"Hiruzen, what do you need from us?"
Homura pushed the door open and sat down in a chair, speaking straight to the point.
Although it was a question, his gaze shifted to Danzo beside him. In his old eyes, there was a mixture of accusation and confusion.
When they arrived, they had already heard that sothing had gone wrong in the Root laboratory.
However, the incident had been suppressed, so it hadn’t caused much of a stir.
But Homura was no fool. He knew this matter was far from simple. After all, if Hiruzen Sarutobi could handle it himself, why would he have called in two old-tirs like him and Koharu?
Clearly, this situation was not as simple as it seed.
As Koharu sat down, she did not look at Hiruzen Sarutobi. Instead, her eyes were fixed on Danzo.
"Danzo, what happened in your laboratory this ti? I’ve told you not to place your experints inside Konoha. If they are discovered, it will be difficult to deal with."
Her concern was practical. If Danzo’s laboratory suffered an accident, handling it would be troubleso—not for the missing civilians, but for the consequences of being exposed.
"Hmph, what are you two old folks fussing about now?" Danzo’s eyes flicked between the two, his displeasure clear. "If it weren’t for the Root conducting experints in secret, your clans could enjoy the benefits those experints bring."
"What benefits? Explain that to !" Koharu’s temper flared at his words.
"Two years ago, two civilian ninjas provoked your grandson, right?" Danzo’s gaze shifted to Koharu, a hint of satisfaction in his tone. "In the end, wasn’t it my Root who captured them for experints? And finally, your grandson tortured those two ninjas who offended him—alive—for three whole days and nights!"
"That was your decision to make. I never asked you to do it!" Koharu quickly retorted.
"Ask?" Danzo sneered coldly. "Wasn’t it you who sent your grandson in the first place? Koharu, don’t belittle the Root while enjoying the conveniences they provide."
"There are other things you’ve done using the Root—I won’t go into each of them. You know well enough yourself."
"Do not underestimate the Root. You are already bound to them, whether you like it or not!"
Danzo made no effort to tolerate Koharu and shot back directly.
"Danzo, you..." Koharu was left speechless by Danzo’s words. She was anxious but couldn’t think of a single reason to refute him.
Just as Danzo said, they were firmly bound together now, like a community of shared interests.
If one prospered, they all prospered. If one suffered, they all suffered.
Even the old man, Homura, had a light flickering in his eyes, as if he was thinking of how to argue against Danzo. But after a long mont, he couldn’t co up with any reason to refute him.
Over the years, they had beco deeply intertwined with Danzo and Hiruzen.
"Alright... stop arguing. We’re here to discuss matters!" Finally, Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped in to diate, playing the peacemaker.
After they had finished quarreling, he had a chance to speak.
"Hiruzen, tell us why you called us here!" Koharu didn’t bother with Danzo’s nonsense and redirected the conversation.
Homura also looked at Hiruzen, waiting for his answer.
"Do you know about the Reanimation Jutsu?" Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and went straight to the point.
Homura squinted, thinking for a mont before replying, "You an the jutsu that brings the dead back to life? Isn’t that a forbidden technique?"
"Recently, Danzo has been researching this jutsu. Today, soone broke into the lab. They didn’t know what we were studying yet, but it could be exposed soon!" Hiruzen looked seriously at both of them and recounted everything that had happened that night.
The more they heard, the deeper the frowns on Homura and Koharu grew.
After a long pause, Koharu turned to Danzo and asked, "So, the recent disappearances in the village... were you responsible?"
"Of course..." Danzo did not deny it.
"Why? We are already at the top of Konoha. Why do this? That’s a forbidden jutsu!" Koharu seed to have found a flaw in Danzo and began to challenge him again.
She simply couldn’t stand Danzo.
"Why?" Danzo looked at Koharu. "The Uchiha clan is growing stronger, and there are dangerous organizations lurking outside. Do you think we can just do nothing and wait to be destroyed?"
"Do you think the Uchiha clan doesn’t know we planned their downfall?"
"Heh... do you think this position would remain stable if we didn’t grow stronger?"
"Cowardly rcy!"
Danzo shot back again. If it weren’t for the Utatane clan still being useful, he would have already taught this old woman a lesson.
They were now tied together, bound by the sa rope.
Listening to Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane cald down. "So, what do you suggest we do? Do you really think mastering the Reanimation Jutsu alone can stand against the Uchiha clan and the Atsukara?"
"Of course!" Danzo replied confidently, his tone full of assurance. "Once the Reanimation Jutsu is perfected, Konoha will be invincible. We could even bring back the First Hokage!"
"Bring back the First Hokage?" Koharu Utatane blinked in surprise.
"Yes. Not only can we resurrect him, but we can revive the strongest ninjas from every clan," Danzo said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Homura and Koharu exchanged a glance, their shock still lingering.
"Words are aningless!" Koharu said seriously. "Show your results!"
"Very well," Danzo nodded and snapped his fingers.
The group waited quietly. After a brief mont, a masked figure knocked on the Hokage’s office door.
"Co in!" Hiruzen Sarutobi signaled for the person to enter.
The masked figure stepped inside, ignoring the others, and bowed respectfully before Danzo.
It was clear that this person recognized only Danzo’s authority.
"Root 001, remove your mask," Danzo commanded.
"Yes!" Root 001 obeyed, taking off the mask. His gray-white eyes scanned the room.
His skin was grayish-brown, as if dusted over, and cracks ran across his body.
Hiss—!
Homura drew in a sharp breath. "Is this the person resurrected by the Reanimation Jutsu?"
At first glance, it was clear—this person had no trace of life.
This... was the forbidden jutsu? The Reanimation Jutsu... and this was what it created?
****
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