Three Mist ninjas burst out from the bushes—
Each fleeing in a different direction.
They knew one thing clearly—
They were no match.
They had seen the fight.
That Hiruko guy?
Mediocre.
But Hyūga Akira?
Absolutely untouchable.
And the name Flame Demon—
They had heard it before.
A name forged on the battlefield.
Unlike them—
Who weren't even worth naming.
"One jōnin, two chūnin…"
Akira clicked his tongue in disappointment.
At some point—
Even a thousand EXP had become unimpressive.
He spread his hands.
Flames gathered—
Forming two spears.
"Fire Style: Extreme Flame Spear — Duet!"
His body expanded again—
Entering Oni Mode.
The spears vanished instantly.
Afterimages streaked forward.
"BOOM!"
"BOOM!"
In the distance—
Two pillars of black-blue flames erupted into the sky.
1687 / 1598
Akira didn't stop.
He crouched slightly—
The ground beneath him cracked.
Then—
"Whoosh."
He vanished.
"…How is he moving?!"
Hiruko's mind was filled with questions.
From a researcher's perspective—
Akira was a walking treasure trove.
Meanwhile—
Akira had already caught up to the fleeing jōnin.
"Yo."
The Mist jōnin turned in terror—
Just in time to see Akira descending—
Blade raised.
"Slash."
[EXP: 13548]
Akira landed smoothly.
Flames burned across his body—
Evaporating all traces of blood.
"Let's see what dropped…"
His eyes lit up.
Mist ninjas—
Dropped pirate-type loot.
Including—
Devil Fruits.
Early-game dominance.
Even late-game viability for certain types.
And best of all—
No class restrictions.
Devil Fruit Fragment ×1
"Nice."
Akira pocketed it.
Devil Fruits weren't easy to obtain:
10 fragments → Zoan20 fragments → Paramecia30 fragments → Logia50 fragments → Mythical Zoan
Drop rates weren't high.
Even for jōnin.
"My best option is Mythical Zoan…"
Akira rubbed his chin.
"So… at least fifty Mist jōnin."
Probably more.
"…Guess I'll have to farm Kirigakure someday."
Each major village had something he wanted:
Stone → Dragon Slayer MagicCloud → Sun Breathing (and Transparent World)Mist → Devil FruitsSand → Equipment
"…Too bad the war's ending."
He sighed.
Looks like he'd have to wait for the next one.
Hiruko arrived—
Looking at the bisected corpse.
His lips twitched.
That was a jōnin.
And Akira killed him—
In seconds.
This guy's strength—
Was completely unreasonable.
Back at Root
"You've done well."
Danzō examined the Sharingan with satisfaction.
He handed them off to a subordinate.
Then turned to Hiruko.
"I have an important research task for you."
"Someone will brief you."
"Yes."
Hiruko vanished instantly.
Only Akira remained.
"…Adjusting well to Root?"
Danzō asked.
"Very well."
Akira grinned.
Danzō's mouth twitched.
Too well.
This kid—
Was born for the darkness.
"Your future duties—"
"Assassinations. Eliminations. Seal-breaking. Decapitation missions."
Then—
Danzō's expression turned serious.
"There is one more task."
"I want you to persuade Orochimaru to join Root."
Ah.
So direct persuasion failed—
Now he was trying indirect recruitment.
Still obsessed with Orochimaru.
Trying to turn him—
From righteous snake…
Into something far darker.
"In return—"
"I'll allow you to retain your public identity."
"You'll only act when Root requires it."
Normally—
Joining Root meant abandoning your identity.
But Akira was different.
Too recognizable.
That black-blue flame—
Gave him away instantly.
So—
A half-member status.
"I can't even find Orochimaru right now."
Akira shrugged.
"He's still on the frontlines."
"Then wait."
Danzō wasn't in a hurry.
For now—
Hiruko could substitute.
"I'll try."
Akira nodded.
Without Nawaki's death—
Orochimaru hadn't changed.
No descent into darkness.
Convincing him?
Difficult.
"I need results."
Danzō said firmly.
"If you succeed—"
"I'll grant you partial command over Root."
Akira's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
Danzō smirked inwardly.
Too obvious.
Even if he gave authority—
He could take it back anytime.
Root—
Would always belong to him.
What he didn't know—
Was Akira's real plan.
From day one—
This "new recruit" was already planning—
To replace him.
"Mission accepted."
Akira said confidently.
If Orochimaru refused—
He'd just beat him until he agreed.
That still counted as joining, right?
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