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"Teacher?!"
The words of the middle-aged man in front of Sousuke caused him to pause for a moment!
He couldn't help but carefully assess him.
Is he the person called Danzo mentioned by those guys during the day? He was able to drag me into an illusion without me realizing it. If it weren't for Kyōka Suigetsu, things would have turned out badly just now.
Sousuke squinted his eyes slightly, thinking to himself.
The person standing in front of him, Danzo, seemed completely oblivious to his suspicions. His eyes were almost squinted into a thin line, and the gleaming gaze fixed on Sousuke, as he spoke to himself.
"Sousuke, unknown surname, a survivor of the Hidden Village of Waves in the Land of Fire, currently nine years old. He has shown excellent performance during his time at the academy, with good achievements in martial arts and ninjutsu."
Upon hearing Danzo's words, Sousuke's face darkened slightly, and he stared at him with cold eyes.
However, Danzo seemed completely unconcerned about Sousuke's anger. His eyes didn't even flicker as he continued speaking.
"He has deep connections with Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and others. Recently, he had a conflict with the Uchiha clan and subsequently displayed extraordinary strength, releasing unknown ninjutsu, suspected to possess a bloodline limit."
Danzo calmly stated these words, his voice neither cold nor indifferent, as if truly expounding on Sousuke's information.
Upon hearing this, Sousuke's gaze turned extremely cold!
Bloodline limit? Is Kidō's power considered a bloodline limit? That's fine, it saves me from wasting more words.
Thinking this, Sousuke raised his gaze and looked at Danzo, speaking softly.
"What are you trying to express by saying all this to me?"
Upon hearing Sousuke's words, Danzo's stoic expression finally changed, appearing to be a mixture of cold laughter and mockery as he spoke.
"The Konoha Security Squad has their eyes on you. Ever since your conflict with the Uchiha clan and your victory over them, your fate has already been decided. Joining Root is your only choice. Your talent should not be wasted."
Upon hearing Danzo's words, Sousuke couldn't help but be startled.
The Konoha Security Squad? The department where the Uchiha clan is located? Could it be that they have some ill intentions towards me just because of a physical test? Can I trust this person in front of me?
While Sousuke was contemplating, Danzo, standing on the opposite side, continued to chuckle softly, his voice as low as decaying roots.
"Do you still doubt it? Are you still holding onto that sliver of hope for this fallen clan? The gap between nobles and commoners can never be eliminated. Only by coming to Root can you truly see the depths behind their facade and protect yourself."
Kyōka Suigetsu, who stood beside them invisibly, also looked at Sousuke and spoke.
"Listen to him, Sousuke. This guy seems to be steeped in a considerable amount of darkness. At this moment, you have no way to resist him, even if you use my power."
Upon hearing Kyōka Suigetsu's words, Hakuiri S
ukei finally took a true, meaningful look at the middle-aged man in front of him!
To be praised so highly by Kyōka Suigetsu, this guy in front of him must be very powerful, right!?
They stared deeply into each other's eyes, unable to fathom what was truly going on in the other's heart.
In the end, Sousuke agreed with Danzo's words. Regardless of whether they were true or not, he had indeed offended the Uchiha clan. If that clan wanted to do something to him, he would be powerless to resist with his current strength.
"What do I need to do? Become your disciple and join the Root organization?" Sousuke said softly, burying the rest of his emotions deep within his heart, leaving only a calm expression on his face.
He was a clever guy who knew how to use any resources to protect himself.
If it was true, as Danzo said, that the Uchiha clan had turned their anger toward him, as a commoner, he couldn't escape their oppression! At this moment, joining Danzo's side was not an impossible choice. Thinking this, a cold light flashed in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Danzo, on the opposite side, looked at Sousuke after hearing his words, and soon let out a chuckle.
"What a clever little devil you are. I hope my choice is not wrong. Starting tomorrow, someone will take you to the Root headquarters. With your current strength, you should be able to handle some missions."
"Becoming my disciple is simple. Survive in those missions. Blood and pain are the best teachers. All I can give you are difficult tasks that will help you grow. Completing them is what you need to do."
Danzo's voice sounded hoarse, as if he were talking about something ordinary, but it surprised Sousuke.
Then, Danzo slowly turned around while speaking and walked away unsteadily.
"The Uchiha clan's retaliation against you will be dealt with by me. As for yourself, if you want to contend with this formidable force, then strive to grow stronger."
Danzo's figure grew farther away, and his voice became fainter, reaching Sousuke's ears.
He was always curious as to why Danzo suddenly chose him, a commoner, as his disciple. Sousuke didn't think he had such a great potential to make the leader of the hidden forces in the village value him so much.
So, Sousuke gently touched his glasses frame and suddenly spoke up.
"Why did you choose me? What is the purpose of making me your disciple? I don't think I have the potential to risk offending the Uchiha clan and protect me."
In the distance, Danzo's figure suddenly stopped, and his hoarse voice carried on the wind.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen chose three outstanding disciples, but in my eyes, even the most talented individuals cannot become true shinobi without the tempering of steel and blood! The reason I chose you is to let you continue my path. I once lost to Sarutobi Hiruzen, and my disciple cannot lose to his disciples!"
"As for the Uchiha clan, don't worry. Even if the Root organization is currently weak, they can still protect a child. You just need to become stronger yourself."
"Tomorrow, you will officially enter the Root organization, and someone will inform you of everything you need to do there."
After his words landed, Danzo's figure disappeared into the darkness outside.
Sousuke still echoed his words in his ears, silently thinking.
Lost to the Third Hokage? This inexplicable person can actually rival the Third Hokage. His strength is truly formidable!
Kyōka Suigetsu, who was beside him, looked relaxed as
she watched Sousuke, a faint smile playing on her lips. She lightly spoke up.
"How does it feel, Sousuke? What do you think of his strength?"
Upon hearing Kyōka Suigetsu's words, Sousuke only glanced at her lightly and said softly, "It's hard to estimate. Someone who can rival the Third Hokage must at least have the strength of a Kage. He didn't show any real power in front of me."
"Don't worry, you will become stronger than him in the future." Kyōka Suigetsu said with a light laugh, as if it were something funny.
Sousuke didn't say anything in response, just thinking about what tomorrow would bring.
Outside, the moon shone pale.
A night passed in silence.