"Nakamura, I've already inherited part of the First Hokage's power," Shawn said as he walked ahead, talking nonstop.
"From now on, I am the one Lord Danzo Shimura values the most. I am his most trusted subordinate."
"So from today onward, my orders are the second-highest authority in Root—second only to Lord Danzo himself!"
"And when Lord Danzo becomes the Fourth Hokage, I will be the new leader of Root!"
...
Shawn strode confidently ahead.
Nakamura followed behind, eyelids twitching violently as he listened.
Arrogant.
Too arrogant!
And wasn't he supposed to be guiding the way?
Why was Shawn walking in front while he looked like a lackey?
Suddenly, Shawn stopped and turned, staring coldly at Nakamura.
"What?"
"You're not answering—do you think I'm wrong?"
"Or… do you not want Lord Danzo to become the Fourth Hokage?"
Nakamura opened his mouth, then froze.
How the hell am I supposed to answer that?!
Shawn raised an eyebrow.
"Nakamura… do you want to die?"
Boom—!
A terrifying surge of chakra erupted from Shawn's body, forming a faint cyan glow that enveloped him completely.
A violent wind burst outward, forcing Nakamura to stagger back a step.
"S-So much chakra…!"
"So this is… the First Hokage's power?!"
"It's unbelievable!"
Faced with that overwhelming pressure, Nakamura finally lowered his head.
"…Yes. I understand."
Shawn retracted his chakra and smiled in satisfaction.
"Good."
Not long after, under Nakamura's escort, Shawn arrived before Danzo.
Danzo was in his prime years, a sharp and imposing middle-aged man.
Only the cold, oppressive aura surrounding him marred that appearance.
"Lord Danzo."
Shawn bowed respectfully—completely different from his domineering attitude earlier.
Danzo stared at him.
"That chakra just now—was it yours?"
"Yes, Lord Danzo," Shawn replied obediently.
"I have inherited part of the First Hokage's power. My chakra capacity has increased tremendously."
"However, Wood Release has not awakened. It may be due to an insufficient amount of Hashirama cells."
"For that reason, I request another transplantation."
Danzo frowned, disappointment flashing briefly through his eyes.
Still—Shawn was far from a failure.
That chakra pressure earlier had genuinely shocked him.
Another Hashirama cell transplant…
Danzo hesitated.
Hashirama's cells were too powerful.
He couldn't guarantee Shawn would survive another infusion.
Konoha's research on the cells was still extremely limited.
Sensing his hesitation, Shawn immediately said,
"Please rest assured, Lord Danzo. My body already contains the First Hokage's cells—I can withstand it."
"And even if I fail to awaken Wood Release, my chakra and regeneration will increase again."
"I will become the sharpest blade in your hand."
Danzo's brow relaxed.
"Very well. We'll proceed one more time."
"Also—"
"From this moment on, your codename is… 'A'."
Danzo departed to retrieve the Hashirama cells.
Left behind, Shawn turned to Nakamura.
"You saw that, didn't you?
The codename 'A' means I'll be the strongest among Root shinobi."
This time, Nakamura nodded seriously.
With First Hokage power—and the ability to influence Danzo's decisions—
Shawn was no longer the same person as before.
Shawn himself hadn't expected to receive this codename.
So this is the future Yamato's designation…
But that didn't stop him from using it to his advantage.
In the shinobi world, seniority meant nothing.
Only strength mattered.
Strength…
Shawn evaluated himself calmly.
After obtaining Hashirama cells, his chakra reserves and regeneration had skyrocketed—but his combat power hadn't improved as drastically.
After all, he still lacked Wood Release.
Previously, he was an elite among chūnin, skilled in Wind Release and sword techniques.
And his chakra nature had been pure Wind Release.
But now?
Even without Wood Release, Hashirama cells would grant him Earth Release, Water Release, and Yang Release.
"Wind Release…"
The first technique that came to Shawn's mind was Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.
But without Sage Mode, that jutsu was pure self-destruction.
Still—with Hashirama-level regeneration, the backlash could be offset.
Of course, first he'd need to learn the Rasengan.
Come to think of it…
Minato Namikaze should still be a kid who hadn't even graduated yet, right?
As newly awakened memories settled, Shawn's thoughts drifted.
Minato was still a child.
The Legendary Sannin hadn't yet earned their fame.
Especially Tsunade—she wasn't an old lady yet.
No idea how terrifying she must be right now.
Danzo returned quickly—less than half an hour later—accompanied by another Root operative carrying a metal case.
Soon, Shawn was lying down as Hashirama cell extract was infused directly into his body.
Yes—
Shinobi-world technology was just that crude.
And almost immediately, Shawn regretted it.
Because it was excruciatingly painful.
He had Immortality, but that didn't mean he felt no pain.
Veins bulged violently.
His teeth clenched until blood seeped out.
Yet Shawn endured it—without a single scream.
Crack!
His teeth shattered.
But Hashirama cells regenerated them almost instantly.
Just as Shawn had predicted, once his body adapted thanks to Immortality, the second transplant showed minimal rejection despite the pain.
Danzo, watching closely, couldn't hide his delight.
Root would gain a terrifying trump card.
No—
His trump card.
His blade.
Becoming Hokage openly was impossible—but ruling the shadows alongside Hiruzen Sarutobi?
That was well within reach.
As Konoha stabilized, Danzo's ambition grew uncontrollably.
He was no longer satisfied with Root being merely a training branch of ANBU.
Half an hour passed.
The infusion ended.
Pain faded.
Power surged.
Shawn could feel explosive vitality in his cells—
with a single thought, massive chakra flooded forth.
"Nearly 50% of my body… is now Hashirama cells."
He was exhilarated.
Chakra alone didn't equal strength—but without it, one could never reach Kage, let alone higher realms.
Still, Shawn clearly felt it—
His body had reached its limit.
Another transplant using this crude method would cause collapse.
Removing the needle, Shawn stood and bowed.
"Lord Danzo, I require the First Hokage's Wood Release techniques for training."
Danzo nodded.
"So you still haven't awakened it directly."
"That's acceptable."
"I won't disappoint you," Shawn said firmly.
"Once I master Wood Release, I will become the sharpest blade in your hand—
and clear every obstacle in your path!"
He raised his head, eyes burning.
"Lord Danzo—you are the most suitable candidate for Hokage."
Nakamura and the other Root operative were stunned.
Assassinating the Third Hokage? A coup?!
Is he insane?!
Cold sweat soaked Nakamura's back beneath the mask.
"This guy…"
"Did the experiment damage his mind?"
Earlier, he thought Shawn had merely grown arrogant—
He never expected this.