Hiruzen had just issued a gag order—yet Danzo knew about it almost immediately.
What did that mean?
It meant Danzo had already extended his reach into the ANBU.
Danzo seemed to realize the implication as well. Just as he was about to explain himself, Hiruzen turned to the ANBU guarding him and spoke coldly:
"Investigate who left just now. If anyone did, eliminate them. I will not tolerate this happening again."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
The ANBU vanished instantly.
Danzo's expression darkened.
"You truly intend to do this? I placed someone here to protect you. Is this a warning?"
"A warning?" Hiruzen's voice grew sharp. "A warning is something a weak man issues toward a stronger one. This is not a warning. This is a command."
"If you lay a hand on Konosuke—or on my ANBU again—I guarantee you will regret it. This is the last time."
"If it happens again, Root will cease to exist. Everything Root can do, ANBU can do. I gave you authority to assist me—not to monitor me. You've crossed the line."
Danzo knew he had been too hasty.
But he hadn't expected such a fierce response.
"You will regret this, Hiruzen."
After he left, Hiruzen summoned Kakashi.
"Deploy ANBU to monitor both the Uchiha and Danzo. I want everything—details."
Verbal reconciliation didn't mean trust.
As for Konosuke…
Hiruzen had been considering reassigning him.
But after today's events, he decided to let him remain at the Academy—for now.
As long as he continued training properly.
—
At the Academy, Konosuke reviewed the students' progress in the Substitution Technique.
Overall, things were improving.
Nearly all could refine chakra now—only speed differed.
As usual, those proficient in chakra control continued tree climbing.
Those still struggling practiced refinement.
And those who had mastered Substitution ran laps.
Previously, only Sasuke qualified.
Now Shino did too.
So there were two runners.
After assigning tasks, Konosuke entered his favorite state—slacking off.
He had just discovered a loophole.
Between twelve and one, no matter what he did, the system still counted it as slacking.
So he scheduled lectures and drills during that window.
From Iruka's perspective, it looked like dedication.
Who teaches during break time unless they care?
In the staff room, Konosuke leaned back, smoking leisurely while glancing occasionally at the training field.
But in his mind, he was speaking to the system.
"System, you there?"
[I am here. What does the host require?]
"I've been wondering something. Can you answer honestly?"
[Within my permission scope, I will answer.]
"Where do your rewards come from? Why do reincarnators always get cheat abilities? Is this truly unconditional help? I don't believe in free lunches."
The system remained silent for a full minute.
[Your questions are numerous. I will answer sequentially.]
"Take your time."
[Our origin first. We were born from the collective desires of humanity on Blue Star. In an era saturated with entertainment media, countless individuals dreamed of crossing into fictional worlds.]
[Those accumulated wishes formed a force—what you might call willpower. Systems emerged from that aggregation. We randomly select a soul and bind to it upon accidental death, guiding it to the source world tied to those desires.]
[Before my formation, many wished to enter the Naruto world with Kizaru's abilities. That world became my source.]
[As for tasks, they were predefined by the conceptual framework of those wishes. We cannot alter them.]
Konosuke listened carefully.
"So the rewards?"
[The rewards are fragments of my own origin energy. When you complete all tasks, you will have absorbed my entirety. At that point, I will cease to exist.]
[Each system serves only one host. Once the host completes all tasks, the system dissolves.]
[Therefore, you need not fear betrayal. If I even formed malicious intent, I would immediately lose consciousness under system law—and you would lose your abilities.]
Konosuke exhaled slowly.
That eased a lingering fear.
He'd worried about being possessed one day—especially if he had a family.
"One more thing. When I absorb all your origin energy… will I surpass the Otsutsuki?"
"They'll show up eventually. I'd rather not lose to aliens."
[This exceeds my authority to confirm. However, once you absorb all origin energy, you will become the strongest being within this timeline. The Otsutsuki will not surpass you.]
Vague—but reassuring.
At that moment, Iruka's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Konosuke-sensei, it's almost month's end. Should we evaluate the students? I usually conduct monthly assessments. Since you handle ninjutsu, I'd like your input."
Konosuke didn't hesitate.
"Sure. Go ahead. I'll skip it. Watching kids spar isn't particularly exciting."
"I'll announce it. We'll hold the evaluation after school."
Once Iruka left, Konosuke stood up.
He decided to check on Shisui's class.
After all, it housed several promising talents—
Tenten.
Neji.
And Lee.