"Still no leads?"
In Konoha village, inside Shimura Clan compound.
In a dimly lit room.
Danzo, under strict confinement orders, wore a grim expression as he looked down at the Root member kneeling before him.
Although Hiruzen had stripped him of his role.
And even forced him to relinquish control of the Root organization, placing it under the authority of the Anbu.
Most of the members of Root were fanatically loyal to him, having been indoctrinated and trained by him from the beginning.
Furthermore, each one bore a curse seal personally implanted by him.
On the surface, they belonged to the Anbu, but in reality, Danzo still held a tight grip over them, commanding their allegiance from the shadows.
The Uchiha clan had been wiped out.
However, despite this victory, Danzo's mood had been sour these past few days.
It wasn't just the oppression from Hiruzen; it was the audacity of someone who dared to steal the Sharingans that belonged to him.
Seizing a large number of Sharingan during the chaos.
From the entire Uchiha clan, he had managed to secure only a handful of three-tomoe Sharingan — fewer than five pairs.
The rest were of lesser value, mostly two-tomoe and single-tomoe Sharingan.
How could he not be enraged?
To activate a forbidden technique like Izanagi, a three-tomoe Sharingan or higher was essential.
This meant his stockpile of viable Sharingan was perilously low.
"My deepest apologies, Lord Danzo."
The Root member, sweating profusely, reported cautiously, "So far, we've found no trace whatsoever of the mastermind behind this."
"Useless, all of you."
The desk in front of him shattered into pieces as Danzo flew into a rage.
"However, based on our repeated examinations of the Uchiha corpses, we deduced that at least two individuals were responsible for removing the Sharingan that night."
The Root operative dared not raise his head.
Ignoring the sweat trickling down, he continued with his head bowed, "We still have no idea how they managed to slip in, even though the Uchiha clan was secured by our forces."
"Moreover, aside from Uchiha Itachi, there must have been someone else helping him deal with the Uchiha members of the Police Force."
After conducting autopsies, they found two distinctly different extraction methods used on the corpses missing Sharingan.
But they couldn't confirm if this meant two separate parties were involved.
"So, Lord Danzo, we believe it's possible that the Third Hokage or one of the other two elders might be responsible."
Within Konoha, only a handful of people could pull off such an operation without the Root noticing.
It would be nearly impossible for an outsider to bypass Konoha's barriers and infiltrate undetected unless they had been a long-time spy within the village.
Yet Root hadn't detected anything unusual that night.
"Could it be… that Shisui's eye actually ended up in Hiruzen's hands?"
Danzo's hand gently stroked his bandage-covered right eye.
As he pondered the missing left eye of Shisui.
He grew suspicious of Hiruzen, his thoughts uncertain and wary.
His gaze darkened, laced with apprehension. "If that's the case, Hiruzen, you've hidden it well."
"By the way, Lord Danzo…"
The Root operative seemed to recall something and reported, "Tsunade, one of the Sannin, seems to be preparing to leave Konoha."
"Tsunade, huh?"
Danzo was indifferent, scoffing, "Hmph, just a hesitant woman who'll never amount to anything."
"However, that boy, Kiyoshi, does show remarkable talent."
He paused.
With an incredulous tone, the Root operative reported solemnly, "Based on our investigations, he mastered the A-rank medical ninjutsu, Healing Jutsu, at the age of eight and is even capable of performing single-handed seals.
His performance at Konoha Hospital has been astonishing — they've started calling him the 'Medical Prodigy' and his potential is boundless."
"Moreover, his chakra reserves are incredibly high. Even after continuously performing advanced medical ninjutsu for patients at Konoha Hospital, no one has ever seen him run out of chakra."
"That brat really did inherit the Senju bloodline perfectly, didn't he?"
Danzo stroked his right eye thoughtfully.
His gaze wavered as he considered whether to take action against Kiyoshi.
The frightening talent this boy displayed reminded Danzo of his former teacher, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
If he could recruit such a genius into his ranks.
Once he matured, he could become a formidable right-hand.
Thanks to Hashirama's cells, Danzo could use the powerful Kotoamatsukami ability from Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan to influence others' wills subtly and undetected for a brief time.
However, using a permanent Kotoamatsukami to rewrite someone's will entirely.
That would consume far too much eye power.
Danzo's Wood Release implant on his right arm was nothing compared to the First Hokage's original power, and he wasn't an Uchiha by blood.
After using a permanent Kotoamatsukami, he'd need several years to fully recover.
Moreover, considering that Shisui's other eye might be in the hands of the Third Hokage.
This made him hesitate.
"Keep a close watch on Ishikawa Kiyoshi, but make sure not to alert him."
Danzo decided to wait.
He wanted to further confirm whether Kiyoshi's talent was worth using up his precious Kotoamatsukami.
With Hiruzen keeping an eye on things, he couldn't make a move on the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki anytime soon.
But if he could secure a genius like this in secret, it would be a considerable gain.
Especially if Kiyoshi truly became Tsunade's successor — his value would only increase!
"Yes, sir!"
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