately turned and left the secret underground chamber.
...
At the same time, in his office, the Third Hokage had already received news that the first thing Allen did upon returning to the village was to see Danzo. With a dark expression, he asked, "Did he really say in front of you all that he wanted to join Root?"
"Yes. And his attitude was extremely firm. He was filled with loathing for your actions," Kakashi answered bluntly.
"Sigh, it seems Danzo has caused that child to have a grave misunderstanding of me. Do you think there is still any room for reversal?" Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep pull from his pipe, hoping the smoke would calm his rising anger.
"It will be difficult. At least not in the short term. I don't believe he made this choice on a whim; it seems to be the result of careful deliberation," Kakashi analyzed seriously.
"Could it be that my foreign policy really is too weak?"
The Third Hokage removed his hat, falling into a state of self-doubt. He knew well that since the Nine-Tails incident and the death of the Fourth, his policy of recuperation and peace had been opposed by many hawkish factions. After all, Konoha's past military record was too glorious! Whether it was the First, Second, or Third War, they had always stood at the pinnacle of the shinobi world, fearless even when facing the combined assault of two nations.
But after that? The Sannin defected or left, many pillars of the village died in battle, and with the Uchiha rebellion, they had finally fallen to the point where others could step all over them. The incident where a Cloud ninja envoy tried to kidnap the eldest daughter of the Hyuga Main House, in particular, had caused many ninjas to feel unprecedented humiliation. Those who refused to accept such disgrace were the biggest supporters of the hawks led by Danzo.
What the Third Hokage hadn't expected was that someone like Allen, who was usually so warm and sunny, would suddenly do a 180-degree turn. Instead of understanding his well-intentioned efforts, he threw himself directly into the arms of his political rival.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the office became stiflingly heavy. Just as everyone lost interest in speaking, Allen suddenly walked in from outside. He placed the mission scroll on the desk without expression. "Hokage-sama, I have completed the border patrol mission. I killed ten Iwa ninjas who had not yet withdrawn from the Land of Grass."
"Mhm. Just leave it there."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the Genin with a complex gaze, but in the end, he only sighed and said nothing more.
Beside him, Kakashi lowered his voice and tested the waters: "What did Danzo say to you?"
"Nothing much, just inquired about some combat details. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Allen replied calmly.
"Combat details? Right! I almost forgot to ask! Where are the bodies of the dead Iwa ninjas?" Kakashi frowned. He had conducted a comprehensive, multi-dimensional search of the battlefield afterward. He hadn't found so much as a single hair, let alone a body; only the terrifying amount of blood on the ground proved that a brutal slaughter had indeed taken place and that the casualties were certainly not low.
"I have already reported that point to Danzo-sama. If you're interested, you can go ask him directly."
Leaving those words behind, Allen turned and left the Hokage's office. At this moment, the benefits of joining Root were finally manifesting. He no longer needed to strictly follow the various complex and tedious regulations in the Shinobi Handbook as he had before. If there were any details he couldn't explain away, he could simply push the responsibility onto Danzo. Anyway, when Danzo asked, he'd just say the bodies were taken for experiments.
Watching Allen's silhouette disappear at the end of the hallway, Kakashi couldn't help but rub his forehead and say, "This kid is becoming less and less likeable. If this continues, I'm afraid he'll sink into slaughter and death and be unable to pull himself out."
"You once fell into darkness yourself. So help him when you have the chance. I can feel that there is still hope for his salvation. Above all, we absolutely cannot let him become a blade in Danzo's hand; otherwise, the consequences will be unthinkable," the Third Hokage looked up and warned solemnly.
"I would have done so even without you saying it. But me alone isn't enough; the kids from Team Guy should probably get involved too. As far as I know, Allen is on good terms with Tenten, Lee, and Neji, at least to the level of friends."
"Go ahead and do it. The situation can't get any worse than it is now," the Third Hokage's eyes reflected a faint sense of helplessness.
Ever since the Uchiha massacre, he had ordered Danzo's dismissal and the dissolution of Root. But what difference did it make? Those ninjas from Root would still rather quietly serve Danzo than follow the orders of their Hokage. As a result, before long, Root had risen from the ashes on the spot, becoming more united and powerful than ever before.
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