After enduring considerable effort, they finally captured the cat-fox and successfully signed a summoning contract with it. Kurenai Yuhi could hardly contain her excitement—she was eager to return home immediately and begin building rapport with her new partner. After saying goodbye to Uchiha Ran, she hurried off without hesitation.
Once Kurenai left, Asuma Sarutobi naturally had no reason to linger either. Wearing an unmistakably sour expression, he offered Ran a curt farewell and departed as well.
Such a kid, Ran thought to himself as he watched Asuma go. Grown up so fast, yet still so childish. At this rate, there's no way you'll ever win Kurenai's heart.
Now alone, Ran had no interest in staying there either. He turned and began walking back toward home at an unhurried pace.
"…Huh?"
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh.
Three figures wearing white masks suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his path.
"Special Assassination and Tactical Unit… ANBU?" Ran said calmly as he looked at them. "If I remember correctly, I don't think I've ever had any dealings with ANBU."
"We are not ANBU," one of them replied. The mask he wore resembled a bird's beak. "We are Root. Uchiha Ran—Lord Danzō wishes to see you."
"Lord Danzō?" Ran tilted his head slightly. "There's a department called Root in Konoha? As far as I know, Lord Danzō is the Hokage's advisor."
Seeing that Ran had at least some understanding of Danzō, the Root member continued.
"That is correct. Please cover your eyes and come with us. Root is located in a confidential area. Being granted an audience with Lord Danzō—your future will be limitless."
"Alright, alright," Ran sighed, accepting the bandages handed to him. He wrapped them around his eyes himself. "Though I don't really understand why. If Lord Danzō wants to see me, couldn't he just summon me to the Hokage Tower? Going through all this trouble seems unnecessary."
Seeing how cooperative Ran was, the Root ninja's rigid tone softened slightly. Taking hold of him, they guided him forward toward their base.
"Root's base is really hidden away in a place like this, huh…"
Once the blindfold was removed, Ran looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings and spoke aloud.
No one answered.
"What a dull bunch," he muttered.
Under the Root operatives' escort, Ran was led deeper inside. They passed through a long, narrow tunnel—the stone walls uneven and worn, clearly indicating that the structure had existed for many years.
The tunnel was dimly lit, with only faint lights illuminating the path ahead. Solid stone walls pressed in from both sides, creating a suffocating, sealed-in feeling.
At the end of the tunnel, Ran finally saw a familiar figure dressed in his trademark attire.
"Lord Danzō, Uchiha Ran has been brought."
"Mm. Well done."
Danzō did not speak immediately. Instead, he carefully examined Ran from head to toe.
Indeed… no resemblance to Uchiha Kagami at all.
Ran's features were completely different—longer hair, more striking looks. Thirteen years old, yet still no Sharingan. An Uchiha like this was far from rare.
"Uchiha Ran," Danzō finally said, "I am Shimura Danzō, advisor to the Hokage and founder of Root."
"Root?" Ran replied calmly. "With all due respect, Lord Danzō, I've only heard of Konoha's ANBU. This is my first time hearing about an organization called Root."
Apparently pleased with Ran's attitude, Danzō began to explain.
Root was originally a cultivation branch of ANBU.
However, it had since separated from ANBU's jurisdiction—because Root carried out even more important missions.
"There is light, and there is darkness," Danzō said evenly. "Some tasks are inconvenient for ANBU to handle. That is when Root is required."
Root existed beneath Konoha's shadow. Their purpose was to sink their roots deep into the darkness—to silently eliminate anything that might obstruct the village's prosperity.
To that end, Root shinobi abandoned their names and identities, and when carrying out missions, they would stop at nothing.
"So," Ran said thoughtfully, "are you telling me all this because you want me to join Root?"
"That's right," Danzō replied without hesitation. "Uchiha Ran, you are a clever Uchiha. Root requires your strength. Join us—you will grow within Root. You will awaken the Sharingan."
Looking at Danzō's face—practically screaming 'sales pitch'—Ran smiled faintly.
"Lord Danzō, I truly appreciate the offer. I'd even like to serve you. But I don't enjoy living without a name or identity. I like being with my friends. And besides—Lord Fugaku wouldn't agree to me joining ANBU, let alone Root."
After studying Ran carefully for a moment, Danzō realized he had indeed overlooked something. Ran's personality wasn't well suited to Root, and he was closely connected to Uchiha Mikoto—his ties to Uchiha Fugaku ran deep.
Still, Ran's value was undeniable.
"…Very well. That was my oversight," Danzō said slowly. "However, for the sake of Konoha's future—would you be willing to help me with certain matters?"
"Of course," Ran replied smoothly. "As Hokage advisor, if you need anything, Lord Danzō, you may simply say the word."
Danzō smiled faintly.
He told Ran that Konoha belonged to everyone—and that included the Uchiha. He hoped that, from time to time, Ran could provide insight into the Uchiha clan's internal affairs. In return, Danzō would do his best to improve relations between the village and the Uchiha.
He also claimed that the Third Hokage's busyness had allowed certain rumors to spread—and that he was already working to suppress them. As compensation, he promised Ran rewards: ninjutsu, genjutsu, and more.
"Lord Danzō," Ran said lightly, "since you've put it that way, I won't hold back. I prefer genjutsu—but before you give me any scrolls, could you take a look at my fusion technique?"
Danzō had long known that Ran had developed a style combining swordsmanship and genjutsu, so he showed no surprise.
"No problem. Go ahead."
At Danzō's signal, Ran drew the Zanpakutō at his side, gripping it in reverse with the tip pointed downward.
"Bloom—Floating Life, Dreamlike Illusion."
Danzō's vision shifted instantly.
Before him appeared the scene of his own inauguration ceremony as Hokage.
So that's how it is…
Almost immediately, Danzō understood the mechanism behind Ran's technique—the fusion of blade and illusion—and why Ran desired genjutsu scrolls so strongly.
With a quick disruption of his chakra, Danzō broke free of the illusion.
"An excellent fusion," he said. "With higher-level genjutsu, integrating it further into your swordsmanship will give you even greater potential."
"Thank you for the evaluation, Lord Danzō."
Ran spun the blade in a smooth flourish before sheathing Floating Life, Dreamlike Illusion.
This brief demonstration earned him two C-rank genjutsu scrolls from Danzō: Demonic Illusion: False Appearance and Fox's Heart Technique.
Tch. Even when he 'pays up,' this old fox is stingy, Ran thought. Trying to buy loyalty without ever spending properly…