Half an hour later, Shiro Akira left his secret training ground. Though his body was exhausted, his face was filled with excitement as he made his way home.
"As expected… combining Thunder Breathing with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit multiplies the power several times over!"
"And pairing it with Lightning Mode makes it even stronger—speed, power, and reaction time all improve drastically!"
"Even just using lightning-attribute chakra alone produces impressive results!"
"It looks like my next priority is to fully familiarize myself with these combinations and turn everything into real combat strength as soon as possible."
With the physical boost from Kaigaku's crystal, his stamina had increased significantly. Naturally, the power and endurance of his lightning abilities had more than doubled.
"I should be around Chunin level now… maybe even above average Chunin."
Shiro Akira thought as he opened his status panel.
[Shiro Akira]
[Talent]: Exchange LV1 (3/10)
[Chakra Nature]: Lightning, Earth, Water
[Chakra]: Elite Genin
[Abilities]: Rumble-Rumble Fruit
[Skills]: Swordsmanship (Proficient), Lightning Mode (Proficient), Thunder Breathing
[Ninjutsu]: Lightning Release: Thunder Sphere (Proficient), Three Basic Techniques (Proficient)
[Overall Strength]: Elite Chunin
"Just as I thought—Elite Chunin already."
"With full power… I should be able to go a few rounds with an average Jonin."
If not for his still-lacking chakra reserves and physical base, his combat power could already rival a true Jonin.
Even so, he was more than satisfied.
It had only been a little over two weeks since awakening his ability.
"Finally… I have some self-defense capability. Time to keep pushing forward."
…
Meanwhile—
In the eastern abandoned district of Konoha, beneath a dilapidated building, lay a vast underground base.
The tunnels twisted in all directions, leading to unknown depths.
Inside a central hall—
Danzo Shimura listened to a report from a Root operative, his brows slightly furrowed.
"You're saying… Sakumo Hatake has taken in a new disciple? A six-year-old from the academy?"
"Do we have background information on this child?"
In recent years, as Sakumo Hatake's fame and achievements grew, whispers had begun to spread within the village—
Some even suggested replacing the Third Hokage with the White Fang.
Though faint, such rumors were unacceptable to Danzo.
He had already begun planning ways to deal with Sakumo.
At the very least, he needed to ruin his reputation.
If possible… eliminate him entirely.
Only then would the path to Hokage be clear.
The Root operative stepped forward.
"Reporting to Lord Danzo. The child is named Shiro Akira. He is the orphan of former ANBU Jonin Qianyuan and Chunin Tahara Keiko, both deceased two years ago."
"For the past two years, he lived alone and showed only average performance in the academy. However, about half a month ago, he suddenly began displaying extraordinary talent."
"He first demonstrated a self-created lightning-based body technique and easily defeated three students from a higher grade."
"This caught the attention of the Hokage, who personally met with him."
"Shortly after, he accepted a challenge from Kakashi Hatake and fought him to a draw using self-taught swordsmanship and ninjutsu."
"Sakumo Hatake observed the battle in secret and, impressed by his swordsmanship talent, accepted him as a disciple."
"Additionally, Lady Tsunade also made contact with him six days ago."
"That concludes the intelligence gathered so far."
The report was extremely detailed.
Even the movements of key figures like the Hokage, Tsunade, and Sakumo were clearly tracked—demonstrating the deep infiltration of Root within Konoha.
"Sudden talent awakening…?"
Danzo narrowed his eyes.
"And a civilian background? Another Minato Namikaze, perhaps?"
Or… was there a deeper secret?
Either way—
Danzo was now interested.
"A talent like this… should belong to Root."
If he couldn't recruit him—
Then, as Sakumo's disciple, he would have to be destroyed.
Talent was valuable.
But if it couldn't be controlled—
It was nothing more than an obstacle.
"You may leave. Continue monitoring him. Do not get discovered."
After dismissing the operative, Danzo left the underground base and soon arrived at the Hokage's office.
"Hmm?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up, pipe in hand. "Danzo? What brings you here?"
Danzo spoke bluntly, as always.
"I've heard about a new talent in the academy—Shiro Akira. Hiruzen, hand him over to me. Let him join Root. I'll forge him into a blade for Konoha."
Hiruzen's expression darkened instantly.
"Shiro Akira?"
He stared at Danzo and refused without hesitation.
"Absolutely not. I will not hand him over to you. This is non-negotiable."
"He is also Sakumo's disciple. Sakumo would never agree."
"More importantly—he is a descendant of the Senju clan. Tsunade would not allow it either."
Hiruzen hadn't expected Danzo to target Shiro Akira so quickly.
In recent years, Root's influence had expanded too rapidly.
Danzo had been aggressively recruiting talent—by persuasion, coercion, or worse.
Several clans had already reported pressure from him.
Previously, Hiruzen had suppressed the issue for the sake of necessity.
But now—
It was clear.
Root needed to be restrained.
He needed an organization that could handle the shadows—
Not one that could threaten him.