In the underground base of Root.
Danzo's eyes were still intact, but his usually placid expression revealed a subtle struggle.
Since he was facing away from Nonou Yakushi, she didn't notice the abnormality on his face.
"What is it?" Danzo asked indifferently.
Nonou bowed her head. "The intelligence on Pakura's personality and movements has been collated."
"Good. Once organized, have Falcon deliver it to Shuten-doji."
"Lord Danzo, neither of them bears a curse seal... and this mission is of great importance. I'm worried..."
"Your worry is unnecessary." His tone suddenly became harsh. "Nonou, do not make the same mistake as Ryoma Aburame."
Nonou knelt in panic. "I was wrong."
Ryoma Aburame had asked a question he shouldn't have, and Danzo had promptly dispatched him to the Mist Village in the Land of Water to gather intelligence.
"Speaking of you, I originally planned to send you to the Cloud Village. However, with so many Root operatives scattered abroad, I changed my mind. I'm keeping you by my side.
But don't worry about lacking opportunities for merit. Do what I tell you. The orphanage in the Leaf is missing a director; you will fill that position."
She suppressed the joy in her heart. "I will go through fire and water for you, Lord Danzo."
"Heh. Through fire and water for me?"
"Yes!"
Danzo turned his gaze to the calligraphy on the wall that read Hide One's Light and Bide One's Time. He had written those four characters. From the moment he proposed the creation of Root, Danzo had decided to bide his time.
Now, chaos had erupted in the ninja world. Other villages were deploying Tailed Beast Jinchuriki. The situation would inevitably shift with every battle. It was no longer time to hide his light; it was time to unleash the power he had accumulated.
Danzo's voice softened instantly. "I know you have a kind heart, Nonou. But you must be prepared as a Leaf ninja. Is it more important to save one or two children, or to save the civilians of the entire Hidden Leaf?"
"I will etch your teachings into my heart, Lord Danzo."
"I hope so. I hope your Will of Fire does not change. Do you think Shuten-doji can complete the mission assigned to him?"
Nonou hesitated.
Danzo turned to glance at her. "Is it hard to answer?"
"Shuten-doji fought Pakura in the Land of Rivers. If he approaches her rashly, she will definitely kill him."
"Yes, Pakura will most likely kill him. Do you know why I still entrusted this mission to him?"
"I... I dare not guess your intentions."
"I am ordering you to guess."
"Lord Danzo wants to test his caliber."
Danzo nodded in satisfaction, his gaze shifting to the calligraphy reading Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain. "Swift as the wind, gentle as the forest, fierce as fire, immovable as the mountain. The core of this mission is manipulation, not slaughter.
If Shuten-doji can use wisdom and strategy to make Pakura suppress her killing intent and agree to communicate—clearly conveying the Leaf's desire for an alliance to the Sand high command—it will prove he has the caliber to adapt and remain fearless in danger.
If he can go a step further and ingeniously secure more benefits for the Leaf based on the Sand's internal situation, I am willing to give him command of a squad personally trained by Root."
Nonou whispered, "You speak of a scenario where the mission goes smoothly. What if it doesn't?"
"Doesn't go smoothly?"
Danzo chuckled coldly. "This mission is tailor-made for him. The Leaf and Sand can ally, or they can not ally. A treaty is just a scrap of paper; it can be torn up at any time.
If the mission fails, but Shuten-doji demonstrates his value in a desperate situation and possesses qualities I admire, he will be allowed to survive and not be discarded as waste."
"Lord Danzo, what if Shuten-doji can't even handle the initial contact with Pakura and loses his life?"
Danzo replied as if it were obvious. "You said it yourself—he loses his life. Why ask me? If he dies, he dies. The Leaf does not lack young, ambitious ninja. Even though he is the son of Tetsuji and Shika Senkaku, I have already treated him very favorably out of consideration for their merits."
Just then, a knock came at the door.
"Lord Danzo, the mission you ordered is complete."
A cold voice came from outside, sounding as if nothing in the world interested the speaker except the mission.
"Enter."
"Understood."
The door creaked open.
A petite figure wearing a falcon mask and hidden under a black cloak walked in. Without looking at Nonou, who was still kneeling, the figure carefully placed a report on the desk.
Danzo picked up the report, opened it, and read it line by line, as if peerless treasures were hidden between the words.
"You did very well. I will not go back on my promise to you."
"I never doubted your word."
Danzo turned to Nonou. "Leave us."
Not daring to delay, even though she had other matters to report, she left in a hurry.
The door creaked shut.
Danzo paced the room, losing his composure as he held the report.
"A descendant of Kagami Uchiha... named Shisui Uchiha?"
"Yes. Although he is still a child, he is mentally mature and has concealed abilities far beyond his peers.
But he is still a child in the Academy. He has a somewhat impatient personality and inadvertently revealed some of his true skills.
The teacher responsible for instructing Shisui Uchiha in ninja tools couldn't wait to use him to meet quotas and requisitioned many different tools from the warehouse manager."
Following the village's new policy for the Ninja Academy, Hiroya had also implemented a graduation reward mechanism based on Danzo's orders.
In short, teachers were encouraged to identify outstanding students for early graduation—especially those from the Uchiha clan, followed by other noble clans, but excluding the Hyuga Branch members with the Caged Bird Seal.
Danzo stared at Falcon's mask. "You wrote in the report that Shisui Uchiha's potential exceeds other Uchiha youths? How are you certain?"
"Even when hiding his strength, other students can't even see his dust. I believe his talent surpasses even Kakashi Hatake's. If he awakens the Sharingan, Kakashi Hatake will be no match for him."
"What do you plan to do next?"
"Instill the Will of Fire in him. Make Shisui Uchiha believe that even death is meaningful if it is for the village. That dying for the village is the rightful path."
Danzo closed his eyes and thought for a moment. "Do as you say. Personally explain the Will of Fire to him. Make Shisui Uchiha willing to abandon his own Uchiha clan for the sake of the Will of Fire and the village."
"I understand."
"Both you and Shuten-doji are unexpected gains for me. I hope you do not disappoint me."
"Yes."
Just as Falcon was about to withdraw.
Danzo suddenly asked, "What is the Third Raikage's weakness?"
Falcon froze.
The Third Raikage's weakness?
"I do not know."
Everyone knew the famous Third Raikage was a powerhouse renowned for the "Strongest Spear" (Hell Stab) and the "Strongest Shield" (Lightning Style Armor).
He was a terrifying existence who had cultivated both offense and defense to the pinnacle of the ninja world.