Chapter 107: Danzo's Root
"No matter what, I'll have to trouble you this time."
Kei spoke softly.
"As long as you've thought it through."
The Nine Tails looked at him and said, "My chakra isn't something that can be digested so easily. If something goes wrong, you could end up in real danger."
"It's fine."
Kei's expression remained calm. "Since I chose to do this, I naturally already prepared myself."
"Whether I succeed or fail, that's my own responsibility."
"In that case, go and make your preparations."
A trace of admiration appeared in the Nine Tails' eyes.
Over the past two years, it had come to appreciate Kei more and more.
If nothing else, compared to other humans, he kept his promises, never feared him for being the Nine Tails, and always treated him as an equal partner.
In the Nine Tails' heart, Kei had already been promoted to the rank of good partner, a rare specimen among humans, far better than people like Mito.
It would be a shame if such a partner really died.
With that thought in mind, it could not help but hope Kei would succeed.
While Kei was making preparations for his experiment, other people were moving in secret as well.
Inside another hidden base in Konoha, Danzo stood before a group of figures dressed in black.
"We are Konoha's Root."
His voice was low and solemn.
"No matter what methods we must use, we exist to protect Konoha with our lives."
"At present, Kumogakure is invading the Land of Whirlpools. If the sealing techniques and bloodline of the Land of Whirlpools are leaked, Konoha will be placed in an extremely passive position."
"To prevent any accidents, we must act first."
His expression was cold.
"Pass down my order. Tell our spies 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, that is still far better than letting them fall into Kumogakure's hands."
Hearing those words, the Root members before him exchanged glances.
"Lord Danzo, does Lord Hokage know about this order?"
Someone stepped forward and asked, "Lord Hokage would likely never approve of such an order."
"Of course Lord Hokage doesn't know."
Danzo's expression did not change in the slightest.
"We are Konoha's Root. It is only natural that we bear Konoha's darkness."
"This kind of filth hidden in the shadows can only be carried by us."
"As for the Hokage, he only needs to stand in the light. There is no need for him to concern himself with such trivial matters."
"I disagree."
Another person below shook his head.
"Lord Hokage would never agree with your thinking, Lord Danzo."
"Unless we receive a direct order from Lord Hokage, Root will not move."
"You all..."
Danzo frowned at once, and anger flashed across his face.
If he could, he truly wanted to brand all of these people with seals and turn them into puppets who obeyed only his commands.
Unfortunately, Kei had already guarded against that long ago.
Although he had nominally allowed Danzo to establish Root, he had placed heavy restrictions on it as well.
This was necessary.
Otherwise, if Danzo were given full authority and allowed to control everything in this department at will, then would Root belong to the Hokage, or to Danzo?
Unchecked power would inevitably lead to problems.
Especially when the one holding that power was Danzo.
Kei had no intention of letting Danzo, as in the original future, build a private kingdom of his own within Konoha.
So among the restrictions he imposed, the most important one was forbidding the use of sealing techniques to strip Root members of their personal freedom.
Without that, and without the near absolute control he once held over Root personnel, Danzo was merely their superior in rank.
With Kei backing him, he could still accomplish many things.
But if he wanted to make private moves like this behind the Hokage's back, it was absolutely impossible.
On the very day Danzo held that mobilization meeting, Kei received the news moments later.
He merely smiled at it.
"As expected, he still loves playing these little games."
"Danzo has indeed gone a bit too far."
Koharu, who was listening to the report beside him, frowned as well.
"The Land of Whirlpools is our ally, and it has helped Konoha many times in the past. No matter what, we cannot turn our hands against an ally."
"Danzo can at least be said to be acting for Konoha's sake, even if his methods are problematic."
Kei spoke softly. "But that is also exactly what concerns me most."
"His methods are too extreme. Sometimes they may produce good results, but if he uses them too often, sooner or later he will hurt his own people."
"So in this matter, I'll have to trouble you to keep a close watch on him, Senior Koharu."
He looked at Koharu, and the pressure in his gaze was immense.
"I don't like seeing our own people harmed because of his actions."
"Yes, I understand."
Koharu nodded respectfully.
"I will keep a close eye on Danzo's side."
"In addition, Lady Mito wishes to see you."
"Lady Mito?"
Kei nodded. "All right. I'll head there in a while."
Although he did not know why Mito suddenly wanted to meet him, he happened to be free for the moment, so there was no harm in going.
Thus, by evening, he had arrived at the Senju compound.
Thinking about it carefully, it had indeed been quite some time since he last came here.
The last time had been when he sought Mito's help in creating the miniature Nine Tails clone.
A full year had passed, and the Senju clansmen's attitude toward him had clearly improved by a great deal. Their expressions now held more respect and conviction.
This was the effect of solid achievements.
Over the past two years, under Kei's leadership, Konoha's changes had been obvious to all.
Not only had its revenue increased by more than ten times, but the entire Land of Fire had gradually begun to fall under Konoha's control.
Even the ninja clans that depended on Konoha for survival had all reaped substantial benefits and grown much wealthier.
Once people's lives improved, their support for Kei as Hokage naturally rose as well.
The ninjas of Konoha were, in truth, not difficult to satisfy.
As long as they could be led toward prosperity, and as long as their lives were better than before, that alone was enough.
In that regard, Kei was undoubtedly the most outstanding Hokage Konoha had ever had.
Even Tobirama could not compare to him on this front.
"Lady Mito is inside."
Toka personally led Kei inward, then quietly withdrew and left the space to the two of them.
"You haven't come to see me in quite some time."
Mito looked at Kei and smiled. "From the look of it, your heart is quite hard. You only come to find me when you need something."
"I can't help it. I've been far too busy lately."
Kei sighed. "This isn't an excuse. It's simply the truth."
As Hokage, Kei truly had been extremely busy lately.
.....
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