"Naruto, let me ask."
Jiraiya appeared beside Naruto, looked at the ninja kneeling on the ground, and asked in a deep voice, "You're from Root, aren't you?"
Masked ninjas in Konoha could only come from two places. One was the Anbu—short for Assassination Tactics Special Forces—established by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. The Anbu were directly under the Hokage and responsible for handling confidential missions, so all information about them was kept secret. During operations, they wore white animal-shaped masks.
The other was the Root organization established by Danzo Shimura, also known as the Anbu Training Department. Its nature was similar to Anbu, but it was far more deeply hidden, and its methods were more extreme and clandestine.
Jiraiya did not believe that Hiruzen Sarutobi would send Anbu to attack Naruto, so he was almost certain that the masked ninja before him belonged to Danzo's Root.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
The ninja did not answer Jiraiya's question. Instead, after coughing several times, he removed his mask, opened his mouth toward Jiraiya, and stuck out his tongue, revealing a black curse mark at its base.
This was a sealing technique exclusive to Root, known as the Tongue Restriction Seal. Anyone subjected to this jutsu would be paralyzed and unable to speak or move if they attempted to reveal specific information.
By showing the seal, the ninja both confirmed his identity and made it clear that he could not say anything.
"Tch!"
Seeing the curse mark, Jiraiya knew there was no point in questioning him further. He waved his hand dismissively and said, "Get lost. Go back and tell Danzo that if there's a next time, I won't let it go so easily."
"Thank you, Lord Jiraiya."
The ninja bowed respectfully, put his mask back on, and said, "I will convey your words to Lord Danzo without omission. Farewell."
Jiraiya watched the Root ninja leave, then turned to Naruto and asked with a smile, "Aren't you curious why I let him go?"
"No."
Naruto shook his head and said, "That person didn't have any ill intent toward me. And he's already close to death."
During the fight, Naruto had activated the Transparent World and clearly seen that the man's body was already terminally damaged. He wouldn't live much longer.
"Hmm?"
A hint of surprise flashed through Jiraiya's eyes. "Why do you say that?"
"It's just… a feeling."
Under the Nine-Tails' guidance, Naruto had already begun learning how to conceal things. He no longer revealed his abilities or experiences so easily.
"Intuition, huh?"
Jiraiya assumed Naruto had sensed the man's condition instinctively and didn't press further. He smiled and said,
"I watched your fight just now. You did very well."
Originally, Jiraiya had planned to take Naruto on some simple missions to earn money. Now, it seemed he could arrange more difficult ones.
"Hehe~"
Naruto immediately grinned proudly and began recounting his battle with the Root ninja in detail.
Not far from the hot spring inn, Danzo and Orochimaru met in secret.
The Root ninja who had attacked Naruto stood before them and relayed Jiraiya's words verbatim.
Danzo's expression didn't change at all. He simply waved his hand, dismissing the man.
"As expected of you, Lord Danzo. I've been used again."
Orochimaru looked at Danzo with sharp eyes. He clearly hadn't anticipated Danzo using his meeting with Jiraiya as cover to send someone after Naruto.
Even though the attempt failed, it still irritated him.
"This is not utilization," Danzo said coldly. "It is a reasonable arrangement."
He continued calmly, "I didn't order the attack because I intended to harm the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. I merely wanted to remind Jiraiya to be more vigilant. His supervision of the Jinchuriki has been far too lax."
"Ho ho ho~"
Orochimaru chuckled. "Indeed. After this, Jiraiya will likely focus much more on the Jinchuriki and have little energy left to concern himself with the Village's affairs, won't he?"
Orochimaru quickly grasped Danzo's true intention. In that sense, their goals aligned—though Orochimaru's methods were far more dangerous.
"Such matters are irrelevant."
Danzo looked at Orochimaru seriously. "I came to inform you that the plan to assassinate the Hokage must be postponed."
"Postponed?"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why?"
"The Uchiha Clan."
Danzo spoke slowly. "Those cursed Uchiha are secretly plotting to incite chaos in Konoha in order to seize greater authority. I must deal with them first. Until the Uchiha problem is resolved, Hiruzen cannot die."
"The Uchiha… planning chaos?"
Orochimaru's eyes flickered. "Do you require my assistance?"
The Sharingan was coveted across the entire shinobi world, and Orochimaru was no exception. If Konoha truly moved against the Uchiha Clan, it would be the perfect opportunity to obtain those eyes.
"No need."
Danzo's gaze sharpened. "Orochimaru, you are absolutely forbidden from interfering in Uchiha matters. Do you understand?"
Danzo hadn't originally intended to share this information, but Orochimaru had been monitoring Konoha closely due to the assassination plan. He would inevitably learn of the Uchiha situation sooner or later.
Danzo knew Orochimaru's interest in the Sharingan. That was precisely why he came in person—to issue a warning.
Because in Danzo's eyes, every Sharingan in the Uchiha Clan already belonged to him.
"Understood~"
Orochimaru extended his tongue slightly, licked his lips, and nodded.
"Rest assured, Lord Danzo. Without your permission, I will absolutely not interfere in the Uchiha Clan's affairs."
…Of course, he didn't mean a single word of it.
---
Happy Reading. Be sure to leave a review. Thank you!!!
Check out my other novel: Dark Lord at Hogwarts.
---
Visit my Patreon for early access to 20+ chapters!!!
P@treon: mrfanfiction140