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Chapter 94 is out on patreon!!!
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Once Danzo left,
Hiruzen ordered his men to carry the Cloud ninja's corpse to the medical room first.
Even a dead person could reveal a lot of clues.
So, before returning the body to the Cloud Village, they had to investigate it thoroughly.
After making the arrangements, Hiruzen walked over to Hiashi and said,
"Hiashi, there will definitely be some trouble following this incident. Prepare yourself mentally. Konoha cannot afford a war right now."
Hiashi remained calm.
"I understand."
Hiruzen nodded.
"I will have the Anbu strengthen patrols in this area. Your clan should also reinforce its defenses recently, just to prevent any further incidents."
Hiashi's expression didn't change.
"Then, Lord Hokage, may I return now? My people are waiting for me, and there are many matters I need to rearrange."
Hiruzen understood immediately.
There would definitely be an internal purge within the clan.
The eldest daughter of the Main House had been abducted, yet no one from the Branch House on the outer perimeter noticed. That was far too abnormal. Most likely, they had noticed—but chose not to act.
However, this was an internal clan matter.
It wasn't appropriate for Hiruzen to intervene directly. He could only remind him:
"Don't go too far. Konoha cannot function without your clan. Every member is important."
Hiashi glanced at him.
"Rest assured, Lord Hokage. No one will die."
Hiruzen smiled.
"Then I am relieved. Go back and handle your affairs."
Hiashi nodded and turned to leave.
After taking two steps, he paused and looked back.
"Lord Hokage, that boy Rokuro technically saved my daughter. Tomorrow, I will send a gift to the Hokage building. I ask that it be passed on to him."
"No problem," Hiruzen agreed immediately.
Hiashi cupped his hands, then truly left this time.
Watching him go, Hiruzen sighed softly. He ordered the Anbu to continue investigating the site, then left with the team carrying the corpse.
…
Underground base.
Danzo returned to his office.
He spent a while cursing Hiruzen before gradually calming down.
Hiruzen's softness frustrated him to no end.
But he wasn't the Hokage. He couldn't control him.
Bad mood.
He needed something to fix it.
After a moment of thought, he said to the ninja beside him,
"Have Hanata bring Rokuro here."
"Yes!"
The ninja left immediately.
Thinking about Rokuro improved Danzo's mood.
Only five years old—yet capable of contending with a veteran Jōnin.
He even used a clone to outplay his opponent.
His combat instincts were exceptional.
Combined with that raw physical strength, even granting him the rank of Special Jōnin right now wouldn't be unreasonable.
Hiruzen had Itachi and Kakashi…
And now, he had Rokuro.
The more he thought about it, the better he felt.
When Rokuro arrived, Danzo smiled.
"Rokuro, sit down. Let's talk."
Damn.
That smile is terrifying.
He looks better not smiling at all.
Rokuro mocked him internally, then sat down and asked eagerly,
"Lord Danzo, did you call me here to tell me I've become a Chūnin?"
Danzo froze for a moment, then shook his head.
"You cannot become a Chūnin yet."
Rokuro's face fell instantly.
"Why? Is my strength not enough?"
Danzo looked at him.
"Your strength is more than enough. But the Hokage believes you are too young. He wants you to attend the Ninja Academy for a year first. I argued for you, but he refused."
Rokuro grew visibly upset.
"Why? Others become Jōnin at seven—why can't I be a Chūnin at five? That's not fair!"
Danzo coughed lightly.
"There is nothing I can do. We must obey the Hokage's orders."
Rokuro muttered bitterly,
"Then why aren't you the Hokage, Lord Danzo?"
Danzo felt extremely satisfied inside.
The more Rokuro disliked Hiruzen, the better.
But outwardly, he scolded him.
"Do not speak disrespectfully about the Hokage!"
Rokuro lowered his head, looking wronged.
"Then what should I do? If I can't become a Chūnin, I can't go on missions with my master. And now I have to attend some useless school…"
Danzo softened his tone.
"I cannot change the order. But within Root, I can allow you to wear a Chūnin vest. As for the Academy, I will negotiate—you will only need to attend ten days each month."
Rokuro still looked reluctant.
Danzo smiled inwardly, then added,
"Since you feel wronged, I can give you another secret Ninjutsu scroll."
Rokuro hesitated, then said,
"Fine. But I want the Shadow Clone Jutsu. I heard it's a solid clone. I'll send it to school while I stay home and train."
Shadow Clone.
Not particularly rare.
Danzo agreed immediately.
"Very well. I'll have it delivered tomorrow. For now, lie low and avoid trouble. Wait until June."
Rokuro nodded.
"Alright. I'll go sleep."
Danzo nodded and pointed to the guard.
"That is Hanata. He will follow you from now on. If you're bored, you may spar with him."
Rokuro glanced at him and scoffed.
"A guy who couldn't even beat a Cloud ninja? He must be pretty average. If I were a Jōnin, I would've killed him instantly."
Hanata clenched his teeth.
This brat…
During training, he'd make sure to teach him a lesson.
Danzo chuckled.
"At least he is stronger than you for now. You can still learn something."
Rokuro waved dismissively.
"Fine, I'll make do with him."
Hanata rolled his eyes but followed after bowing to Danzo.
Once they left, Danzo returned to his desk and sat down.
POOF!
The chair vanished.
A puff of smoke replaced it.
Danzo nearly fell flat on his back.
Fortunately, his reflexes saved him—he caught himself on the desk.
Who dares attack me?!
Fury surged instantly.
But when he looked at where the chair had been…
He calmed down.
Though the corner of his eye twitched uncontrollably.