Chapter 155: The Turn of Fate: Uchiha Kagami's Death! Danzo's Hatred!
Since that day Kushina visited the Fujiwara, Tanaka, and Uesugi Clan Grounds, she seemed to become a regular.
Whenever she had free time, she would gather with Uzumaki Meika and Uzumaki Kyoji.
No one knew what they talked about when they were together.
However, this scene, in Fujiwara Tetsuya's eyes, was quite good.
From the laughter that occasionally drifted over, Fujiwara Tetsuya saw the trio's hopes for the future.
As long as they weren't deeply mired in hatred, everything was good.
The Ninja World was always busy.
Even though Fujiwara Tetsuya no longer had to worry about his clansmen's food and drink, the missions assigned by the Village still needed to be completed.
After a reluctant half-month of rest, the Thirteenth Squad reassembled and embarked on a journey of frequent missions.
Perhaps due to the impact of the Uzumaki Clan's destruction, the Ninja World seemed to quiet down considerably in the following months.
Most of the missions Fujiwara Tetsuya and his squad carried out were escort missions.
Aside from occasional skirmishes with suddenly appearing rogue Ninja, their current Ninja life could only be described as uneventful compared to before.
Of course, if there was anything worth mentioning, there were probably two things.
The first was that Tanaka Rina, a sixth-year student, passed her graduation exam, and Uesugi Yusuke applied for early graduation.
From now on, the Fujiwara, Tanaka, and Uesugi Three Clans would no longer have only him as a Ninja.
Although there was still a significant gap compared to other Shinobi Clans, it was at least a sign of revival.
The second thing was that the Hatake family's child was born, named Kakashi Hatake.
The wind of a new era was coming.
...
December.
Snowflakes gradually began to fall across Konoha.
A cold wind constantly swirled outside the houses.
Due to the weather, Konoha's mission volume was also affected to some extent.
At least, this month, the missions assigned to Fujiwara Tetsuya and his squad suddenly decreased significantly.
After two consecutive days of snow, it had already covered their ankles.
When Fujiwara Tetsuya arrived at the outskirts of the Uchiha Clan Grounds as usual, looking at the towering, magnificent compound, he vaguely had a premonition.
The atmosphere in the Uchiha Clan Grounds today seemed unusually somber, carrying a hint of sadness.
"Tetsuya-kun! You're here..."
Not far away, Uchiha Mikoto, dressed in black with a white chrysanthemum pinned in her hair, slowly approached.
Perhaps she hadn't had time to wipe them away, as a few tear marks still lingered at the corners of her eyes.
"Mikoto! Did something happen?"
Looking at the girl in front of him, Fujiwara Tetsuya frowned slightly.
Seeing Uchiha Mikoto's current attire, how could Fujiwara Tetsuya not understand? A prominent figure in the Uchiha Clan had likely passed away.
"It's Senior Kagami!"
"Senior Kagami died!"
"The Anbu just brought Senior Kagami's body back last night!"
It was Uchiha Kagami!
As his mind wavered, Fujiwara Tetsuya suddenly remembered that according to the Hokage storyline, Uchiha Kagami's age at death should have been around twenty-five.
Counting the days, it should be this year.
Twenty-five years old, for a Ninja, was just entering their peak.
What a pity!
He sighed deeply.
Fujiwara Tetsuya didn't dwell on it further, such as the cause of Uchiha Kagami's death.
Because whatever the Konoha Higher-Ups disclosed would always be a facade.
To know all the secrets, he would have to go further on the Ninja path, and his power and status in Konoha would have to become more important.
Then, all the secrets, all the answers, would naturally be laid before him.
"Mikoto, Senior Kagami was a gentle man."
"Someone like Senior Kagami wouldn't want to see you so sad."
After a moment of silence, Fujiwara Tetsuya wasn't sure how to comfort Uchiha Mikoto.
He could only reach out and stroke the girl's hair, continuously soothing her.
"Don't worry, Tetsuya-kun!"
"I'll adjust."
"It's just... our agreement from yesterday will probably be canceled."
"I might not be able to accompany you these next few days."
While Fujiwara Tetsuya was continuously comforting Uchiha Mikoto, in a certain underground building in the western training ground of Konoha, countless torches illuminated the dark space.
The stone walls on both sides were exceptionally bright.
Following the direction of the torches, one could see countless rooms and secret chambers densely arranged on the north and south sides.
At the end of the torches was a giant rock cave, twenty-three meters high.
At this moment, Danzo stood on a high platform.
His right eye was wrapped in several layers of bandages, and the still-fresh bloodstains were faintly visible.
"Lord Danzo! Everyone is here!"
Amidst a voice devoid of any emotion, more than fifty figures suddenly appeared in front of Danzo.
Among these people, only nearly thirty were adults.
The remaining twenty-odd people ranged from fifteen or sixteen years old at most, to around twelve or thirteen at the youngest.
"Is that all?"
Looking at his subordinates below, Danzo's left eye emitted an inexplicable chill.
Before the mission to the Land of Whirlpools, Root, including reserve members, had three squads.
However, due to being outmaneuvered by the Elders, some were lost in the Land of Whirlpools.
After barely recovering some strength in the past few months, another mission a few days ago not only injured his right eye but also cost him an elite squad.
As a result, Root currently had almost no elite squads that could be deployed.
Of course, this was not what pained Danzo the most.
What was most painful was that in this mission, he lost his good friend, that man with the will of fire, Uchiha Kagami.
Thinking of this, the coldness in Danzo's eyes grew even more sinister.
"Yes, Lord Danzo!"
"Due to the severe losses of Root members in recent missions, the major Shinobi Clans in the Village have developed resistance to sending their clansmen to join Root."
"As for the new recruits from civilian backgrounds, those with outstanding talent have almost all been absorbed into the Anbu by Hokage-sama."
"The rest, the vast majority, cannot meet Root's current requirements."
At this time, Danzo's foundation was only just established.
But compared to twenty or thirty years later, it was clearly far too lacking.
Now, he could only be said to be dependent on Hiruzen Sarutobi's mood, waiting for scraps.
Whether it was financial support or the increase or decrease in personnel, everything was firmly in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands.
"Shinobi Clans, huh?"
At the mention of Shinobi Clans, Danzo's expression grew even darker.
Neither the Senju nor the Uchiha, nor even the Hyuga, had ever paid him any mind.
Only the Shinobi Clans below the three great noble clans might, out of respect for the Hokage, send some of their younger generation to join Root.
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