The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki ceremony concluded.
The Village returned to peace, and the villagers, after a false alarm, resumed their normal daily lives.
Tsunade needed to adapt to the Nine-Tailed's power, so she could only spend the adaptation period in bed.
Mito, having given up half her life, needed to rest and recuperate.
Therefore, Tsunade had a room to herself.
Hitomi continued her monotonous training.
Chiri couldn't find an opportunity to make a move, so she could only focus on developing new Ninjutsu.
Orochimaru was deeply engrossed in his research.
Miki returned to her daily routine, continuing her insect research.
She needed more test subjects, not just insects, but a wider variety of organisms.
Danzo was discharged from the hospital, wrapped in bandages.
The Sandaime returned to his busy work.
Meanwhile, White Fang reported the specifics of his last mission to the Sandaime.
It seemed someone was forgotten, yet no one was forgotten.
In any case, Anbu missions usually involved reports.
So, the atmosphere in the office was a bit awkward.
After a long silence.
The Sandaime broke the silence.
"Tell me, what are the specifics of the mission?"
Upon hearing this, White Fang began his report.
He omitted information about Uchiha Madara.
After a long while, the Sandaime smoked his pipe, his face solemn.
"Hanzou the Salamander, a Demigod?"
The Land of Rain's ambition was clear: to become the sixth Great Nations.
But the Ninja World could not accommodate a sixth Great Nations.
Especially since the Land of Rain was in such a delicate position.
It could be said to be the center of the Ninja World continent.
"I understand."
The Sandaime dismissed White Fang and immediately summoned an Anbu.
"Spread the word: Hanzou the Salamander of the Land of Rain possesses Demigod-level power, is incredibly formidable, and ambitiously seeks to claim the status of the sixth Great Nations."
"Ha!" After the Shinobi withdrew.
The Sandaime stood up and looked out at the Village from the window.
The other Four Great Nations should also make a move, especially the Land of Wind and Earth, who would never tolerate the rise of the Land of Rain.
On the other side, after White Fang returned, he expected to have a mission soon and return to his familiar Anbu routine.
Unexpectedly, he stayed for a week.
Nothing happened.
So, was that his last mission as an Anbu?
The Sandaime wouldn't be doing this on purpose, would he?
He's not that petty, is he?
White Fang scratched his head, feeling uncomfortable all over.
Could it be that even my Shinobi career will end prematurely?
Thinking of this, White Fang couldn't sit still.
But there were many people who couldn't sit still.
In a dark underground facility, yellowing fluorescent lights illuminated the vicinity.
This was a spacious underground training ground, now belonging to Root.
Danzo looked grimly at a group of civilian Shinobi in front of him.
Dozens of people, a motley crew.
He originally looked down on them, but there was nothing he could do.
They were all Shinobi in the Village who lacked presence, wanted promotion, or had other aspirations.
After scrutinizing them, Danzo began his declaration.
Root's propaganda was still very positive; at least a few fools believed it and eagerly wanted to make special contributions to the Village.
For example, Kato Dan.
The young man's face was full of passion and anticipation for the future.
Danzo couldn't help but look at him a few more times.
No other reason than his appearance stood out among the motley crew.
In other words, he was handsome.
And there were many civilian Shinobi who didn't believe the propaganda but wanted to use Root's resources to get promoted.
Among them, the most obvious resources were Ninjutsu and secret techniques.
The young man came for this.
With silver-white hair, he looked as cute as a girl.
Hiruko.
He was sixteen this year, standing in the corner like a minion.
He stood in the corner with a grim face, his eyes flickering with burning ambition.
He wanted to quietly work hard and grow, then surprise everyone.
After his speech, and after they met their superior, Danzo, Danzo sent them off for training.
Only Kato Dan remained.
Kato Dan looked at Danzo uneasily, his heart filled with apprehension.
"Don't be nervous." Danzo uncharacteristically showed a kind expression and reached out to pat Dan's shoulder encouragingly.
"Ha! Lord Danzo." Kato Dan said nervously.
This kid's image was really good, with a gentle, refined, and good-natured feel.
It was very easy to leave a good impression on people.
So, Danzo had a plan.
"Dan, what do you think of Insect Hime?"
"Ah!?" Kato Dan was a bit confused for a moment, so he said what sounded good: "She's pretty good, a bit gentle, perhaps?"
Danzo's face darkened, looking at this ignorant kid.
"That's good. If I asked you to pursue Insect Hime, how confident are you of succeeding?"
Upon hearing this, Kato Dan's mouth fell open, looking at Danzo in disbelief.
Danzo said in a deep voice: "This is all for the Village! Insect Hime is too dangerous; someone must be able to tie her down!"
"I can't! Impossible!" Kato Dan refused without thinking.
But, on his first day of work, refusing his superior's request, wasn't that bad?
Did he still want to be a Shinobi?
Realizing this, Kato Dan shut his mouth and looked at Danzo pleadingly.
He wanted this kid to be dedicated, but he couldn't push him too hard.
So…
"As for Insect Hime, normal people might find her a bit hard to accept, and I won't make it difficult for you." Danzo said: "What do you think of Tsunade?"
Princess Tsunade is very cute…
Dan didn't say it explicitly, only saying: "Everyone likes her; she is Konoha's Princess after all."
Danzo patted Kato Dan's shoulder and said: "The Princess is not young anymore; she can start dating. All the young people in the Village have a chance; you should seize it well, young man."
Can I do it?
But wouldn't that be bad…
Kato Dan remained silent.
"It's just dating; it's not necessarily going to succeed." Danzo said: "Just consider it a mission from the Village for you to make Tsunade a bit more mature. Love makes people grow, and this is also for Tsunade's own good."
"I'll give it a try, Lord Danzo." Kato Dan said after some hesitation.
He didn't seem very confident.
Danzo wasn't very confident either.
Would Tsunade date?
He just felt it was impossible.
But, let's try.
What if?
Danzo patted Dan's shoulder and said: "From now on, you are a Shinobi of Root, but you don't need to report to Root normally; you only obey my orders."
"Ha!" Kato Dan quickly responded.
This way, it wasn't suitable to train Kato Dan in the Root style; Danzo couldn't destroy Kato Dan's temperament.
But how far this step could go, Danzo had no idea.
Anyway, one step at a time.
Looking at Kato Dan, a cold glint flashed in Danzo's eyes.
They were just a few little girls.
It was still ten thousand years too early to entrust the Village to them.
There were plenty of ways to deal with them.
After work, Danzo walked home alone on the street. Since that day, everything had been going smoothly, and Root had been established and was operating in a proper manner.
Although there was a slight difference from what he had expected.
Several children ran past Danzo cheerfully.
One boy turned his head and looked at Danzo, then suddenly shouted.
"Ah! It's the poor uncle dragged away by the Insect Demon Woman!"
"He's still alive!?"
"That's great!"
The adults in the Village wouldn't say such things, but children had fewer inhibitions.
Danzo stopped, his hands trembling.
Seeing the terrifying dark face of this uncle, the children shrieked and quickly ran away.
Danzo snorted.
Finally, he turned and walked into a secluded alley with few people.
His figure stepped by step as if into a dark abyss.
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