The capital of the Land of Fire was far more prosperous than Konohagakure, and far more modern as well.
Yet, as always, there were hardly any modern means of transportation on the roads, creating a strange visual clash with the dense web of electric wires overhead.
The Daimyō's palace carried a distinctly traditional Japanese style, though its scale was not particularly large. Inside, hierarchy and etiquette were observed with extreme rigidity, and the atmosphere felt oppressive.
Makoto thought that if he were forced to live in a place like this, in less than three days he would probably turn into Rocky the husky and tear the whole place apart.
After the Third Hokage arrived, he met the Daimyō together with Mitokado Homura, who had come ahead of time. Makoto and the others were left outside, exchanging hostile stares with the shinobi guarding the place.
Their entire interaction could be summarized in two sentences:
"What are you staring at?"
"What's it to you?"
Naturally, Konohagakure maintained a permanent shinobi force stationed here to guard the capital of the Land of Fire.
But unsurprisingly, very few of the shinobi around the Daimyō actually came from Konohagakure. Most of them had either been personally trained by the Daimyō or recruited from other non-Konoha forces within the Land of Fire.
Just like the later Twelve Guardian Ninja—among them, only Sarutobi Asuma came from Konohagakure, and that was only because he had quarreled with his old man and run away from home.
Those who were recruited had to undergo multiple layers of background checks, and only after being guaranteed by a sponsor could they formally take up the position.
When half-wild outsiders encountered the Great Villages' favored prodigies, it was only natural that they would look at each other with mutual dislike.
Their faces were filled with contempt and defiance, using those expressions to display their supposed strength—but behind it all was mostly envy and jealousy.
It was just like the rogue shinobi Makoto and the others encountered while carrying out missions outside the village.
They mocked the shinobi of the great villages, claiming those people were merely flowers raised in greenhouses. Yet if Konohagakure allowed them to join, these same people would rush in at the fastest possible speed.
The great shinobi villages rarely accepted rogue shinobi easily. Even if they did, they would never truly trust them. Their only real function would be to serve as acceptable cannon fodder.
The meeting between the Third Hokage and the Daimyō proceeded very smoothly, mainly because Homura had already carried out effective communication beforehand.
After lunch, Adviser Homura stayed behind to handle the follow-up matters concerning the funds. The rest of the group set out again, returning to Konohagakure as quickly as possible.
Shinobi valued efficiency above all. No one lingered for the prosperity of the capital or the enthusiastic and beautiful young ladies in the pleasure houses—except for the lecher Jiraiya.
...
That evening, Konohagakure, Root.
After returning, Hiruzen gave the others leave. He only brought Makoto and Kakashi with him as they came here.
Root was not a pleasant place. Located deep underground, it was dark and cold.
Danzō had probably stayed here for so long that the chill had seeped into his brain, leaving his intelligence somewhat lacking.
When Makoto and the other two arrived, they saw him standing on the central corridor bridge, guarded by two squads of Root shinobi.
Even though he clearly had more people on his side, in terms of presence he was completely suppressed by his old friend, looking like someone who had done something wrong.
This fellow usually threw the Third Hokage's name around recklessly whenever he did anything. But once the Hokage got angry, he would obediently behave himself. If told to wait here, then he would honestly wait here.
Because he knew that nothing would really happen. At most, the monkey would scold him a few times.
"Danzō, do you understand what you are doing?"
"Of course I do, Hiruzen. You are the one who should carefully reflect on what you have done. A dignified Hokage went out with only a few little brats accompanying him. For the sake of your safety, and for the stability of Konoha, I helped you test the strength of your guard force. Was I wrong?"
As expected of the Darkness of the Shinobi World. He had clearly gone there intending to kill his old best friend, yet with a turn of phrase it became concern for the other party instead.
Did he love him so much he wanted to kill him?
Hiruzen was so angry that he laughed. "Oh? Then I suppose I ought to thank you."
"There is no need. This is my duty."
"Danzō, remember your duty. Since you are willing to lurk underground and protect Konoha, then stay properly hidden in the darkness and do not meddle in matters under the sunlight. If there is a next time, you know the consequences."
"Hmph!" Danzō let out a cold snort, while inwardly thinking that it was just as he had expected—nothing would happen to him at all. What a weak monkey.
As for a next time? Of course he would still dare.
You have already become this weak, so how could you possibly lead Konoha to strength? Restoring the glory of the First Hokage's era was a duty Danzō could not shirk.
Watching the exchange between those two, Makoto could only say that Biwako-sama had merely been an accident—Danzō was the true love.
If the two of you did not get married on the spot, it would be an insult to the beating Obito took.
Hiruzen did not want to keep dwelling on this rotten matter. He had come here to make Danzō cough up his spoils. "Hand him over to me."
"What person?"
"Wood Release. Do I need to make it any clearer?"
Danzō clenched both hands tightly, filled with unwillingness. 'I finally produced results with great difficulty, and before it has even fully matured, you are already coming to pick the fruit. You already have so many good seedlings—do you really have to keep your eye on this one too?'
He wanted to refuse loudly, but he did not dare. "I understand."
Very soon, after his mask was removed, Kinoe—wearing face protection similar to Senju Tobirama's and looking foolishly adorable—was brought over. Right now, his expression was innocent and completely lost.
