Danzo suddenly realized that he seemed to be constantly guided by Sora's suggestions, which made him doubt Sora's loyalty.
Faced with Danzo's direct questioning, Sora stuck out his tongue, revealing the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal.
After showing Danzo the seal, Sora said, "Haven't I always been Danzo-sama's subordinate? Everyone in Konoha knows I work under you. Don't you believe this, Danzo-sama?"
Danzo stared at Sora for a long time, but Sora maintained calm eye contact without flinching.
Finally, Danzo broke into a sudden laugh. "Of course I consider you mine. I was merely asking casually. After thinking about it, you're right. We need to let the Uchiha breathe before we can better target their clan. In that case, you may proceed with your plans."
Sora nodded respectfully. "Thank you for your understanding, Danzo-sama. I'll take my leave now."
As Sora turned and walked away, Danzo's expression immediately darkened after he left the office.
Although Sora had shown his Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal and his answers were nearly flawless, Danzo couldn't shake the feeling that Sora was slipping from his control.
The Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal was merely a jutsu that prevented people from revealing confidential information. It had no power to ensure Sora's personal loyalty.
While the content of Sora's answers had been perfect, his tone and demeanor didn't reflect a subordinate speaking to a superior. Instead, it felt like a conversation between equals.
Danzo felt he had given Sora too much power.
Now Sora possessed not only strength but also status within Konoha. It had become difficult for Danzo to exert control over him.
Danzo tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table.
There was no denying that Sora was a very useful weapon.
But Sora was also a double-edged sword, one that could easily turn against its wielder.
And the edge of this sword seemed increasingly pointed at Danzo himself.
After leaving the Root headquarters, Sora's face showed nothing but disdain.
He hadn't expected Danzo to begin doubting his loyalty so soon.
But now, did Danzo expect him to submit? Absolutely impossible.
If Danzo had refused his request, Sora would have simply turned to Namikaze Minato's faction. What could Danzo possibly do to stop him?
If he joined Namikaze Minato's camp, the Yellow Flash would probably jump for joy.
For now, Danzo was still somewhat useful to him. As long as they didn't have an open conflict, Sora would try to maintain their relationship.
But if Danzo couldn't recognize what was good for him...
When Sora showed respect, he called him Danzo-sama. Without that respect, he'd just be another old man.
However, Sora believed that as long as Danzo remained rational, he wouldn't break ties with him.
If they did have a falling out, Danzo would be at an absolute disadvantage.
It would become nearly impossible for Danzo to continue targeting the Uchiha clan, and he would forever be suppressed by Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato.
When Sora returned home, he found that Kakashi had already left.
Sora informed Uzumaki Kushina that he would take Kakashi to the Konoha Defense Force headquarters tomorrow to officially appoint him as acting captain. Afterward, he would immediately depart for Ryūchi Cave to train in Sage Mode, promising to return as quickly as possible.
The night passed sleeplessly.
The next morning, Sora left home feeling refreshed.
He found Kakashi and together they headed toward the Konoha Defense Force headquarters.
On the way, Sora shared some important instructions with Kakashi.
"Those thirty Root shinobi who take orders from me, along with the twenty regular shinobi, will all report to you now. You can assign them whatever tasks you deem necessary. These are valuable resources—don't waste them."
"As for Uchiha Shisui, it doesn't matter whether you engage with him or not. He's merely a figurehead."
"But I suspect after I leave, he will approach you. He'll probably try to take advantage of my absence to establish rules that benefit him. Since this is part of your training, you'll need to handle it yourself."
"I've also informed Orochimaru-sensei that if you encounter problems you can't solve, you should visit his base. He'll assist you."
Kakashi listened to Sora's instructions with intense focus.
After listening, Kakashi replied seriously, "I understand, Sora-sensei."
While they were talking, Sora and Kakashi arrived at the Konoha Defense Force headquarters.
Kakashi was visibly nervous. After taking a deep breath, he followed Sora into the building.
Standing in the main hall, Sora snapped his fingers, and a Root shinobi immediately knelt on one knee before him.
Sora ordered, "Gather everyone. Call back even those on patrol duty."
"Yes, sir!"
Hearing the commotion in the hall, Uchiha Shisui emerged from his office. When he saw Sora, he frowned and asked, "What's happening?"
Sora replied calmly, "I have an announcement to make. Vice-captain, please wait a moment and listen as well."
Uchiha Shisui's frown deepened as he wondered what Sora was planning.
Noticing Kakashi standing beside Sora, he wondered if Sora intended to insert his student into the organization's leadership.
Within about ten minutes, everyone in the Konoha Defense Force had gathered in the hall.
There were one hundred members in total.
Sora commanded thirty Root shinobi and twenty regular shinobi.
Uchiha Shisui led twenty ANBU members and thirty regular shinobi.
Originally, Uchiha Shisui had wanted to recruit more members, but Sora offered compensation comparable to what Root operatives received.
Although the Uchiha clan was wealthy, Shisui himself didn't have enough personal funds, so he could only recruit shinobi at standard rates.
As a result, many shinobi recruited by Uchiha Shisui eventually chose to leave.
They didn't particularly like Uchiha Shisui to begin with, and with lower pay, they had little reason to stay.
In the end, Uchiha Shisui managed to recruit only thirty shinobi, most of them Genin rank, by offering the best compensation he could manage.
Sora made his announcement: "I will be leaving Konoha for a period of time. During my absence, Kakashi will serve as acting captain, taking over my position and managing the Konoha Defense Force. As acting captain, Kakashi will have all the authority I possess. All of you will take orders from Kakashi."
The Root shinobi showed no reaction to this news, while the regular shinobi looked at Kakashi with surprise.
Of course, they all knew Kakashi—Sora's apprentice and Konoha's genius Jōnin.
Meanwhile, all twenty ANBU members looked toward Uchiha Shisui for his reaction.
When Uchiha Shisui heard that Sora was leaving temporarily and Kakashi would be the acting captain, his first reaction was joy.
He had been suppressed by Sora for too long. With Sora gone, he might finally have room to assert himself!
As for Kakashi, in Uchiha Shisui's view, he was merely a symbolic replacement—an acting captain in name only.
Since this development seemed beneficial to him, Uchiha Shisui saw no reason to object. He couldn't have asked for a better turn of events.
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