"Regardless, I'll have to trouble you this time."
Minamikawa Yuu spoke softly.
"As long as you've thought it through."
The Nine-Tailed spoke: "This old man's Chakra is not something easily digested. If things go wrong, you might be in danger."
"It's fine."
Minamikawa Yuu's expression was calm: "Since I chose to do this, I am naturally prepared."
"Whether I succeed or fail, it's my own business."
"In that case, go and prepare."
A hint of admiration appeared in the Nine-Tailed's eyes.
Over the two years he had spent with Minamikawa Yuu, he had come to appreciate the youth's character more and more.
If nothing else, compared to others, the boy kept his promises, never feared him as the Nine-Tailed, and always treated him as a partner.
In the Nine-Tailed's heart, Minamikawa Yuu had now been upgraded to a good partner, a rare specimen among humans, far better than people like Uzumaki Mito.
It would be a pity if such a partner were to actually die.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but hope that Minamikawa Yuu would succeed.
While Minamikawa Yuu was planning his experiment, others were also making moves.
Inside another hidden base within Konoha.
"We are the Root of Konoha. No matter what means we take, we must protect Konoha with our lives."
Danzo Shimura spoke in a deep voice: "Currently, Kumogakure is invading the Land of Whirlpools. If the Sealing Techniques and Bloodline Limits within the Land of Whirlpools are leaked, Konoha will be placed in a very passive position."
"To prevent any mishaps, we must strike first."
His expression was cold: "Notify our spies to remember to transfer the targets within the Land of Whirlpools ahead of time. Once the Land of Whirlpools truly falls into Kumogakure's hands, eliminate those people immediately."
"Even if they die, it's much better than them falling into Kumogakure's hands."
Hearing his words, the members of Root before him looked at each other.
"Lord Danzo, does His Excellency the Hokage know about your order?"
Someone questioned: "Lord Hokage likely wouldn't agree to such an order."
"Of course Lord Hokage doesn't know."
Danzo Shimura's expression remained unchanged: "We are the Root of Konoha; naturally, we must bear the darkness of Konoha."
"This darkness in the corners can only be borne by us."
"As for the Hokage, he only needs to stand in the light. There's no need for him to concern himself with such trivial matters."
"I disagree!"
Someone below shook their head: "Lord Hokage would never agree to your idea, Lord Danzo."
"Unless we receive a direct order from Lord Hokage, Root will not move."
"You all..."
""
Danzo Shimura frowned, a flash of anger appearing on his face.
If he could, he wished he could carve seals onto all these people, turning them into puppets who only obeyed his commands.
Unfortunately, Minamikawa Yuu had long ago taken precautions against him doing this.
Although he had ostensibly agreed to Danzo forming Root, he had also imposed heavy restrictions on it.
This was necessary.
Otherwise, if Danzo were given full authority to freely dominate everything in this department, would Root then belong to the Hokage or to Danzo?
Unrestricted power inevitably leads to problems.
Especially when the person in charge was someone like Danzo Shimura.
Minamikawa Yuu didn't want Danzo to form his own little clique within Konoha as in the original plot.
Therefore, among the restrictions he gave, not allowing Sealing Techniques to control the personal freedom of Root members was the most crucial point.
Without this, and without the near-absolute power over Root members, Danzo Shimura was merely an ordinary superior to them.
With Minamikawa Yuu's support, he could accomplish what he wanted, but if he wanted to make secret moves like this, it was absolutely impossible.
On the day Danzo held the mobilization, Minamikawa Yuu received the news moments later.
To this, he only smiled, unconcerned: "As expected, he still loves making these little moves."
"Danzo has indeed gone a bit too far."
Utatane Koharu, who was listening to the report beside him, also frowned: "The Land of Whirlpools is our ally and has helped Konoha many times in the past. We must not, under any circumstances, take action against an ally."
"Danzo can be considered to be acting for Konoha's sake, even if his methods are problematic."
Minamikawa Yuu spoke softly: "But this is also what I worry about most."
"His methods are too extreme. Although they sometimes yield good results, if used too much, they're bound to hurt our own people."
"So in this regard, I'll have to ask you to keep a close eye on him, Senior Koharu."
He looked at Utatane Koharu; his gaze alone placed immense pressure on her: "I don't like our own people being affected by his actions."
"Yes, I understand."
Utatane Koharu nodded respectfully: "I will keep a close watch on Danzo's side."
"In addition, Lady Mito wishes to meet with you."
"Lady Mito?"
Minamikawa Yuu nodded: "Alright, I'll head over in a bit."
Although he didn't know why Uzumaki Mito suddenly wanted to see him, he happened to be free at the moment, so there was no harm in going.
Thus, in the evening, he arrived at the ancestral lands of the Senju Clan.
Calculating the time, he hadn't been here for a while.
The last time they met was when he sought Uzumaki Mito's help to clone a mini Nine-Tailed.
A year had passed, and the Senju clansmen's attitude toward him had improved significantly, with more respect and conviction in their expressions.
These were the effects brought about by solid achievements.
In two years, under Minamikawa Yuu's leadership, Konoha's achievements were plain for all to see.
Not only had fiscal revenue increased more than tenfold, but the entire Land of Fire had gradually fallen under Konoha's control.
Even the Ninja Clans that relied on Konoha for survival had each gained many benefits and become wealthy.
As everyone's lives improved, support for Minamikawa Yuu as the Hokage naturally soared.
The Ninjas within Konoha were quite easy to handle.
As long as they could be led to prosperity and their lives were better than before, that was enough for them.
In this regard, Minamikawa Yuu was undoubtedly the most outstanding among all the Hokage.
Even Senju Tobirama couldn't compare to him.
"Lady Mito is inside."
Senju Touka personally led Minamikawa Yuu inside, then slowly withdrew, leaving the space to the two of them.
"You haven't come to see me for quite some time."
Uzumaki Mito looked at Minamikawa Yuu and spoke with a smile: "I see you're quite heartless, only coming to find me when you need something."
"I can't help it; I've been a bit too busy lately."
Minamikawa Yuu sighed: "I simply can't get away normally."
"This isn't an excuse, but the truth."
"As the Hokage, Minamikawa Yuu was indeed very busy now."