"Who is Danzo Shimura?"
Byakuya muttered the name, his eyes filled with more confusion.
For most ninjas in the Shinobi world, the name Danzo Shimura didn't hold much weight. Even Konoha's own lower-ranked ninjas hadn't heard much about Danzo.
The name Danzo Shimura truly resonated throughout the Shinobi world during his candidacy for the Sixth Hokage.
Black Zetsu seemed to have also realized this, his expression slightly embarrassed.
In truth, he hadn't heard much about Danzo's name before either. After several days of investigation, all he could confirm was that Danzo was not a good person and was using Byakuya.
And the logic behind using Byakuya was even simpler: being used by Danzo was worse than using by him.
Realizing the awkward atmosphere, Black Zetsu cleared his throat and explained.
"Danzo Shimura is a schemer who has orchestrated assassinations of Daimyo and village leaders across various countries... and has always sought to overthrow the Hokage. It's very dangerous to cooperate with him."
Hearing this, Byakuya nodded lightly:
"Isn't that a good thing? I also want to plan a coup against Yahiko, and Danzo has often patiently taught me. He's a kind senior. And if I can control the Akatsuki, it also aligns with Konoha's interests. From that perspective, there's no conflict of interest between me and Danzo-senpai. But you, appearing before me inexplicably, threatening me with leverage!"
Black Zetsu thought Byakuya made sense. Compared to a senior ninja with years of assassination experience and high status, his own image as a small Black Zetsu, not even a human, was clearly suspicious and not fully trustworthy.
However, everything he said was true. Danzo was indeed using Byakuya.
Although he would use Byakuya in the future, for now, he truly wanted what was best for Byakuya and sought to earn his trust by helping him. It was clearly a well-intentioned gesture.
"I'm doing this for your own good..."
As Black Zetsu spoke, he felt this didn't quite fit his own character.
"Byakuya, it seems you won't understand the harsh reality until you witness Danzo's conspiracy against you with your own eyes," Black Zetsu continued after a pause.
With that said, Black Zetsu stepped forward, attempting to grab Byakuya's hand to perform the Mayfly technique.
Byakuya used the Body Flicker Technique to distance himself from Black Zetsu, his expression alert. "What are you trying to do? Where are you taking me? Or are you finally revealing your murderous intent?"
"I just want to take you to find Danzo and see his true face," Black Zetsu replied emotionlessly.
"Why should I trust you?" Byakuya remained cautious, but his hesitant gaze betrayed him.
After a few seconds of silence, Byakuya took the initiative to use the Paper Clone Technique. He commanded one of his clones to follow Black Zetsu and said, "Hmph, I'll see for myself what this Danzo you speak of is really like."
Seeing Byakuya agree to his request, Black Zetsu finally breathed a sigh of relief. "First, write a letter to Danzo. We'll follow the letter to find him together and then you can see Danzo's true face."
Byakuya nodded, spending a few minutes writing the letter and summoning a ninja hawk.
As they watched the ninja hawk fly over the horizon, Black Zetsu emerged from underground again, looking somewhat resigned as he gazed at Byakuya. "Now you can come with me to see Danzo."
After a bit of a struggle, Byakuya allowed his paper clone to follow Black Zetsu.
Without further ado, Black Zetsu had Byakuya emerge from the underground and merge with Byakuya's clone, taking the paper clone with him underground.
During the journey to Danzo's hideout, Byakuya once again felt the power of the Mayfly technique.
Although he also mastered the Mayfly technique, he couldn't match Black Zetsu's speed.
If a typical elite ninja's full-speed run was likened to a train, Black Zetsu's Mayfly technique was almost like a high-speed train. Unless encountering solid rock layers, there would be no obstacles at all.
Even Obito and later Tobi, through countless instances of the Mayfly technique, collected intelligence from various parts of the Shinobi world.
Without this, the Shinobi world is so vast that relying solely on a few defectors within the Akatsuki wouldn't gather intelligence on the Jinchuriki, let alone capture them.
After half an hour, the ninja hawk reached the Root base.
Byakuya and Black Zetsu also arrived at this base.
Upon seeing that the base was located within the borders of the Land of Rain, Byakuya frowned and said, "I didn't expect the assistant to the Hokage to set up the base here without notifying me!"
Hearing this, Black Zetsu smiled inwardly.
It was unclear whether he was laughing at Byakuya's innocence or pondering Danzo's foolishness.
After obtaining the intelligence scroll from the ninja hawk, the Root ninja quickly delivered it to a secret chamber deep within the base. Byakuya and Black Zetsu followed.
Upon learning that Byakuya had sent the intelligence scroll, Danzo stroked his chin and smiled. He immediately sent for Ryoma Aburame to join him in reviewing the letter.
Soon, Danzo and Ryoma were together, analyzing Byakuya's letter.
Due to the cramped space in the chamber, both Byakuya and Black Zetsu could hear their discussion.
Listening to Danzo and Ryoma earnestly analyzing and contemplating their response, Byakuya glanced at Black Zetsu beside him and said, "Danzo-senpai didn't mean any harm to me. You're just overthinking it."
Black Zetsu remained calm internally and replied to Byakuya, "Keep watching. They haven't exposed their true intentions yet."
Byakuya said no more and focused on observing Danzo and Ryoma's interaction.
He used to be the one livestreamed, and now he finally got to watch someone else's reality show. At first, it was the secret interactions between the leaders and high-ranking members of the Root organization.
"Ryoma, you should pay attention. Byakuya is so sensible. If he weren't a member of the Akatsuki, I would have considered recruiting him to become an elite member of Root."
However, the next moment, Byakuya began to question his life choices.
It was good that Danzo approved of his letter, indicating that he had gained Danzo's favor and could expect more assistance in the future.
But why praise? His actions had actually gained Danzo's approval.
This made Byakuya somewhat scared.
However, he soon realized that Danzo had fallen into his trap and was actually beginning to seriously consider Akatsuki's direction for the coup, preparing for the future to seize the position of Hokage.
But people are different, and his hope of becoming the leader of the Akatsuki is very great.
Danzo, on the other hand, is different. Judging from Danzo's behavior and personality, the probability of becoming Hokage is infinitely close to zero. Unless the current Hokage dies violently, even ifMinato Namikaze and Jiraiya dies, it will still not be Danzo's turn.
In the end, Danzo and Ryoma began to discuss how to deal with Byakuya.
"Lord Danzo, what should we do next? Let Byakuya assassinate Hanzo's messenger, but this way, he will be exposed!"
"Isn't it our plan to stir up conflict between the Akatsuki organization and the Amegakure?"
Hearing this, Black Zetsu also said in a faint tone:
"Byakuya, do you know Danzo's purpose now? He is using you, and when you lose your usefulness, he will give up on you without hesitation."
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