Chapter 380: Hidden Leaf Village — Lord Aizen Is the Moon of Konoha
On the other side,
the various factions of the shinobi world were all holding emergency meetings.
The newly revitalized Hidden Leaf Village
was filled with scenes of prosperity and renewal.
The Root Organization, personally transferred to Aizen by Shimura Danzo, was playing a pivotal role. In just over a month, it had revitalized the war-weary and desolate village.
What was once meant to be buried in the shadows—Root—
at the mere mention of the name, many believed Danzo had returned from the ashes, and the entire village was on high alert.
From the perspective of fate in the original work,
Shimura Danzo was always portrayed as a foolish villain, humiliated and scorned. He incited the downfall of the Uchiha, triggering unrest in other villages,
spread rumors that forced the White Fang to commit suicide, causing Konoha to lose a vital high-level combatant.
He even had the audacity to provoke war in the Hidden Rain Village, which eventually led Nagato, the wielder of the Rinnegan, to seek vengeance on Konoha.
And so on…
But most shinobi had no access to these hidden truths.
In their eyes, Danzo died as a strong-handed, iron-blooded hawkish leader—emotionless, powerful, and cold-hearted.
Both civilians and local shinobi feared and respected him in equal measure.
He was like a shadowy version of the imperial secret police,
and people feared that a single misstep might draw his gaze, bringing ruin to their entire families.
"Lord Aizen!"
A pretty young girl in a black bodysuit, with a forehead protector and shinobi leg wraps—marking her as a prospective student of the Ninja Academy—ran toward Aizen, cheeks flushed with excitement.
She looked up at him shyly and raised a small bouquet of daisies.
In a soft voice, she said, "Lord Aizen, I've been accepted into the Ninja Academy. Soon, I'll become a ninja!"
Aizen smiled gently, quietly waiting for her to continue.
The girl took a deep breath, clearly nervous, and said timidly, "So… Lord Aizen, if I graduate as top of my class from the Ninja Academy, could I… become your adjutant?"
She lowered her head, afraid that Aizen would reject her.
She looked like a prisoner awaiting sentencing.
She knew well that suddenly approaching like this was presumptuous, but this was her dream!
She wanted to follow Lord Aizen.
Such a warm and perfect man—he was like a ray of light breaking into her dark life, guiding her forward.
"Get lost! Lord Aizen's adjutant isn't a position a little brat like you should even dream of!"
"Lord Aizen is busy with official duties. This little girl is far too presumptuous—she's just bothering him!"
"Scram!"
The Root Organization under Aizen's leadership had helped war orphans, rescued critically injured ninjas, built roads and bridges, provided medical aid, and cared for neglected corners of the village.
Like a sudden rain of blessings from the heavens,
some people had already unconsciously begun comparing Lord Aizen to the Fourth Hokage.
The same warmth that touched people's hearts.
But there was a subtle difference.
The Fourth Hokage's warmth was like sunlight—bright, all-encompassing, protecting all civilians and shinobi alike.
Aizen, however, was more like the moon. His glow wasn't dazzling, and he didn't boast the Fourth's impeccable combat record,
but the moonlight flowed gently like water, seeping into everyone's hearts. Even the darkest corners had a place for his light.
More and more people began to yearn for someone like Lord Aizen.
Could this be a different kind of Will of Fire?
Even Shimura Danzo seemed very satisfied with Aizen's actions.
This man who executed every mission with machine-like perfection possessed terrifying intellect when it came to administration.
Not only could he handle a myriad of affairs, he often anticipated and resolved Danzo's problems before they could even arise.
And beyond that,
Danzo still harbored some resentment deep inside.
Back when the "Monkey" was still alive, he had been forced into becoming the leader of the Root, a branch rooted in the mud.
Now, seeing Aizen lead Root to gain the villagers' admiration, Danzo felt a sense of victorious satisfaction,
as if stepping on the Monkey's legacy and singing his own triumphant song.
"I really want to summon the Monkey's soul and let him see with his own eyes how prosperous Konoha is under my command!"
"Indeed, I was always the one more suited to be Hokage!"
Danzo's expression remained stoic, but in his heart, he was laughing uncontrollably.
He had no fear of Aizen's betrayal.
Not just Aizen—the entire Root Organization, including its ninja and operatives, had all been implanted with the Tongue Curse Seal. None could escape his control.
If any disloyal thought were to arise—
Though it would be unfortunate, Danzo would still ruthlessly erase the threat. Until then, Aizen was the most efficient tool he had ever encountered.
Perfect!
…
On the bustling streets,
civilians glared angrily at the girl blocking the road, as if enforcing Lord Aizen's will.
Even the members of Root hidden in the shadows felt displeased.
When it came to loyalty,
the most devoted group in the entire Hidden Leaf was probably the Root members who spent every waking moment alongside Aizen.
Even with the tongue curse seal and Danzo's brainwashing, their mental scales had slowly started tipping in Aizen's favor.
"I'm sorry, Lord Aizen!"
Feeling like the target of everyone's scorn, the girl lowered her head and guiltily turned to leave.
Lord Aizen had likely long forgotten her.
What she did was just her own wishful thinking, and doing so in front of a crowd seemed more like coercion.
Someone like her had no right to follow Lord Aizen.
"Everyone, quiet. Don't be like this."
A voice as gentle as moonlight, carrying an inexplicable magic, instantly calmed the restless onlookers.
Aizen lowered his head, the lenses of his flat-framed glasses reflecting light, momentarily obscuring his kind and approachable face.
His gaze fell on the young girl.
A warm hand gently patted her head as he smiled kindly and said, "Hinoki-ri, how is everyone at the orphanage?"
That one sentence
made the guilty little girl lift her head in surprise, then nod vigorously. "Lord Aizen, everyone is doing well! And… we all miss you very much!"
Aizen crouched down, apologetically saying, "I'm sorry. Work has been overwhelming lately, and I haven't had the time to visit you all at the orphanage."
"No need to apologize, Lord Aizen!"
Hinoki-ri's voice trembled with emotion, her face flushing red as she stammered, "We're all working hard to learn the Will of Fire and hope to… no, just being able to follow in your footsteps is enough, no matter when or where!"
Lord Aizen still remembered them!
Indeed, Lord Aizen was different from those who feigned compassion. Even the most overlooked orphans—
even someone as ordinary and forgotten as herself, left in a corner of the orphanage—Lord Aizen still remembered her name with unwavering kindness.
A man like Lord Aizen… was worthy of becoming Hokage!
This was the light Hinoki-ri yearned for deep in her heart.
Moonlight!
Not the golden flash, not the Sannin or the White Fang, but a title that belonged solely to Lord Aizen.
The Moonlight of Konoha.
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