When Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed he wasn't completely unaware of Root, Danzo was deeply shocked and immediately suspected whether there might be someone from Sarutobi's side within his own Root Division.
But he quickly dismissed the thought.
Root's ninja had all undergone training to eliminate their sense of self—except for Chinya.
Therefore, none of Root's ninja would ever betray him.
Danzo stared solemnly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
So Sarutobi's schemes ran deeper than he had imagined—he had already taken precautions against him.
Danzo coldly said, "I have no idea what you're talking about!"
Hiruzen fixed his gaze on Danzo and replied, "Though I may not interfere with Root's affairs, it only takes one word from me!"
Unwilling to lose Kinoto, who could use Wood Release Ninjutsu, Danzo snapped back, "You're not Hokage yet!"
"I see. Got it."
Hiruzen didn't say another word. He silently walked over and sat down in his seat.
Danzo turned and left the office.
Now that Danzo had left, Kinoto immediately fell under Hiruzen's scrutiny. Danzo needed to make arrangements for Kinoto as soon as possible.
After Danzo exited the office, Chinya dispelled his Shadow Clone.
As Chinya was having lunch with Kushina, he suddenly heard the System's voice in his ear:
[Master witnessed Shimura Danzo attempt to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi. Reward: 1000 Witness Points.]
Chinya sighed. That amount felt a bit too low.
Even though he had half-expected it, a hint of disappointment still crept in.
Well, better luck next time. Slow and steady wins the race—there'd be plenty of chances to earn points down the line.
Besides, Danzo clearly didn't understand much about Sarutobi.
Based on Danzo's expression just now, Hiruzen might be even more cunning than Danzo gave him credit for.
Upon returning to Root, Danzo immediately ordered Kinoto: "Kinoto, starting today, you are to cease all mission participation. Stay within Root and remain concealed."
Kneeling on one knee with an emotionless face, Kinoto answered, "Understood."
After Danzo left, Hiruzen summoned several other ninja and headed toward the Daimyo's Palace.
The next day.
News of Hiruzen Sarutobi reclaiming the position of Hokage spread across Konoha.
Two days later, rumors spread through Konoha claiming Minato Namikaze had passed away.
Minato hadn't died—he remained safely protected in the hospital, though still unconscious.
Hiruzen issued these orders after Konoha ninjas patrolling the village outskirts spotted enemy ninja secretly approaching the village the previous day.
These ninja were certainly sent by hostile villages to gather intelligence on Konoha.
With Hiruzen once again serving as Hokage, these spies would inevitably seek information about Minato.
Minato had many enemies throughout the Shinobi World. If they discovered he was alive but unconscious, wave after wave of assassination attempts would follow.
Rather than allow that scenario to unfold, Hiruzen decided to publicly announce Minato's death to prevent chaos.
Of course, Hiruzen had also consulted Miyuki Uzumaki on this decision.
Miyuki's response at the time was simply: "It doesn't matter to me. He will always choose whatever is best for Konoha."
In just a few short days, rumors about Naruto had already started to spread in Konoha—the child born on the day the Nine-Tails ran amok, the one many would come to call the harbinger of calamity. However, for now, these rumors were only circulating within a small circle.
...
Only half a month remained until Kushina Uzumaki's due date. Right now, Chinya wished he could watch over Kushina around the clock, fearing any possible accident.
As Chinya was about to help Kushina onto the balcony to enjoy some sunlight, Kakashi suddenly showed up.
"Chinya-sensei, sensei's wife."
After helping Kushina sit down on a lounge chair, Chinya greeted Kakashi with, "Yo, Kakashi. What brings you here today?"
"There's something I need to discuss with you, Sensei."
"Alright."
Chinya and Kakashi walked into the living room, but Chinya's eyes kept wandering toward Kushina outside on the balcony.
He asked Kakashi, "So, what was it that you wanted to discuss with me?"
Kakashi replied, "This morning, the Third approached me and asked me to meet him tonight—he said he needed my assistance with something."
Chinya looked surprised. "Oh? Hiruzen Sarutobi wants you to join him on a mission tonight? Just the two of you?"
Kakashi shook his head. "No, not just the two of us. When I arrived at his office, there were already several Anbu members present."
Chinya narrowed his eyes in thought, quickly grasping the situation. "Hmph. It seems like he plans to confront Danzo today."
Kakashi asked curiously, "Confront Danzo?"
Chinya nodded. "Within Root, there's a ninja who wields Wood Release Ninjutsu. Hiruzen wants that ninja under his control, but knows Danzo won't hand him over easily—he might even try hiding him. That's why he needs your Sharingan."
"If Danzo tries to conceal this Wood Release ninja, your Sharingan will be the key. You can use Genjutsu to force Danzo's subordinates to reveal where they've hidden him."
Kakashi questioned Chinya, "Then Sensei, should I assist with this?"
Chinya smiled slightly and said, "Of course. Why wouldn't you? For now, you're still a Konoha ninja. If it doesn't harm your personal interests, there's no reason to hold back."
Kakashi answered, "Understood, Sensei. I'll head out now and not disturb your rest any longer. I need to rendezvous with the Hokage soon."
"Mm, go ahead. If anyone gets in your way, deal with them without hesitation—it's all on Hiruzen's responsibility either way."
Kakashi bowed respectfully to Chinya before leaving Chinya's home and heading toward the Hokage Tower to rendezvous with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After arriving at the Hokage Tower, Kakashi learned that Hiruzen Sarutobi had already left. A member of the Anbu guided Kakashi toward the Anbu base.
Inside the Anbu base, over a dozen Anbu operatives had gathered.
Kakashi felt somewhat surprised. Was capturing a Wood Release ninja really worth deploying this many Anbu members? Could this mission possibly escalate into a clash with Root ninjas?
An Anbu approached Kakashi and said, "Kakashi, from now on you will directly join our squad entering the Root Division. I'll inform you of the plan when the time comes."
Kakashi nodded and replied, "I understand."
As night fell, an Anbu Commander ordered, "Everyone, follow me! We're moving out!"
All the Anbu left the Anbu Base and headed toward the Root Base.
After arriving at the Root Base, all the Anbu except Kakashi's squad took cover.
The squad leader, together with Kakashi and three other Anbu, stood before the main entrance of the Root Base.
"Follow me—into the Root Base!"
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