Root Organization Base.
Although it was still more than three hours until dawn, the Root Organization Base had already become quite lively.
After Danzo was cunningly killed by the Third Hokage, he immediately ordered the Root Ninja to buy as many virtual helmets as they could.
Originally, he wanted to find his trusted subordinates, Fu Yamanaka and Aburame Torune.
But when he found these two, they had already registered characters and neither had chosen the Ninja Zone as their starting point.
Aburame Torune chose the Beast Race Area and decided to become a large insect.
As for Fu Yamanaka, he went to the Magic Area, which he found curious.
Seeing that both of them had already registered characters, Danzo could only instruct the other Ninja on duty at the Root Base to purchase helmets, register accounts, and join him in the virtual world to settle scores with Hiruzen Sarutobi and seize territory.
Even though it was early morning, there were still ten Ninja on duty at Root, including eight Chunin and two Jonin, forming an elite squad.
After the ten people bought their helmets, they collectively registered accounts, created characters, and entered the virtual world.
It wasn't just Danzo's side.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had discovered that Ninjutsu from the virtual world could be used in reality, hadn't forgotten that he also had the important task of seizing territory.
Like Danzo, he also sought outside help.
His external aid was, naturally, the Anbu.
Unlike Root, the Anbu guarding the Third Hokage consisted of only two Jonin, one of whom was the 'Blue Bird' Naruto knew, Shoyo Hinata.
"Blue Bird, Akainu, find eight people to each buy a virtual helmet. I have an important mission to complete in the virtual world!"
Upon hearing the Third Hokage's words, the two Anbu, though somewhat puzzled, silently went to carry out the order.
After the two left, the Third Hokage suddenly remembered someone: Uchiha Makoto.
"Uchiha Makoto has used a virtual helmet, so he should be quite experienced!"
No sooner had the Third Hokage finished speaking than Uchiha Makoto, wearing a mask and with his Sharingan active, jumped out from under the table.
"Holy crap..."
Uchiha Makoto's sudden appearance startled the Third Hokage, who then pointed at him and asked, "In the middle of the night, what are you doing here?"
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Makoto's expression instantly became aggrieved.
"Lord Third... Didn't you say that the floor cracks in your Office weren't very clean, and asked me to open my Sharingan to help you clean them thoroughly?"
Third Hokage: ...
"Alright... You truly are diligent."
Hearing the Third Hokage's praise, Uchiha Makoto's heart also rejoiced, thinking, "Hahaha, I knew it! As long as I diligently complete all the tasks assigned by Lord Third, I can definitely become Lord Third's confidant!"
Just as Uchiha Makoto was fantasizing about becoming the Anbu Captain, he heard the Third Hokage ask.
"Makoto, you've entered the virtual world, so you should be quite familiar with it, right?"
Hearing the Third Hokage ask about the virtual world, Uchiha Makoto immediately became excited.
"The virtual world? Of course, I've been in it!"
Just as Uchiha Makoto was about to say that his Sharingan had awakened thanks to the virtual helmet, he suddenly faltered. He remembered that the Clan Head had told him, "You absolutely cannot let anyone know that your Sharingan awakened because of a virtual helmet. If anyone finds out, you're dead!"
Thinking of Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku's fierce eyes, Uchiha Makoto instantly shivered.
He then swallowed the words he had intended to say and instead spoke.
"Lord Third, you wouldn't believe it, but Dragon One and I had a near-death experience in the virtual world."
"There are countless zombies there."
"Do you know what zombies are? They're those things that go 'woo-ah, woo-ah,' and if they bite you, you turn into a zombie too. It's terrifying."
"And these aren't the most important things..."
"The most important thing is that I also met two girls in there, and both of them fell in love with me at first sight!"
"But I knew it was a virtual world, so I could only firmly reject them."
By the time he finished speaking, the Third Hokage's face had turned very dark.
Uchiha Makoto's talk of zombies and girls, he naturally knew about, because he was the one involved.
"Enough... I know you understand the virtual helmet!"
"You can continue cleaning the floor cracks for now! There's nothing more for you to do!"
The Third Hokage said indifferently.
Hearing the Third Hokage's words, Uchiha Makoto was a little disappointed; he had thought his probation period was over!
Meanwhile, the Third Hokage rubbed his forehead.
He had originally intended to take Uchiha Makoto with him to seize territory. After all, he was his direct Anbu, and once they secured the territory and defeated Danzo, he wouldn't make him do odd jobs or mess with him anymore.
But... of all things, Uchiha Makoto had brought up that incident again.
The Third Hokage and Danzo each rallied their people, starting the next round of territory disputes.
This time, due to the large number of people and everyone's relatively low levels and few skills,
what was originally a high-level Ninja battle became a free-for-all after one round of Ninjutsu.
The commotion naturally attracted many onlookers.
Seeing so many people fighting, the onlookers knew that neither side was to be trifled with.
When they noticed the names of the two leaders, and how the Root Ninja and Anbu Ninja addressed them, those present knew who these two leading the brawl for territory were.
[Crimson Illusory Eye]: Asuma, that looks like Lord Third. Aren't you going to help him?
[Guardian Ninja - Asuma]: Two old men fighting over territory, I'd rather not get involved!
[Guardian Ninja - Asuma]: Yuhi, the scenery over there is nice, let's go for a stroll together!
Hearing Asuma's words, Yuhi nodded and left.
Other onlookers, hearing that the Third Hokage's son wasn't going to help, were even less inclined to step forward.
Moreover, if they helped the Third Hokage, they would also have to face Elder Danzo...
While many people in the entire virtual world were either exploring or establishing their own territories, Naruto was sleeping.
He had only leveled up a few times before going to sleep.
Actually, Naruto didn't want to sleep, but Kushina Uzumaki had forced the 'immortality-seeking' Naruto to sleep.
Although wearing a virtual helmet meant consciousness entered the virtual world while the body lay on the bed, the brain was still active. If one didn't rest for a long time, it would lead to fatigue.