"Danzō is really running?"
Inside Root headquarters, Kabuto stared at Ren, eyes wide with disbelief — and unmistakable excitement.
"We didn't exactly trick him," Ren replied calmly, rubbing his brow. "The situation in Konoha truly isn't favorable to him."
He'd just come from assisting Tsunade again.
Strangely, she'd cooperated far more than before.
Is it the candied hawthorn effect? Ren wondered silently.
With Yin Release guiding the integration of Hashirama's cells, her compatibility was remarkably high. Observing her progress also helped Ren refine his understanding of his own bloodline mutation — and the diluted inheritance of Asura's power.
He shook off the thought and focused.
"We just gave him accurate information. He chose to interpret it in the most dangerous way."
"And transforming into Orochimaru?" Kabuto adjusted his glasses skeptically.
"If that's not deception, what is?"
Ren snorted lightly.
"If a veteran shinobi can't see through a basic Transformation Jutsu, he deserves his fate."
His eyes sharpened.
"…Unless you're sympathizing with him? Should I suspect a traitor in our ranks?"
Kabuto rolled his eyes.
"You're insufferable."
Then he leaned forward.
"So what's next? Intercept him?"
"Of course," Ren said. "But not quietly."
He dropped into his chair, fingers tapping the desk.
"We just took over a new department. What do we need most?"
Kabuto blinked.
"…Results?"
"Political capital," Ren corrected. "Merit. Visibility."
He smiled faintly.
"We won't intercept Danzō in the shadows. We'll do it loudly."
Kabuto froze.
Ren continued.
"You will immediately leak the information to every major village. I'll personally visit Pakura."
Kabuto's pupils shrank.
"…You're ruthless."
He pieced it together rapidly.
"Other villages will mobilize regardless of authenticity. If they act, Hokage-sama must endorse Root's external authority."
"And Danzō," Kabuto continued slowly, "can't be allowed captured by foreign forces. His mind holds too many secrets."
"Exactly."
Ren's smile deepened.
"He must die by our hands."
Kabuto exhaled.
"You play 'thief crying thief' disturbingly well."
Ren shot him a look.
"It's called resource optimization."
Kabuto stared at him.
Then slowly smiled.
"…Let's send him off properly."
Foreign Envoy Inn — Konoha
Pakura looked startled as Ren appeared without notice.
"You've grown bold."
"If I meant harm," Ren said casually, erecting a sound barrier with a flick of his fingers, "you wouldn't notice."
He leaned forward.
"Have you decided?"
She studied him.
"What sincerity do you require?"
Ren's voice lowered.
"If a high-ranking Konoha figure intends to flee… what would the leader of an external assassination branch desire most?"
Pakura answered immediately.
"You wouldn't want him returning. Nor his secrets falling elsewhere."
"Correct."
"And if you wanted Root to become outward-facing?"
"You'd escalate the incident. Force political approval."
Her gaze sharpened.
"You've contacted the other villages."
"Something like that."
She frowned.
"You're inviting chaos."
"I have assistance."
"Rain Country?"
Ren smiled.
"Smart."
She inhaled slowly.
"You're playing something far bigger than I expected."
"I want your stance," Ren said simply.
She understood.
"You want me to oppose the Kazekage's position. Participate."
"And protect who needs protecting," Ren added gently.
Her eyes widened.
"You're manipulating Wind Country too."
"I call it trust."
She almost laughed.
"…Fine."
They shook hands.
"Two questions," she said.
"First — what if I betray you?"
Ren's eyes flickered.
"You carry my Flying Thunder God mark. So does your village."
Silence.
"You bastard."
"Second question?"
"Never use the word 'sincerity' again."
Ren blinked.
"Then let's call it 'mutual benefit.'"
She glared.
The Shinobi World — Within Two Days
Whispers spread like wildfire.
Spies in Konoha detected shifting winds.
Rumors surfaced:
Konoha was moving against Danzō.
And—
Danzō might not surrender peacefully.
Across nations, intelligence channels activated.
No one dared ignore it.
Hokage Tower
Ren walked beside Kakashi.
"You look bored lately," Ren commented lightly.
Kakashi stiffened.
"I execute orders without personal feelings."
Ren smirked.
They entered.
Inside were Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura.
"Speak," Hiruzen said gravely.
Ren placed a scroll on the desk.
"Hanzo's intelligence is largely accurate."
He summarized.
Illegal Wood Release experiments.
Sharingan collection.
Manipulation.
Assassination attempt on the Hokage.
"Enough."
Hiruzen's face darkened.
Koharu and Homura were stunned.
"He attempted to kill you?" Koharu asked quietly.
Silence confirmed it.
Homura's voice hardened.
"We must detain him immediately."
Ren spoke again.
"Tonight would be best."
Hiruzen closed his eyes briefly.
"…Very well. Tonight."
Night — Shimura Estate
Moonlight bathed the courtyard.
Aburame Ryōma knelt.
"It is time."
Danzō gazed at the sky.
Leaving Konoha was no easy thing.
But—
"I will not shoulder everything for him," Danzō muttered.
Then—
A familiar, serpentine voice echoed.
"Orochimaru."
Danzō turned sharply.
"You again?"
Ren, disguised, stepped forward.
"Hokage is here. Tsunade too. ANBU have surrounded the area."
Ryōma's insects confirmed it.
Danzō's heart pounded.
"Impossible…"
Ren tilted his head.
"Root members disappearing would not go unnoticed."
Danzō's fury ignited.
Hiruzen intends to erase me completely.
"I will not submit."
He turned sharply.
"Prepare immediate evacuation!"
"Yes, Danzō-sama!"
Danzō faced "Orochimaru."
"If I fall, you lose everything."
Ren's eyes gleamed.
"What do you offer?"
"Assist me. You will receive what you want."
A pause.
"…Deal."
Outside — Shimura Estate
Hiruzen stood with ANBU and Tsunade.
He still harbored doubt.
Perhaps conversation could resolve this.
Then—
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A combined gale tore through their formation.
ANBU were scattered.
"What—?!"
Tsunade looked up.
On a rooftop stood Danzō—
Beside him—
A long-haired figure with golden, serpentine eyes.
Orochimaru.
A chill swept through every shinobi present.
Hiruzen's face hardened.
In that moment—
They all understood.
Konoha was about to change forever.
"Advisor to the Hokage, Shimura Danzō…"
"…has defected."
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