After getting somewhat acquainted, the three were led by a Root ninja to another hidden location. After the ninja formed hand seals, countless bizarre masks appeared before them. Due to Naruto's special status, his and his teammates' identities were mutually disclosed.
"Choose a mask and a codename you like. Remember, never reveal your real names from now on." The Root ninja glanced at Aburame Neri with a hint of envy. Being able to team up with Naruto, whom Lord Danzo regarded as his successor, meant Aburame Neri's future prospects were limitless.
"Wow! So many masks! I'll pick this one, it's pretty cool." Rock Lee, looking highly spirited, quickly chose a ferocious-looking mask and adopted the codename "Sage." The codename was ripe for ridicule, but in Rock Lee's own words, he hoped his fighting style would be like a sage's—ethereal and exceptionally dashing.
Naruto also selected his mask: a white fox mask that appeared quite aloof. This choice made the Root ninja look at Naruto with some surprise, not expecting the seemingly gentle Naruto to pick such a mask.
"Then, my codename from now on will be Shinigami," Naruto said, a gentle smile on his face as a warm breeze blew. He slowly put on the mask.
"Uzumaki Naruto, codename Shinigami, strength: Jonin." The Root ninja impassively recorded everyone's information, then nodded at them. "That's all for today. Tomorrow, you can come directly to the base to receive your missions. Lord Danzo has already selected several suitable commissions for you."
After bidding farewell to his teammates, Naruto walked home quietly, feeling a sense of relief. In a way, he had temporarily escaped the Third's control. But at the same time, he had fallen under Danzo's. Compared to the Third, Danzo was undoubtedly the better choice. Both the degree of freedom and the difficulty of the commissions were more appealing to Naruto. He greatly anticipated tomorrow's assignments.
Nothing eventful happened overnight.
Within Otogakure. Upon returning to the village, Orochimaru immediately holed himself up in his laboratory. He ordered his subordinates to clear out the largest lab and also prepare the largest available grounds for backup use. He also reassigned most of his researchers to other labs, leaving only his completely trusted confidants. Watching many precious pieces of experimental equipment being moved away, these researchers were filled with confusion. They understood how fanatical Orochimaru was about his experiments. In the past, he spent almost all his time in the lab, except for meals. But now, he had abruptly halted several ongoing or near-failing experiments, reserving everything.
Thud, thud, thud. With the sound of footsteps, several subordinates escorted captured, unconscious ninja into the laboratory. These ninja were gagged, their entire bodies bound, their murky eyes revealing endless panic. The name of the mad scientist Orochimaru was renowned like thunder among shinobi. Compared to the other Sannin, Orochimaru was far more dangerous.
"Minato-kun, this will be our first collaboration. I'm so looking forward to it~" Orochimaru's scarlet tongue flicked lightly around his lips, his voice hoarse and strangely androgynous.
"Mm," Minato nodded from the side.
Some of the accompanying trusted researchers' pupils quaked, their hearts filled with shock and disbelief. Minato? That dazzling blond hair and gentle demeanor... Could this man be the deceased Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze? He wasn't dead?
"You lot, help me collect data." Orochimaru glanced at the researchers, his killing intent suddenly materializing. The researchers felt as if they had been plunged into an ice cave and hastily suppressed their curiosity. Seeing his warning had taken effect, Orochimaru retracted his killing intent.
Once everyone was in position, Orochimaru donned a white lab coat and a surgical mask. He looked at Minato, his expression impassive. "The basic experimental procedure is to first kill the subject, then inject Reiatsu to alter the soul's structure via Reiatsu."
"For this preliminary experiment, I will kill the ninja, and you will inject the Reiatsu."
"First Shinigamification experiment. Subject: Sunagakure Chunin, no Kekkei Genkai. Method of termination: kunai." Orochimaru leisurely pulled on his gloves, his tone as calm as if he were discussing everyday matters.
Shlick. The kunai plunged in and was withdrawn, bringing with it a warm spray of blood. The bound Sand-nin thrashed a few times and then went still. Reiatsu was injected, and the Sand-nin's soul instantly became visible. Before the shocked and terrified gazes of the researchers, the soul's body writhed continuously, its face contorted in a savage, agonized howl. Then, billowing white mist emerged from within the soul, enveloping it. After a series of contortions, a Hollow appeared before everyone.
"First Shinigamification experiment: failure."
As he spoke, Orochimaru instantly subdued the Hollow using his snake ninjutsu, binding it firmly to the experimental table.
"Hollow experiment, first run. Body durability... internal composition..." His calm voice echoed in the lab, accompanied by the Hollow's tormented wails.
The next day, at the Root headquarters, Naruto, representing his squad, came to Danzo's room.
"Good morning, Sensei." He greeted Danzo gently, the respect in his tone quite pleasing to Danzo.
