There were two kinds of creatures in Konoha that people found especially detestable—
One was called a stinkbug.The other was called Shimura Danzō.
Many villagers were familiar with stinkbugs. After all, Konoha's ecological environment was excellent, and these insects—also known as nine-spice bugs—had an uncanny habit of appearing where you least expected them.
But very few people truly knew Shimura Danzō.
Only the upper echelons of ninja clans had ever heard his name whispered.
To many clans, this man was Konoha's true stinkbug.
Within the village, Danzō had always lurked in the shadows—the embodiment of Konoha's darkness. And yet, because of Hiruzen Sarutobi, his power and influence spread throughout the village like an invisible web.
The terrifying part was this:only the clan elites knew just how far Danzō's authority actually reached.
The various ninja clans were furious over Danzō's practice of forcibly requisitioning their geniuses. To them, this was a blatant violation of clan autonomy.
But faced with Danzō—and his endless, insidious methods—most clans could only swallow their anger and endure.
By now, ROOT had gathered together the talents of nearly every clan in Konoha—
With two exceptions.
The Hyūga clan and the Uchiha clan.
Every other clan had, to some degree, lost promising successors because of Danzō. Some had even lost their very backbone.
And because the Hyūga and the Uchiha refused to submit to Danzō's demands, they became targets of suppression and harassment.
On Konoha's streets, rumors spread endlessly—especially about the Uchiha.
Did people really know nothing?
Of course they did.
But as long as it didn't concern them personally, they chose to look away. No one wanted to stand up for the Hyūga or the Uchiha.
They feared inviting trouble.They feared losing their fragile stability and safety.
And so, under this silent pressure, the Hyūga and the Uchiha found themselves increasingly isolated.
"Lord Danzō."
Uchiha Ran called out as he entered ROOT once again.
Even he felt that his visits here had become far too frequent. He genuinely couldn't understand why Shimura Danzō enjoyed summoning him so much.
"Ran-kun, you're here," Danzō said pleasantly. "Sit."
He personally guided Ran to the desk and even pulled out a chair for him, gesturing for him to take a seat.
"You're far too courteous, Lord Danzō," Ran replied with a smile.
Since you're telling me to sit, I'll sit.
Seeing Ran comply without hesitation, Danzō nodded in satisfaction. He then casually introduced Yakushi Nono.
"This is Yakushi Nono. She'll soon be taking up the position of orphanage director. It's a fine example of how ROOT contributes to Konoha's long-term development."
The familiar rhetoric flowed effortlessly—once again cloaking himself in the banner of "for Konoha."
"Oh? So Nono-senpai was also part of ROOT," Ran said thoughtfully. "Before coming here, I was wondering why her style felt so different from ROOT's. Turns out she's about to retire."
Danzō froze for a split second—then burst into laughter.
"You're right, Ran. Nono is about to retire. Though she hasn't worked under me for very long."
With that, Danzō waved his hand, signaling for Yakushi Nono to withdraw. He had important matters to discuss privately with Ran.
Once Nono left, it was Ran who spoke first.
He casually mentioned that he had long heard about ROOT from his teacher, Orochimaru, and had always believed it to be an organization one entered alive and only left dead.
He had never imagined that someone could actually retire from ROOT.
Danzō immediately dismissed this as mere rumor.
"Those are misunderstandings spread by outsiders," he said calmly. "ROOT is a formal subdivision of the Anbu. It simply handles matters that the regular Anbu cannot openly address."
"As a legitimate organization, ROOT does allow retirement—it's just… more difficult. It's not an organization where only death grants release."
At that moment, Danzō noticed Ran's gaze following Yakushi Nono's retreating figure—growing increasingly sharp.
With a faint smile, he asked, "Ran-kun? What's the matter? Do you perhaps like that type?"
Danzō still harbored dreams of becoming Hokage. As such, even his tone was unusually gentle—he wanted to leave a good impression on Ran.
"No, Lord Danzō," Ran replied calmly. "I'm thinking about something else."
"Oh?"
"Have you ever considered… killing Yakushi Nono?"
The words landed like a thunderclap.
Even Danzō hadn't expected Ran to suggest murdering someone he'd met for the very first time that day.
Ironically, Danzō was already planning to dispatch ROOT agents to eliminate Nono—but Ran's bluntness still shocked him.
Curious, Danzō asked, "Care to explain why, Ran-kun?"
"What kind of people do you think ROOT ninja are, Lord Danzō?"
"They are those who abandon their names and faces for Konoha," Danzō said proudly. "People who silently contribute from the shadows."
"You can fool others," Ran replied evenly, "but don't fool yourself."
"ROOT ninja are executioners—people who will use any means necessary to complete a mission. And executioners like that possess countless secrets about you and ROOT."
"How can such people be allowed to live freely?"
Why are you speaking for me?!
Danzō stared at Ran in astonishment.
"Lord Danzō," Ran continued, unwavering, "have you ever considered why someone who has carried out so many dark missions would still harbor thoughts of 'light'? In my view, Yakushi Nono's decision to take over the orphanage absolutely serves her own purpose."
Seeing Ran speak with such conviction, Danzō found himself reluctantly agreeing.
He gestured for Ran to continue.
"I believe she wants to use the orphanage to cultivate her own power base," Ran said calmly. "Over time, talented children will emerge. Once she gathers a group of ninja, she'll have her own independent system."
As he spoke, Ran extended one hand slightly toward Danzō.
"In my opinion, it's better to eliminate her now. That way, your secrets remain safe. One move, endless benefits."
For a man as suspicious and jealous as Danzō, these words struck painfully close to home.
Yakushi Nono—the ace spy—had directly or indirectly caused the deaths of hundreds. How could she truly be a saint who simply loved children?
And yet…
Danzō considered it further.
Orphans were an excellent recruitment pool for ROOT. And Nono, as a master spy, was perfectly suited to play the role of orphanage director.
At last, Danzō's expression hardened.
"You're too extreme, Ran," he said coldly. "Yakushi Nono still has important duties. ROOT will also increase its investment in the orphanage."
"Do not speak such divisive words again."
And just like that, the matter was closed.