Konoha.
Root.
Hatake Sakumo brandished his White Fang, bravely standing at the forefront of the Anbu team, inspecting every area of Root.
The eerie and terrifying Root was the most mysterious building and area in Konoha.
Ordinary Jonin were reluctant to approach it too closely, lest they attract Shimura Danzo's attention and unnecessary trouble.
But tonight, following Sarutobi Hiruzen's orders, the Konoha White Fang led the Anbu Ninjas, tearing away the veil of mystery.
So-called Root was merely a division of Anbu.
Yet under Shimura Danzo's indulgence, Root used collective power to bully individuals, enhancing his personal prestige through such fundamentally oppressive behavior...
The Anbu led by Hatake Sakumo pushed through, and the resisting Root Ninjas couldn't stop them.
Thus, Root's secrets were completely unveiled.
The laboratory door opened, and Orochimaru slowly walked out, squinting at Hatake Sakumo with the White Fang, frowning and thinking to himself:
"Shimura Danzo, did he accidentally anger the old man? How could he face this treatment, sending Hatake Sakumo suddenly to raid Root with such force..."
"Trouble indeed, I'm not sure how to deal with this guy..."
Hatake Sakumo stood expressionless at the front.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's orders were clear: Even if encountering Orochimaru, there's no need to bother.
Orochimaru crossed his arms, looking over the Anbu Ninjas who had thoroughly searched Root, and slowly said, "Gentlemen, this is my laboratory, nothing illegal here."
"Sakumo, what are you looking for? Perhaps you could ask me..."
"Orochimaru, I received orders from the Third Lord to thoroughly search Root. Stand aside."
Being Sarutobi Hiruzen's favorite disciple, Orochimaru's face was welcomed by most Konoha Ninjas.
But to Hatake Sakumo, it was no different from anyone else.
Orochimaru's gaze grew dangerous, stretching his tongue to lick his lips.
In the laboratory behind him, there wasn't just the complete experiment data of Hashirama's Cells, but also the current sole successful deteriorated product—
Root's "Alpha", Konoha's first Wood Release Ninja, the original time's Yamato.
Due to Aomi's appearance, Shimura Danzo concluded he would obtain a better Sharingan, so he didn't hide Yamato from Orochimaru, using him as material to research stronger Wood Release.
"Sakumo, I am the Third's disciple."
"I only follow the Hokage's orders."
Hatake Sakumo faced off against Orochimaru, giving him no ounce of courtesy.
In his view, what difference does being the Hokage's disciple make? Nothing special.
He had dared to raid Root so fiercely, even offending Shimura Danzo to the core, why would he fear a defeated Orochimaru?
Orochimaru's face fell, pupils turning snake-like.
Can't you at least say some polite words?
You asked me to step aside, so that's that, and Orochimaru stands admittingly awkward?
"So be it, I'll remember this matter with Orochimaru."
Despite feeling a bit aggrieved, Orochimaru relented, what else could he do?
Hatake Sakumo led a large Anbu squad under Hokage orders to search…
Orochimaru watched the flooding Anbu, shaking his head.
Wood Release Ninja "Alpha" and Hashirama's Cells, even with the loss of such seemingly precious study materials, Orochimaru felt no pain.
In recent research, Orochimaru discovered Wood Release was indeed a powerful Kekkeigenkai, but relatively to other Ninja World Kekkeigenkais, not significantly above average strength.
Its greatest characteristic is its special efficacy against Tailed Beasts.
Yet in today's Konoha, there's the Adamantine Sealing Chains of the Uzumaki Clan, which isn't less effective than Wood Release against Tailed Beasts.
Regarding fights against Ninjas, Wood Release holds no particular advantage.
Konoha always hoped to recreate Wood Release, reviving Senju Hashirama's power.
But Orochimaru believed:
Senju Hashirama's might came from various factors like his Chakra, physical constitution, Sage Mode, and others, Wood Release was just one facet, not the decisive factor.
Orochimaru squinted, watching as the Anbu scavenged his experiment data, carrying off "Alpha".
Wood Release was no longer what he needed.
"Old man, do you know what I'm doing in Root… Hatake Sakumo's attitude isn't normal."
"War is merciless, the human body fragile, and bonds between master and disciple so, to transcend this worldly restraint requires immortality..."
Orochimaru felt a growing distance from Sarutobi Hiruzen and Konoha.
For someone pursuing immortality like Orochimaru, such ties became restrictions and burdens.
#
Meanwhile, in the Hokage Building.
Receiving Hatake Sakumo's report back, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt similar to his dear pupil Orochimaru.
Once his favored disciple, persistently entangled with Shimura Danzo, gradually losing principles, even refusing to maintain the face of Will of Fire.
Initially among Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, Sarutobi Hiruzen favored Orochimaru the most.
Calm when acting, exceptionally talented.
Whether personal combat ability, command ability on the battlefield, or village management ability, all top-notch.
But the problem was Orochimaru's heart didn't align with Sarutobi Hiruzen...
So, the more capable he was, the more troubling to the Third Hokage.
"Sakumo, take this child to Anbu to train, cancel the name Alpha, make him forget everything in Root, henceforth living in Konoha as Yamato..."
"I'll get right on it, Third Lord."
After Hatake Sakumo left, Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered the teacher selection for Asuma and Aomi.
Clearly, after the Root incident, Orochimaru was out of consideration.
Thus, remaining choices were Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Jiraiya's student Namikaze Minato.
"Minato's qualities and abilities are quite good, but Aomi's abilities are so outstanding, Minato's seniority is somewhat low..."
Namikaze Minato, recently entered adult, wasn't yet the Yellow Flash of Third War fame.
And consulting on teacher selection for Aomi and Asuma, Sarutobi Hiruzen slightly prioritized the status based on seniority...
In Ninja World, even with extraordinary powers, seniority remains an objective reality.
"Then only Tsunade and Jiraiya remain..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, these two disciples were quite troublesome.
One was heartbroken by war, on the edge of self-destruction, not having trained seriously in a long time.
One was preoccupied with toads, constantly talking about the Child of Prophecy, like a language nobody understood, recently went to Mount Myoboku, hasn't returned yet.
"Wait for Jiraiya's return, talk with him first..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head; these disciples indeed gave him headaches.
But recalling Aomi and Asuma, the Hokage showed a genuine smile.
What good kids they are!
Not even graduated from Ninja School, yet teamed up to expose blackmail in Root, uncovering the hidden Wood Release Ninja from within.
Sarutobi Hiruzen hummed a Warring States Era tune, leisurely reviewing documents.
Meanwhile, at Aomi's home.
His mentor Senju Tobirama, a piercingly serious gaze, was negotiating with Aomi...