After making some simple preparations at home, Kagura waited quietly. Before long, someone arrived to escort him.
Following the shinobi, Kagura felt as though they walked for quite some time before finally reaching Root's headquarters.
Are all of Root's facilities built underground?
The lighting was dim, the air heavy and still.
Soon, a guard stepped forward to question them. Only after the escort explained and verified Kagura's identity was he permitted to proceed.
Not long after, Kagura saw Danzō again.
Danzō assigned several Root shinobi to put Kagura through rigorous training and even instructed them to teach him the fundamentals of Wood Release techniques, hoping he might awaken its power.
Just as I thought. He's leaving the actual instruction to others.
Kagura wasn't surprised.
After all, he had not yet awakened Wood Release. Without that, his value to Danzō remained limited.
In the days that followed, Kagura underwent brutal training in ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, kenjutsu, and shurikenjutsu.
Every morning, when the faintest shafts of sunlight filtered through cracks in the underground base, his harsh schedule would begin.
Root existed to cultivate elite operatives. Kagura understood that he would need to work harder than anyone else if he hoped to survive the ruthless competition.
Inside the ninjutsu training room, he repeatedly practiced forming hand seals, striving for absolute precision in every sequence.
Of course, he wished he could be like the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju—clapping his hands together and summoning techniques instantly without seals.
But for now, he obediently refined his hand seal speed and efficiency.
Ninjutsu formed the foundation of a shinobi's combat ability. Only with mastery could one gain the upper hand in battle.
Genjutsu training tested his mind even more.
Within illusionary realms where reality and deception blurred, he had to rapidly discern truth from falsehood, break an opponent's genjutsu, and construct his own illusions in return.
On the taijutsu grounds, Kagura trained until he was drenched in sweat.
He sparred against Root shinobi, fists and kicks colliding with sharp impacts, the sounds of bone striking bone and muscles trembling from exertion echoing through the chamber.
Kenjutsu demanded even greater focus.
From the most basic thrusts, slashes, and cleaves to intricate combination techniques, every movement required accuracy and force.
Shuriken jutsu tested his vision and judgment.
Standing at the center of the training ground, he hurled shuriken toward multiple targets in succession. Silver arcs cut through the air as each projectile struck its mark.
These skills not only strengthened his immediate combat ability, but also laid a solid foundation for future battles.
Late at night, when silence blanketed the underground base, Kagura often remained alone in the training room for additional practice.
Now that he had entered Root, he had no choice but to grow stronger.
If he wanted to survive, he could not afford even the slightest complacency. Every session was carried out with full effort, pushing himself to improve as quickly as possible.
Above all, Kagura understood one thing:
He had to awaken Wood Release.
The only reason Danzō allowed him into Root was because he possessed the potential to awaken and master Wood Release. Without that, he could be replaced—or discarded—at any moment.
Danzō did not care whether he was truly a descendant of the Senju clan.
If he had no value and failed to meet expectations, he would be nothing more than a disposable asset.
Value and loyalty—both were indispensable.
Kagura continued training in Wood Release techniques.
A chakra nature test confirmed that he possessed both Water Release and Earth Release affinities.
Combined with the Senju clan's naturally strong Yang Release chakra, this gave him the fundamental conditions required for Wood Release.
And yet—he had no idea how to truly succeed.
Wood Release was the unique ability of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. No one else had ever awakened it purely through their own power.
Those who manifested it in the future would do so only by obtaining his cells.
Still, Kagura refused to give up.
Wood Release was a kekkei genkai that fused Water and Earth Release chakra, transforming chakra into life force and creating resilient wooden structures imbued with vitality.
He began attempting to merge his Water and Earth chakra.
At first, he failed repeatedly. Either his chakra spiraled out of control and burst apart, or the two natures refused to harmonize at all.
Whenever that happened, Kagura would calm himself, analyze the cause of failure, and carefully re-condense his chakra.
Through countless failures, he gradually discovered subtle patterns.
When he allowed his body and mind to immerse fully in the rhythm of nature, the fusion of Water and Earth chakra became slightly smoother.
So he incorporated meditation into his training, seeking a strange harmony between himself and the natural world.
Such practice required formidable spiritual strength.
Kagura seemed to possess that strength innately, enabling him to maintain intense focus and perseverance during his Wood Release training.
During this process, a question began to surface in his mind.
The Senju clan was known for powerful life force and Yang Release chakra. Hashirama himself possessed a Sage Body, granting him extraordinary vitality.
But what about Yin Release?
Little was recorded about whether the Senju clan possessed similarly exceptional Yin attributes.
Every person inherits blood from both parents. Bloodline is the continuation of life—and the legacy of a clan.
If the Senju blood came from his father…
What about his mother?
Could the Yin aspect of his chakra originate from her lineage?
Did she belong to a particular shinobi clan?
Was there another hidden power sleeping within him—something tied to Yin Release?
Perhaps, someday, he might find an opportunity to ask Danzō.
But deep down, Kagura knew Danzō might never answer.
Root shinobi were strictly forbidden from forming attachments or indulging in sentiment.
To approach Danzō with such personal questions might not only yield no answers—it could invite punishment.
Kagura inhaled deeply, suppressing his curiosity and impulse.
Now was not the time.
He would wait for a better opportunity.
For the present, only one thing truly mattered:
Awakening Wood Release.
Because that—
Was the only capital he had to survive in Root.