In an instant, the curse mark that Shimura Danzo had planted inside her was effortlessly dismantled by the eye power and chakra.
For Aomi, this wasn't as challenging as the daily training led by Uzumaki Mito.
Yakushi Nonou stared blankly at Aomi. She had thought Aomi would punish her, but she only saw a gentle smile—
"Forgetting names, forgetting the past and future, forgetting emotions..."
Aomi slowly spoke:
"Such an existence is not a ninja, just a cold tool. And my Root does not need such useless things. I need you to reclaim your emotions."
"Reclaim your love for the village, reclaim your longing for home, reclaim your natural desires..."
"You are all ninjas of Konoha. Even if deeply buried in Root, you should also be cared for by the Will of Fire. Even if the things we do are controversial, I shoulder that for you as the leader."
"Uchiha Aomi will not mistreat any ninja who works earnestly."
The former Root members stared blankly at Aomi, expecting a cruel punishment to follow.
In the past in Root, Shimura Danzo tested them this way. As long as they remembered their names, they would be strictly punished, trained to obliterate their emotions and strengthen their perception as tools.
But Yakushi Nonou wasn't punished by Aomi, and from her incredulous expression, the curse mark seemed truly lifted.
"Come here."
Aomi gestured to the Root ninja who had just shouted at him: "What is your name?"
This Root ninja, blood still flowing from his eyes, listened silently to Aomi's call.
But perhaps recalling the darkness Aomi presented, more terrifying than Shimura Danzo by several times, he struggled to stand and slowly walked to Aomi's side:
"My name is Aburame Shikuro."
Aomi nodded, moving his hand toward his eye socket.
However, Aburame Shikuro flinched. He knew Aomi intended to help him heal, yet it was dangerous!
"Master Aomi, I..."
Aburame Shikuro looked at the Sharingan meeting his gaze, and the impression of Shimura Danzo in his heart grew more obscure, replaced by Aomi's gentle smile and the action of relieving Yakushi Nonou's curse mark.
And deep within, resonated Aomi's words beneath the influence of the Sharingan—"I need you to have emotions."
Aburame Shikuro lowered his head: "My body is unique, parasitic poisonous insects inhabit it, contact would be lethal."
Aomi chuckled softly: "The Aburame Clan's extremely rare Poisonous Insect Master, I like it..."
Aomi still placed his hand on Aburame Shikuro's wound, the luminous green chakra instantaneously healing his injuries.
Aburame Shikuro inexplicably tensed; he had spoken for Shimura Danzo earlier, yet now seemingly forgot about the bandaged old man...
"Minor Disease Extraction Jutsu is quite effective against bacteria, including tiny poisonous insects..." Aomi raised his hand, with no trace of venomous infestation.
"Shikuro, though others cannot touch you,"
Aomi lifted the curse mark within: "I am different. You need to believe that even though fearsome poisonous insects reside within you, you will be a hero sung by everyone in Konoha's future..."
"I hope your name becomes known, as should every Root member's. You who bear the darkness for Konoha, it's unjust that only the leader's name is publicized."
Aomi motioned for the next Root member to step forward: "Mountain Fuu? Good name..."
Thus, one by one, Aomi released the curse marks from all Root members.
"As a welcome gift, I can grant each of you a single, reasonable wish."
Aomi raised a finger, speaking softly: "Who wants to be the first to speak?"
Yakushi Nonou nervously watched Aomi. The orphanage she independently supported always had extreme funding shortages, which Shimura Danzo used to control her with threats.
This might be Konoha's finest intelligence ninja, Yakushi Nonou, trying to analyze Aomi's character.
Could it be a trap for them?
Or is he genuinely attempting to change the Root...
Yakushi Nonou looked at Aomi's gentle smile, felt the lightness without the curse mark's constraint, and pursed her lips:
"Master Aomi, I request funding to aid Konoha's orphanage as I am the director there."
The former Root members fell silent, thinking this foolish woman actually dared?
"Reasonable, approved."
Aomi waved his hand: "Such a task embodying the Will of Fire is perfect for Root members to undertake..."
Aomi pulled out a wallet and casually tossed it to her.
Under Aomi's encouraging gaze, Yakushi Nonou opened the wallet and, looking at the stack of million-ryo silver notes inside, her pupils quivered.
"Thank you, Master Aomi, Nonou vows to..."
"It's unrelated to me. It's all for Konoha, so every comrade can live better, Nonou."
Aomi interrupted Yakushi Nonou's pledge of loyalty, speaking softly: "Anyone else?"
Aburame Shikuro, gazing at Yakushi Nonou's flushed face, raised his hand: "Master Aomi, I would like to visit home."
In Shimura Danzo's Root, being nameless naturally meant having no family or home.
As tools, they merely needed to remain in the display room.
"Go, you can return every day after completing your tasks..."
Aomi shook his head, saying helplessly: