A conflict with the Village's Anbu was no small matter, and Roshi was quietly relieved that his two teammates stood firmly by his side without a moment's hesitation.
Of course, he wouldn't let them carry unnecessary worry either.
As they traveled beneath the faint silver light of dawn, Roshi began to explain.
"The Anbu currently operates with four standard squads—seventeen members each, including a squad leader."
"This structure dates back to the Second Hokage's era. During the Third Hokage's tenure, another unit was added—the Root Division."
Anko knew that name all too well. Orochimaru had once worked closely with Danzo, the head of Root.
Itachi also knew of them; he'd once encountered Root members during a joint exercise with Shisui.
"Root follows the same structure as a regular Anbu squad," Roshi continued, his tone level. "Seventeen members, directly commanded by Advisor Shimura Danzo. As for that Advisor…" He paused briefly before offering a measured assessment. "He acts without restraint—guided only by what he believes serves the Village's interests."
"Then why did they attack us?" Anko blurted, then immediately grimaced. From the looks of things, it was the Anbu who had been on the receiving end.
"The Wasabi Family's commission reward carries considerable importance," Roshi explained calmly. "Advisor Shimura likely wanted to secure it before anyone else. He may have intended to hand it to the Third Hokage eventually—but not all of it."
Having already understood the significance of the ledgers, Roshi could easily deduce Danzo's motives.
He wanted to alter the figures, conduct covert trades with the merchant families of Deai Port, and skim a portion of the profits. After all, Root's official roster listed only seventeen members. There was no way Danzo's true operations could run on that number alone.
Extra manpower required extra funding.
'So the money had to come from somewhere.'
Anko rubbed her temples, her head starting to ache. "Here we go again… all this political stuff." She decided to stop thinking too hard. As long as they could get back to the village safely, that was all that mattered.
"Couldn't you have just refused them?" she asked instead. "You actually hit them, Roshi! Won't that cause problems later?"
"To be precise," Roshi said, a faint curve playing at his lips, "hitting them was to prevent the situation from escalating. Their style is aggressive. If you take one down at the start, it drastically reduces their combat morale. And by using only my fists, I could control the force."
In other words—violence was a preemptive measure. If he'd let them think they held the advantage, they would've pressed harder, and the outcome might've been far worse.
When facing people like that, only a stronger show of dominance could keep things within a manageable boundary.
"Advisor Shimura's methods have always involved applying pressure for his own benefit," Roshi went on. "Root is no exception. Strictly speaking, their actions don't align with the Village's regulations."
"So," he concluded, his tone light but his gaze sharp, "as long as no one's dead, it's not a big deal. But if they insist on pushing further…"
His voice dropped to a quiet chill. "If they die, they die. Root operates in the shadows, often without punishment. But that also means—Konoha's rules don't truly protect them either. Understand?"
His eyes swept across both of them, calm yet cutting.
Anko forced a nervous laugh. "Haha… I totally understand! Wouldn't dream of crossing you."
Itachi, however, fell silent—deep in thought.
Once the explanation ended, Roshi didn't speak further. The three of them focused on their pace, their figures gliding through the forest like flickering shadows. As the horizon lightened, the familiar silhouette of Konoha's gates finally came into view.
When Team 5 arrived at the Hokage Building, the Third Hokage didn't keep them waiting.
Roshi first handed over a detailed written report, then concisely summarized the mission, emphasizing the Black Snake Group's strength and their destruction.
Hiruzen refilled his pipe with fresh tobacco, lit it with unhurried hands, and took a slow puff before unrolling the report. His eyes, half-hidden by smoke, scanned each line carefully.
"Hmm… confirmed complete. You've done well."
His voice, mellow through the drifting haze, carried a faint warmth. "From your report, the enemy's strength was considerable. This mission will be upgraded to S-class. I'll have the Mission Center recalculate the remuneration accordingly—the exact amount will depend on the Intelligence Division's analysis."
He exhaled slowly, his expression softening. "You've all worked hard—Roshi, Anko, Itachi."
"As for the B-class reconnaissance mission, its certification will proceed once the Intelligence Division completes its review."
After finishing those official matters, the Third Hokage picked up the thick ledgers that Roshi had brought back. His thumb brushed over the worn cover, but he didn't open them immediately.
"The Wasabi Family's request…"
"This mission was originally meant for the Anbu, but you managed to complete it along the way." A smile tugged faintly at the corners of his lips. "Simply granting you an S-class credit seems… insufficient."
After a moment's thought, he nodded slightly. "Roshi, you're granted special permission to enter the Village's Forbidden Jutsu Archive and select one jutsu to study. As for Anko and Itachi—each of you may choose one A-class and one B-class Ninjutsu, or exchange them for equivalent payment."
All formalities were settled neatly.
"Anko, Itachi—you've traveled through the night. Go home and rest," the Hokage said kindly. Then his tone shifted, gentle but firm. "Roshi, stay a moment."
The two glanced at each other, instantly understanding. It had to be about Root. Since their ranks weren't high enough to be involved, they bowed and quietly exited.
The door closed behind them with a soft click.
Hiruzen set down his pipe, rose slowly, and stretched his stiff shoulders. "You don't mind keeping an old man company for a short walk, do you?" he asked with a faint smile.
"It would be my honor," Roshi replied.
The two walked side by side out of the Hokage Building. Morning light washed over the awakening streets. Early risers paused to greet their Hokage respectfully, and the old man responded to each one with the same easy warmth that had defined his rule.
This was the man who had carried Konoha for decades—no grandeur, no distance, only the steady calm of experience.
"When you get old as a ninja, sleep doesn't come as easily," he said lightly, his tone half-amused, half-weary. "Since Biwako passed, I rarely go home. I rest here, in the Hokage Building. Each morning, I take a walk to see the village wake up."
His gaze drifted across the streets, the shops opening one by one, the quiet bustle returning.
"Back then, Konoha barely had ten thousand people. After so many wars and hardships… the fact that our population still grows—it's something worth celebrating."
Roshi matched his pace, silent and attentive.
"New, capable young shinobi are emerging one after another," Hiruzen went on. "I once thought… even if I can't compare to my two senseis, at least I've done my part to move things forward."
"Especially the Fourth Hokage…"
His voice grew heavier. A faint mist clouded his eyes.
"When he appeared, I thought—'Ah, this is it. This is what my teachers dreamed of.'"
"He was perfect. A true ninja, and an outstanding Hokage."
"So young, so full of energy and conviction… I believed he'd finally solve the problems that had lingered for decades under my mediocre hands."
He stopped for a moment, his sigh lost in the morning breeze.
"But in the end… it still fell back to this old body to hold things together."
His smile was tinged with self-deprecation. "I'm a useless man, really. I can only rely on my comrades—and at times, I have to let Danzo handle the dirty work."
"He has ambition, far more than I ever did." The Hokage's eyes softened with the ghost of old friendship. "I can barely run anymore… but that old warhawk refuses to stop."
He turned, studying the young man beside him. Roshi's expression was steady, his eyes clear yet deep.
"The Village still needs him," the Hokage said finally. "And from how you handled the Deai Port situation, I can tell—you understand that necessity as well."
His voice lowered, carrying quiet weight.
"As for what happened last night… I'll see to it personally. Danzo will receive his reprimand—and he will keep his subordinates in check."
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