Konoha – Root Base
After Yuichi's Wood Style outbreak had been cleaned up, the Root base finally returned to normal operations.
Danzo was busy sorting through what little information remained intact after the disaster. Much of Root's carefully gathered intelligence had been wiped out in a single sweep, but rather than feel heartache, Danzo almost seemed amused.
He thought to himself: So, it was Wood Style that destroyed it all… fitting.
And for that reason, he even laughed quietly to himself.
"Master Danzo!"
A Root operative suddenly appeared before him, kneeling in the shadows of the underground base.
Danzo casually flipped the documents in his hand, concealing what he was reading, then turned his gaze down at the kneeling shinobi.
"What is it?"
"We intercepted a messenger toad from Mount Myōboku."
Danzo's one visible eye narrowed.
"Mount Myōboku? What business does one of their toads have in Konoha at a time like this?"
"We also thought it was suspicious… so we captured it."
"Hmph. Did you extract anything?"
If the Third Hokage, Sarutobi, were still alive, Danzo would never have dared to act so openly. But with no Hokage currently in place, Root roamed unchecked in the darkness of Konoha, and Danzo had grown bolder by the day.
That was exactly why Nara Shikaku worried. If Danzo gained control of the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, the entire village could be reshaped in his image. To prevent that, Shikaku had arranged for Yuichi to take Naruto and seek out Tsunade.
In truth, his concerns were slightly excessive—but not without merit.
Danzo himself, however, had no interest in seizing the Nine-Tails or becoming Hokage. With both Jiraiya and Tsunade still alive, he knew the title was out of reach for him.
And, because of Yuichi, the question of whether he himself ever wore the Hokage's hat had lost all meaning. Instead, what Danzo desired now… was to see Yuichi ascend to that position.
The Root ninja continued reporting.
"Lord Danzo, we did extract something—astonishing news. But we cannot confirm whether it is true."
Danzo's voice dropped coldly.
"Speak."
"It seems… Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin… is dead."
Boom!
Danzo shot up to his feet, the chair behind him crashing to the ground.
"What did you just say!?"
"Reporting to Lord Danzo—those were the exact words of the Mount Myōboku toad."
Danzo's lone eye sharpened.
"Tell me everything it said. Word for word. Do not omit a single detail."
"Yes, sir!"
Elsewhere in Konoha
After his meeting with the two village advisors, Yuichi's mood was unusually light. Thanks to Shikaku's "assistance," not only was he being drawn closer to the Hokage's seat, but he also had an excuse to meet Tsunade and take Naruto along with him.
As evening crept in, Yuichi turned his focus back to training.
With Sarutobi gone, there was no longer any need to hide his power. He could use Wood Style openly now—and practice it without restraint. His inheritance of the Wood Style had already reached forty-five percent. Just five percent more, and he would break through to fifty.
Many Wood Style techniques still slumbered, sealed within that incomplete inheritance. Among them were fearsome jutsu he had yet to touch.
The Sage Art variations can wait for now… but there's one technique I can't hold back on anymore.
Wood Style: Birth of the Flowering Tree World.
A technique so devastating that even Kage-level shinobi could collapse, paralyzed and unconscious, from simply inhaling its pollen.
Yuichi could feel the weight of that power calling to him.
At the same time, he was curious about Hashirama's true Sage Mode. Just what kind of strength did it carry?
With some time left before dinner, Yuichi decided to help Konoha's villagers rebuild. Not only would it raise his Wood Style proficiency, but it would also earn him goodwill among the people.
But he quickly discovered another problem.
Before he had walked even two steps, an older woman invited him to her home as a guest. Out of courtesy, Yuichi didn't refuse. After extricating himself with some effort, he tried to head out again—only to be stopped by an elderly man this time.
Then another.
And another.
Within minutes, half a dozen villagers had approached him, eyes full of admiration and curiosity.
Even if he was the wielder of the Wood Style, this felt a little too excessive.
Sensing something off, Yuichi decided not to parade himself down the main streets any longer. Instead, he slipped away to a quiet, empty park.
At its center stood a massive wooden structure—remnants of the Tree World technique he had conjured earlier, towering above the surroundings.
"What's going on? Since when am I this popular?"
He had wanted attention, yes. But this level of adoration was overwhelming.
Yuichi realized he had underestimated just how deeply the defeat of Kakashi, Guy, and Kurenai had influenced the village.
He was no longer just "talented." To many, he was now the strongest shinobi in Konoha. And still so young.
"Yuichi-kun~~~"
A sweet, hesitant voice called out behind him.
Yuichi turned slightly, his expression calm.
"…Ino?"
Ino Yamanaka froze for a moment, her face lighting up with surprise and happiness.
"You remembered my name?"
Yuichi smiled faintly.
"I make it a point to know all the shinobi of my generation."
"Oh… I see…" Ino's expression fell, disappointed.
Girls in this world… they matured far too quickly.
"You," Yuichi added softly, "are the first one I remembered."
Ino blinked, startled. Then her eyes brightened like stars.
Does that mean… Yuichi-kun was watching me before?
Her heartbeat quickened, her face burning pink.
Yuichi's smile stayed gentle, but his eyes drifted past her, scanning the shadows behind.
It seems quite a few people are seeking me out today.
He raised a hand, leaning closer toward her face.
Ino's breath caught. Her cheeks flushed red, her pulse hammering like a drum.
Yuichi's hand brushed her hair, and with a subtle motion, he conjured a rose, tucking it gently behind her ear.
"Here. For you."
Ino stared at the crimson petals, trembling as she accepted it, then turned and ran off—fleeing as though her heart might burst.
At this age, girls dreamed of romance… yet could hardly face it.
After she disappeared, Yuichi's gaze shifted to the figures stepping out from behind the flower stand.
"So… you came looking for me directly."
His eyes narrowed.
"…Sasuke."