Danzō understood this better than anyone.
If those two discovered his intentions regarding Hirakawa Seisui, they would intervene without hesitation. Not only would his plan fail, but Hiruzen would certainly demand an explanation. At the very least, Danzō himself would be punished—and Root might also suffer consequences.
That outcome was highly likely.
And it was something Danzō absolutely refused to accept.
Therefore, before making any move, he needed to prepare thoroughly and ensure that everything was under his control.
This was precisely why he had tolerated Hirakawa Seisui's existence for two full years without taking action.
"Right… the Jōnin Promotion Examination will be held in just a few days," Danzō muttered, his visible eye narrowing slightly. "With Hirakawa Seisui's strength and qualifications, he is undoubtedly eligible to participate."
A faint glimmer of calculation flickered within his gaze.
"This… is the opportunity."
Having reached a decision, Danzō spoke calmly, his voice carrying unquestionable authority.
"Go. Summon Nonō."
——
Not long after, Nonō arrived at Root headquarters, having rushed over from the Konoha Orphanage upon receiving the summons.
Returning to this place after two years made her visibly uncomfortable.
Nothing had changed.
The cold corridors, the oppressive atmosphere, the silence that felt heavier than chains—Root remained just as repulsive as ever.
"Lord Danzō," Nonō greeted respectfully, lowering her head.
Danzō glanced at her briefly before speaking in an even, emotionless tone.
"Nonō, do you remember the mission I assigned to you when I permitted your return to the orphanage?"
"I remember," Nonō replied without hesitation. "You ordered me to establish a close relationship with Brother Seisui."
After answering, she instinctively looked at Danzō with unease.
Two years had passed since that mission had been given.
At the beginning, she had lived in constant fear.
She never knew when—or how—Danzō might decide to act against Brother Seisui. Because of that fear, she had secretly taken a great risk and subtly warned Seisui to remain extremely vigilant.
But time passed.
Danzō made no moves.
He behaved as though the mission had never existed.
Gradually, Nonō's guard lowered.
Life at the orphanage was peaceful. Each day was filled with simple happiness, warmth, and laughter. Without realizing it, she had nearly forgotten about the mission altogether.
And yet—
Just when she believed the matter was truly over, Danzō summoned her once again and brought up that long-forgotten order.
Her heart tightened.
Given Danzō's personality, he would never act without reason.
If he sought her out now, it could only mean one thing.
He was finally preparing to deal with Brother Seisui.
Ignoring Nonō's tense reaction, Danzō continued calmly.
"Very good. You did not disappoint me. The mission was completed successfully."
In order to lower both Seisui's and Nonō's defenses, Danzō had deliberately refrained from assigning Root operatives to monitor them.
That did not mean he was ignorant of their relationship.
On the contrary—he knew very well that the two had grown extremely close.
"Therefore," Danzō continued, "it is time for me to fulfill my original promise."
"As agreed, starting today, you are no longer a member of Root."
For a brief moment, Nonō froze.
Then, her eyes widened, and her face lit up with uncontrollable joy.
The thing she had longed for more than anything else…
Was it finally happening?
"However!"
The single word shattered her hope like glass.
Danzō's tone shifted without the slightest hesitation.
"I currently have one mission that only you can accomplish. I require your assistance."
"Once this final mission is completed, I will truly allow you to leave Root."
His voice remained calm and steady, showing not the faintest hint of guilt for reneging on his promise.
As expected.
It was never going to be that easy.
Although disappointment filled her heart, Nonō could only suppress it in silence.
"What is the mission?" she asked quietly.
"In a few days, I will arrange for you to participate in the Jōnin Promotion Examination," Danzō replied. "During that time, you will be dispatched on a mission to Takigakure. Begin your preparations."
"Takigakure?" Nonō echoed in surprise.
"I will provide the detailed information later," Danzō said indifferently. "You may return for now."
He offered no further explanation.
