As Danzo stepped out of Uchiha Fugaku's tent, Uchiha Shisui followed closely behind.
Danzo's expression remained calm, but inwardly, he was ecstatic.
Shisui was now within his grasp—could Itachi be far behind? And once he had both, the system's reward wouldn't be far off either…
"When the time is right, I'll recommend you for the ANBU. But for now, your priority should be increasing your strength. Power is what gives you a voice in this world…"
Shisui had already reached the level of a jōnin, but to Danzo, that was still not enough.
His potential was far greater than this.
"Yes," Shisui answered respectfully.
This was also one of the conditions of the alliance with Fugaku—to gradually integrate the Uchiha into Konoha's decision-making circles. Joining the ANBU was one way to do that.
And conveniently, this fell perfectly within Danzo's domain. After all, Root's main purpose was to supply talent to the ANBU.
When Danzo proposed that Shisui join Root, Fugaku had readily agreed.
A mutually beneficial arrangement—one where their individual ulterior motives could be overlooked.
As for Uchiha Kagami's Sharingan, there was naturally no room for objection.
From that day on, another masked Root operative had been added to Danzo's ranks.
By the time Danzo had mostly recovered from his injuries, the reinforcements Konoha had sent—1,500 shinobi—had arrived. Leading them was none other than the rising star of Konoha:
Namikaze Minato.
Just as Danzo had predicted.
Konoha didn't have many strong fighters left who were available for deployment.
The Uchiha and Hyūga clans still had some old veterans, but the cost of mobilizing them was too high—even Hiruzen would have to think twice before making such a request.
After all, the war had drained both of Konoha's major clans. They might not even agree to participate.
In contrast, the Hokage's faction had now produced a Kage-level powerhouse—Namikaze Minato.
—
Inside the Command Tent
Minato, having arrived promptly to pay his respects, gave Danzo a feeling of being honored.
But the system remained silent—no notification of recognition.
Danzo felt a twinge of irritation.
"Elder Danzo…"
"Hm. I hadn't expected you to rise so quickly. Kushina must be very proud…"
His gaze, however, drifted past Minato to the exhausted, hollow-eyed Kakashi standing behind him.
[Ding! Please obtain the recognition of important storyline character Hatake Kakashi.]
As for the girl beside him—Rin, with her unique facial markings—though she was undeniably pretty, Danzo chose to ignore her.
In the dangerous world of shinobi, she was insignificant.
Compared to her, the system-recognized Minato and Kakashi were far more enticing prospects.
Danzo sometimes wondered if the system was too picky—there were so few people it deemed worthy of recognition.
"You flatter me, Danzo-sama…"
Minato's demeanor was as warm and confident as ever, like a ray of sunshine.
Danzo could sense that Minato's chakra had already surpassed his own. Combined with the Flying Thunder God Technique, even ordinary Kage-level opponents…
Danzo glanced down at his own aging body. His chakra reserves had diminished even further compared to before.
Nothing is more frustrating than comparing oneself to others.
"I can leave with peace of mind now… The Land of Water, aside from the Fourth Mizukage and the elders of the Yuki clan, has a hidden Kage-level fighter skilled in ambush tactics. He's the one who injured me…"
Not wanting to cause any unpredictable butterfly effects, Danzo chose to give Minato a warning.
"Do you have any message you'd like me to pass on to Kushina?"
Danzo had already sent a letter to Hiruzen, requesting to return to Konoha. His injuries from this battle, coupled with the side effects of his secret medicines, had left him unable to engage in high-intensity combat for the time being.
Staying on the battlefield would do more harm than good.
"Danzo-sama, I have a request."
"Oh?" Danzo raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.
"My fighting style isn't suited for leading a team. Lady Tsunade has already agreed to let Rin join Konoha's hospital after the war, but Kakashi…"
Minato knew it well—his speed and combat methods made it difficult for teammates to keep up.
Obito's death had made that painfully clear to him.
Danzo hesitated.
It wasn't that he was unwilling to take Kakashi in.
If he kept Kakashi close, the chances of earning a system reward would be even higher.
But Kakashi suddenly wanting to join Root… that immediately made Danzo think of Orochimaru.
Kakashi was clearly under the Third Hokage's faction. He could join the ANBU with a single command—why take the roundabout route of Root?
Was this truly Minato's idea, or was Hiruzen behind it?
"…Very well," Danzo finally agreed. "However, about his Sharingan…" He probed cautiously.
"Don't worry. I've already communicated with the Uchiha Clan Head. They won't pursue the matter."
"That's good."
—
After Minato left, Kakashi remained behind.
Danzo sat in contemplation, reflecting on their conversation.
This is more complicated than I expected… but not necessarily a bad thing.
Pushing the thought aside, Danzo turned his gaze toward Kakashi.
The boy's hollow eyes reflected a deep exhaustion, as if he had completely detached himself from the world around him.
"The constant drain of the Sharingan must be affecting you. I suggest sealing it and only using it in battle."
Kakashi, lost in his own world, only now seemed to register the conversation.
As if none of the previous discussions had anything to do with him.
"…No need," Kakashi murmured, finally lifting his head.
"I made a promise to Obito. I'll see the world through his eyes."
----------------
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