Root.
Whether intentional or not, the vast base of this organization felt somewhat dim.
It was Kanzuki's first time reporting to Root, and he was summoned by Danzo.
At this time, Danzo was already propped up by a cane, with his entire right arm wrapped in an outer robe, and his right eye was covered by white bandages.
"Oboro, is it?"
"Yes, Lord Danzo," Kanzuki half-kneeled on the ground, now donned in the new uniform he had received, with a black flame pattern mask covering his face.
Danzo scrutinized the young ninja before him. He had, of course, reviewed all of Kanzuki's records. Given Shisui's special status, Danzo was particularly invested in someone recommended by him.
Kanzuki Oboro, fifteen years old, Chuunin, a balanced ninja in various abilities but slightly more proficient in Taijutsu, was a peer of Shisui during their time at the Academy. He was once second only to Shisui and had been a rising star during the Great Ninja War. However, after a certain scandal, he gradually faded into obscurity.
Because of this incident, Kanzuki Oboro had yet to find new teammates and had continued to operate as a solo ninja, occasionally taking on joint missions with others.
As it stood, Kanzuki Oboro could only be regarded as slightly more capable than an average ninja.
"You have a good relationship with Shisui."
"We were in the same batch."
"You are a special case in Root. Since Shisui recommended you, you must have something notable about you," Danzo said, his gaze calmly locked onto Kanzuki.
"Root is a haven for those with darkness in their hearts, and such people know better how to wield power."
"Are you one of those people?"
"I cannot say. I only think about doing my job to the best of my ability," Kanzuki responded coolly, his mask completely concealing any expression.
"Doing your job?" Danzo narrowed his eye, growing more intrigued by Kanzuki.
In such a sensitive period, having someone like Shisui bring in a newcomer was enough to make Danzo cautious.
This kid has some thoughts…
Danzo's expression was inscrutable as he looked at Kanzuki for a while, then spoke, "Gaku."
Whoosh!
A dark-clad figure with a hood suddenly appeared next to Kanzuki, without a mask. A tattoo marred his cheek, and he wore black sunglasses.
"Shisui has a mission. From now on, Gaku will be your guide," Danzo stated.
"Understood."
After leaving Danzo's presence, the dark-clad figure followed Kanzuki.
"Root frequently has missions; be prepared," Gaku said, his voice deep and resonant, typical of a middle-aged man.
"I won't stay with you for long. Once you become a qualified 'Root' member, I'll step back."
"Gaku, is it?" Kanzuki asked.
"Gaku is my code name. I won't call you by your name during missions," Gaku said.
"Then call me Katsura," Kanzuki replied casually.
Gaku was momentarily taken aback but quickly composed himself. "A 'Root' member has no name, no emotions, no past, and no future—only tasks in their hearts."
"Remember to report tomorrow."
With that, he vanished in an instant, leaving Kanzuki alone.
[Name: Aburame Ryoma (Gaku)
Gender: Male
Age: 45
Affinity Level: 51
Relationship: Colleague
Bond Route: Not Chosen]
Aburame... Ryoma?
From the Aburame Clan, his dress style certainly resembled that of the clan.
Kanzuki thought, finding he had no prior impression of him.
Returning home, Kanzuki had just opened the door when he spotted a familiar figure sitting in his room.
"Welcome home," Shisui said with a smile.
Kanzuki's expression darkened slightly. After shutting the door behind him, he quietly approached and closed the open window.
"You broke into my house again."
"What's the big deal? It's your place after all," Shisui shrugged nonchalantly.
"Can I not have some privacy in my own home?" Kanzuki sighed.
"With our relationship, do you really need to worry about little things like this?" Shisui smirked.
Ignoring him, Kanzuki set down his mask and sword on the table and hung up the uniform he had just changed out of.
"Did you report to Root today?" Shisui asked, eyeing the black flame-pattern mask.
"Yeah."
"Did you meet Danzo?"
"Yeah."
"What's your impression?"
"Cautious."
Shisui nodded in understanding, not surprised.
"Danzo is a highly suspicious person. He might be wondering about my reasons for bringing you into Root, and gaining his trust will be extremely difficult. Even I have struggled to earn his trust in the past."
Shisui spoke from experience, knowing Danzo had long since excluded him from his inner circle.
"To gain the trust of someone like him is a bit of a high-stakes game," Kanzuki replied.
"As long as you show enough value, even knowing it might be a double-edged sword, he will want to use you as his weapon."
Shisui paused, then smiled, "Then do it your way. I believe in you."
Kanzuki shot him a glance, saying nothing further.
"Soon, I'll revert to being an average ninja, and you'll have to handle things in Root." Shisui said with a grin, sitting back in the chair and gently swaying his legs.
"Even though we won't be working together in an official capacity, it's nice to share this kind of mutual understanding again."
"I can have a mutual understanding with anyone." Kanzuki stated bluntly.
"No one can compare with me?!" Shisui declared, "We've known each other for so long!"
"And I'm the one who truly knows your real capabilities?"
Kanzuki raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"Of course," Shisui replied a bit smugly before continuing, "But… you're definitely not my match."
"What does it matter to compare a Jounin to a Chuunin?" Kanzuki rolled his eyes.
"Chuunin?" Shisui chuckled.
"What else?" Kanzuki replied calmly.
"Well, it doesn't matter. I'll be fine either way," Shisui stretched and stood up.
"I just completed a mission and came to check on you."
"What mission?" Kanzuki asked.
"Just some standard tasks for Root, pretty similar to ANBU. You'll find out soon enough," Shisui sighed.
"Danzo has excluded me from his inner circle, so I'll have to rely on you."
"Just me isn't enough," Kanzuki replied.
Shisui was momentarily stunned.
"You'll also need an eye on the Hokage's side," Kanzuki said calmly.
"Oboro, you…" Shisui looked at him, but his friend showed no change in expression.
"Don't you think you've classified yourself as part of the Hokage faction?" Kanzuki stood by the window, his deadpan expression making Shisui feel uneasy.
He couldn't comprehend what mindset his friend had when delivering such words.
"Is that wrong?" Shisui asked, collecting himself and looking back at Kanzuki.
"Let's not forget your surname, shall we?"
"…The Hokage trusts me," Shisui spoke solemnly. "He has also entrusted me with the handling of the entire incident."
"Trust?" Kanzuki scoffed. "That's just the confidence you earned after baring your soul in front of him."
Shisui seemed to lose thought, standing there speechless.
"It can't be… the Hokage wouldn't be like that," he muttered to himself.
Kanzuki calmly observed his expression. Since he had initially agreed to go along with Shisui's requests, he couldn't allow history to repeat itself.
Uchiha is irrelevant, Danzo is irrelevant, and the Hokage is irrelevant. As long as this guy claims to be my friend and remains alive, that's all that matters.
"The more you reveal your intentions, the more you'll be treated as a pawn," Kanzuki slowly said.
"The entire situation is no longer something a single person can control."
"But with the strength of the two of us, we can influence the situation."
"Shisui, if you are willing."