Yamato's residence is located in the South Suburb of Konoha, a suburban area with almost no continuous houses.
It was a place Shimura Danzo prepared specifically for Yamato for the sake of secrecy.
When Shimura Danzo arrived, Yamato was preparing to cultivate Wood Release in the yard.
Due to Shimura Danzo's request, Yamato only uses Wood Release in front of Teacher Mokgetsu, even in the presence of other disciples, he refrains from using it, often practicing only at home.
Shimura Danzo didn't knock and walked straight into the courtyard.
This startled Yamato, who quickly canceled the Wood Release Ninjutsu he was about to perform and relaxed upon seeing it was Shimura Danzo.
"Lord Danzo." Yamato greeted Shimura Danzo respectfully.
This was a tactic Teacher Mokgetsu taught him, saying it's best to maintain a respectful posture in front of Shimura Danzo, and nothing else was necessary.
Shimura Danzo nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
"Use your strongest Wood Release." Shimura Danzo said simply.
Yamato immediately began gathering Wood Release Chakra and quickly formed hand signs to execute the Ninjutsu.
Under the effect of Wood Release Chakra, a large tree sprang up from the ground.
Although Teacher Mokgetsu didn't teach Yamato Wood Release Ninjutsu, the training from Teacher Mokgetsu improved Yamato's Chakra control, thus enhancing his Wood Release.
"This is more like it." Shimura Danzo commented, looking at the noticeably taller tree.
Shimura Danzo is focused on results; he doesn't care whether Yamato had been putting in effort before, he just wants to see Yamato's progress, regardless of the reasons behind it.
Yamato is key to his future position in Konoha and the village's development for decades to come; Yamato must grow stronger as he envisions.
"Ryuma, battle with Yamato." Shimura Danzo said, looking at Aburame Ryuma beside him.
Originally, he planned to leave after seeing the Wood Release, but Yamato's performance sparked some expectation in Shimura Danzo, wanting to see if Yamato could surprise him further.
Aburame Ryuma quietly stepped in front of Yamato.
"Yamato, fight Ryuma with the determination to kill the opponent, do not hold back, use your full strength." Shimura Danzo commanded.
Yamato hesitated for a moment before quickly pulling out a shuriken and tossing it toward Aburame Ryuma.
It's not that Yamato built a resolve to kill so quickly, but he had previously faced Aburame Ryuma and knew that this sunglasses-wearing uncle was very powerful, he was no match for him.
As expected, Aburame Ryuma just extended a palm, black parasitic worms surged from his body, intercepting the incoming shuriken.
"Wood Release: Wood Clone!"
Then Yamato swiftly formed hand signs and created two clones.
The clones immediately charged at Aburame Ryuma with clear intent.
And Aburame Ryuma's response was straightforward, releasing parasitic worms to attack Yamato's wood clones.
However, since a wood clone had already approached Aburame Ryuma, after being destroyed, it turned into branches that wrapped around Aburame Ryuma's body.
"Water Release: Torrential Flow!"
Yamato seized the opportunity of Aburame Ryuma being bound and quickly formed hand signs to launch an attack using Ninjutsu.
Torrential Flow, a B-level Water Release Ninjutsu developed by Teacher Mokgetsu among the Five Release Ninjutsu, utilizes penetration power like a spear of water, unlike the Water Dragon Bomb, which relies on volume collision.
Shimura Danzo nodded in satisfaction; although the overall tactics were somewhat crude, the thought process was clear, and each Ninjutsu used was well-executed.
"Secret Technique: Insect Wall Jutsu!"
While controlling the insects to form a defensive wall, he concentrated Chakra to cultivate new insects, breaking the branches entangling him.
Deploying a dual strategy, Aburame Ryuma effortlessly neutralized Yamato's offensive and swiftly engaged in close combat with Yamato.
Unable to perform Ninjutsu in time, Yamato resorted to basic breathing to enhance his strength for a Taijutsu attack.
After about two minutes of Taijutsu exchange, Shimura Danzo called off the fight.
