Chapter 29: An Invitation from the Roots
"The Foundation? I've never heard of it."
Aizen's face remained impassive, seemingly unperturbed by the appearance of the two mysterious figures. And in truth, he genuinely had no prior knowledge of this "Root" organization.
"Hmph, it's normal you don't know of our existence. You've only been in Konoha for half a month; how many of its secrets could you possibly know?" The two black-clad figures snorted coldly, their dark cloaks rustling in the night breeze. Against the backdrop of the deepening dusk, they seemed to radiate a palpable sense of menace.
"Is that so? Then, if you'll excuse me, I must be on my way. I need to return to my training." Aizen's expression darkened, yet even facing two clearly powerful Root operatives, he did not back down. A natural, imposing aura emanated from him, subtly confronting the pair.
"We sought you out for a reason. Why be in such a hurry to leave?" The two Root members exchanged a glance, a fierce light flickering in their eyes. They moved silently, gradually closing in on Aizen, positioning themselves to flank him.
Aizen's expression grew more solemn. He could feel the vast chakra pressure emanating from the two. A murderous intent gleamed in their eyes, as if they were ready to kill him at a moment's disagreement.
Yet Aizen did not retreat. A trace of a sarcastic smile even appeared at the corner of his mouth as he took a step forward.
"Hm? That look..."
In that moment, the two Root operatives felt as if they were witnessing something unbelievable.
They perceived an unparalleled arrogance in Aizen's eyes. It was as if an ancient, noble soul was hidden within this youthful body—a powerful, innate self-confidence that seemed born to control all.
More importantly, when that gaze fell upon them, it felt like a superior being looking down upon insignificant ants. That kind of contempt made them feel a profound sense of shame.
But the terrifying look vanished as quickly as it appeared. Still reeling from the shock, by the time they regained their composure, Aizen's eyes had returned to their usual calm, now filled with nothing but wariness.
They stared at Aizen for a long moment but found no further clues, eventually shaking their heads in confusion.
"Must have been an illusion. How could a mere boy barely in his teens evoke such soul-deep fear in me?"
Soon, they regained their inner calm, though for some reason, they subconsciously halted their advance, maintaining a certain distance from Aizen.
The atmosphere returned to its previous gravity, as if nothing had happened. Unbeknownst to them, however, the backs of the two Root members were soaked with a cold sweat. The "illusion" they thought they'd seen had made their souls tremble, as if they'd brushed against the gates of the afterlife.
"What do you want?" Aizen asked, unflinching in the face of danger, his calm demeanor unwavering.
"It's simple. Our leader has taken an interest in your talent. He wishes to invite you to join our organization, the Foundation." The two black-clad men spoke frankly, laying out their intentions directly.
"Your leader? And who might that be?" Aizen feigned puzzlement. Though he was infiltrating Konoha, his knowledge of its darker aspects was still limited.
"Lord Shimura Danzō. He has recognized your talent and ordered us to make contact." When speaking Danzō's name, the eyes of the two men filled with reverence. In their hearts, Danzō's commands were absolute, to be carried out even at the cost of their lives.
"I see. However, I still don't quite understand what this 'Root' organization of yours is. Why should I consider joining?" Aizen smiled slightly, his plain eyes showing no emotional fluctuation.
"Our Root, also known as the 'Anbu Training Division,' is an independent organization directly under the veteran Konoha elder, Shimura Danzō. It is not under the Hokage's control, nor does it answer to the regular Anbu. It is a completely independent entity." The eyes of the two men flashed with pride.
"You could call us Konoha's assassination division. We operate in the shadows, unlike the open and upright Anbu. Everything we do is for the peace of Konoha." They paused, their gazes sharpening as they looked at Aizen.
"We are like the roots of a tree, buried deep within the soil, providing endless nourishment for Konoha, fostering its growth." After this explanation, they stared intently at Aizen. "Now that you know this much, have you made your decision?"
Aizen did not answer immediately. Instead, he looked at them calmly. He knew that his deliberate displays of talent had successfully attracted the attention of Danzō, the man lurking in Konoha's underbelly. This was precisely what he wanted!
"Very well. Take me to meet your leader."
Under the dimming twilight, the figures of the three swiftly vanished from the path.
Konoha Village, a secluded compound. The building was imposing and spacious. Though located in a remote area, it exuded an air of lofty authority.
The door to the main room slid open, and three figures entered—Aizen and his two escorts.
The moment Aizen stepped inside, his eyes were instantly drawn to the elderly figure seated in the place of honor.
Though the man appeared aged, his eyes were piercing, steady, and confident. Simply by sitting there, he naturally radiated an aura of superior authority, commanding respect without a word.
Cruel. Scheming. Unscrupulous.
This was Aizen's first impression.
This old man was the leader of the Root organization and one of Konoha's elders—Shimura Danzō!