Danzo knew very well that with the importance both Hiruzen and Tsunade placed on Aoshi, once they were alerted, they would definitely stop him.
Worse still, in order to appease them, Hiruzen might even punish him and Root directly.
This was a very real possibility—one that Danzo absolutely refused to accept. That was why he had to make thorough preparations before taking any action.
It also explained why he had tolerated Aoshi's presence for the past two years without making a move.
"Right… the Jonin Promotion Exam is only a few days away. With Hirakawa Aoshi's strength and qualifications, he's certain to participate. That will be my chance."
Suddenly, Danzo thought of the annual Jonin assessment and immediately reached a decision. "Bring Nono to me."
Before long, Nono, having rushed from the Konoha Orphanage after receiving the summons, appeared before him.
Returning to the Root base after two years, she felt deeply unsettled. The place was still as suffocating and hateful as before.
"Lord Danzo."
Glancing at her, Danzo spoke in a flat tone. "Nono, do you remember the task I assigned you when I allowed you to return to the orphanage?"
"I remember. You told me to maintain a close relationship with Brother Aoshi."
After replying, Nono looked at him nervously. It had already been two years since she received that order.
At the beginning, she had been constantly on edge, afraid that Danzo might move against Aoshi at any moment and by any means.
Risking punishment, she had secretly warned Aoshi to stay cautious. But nothing ever happened. It was as if Danzo had completely forgotten the matter.
Over time, her vigilance faded. For two years, she lived happily at the orphanage, to the point she had almost forgotten about the mission.
Now, just as she thought Danzo might truly have let it go, he suddenly summoned her and brought it up again.
That was why she felt so uneasy. Knowing Danzo's nature, he wouldn't call her back without purpose—this could only mean he was finally preparing to act against Aoshi.
Ignoring her reaction, Danzo continued. "Good. You haven't disappointed me. You've done well with the mission."
To lower Aoshi and Nono's guard, he had deliberately refrained from placing Root operatives to monitor them. But that didn't stop him from knowing how close they had become.
"Therefore, it's time for me to honor my original promise. As agreed, from today onward, you are no longer a member of Root."
At those words, Nono's face lit up with joy. Could it be that the wish she had long cherished was finally coming true today?
"But…" Just as her heart surged with relief, Danzo's tone shifted coldly.
"I have one final task that only you can accomplish. You must complete it for me. Once it's done, then—and only then—will I truly release you from Root."
He spoke calmly, without the slightest hint of shame at breaking his word yet again.
Of course, it wouldn't be that easy. Though disappointed, Nono had no choice but to accept it in silence.
"…What is the mission?"
"A few days from now, I will arrange for you to participate in the Jonin Promotion Exam. As part of it, you will travel to Takigakure to carry out a mission. Prepare yourself."
"Takigakure?"
"I'll give you the specifics later. For now, you may return."
Danzo offered no further explanation. But seeing the disappointment on Nono's face, he added,
"Don't worry. This time, it truly is the last mission. If it weren't something that only you—the 'Wandering Nun'—could accomplish, I wouldn't have gone back on my word.
Remember, all of this is for the sake of Konoha."
Nono scoffed inwardly at his final words. Unlike Root's brainwashed operatives, she was not one to be deceived.
"…I understand." After agreeing, she left immediately, returning to the orphanage.
But in her heart, she made a firm decision—she must find a way to inform Aoshi about this tomorrow.
Watching her departure, Danzo's eyes grew cold and deep. "Hirakawa Aoshi, this time… your days are numbered."
Meanwhile, in another hidden corner of Konoha stood a secret research base belonging to Hiruko.
He too had acquired samples of White Zetsu cells and conducted research on them.
Few people truly knew of him, but Hiruko was, in fact, a Jonin of Konoha.
He had once been a peer and friend of the Legendary Sannin, yet unlike them, he lacked their prodigious talent and aptitude.
Even after reaching the rank of Jonin, he was only considered an average shinobi, barely noticed in the village. This lack of recognition filled him with frustration.
To compensate for his innate shortcomings, Hiruko delved into the study of the Forbidden Jutsu: Chimera Technique.
Though not as skilled in battle as the Sannin, his research abilities were noteworthy. The Chimera Technique, like Edo Tensei, was a forbidden jutsu—capable of fusing ninja, summoned beasts, and even Kekkei Genkai into the user's own body.
In the original timeline, Hiruko perfected the Chimera Technique and successfully fused four Kekkei Genkai.
But after targeting Kakashi for his Sharingan, he was ultimately defeated by Uzumaki Naruto.
Had he succeeded in acquiring five Kekkei Genkai, his strength might have risen to terrifying heights. Perhaps, as he claimed, he could have become an immortal shinobi, ruling the entire ninja world.
Whether true or not, no one would ever know.
At present, he was far from reaching that point. Otherwise, he wouldn't have latched onto the hope of using White Zetsu cells like a drowning man grasping at straws.
"These White Zetsu cells possess powerful chakra absorption capabilities and can rapidly proliferate by absorbing chakra."
Looking at his research report, Hiruko grew ecstatic. What he didn't realize, however, was that Hashirama's cells had the same ability—only far stronger.
That ignorance was inevitable, since someone of his standing would never gain access to Hashirama's cells.
"If I can fuse with the White Zetsu cells, I'll gain that ability too. It would greatly enhance my strength and survivability."
But soon after, bad news shattered his delusion. The White Zetsu cells he had obtained were too weak. Even if he succeeded in fusing with them, they would never yield the results he envisioned.
After all, they were merely a weakened variant—products of Aoshi and Tsunade's experiments.
"No… this can't be right!"
To see hope only for it to be snatched away left Hiruko in despair. His anguished roar echoed hysterically through the base.
Fortunately, the place was secluded and hidden; otherwise, rumors of a midnight haunting would surely spread.
"There has to be another way. I refuse to give up here!"
"Of course—these cells are being studied under Tsunade's supervision. She must have access to stronger ones. I need to get them from her… no matter what!"