"It wasn't in vain to have Teacher Mokgetsu instruct you; your progress is satisfactory." Shimura Danzo rarely showed a hint of a smile.
Yamato also smiled, gaining recognition from Shimura Danzo was no easy task.
"But you must not relax because of this; your progress is possible because I found the best teacher in the Ninja World for you, and others would make the same progress, if not better." Shimura Danzo habitually discouraged and emphasized his contribution.
Shimura Danzo made sure Yamato recognized that any success was due to Shimura Danzo's training, and Yamato must rely on Shimura Danzo.
"But..." Yamato wanted to tell Shimura Danzo that Teacher Mokgetsu said his progress was due to his hard work.
But Shimura Danzo ruthlessly interrupted Yamato.
"No 'but', as a member of Root, you bear the responsibility of making Konoha stronger, and you must never relax." Shimura Danzo said sternly.
Yamato ultimately held his tongue and did not argue with Shimura Danzo.
"The battle must have tired you, these are candies from the Capital, said to be favored by children there, consider them a reward for progress."
Shimura Danzo, seeing this, adjusted his expression to be more amiable, then handed over a few candies to Yamato.
"Thank you, Lord Danzo." Yamato accepted the candy, expressing gratitude with respect.
"A few candies are no big deal." Shimura Danzo noticed Yamato's expression and nodded inwardly.
As Yamato tasted Danzo's candies, thoughts of Teacher Mokgetsu arose in his mind.
He instinctively compared Teacher Mokgetsu with Danzo, discovering the kindness of Teacher Mokgetsu towards him.
Although Danzo occasionally praised him, it was far less than Teacher Mokgetsu.
Danzo wouldn't notice the five centimeters growth in his Wood Release, but Teacher Mokgetsu would observe the improvement in his running by fractions of a second.
Moreover, Teacher Mokgetsu had always been silently generous without speaking of their contributions.
The more Yamato thought, the more inclined he felt towards Teacher Mokgetsu, wishing it was Teacher Mokgetsu who he first met upon awakening.
"I shouldn't be too greedy; Teacher Mokgetsu has already gone through a lot for me." Yamato admonished himself.
After feeling that enough was done, Shimura Danzo left Yamato's place but repeated the reminder not to relax before leaving.
Back at Root, Shimura Danzo was preparing to organize some documents before finishing up, but suddenly received intelligence from his operatives in the Land of Rain.
Bam!
Shimura Danzo couldn't help but slam the table after reading the beginning of the report, which mentioned the Rain Village, Ninja Sect, and cooperation.
"How could Rain Village unite with Ninja Sect? The two have a blood feud." Shimura Danzo couldn't fathom it.
Despite the failed encirclement attempt, Hanzo's blatant killing intent should have been exposed to the Ninja Sect's ninja, making cooperation seemingly impossible for either side.
Despite the failure, Shimura Danzo hadn't entirely given up his hold in the Land of Rain, although the ongoing Konoha war left him with no spare hands.
Whether it's Sosuke's Ninja Sect heritage or Nagato's Rinnegan, these are treasures Shimura Danzo yearns for.
If he could obtain the Rinnegan for transplantation, his power would certainly surpass Sarutobi Hiruzen, and combined with the loyal Teacher Mokgetsu and the promising Wood Release ninja Yamato, Root's power would be unprecedentedly strong.
Shimura Danzo felt that even without Orochimaru's assistance, he could become Hokage himself, daring anyone to oppose him with such a formidable force.
Thus, Shimura Danzo was enraged upon seeing new intelligence from the Land of Rain, realizing it would greatly complicate his pursuit of the Rinnegan, and their combined forces would also pose a threat to Konoha.
Shimura Danzo immediately issued commands, demanding Root's operatives in the Land of Rain spare no effort in uncovering the cause of cooperation between the Rain Village and the Ninja Sect.
He needs specific intelligence to devise plans for acquiring the Rinnegan and the Ninja Sect heritage anew.