On the training ground, Kiyotaki made quite a name for himself. There wasn't a single low-grade student who didn't know him; he was a popular figure wherever he went.
He was dubbed the 'Number One Genius Among Commoner Students.'
Initially, many low-grade students expressed their disbelief, but later, they were all convinced after being defeated.
Far away in another country, Tsunade, who had lost terribly gambling, received a message from a Konoha Ninja Hawk as soon as she left the casino.
"A letter from the old man, huh! Is he trying to persuade me to return to Konoha again?"
Tsunade opened the letter and read it.
"Tenzawa Kiyotaki, huh? Possessing powerful monstrous strength, interesting!"
"But, the affairs of Konoha have nothing to do with me anymore."
She tossed the letter away, but before she could express any melancholy,
she heard a shout—the debt collectors had arrived.
"She's over there!"
"Pay back the money quickly!"
Shizune, in a panic, grabbed Tsunade and ran. The two of them ran incredibly fast, disappearing down the alley in the blink of an eye.
"It's fine!"
The leader of the debt collectors shouted, "We'll guard this place. As long as she doesn't leave this city, she'll come back here to gamble sooner or later. The monk can run, but the temple can't!"
--- Konoha, Ninja Academy.
The teacher had already given Kiyotaki an intensive "will of fire" education, tutoring him daily.
Kiyotaki never expected that even after transmigrating, he would still have to endure tutoring. He lived in a state of torment every day, especially since the tutoring was on the "will of fire," which was incredibly dull.
He glanced at the sky and realized it was getting late before the tutor, still not quite finished, finally ended the day's lesson.
The school was already deserted; the students had long gone home. Only little Hanabi waited for Kiyotaki, her eyes sparkling with admiration as she looked at him, practically becoming Kiyotaki's little follower.
In her heart, even her amazing older sister Hinata and cousin Neji weren't as formidable as Kiyotaki.
She wanted to learn from Kiyotaki and become an excellent Ninja.
The two left the campus together, only separating at the next intersection to go their separate ways.
As Kiyotaki walked to a secluded corner, several figures suddenly flashed out, all wearing animal masks. It was unclear if they were Anbu or Root members.
"Tenzawa Kiyotaki, Danzo-sama wants to see you!"
One person spoke, his tone brooking no refusal.
So, they were from Root, Kiyotaki thought, sweeping his gaze over them. "Sorry, I don't know you, so I can't go with you."
"Heh heh! Little brat, Danzo-sama wants to see you, and it's not up to you whether you go or not."
A Root member rubbed his fist and moved closer. For disobedient children, it was best to use force directly; a good lesson would make them compliant!
"Heh! Cowards who hide their faces!"
They truly underestimated him! Looking at the approaching Root member, Kiyotaki lowered his stance and threw a punch!
The Root member only raised one arm to block, while his other hand still reached out to grab Kiyotaki.
But then... "Boom!"
He felt as if he'd been hit by a Tailed Beast. In an instant, he clearly heard the bones in his blocking arm snap.
He was sent flying, directly crashing through the alley wall and into the house.
While the other Root Ninja were still in shock, Kiyotaki had already flashed to the alley entrance, smiling and waving at the Root members.
"Damn it!"
The Root members cursed silently. The commotion had already attracted attention, and fearing it would draw more, they didn't dare pursue. They were Ninja who walked in the darkness!
They could only curse under their breath, carry the member who was spitting blood and nearly unconscious, and quickly leave.
--- Hokage's Office, Danzo strode in, leaning on his cane.
"Hiruzen, I want this Tenzawa Kiyotaki."
"Hand him over to Root. I can train him to be a sharp blade in Konoha's darkness."
Taking a deep drag from his pipe, the Third Hokage grew irritated listening to Danzo. Why do all of Konoha's promising talents have to go to your Root?
Is Konoha yours or mine? Am I the Hokage or are you the Hokage?
If all the promising talents go to your Root, what will be left for me?
"Danzo, Kiyotaki is a diligent student, and his understanding of the will of fire is improving significantly. Even if he doesn't join Root, he will become a Ninja willing to burn for Konoha."