"The curse mark."
Danzō was extremely obedient, honestly removing the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal from Kinoe.
He did not know what had happened, but Kinoe knew that he was free. Although he was very grateful for Danzō-sama's rescue and instruction, if possible, he would rather live above ground like the other shinobi.
This Wood Release shinobi, who was originally supposed to be rescued only after Orochimaru's defection, now left the familiar yet terrifying Root ahead of time.
Seeing that his objective had been achieved, Hiruzen turned and left. He also did not like staying in this place for too long.
"Wait."
"Oh? Danzō, do you have something else?"
Danzō looked at Makoto. "Before you leave, you should at least remove the curse marks on my subordinates."
The Third Hokage was somewhat surprised by the effect of Makoto's sealing, but he did not show it. "I see you're getting worse with age. Does Root really not even have anyone capable of removing a chakra-sealing curse mark?"
If I could remove it, would I need to lower myself and ask you? If manpower were not insufficient, he would rather have those people remain idle forever.
"Then why don't you try it yourself?"
Hiruzen would not fall for such a trap. "Makoto, remove them for them."
"No problem, Hokage-sama."
After saying that, the Third Hokage left together with the newly acquired treasure and Kakashi, leaving Makoto alone to face Danzō.
He was not worried about Makoto's safety at all. If Danzō had the ability, he could try to recruit him or take action. If he ended up beaten to death, then it would not be Hiruzen's fault for failing to warn him beforehand.
Looking at the group of expressionless Root shinobi before him, Makoto noticed that one was missing. It seemed that Danzō had deliberately kept that person behind to study the seal.
He did not care in the slightest. If you have the ability, then go ahead and crack it. If you succeed, he would sincerely congratulate you.
With a light tap of his right foot on the ground, the "Self-Binding Curse Marks" on those people seeped into the ground like flowing water and vanished.
Danzō's single eye narrowed at the sight: it could be removed without contact? Then the physical contact used during the earlier casting had been meant to mislead others. When applying the seal, contact might not even be necessary—it was just unknown how far the casting distance could reach.
What a terrifying talent.
If Kinoe was a small tree that had only just begun to grow, then Kakashi had already grown halfway. But Makoto was completely a towering tree—and even more terrifying, he was still growing.
If someone like this could stand on his side…
In any case, trying would cost nothing.
"Higashino Makoto, you've seen it yourself. Can someone as weak as the Third Hokage really lead Konoha forward?"
The verbal trap that Hiruzen would not step on was naturally one that Makoto would not step on either. "Danzō-sama, this is not weakness. This is cherishing the bonds between comrades."
"You should be grateful for it. If that bond did not exist, you would already be dead."
That settled it—his mind was completely filled with the bonds of the Will of Fire, something that was naturally incompatible with Danzō.
"Hmph. As a member of the Fourth Hokage's Shadow Guard, you should know your place. In the future, I hope you do not associate too closely with the Uchiha clan."
"Are you telling me how to do my job?"
"…"
Damn it, so infuriating. He really wanted to get rid of this brat, but he did not dare. He could not win. Even with so many people in Root attacking together, they had all been sealed into uselessness in a single encounter. What could he do even if he joined in?
Power. Danzō needed power. Without power, even a junior brat dared to trample on his face. It seemed that it was time to demand that Orochimaru accelerate the progress of his experiments.
And right now, he did not want to see the hateful person in front of him at all.
"I won't see you out."
"Then, goodbye, Danzō-sama."
...
Makoto left Root in a pleasant mood, preparing to return to the Anbu base to change clothes and get off duty.
But his happiness did not last long.
Inside the exclusive activity room of the Anbu Shadow Guard, Makoto looked at Kakashi and the uneasy Kinoe. "Why are you here?"
"Well, the Third Hokage said that Kinoe will join the Anbu from now on."
"That's a good thing. He can follow you as his senpai."
"But the Third Hokage also said that since Kinoe has lived in that dark place called Root all this time, if he wants to recover normalcy as soon as possible, integrating into a family might be the best approach. I think so as well."
"Don't you have a home?"
"Sorry, Makoto. My house only has me left, so it's not very suitable."
"So what you're saying is that after we made a trip to Root, I suddenly gained a younger brother?"
"Or possibly an older brother."
"No, it must be a younger brother."
"Congratulations, Makoto. The Higashino family has gained a new member."
'…Damn it, I fell for it. Kakashi really is a scheming bastard.'
Kakashi continued to add pressure. "Didn't you want to integrate Wood Release? The Hokage said that if you live together with Kinoe, it will make it more convenient for you to develop ninjutsu. So, I wish you success as soon as possible."
"Well then, thank you very much."
Their conversation was not hidden from Kinoe. He heard everything and looked at Makoto with curiosity. Wood Release… could something like that really be integrated?
He felt that these people might be crazy.
Makoto was not crazy, but he did feel that Hiruzen was truly shrewd and calculating. Ice Release was already not enough for him—now he had directly stuffed a Wood Release shinobi into his house, practically wishing that tomorrow Makoto would clap his hands together and start planting forests all over Konoha.
You old men—just how deep is your obsession with Wood Release?
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