Jia looked at the complex circulation routes recorded in the scroll before him, a trace of confusion surfacing in his eyes.
Did that guy Yi really understand this thing in just one minute, then clap his hands and pull it off?
His expression was somewhat stiff.
To be honest, Jia's talent in ninjutsu already surpassed that of average children; at the very least, he could understand this scroll.
However, it would take a considerable amount of time—at least four or five hours.
Furthermore, understanding it did not mean you had mastered the ninjutsu.
The most critical part of learning a technique was circulating the chakra within your body according to the records in the scroll, a process that required a massive investment of time from the learner.
Therefore, when faced with Danzo Shimura's inquiry, Jia honestly shook his head.
"I am very sorry, Lord Danzo. I am unable to master this ninjutsu immediately like Yi."
Upon hearing this, Danzo merely nodded. Although he did not speak any words of blame, Jia could keenly detect a hint of... disappointment in his eyes.
It made sense; after witnessing a genius like Yi, his own performance would indeed be somewhat disheartening.
"Yi, although you have preliminarily mastered these two techniques, you are still a bit unrefined. You need to practice them well. Once you are proficient, I will arrange sparring ninjas for you to improve your combat awareness."
Danzo used his habitual words to suppress Simu slightly.
Then, he glanced sideways at Jia and said, "You had better not fall too far behind. Root needs sharp swords, not trash."
Jia lowered his head and said respectfully, "Yes, Lord Danzo."
Only after Danzo had left did he raise his head and squeeze out a polite smile toward Simu. "Congratulations, Yi."
"Hmm?"
Simu was puzzled.
Jia explained, "Having displayed such talent, you will surely be heavily relied upon by Lord Danzo soon. So, congratulations."
Simu glanced at Jia and asked, "Do you want to gain Lord Danzo's recognition as well?"
Jia froze for a moment. Isn't that a given?
"If one cannot obtain the recognition of others, then there is no meaning to surviving in this world, right?"
Simu furrowed his brows and said with disdain, "The meaning of every person's existence is given by themselves. This 'recognition' from others is completely irrelevant."
"No need for the recognition of others?"
Looking at the carefree fellow before him, Jia actually felt a bit dazed.
We were clearly experimental subjects from the same batch and suffered the same experiences, yet it resulted in two completely different people?
His own world was like the silent roots buried beneath the earth, a patch of total darkness.
The other, however, was like a flourishing canopy constantly reaching for the sky. Everywhere he looked was the sky, the sunlight, and a sense of unbridled boldness.
While Jia was lost in thought, Simu had already stepped in front of him and delivered a punch to his shoulder.
The sudden punch stopped Jia's fantasies and made him step back while clutching his shoulder.
When he looked up, he saw his peer holding out an open palm toward him.
"Stop thinking so much. Do you want to learn Wood Style? I can teach you."
"But Lord Danzo didn't say you could teach me..."
Jia was a bit hesitant. Although Danzo hadn't said it was forbidden, would this acting on his own initiative cause Yi to be punished?
What if Lord Danzo's original intention was for the two of them to compete using their own talents?
Before he could finish his thought, he felt another sharp pain in his other shoulder.
Snapping back to reality, it was indeed Yi giving him another punch.
"What are you overthinking for? Do you want to learn or not?"
Jia looked at the youth who seemed to not belong to Root at all and finally reached out his own hand.
"I do."
In truth, he couldn't tell if at this moment he actually wanted to learn, or if he simply didn't want to disappoint the other person...
This scene undoubtedly fell into Danzo's eyes.
He had not left the training ground immediately but was hiding in the shadows observing the interaction between the two.
The moment he saw them shake hands, a distorted smile suddenly curled at the corners of his mouth.
Only by severing established bonds can one forge a true, emotionless, and incredibly sharp weapon.
Only people who have lost all emotion and bonds can become the true roots that protect the Hidden Leaf!
After watching for a while, Danzo quickly vanished into the darkness.
He returned to the office belonging to the leader of Root. At Danzo's summons, a Root ninja quickly appeared before him.
"Lord Danzo."
The Root ninja knelt respectfully on one knee in salute.
Danzo's cold gaze swept over him. He took an envelope from his pocket and spoke indifferently, "Kabuto, this is a letter sent to you by Nono."
Hearing these words, a brilliant light immediately ignited in the eyes of the youth wearing round-framed glasses. He hurriedly took the letter from Danzo's hand and began to study it carefully.
Although the contents were quite ordinary words of concern—asking how he had been lately, if he was eating enough, if he was staying warm, and so on—it was precisely these words that allowed Kabuto Yakushi to find a trace of solace and a reason to persevere in this cold Root.
Ten minutes later, Kabuto finally returned the letter and envelope to Danzo with lingering affection.
"Thank you, Lord Danzo."
"Mm."
Danzo looked at the youth before him, who had mastered various spy techniques at such a young age and possessed considerable talent in medical ninjutsu, and showed a satisfied smile.
No matter who it is, as soon as they have bonds, they involuntarily turn into a ridiculous puppet...
"Kabuto, besides showing you Nono's letter, I have one more thing I need you to do."
Kabuto did not feel much surprise at Danzo's words.
If I had no utility value, this fellow wouldn't be kind enough to deliver the Director's letters to me.
"I need you to help me dispense a hallucinogenic drug to be used in conjunction with Genjutsu."
Danzo stated his requirement.
To control a person, brainwashing alone was not enough. It had to be combined with Genjutsu, drugs, and long-term mental control to make someone a completely emotionless weapon.
As Root's top medical ninja, the hallucinogenic drug Kabuto dispensed would undoubtedly be of paramount importance.
"This hallucinogenic drug is critical. There must be no room for error," Danzo specially instructed.
A cold glint flashed across Kabuto's lenses.
He had dispensed hallucinogenic drugs for Danzo countless times, but this seemed to be the first one that required Danzo to be so solemn.
It seems he has harvested another pawn with exceptional talent...
Although Kabuto thought such rebellious thoughts in his heart, his face remained very respectful. "By your command, Lord Danzo."
For the sake of the Director, he would do anything!