Chapter 7: Root's Invitation – A Dangerous Offer
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That night, I didn't sleep.
Not because of the spar with Sasuke.
Not because of Shisui's warning.
But because I already knew what was coming next.
Danzo wouldn't wait long.
I had drawn too much attention. First, I refused his test by sparing that bandit. Then, I displayed a level of skill that went beyond what any ordinary Academy student should have.
Danzo was many things, but patient wasn't one of them.
He would act soon.
And just as I expected—the summons came.
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A Summons from the Shadows
The moment I stepped out of my apartment that morning, they were waiting.
Two masked figures—Root operatives. They didn't speak, didn't move aggressively. But their presence alone carried an unspoken command.
"Danzo-sama requests your presence."
I tilted my head, feigning innocence. "Requests? That almost sounds polite."
Neither of them reacted.
I sighed. "Fine, fine. Lead the way."
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Meeting Danzo – A Battle of Wits
They took me deep into the village, through winding underground tunnels.
I wasn't surprised. Danzo never conducted business in the open.
Finally, we entered a dimly lit chamber. And there he was.
Shimura Danzo.
The man was exactly as I expected—calm, calculating, with that single cold eye watching my every move.
"You've been quite impressive," Danzo said.
I smiled. "Thanks. I try."
His gaze didn't waver. "You are… unusual. Your talent, your instincts. You are not like other children."
"Flattery? That's rare."
Danzo's expression remained unreadable. "You are wasted at the Academy."
Here it comes.
"You have the potential to serve Konoha in a greater capacity," Danzo continued. "To shape its future."
He leaned forward slightly. "Join me. Join Root."
The air in the chamber grew heavy.
I met his gaze, my expression unreadable. "And if I refuse?"
Danzo's eye remained cold. "Refusal is… unwise."
I chuckled. "So, this isn't really a request, is it?"
Danzo didn't answer. He didn't need to.
I had three choices.
1. Reject him outright. Dangerous. Danzo wasn't someone who accepted 'no' easily.
2. Pretend to agree and play along. Risky, but it could buy me time.
3. Turn the tables—make him hesitate.
Option 3 was the best.
I smirked. "Danzo, you're a smart man. But you made one mistake."
His eye narrowed slightly.
"You assumed I don't know what you really do in Root."
The air grew tense.
I leaned in slightly. "You experiment on children. Steal bloodlines. Try to control people like puppets. And yet, you expect me to trust you?"
For the first time, I saw something flicker in Danzo's eye.
Doubt?
No—calculation. He was reassessing me.
I continued, pressing my advantage. "You called me unusual. And you're right. I'm not someone you can control." I let my chakra flare just a little. "So tell me, Danzo—if I were to join you, who would really be in control?"
Silence.
Then, Danzo spoke. "You are… interesting."
His tone was unreadable. But I knew what had happened.
He had reconsidered. I wasn't an asset he could easily manipulate. I was a wild card.
Danzo hated wild cards.
"You may leave," he finally said. "For now."
I turned, walking away.
As I left, I felt his gaze on my back.
This wasn't over.
Danzo didn't like being denied.
And now?
I had made myself his next problem.
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End of Chapter 7
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