Konoha Village.
Several days had passed since the operation to rescue Gaara.
After realizing the vast gulf between his power and Sasuke's, Naruto had thrown himself into a new round of intense training under Kakashi's supervision. To ensure control, Tsunade assigned Yamato — a former Anbu — to monitor him, suppressing any rampaging Nine Tails Chakra that might surge due to Naruto's exhaustion.
Tsunade had briefly considered asking Kenya for help. After all, he had successfully guided Gaara in mastering the One-Tailed Beast's power, creating the precedent for a perfect Jinchūriki.
But Kenya refused. He had other matters to attend to.
----
Beneath Konoha, deep within the hidden base of the Root organization.
The underground complex knew no sunlight or shadow, a place truly fitting for those "buried within the roots" of the village.
At this moment, Kenya and Danzo sat across from each other in the dimly lit chamber.
Kenya smiled faintly. "In the past three years, Senior Danzo has been remarkably quiet. I must say, that surprises me."
He wasn't lying.
At Danzo's age, no one could tell how much longer he had left to live. Add to that his long-standing obsession with becoming Hokage — Kenya had expected him to lash out, to make some final desperate bid for power.
But instead, for three whole years, Danzo had remained still.
It wasn't the same for others. Koharu and Homura, those two decrepit elders who refused to fade away, had tried to stir up trouble several times. Kenya had been forced to "remind" them to keep their mouths shut.
Yet Danzo, of all people, stayed in his shell — motionless, patient.
That was truly unexpected.
"Uchiha Kenya," Danzo said coldly, his narrowed eyes glinting in the darkness. "If you've come here just to mock an old man, then I'll be showing you the door."
Though his tone was calm, a faint killing intent bled through.
Unfortunately for him, the man before him was far beyond his reach.
Kenya chuckled. "Ah, Senior Danzo, you're far too sensitive. I came here to bring good news."
Had Kurenai been there to see that smile, she would have recognized it instantly — the look Kenya wore when he was about to cause trouble.
"Good news?" Danzo's reply was frigid, his expression unreadable. He was a schemer by nature; he trusted no one. To him, "good news" from Uchiha Kenya could only mean danger.
Kenya's lips curved higher. "I plan to let you, Senior Danzo, step out of this darkness — to take your place once again among Konoha's upper council, alongside Koharu and Homura."
Danzo froze, eyes widening in disbelief.
For a man like him, those words struck deeper than any jutsu.
During Hiruzen Sarutobi's time, he had stood shoulder to shoulder with the advisory council — not officially part of it, but with comparable authority. When Tsunade took power, she had cast him out completely, labeling his methods unacceptable.
Now Kenya was offering him a way back — a return to the light, to power, to the eyes of the public.
A chance, however faint, to once again reach for the Hokage's seat.
Danzo's excitement flared — but years of political battle had hardened him. His expression soon cooled. "Why?" he demanded. "Why would you help me? Are you acting under Tsunade's orders?"
Kenya shook his head slowly. "Two reasons. First, I need some of your men for my experiments. You've probably heard that many of my subordinates — the Hōzuki brothers, Temari, and others — have obtained new powers. That method is dangerous and has… a high failure rate. Naturally, that part has not been made public."
Danzo's eyes narrowed dangerously. "So, you're telling me you want my subordinates to serve as your experimental fodder?"
Kenya's smile deepened. "Oh, come now, Senior Danzo. Do you really hold sentiment for those men? Compared to reclaiming your status — perhaps even your path to Hokage — their lives are hardly worth mentioning, are they?"
Danzo's jaw clenched. His silence was as good as agreement.
Kenya continued smoothly. "Second, I am not acting for Tsunade. I serve no one but myself. And if she ever stands in my way, I'll deal with her as I see fit."
A faint glint flickered in his eyes as his smile turned sharper. "To be honest, her opposition to my experiments has become… irritating. If a more obedient Hokage were to replace her, I'd have no complaints."
Danzo's pupils constricted, blood surging in his eyes. He almost leapt from his seat.
"Deal!" he hissed.
Kenya's smile widened internally.
If not for the late Third Hokage's protection, Danzo's schemes would never have gone unchecked for so long. Now, with Hiruzen gone, all it took was one well-placed word — Hokage — to reel him in completely.
----
Two days later — inside the Hokage's office.
"Uchiha Kenya! Why did you reinstate Danzo?!"
Tsunade's furious voice thundered through the room as she slammed her hands down, sending the heavy desk crashing into the wall.
Shizune yelped, clutching Tonton tightly as she darted for cover.
Kenya remained seated on the couch, utterly unfazed, a faint smile on his face. "Calm down, Tsunade-senpai. I had my reasons."
"Oh, you had your reasons, did you?" Tsunade snapped, mocking his tone. "What kind of reason justifies putting him back in power?"
Kenya stood, moving closer, placing a hand on her shoulder to guide her back into her seat. Calmly, he recounted his deal with Danzo — though, of course, he left out the true intent.
He told her only that Danzo's reinstatement was the price for obtaining Root's personnel as experimental subjects.
Tsunade's jaw tightened. "Even so, that price is far too steep! Do you have any idea how much chaos he'll cause by being back on the council?"
Kenya's smile remained unshaken. "Relax, Tsunade-senpai. He doesn't have long to live anyway. Let him enjoy what little time he has left."
He chuckled softly, his tone calm — yet carrying that same dangerous warmth that always seemed to hide a blade beneath it.