'How should I explain this when I get back...' Lexon pondered on the way. 'Merchant Idu and the others are indeed dead, but Kaku and the other "Root" members traveling with me also died. Only I, a newcomer who just joined "Root," survived. That sounds way too suspicious...'
'Whatever, I'll just say what needs to be said. In any case, with the "trust" buff I put on Danzo, plus the effect of [Pure Heart], he'll probably believe anything I say. If his trust wavers, I'll just hit him with "Kotoamatsukami" again.' Lexon was quite nonchalant.
Although "Kotoamatsukami's" cooldown was over ten years, each eye had one use, so Lexon's Mangekyo Sharingan still had one use left. In truth, if the user had a terrifying amount of chakra like the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama, "Kotoamatsukami" could be used again in a short time. But that guy Senju Hashirama's chakra reserves...
...were incomparably terrifying. Even with Lexon's current chakra levels, which were comparable to a Tailed Beast's, he was still far from matching Hashirama's chakra reserves. Even "Hashirama Cells" were something many people coveted. Transplanting "Hashirama Cells" granted immense life force, and chakra was just another form of life energy.
This indirectly showed just how terrifying Senju Hashirama was. Not to mention, he also had Sage Mode and inherited the body's energy from the Sage of Six Paths. His chakra consumption probably couldn't even keep up with his recovery rate... So, it was still a distant prospect for Lexon to use "Kotoamatsukami" in quick succession. However, Lexon wouldn't avoid using the skill just because of its long cooldown. In his view, he'd use it when he needed to; as long as it served its purpose, it was fine.
...
"So, you're saying a mercenary ninja suddenly appeared, killed Idu, saw through your 'Konoha Root' identities, and after a battle, Kaku and the others were all killed, and only you survived, is that right?" Danzo's expression was slightly grim.
"That's right." With the effect of [Pure Heart] active, Lexon's conscience was clear.
"The mission is complete, but I've lost one of my most capable subordinates..." Danzo's muttering was very low. Kaku was an effective aide, a ninja who embodied the will of Root, followed all his orders, believed all his missions were contributions to Konoha, and wasn't weak... And he just died like that? ...
His sharp, one-eyed gaze fell on Lexon. "Only you survived..." His voice trailed off.
The "Root" ninja standing to the side, seeing this situation, couldn't help but scream internally.
'Even Kaku died, but he managed to survive! Something's definitely wrong. And he doesn't have any signs of a fight on him. There must be a problem! He's spouting nonsense, nine times out of ten! Lord Danzo! Punish him immediately!'
"Then you will take Kaku's position." Danzo gave this order in his old voice.
Huh? The "Root" ninja nearby was completely dumbfounded.
'What's going on, Lord Danzo? Were you always like this? How can you just believe whatever he says? Without a single shred of doubt?'
"Ah... okay." Lexon hadn't expected Danzo to trust him this much either. He hesitated for a moment before replying. After all, in Lexon's view, even if Danzo trusted someone, given his cunning, insidious, and treacherous nature... it was entirely possible for him to kill someone he "trusted".
Just like that, Lexon took Kaku's position, becoming one of the leading figures in "Root". He was even assigned several subordinates to command. Those who didn't know better would have thought Lexon was Danzo's illegitimate son. Ah... even those who did know better thought so, like the "Root" ninja guards by Danzo's side.
After Lexon returned to the Uchiha clan for a few days, a new mission came from Danzo one night. "Lord Danzo says to have you make contact with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki... He said this was an opportunity he fought hard to get for you. Please seize it and do your best to get the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki under control." Under the moonlight, a "Root" messenger ninja knelt on one knee before Lexon and said these words.
"Contact the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?" Lexon was a little surprised. 'Meaning, he wants me to contact Naruto? Danzo won such an opportunity for me?'
'That old man, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, actually agreed to this? Doesn't he keep Naruto under tight wraps, not allowing anyone else near, so that he alone becomes Naruto's pillar and support?' Instantly, Lexon was completely baffled.
It was precisely because he knew the plot of Naruto that Lexon was so confused. In the original story, Danzo wanted to brainwash the Jinchuriki to bring him under the absolute control of the village and himself, but he was completely refused by the Third Hokage, who even warned him not to try anything.
'Why would he now allow Danzo to let me, a "Root" member, contact Naruto? I can't figure it out.' "Understood," Lexon replied. 'If I can't figure it out, I'll just stop thinking about it.'
Danzo's intentions were obvious: have him bewitch and brainwash Naruto, using the power of the Sharingan to completely control the Jinchuriki's power. But Lexon couldn't be bothered to do that. All he wanted to do after contacting Naruto was to check in. He wasn't going to pass up this free check-in opportunity.
After the message was delivered, the Root ninja left quickly.
"Lexon..." Sasuke's young figure peeked out from the corner.
"What's wrong, Sasuke?" Lexon smiled at him. Sasuke ran up to Lexon, tilted his head back, and asked, "Lexon, were you talking to someone just now?"
"Nope..." Lexon said in a tone for placating a child, then ruffled Sasuke's hair. If Itachi had a habit of poking Sasuke's forehead, then he had a habit of ruffling Sasuke's hair. 'After all, the spiky yet smooth feeling is pretty nice...'
"Then were you talking to the air, Lexon? Is it that 'chunni' thing you taught me about before?" Sasuke asked, suddenly curious.
Lexon's expression froze. He then asked, "Did you need me for something? Want to play games?" Lexon really didn't know what Sasuke wanted from him in the middle of the night.
Sasuke's expression suddenly grew worried. He asked Lexon, "Brother hasn't been home in a long time... Do you know what he's doing, Lexon?"
'Itachi...'
Hearing Sasuke's question, Lexon paused, then replied comfortingly, "He's probably on a mission that takes a long time... Don't worry too much. Just wait quietly for him to come back."
"Is that so..." Reassured by Lexon, Sasuke nodded his little head, but the worried look on his face remained.
"Want to play a game, then?" Lexon asked with a gentle smile.
"Yeah!" Sasuke's smile returned, and he replied happily.
Lexon took Sasuke's hand and walked toward his room.
His eyes gradually deepened. He thought calmly to himself.
'It won't be long now... The night of the Uchiha clan massacre...'
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]