The grin on Daichi's face vanished as he heard that question. He kept silent and looked at his sensei.
'What do I tell him? Me remaining silent is already an answer to that question. Gramps told me that knowledge of the Root organization is known only to the upper level ninjas and even they don't know the full details.'
Daichi recalled the conversation he had with Kensei after his encounter with the Root ninjas.
Flashback.
"Did they have any kind of identification marks?" A concerned Kensei wanted to know every detail he grandson could recollect about the attackers.
"No. They also only used the standard jutsus. There was nothing in their techniques that pointed to any clan or organization." Daichi replied.
He kept a calm face but internally he was unhappy about lying to the man. Daichi apologized to Kensei in his heart for the deceit. 'I'm sorry Gramps. But I have plans for those bodies. And I can't reveal info that I got from Observe.'
Kensei was silent and after a few minutes spoke as he went over what just happened. ''Since we don't have concrete evidence, their real identities will remain unknown but I'm positive they attacked you under Danzo's orders. Based on the information and their strength they are most probably Root ninjas."
Daichi nodded. ''What do I do now?''
''For the moment, nothing. Hiruzen won't let something like this slide. And since the attack failed Danzo would definitely not plan another. Not with the scrutiny he'll be under.''
"You said that knowledge of his organization exists on a need to know basis. Since an academy student like me shouldn't be privy to information like this, what do I do in the event that the Hokage questions me? I'm not sure I can lie and get away with it."
"You probably won't. Tell him the truth. I'll take the blame. If Hiruzen questions you, tell him I'm the one who told you about him and his agents."
Daichi slowly nodded.
Flashback End.
Kakashi was intently looking at his student's expressions. 'So he knows. But will he admit it?'
Daichi let out a sigh and replied. "Yes. I do."
"How?"
"My old man told me. The wrong attention that I said I wanted to avoid. It's from the man leading that organization." Daichi replied.
The Jonin ninja sighed hearing that. "So you know about Danzo…"
The boy nodded. "Kensei told me some things about him. It didn't paint a pretty picture."
Kakashi nodded. He knew what Daichi was talking about. 'That man came after my Sharingan once. So I have no doubt he would go after someone like Daichi.'
"Very well. Since you answered my questions honestly, I suppose it's only fair that I do the same."
Daichi was surprised. "Wait. Don't you want to know anymore? Like how much I know about him and The Root ninjas?"
The Jonin shook his head. "No. I'm sure Kensei told you everything you needed to know."
Daichi kept silent at that. He then repeated his earlier question. "What was the real reason behind this test?"
"That unwanted attention you wanted to avoid. I'm afraid it's too late for that."
Daichi's eyes narrowed. "So that Danzo guy is coming for me."
"Not Danzo."
Daichi was confused. 'Is there someone else? Who could be after me at this time?'
"I'm sure you've heard of him. Orochimaru." Kakashi told the boy.
Daichi was only slightly taken back by that name. 'So that Snake freak knows of me. I half expected it, since I'm an apprentice of his teammate. But I didn't think he'd be coming for me so soon. I need to prepare counter measures.'
"You don't seem that surprised." The Jonin noted Daichi's reaction and concluded.
Daichi crossed his arms and sat down. "I'm Lady Tsunade's apprentice. That title alone will garner me some enemies from hostile nations. I was well aware from the start what training under her would entail… I learned about the Legendary Three ninjas during the last few years. Orochimaru's name came up during one of my conversations with her. But she didn't talk about him all that much. She just told me that I should be careful if I ever meet him."
Kakashi agreed with that assessment. "You should be extremely vigilant if you're in his presence. He's not someone you can go up against… Well, not at the moment anyway."
"Where did you get the information about Orochimaru? Was it the Hokage?"
"Yes. But you don't need to panic. The intelligence that we received suggests that he has knowledge of you and has a mild interest in your capabilities but nothing more. And besides I'll keep you safe. It's my job as your teacher. So you don't need to worry." Kakashi gave Daichi an eye smile as he tried to ease the boy's worries.
Daichi nodded and both of them became silent for a few moments, processing the information they learned.
Daichi looked at Kakashi from the corner of his eyes. He still remembered the moment when his sensei asked him if he was willing to trust him. 'I can't sense any lies. Looks like I made the right bet. He's like his canon counterpart. He'll definitely try to protect me… I told him the truth when I said I trust him. But even so, that trust only goes so far. I'm sure there is still information Kakashi is keeping to himself. Blind trust is only something fools do. Even with you I won't completely let my guard down. I won't let anyone catch me from behind.'
After a few more seconds of rest Kakashi got up from his spot. "Well, I'm going home. I'm looking forward to some much needed rest. I'll see you next week Daichi."
The gamer ninja stood and nodded his head. He watched Kakashi walk away and decide to head home. He looked around the whole area and noted the devastation.
''Yeesh. I do not envy whoever has to clean this mess.''
Daichi went to where his weighted scarf was and put them on. He took a new pair of stylish sunglasses in his inventory through his pocket. 'Having spares was a good idea.'
It was then he looked at the numerous notifications piled up on the corner. He decided he would check them out once he reached home.
—-
Kakashi slowly made his way to the Hokage tower. Since it was midnight there weren't many people in the streets and he only saw a few patrol ninjas roaming by.
He soon reached the office door and knocked.
"Come in."
Kakashi went and stood in front of his kage.
"This is a surprise. I figured you'd show up a couple hours later with some random excuse once the test was over". Hiruzen spoke with a smile.
