If we were to summarize Danzō's words in plain, simple terms, it would be something like:
"Kid, you're too naïve."
This is a game of strategy—don't you get it?
Ahem, anyway, that's the gist of it.
"This child is Kinoe. I... picked him up. He has the Wood Release kekkei genkai."
After finishing his lecture to Takeshi, Danzō shifted the topic to Kinoe.
Seeing the old man sitting opposite him spouting complete nonsense with a dead-serious face, Takeshi almost burst out laughing.
Okay okay okay—so you just happened to pick up a kid with the Wood Release, huh? So if I take a trip to Kirigakure, does that mean I can casually "pick up" someone with Ice Release too?
Wait a second… wasn't I picked up by Sakumo in exactly that kind of situation?
While Takeshi let his thoughts wander, Danzō silently observed his son's reaction.
Seeing that Takeshi didn't show any special reaction to the term "Wood Release," Danzō felt slightly puzzled.
"Do you know what Wood Release represents?"
Not getting the answer he wanted, Danzō asked Takeshi directly.
"I do. It's a secret technique possessed by the First Hokage. It's said to be capable of controlling the Nine-Tails."
Takeshi straightened his posture and recited what he had memorized from the textbooks, word for word.
That response...
Now it was Danzō's turn to be at a loss.
The reason he had told Takeshi about Kinoe's identity was to see which side he would lean toward after seeing a Wood Release user—his own, or Hiruzen's, who had raised and mentored him for so many years. But judging from Takeshi's reaction, the kid didn't care about any of this!
"I plan to keep this child by my side. You..."
Danzō decided to continue testing his airheaded son.
"Mm-hmm, sounds good."
Takeshi nodded repeatedly.
Keep him, then. Why are you asking me? I'm not the leader of Root.
He doesn't eat my food or drink my water. Do whatever you want, old man.
"It's best if you don't tell Hiruzen about this..."
"Mm-hmm, okay."
"Nor should you let anyone else know..."
"Mm-hmm, got it."
"..."
"..."
Danzō and Takeshi stared at each other, both unsure of what to say next.
At least Takeshi had it figured out—this little guy in front of him wasn't Danzō's second son, but rather Captain Yamato, who had been "cared for" extensively by Kakashi.
You know what, even though grown-up Yamato looks like he came straight out of a horror movie, he's actually pretty cute as a kid.
Takeshi waved at Kinoe. The boy hesitated and glanced at Danzō. Seeing no response, he slowly walked over to Takeshi.
Takeshi picked him up and set him on his lap with a grin, playfully pinched his cheek, then turned to Danzō and asked in a testing tone:
"Hey, Dad, calling him 'Kinoe' all the time sounds kinda dull. Can I give him a name?"
"Do as you like."
Whether Kinoe or something else, the name didn't matter to Danzō. What mattered was that a Wood Release ninja must be kept under his control—and in the future, must follow Takeshi's commands.
Only then could the Nine-Tails be restrained and turned into a weapon for Konoha.
"Alright, I'll name you... Yamato."
With Danzō's approval, Takeshi gave the boy a name he wouldn't receive until years later. He smiled as he watched for the boy's reaction.
"Mm... okay."
Yamato wasn't particularly fond of the name, but seeing the person in front of him with such a gentle smile, he nodded along almost instinctively.
"Great! Yamato, I am taking you out to have fun in Konoha!"
As soon as the boy agreed, Takeshi didn't wait for any more reactions. He grabbed Yamato and was about to dash out the door.
Danzō: "???"
Weren't we supposed to keep this kid's existence a secret?
Weren't we supposed to make sure no outsiders knew anything?
You little brat! You've already forgotten everything I just told you?!
Watching them leave, Danzō wanted to lash out, but then recalled the merits Takeshi had recently earned. He snorted and finally allowed them to go.
"Hmph. Let the brat enjoy himself for a few days first."
...
"Who are you?"
Following his memory, Takeshi wandered to the edge of the village. After a long search, he finally spotted a building nestled in the woods thanks to the smoke rising from its chimney.
"Who are you?"
A boy's voice rang out. Turning toward it, Takeshi saw a young boy with a large nose staring at him warily, shielding a group of kids of various ages behind him.
"Mm, is this an orphanage?"
Takeshi looked at the big-nosed boy in front of him, squatted down, and signaled for him to relax.
"Y-yeah... so what if it is?"
The boy stiffened his neck, trying his best to look fearless, like a mother hen guarding her chicks.
"Urushi, what's going on out here?"
The orphanage caretaker opened the door after hearing the commotion. Before she could assess the situation, she saw Takeshi standing there with a Konoha forehead protector.
"A ninja? Why is a ninja here... What do you want?!"
Realizing who he was, the caretaker quickly rushed forward, questioning Takeshi's purpose.
Why did this suddenly feel like a big misunderstanding?
All he wanted was to take a kid out to play...
Hey—just saying, I'm a kid too, alright? Do you adults really have to be this tense?
With hands raised, Takeshi stood awkwardly, wondering where to begin his explanation.
Until he heard Nonō's voice.
"Takeshi? Is that you?"
...
"When did you get back to the village?"
Nonō smiled as she set a cup of tea in front of him and asked gently.
Compared to before the war, Takeshi now gave off a colder aura. Though his face still wore a smile, his whole demeanor no longer felt as soft. No wonder the kids and the caretaker were so nervous around him.
"This morning. As soon as I got back, I came straight to see you."
Takeshi picked up the cup and downed it in one go. Then, without any formality, he handed the cup back to her.
"One more. I wasted all my saliva explaining myself to that chubby auntie earlier."
"Kelly is one of our most dedicated staff members. Since she's never seen you before, of course she had to thoroughly question you, little rascal."
Nonō chuckled and took the cup back. As she stood to pour more tea, she glanced outside the door where Yamato was surrounded by a crowd of curious children.
"That kid—he's a new member of Root, right?"
"Ahem, yeah... How'd you know that, Nonō-san?"
Takeshi choked a bit at her question. He was curious how she could tell Yamato's identity.
"Because of the aura around him, of course. When I joined Root back then, I wasn't much older than that child."
Nonō gave a self-deprecating laugh. Just thinking about her time in Root made her feel suffocated.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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