"What were you thinking? Wanting to take over Root?"
The moment they left the Hokage Tower, Tsunade finally snapped. She had held it in long enough.
She stopped and glared at Ren.
"You know exactly what kind of place that is. And you still want to go back? Have you lost your mind?"
Ren couldn't help feeling a little helpless at her reaction.
Just how much did everyone hate Root?
…Actually, he hated it too.
Back when he trained there, he had wanted nothing more than to burn the entire place to the ground.
And beyond the training, the department's business model was disgusting.
Assassination. Kidnapping. Espionage. Subversion.
If it wasn't something decent people would do, Root would swarm to it like flies to filth.
Who in their right mind would like that organization?
"Sensei, I know what I'm doing."
"You know? You know and still want to inherit Root?"
Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"If you want experience, there are countless other posts. You're not alone. Jiraiya and I are your backing."
"As for those elders, ignore them. When it matters, they're reliable. The rest of the time? A bunch of pompous idiots."
"If you want, I can push for something better. Even staying by the old man's side would be fine. Why Root?"
Because if I don't go, where do I put the Uchiha survivors?
Ren sighed inwardly but smiled outwardly.
"Sensei, this isn't just about me. It's also for you."
"For me?"
"You've always been researching the connection between the Senju and Uchiha, haven't you?"
"Many archives aren't in Konoha. And which department gathers intelligence externally? Which one has hidden bases across the shinobi world?"
"Those abandoned bases? We can repurpose them."
"And Sensei… your Wood Release still needs improvement."
Taking Root opened far too many doors.
Most importantly—
He would gain a legitimate intelligence pipeline.
Danzo's title of "Darkness of the Shinobi World" wasn't for nothing. The man was a failure politically—but in the underworld, he was king.
And now?
Ren would inherit that network.
"Besides," Ren added lightly, "I want to become Hokage one day."
Tsunade blinked.
"But to do that, I need management experience. Understanding how Konoha operates."
"Root works underground. No one needs to know it's me. I can observe, learn, reform."
"I won't repeat Danzo's mistakes."
Tsunade studied him for a long moment.
"…You're seeing things clearly."
Ren shrugged.
"Proximity to power makes people think they own it."
Danzo had forgotten that.
He stopped wanting to become Hokage—
And started thinking he already was.
Tsunade snorted.
"Fine. If you've decided, I won't stop you. But remember—Root's authority is immense. Don't let it blind you."
"I won't."
"And how do you plan to run it?"
"Simple."
"ANBU handles internal affairs. Root handles external."
"No more overlap."
"No more interference inside Konoha."
Tsunade's brows rose.
"That's bold."
"It's necessary. Root interfering internally only breeds distrust."
"Unless Hokage-sama specifically orders it, Root will act only beyond Konoha's borders."
Tsunade nodded slowly.
"That's the right direction."
"But Danzo won't be happy."
Ren smiled.
"Danzo-sama will be thrilled."
Tsunade gave him a strange look.
"…Thrilled?"
Ren only smiled wider.
Meanwhile, inside an abandoned underground lab—
The surviving Uchiha huddled in silence.
Fear hung heavy in the air.
Then—
The lights flicked on.
Footsteps echoed.
Three figures entered.
One of them—
"Shisui?!"
Uchiha Izumi stood up in shock.
"You're alive?!"
"Yes."
Shisui sighed.
Nearly all of them had awakened Sharingan.
Even Izumi had three tomoe.
The trauma had been immense.
Ren stepped forward.
"You don't need to know who I am. Just know I saved you."
"Uchiha Itachi defected."
"He joined Akatsuki for power—and slaughtered the clan."
Rage erupted.
But Izumi was sharp.
"…Why are we 'dead'?"
Shisui answered quietly.
"Because the clan really was preparing for rebellion. Someone in Konoha intended to strike first."
"I was supposed to die."
"Ren staged my death."
"The Third Hokage could only treat it as a warning."
"But someone else seized the opportunity."
Ren continued smoothly.
"Konoha will not declare the Uchiha rebels."
"Itachi and Akatsuki bear the blame."
"The collaborator inside Konoha has been removed."
"You survive because Shisui deemed you peaceful."
"But you cannot reappear."
"You cannot use the Uchiha name."
"You are ghosts."
Silence.
Pain.
Acceptance.
Then—
Ren tilted his head.
"Why the long faces?"
"You can rebuild."
"Grow stronger."
"Take revenge."
Izumi knelt first.
"From this day forward—we serve."
One by one—
They knelt.
Outside, Kabuto adjusted his glasses.
"You're sure you'll secure Root?"
"I didn't show that power for nothing," Ren replied lazily.
"And Tsunade and Jiraiya support me."
"What about Danzo's loyalists?" Kabuto pressed.
Ren's smile sharpened.
"They won't be a problem."
"What about Danzo himself?"
Ren laughed softly.
"Danzo-sama wants to lie low."
"As his subordinate… how could I allow such talent to fade into obscurity?"
"I'll make sure he becomes famous."
Kabuto and Shisui exchanged a look.
Famous?
More like infamous.
Rain poured in Amegakure.
Nagato stood by the window.
"Do you think Ren truly possesses the Sage's Body?" he asked quietly.
Konan considered.
"Maybe."
"But it doesn't conflict with your Rinnegan."
"Sage's Eyes. Sage's Body."
"Perhaps together…"
Nagato smiled faintly.
"…We can reshape the world."
Konan then added carefully,
"Ren sent word. He wants cooperation."
"He says the Uchiha incident stirred too much attention."
"He wants to redirect it."
"With materials on Danzo."
Nagato blinked.
"…He's pushing everything onto Danzo?"
"Yes."
Nagato rubbed his forehead.
"…That boy is vicious."
"But."
A faint smile curved his lips.
"…I don't dislike it."
Back in Konoha—
Ren lay in his room, reviewing rewards.
Sixty-eight free points.
Two special rewards.
[Ninjutsu Prodigy]
[Shadow of the Shinobi World]
He examined the latter.
[Shadow of the Shinobi World]
[Effect: Yin Release may be integrated into a Yang-based ability, achieving balanced enhancement.]
Ren stroked his chin.
"So you're telling me…"
"If I integrate Yin into my Yang Release Chakra Mode…"
"…It becomes Yin–Yang Release Chakra Mode?"
He grinned.
"Danzo-sama really left me a gift."
A knock sounded.
"Who is it?"
Before he could say "come in"—
The door opened.
Uchiha Hikaru stepped inside—
Barefoot.
And silent.
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