Naruto: Troublesome Ninja Haruta

Chapter 30: The Masked Man's Gaze

Danzo felt a chill run down his spine as he watched his Root headquarters completely surrounded by the Anbu.

He knew very well that there were many contradictions between himself and his old friend.

Especially since he had even tried to assassinate him...

For a moment, he genuinely wondered if his old friend was using this incident as an excuse to eliminate him once and for all.

"Danzo, I know you hate Kakashi, but you've gone too far this time."

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't descend but instead looked down at Danzo from above.

"I do not wish for bloodshed between fellow villagers. You should understand that."

"..."

Damn it. Talking as if you're so righteous—have you forgotten what the Root exists for?

Danzo couldn't help but curse inwardly. But he knew this was something he could never say out loud, nor could he acknowledge Hiruzen's words.

"What are you talking about, Hiruzen? I have no prejudice against Kakashi. He was the one who invaded the Root's base without permission!"

"Without permission?"

Hiruzen shook his head and spoke in a deep voice.

"I summoned you, but I heard you pretended not to be here. That's why he had to come in and look for you himself, isn't that right?"

Danzo remained silent. He couldn't tell what exactly his old friend was pressuring him for.

However, as he glanced at "A" standing nearby and then at Haruta, who was positioned in front of Kakashi's group, a thought suddenly occurred to him.

Could it be that Hiruzen was intentionally forcing him to hand over "A" for Haruta to see? That kid had performed exceptionally well during the Sunagakure mission!

"It seems there was a miscommunication in delivering the orders. This is the first time I'm hearing about it."

Despite his thoughts running wild, Danzo still refused to admit fault.

"In that case, let's set aside Kakashi's matter for now."

"I summoned you for something else."

Hiruzen had no intention of letting Danzo off the hook so easily. He pondered for a moment before continuing.

"You should know that Wood Release is a power the village has long dreamed of obtaining. We once conducted high-risk experiments just to acquire this ability.

Yet, you've been hiding this power within the Root. Can you tell me why?"

Danzo's heart skipped a beat. So it's finally come to this!

At this point, he could no longer maintain his composure and immediately started explaining.

"I was protecting and nurturing it. I had no intention of hiding it, and besides, this wasn't something that required a formal report, was it?"

"But, Danzo..."

The Third Hokage lightly touched the brim of his hat, his tone calm yet irrefutable.

"The Jinchūriki is about to start attending the Academy, and the sealing techniques of Wood Release are becoming increasingly crucial to the village…"

Danzo was left speechless. Once the Jinchūriki was involved, the situation became entirely different!

After all, what could be more important than a Jinchūriki?

However, without "A" and his Wood Release, how would he control the Jinchūriki in the future?

"So this was all planned—to force me into submission before the Hokage while also taking 'A'?"

Danzo clenched his fists tightly. The only reason he was being pushed into this situation was because he wasn't the Hokage!

If he were, who would dare to treat him this way?

"So, Danzo, I will be assigning him to the Anbu. The Root was originally meant to be a training ground for Anbu, wasn't it?"

Hiruzen ignored Danzo's internal struggle and continued in his steady voice.

"You've already provided Anbu with many excellent talents—Haruta, for example. I hope you can be just as magnanimous this time.

However, as a token of appreciation for your contribution, I am willing to let bygones be bygones regarding everything that happened today. I can also grant your previous request."

His previous request?

Danzo instantly realized Hiruzen was referring to Haruta's interactions with Naruto. But after losing "A," was this supposed to be some kind of compensation?

Danzo was furious. He raised his head, glaring at Hiruzen in anger.

"Fine. We'll do as you say."

Ultimately, Danzo had no choice but to back down. The Anbu had completely surrounded the Root, and who knew what other arrangements Hiruzen had made outside?

He was genuinely worried that his old friend might take this opportunity to dismantle the Root entirely!

"However, I want to have a private word with him. After all, he was trained under me."

Danzo extended his hand and pointed at Haruta.

"Fine."

Seeing that things were mostly settled, Hiruzen had no objections. However, he still gave a firm reminder.

"We will be waiting for him outside. After all, he is now a member of the Anbu."

With that, he decisively ordered the Anbu to withdraw, leaving behind a grim-faced Danzo.

They really were taking him away!

"Haruta..."

Yūgao looked worried. This was her first time witnessing such a high-level political struggle, and she was completely unsure of Danzo's intentions toward Haruta.

"Don't worry. Wait for me outside."

Haruta gently patted Yūgao's shoulder before striding over to Danzo without hesitation.

"What exactly do you think you're doing?"

The moment everyone else had left, Danzo finally lost his composure!

"Are you planning to betray me like 'A' did? Don't forget, your orphanage director is still waiting for funds, and more importantly—you cannot remove the Cursed Seal on your body!"

Yeah, right. Nono Yakushi is in Iwagakure, and I already removed the damn seal ages ago.

Haruta scoffed internally but knew he had to put on a convincing act. So, he removed his mask, his expression solemn.

"Danzo-sama, I haven't forgotten. I was merely testing things just now."

"Testing?"

Danzo almost laughed out of sheer anger. Helping Kakashi take 'A' away counts as a test?

"That's right. A test."

Haruta nodded seriously.

"Danzo-sama, your goal is to become Hokage. That has always been my goal as well. Otherwise, I wouldn't have worked to establish alliances in Sunagakure on your behalf, giving you an opportunity to control them."

"..."

Danzo was momentarily speechless. Haruta's past actions did seem to align with his interests.

"But to become Hokage, you need competent guards."

Haruta looked up, staring intently at Danzo before scanning the Root members around them.

His gaze lingered on those who were still battered and covered in filth after crawling out of the Swamp of the Underworld. He shook his head and said in a low voice,

"But I'm disappointed. If they couldn't even withstand my attacks, how can they protect you from future threats?"

"What?"

Hearing this, Aburame Ryoma, who was standing nearby, was utterly dumbfounded. If others heard that, Haruta might not make it out of here alive!

Danzo, too, was momentarily stunned. He injured his own comrades, practically handed over 'A,' and now he's giving me this explanation?

But upon closer thought, it actually made sense.

Haruta wasn't from a noble clan. He was someone Danzo had personally placed in Anbu as a sleeper agent. Yet, despite that, he had managed to single-handedly overpower the Root's elite forces.

Even if it was through surprise attacks, the Root's overall performance had been disgraceful.

Could it be… that this kid is actually the most loyal one?

"I see."

After a long pause, Danzo finally nodded. After all, he still had leverage over Haruta.

Nono Yakushi was Haruta's greatest weakness, just like Kabuto. As long as he held that card, Haruta would remain under his control.

"It seems I misunderstood you. You've done well. Indeed, the Root's forces are still lacking. They need even harsher training."

Haruta nodded, but deep down, he felt sorry for these poor Root members.

Most likely, Danzo would now push them to the brink of physical collapse in training.

But that was fine. When he took over the Root in the future, he'd have a stronger force at his disposal.

Danzo could go ahead and leave behind some good assets for him.

"Alright, you may go. Don't keep the others waiting."

Though still irritated, Danzo spoke with a stoic expression.

"And remember who you truly are. Understood?"

"Danzo-sama, I have always acted in accordance with your will—for the sake of Konoha's Root."

Haruta answered smoothly, making Danzo feel a bit better.

Today had been far too frustrating…

Meanwhile, in a certain dimensional space above them, a masked man silently observed everything.

"So, this kid… is Uchiha Shisui's teammate?"

***

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