Anyone who stood between Danzo and the Hokage's seat…
had to be removed.
"Tch… Hiruzen… that stubborn old fool."
Danzo's jaw tightened, irritation simmering beneath his calm exterior.
The moment he returned to the ROOT base, the humiliation crept back in like a cold draft.
Give up on eliminating White Fang?
Impossible.
As long as Sakumo Hatake existed, Danzo's path to power would never be clear.
"…Right."
A thought sparked.
Danzo clapped his hands.
"Send for my operatives."
Several ROOT shinobi appeared instantly, kneeling in silence.
Danzo's voice dropped into a low command.
"You will go and approach Shiki."
He remembered the blond boy from earlier—
the one who blocked Tsunade's monstrous punch without blinking.
If strength like that could be bound to him…
it would be a weapon no one could rival.
"Yes, Danzo-sama."
They prepared to leave, but Danzo raised a hand.
"If he refuses… bring him by force.
Once the Tongue Binding Seal is placed on him… he will follow my orders."
"Yes!"
They vanished into the shadows.
Danzo exhaled slowly, lips curling.
"Hiruzen… your time will run out eventually."
Shiki's Courtyard
Shiki had just finished training...another chakra-steel blade snapped clean in half.
He tossed the broken sword aside.
"Phew…"
"Shiki-nii!"
Kurenai rushed over with a towel in both hands.
"Here! And your bath is ready!"
"Thanks."
Shiki took the towel, stretching as he walked toward the bathroom.
"Daily Task Complete — Reward: +0.04% Fit"
The system chimed.
His rewards were increasing little by little as his base stats rose.
Behind him, Tsunade watched Kurenai scurrying around and let out a deep sigh.
"This girl… she's way too eager."
Every time she saw Kurenai fuss over Shiki like a miniature housewife—
something prickled inside Tsunade.
And with her pride?
No way she would do those things herself.
That only made it even more irritating.
"Hmph! If you don't like the view, then stop freeloading meals here every day, Tsunade-senpai! No one's forcing you to stay!"
Kurenai shot back boldly.
Her courage had grown a lot lately.
If someone teased her, she teased them right back.
"Oh—right. Tsunade-senpai can't cook. How sad."
"N-Nasty little brat!"
Tsunade clenched her fist.
She wanted to knock that smug grin off Kurenai's face—
but she wasn't about to hit a child.
A moment later, Shiki stepped out of the bath—
and found the two girls staring each other down like rival cats.
Without hesitation—
BONK!
He smacked Tsunade lightly on the head with chopsticks.
"How old are you? Why are you arguing with a kid?"
"I wasn't! She started it!"
Tsunade pointed accusingly, puffing her cheeks like a scolded teen.
Meanwhile, Kurenai stuck out her tongue triumphantly.
"Hehe! Shiki-nii always takes my side! Why would he help you?"
Tsunade's eyebrow twitched hard.
Shiki rubbed his temples.
One Tsunade was already a handful.
Now a tiny, sharp-tongued Kurenai had joined the battlefield…
His home was becoming a warzone before dinner.
The ROOT Arrive
"Hm?"
Right then, Tsunade felt several unfamiliar presences appear in the courtyard.
A heartbeat later, several masked shinobi stepped in.
When they saw her, they halted, clearly not expecting a Sannin to be present.
They bowed immediately.
"Tsunade-sama."
"That cold aura… ROOT, huh?"
Tsunade didn't need confirmation—
she could tell instantly.
Sarutobi's ANBU still had emotion.
ROOT had none.
"Yes, Tsunade-sama."
They nodded.
They might have Danzo behind them when dealing with Shiki…
but against someone of Tsunade's lineage and reputation?
They were not foolish enough to act carelessly.
"Tsunade-sama. By order of Lord Danzo, we are here to—"
"Get out."
Tsunade cut him off, icy and sharp.
Coming to Shiki's home…
the intent was obvious.
"Tsunade-sama, this is Danzo-sama's direct—"
"Leave now.
If you make me repeat myself, I'll personally make sure none of you walk out."
Tsunade wasn't bluffing.
ROOT knew that.
They exchanged glances...then wisely withdrew.
Running into Tsunade meant the mission was already over.
"Hmph."
Tsunade exhaled sharply as they disappeared.
At that moment, Shiki walked out from the kitchen.
"So Danzo finally decided to make a move."
He had sensed them the moment they entered—
Observation Haki didn't miss anything.
Even back during the meeting at the Hokage Building, Shiki had felt a cold, venomous gaze from above.
Now, he knew for certain:
That gaze belonged to Shimura Danzo.
"Hmph! Don't worry! With me around, they won't dare do anything!"
Tsunade slapped the table confidently.
…She was definitely bragging about herself.
"You're underestimating Shimura Danzo."
Shiki said calmly, unbothered.
Danzo wasn't someone who backed down easily.
If he were, he wouldn't be Danzo.
Status?
Sure—Tsunade had plenty of that:
Granddaughter of the First Hokage.
Princess of the Senju Clan.
Apprentice of the Third.
One of the Legendary Sannin.
But real authority in Konoha?
Tsunade had none.
And Danzo knew exactly how to exploit that.
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