The man sighed as he heard that. He wanted to report the findings and then take a few days off to rest as quickly as he could.
Hiruzen then took in Kakashi's appearance and raised an eyebrow. "Seems you've had a very exciting day."
"That's one way to put it… That concern you had about Daichi's safety in the event of an attack… I don't think you need to worry that much." Kakashi said as he ruffled his hair.
Hiruzen smirked and nodded. "Yes. I gathered that much from your appearance and from what I saw."
The Jonin ninja had a feeling that was the case. "You watched the whole fight?"
"Not the entire fight. My work demanded most of my attention so I was only able to see pieces of your battle. Your assessment?"
Kakashi straightened and recounted the abilities he took note of. "His Taijutsu is strong enough to hold back and even take down ordinary Jonin ninjas and his chakra capacity is larger than mine. But not by much. But I suspect that with time it will grow at an exponential rate. His Ninjutsu skills are excellent for someone his age and I can confirm that he has mastered the second step of change in Chakra Nature of all 5 elements."
"His medical skills and techniques were excellent. He's demonstrated that he's capable of using chakra scalpels in battle. He's able to heal wounds much faster than any medic ninjas I've seen in the field. And he can heal from a distance using chakra strings as medium."
Hiruzen was surprised to hear that. "He changed the properties of strings from ordinary chakra to healing chakra and connected them to the wounded area from a distance. That's smart."
Kakashi nodded. "His proficiency in Genjutsu comes last. But I only say that due to the number of illusion techniques he used. Most were D and C Rank and he didn't use much to conserve his chakra since he knew my Sharingan is a counter and it would only be a waste."
Hiruzen nodded agreeing with that decision.
"But I believe he's highly resistant or immune to Genjutsu techniques."
"What?" The old kage was shocked.
"Yes. Whenever I used Genjutsu on him, the chakra entered his system but was immediately flushed out."
Hiruzen leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. "Was it some kind of an automatic response from his body or was he aware that he was being attacked and was able to actively counter it?"
"Based on his expression and reaction, he was aware that I tried to use Genjutsu on him but the thing is he didn't need to do anything when he was attacked. He didn't need to disrupt his chakra flow nor did he inflict pain on himself to get free. It was as if he knew he was getting attacked and his body automatically responded to the foreign attack without needing him to take action."
Hiruzen was silent as he heard that. 'This is certainly interesting. Only people with special visual prowess can see through Genjutsu so efficiently. But Daichi isn't an Uchiha or a Hyuga. And based on the blood work Tsunade did, she didn't find anything that indicated that he was from any clan… It must be some kind of a special technique…'
Hiruzen was silent for a minute and then looked at the Jonin. "Kakashi. This information. When you complete the report, do not write it down. His resistance to Genjutsu must be kept an absolute secret. If this information gets out, there will be plenty who will have their eyes on him. Both in and out of the village. So keep this to yourself. And make sure to tell Daichi that he shouldn't reveal that ability to anyone."
The silver haired Jonin nodded his head. "There is something else. You were right. He knows about Danzo and the foundation. Kensei told him."
The Hokage sighed when he heard that news. "I figured. Kensei won't take any chances with Daichi after what happened."
"I also told him about Orochimaru." Kakashi hid a wince as he looked at the sharp eyes drilling into his skull.
Hiruzen looked at his Jonin with narrowed eyes. Several seconds later he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "This is a very delicate time Kakashi. Any information leak could be catastrophic to the plans I've put in place. So why did you do something like that?"
"Trust needed to be built. If I lied about why I put him through what I did then… It wouldn't have gotten us anywhere. Lying won't help us and he needs to know the danger so he can prepare." Kakashi made his judgment and he was going to stand by it. "And besides, I believe Daichi knows the value of keeping something like this a secret. He might tell Kensei but I'm sure he won't tell anyone else."
The kage sighed. "I will trust your judgment on this."
"Thank you Lord Hokage."
Kakashi gave a brief oral report on Daichi's abilities, skills, strength and weaknesses. Hiruzen was impressed with the boy's progress. Once the debriefing was done Kakashi left the office and headed home.
Hiruzen was in his office going through everything he heard. 'The Chunin exams are coming up in a few months. But it's going to be held in the Stone village. Should I send Daichi to take part? I can't send him alone. He'll need a team… Hmm… There is still plenty of time. I'll deal with this matter at a later date.'
—-
In a dimly lit room Danzo was standing near the window and looking out at the village. 'Hiruzen pulled back his surveillance and let go of the restrictions placed on me. So he didn't find anything after all. For the moment I can move somewhat freely and conduct business. But still… I need to be careful. He now knows Root isn't disbanded but he doesn't have any proof.'
He turned around and at that moment a ninja rose from the shadows of the room. The shinobi in black gear kneeled indicating his loyalty to his master.
"Lord Danzo. I've conducted a thorough review of all the candidates we've recruited last year along with some of the active ones who joined a few years prior. I didn't find any spies."
Danzo nodded and dismissed his agent. He sat down in a nearby chair and thought about the situation. 'The second Hiruzen learned of the attack he suspected me. It was because the attackers knew about Daichi and more importantly Tsunade's phobia. But 'he' made sure that all my agents hid as soon as Hiruzen took me into custody. His efficient work has made things easier for me. Making him my second in command was an excellent choice.'
'Since Hiruzen couldn't find any evidence of my organization being operational, I thought for sure that he would send someone to infiltrate Root. Seems I was wrong…'
His grip on his cane tightened just a bit. 'So then why do I still feel uneasy?'