Danzo was truly furious.
He had been enjoying himself in Root—eating hotpot, singing, while quietly plotting how to strike a heavier blow at the Uchiha.
And then, out of nowhere, trouble came crashing down on him.
Uchiha Kai again!
The bastard showed no sense of fairness. Danzo hadn't even gone after him yet, and Kai was already making the first move against him.
Damn it all!
Danzo had dominated Konoha politics for decades, but he had never met such a shameless opponent.
Yes—normally, he would attack first, and others either bore it silently or at most offered some token resistance. There was always give and take.
But Kai?
He was like a mad dog. Danzo could swear to the heavens that since Kai had risen in power, he hadn't struck against the Uchiha a single time!
Sure, the plans were there in his head, but they weren't executed yet.
Couldn't Kai at least wait until he made his move before retaliating?
But no—every time Danzo was almost ready to act, Kai struck first.
The cycle repeated again and again. Even Danzo's patience couldn't bear it.
Too much!
Couldn't he at least be allowed one strike?
Danzo was on the verge of tears.
And now—again!
He hadn't touched Kai this time, yet Kai came after him once more.
This was bullying. Plain and simple.
Enraged, Danzo exploded—hurling curses at Kai and even lashing out at Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Hokage himself.
Kai only twitched his lips and rolled his eyes.
Why waste energy arguing with a mad dog?
He had the moral high ground; no need to say more.
As for Danzo—better to let Sarutobi deal with him.
Minato, standing off to the side, was dumbfounded.
Good heavens!
That was the Hokage standing there!
And Danzo was still shouting at him like this?
Even Hiruzen was caught off guard.
If this had been in private, it would have been fine.
He had been scolded by Danzo often enough that he had grown resistant to it.
But now?
Minato and Kai—both juniors—were watching.
Especially Kai.
He was the enemy! Did Danzo really expect the Hokage to lose face like this?
Originally, Hiruzen had intended to handle things politely. Even if Ryoma of the Aburame had to be taken from Root, he had planned to soften the blow for his old friend.
He had even thought of inviting Danzo for dinner afterward to explain.
But now?
Dinner? Forget it!
"Bam!"
Hiruzen slammed the desk and roared:
"Danzo, watch your place!
You may be an elder, but I am still a Hokage!
What right do you have to protest over Aburame Ryoma? Since when does Root have the power to conscript shinobi?
Remember this—Root is only a training division of the Anbu!
Without authorization, you have no right to enforce the law or recruit shinobi!
So put yourself in the proper position before you speak to me again!
This matter is settled.
Ryoma will leave Root. Kai-kun, you may take him.
Minato, you too—go back and rest for a couple of days. Then head to the front lines with Kai."
Yes—Hiruzen was showing Danzo no face at all.
He directly issued the order as Hokage without Danzo's consent.
Then he dismissed everyone.
It was clear.
He needed to have words with Danzo in private.
With juniors like Minato, and especially with an enemy like Kai, this was not the place.
Kai only shrugged.
His objective was achieved; he had no reason to linger.
"Aburame Ryoma, open your mouth. I need to check whether you've been branded with the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal."
Ryoma blinked, confused.
He stared at Kai's youthful face in bewilderment.
He didn't know Kai well.
But if this man could stand here in the Hokage's office, and even pull him out of Root—he was clearly no ordinary figure.
So he obeyed, showing his tongue.
"No curse mark," Ryoma said, shaking his head. "Only after three months of Root training and qualification would one be branded.
But… may I ask, who are you?"
The young man adjusted his sunglasses, introduced himself briefly, and then looked at Kai inquisitively.
Kai's tone was calm:
"Uchiha… Kai.
Your father wants the Aburame to follow me. So naturally, I came to pull you out.
You're free now. Go home.
Your clan leader will explain the details."
Ryoma froze.
Uchiha?
Of course he knew Kai's power. He had risen before Ryoma even entered Root.
But still—he couldn't fathom why his clan leader would make such a decision.
He knew his uncle's temper better than anyone.
So what had happened in the clan since he had been taken away?
Doubt clouded his face. But after bowing and offering thanks, he turned and left for the Aburame compound.
Kai's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Ryoma's retreating back.
No one knew what he was thinking.
"Oh, Kai-kun!" Minato clapped him on the shoulder with a bright smile. "Looks like the village is lively even when I'm away at the front!
Got some time? I'd like to talk with you."
Yes—his curiosity toward Kai was only growing.
Since Hiruzen had painted Kai as a villain, Minato naturally wanted to hear the other side of the story.
What kind of man was this "bad guy" in the Hokage's eyes?
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