After sharing his thoughts with Mifune, Senju Haruto turned without hesitation and began walking toward Yamanaka Kaze, who was sitting amid the rubble.
Mifune froze on the spot, unable to shake off what he'd just witnessed.
Whether it was Haruto's strength, his presence, or his way of thinking—
Among all the shinobi Mifune had met, Senju Haruto was undoubtedly among the very best.
And considering his young age, Mifune couldn't help but think: this was a rare genius.
If allowed to keep growing, Haruto would inevitably leave his mark in the history of the shinobi world.
Mifune even suspected that the reason Hiruzen Sarutobi entrusted Haruto to take the lead in this negotiation was because he was actively grooming him.
"Are you planning to train him as the next Hokage?"
Mifune couldn't help but ask, his eyes following Haruto's back.
Although Hiruzen was known as a great shinobi, he was getting old. Sooner or later, he would have to step down from the Hokage's seat.
From Mifune's perspective, Haruto was clearly his successor.
"Perhaps."
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened slightly as he too watched Haruto's back.
Perhaps having Haruto become the Fifth Hokage… wouldn't be a bad thing at all.
"Yamanaka Kaze."
Haruto ignored Hiruzen and Mifune, walking straight up to Kaze.
Although Kaze's sudden assassination attempt on the Fourth Raikage had caught him off guard, the end result wasn't entirely bad.
Besides, apart from the kick Hiruzen had given him earlier, Kaze hadn't suffered any serious injuries.
"Senju Haruto…"
Kaze's breathing quickened involuntarily. He lifted his head to look into Haruto's face.
He knew very well what this meant.
He had tried to assassinate the Raikage, disrupting the peace talks, and on top of that, he was a member of Lord Danzō's Root division.
Haruto might already be thinking about how to use him to strike at Danzō.
"I won't let you get your way. The assassination of the Fourth Raikage was my decision alone—it has nothing to do with Lord Danzō!"
Kaze took a deep breath and, without hesitation, pulled a sharp kunai from his pouch, aiming it at his own heart.
Bang!
A loud impact echoed as the kunai was blown right out of his hand.
The force split the skin at the base of his thumb, a thin trickle of blood seeping out.
"Danzō is dead."
Haruto's voice was quiet, but each word landed like a hammer.
"Two days ago."
"What?!"
Kaze's eyes widened in shock, a sudden surge of strength bringing him to his feet.
He stared directly into Haruto's eyes, unable to believe what he'd just heard.
Two days ago… That was when they had left Konoha.
"My Wood Style clone and Uchiha Itachi killed him." Haruto's tone was deep, steady.
"From now on, I'll be taking over Root. If you can't accept that, you're free to leave."
"But understand this—before you are a Root operative, you are a shinobi of Konoha."
Without waiting for Kaze's response, Haruto's gaze shifted to Yugito Nii.
Using Wood Release, thick vine-like tendrils erupted from the ground, wrapping around her entire body.
Not only did they restrict her movement, they also carried a sealing effect—preventing her from transforming into her tailed beast form.
"If you want to return to the village with us, carry her."
With that, Haruto turned and walked back toward Hiruzen, unconcerned about whether Kaze would agree.
Kaze looked down at the unconscious Yugito, his thoughts churning.
Truth be told, he was not like most Root operatives.
Born into the Yamanaka clan, he had not been subjected to Danzō's brainwashing from childhood.
He had a name. He had emotions. He had a past… and a future.
He was Root, yes—but he was also Konoha.
If he didn't return, where would he go?
Still… Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that Danzō—decisive, cunning, ruthless—
Would die at the hands of Haruto's Wood Style clone and Uchiha Itachi.
Not even the real Haruto.
"Wait…"
"Haruto's… taking over Root?"
Only then did Kaze realize the other implication of Haruto's words.
If he stayed… he would be working under Haruto?
Impossible.
Not long ago, Haruto had been just another obscure child of the Senju clan—
Someone who couldn't even pass the entrance exam for the Ninja Academy.
"Kaze."
Seeing him still frozen, Hiruzen finally spoke, his voice calm but carrying weight.
Things had already gone this far. There was no need to pursue Kaze's actions any further.
After all, the mastermind—Danzō—was already dead.
That was enough.
"Yes… Hokage-sama."
Though shaken by everything he had just learned, Kaze quickly forced himself to adapt.
He took a few steps forward, bent down, lifted the unconscious Yugito onto his back, and secured her in place.
"You intend to take her back to Konoha?" Mifune frowned.
Yugito was the perfect jinchūriki of Kumogakure. He had assumed Hiruzen would leave her in his custody, to be returned to the Cloud.
"If you take her, there will be no room left to ease tensions between Konoha and the Cloud." Mifune's voice was firm—he hesitated, but he had to say it.
Even if Haruto was prepared for war, Mifune hoped Hiruzen would not be entirely swayed by him.
"The ones who need 'room for easing tensions' have never been us."
Haruto cut in, his tone unwavering.
"Besides, Kumogakure doesn't value Yugito. Even if she returns, she'll eventually be killed by her own people."
"What do you mean by that?" Mifune frowned, surprised by the claim.
Surely the Cloud wouldn't disregard their own jinchūriki?
"Exactly what I said." Haruto didn't even pause.
When Killer B, the Eight-Tails' host, had been captured by the Akatsuki, the Raikage had gone into a rage—nearly rallying the entire village to take on Sasuke.
But for Yugito? What had they done for her?
Better she be of use to him than end up in the hands of Kakuzu and Hidan.
"Hokage-sama, we should leave." Haruto added after a brief pause.
"I'm sure Konoha has a mountain of problems waiting for us."
"Yes." Hiruzen nodded, knowing Haruto was referring to the Uchiha clan's brewing coup.
"We'll be going, Mifune."
With that, Hiruzen turned to formally take his leave.
At that moment, a familiar voice rang in Haruto's mind—
Please proceed to Nanga Shrine for sign-in. Successful sign-in will grant a reward.