Danzo slammed his cane heavily on the ground, his voice tinged with anger.
"Hiruzen! You wouldn't give me the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and now you won't even give me an ordinary kid. What exactly do you mean?!"
"You should know that Root, hidden in Konoha, is the cornerstone that protects Konoha by walking in the darkness. He's just a kid without Chakra. Hand him over to me!"
The Third Hokage also grew angry. Over the years, how many excellent children have you, Danzo, poached in Konoha? I'm almost embarrassed to expose you! If it weren't for me, Hiruzen Sarutobi, cleaning up your messes, the things you've done, Danzo, would have long since exploded!
"No! I plan to recommend this child to Tsunade for guidance. With similar monstrous strength, Tsunade will surely be able to teach him well."
"Bang!"
Danzo was truly furious this time!
The Sannin have been gone for so long, and Hiruzen Sarutobi is still thinking of his students, still thinking of bringing Tsunade back, but never thinking of passing the Hokage position to me!
"Hmph! Anyway, I'm just telling you, I want that kid Tenzawa Kiyotaki."
Danzo said, turning to leave. He had long seen through Hiruzen Sarutobi's mentality: indecisive, hypocritical.
He was like this during the White Fang incident, and he was like this during the Uchiha Clan annihilation. As long as the deed is done, once it's a fait accompli, he won't be able to object.
Thinking this, Danzo coldly snorted.
Hiruzen, you only know the visible peace of Konoha. Do you know how much effort and sacrifice I've made in the shadows for Konoha!
--- Danzo returned to the Root base, waiting for Tenzawa Kiyotaki to be brought in, but instead, his dispatched Root squad returned injured.
"Danzo-sama, our mission failed!"
Danzo's exposed eye suddenly burst with a cold glint, and his expressionless face uttered a chilling voice.
"You're telling me the mission failed!?"
"Danzo-sama," the Root member knelt, trembling with fear, "that kid Tenzawa Kiyotaki is not simple; he's far more powerful than we estimated!"
"A group of you couldn't even catch a kid, a bunch of good-for-nothings!"
Danzo raged, not listening to their excuses at all.
"All of you, go receive your punishment!"
"Yes, sir!"
Immediately, he summoned another squad led by a Jonin.
"I'm giving you a mission! Secretly bring that kid Tenzawa Kiyotaki to Root!"
Danzo returned to his usual impassive state, a chilling tone in his voice.
"Yes, sir!"
The Root squad received their orders.
--- However,
The next day, news of a Masked Man kidnapping children spread almost throughout Konoha.
People in breakfast restaurants and civilians on the streets were all discussing the matter.
Especially the adults taking their children to school, they carefully watched over their kids while discussing this frightening news.
"How could something like child abduction happen in a prestigious place like the Hidden Leaf Village?"
Someone said in disbelief.
"That's right! We have so many Ninja protecting Konoha, this must be a rumor!"
"Are foreign spies really that brazen!?"
"Don't you believe it? Didn't the daughter of the Hyuga Clan's head almost get kidnapped a couple of years ago?"
"That's right! That's right! I heard Hyuga Hizashi of the Hyuga Branch Family even committed suicide because of it."
"Tsk tsk! Even the children of the esteemed Hyuga Clan, the Clan Head's child at that, almost got kidnapped from within their heavily guarded clan compound. What about our commoner children?"
"That's right, that's right!"
The adults said, tightly hugging their children, sighing, but with a hint of worry in their hearts.
"Sigh! Has our Konoha's public safety become so bad since the Uchiha Clan was annihilated?"
"If only those Uchiha were still here!"
Someone sighed, beginning to praise the Uchiha.
"Those arrogant, annoying guys also made many contributions and sacrifices for the Village. Their proud nature, willing to go to war rather than yield, meant that with them around, foreign spies wouldn't dare to be so brazen in Konoha."
"Who's to say it's not true!"
"What a shame!"
"Sigh!"
"Damn Uchiha... Itachi!"