Akihara Kagura was leisurely leading Kakashi Hatake and the others on their journey while waiting for Uchiha Itachi to report this time's events to Shimura Danzo.
This is the true value of keeping Uchiha Itachi alive!
As long as Uchiha Itachi goes to report on what happened this time, and report on Akihara Kagura's relationships with Kabuto and Yakushi Nonou, Shimura Danzo would realize one thing...
"Akihara Kagura is a child from the orphanage!"
Upon hearing Uchiha Itachi's report, Shimura Danzo immediately erupted in anger, feeling he was completely played by Akihara Kagura: "That brat has been using me all along, ever since he entered the Root division, he has been using me!"
No wonder that child has always been so obedient towards me!
No wonder that child would lash out at the Root members at the slightest provocation!
Because that child is from the Konoha Orphanage, that child's purpose in coming to the Root wasn't to become my tool but to find an opportunity to get Kabuto and Yakushi Nonou out of the Root, that child has been disguising himself all along!
"Does he really think I can't do anything to him?"
Shimura Danzo held his cane, wanting to see Sarutobi Hiruzen, but quickly calmed down because he knew he couldn't expose his secret dealings with Orochimaru.
Orochimaru was still useful to him!
Shimura Danzo was full of anger but had to suppress his fury, as the only thing he could do might be to criticize Orochimaru for not telling him everything about Akihara Kagura!
Yet…
This was something Shimura Danzo was too lazy to ask about.
Who would have thought that a tool used for killing would hide such deep thoughts, even possessing such profound schemes!
Perhaps that child has been trying to attract Sarutobi Hiruzen's attention all along, trying everything to become a Wood Release prodigy in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, with the intent for Sarutobi Hiruzen to help him get Kabuto and Yakushi Nonou out of the Root!
"My assessment mission has failed."
Uchiha Itachi respectfully finished reporting all the information he had received, then slowly lowered his head and said: "I hope Lord Danzo can give me another chance…"
"..."
Shimura Danzo clenched his cane.
At this moment, Shimura Danzo swiftly came to his senses, realizing that it wasn't that Uchiha Itachi couldn't depart from the Konoha high-ups, but rather that the Konoha high-ups couldn't do without Uchiha Itachi as a spy.
"Your assessment isn't about slaughter."
Shimura Danzo squinted his eyes and continued slowly: "Your assessment is to test your ability to endure the will of darkness. When you're willing to do whatever it takes to remove potential crises for Konoha's safety, your assessment will have already been passed."
"..."
Uchiha Itachi looked up in disbelief.
"From today onwards, you will be directly under my command."
Shimura Danzo looked down at Uchiha Itachi and announced: "Whether Konoha and the Uchiha Clan can move towards a peaceful future from now on is entrusted to you, Itachi."
"Yes, Lord Danzo!"
Uchiha Itachi's heart began to pound again.
Originally, Uchiha Itachi thought he had not passed his assessment and believed the communication channel between Konoha high-ups and the Uchiha Clan would be severed. To his surprise, Shimura Danzo chose to accept him.
As long as Shimura Danzo accepted him, he could use the intelligence from the Konoha high-ups to influence the Uchiha's judgments, and use the Uchiha Clan's intelligence to influence the Konoha high-ups' attitude towards the Uchiha!
This was Uchiha Itachi's true espionage plan!
Though taking this step was difficult, for the sake of the village and the family's peace, it was something a Konoha Ninja, an Uchiha clansman, had to do!
"Dark Department…"
Uchiha Itachi raised a question.
Because of his conflict with Akihara Kagura, once he returned to the Dark Department, he couldn't guess how much more trouble would ensue between him and Akihara Kagura.
"No need to return to the Dark Department."
Shimura Danzo shook his head, suddenly calling two names.
"Yi, Bing."
Two masked Root Ninja emerged from the shadows, respectfully kneeling on one knee before Shimura Danzo.
Shimura Danzo looked at Uchiha Itachi and instructed: "From today onwards, you two will be Itachi's subordinates, responsible for monitoring the actions of the Uchiha Clan."
