"Yu, your ninja skills surpass any I've witnessed before..."
"True leaders rise above the trivial. The Fourth Hokage of Konoha has made the ultimate sacrifice, and you, as the protege of the Third, a leading candidate for the future Hokage, coupled with your remarkable feats on the battlefield..."
Ignoring any hint of sarcasm in Yu's expression, Danzo continued his play. His exposed left eye emitted a brilliant radiance, "In terms of strength and renown, you've already earned the right to claim the mantle of Hokage."
"As long as we collaborate, I will assist you in persuading the other elders of Konoha. Before we know it, the entirety of Konoha will be under our influence!"
After uttering these words, the entire hall of the Root organization fell into a profound silence.
Apart from the Root organization ninjas in the vicinity, only Yu and Danzo, positioned at the center, locked eyes.
The invisible clash between two Kage-level ninjas emitted an indescribable tension, causing the Root organization ninjas nearby to struggle in containing the tumultuous emotions within them.
"Ha...hahaha!!"
Observing the unmasked avarice and ambition on Danzo's face during the ensuing silence, Yu couldn't suppress a burst of laughter, as though he had just heard the most amusing joke in the world.
"What are you laughing at?!"
Upon witnessing Yu's hearty laughter before him, Danzo's expression froze, detecting a hint of being mocked.
"Control Konoha?"
Under Danzo's unfriendly gaze, Yu's laughter gradually subsided after a prolonged moment. His amber eyes fixated on Danzo as if observing a clumsy clown, "I'm laughing at your narrow perspective..."
"If you're only here to discuss such mundane matters, then I'll be on my way."
Having stated this, Yu didn't cast another glance at Danzo, simply turned around, and walked away without a backward glance.
"Yakushi Yu!!"
Enduring Yu's merciless mockery and humiliation in front of numerous Root organization ninjas, Danzo finally reached his breaking point. Even his deepest composure couldn't contain the unrestrained anger seeking an outlet.
"Even if you don't consider yourself..."
"You should also think about the children in the orphanage and Nono, right?"
Fixedly gazing at Yu's retreating figure, Danzo spoke in a deep, resonant voice.
Click!
As Danzo's profound words resonated, Yu abruptly halted in his tracks.
All the Root organization ninjas in attendance could distinctly sense the air around them solidify, as if the temperature had suddenly plummeted.
"Some things never change..."
"Do you think I'm still the brat who just became a Special Jonin two years ago?"
The killing intent, forged from the slaughter of thousands of ninjas on the battlefield, seemed to transform the air into a dense, blood-infused plasma.
Turning around, fixing his gaze on Danzo seated on the stone chair before him, Yu, in that moment, reverted to Scarlet Yu—the one who confronted thousands on the battlefield with unyielding resolve.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Accompanied by Yu's cutting words, all the Root organization ninjas present were left in stunned silence.
Three razor-sharp blades instantly pressed against Danzo's neck—not wielded by anyone else, but by the three Root organization ninjas closest and entrusted with Danzo's protection!
"If you have the courage, say it again. I don't mind twisting your head off!"
The index and middle fingers of his right hand, accompanied by the thumb, moved deftly like a devil. Yu's keen gaze exposed his lethal intent.
It turns out that since he stepped into the hall, he had silently employed Parasitic Threads to control several Root ninjas around Danzo.
"What are you doing?!"
Witnessing comrades who were typically loyal to Danzo-sama holding knives to his neck, all the surrounding Root organization ninjas were taken aback.
"I... I don't know what happened..."
"My body is completely out of control..."
"I-I'm sorry, Danzo-sama!!"
However, the expressions beneath the masks of the three Root organization ninjas holding knives to Danzo became even more terrified, as if they were puppets manipulated by an unseen force. Their bodies, entirely beyond their control, were now acting against Danzo-sama, whom they were supposed to be loyal to.
"Did you control them from the moment you came in..."
"So, unconsciously... you've grown to this extent, huh..."
Despite three of his subordinates holding knives to his neck, Danzo's calm expression remained unchanged. However, within his unwavering gaze fixed on Yu, a deep-seated fear and wariness couldn't be concealed.
"I have to admit, I initially underestimated your potential."
"From the moment you graduated from the Academy and rejected my invitation, I should have eliminated you, consequences be damned."
Even if Danzo wished to address the predicament posed by Yu now, he couldn't immediately find a practical solution.
"Put away your laughable malice and ambition..."
Staring at Danzo with an unchanged expression and surrounded by Root organization ninjas who had drawn their weapons, Yu's lips curled into a cold smile. "And also... ensure I never catch sight of any Root ninjas near the orphanage again!"
"Otherwise... I'll have the entire Root organization accompany you in burial!"
Crack!
As he finished speaking, blood splattered.
In the horrified gazes of everyone present, Yu lightly pinched his right index and middle fingers with his thumb.
The three ninjas beside Danzo suddenly released their weapons. Astonishingly, they directly impaled each other's bodies, collapsing to the ground with expressions of unwillingness and disbelief.
"Take care of yourselves!"
Ignoring the shocked looks of everyone present, disregarding the Root organization ninjas who remained vigilant with weapons in hand, Yu turned and left without a second glance.
As Danzo, deeply entrenched in the dark roots of Konoha, held numerous cards in his hands, and without absolute certainty of killing him, Yu did not want to stir too much commotion during this sensitive period.
Moreover, vaguely, Yu's Observation Haki sensed the presence of another Kage-level ninja here, lurking in the shadows like a python waiting to strike, choosing its prey.
"Danzo-sama... should we kill him?!"
Observing Yu threaten Danzo and then dismiss all the Root organization ninjas present as if they were invisible, a Root organization Jonin approached Danzo, whispering to him.
"Kill him?"
"With his current strength, even if you catch up, it would be a futile loss of lives for you."
Hearing the words of the Jonin, Danzo's expression began to wear an unusually unpleasant look. "Issue the command... starting today, withdraw all the ninjas monitoring Konoha's orphanage," he ordered.
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