The autumn wind carried wisps of clouds over the Forest of Death, casting shadows over the once-golden waters, turning them into a pool of darkness.
"So, the Root was founded by you and Danzō together—to suppress clans like the Senju and Uchiha who refused to submit to control."
Listening to Hiruzen Sarutobi recount his past with Danzō, Hikari finally understood why Danzō held such immense influence in Konoha.
During the reigns of the First and Second Hokage, the Senju clan controlled medical and educational affairs, the Hyūga managed sensory and reconnaissance divisions, and the Uchiha commanded the Military Police Force.
Beyond that, nearly every aspect of the village—its power and governance—was divided among the minor and mid-sized clans. Even the ANBU, who ostensibly obeyed the Hokage's orders, were secretly dominated by the major clans. The Third Hokage had been effectively sidelined.
The creation of Root had been Hiruzen's idea.
Unable to purge key figures from the ANBU, he simply built a new shadow force loyal only to him. Under the pretext of training new ANBU recruits, he established a parallel organization—Root.
Root's structure mirrored the ANBU's exactly: seventy official members at chūnin level or higher, with over a hundred support personnel.
Secret techniques, weapons, resources—everything was lavishly provided. Even forbidden jutsu were freely accessible, all to attract civilian prodigies and minor clan shinobi.
Later, Hiruzen allied with clans like the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi.
He sold prime land in Konoha's central district to these families at low prices and entrusted them with key departments like intelligence and command.
The Nara herbal shop, Yamanaka flower shop, and Akimichi barbecue restaurant now occupying the village center? Those were all acquired through such deals. In exchange, these clans had to supply Root with talented shinobi.
Shin like Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune were victims of this political maneuvering.
Everyone knew Root was a death trap—serving under Danzō meant a life of constant peril.
But there was no such thing as a free meal. This was the price their clans paid for the benefits Hiruzen had granted them.
These civilian geniuses and secret technique users nominally answered only to Danzō, but in truth, they were Hiruzen's tools for eliminating dissent.
Danzō was his black glove.
He took on the dirty work, while Hiruzen played the benevolent leader—showing sympathy to the minor clans and offering "humanitarian concern" to the major ones oppressed by Root.
If Danzō went too far, Hiruzen would feign anger, making a show of reprimanding him before quietly letting it go.
One played the hero, the other the villain.
Together, they tamed Konoha's clans, preventing the village from collapsing into civil war.
The Uchiha massacre? Setting aside Danzō's scheming, it was simply Root doing what it had always done—its core function.
Now, at last, power rested firmly in their hands. The once-arrogant clans could only survive by their mercy.
"He sacrificed everything for Konoha—for me—buried in darkness, abandoned even by his own clan, fearing association with him would bring disaster." Hiruzen gazed at the sky. This was the first time he had spoken of his bond with Danzō.
Many had asked why he favored Danzō so much. He had never answered.
But now, with the Senju and Uchiha gone, the Hyūga obedient, and his disciple having joined Root, he could finally reveal some truths.
"I made him a promise. No matter how many enemies he had in Konoha, no matter how many cursed his name—as long as he never betrayed the village, I would always stand by him."
"Even if he tries to kill you?" Hikari couldn't fathom Hiruzen's reasoning. Wasn't the whole point of a black glove to discard it when it became useless?
Why treat it like some irreplaceable treasure?
"You don't understand. He's only pushing me. And Root can never be destroyed. Even if Danzō dies, Root will remain."
Hikari frowned.
"Why?"
"Because the current ANBU is the old Root."
What?
Her pupils contracted as if struck by lightning, all the pieces suddenly falling into place.
"The ANBU training division—that wasn't just empty words." Hiruzen, sensing her shock, turned to face her calmly.
"Old ANBU members have either died or retired. Most of the current veterans are former Root operatives under Danzō.
"On the surface, ANBU and Root are separate. But in reality, they've merged. You can't untangle them now.
"Only Danzō can keep Root unified.
"I need him to manage both and maintain stability. Konoha needs him to handle the unsavory tasks. And you need him too, don't you?"
Hikari's eyes flickered, silent.
Without Danzō's supply of Hashirama's cells, Sharingan, and Yin-Yang Release research, her Reverse Eight Gates technique would still be just a theory. In some ways, Danzō had helped her more than Hiruzen.
As for how he obtained those things? Everyone knew.
Raiding clans, assassinations, abducting foreign shinobi and civilians for experiments—countless atrocities.
She didn't want to dirty her own hands, so she stole the fruits of Danzō's labor. In essence, she was no different from Hiruzen, who reaped the benefits.
If Danzō died, someone would have to take over Konoha's dark affairs. Hiruzen had no replacement, and with decades of friendship binding them, he turned a blind eye.
Root was a legacy of the past. The more clans they crushed, the greater the debt they now owed.
"I have a way to solve the Root problem."
Her Yang Shadow, after a long silence, hesitantly raised a hand—like a diligent student unsure of her answer but determined to try.
"You do?"