"Yes."
Uchiha Itachi and the two Root Ninja lowered their heads.
"Work hard."
Shimura Danzo gazed down at Uchiha Itachi, almost greedily looking into his eyes: "Don't let me down, Itachi."
"Yes, Lord Danzo."
Uchiha Itachi lowered his head, not daring to look up.
At that moment, Uchiha Itachi knew his plan had succeeded.
"By the way, you just mentioned they brought back the Third Tsuchikage?"
Shimura Danzo narrowed his eyes, asking a question but then snorted coldly without waiting for Uchiha Itachi to answer: "The Third Tsuchikage, Both Scales Onoki…"
Compared to the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura, the secrets held by the Third Tsuchikage Onoki were undoubtedly more significant; controlling Onoki was almost equivalent to having control over the intelligence of The Hidden Rock Village.
Even though Shimura Danzo knew that Sarutobi Hiruzen would not hand over the Third Tsuchikage Onoki to him, he couldn't help but be slightly tempted at the thought of controlling all of The Hidden Rock Village's intelligence…
"I need to go out for a bit."
Shimura Danzo tapped his cane hard, issuing an order: "Muster all of the Root squad, I am going to meet Onoki, and also have a word with that brat!"
I need to personally verify…
Whether that brat is truly an orphan from the orphanage!
I need to personally ask…
If that brat has been secretly playing me all along!
If all this proves true, even if it costs an eye, I must resolve that brat and, incidentally, secure the Third Tsuchikage Onoki in advance!
Outside Konoha Village.
Akihara Kagura proactively expressed his opinion.
"I want to turn over Lord Tsuchikage to Lord Danzo."
Akihara Kagura's brow showed a trace of worry: "If Lord Danzo knows I've been obeying his orders only to save Kabuto and the Dean, he'll surely be furious with me; at least by giving him Lord Tsuchikage, I can display my loyalty…"
"Brat."
The Third Tsuchikage Onoki was utterly infuriated, almost grinding his teeth: "You want to turn me into a gift for that despicable scoundrel Danzo?"
"..."
Kakashi Hatake's forehead throbbed as he hurriedly tried to appease the elder: "Please, Lord Tsuchikage, calm down; Lord Hokage would never allow such a thing to happen."
Afterwards, Kakashi Hatake turned to Akihara Kagura, offering counsel: "Even if you hand over the Tsuchikage to Shimura Danzo, he's not going to forgive you for rescuing Yakushi Nonou and Kabuto…"
Akihara Kagura glanced at Kakashi Hatake, revisiting his past experience: "This is the critical moment in my competition with Uchiha Itachi for future leadership of the Root…"
"But…"
Kakashi Hatake felt a headache brewing and asked outright: "Aren't you the one who already rescued Yakushi Nonou and Kabuto from the Root?"
"I know."
Akihara Kagura seemed somewhat obstinate, speaking up: "But only within the Root can I achieve my Ninja Path, rooting in darkness, guarding the light…"
"Besides…"
Akihara Kagura looked at Kakashi Hatake and continued: "I've encountered the darkness within the Root, and even there, people are still guarding Konoha. I wish for a future where the tragedies of Yakushi Nonou and the Dean do not recur among the Root members…"
Akihara Kagura spoke with a spirit of fearless determination for universal harmony, rhetorically asking: "Captain Kakashi, if Lord Danzo chooses Uchiha Itachi as the future leader of the Root, do you think such tragedies would decrease?"
"I believe…"
Kakashi Hatake remembered Uchiha Itachi swinging his Ninja Sword at Kabuto, recalled the darkness that erupted from that child.
Kakashi Hatake couldn't help but sigh, considering Akihara Kagura to be more suitable than Uchiha Itachi as the future leader of the Root, he openly stated: "However, maybe there's no need to meet with Danzo. Since Lord Hokage permits the establishment of the Root, it's possible to appoint the future leader of the Root as well, right?"