Hiruko recalled the torment he had suffered here.
So that was it—
These people never cared what he knew.
They just wanted to break him psychologically.
So he would willingly become one of them.
Then why didn't you just ask from the start?!
If they had asked—
He would have joined immediately.
His strength had always been… awkward.
Stronger than most—
But far from the top.
Among jōnin, he wasn't weak.
But compared to the likes of Orochimaru and the other Sannin—
He had been completely left behind.
He had struggled for years—
Barely securing a commander position—
Only to be kicked off the moment the war began.
Strength?
Not enough.
Status?
Impossible to improve.
Now even his so-called "student" had surpassed him—
And gained a title of his own.
Flame Demon.
Jealousy gnawed at him.
If it meant becoming stronger—
He would sacrifice anything.
He had long since grown sick of being overshadowed—
By the Sannin…
By Akira…
So why torture him?!
Just ask!!
He would've agreed on the spot!!
He clenched his fists tightly.
Everything—
Was Hyūga Akira's fault.
Originally, he had planned to research forbidden techniques—
Enhance his own talent—
And defect if discovered.
But now?
The curse seal on his tongue—
And the countless other seals placed on him—
Had completely cut off any path of escape.
He was doomed to rot in Root's darkness forever.
Hyūga Akira… you deserve to die.
Hiruko snorted coldly and followed behind Danzō.
Now one of Root's most important researchers—
His status wasn't low.
He would use Root—
To enhance his potential.
And obtain the Byakugan.
Akira, on the other hand, followed with a grin.
Danzō either didn't notice—
Or simply didn't care about the tension between them.
Hiruko was tightly controlled—
Even more so than ordinary Root members.
Because Danzō knew—
He was the same type as Orochimaru.
A researcher.
Dangerous.
"Root…" Danzō began calmly.
"Has no name. No emotion. No past. No future."
"We exist only for missions."
"To support Konoha from the shadows—"
"To nourish the great tree from beneath the earth…"
He spoke of purpose.
Of sacrifice.
Of Root being Konoha's unseen shield—
Handling what others could not.
Passing judgment.
Conducting research without limits.
"All… for the sake of Konoha."
Akira kept a straight face.
But inside—
He was rolling his eyes.
It's just a sewer organization. Why make it sound poetic?
Still, he nodded seriously.
"The things ANBU can't do—Root does."
"The things ANBU won't do—Root dares to."
"Act first, report later. Hokage-approved."
Danzō paused.
Then slowly turned.
His eyes lit up.
"…Well said."
"Act first, report later. Hokage-approved."
Good.
He liked that.
He'd be using it from now on.
The base stretched throughout the mountain.
Numerous laboratories—
Most experimenting on captured enemy shinobi.
Cloud, Stone, Sand, Mist—
Even smaller villages.
All represented.
Root hadn't begun experimenting on their own villagers yet—
But they weren't far from that line.
Still—
There were no major breakthroughs yet.
Which was why Danzō had wanted Orochimaru so badly.
His gaze briefly flicked toward Hiruko.
For now—
This one would have to do.
They passed training halls.
Children—
Younger than Akira—
Fighting desperately.
"Orphans," Danzō said.
"They will become Root's future."
Many had been collected from war zones.
Taken in—
Trained brutally—
Forged into weapons.
Akira's smile faded slightly.
But he said nothing.
Even to him—
NPCs still deserved a bit of empathy.
Next—
The armory.
"Here," Danzō said,
"Are rare metals, weapons, and jutsu collected from across the world."
"You may request anything you need."
Hiruko's eyes lit up.
"What about sealing techniques?"
Danzō looked at him meaningfully.
"If needed… they can be provided."
Akira's eyes sparkled.
"I want Edo Tensei."
Danzō's mouth twitched.
"…We'll discuss that later."
No chance.
On this—
He and Hiruzen agreed completely.
Akira was a weapon—
Not a researcher.
Akira looked disappointed.
Both of them are so stingy.
Danzō reached into his sleeve—
And tossed out a scroll.
"You two. Complete this mission."
Akira opened it.
A grin spread across his face.
"Now this is more like it."
"If we're not targeting Uchiha, what's even the point of Root?"
Danzō's face darkened.
"Root exists for Konoha!!"
"Not to target the Uchiha!!"
Even though—
That's exactly what he'd been doing.
"Yeah, yeah, got it."
Akira casually picked his ear.
Clearly not listening.
Danzō ignored him and turned to Hiruko.
"This is your mission."
"If you fail…"
"You know the consequences."
Hiruko looked at the scroll.
His expression twisted.
Mission:
Assassinate three Uchiha jōnin.
Retrieve their Sharingan.
Leave evidence implicating Kirigakure.
"Uchiha… jōnin?!"
His voice rose sharply.
"They're from the same village!!"
Akira glanced at him.
"You didn't hear me earlier?"
"Root exists to deal with the Uchiha."
"For Konoha!!"
Danzō snapped again.
Hiruko fell silent.
Refusal—
Was not an option.
Not here.
Not anymore.
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