The clan leaders of Konoha's ninja clans were stupefied as they observed the newly transformed Root division, momentarily unable to react.
The Root of the past was extremely eerie and terrifying, with only a few dim torches on the walls providing faint light. The floor was always damp with unknown stains, and occasionally, screams would echo from the inner chambers.
The entire base seemed like a massive torture house, exuding a chilling aura.
Even the Anbu ninjas were reluctant to approach the Root unless absolutely necessary.
The Root of Konoha had become synonymous with the darkness of the Ninja World, a perception deeply ingrained within Konoha, and the cold, intimidating structure perfectly matched Shimura Danzo's reputation.
But the current Root was completely different from before!
Warm, bright lights now illuminated the entire Root base from the dome, and the floor was no longer marred by blood and sweat stains, replaced by polished marble tiles.
Each department was spacious and orderly. Even in the research labs where corpses lay, the researchers, dressed in lab coats and protective gear, dissected them with solemn and dignified expressions, with excellent ventilation and decontamination in place.
Despite the high probability of human experimentation, the open manner gave off the impression that this was legitimate scientific research…
The Root members moved in an extremely orderly fashion, without even wearing masks, each wearing a genuine, satisfied smile that made it impossible to tell they were once part of the old Root.
Is this really the Root?
It could easily be mistaken for the Daimyo Mansion in the Land of Fire Capital!
The former Root was a place every Konoha ninja avoided, but the current one, at least on the surface, was suitable for Ninja School students to visit...
Especially when the clan leaders looked up at the big red banners fluttering above the Root base, with gold-embossed letters—
[Konoha Root - Will of Fire Pioneer Training Base]
[Aim for success in the Root, charge forward without worries!]
[Where the leaves of Konoha dance, the fire also burns unceasingly. The fire ignited by Root will illuminate the tender leaves!]
[The robust roots never hesitate to provide nutrients to the new buds, proudly earning everyone's applause!]
The ninja clan leaders twitched their lips, feeling that the Will of Fire content in these slogans was overwhelmingly high.
The fluttering golden letters of these banners obliterated their last lingering impressions of the old Root…
Are we really at the Root?
Why does this look like a newly built Hokage Building…
These clan leaders, invited by Aomi, looked around with complex feelings.
Within Konoha, Aomi's reputation of embodying the Will of Fire was notable, having even been included in the Will of Fire curriculum.
But no one expected Aomi to have transformed the Root into this…
"Ladies and gentlemen, the current Root has undergone some small changes from before…"
Aomi smiled warmly and spoke slowly:
"The former Root, I believe none of you liked it, and it didn't align with the Will of Fire, leading to resentment among Root members and others in the village towards this organization."
"Therefore, the Third Hokage punished Shimura Danzo, and we at Root have been undergoing reform, aligning closely with the Will of Fire both in external image and internal values, as you all can see."
Aomi guided the ninja clan leaders through Root.
"This is the pharmaceutical research lab, where Tsunade is developing universal antidotes and new toxins…"
"This is the intelligence department, with Yamanaka Fuu as the head, consolidating information gathered from across the Ninja World by Root…"
"This is the practical training room, where Uchiha Hachida leads Root members in combat drills…"
"This is the new weapons research room…"
As Aomi introduced the new Root, the ninja clan leaders peered in and couldn't help but think to themselves, "Legitimate!"
The Yamanaka Clan Leader observed the busy Yamanaka Fuu with a sense of sentimentality.
In Yamanaka Fuu's eyes, the previous numbness and indifference had vanished, replaced with genuine dedication and satisfaction as he focused intently on his tasks.
This genius of the Yamanaka Clan had not returned home since Shimura Danzo forcibly took him away as a child.
But a few days ago, Yamanaka Fuu returned to the clan to visit his parents.
Though he was reticent, the excitement in his eyes was visible to everyone in the Yamanaka Clan, and afterward, Fuu extended Aomi's Root invitation to the clan leader.
Similar to him, others like the Aburame Clan's Poisonous Insect Master Aburame Shikuro, and Aburame Ryuma…
As they continued their tour, the ninja clan leaders were filled with emotion and eventually arrived in the conference room.
Aomi sat at the head of the table and gestured for the ninja clan leaders to seat themselves. Clearing his throat, he asked, "Everyone, what was your impression of the former Root?"
After he posed the question, everyone remained silent.
Although Shimura Danzo had fallen, he was still a compatriot of Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, and his influence lingered.
Aomi shook his head with a smile:
"The most profound impression of the former Root, for all of you, was probably Shimura Danzo always approaching you with the guise of the Will of Fire and the authority of the Hokage Assistant, forcibly extorting the most outstanding geniuses within your clans."
```