Deep within the base of the Root organization.
Shimura Danzo continued to be busy in his office.
When Shimura Danzo saw Akihara Kagura and Kabuto enter, his first thought was to scold them: "A, I heard you always drive away the people who train with you."
"It's a waste of time."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, his face suddenly a bit unhappy: "Those guys are too weak. Training with them for half a month is not as good as half an hour of instruction from Lord Danzo."
"Hmph..."
Shimura Danzo nodded with some complacency and continued: "Tomorrow you are going to take the Chunin Exam, don't disappoint me."
"So soon?"
Akihara Kagura took out a piece of paper from his arms, surprised: "I haven't submitted the application form for the Chunin Exam yet, should I submit it before the exam tomorrow?"
"Huh?"
Shimura Danzo's face turned a bit strange, feeling like he was going to be infuriated by this kid: "Why haven't you done something simple like submitting the application form? It should be submitted a week before the exam, why haven't you done it!"
Akihara Kagura was silent for a while, then said in a low voice: "Because Lord Danzo did not allow me to leave the Root base and training ground, I didn't know who to give it to…"
"…"
Shimura Danzo suddenly lost his anger.
The old man, somewhat helplessly, reached out and took the application form from Akihara Kagura's hand: "Give it to me, I'll deliver it to the Chunin Exam examiner."
In such a situation...
Shimura Danzo could only help by pulling some strings.
"By the way..."
Akihara Kagura quickly raised another question: "I'm not very familiar with the roads in the village, Lord Danzo, do you have time to take me to the exam site tomorrow?"
"…"
Shimura Danzo really did not want to appear in crowded places.
This old man, who preferred to hide in the shadows, saw Kabuto standing next to him, and his expression immediately turned cold: "Kabuto, I have a new task for you. Tomorrow, you will take 'A' to the Chunin Exam site."
"Yes."
Kabuto bowed his head and agreed.
"Kabuto, why do you seem a little reluctant?"
The young man couldn't help but chuckle softly, his lips curling into a sinister smile: "I've been taking good care of you, haven't I? Don't want to accompany me? Or don't want to live?"
"A!"
Shimura Danzo sternly stopped Akihara Kagura's murderous intent, scolding: "Kabuto is still useful to the Root. Without my orders, you must not kill indiscriminately."
"I understand."
Akihara Kagura agreed with a smile.
Only then did Shimura Danzo feel relieved. He turned his head to look at Kabuto.
The old man continued coldly, "After you take 'A' to the Chunin Exam site tomorrow, go to the Land of Earth to look for an opportunity and infiltrate Rock Village to stand by!"
"Yes."
Kabuto had no choice but to accept the order.
"Alright, go out and wait!"
Shimura Danzo waved his hand, signaling Kabuto to leave the office, leaving only himself and Akihara Kagura. The old man's gaze immediately became wandering.
"A."
When Shimura Danzo spoke of this matter, his face was somewhat somber: "How is your learning of the Wood Dragon Jutsu I taught you? If you can't learn it, there's no need to force yourself to master the First Hokage's ninjutsu…"
Shimura Danzo was actually a bit angry.
Because the old man believed that he couldn't teach Akihara Kagura the First Hokage Hashirama's Wood Release ninjutsu through that abstract teaching method, he asked Sarutobi Hiruzen for permission to view the Scroll of Seals book written by past the First Hokage.
However...
Hiruzen refused Danzo's request.
Shimura Danzo had reasons to suspect that Sarutobi Hiruzen was worried about the growing strength of Akihara Kagura, fearing that the power of the Root could threaten his position as Hokage.
This made Shimura Danzo's situation quite tricky.
If he wanted to become Hokage, he had to ensure Akihara Kagura became stronger; to make Akihara Kagura stronger, he needed to obtain the Scroll of Seals; and to get the Scroll of Seals, he had to become Hokage.
This... turned into a vicious cycle! Shimura Danzo could only temporarily give up on the Scroll of Seals and hope for Akihara Kagura's natural talent, wishing he could independently develop powerful Wood Release ninjutsu using his Kekkei Genkai.
"You could try to develop your own Wood Release techniques…"
When Shimura Danzo spoke of this, he sounded like a patient and persuasive team leader: "I have seen your talent in learning ninjutsu. The Wood Release techniques you develop might even rival those of the First Hokage."
"Yes, Lord Danzo."
Akihara Kagura nodded, hesitating before explaining, "But I might have already mastered a kind of Wood Dragon technique, I'm just not sure if it's the one Lord Danzo taught. However, its power is certainly astounding…"
"Oh?"
Shimura Danzo raised an eyebrow.
Why didn't you tell me about this?
Before Shimura Danzo could ask, Akihara Kagura seemed to understand his superior's doubts and quickly added, "A few days ago, I mastered the Wood Dragon technique and have been wanting to tell Lord Danzo!"
As he said this, Akihara Kagura appeared somewhat unhappy: "But those who accompanied me in training ground wouldn't let me meet Lord Danzo!"
"…"
Shimura Danzo remained silent, not knowing what to say.
Because what the Root ninjas said was true, Shimura Danzo, to avoid awkwardness, indeed did not want to meet him. Who would have thought this kid would actually succeed?
Shimura Danzo changed the subject, praising him: "Never mind them, as long as you can master the techniques I taught you…"
"Yes."
Akihara Kagura nodded quickly, showing as much respect and admiration for Shimura Danzo as possible: "As long as Lord Danzo can guide me, I will work hard in that direction. Whatever the technique, I will master it…"
"Mm."
The color of Shimura Danzo's face immediately improved a lot.
However, after pondering for a while, the old man decided to avoid teaching the Wood Release ninjutsu for now: "Later, when I have time, I will look through the Scroll of Seals left by the First Hokage, and then I will teach you new ninjutsu."
This is Shimura Danzo trying to save face for himself, pretending he could access the Scroll of Seals when in fact he couldn't, and trying to maintain his dignity in front of his subordinates.
"Yes."
Akihara Kagura would not expose his superior.
At any time, one should leave enough room for their superior to maneuver.
Although Lord Danzo does not have the Scroll of Seals at this moment, what if he gets it in the future? Don't be too quick or eager in contradicting him.
If it really comes to that...
If Lord Danzo can't get the Scroll of Seals...
Then he himself should think of a way to get it for Lord Danzo!
"Go rest."
Shimura Danzo waved his hand, signaling Akihara Kagura to leave, and finally reminded him, "During the Chunin Exams, you absolutely cannot lose to that kid named Uchiha Itachi!"
"Can't I kill him?"
Akihara Kagura's retort sounded more like a reply to Shimura Danzo.
Shimura Danzo shook his head and sighed softly, "Don't always think about killing, especially when some people are still of use, like this little guy Uchiha Itachi is still useful to me."