◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon of which 10 are free Chapters. if you're interested: patreon.com/Heroicverse
-----------------------------------------------------
The massage service at the Happy Hot Springs had concluded its bidding.
The highest bidder was the wife of the Akimichi Clan patriarch.
The bid was 170,000 ryo!
Akira didn't react to the price, but Anko was genuinely shocked.
"Isn't that too expensive? 170,000 ryo for one massage?"
"Is it expensive?" Akira's tone was flat.
"Of course it's expensive!" Anko kept shaking her head.
"That much money is enough for me to eat dango for several months!"
Dango? Does that even compare to a massage?
"This is a Gentle Fist massage from the Hyūga Clan, with Byakugan support. And it's the first time ever!" Akira started his propaganda.
"Anko, don't you want to enjoy a massage service from a prominent family in the village?"
Anko was swayed by Akira's pitch.
"If it were cheaper, I'd like to try it." She certainly wanted a service like that, but the price was prohibitive.
"It's stylish! It's classy! It's high-end!"
Having just mentioned this, Akira paused.
He saw Rin, wearing the Happy Hot Springs uniform, running into the massage room.
"Did you see that? Why is Rin wearing a server uniform?" Anko also spotted Rin, looking surprised.
"Probably helping out." Akira couldn't help but chuckle. After only a brief absence, Rin had become a temporary employee.
"Since she's working here, everything should be fine."
After a moment's thought, Akira decided to leave. Even staying in the lobby might be awkward, as it was entirely full of women.
As soon as he stepped outside, Akira narrowed his eyes. A Root ninja was standing outside the building, as if waiting there specifically.
Anko tugged at the corner of Akira's clothes, her face filled with fear.
"Are you here to catch Anko?" Akira's tone turned cold.
"Akira! Lord Danzō is looking for you!" The Root ninja's tone was equally indifferent. It seemed the Root member was competing with Akira to see whose voice was colder.
"Hmm?" Akira was slightly taken aback. Not here to catch Anko? Looking for me?
Barbecue Booth
Akira sat across from Danzō again.
"I haven't congratulated you yet, Akira, on entering Anbu," Danzō spoke first, his tone low.
"Lord Danzō, your congratulations are a bit late~" Akira was speechless.
He'd been in Anbu for several days, and he'd run into Danzō several times in the interim. And he congratulates me now?
If that was the case, maybe I should congratulate Danzō's mother for giving birth to him?
"I've come here because I need you to be vigilant," Danzō didn't care about Akira's dissatisfaction and got straight to the point.
"What is it?" Akira asked.
"Since you are in Anbu, help me keep an eye on the Uchiha's movements," Danzō whispered.
"The Uchiha?" Akira wondered if he'd misheard. You're the leader of Root.
Why send me, an Anbu member, to monitor them instead of your own agents? Is Root completely understaffed?
As if sensing Akira's confusion, Danzō explained. "Root is currently engaged in a vital mission and is shorthanded."
He added, "Besides, you have a relationship with Uchiha Obito. If you monitor them, they won't suspect you."
Having said that, Danzō stood up.
"Akira, I've always felt you were worth cultivating! Don't disappoint my benevolence..."
Danzō left.
Akira touched his chin and walked out of the barbecue shop.
As soon as he stepped out, he was surprised to find Anko dragging Minato Sensei and running toward him. Anko was really giving it her all.
"I brought Sensei Minato! Did Danzō give you a hard time?" Anko ran up, panting and worried.
"I'm fine!" Akira smiled.
"Come inside and talk," Namikaze Minato suggested. The street wasn't the best place for a conversation.
At the same time!
Konoha Military Police Force Department.
Uchiha Fugaku looked at the scroll in his hand, his face darkening.
"Is this information true?" Fugaku asked, looking at his subordinate.
"It should be accurate! This intelligence is being sold at numerous information posts in the Grass Country, which suggests it has been verified. Furthermore, it's being sold at a 50% discount."
CRASH!
Uchiha Fugaku crushed the scroll instantly.
"That damn Danzō!" His tone was murderous, and his eyes spun into the Sharingan.
"Orochimaru was in charge of the research, and Danzō was in charge of capturing the test subjects!"
"So, my Uchiha clan members became the test subjects?" Uchiha Fugaku's voice grew colder.
At this moment, he thought of his missing clansman, Uchiha Obito!
"It seems Obito's disappearance must have been caused by Danzō."
"After Orochimaru defected, Danzō took over the experiment and captured Obito." The intelligence led him to no other conclusion. Obito's disappearance was likely Danzō's doing.
"Obito's teacher is Minato. I should tell him."
Namikaze Minato's Residence
When Uchiha Fugaku arrived at the door, he overheard a conversation inside.
Akira: "It's strange. Danzō asked me, an Anbu, to monitor the Uchiha's movements."
Namikaze Minato: "That is strange."
Akira: "He also said that because of my relationship with Obito, I wouldn't arouse the Uchiha's suspicion."
Namikaze Minato wondered: "Is Root completely shorthanded?"
Akira: "Who knows. Danzō said Root was going to perform a major mission, which is why they were short-staffed."
Outside.
Uchiha Fugaku's eyes narrowed.
"Root is going to perform a major mission?" Almost instantly, he figured out what the mission was: Hunting down Orochimaru!
As long as Orochimaru is dead, Danzō can successfully cover up his tracks.
"How utterly despicable~~"
"Fugaku, why are you standing outside for so long? Come in." At this moment, Namikaze Minato's voice came from the room.
Uchiha Fugaku wasn't surprised that his presence was detected. After all, the man inside was the Yellow Flash.
He went inside and explained the reason for his visit.
"I suspect that Obito was captured by Danzō."
"Danzō?" Namikaze Minato was slightly surprised. If he hadn't learned the truth from Akira, he might actually have agreed with Fugaku.
"Fugaku, are you mistaken?" Namikaze Minato tried to warn him.
"I'm just here to tell you. Whether you believe it is up to you." Having said his piece, Uchiha Fugaku turned and left.
"Did he misunderstand something?" Akira muttered to himself.
"I feel the same way," Namikaze Minato concurred.
Leaving Namikaze Minato's Residence.
Uchiha Fugaku returned to the Security Department. Immediately, he summoned his clan members and issued an order for an emergency assembly.
"Gather the elite ninja of the clan immediately. Follow me to intercept Root!"