Even Hiruzen was intrigued. Hikari, too, was surprised. She had been absorbed in jutsu development, neglecting her shadow's memories. She'd assumed the clone was just absorbing chakra and researching the Mangekyō.
"What is it?"
Hikari studied the shadow, its Mangekyō now hidden behind a black blindfold—too unsettling for direct eye contact. It might even work as a flash grenade in a pinch.
"I know the perfect candidate. Someone who can manage Root, control Danzō's remnants, and handle Konoha's dirty work."
"Who?"
Hiruzen's interest deepened. He had long sought to curb Root's influence but couldn't afford to lose its functions. A trustworthy, capable successor—one slightly less ruthless than Danzō—would be ideal.
"Have you heard of a Root operative named… Aburame Ryōma?"
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed in thought before recalling the cold-faced man always at Danzō's side, his glasses hiding his gaze.
"The Aburame with purple markings?"
"Yes!"
The shadow nodded eagerly. "He's Danzō's right hand. Root members call him 'Captain'—his rank matches the ANBU captain's.
"When Danzō's absent, Ryōma runs Root. If he took over, the transition would be seamless."
"I know of him. Danzō once mentioned him—efficient, taciturn, elite jōnin-level. If I recall, he's one of Danzō's most loyal."
As Root's primary beneficiary, Hiruzen had studied its key figures. Ryōma, its second-in-command, had long been on his radar.
Loyal? More like dreaming of Danzō's death.
The shadow suppressed a smirk. "He answers to me now. Once Danzō is gone, Ryōma can take over. We can reform Root, restore its original purpose."
Boom!
The waterfall crashed against the rocks below, white foam churning. Hiruzen's aged hands clenched, his expression unreadable.
Hikari's face darkened.
So even now, he hesitates to kill Danzō.
The older he grew, the more sentimental he became. Just like when he let Orochimaru escape.
But sentiment had its uses. If he were as ruthless as Danzō, he'd be far harder to deal with.
"Danzō must be dealt with. If he ever orders me to assassinate you, we will clash. It's only a matter of time.
"If you can't do it, I will. Just don't interfere when the time comes."
She laid it bare.
Danzō had to die.
That Mangekyō's mind-altering power was a threat. Just as Shisui's Kotoamatsukami got him killed, she couldn't allow such a technique to exist.
Root still held dozens of three-tomoe Sharingan—potential Izanagi lives. The Hashirama tree's vitality was perfect for her Reverse Eight Gates. And now, Ryōma's deal with her shadow…
A confrontation was inevitable.
Hiruzen, torn between student and old friend, exhaled heavily.
He had lost Orochimaru, driven Jiraiya and Tsunade away. Now, his last disciple stood on the brink of conflict with him.
Four times in the same place?
He couldn't—wouldn't—let it happen.
Memories of Danzō's younger, kinder self surfaced. His throat tightened.
Danzō had become this way because of him. Of all people, he had no right to condemn him.
With a weary sigh, Hiruzen's shoulders slumped. He turned away, leaving Hikari with only his hunched silhouette.
"Do not endanger Konoha. No experiments on its shinobi. No harm to civilians or comrades. Avoid large-scale clashes between Root and ANBU.
"From now on, I won't involve myself in your conflict. Whoever wins, as long as these lines aren't crossed… I won't interfere."
His voice was heavy, his aged frame seeming to shrink.
But Hikari's eyes gleamed. Exchanging a glance with her shadow, she watched him disappear into the light.
Now, nothing stood between her and Danzō's end.
This was enough.
She hadn't expected Hiruzen to kill Danzō himself. Decades of friendship couldn't be severed so easily—like asking Naruto to kill Sasuke.
"Hikari!"
She looked up, startled, as Hiruzen paused in the distance, half-lit by the sun, his face unreadable.
"From today, the Forest of Death is forbidden to all but you. Focus on curing your kekkei genkai. If you encounter problems in your research, come to me.
"And… if you inherit Root and sink into darkness like Danzō… as long as you don't cross the line, I won't stop you.
"But I hope you'll keep your heart. Don't end up like him."
His voice was low, his gaze complex yet clear. Hikari sensed genuine care beneath his words.
"Thank you, Hiruzen-sensei."
She clasped her hands and bowed sincerely.
Their relationship had begun as mutual benefit—Hiruzen valuing her talent, her desiring Konoha's secrets. But now, something deeper had taken root.
Hiruzen shook his head, sighing. "Thank your senpai. I've learned my lessons."
With that, he vanished into the trees.
The withered leaves rustled, the dead grass clinging to the earth like moss.
Once more, only Hikari and her shadow remained.
"So, in a way, Hiruzen and Danzō did save Konoha from collapse," the shadow mused, adjusting its blindfold.
"Half credit, half blame. Without them, the village would've shattered. But with them, it never reached its former glory."
Hikari waved it off. "Enough about them. Where is it?"
"Here."
The shadow produced a smooth, white orb—neither metal nor jade—glowing faintly in the light.
The treasure stolen from Uchiha Obito.
Kaguya Clan's Artifact.