Chapter 53: Danzo Feels a Chill
Back in his apartment, Uchiha Kazuki had barely settled into his chair when he sensed something unusual.
On the table sat a cup of freshly brewed tea, still steaming.
"It's been a while. I was starting to think something had happened to you," he said casually, as if greeting an old friend. His gaze shifted toward the shadowed corner of the room. "How have you been?"
The next moment, the shadows rippled like water, and a figure emerged from the darkness.
The person wore the standard white animal mask of an ANBU operative. He knelt respectfully on one knee, head bowed low. "Lord Kazuki, please forgive my absence," he said in a hoarse voice. "Danzo has been especially vigilant lately. This is the first opportunity I've had to meet with you."
"Raise your head, Ryōma."
Uchiha Kazuki showed no trace of displeasure. His dark eyes revealed only gentleness and calm. "There's no need to apologize. I'm not upset with you."
Under that gaze, Ryōma felt a warmth he hadn't experienced in years—the same warmth that had first captivated him. The young man's eyes seemed to possess an inexplicable, almost magical quality, soothing his restless mind and granting him an unparalleled sense of tranquility.
"Yes, Lord Kazuki."
Ryōma savored the feeling—that peace of mind no one else could provide.
"The tea is excellent. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Ryōma." Uchiha Kazuki picked up the teacup and took a sip, smiling warmly. "Given your cautious nature, you wouldn't risk visiting me without good reason. So let me guess... Danzo has set his sights on me, hasn't he?"
"You're too kind about the tea—my brewing skills are still quite rough. I'm just glad you enjoy it."
Ryōma's eyes couldn't hide his excitement. The fact that Lord Kazuki drank without suspicion proved he was nothing like that rat skulking in the shadows. "Lord Kazuki, both Danzo and the Third Hokage are secretly investigating you. Should I interfere with their efforts?"
"Why would you do that?"
Uchiha Kazuki asked calmly.
"I'm worried that if the investigation continues, it might—" Ryōma didn't finish the sentence, but his meaning was clear: he was concerned about Kazuki being exposed.
Even the deepest secrets inevitably leave traces.
Though Ryōma didn't know the full extent of what Uchiha Kazuki was planning, he felt compelled to share his lord's burdens.
"It's fine. Let them investigate."
Uchiha Kazuki's expression remained perfectly calm, completely unconcerned about the so-called investigation.
However, Ryōma disagreed. His voice took on an edge of agitation. "Lord Kazuki, from what I've learned, the Third Hokage held a lengthy private meeting with Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi. It must be related to investigating you. Nara Shikaku shouldn't be underestimated—he's extraordinarily skilled at uncovering the truth from the smallest details!"
"It doesn't matter."
Uchiha Kazuki shook his head with a slight smile.
He'd never cared about what Nara Shikaku and the Hokage discussed.
He'd already deduced that they were likely planning to use the Chunin Exams as an opportunity for Shikaku and Inoichi to monitor and investigate the Uchiha clan—himself included.
It was understandable, really, given the Uchiha clan's inherently volatile nature.
Even setting aside the lingering shadow of Uchiha Madara, a significant portion of the clan now harbored deep resentment toward the Third Hokage's numerous restrictions and isolation policies.
That alone wouldn't be catastrophic. After all, as one of Konoha's founding clans and historically the most powerful bloodline in the shinobi world, some degree of pride was natural.
The real problem lay in how Fugaku, as clan head, had failed to restrain his clansmen or effectively manage their behavior. Their arrogance and domineering attitudes had led to repeated ostracization within Konoha. Yet the Uchiha remained stubbornly proud, blind to the danger they were creating, planting the seeds of their own destruction.
In the end, the Uchiha clan's downfall wouldn't be entirely undeserved.
But these problems had little to do with Uchiha Kazuki. According to his carefully laid plans, he'd be long gone before that fateful night ever arrived.
"We don't need to worry about the investigation for now."
Uchiha Kazuki gently traced his finger along the rim of the teacup. "As for Danzo... I'll deal with him when the time is right."
Seeing the conversation had reached this point and knowing further persuasion would be useless, Ryōma sighed quietly.
"If there's nothing else, you should return soon," Uchiha Kazuki said, dismissing him. "Staying away too long will raise suspicions."
Unexpectedly, Ryōma suddenly straightened his back and bowed deeply—a full ninety-degree angle with his forehead touching the floor. "Lord Kazuki, I have one more request. Please, I beg you to grant it!"
Seeing such formality, Uchiha Kazuki raised an eyebrow with mild surprise. "Oh? What is it? Go ahead."
"I know you value my life, but there's one thing I absolutely cannot accept!"
Ryōma maintained his kneeling position, raising his head to look up at Kazuki with an awkward but utterly earnest expression. "My life is insignificant compared to yours. Please understand, Lord Kazuki—if anything ever threatens you, I beg you, without hesitation, to abandon me!"
"Sacrificing my worthless life, even if it helps you in the slightest way, would be the greatest honor of my existence as Aburame Ryōma!"
His eyes burned with fervent devotion, like those of an extremely devout believer gazing upon a deity.
"That goes without saying, Ryōma."
Uchiha Kazuki replied gently. "If it truly becomes necessary, I won't hesitate to sacrifice you."
Strange?
Not at all.
Or rather, it was exactly as he'd anticipated.
From the moment they'd first met and Kazuki had implanted suggestions through hypnosis, Ryōma's psyche had been gradually twisted and reshaped.
This was the power of the Spectator Pathway.
It lacked direct combat ability, yet possessed the terrifying capacity to manipulate and distort human consciousness itself.
Now, with just a glance, Kazuki could make Ryōma willingly die for him.
"Lord Kazuki, there's one more thing I need to understand."
Ryōma asked cautiously, "The Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal that Danzo placed on me is still intact. I'm curious—what method did you use to allow me to bypass the sealing technique and reveal Root's secrets directly?"
"The Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, simply put, is a technique that affects the neural pathways in the brain."
Uchiha Kazuki had anticipated this question. He withdrew a paper talisman from within his robes. "You don't need to understand the specific principles. This charm will help you do what needs to be done."
The talisman embodied the power of a Sequence 6 Hypnotist—an Extraordinary item he'd crafted himself.
Its sole function was to break through the sealing restrictions imposed deep within the brain's neural network by the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal.
"I'm deeply grateful, Lord Kazuki!"
Ryōma accepted the talisman with both hands, still kneeling. He slowly backed away, eventually disappearing into the shadows in the corner of the room.
He departed silently, for he still had much work to do.
Danzo was, as his lord had described, nothing more than a rat scurrying through the sewers.
"Ah, yes... this is exactly the 'peace of mind' I've been searching for."
Hidden in shadow, Ryōma trembled uncontrollably, seemingly addicted to the sensation. "What is it that you're truly seeking, Lord Uchiha Kazuki? I truly hope I can witness that day with my own eyes. But even if I die before then, there will be many others like me to carry on your will. I promise you that!"
From this day forward, he would bring about a complete transformation of the entire Root organization!
Meanwhile, deep within his secret underground base, Danzo suddenly felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine.
"Strange... why do I suddenly have such an ominous feeling?"
[End of Chapter 53]
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