Sometimes, the most dangerous ability isn't power… but honesty.
Danzo hadn't expected Hoshishita Shu to say something so shocking. His eyelids twitched slightly, and a strange excitement stirred deep within him.
Did he want to become Hokage?
Of course he did.
Back then… he had been only a tiny step away from it.
"If Hiruzen were to die… then in the current Konoha, I would indeed be the most qualified…"
The thought sent a fierce surge of temptation through Danzo's heart.
But the moment he remembered Konoha's rapidly improving situation—remembered the Hyuga and Uchiha clans that had only recently been restrained, and the undercurrents already stirring throughout the shinobi world—Danzo forced himself to calm down.
"Now is not the time."
"And such a method would be far too extreme."
"Besides… even with Wood Release, it may not be enough to kill Hiruzen…"
As both Hiruzen Sarutobi's closest comrade and lifelong rival, Danzo understood his strength better than anyone.
Unless Hoshishita Shu could perfectly inherit the First Hokage's power, there was no guarantee.
Looking at Shu's fervent expression, Danzo felt satisfied inside—yet his face darkened.
"Shu. Don't say such things again."
"Hiruzen is the Third Hokage. He was personally appointed by our teacher."
"His strength is beyond doubt."
Shu immediately understood.
Right now… they couldn't beat Hiruzen.
So he replied at once, with unwavering conviction.
"Yes, Lord Danzo! I understand!"
Danzo nodded in satisfaction.
Shu's thoughts shifted, and he continued.
"Lord Danzo, I believe Root's current strength is far from sufficient."
"We need more elite shinobi in order to truly fulfill Root's role—protecting Konoha and maintaining peace in the shinobi world."
That idea aligned perfectly with Danzo's own thinking.
He had also been considering expanding Root.
More power required more forces.
And the current moment was indeed a good opportunity.
The ANBU were already stretched thin.
As a result, Root—originally meant as a training branch for the ANBU—had begun executing missions itself.
In addition, Danzo had another idea.
He wanted to further reshape Root into a department that answered solely to him.
The reason that thought had appeared… was Nakamura.
If he wanted to control someone like Hoshishita Shu—someone with such potential power—he first needed absolute control over Root itself.
After dismissing the other two from the room, Danzo finally asked, "How do you think Root should expand?"
In the past, he would never have asked a subordinate such a question.
But Hoshishita Shu's fanatic loyalty and aggressive mindset pleased him greatly.
They suited his tastes perfectly.
"Lord Danzo," Shu began calmly, "the ANBU can no longer meet the demands of the current situation. The Third Hokage also requires you to handle matters that he cannot personally deal with."
"This is Root's chance to grow."
"However, the Third Hokage has a natural advantage. He can recruit the best talents in the village."
"From the beginning, Root was meant to support the ANBU by cultivating talent. Members were selected from the major ninja clans—excluding the Uchiha and Hyuga—as well as other sources."
"But clearly, those people are not the very best."
Shu continued analyzing, "The Third Hokage not only has access to the major clans—he also controls the Ninja Academy."
"Through it, he can select talented individuals from the civilian population."
Danzo nodded slowly.
The analysis was completely correct.
Most of Root's current personnel had originally been recruited with the Third Hokage's approval—from both the ninja clans and the Ninja Academy.
At first, the organization had existed solely to serve the Hokage's ANBU.
But as the international situation shifted and Konoha flourished, the ANBU's pressure increased.
Root's role had gradually expanded.
And just as Shu had said—
The best talents of Konoha all belonged to the Hokage.
Root could only take what was left behind.
Under those conditions, how could Root possibly obtain strength equal to—or even surpassing—the Hokage's ANBU?
Almost unconsciously, Danzo had begun treating the Hokage's ANBU as his benchmark.
Just as his lifelong rival had always been Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Your analysis is excellent," Danzo praised him briefly.
Shu immediately displayed excited enthusiasm.
"Lord Danzo, competing with the Third Hokage for ninja clan talent is impossible."
"The Ninja Academy is the same. The Third Hokage would never allow Root to interfere there freely."
"But… orphanages would be different."
"They would be the perfect source of talent."
"We can select children there and train them from the very beginning."
"Raise them to be completely loyal to you, Lord Danzo… and to Root."
Those final words struck directly at Danzo's heart.
More importantly, they clarified several vague ideas he had been considering.
"Excellent," Danzo nodded with clear satisfaction.
"Tomorrow, at Training Ground Nine, I will personally teach you the secret techniques of Wood Release."
Shu immediately expressed his loyalty.
But inwardly, he couldn't help mocking the idea.
Personally teach me?
As if you actually understand Wood Release.
Still, whether Danzo understood it or not didn't matter.
As long as Shu had access to the Wood Release secret techniques.
After parting with Danzo and the others, Hoshishita Shu returned to his quarters within the Root base.
Standing under the shower, he carefully considered his position within Root.
Or more precisely—
His position in Danzo's mind.
Just as he had told Nakamura earlier, he needed to stand second only to Danzo, above every other Root shinobi.
Would Hashirama's cells alone be enough?
Would raw strength alone be enough?
No.
Hoshishita Shu shook his head.
That wouldn't be sufficient.
He needed intelligence as well.
"Danzo treats everyone except himself as tools."
"Pieces on a board."
"Disposable assets."
"One day… I might also be discarded."
"Besides having strength he cannot easily eliminate…"
"I also need to make him depend on me."
"A strategist… might be the perfect role."
After finishing his shower, Shu admired his own body in the mirror.
His physique looked like something carved from marble.
Wrapping a towel around himself, he left the bathroom.
"The Root brand on my body can never be removed."
"If I ever want to step into the sunlight…"
"I'll need to plan very carefully."
Changing into sleepwear, Shu lay down on the tatami and continued thinking.
Being the leader of Root was certainly appealing.
But who didn't want to live under the sun?
Danzo did.
And Shu did too.
"Lord Danzo… you'd better work hard."
Shu sighed quietly.
If his superior didn't advance, how could a subordinate like him move forward?
If Danzo never became Hokage…
How could Shu become the leader of Root?
Without realizing it, time passed until midnight.
Suddenly—
Shu snapped awake.
The status bar had refreshed.
Current Status: True to Heart
Description: Sincerity is the ultimate weapon. It can destroy others… or yourself.
Under this status, you cannot lie or speak against your true thoughts. Any target you designate will also trigger this effect.
Refresh Countdown: 167:59:55
Shu stared at the new status in stunned silence.
True to heart?
Sincerity as a killing move?
What kind of ridiculous ability was this?
His expression darkened instantly.
Because this ability could easily put him in an extremely dangerous situation.
What if one day Danzo suddenly asked something like—
"Between me and Hiruzen, who is more handsome?"
Wouldn't that be the end of him?
"It seems that for the next seven days…"
"I need to minimize contact with Danzo."
That was the only solution Shu could think of.
Because in front of Danzo, he couldn't simply stay silent to avoid answering questions.
And once he spoke—
His words would inevitably reveal his true thoughts.
"…Looks like I shouldn't place too much hope in this cheat ability."
Shu sighed.
Who knew what kind of bizarre status might appear next time.
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