Root Moves in the Dark
Ten Root operatives.
Danzo didn't send ordinary pawns.
He sent his sharpest blades.
Three elite jōnin-level captains.Aburame Ryōma.Yamanaka Fū.And seven assassination specialists trained to eliminate targets silently and efficiently.
Rumor had it—
If the ten of them operated together, they could erase a small village overnight.
If Root was Konoha's shadow—
These ten were its executioners.
Under Danzo's order, they spread out.
Positions secured.
Eyes everywhere.
Even around the Uzumaki compound.
At the courtyard gate, a small wooden child-shaped construct poked at ants with a stick.
But the "stick" was sprouting leaves.
A Wood Release surveillance construct.
Kazuki was already watching.
Inside Kazuki's Room
Kazuki lay on his bed, staring at his status panel.
Name: KazukiRank: GeninStrength Evaluation: Standard JōninCharacter Card: SSS-Rank — Hashirama Senju (Fusion: 5.79%)Kekkei Genkai: Divine Wood ReleaseNinjutsu:
Flying Thunder God — Lv3
Impure World Reincarnation — Lv3
Chidori — Lv1
"Only five percent fusion…"
"And already evaluated at jōnin level."
Not surprising.
Hashirama was the God of Shinobi.
Madara at peak strength fought the Five Kage alone.
If 20% of that level was Kage-tier…
Then 5% being jōnin-tier wasn't excessive.
Plus—
Kazuki inherited full combat experience.
Full ninjutsu understanding.
The system's evaluation was conservative.
In truth—
Even elite jōnin wouldn't be easy opponents for him.
And now—
Fusion speed ×20.
Originally, 5% to 100% would take a year.
Now?
Rough estimate—
About 18 days.
Kazuki smiled.
"That's efficient."
A knock came at the door.
"Kazuki!"
Kushina's voice.
She entered wearing a blue dress, red hair tied loosely.
Bright.
Warm.
"Are you feeling okay?"
"It's still early. I thought we could visit Minato. He was injured that night."
Kazuki blinked.
"Injured? Am I supposed to compensate him?"
Kushina giggled.
"You didn't hurt him that badly."
She explained quickly.
"The Raikage crossed the border that night to retrieve their agent. They targeted Minato too."
"Fortunately, Orochimaru-sama arrived in time."
Kazuki raised an eyebrow.
So that's why Orochimaru was injured.
Interesting.
That made more sense.
Which meant—
At full strength—
Orochimaru was still dangerous.
But in a week—
At current fusion speed—
Kazuki would surpass him.
"Kazuki, let's go see Minato and Sakumo-san. They risked their lives for me."
[System Notification — Choose:]
Option 1: Visit Minato.Reward: C-Rank Ninjutsu.
Option 2: Refuse rudely.Reward: Kushina Favorability -10, B-Rank Earth Technique.
Option 3: Stay home. Continue being a "salted fish."Reward: ×10 Hashirama fusion speed (stackable).B-Rank Taijutsu — Leaf Hurricane.
Kazuki stared.
Stackable?
That meant—
Fusion speed ×30 total.
"…The system really wants me lazy."
He lay back down.
"I'm sleepy. We'll visit another day. Minato won't be discharged today."
Kushina crossed her arms.
"Kazuki! Why are you so lazy?!"
"Sleep is important."
She stomped off angrily.
Outside
Mito listened to Kushina's complaints and sighed.
"I've never seen someone so lazy."
Then her expression changed slightly.
"…Kushina."
"What if he's not lazy?"
"What if awakening Wood Release affected him?"
Kushina froze.
"…Is he unwell?"
Mito thought carefully.
"Tsunade isn't in the village. But Shizune returned recently."
"She can check him."
Kazuki's Room — Later
Knock.
Kazuki opened the door.
Mito.
Kushina.
And—
A petite girl with black hair and gentle eyes.
"This is Shizune," Mito said. "Tsunade's disciple."
Shizune nodded politely.
She had returned briefly to gather supplies and funds for her master.
She had already heard about the kidnapping incident.
And about Kazuki's awakening.
She stepped forward calmly.
"Kazuki-kun, please remove your shirt. I need to check your chakra circulation."
Professional tone.
Medical.
Kushina blinked.
Mito remained composed.
Kazuki raised an eyebrow.
Medical ninja.
Interesting.
Outside the compound—
Root operatives shifted positions.
Waiting.
Watching.
The moment Kazuki left the Uzumaki grounds—
They would strike.