Danzo had been summoned to a meeting and was specifically told not to bring paper or pen. At the Shimura residence, only Takeshi and Yamato remained.
Filling the bathtub to the brim with steaming hot water, Takeshi instructed Yamato to wash his hair under the shower while he himself relaxed into the tub.
"Ahh..."
As the hot water enveloped his body, Takeshi let out a contented sigh.
This was pure bliss.
Yamato, standing to the side, wanted to enjoy the bath as well, but with a lower household status, he could only watch as Takeshi soaked in luxury.
"Come to think of it, Konoha's bathhouse business is doing pretty well. Maybe one day we could grab Kakashi and the others for a soak. Team bonding, you know?"
Takeshi, finding the tub a bit cramped, recalled the bathhouse where Tsunade once gave Jiraiya a solid beating.
"There's a new hot spring on the west side of the village too. It's nice."
Hearing Takeshi mention wanting to go to a bathhouse, Yamato suddenly remembered the new place Itachi had told him about not long ago.
"Yeah? I'll check it out when I get the chance."
With his hands behind his head, Takeshi kicked his legs and found a comfortable position, ready to fully enjoy his soak.
"Oh right, let me know when you're done washing your hair. I'll help scrub your back."
Closing his eyes, Takeshi didn't even look in Yamato's direction as he casually said that.
Pleasant moments often end too soon. Before Takeshi could truly wash away the fatigue from his body, he felt Yamato grab his arm.
"Takeshi-sama, someone's here."
Opening his eyes, Takeshi saw the serious expression on Yamato's face.
"Someone? This is Konoha, you know."
Though he said this aloud, Takeshi swiftly grabbed two bath towels, draped one over himself and the other over Yamato, then pushed open the bathroom door.
Attacking someone while they're bathing—how shameless can you get? That's barely better than assaulting someone on the toilet.
Outside the door, Asuma stood with a serious expression, now with a noticeable bit of stubble. He waved away the steam that had billowed out from the bath and narrowed his eyes at Takeshi.
"Well, well, if it isn't Asuma. You couldn't wait until after my bath?"
Takeshi's tone was casual, but his eyes were scanning the people behind Asuma.
What's this? A group bath audience for this young master?
All of them Root members.
"We came through the underground passage. Takeshi, the Fourth Hokage has sent ANBU to take over Root."
Asuma tossed Takeshi his clothes and spoke in a grave tone.
"The Fourth Hokage... ANBU?"
Takeshi's hand froze mid-reach. Clearly, he was shaken by the implications.
So... I'm not the young master anymore?
And my plan to inherit the old man's estate? Gone?
Wait a second—if the ANBU are here to take over Root, why come to me instead of my father?
"Root is essential! Konoha needs people like us to eliminate threats who harbor ill intent toward the village! The Fourth Hokage's decision is utterly irrational!"
Seeing Takeshi's confusion, Asuma raised his voice, venting his growing frustration.
"So what? What exactly do you want?"
Putting on his clothes and helping Yamato into his coat, Takeshi frowned at Asuma, whose mental state seemed a bit... off.
"Takeshi, I want you to come with me to plead with the Fourth Hokage—to make him rescind this decision!"
As Asuma finished speaking, the Root members behind him all nodded in support.
"You've gotta be kidding me, Asuma. Since when do you speak for Root?"
Looking at the clearly unstable Asuma before him, Takeshi seriously began to suspect he was under a genjutsu from the Uchiha.
"That..."
Takeshi's words hit Asuma like a direct blow. But he quickly recovered and pointed at Takeshi.
"You're Danzo-sensei's son. We came to you so you could lead us!"
"Danzo-sensei would never agree to this decision! He must've been detained by the Fourth Hokage. You're the only one who can carry on his will, Takeshi!"
Ugh. Why does it feel like Sarutobi Asuma turned into Shimura Asuma?
Who the hell messed with the 'Will of Fire' Asuma and turned him into this?
Brushing the dust off his coat, Takeshi complained silently.
This was the outfit he wore on missions—he had planned to wash it after his bath, but now he had to put it back on.
Shaking the water from his hair, Takeshi stopped looking at Asuma and pushed past him, heading toward the underground passage.
"Where are you going?"
"To Root. How else am I supposed to know what kind of crap is really going on?"
Not bothering to acknowledge the overly excited Asuma, Takeshi left with only his back visible.
Yamato quickly followed without saying a word to Asuma.
Behind Asuma, the Root ninja he brought along also fell in line behind Takeshi, leaving Asuma standing there alone.
...
Snow drifted silently through the air.
Inside the tunnel, Shisui was utterly confused.
He had just seen Asuma lead a whole group of people rushing through on their way to the Shimura residence.
But not long after, Takeshi brought that exact same group back, heading toward the Root base.
Wait, is the Uchiha attacking again?
No—wait, I am Uchiha.
Maybe it's the evil Uchiha attacking again?
Whatever. Doesn't matter. Just need to fix this last light bulb and I can finally clock out.
At this moment, Shisui just wanted to live peacefully like a salted fish.
...
Inside the Root base, ANBU under the Third Hokage's direct command were methodically inventorying all assets.
Thankfully, Danzo hadn't engaged in human experimentation or other publicly condemned activities in years, so no serious dirt had been uncovered.
Besides, Sakumo himself had promised that no matter what they found in Root, he'd turn a blind eye to it in exchange for Danzo's cooperation.
Leading the team was none other than Jiraiya, filling in for his student.
He looked nothing like his usual carefree self. Eyes locked on intelligence reports and files, he scanned everything carefully—determined not to miss any potentially scandalous material.
"Please halt, Takeshi-jōnin."
Takeshi had just emerged from the tunnel when an ANBU member stepped forward to block him.
The man wore a white cloak and was flanked by two other ANBU—clearly someone with real authority.
"You're Kuroya?"
As Sarutobi Hiruzen's student, Takeshi only hesitated for a second before recognizing the man.
This was one of Hiruzen's most trusted ANBU operatives.
"It's alright, Kuroya. Let him through."
Jiraiya, knowing Takeshi's character, was confident he wouldn't do anything reckless in this situation. He calmly allowed him to pass.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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