Actually, the moment the Root operative entered the back mountain territory, Naruto sensed his presence through Ki and blood detection. His awareness extended across the entire farm like an invisible net.
Considering current circumstances, this made perfect sense. After demonstrating his overwhelming strength and having the ANBU surveillance removed by Hiruzen, generally no unfamiliar shinobi would dare enter Naruto's territory without extremely good reason.
If someone DID come, it meant Hiruzen Sarutobi had something important to communicate.
Therefore, Naruto didn't intercept the Root operative's approach. He simply continued butchering pigs with methodical efficiency, waiting quietly for the messenger's arrival.
After hearing the Root ninja's formal announcement, Naruto paused his work. The name Danzo naturally held significance for him. After meeting his parents' chakra manifestations, Naruto had begun paying careful attention to personnel and politics within the village.
Danzo, as Root's commander, had specifically attracted his notice during those investigations.
But Danzo seemingly had nothing to do with him personally. So why would the man suddenly write an apology letter? What possible transgression could warrant such an approach?
Naruto walked toward the Root operative, still holding his butcher's knife. Blood dripped from the blade in slow, steady drops.
Watching Naruto approach with that blood-stained weapon, the Root ninja broke into cold sweat. His voice emerged trembling despite his training. "Naruto, I'm merely a messenger. Nothing more."
Naruto immediately recognized the operative's misunderstanding. He quickly set down the butcher knife, raising both hands in a placating gesture. "Don't be afraid. I have no hostile intentions whatsoever. Just give me the letter."
He extended his hand, palm upward.
Understanding that Naruto wouldn't create difficulties, the Root ninja released a relieved breath. He offered the sealed envelope with both hands, his posture respectfully formal.
As Naruto reached to accept it, he suddenly remembered his hands remained sticky with pig blood. He quickly wiped them thoroughly on his work apron before taking the letter properly.
After breaking the wax seal, Naruto extracted the folded paper. "Alright, you can leave now."
Though Naruto dismissed him, the Root operative didn't dare depart immediately. He needed to wait until Naruto finished reading. If there was any reply message, any response to convey back to Lord Danzo, he'd be responsible for delivering it. The operative spoke with careful respect. "Naruto-kun, please read first. If you have any reply, I'll carry it back to Lord Danzo immediately."
Seeing this dedication, Naruto couldn't force the issue. Wait as long as you like, then.
Naruto unfolded the letter and began reading the apology from Root's commander, curious what transgression warranted this formal approach.
Uzumaki Naruto, greetings!
The letter opened with standard pleasantries. Nothing particularly revealing there. Naruto continued reading with growing focus.
The Root ninja kept his head lowered in proper deference, but his eyes shifted upward, carefully observing Naruto's expression. Under his covert surveillance, Naruto's face remained expressionless initially—a normal, neutral reaction. But soon his brow furrowed. Unmistakable anger flickered across his features.
Witnessing that fury manifest, the Root operative suddenly felt dread coiling in his stomach. Please don't involve me in whatever this is.
Naruto finished reading the entire letter. He folded it again with deliberate care, then addressed the waiting ninja. "Go back now. Tell Danzo I've read his letter thoroughly."
"Naruto, do you have anything specific to convey?" The Root ninja asked with extreme caution.
"Nothing elaborate. Simply inform Danzo that I'll visit him personally when time permits. Tell him I've seen his sincerity." Naruto's voice carried absolute calm, perfectly controlled.
"I will definitely relay Naruto's exact words. In that case, I'll take my leave." After speaking, the Root operative disappeared through Body Flicker Technique. Standing before Naruto, the psychological pressure had grown genuinely oppressive.
After the Root ninja departed, Naruto remained standing motionless. He held the letter loosely in one hand, his mind processing everything with methodical precision.
Danzo's apology letter explained that Naruto's status as the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki had been leaked by him years ago. He apologized here, requesting Naruto's understanding. The leak had been "unintentional," according to the written explanation.
After finishing the letter, Naruto understood with crystalline clarity: his entire childhood suffering had been caused by this single individual. And now Danzo came apologizing? Did he finally start fearing my strength?
In Naruto's assessment, this apology was perfunctory and completely insincere.
Just a simple "sorry" and I'm supposed to forgive everything? When you leaked that information, did you ever consider what kind of existence I'd be forced to endure? But it WAS leaked, and I never saw you attempt any remedies whatsoever.
Refuting those rumors wouldn't have been difficult for Root's commander. Certainly not beyond his capabilities!
Thinking about his childhood, Naruto felt those dark days pressing against his memory with suffocating weight. He'd suffered through cold indifference, crushing loneliness, constant ridicule, and absolute absence of light or hope.
If the Ultimate Taijutsu System hadn't appeared, if it hadn't given him hope for living and brought light into his existence, Naruto genuinely couldn't imagine what kind of ending he would have met.
So why should he forgive Danzo now?
Naruto decided firmly: he would NOT forgive Danzo. The man possessed no genuine sincerity whatsoever. If he truly wanted to apologize, why hadn't he come in person? Moreover, just saying sorry without any substantive compensation? How much was an apology actually worth?
Therefore, Naruto decided to find appropriate time to meet Danzo with his fists. He'd teach the man what a proper apology actually meant.
The Root ninja returned swiftly to Root headquarters, reporting directly to Danzo in his office.
"Has the letter been delivered to Naruto?" Danzo's question came without preamble.
"Delivered successfully. Naruto provided a response." The operative stood at perfect attention.
"What response? Speak clearly."
"Naruto stated he has seen your sincerity. He will come chat with you when time permits." The Root ninja recited Naruto's reply with careful precision.
"Come chat with me when he has time? Hmph..." Danzo released a cold snort through his nose. He continued questioning sharply. "What was his expression when he said that?"
"Expression?" The Root ninja immediately recalled Naruto's face during their exchange. "My lord, when Naruto spoke those words, he displayed no particular expression. He remained very calm."
Danzo could always determine whether his subordinates spoke truthfully. His voice dropped to a low murmur. "No expression at all? Very well. You're dismissed."
The Root operative withdrew immediately with respectful formality.
After emerging into the hallway, he realized cold sweat had soaked his back completely. He thought privately: Lord Danzo, I didn't lie to you. Naruto WAS angry when reading the letter. But since you didn't specifically ask about that detail, I naturally wouldn't volunteer it.
Sometimes survival meant understanding exactly which questions had been asked.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was processing the promotion list for this Chūnin Exam's graduates.
Becoming a chūnin required more than simple combat capability. Fighting strength represented only one component. Personality, situational adaptability, team bonds, leadership potential—all were necessary conditions for chūnin promotion.
Comprehensive ability determined advancement.
Because chūnin began leading their own teams. As squad leaders, comprehensive capability and character quality were absolutely essential.
"From this perspective, not many candidates qualify for chūnin promotion..." Hiruzen murmured to himself while reviewing student examination files.
Turning to Hyūga Neji's documentation, Hiruzen's expression grew contemplative. Neji possessed excellent comprehensive abilities across multiple metrics.
However, his resentment toward the main family determined he couldn't be promoted to chūnin yet. Hiashi Hyūga had personally rejected Neji's promotion candidacy.
If Neji abandoned his grievances against the main family, he could potentially achieve chūnin this year and jōnin next year. The boy possessed that much talent.
But bitterness toward the Caged Bird Seal ran too deep for simple resolution.
Hiruzen sighed, setting Neji's file aside. Some wounds required time to heal, if they ever could.
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