Seeing the disappointment still lingering on Nonō's face, Danzō added, almost as an afterthought:
"Do not worry. This will truly be the final mission."
"If this were not a task that only you—the 'Walking Miko'—are capable of completing, I would not have gone back on my word."
"Everything… is for the sake of Konoha."
Nonō nearly scoffed at those final words.
She was not like the other Root members who had been completely stripped of emotion and independent thought.
"I understand," she replied flatly.
Without lingering, she turned and left Root headquarters, returning directly to the orphanage.
At the same time, she made a silent decision.
Tomorrow, no matter what it took, she would find a way to warn Brother Seisui.
Watching Nonō's departing figure, Danzō's visible eye grew deep and cold.
"Hirakawa Seisui…" he murmured. "This time, you won't be able to jump around much longer."
——
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Konoha.
In a location so well-hidden that even most Anbu were unaware of its existence, another plot quietly brewed.
This was Hiruko's secret research base.
Having acquired White Zetsu cells, Hiruko had immediately begun his experiments.
To many, Hiruko was an unfamiliar name.
Yet in truth, he was a Jōnin of Konoha.
He was a contemporary of the legendary Konoha Sannin and had once been their comrade.
However, unlike Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru, Hiruko lacked extraordinary talent.
Even after becoming a Jōnin, his strength remained unremarkable—merely average. Within Konoha, he possessed little presence and even less recognition.
This disparity filled him with resentment.
Unwilling to accept his mediocrity, Hiruko sought another path.
Thus, he turned to forbidden research.
The Chimera Technique.
Although Hiruko's combat ability fell far short of the Sannin, his aptitude for research was undeniably impressive.
The Chimera Technique was a forbidden fusion ninjutsu, similar in taboo status to the Impure World Reincarnation.
It allowed the user to fuse with other ninja or summoning beasts.
More terrifyingly, it could even merge Bloodline Limits.
In the original timeline, Hiruko would eventually perfect this technique, successfully fusing four different Bloodline Limits into his body.
Only after attempting to assassinate Hatake Kakashi—who possessed the Sharingan—was he defeated by Uzumaki Naruto.
Had he succeeded in obtaining a fifth Bloodline Limit, his strength might have reached an unimaginably terrifying level.
Perhaps, as he once claimed, he could have become an immortal, absolute ninja—one capable of ruling the entire shinobi world.
Whether that claim held truth was unknown.
But at present, Hiruko had not reached such heights.
Otherwise, he would not be clinging to the White Zetsu cells like a drowning man grasping at straw.
"These White Zetsu cells possess a remarkable ability," Hiruko muttered excitedly as he stared at his research notes. "They can absorb chakra and rapidly proliferate by feeding on it."
What he did not know was that Hashirama cells possessed the same ability—only far more powerfully.
This ignorance was understandable.
Given Hiruko's position, he had no access whatsoever to Hashirama cells.
"If I fuse with these White Zetsu cells," he continued, his voice trembling with excitement, "I should gain the same ability. My strength and survivability will increase dramatically."
But soon—
Reality struck.
The White Zetsu cells he had obtained were simply too weak.
Even if fusion succeeded, the results would fall far short of his expectations.
After all, these were merely weakened variants—cells refined and diluted by Hirakawa Seisui and Tsunade during their research.
"No… this can't be right!"
The sudden despair of having hope ignited—only to see it instantly extinguished—was unbearable.
Hiruko's hysterical roar echoed throughout the underground base.
If this location had not been so remote and concealed, rumors of vengeful spirits haunting the area at night would surely have spread throughout Konoha.
"There must be another way!" he screamed. "I can't give up like this!"
Then—
A thought struck him.
"Wait… Tsunade is in charge of researching these White Zetsu cells."
"Then she must possess stronger, purer samples!"
His eyes gleamed with manic determination.
"I must obtain those more powerful White Zetsu cells from her—no matter the cost!"
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)