Anbu Ninja? No, it's the Root!
Looking at the mask that was completely different from the Anbu ninja in front of him, Mahogany quickly determined that the ninja in front of him was from Root.
Although this was the first time Chao Yanqian had seen a Root ninja, judging from the indifferent temperament of the person in front of him, this person was undoubtedly a Root ninja.
"What's the matter?" Chao Yanqian said calmly.
As for the Root under Shimura Danzo's hands, Chao Yanqian actually agreed with the idea a bit. In a village like Konoha, which was bathed in sunlight, there were indeed many things that were not easy to deal with openly. Root could help the Third Hokage handle those ugly matters.
However, identity aside, Chao Yanqian did not have any good feelings toward Root.
It was like Shimura Danzo himself. He would use any means necessary, but everything he did was for his beloved Konoha. In that sense, he was worthy of admiration.
But admiration or not, the man was still equally detestable.
"Jonin Chao Yanqian, Danzo-sama wants to see you!" said the Root ninja, without a trace of emotion in his voice.
"Okay! Lead the way!" Chao Yanqian said.
"Please," the Root ninja said, then used the Body Flicker Technique and disappeared from sight.
Chao Yanqian locked the door, then followed the Root ninja from a distance, heading toward the Root base.
During the war, Konoha had a curfew system. After ten o'clock in the evening, there could be no pedestrians on the streets. Only the patrolling Anbu would occasionally flash past in the darkness.
But whether it was Root or Chao Yanqian, they had their own ways to avoid the sight of the Anbu.
Half an hour later, Chao Yanqian arrived at the Root base without any trouble.
It was completely different from the Hokage Tower in the center of the village. Just like its name, the Root base was built underground, completely hidden from sight. The words "dark" and "cold" perfectly described this place.
"Elder Danzo, I didn't expect we'd meet again in such a place!" Chao Yanqian said casually.
"I thought I'd have to use some means to bring you here, but I didn't expect you to be so obedient," Shimura Danzo said, exerting his usual oppressive aura.
"That's because you haven't reached the point where you can make me feel threatened," Chao Yanqian said.
In the Naruto original work, compared to some others, Shimura Danzo's abilities were not particularly praiseworthy. Although he had resourcefulness and methods, he often did things that were out of touch with the times and was somewhat stubborn.
Because of this, Chao Yanqian somewhat despised him.
"Oh? So confident," Shimura Danzo said noncommittally.
"Of course, because I know you don't dare to do anything to me. Even if you want to, you can't," Chao Yanqian said calmly.
"Boom!"
Hearing this, Shimura Danzo knocked his cane on the ground, and several figures immediately appeared, surrounding Chao Yanqian.
Chao Yanqian showed no nervousness at all, only looking at Shimura Danzo mockingly and saying lightly, "Do you really think you can capture me with just these people?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Chao Yanqian continued, "You summoned me because you have something to discuss. Don't waste time speak your purpose. If it's appropriate, I'll state my conditions too. Cooperation might not be such a bad thing."
"It seems you're completely different from the other kids," Shimura Danzo said lightly, then waved his hand, signaling the Root ninjas to disperse.
"I actually admire you a little. The quality of the Root ninjas completely surpasses that of Anbu," Chao Yanqian praised.
"Then are you interested in joining Root?" Shimura Danzo asked.
"No," Chao Yanqian refused directly.
"Why?" Shimura Danzo continued to entice, "If you join Root, I can make you the deputy leader. The future leadership position could be yours as well."
"Hahaha!" Chao Yanqian chuckled lightly and said, "If you called me here just to say this, it really disappoints me."
"Do you know what a ninja is? A ninja hides in the shadows and silently gives everything for the village. A ninja should not have emotions. Sarutobi Hiruzen's philosophy is wrong. Have you been misled by those false ideals of glory?" Shimura Danzo asked.
"You know what I hate most about you? You're a man of unscrupulous ambition, yet you use morality to bind others," Chao Yanqian said disdainfully. "Don't waste your breath. You just want to be Hokage. But actually, we can cooperate."
Shimura Danzo was shocked when he heard Chao Yanqian's words. This young man seemed to know everything about him. After a moment of silence, Danzo asked, "What qualifications do you have to cooperate with me?"
"Orochimaru is secretly researching Hashirama Senju's cells. I'm sure you're cooperating with him!" Chao Yanqian said.
"!?"
Shimura Danzo was truly stunned. This was a top-secret matter. Not even Danzo's closest subordinates knew about it.
"How did you know?" Shimura Danzo asked coldly, his tone carrying a faint killing intent.
"Because I am Orochimaru's helper," Chao Yanqian said.
Seeing Shimura Danzo's cold expression, Chao Yanqian continued to explain: "The First Hokage died too early. In Orochimaru's era, he couldn't obtain the cells directly. Only you, the ambitious Root leader, could have secretly acquired a portion of the First Hokage's cells after his death!"
"It seems everyone underestimated you," Shimura Danzo said coldly. "If Tsunade knew about this, I wonder what she would think?"
"If our interests align, I believe you won't tell her," Chao Yanqian said indifferently. "Unlike you, I know how to hide better. That's the fundamental difference between us."
"Then how do you propose we cooperate?" Shimura Danzo frowned. At this moment, he no longer treated Chao Yanqian as an ordinary kid. All the words he had originally planned threats, persuasion, recruitment were swallowed back.
"It should be your goal to diminish Orochimaru's influence," Chao Yanqian said bluntly. "Of course, it's also my goal. But since I've been in contact with Orochimaru, I ask that when you move against him, you guarantee my safety and exclude me. In exchange, I'll continue to help you research Hashirama's cells and the Uchiha's Sharingan. The price is: you must give me part of the Hashirama cells."
"What if I refuse?" Shimura Danzo asked coldly.