"Naruto, today will be your first day as a Root ninja. We in Root are different from ANBU ninja. Our creed is simple: results! Regardless of the methods used, as long as you complete the mission, you are successful."
"The ninja world is inherently cruel. Companions..." Danzo had wanted to say "companions are worthless," but considering Naruto had been indoctrinated with the Will of Fire, being too direct might backfire. A gradual approach was correct. So he amended, "...one cannot rely too much on companions, nor can one let companions affect one's judgment. A qualified ninja should complete commissions with the utmost efficiency. If I'm not mistaken, Kakashi and the Third's philosophy is likely that one can abandon the mission for the sake of comrades, correct?"
Seeing Naruto nod, Danzo pressed, "What are your own thoughts?"
Naruto pondered for a moment before replying, "I think both have their merits, but the specific course of action depends on the commission's circumstances. If the success or failure of this commission has a great impact, then perhaps I would choose to abandon my teammates. But no matter what, if they can be saved, they should be saved." Naruto's answer rather satisfied Danzo. At least it showed Naruto wasn't a brainwashed fool; he possessed basic judgment. Such a Naruto had not yet been completely molded by the Third. There was still plenty of room for shaping.
"Your choice is very correct. In Root, you can achieve significant growth and undertake national-level commissions," Danzo said, leaning on his cane, a proud look on his face. "Our Root organization is a top-tier intelligence agency in the shinobi world, so we can promptly receive commissions from major powers. Currently, according to information from our front lines, both the Land of Snow and the Land of Demons already have requests for our services."
"The Land of Snow is currently undergoing a coup. If things go as expected, we can accept a commission from them—either to help rogue ninja betray the country or to help a princess restore her nation. You'll be able to face many powerful opponents then."
"Smaller nations like the Land of Demons also offer many good commissions."
"The Land of Demons?" Naruto's interest was piqued. "Is that 'demon' referring to souls?" he asked curiously.
"I didn't expect you to be so interested in the Land of Demons, Naruto," Danzo said without much thought. "It's said that the priestess of the Land of Demons can converse with souls. However, the Land of Demons is too weak; it's destined not to make any significant waves." Danzo hadn't paid much attention to the Land of Demons, so he didn't have much intelligence on it.
Naruto silently committed the Land of Demons to memory, planning to investigate it in the future. If that priestess from the Land of Demons could indeed converse with souls, she might be a perfect candidate for Shinigamification.
"Here are several rather important commissions. However, considering your squad has just been formed, you'll first take on a few less difficult ones to build teamwork," Danzo said, handing Naruto a paper filled with commission details. "Eliminate a small organization of Chunin-level rogue ninja. You already possess Jonin-level strength, so this commission's difficulty isn't high for you. But I want you to cooperate more with your teammates during this mission."
Naruto took the commission paper and scanned it carefully. The mission was to annihilate a group of rogue ninja. This group was operating near the border of the Land of Fire, its members consisting of rogue ninja from Konoha, Kirigakure, and other villages. Their strength wasn't high, mostly Chunin-level. According to the intel, one of the Kirigakure ninja possessed crucial information and needed to be captured alive. During the mission, they might encounter Kirigakure ninja, so their actions had to be swift, precise, ruthless, and covert. If they encountered any Kiri-nin, they were to kill them directly and bring their bodies back to Konoha.
After a quick read, Naruto accepted the commission. From the intelligence, it wasn't hard to guess that these ninja likely possessed information related to various villages; even the Konoha rogue might know some secrets. This rogue organization was probably the kind of small intelligence-dealing group Minato had mentioned—maintaining connections with various countries and villages, earning commissions by selling village intel. They were undoubtedly walking a tightrope. Such intelligence organizations usually didn't last long, as no village wanted its information leaked. The day their location was exposed would be the day they died.
Danzo's willingness to directly assign such a commission to Naruto clearly showed he was genuinely invested in cultivating him. He wanted Naruto to see the true cruelty of the ninja world and, at the same time, to witness the miserable fate of Konoha's rogue ninja.
"Bring back a live target. If the situation changes, execute directly." After reading the last line, Naruto put away the commission paper and, under Danzo's satisfied gaze, set it on fire.
Danzo was amazed by Naruto's thoroughness. This... this was perfect material. Indeed, Naruto was the most suitable ninja for Root!
Naruto walked out of the Root headquarters, rendezvoused with his squad members, and left Konoha via a special hidden passage. The sun shone brightly outside; it was a perfect day for an outing. Experiencing this long-lost freedom, the corners of Naruto's mouth curled up slightly; he was in quite a good mood. There was just one thing that displeased him: he could sense several jonin following them from a distance, presumably to ensure the success of their first commission and also to monitor him.