Veigar knew all too well—Danzo's personal ANBU were, in truth, Root.
Now, with Danzo seated before him, having extended an unmistakable olive branch, Veigar found himself at a crossroads.
Should he go? Or not?
Danzo's personal invitation wasn't merely a proposal—it was a trap disguised as a test of loyalty.
If he accepted...
Veigar's instincts screamed resistance. Every part of him recoiled at the thought of joining Danzo's clandestine Root.
But if he refused...
Then he'd simply run out of options.
Danzo, coming in person, was a clear signal—his intent was firm and unyielding.
Veigar lowered his head, silently contemplating. Danzo, calm and confident, said nothing, patiently awaiting his decision.
Finally, after a long moment, Veigar looked up and asked:
"Lord Danzo, may I ask a question?"
Danzo nodded slightly.
"Why are you inviting me to join the ANBU?"
But Danzo's reply was firm and pointed, his gaze unrelenting:
"You're mistaken."
"I'm not inviting you to join the ANBU—I'm inviting you to join my ANBU."
Silence fell. Veigar was stunned.
After a pause, still wrestling with the weight of the choice, he regained his composure. With Danzo having exposed his vague attempt to obfuscate, Veigar understood: he no longer had the right to refuse.
"Do I... have a choice?"
Danzo smiled.
Because he knew—Veigar had just acknowledged the truth.
"A wise decision."
"Become my subordinate, and the darkness within you will finally bloom. You'll become a guardian of Konoha's shadows."
With that, Danzo stood and began walking toward the door.
"Now, follow me."
Sensing the oppressive killing intent from Danzo's two masked guards vanish, Veigar stood and followed Danzo's steps.
Soon, they arrived at the hidden underground base of Root, vanishing beneath the earth's surface.
Veigar's first night back in Konoha passed quickly.
Morning came.
Returning to his doorstep after a single night away, Veigar found the sunrise strangely harsh—almost blinding.
Outwardly, nothing seemed to have changed.
But within, he now bore the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, etched by Danzo himself.
A cursed seal on his tongue, designed to enforce silence: any attempt to speak of Danzo's secrets would result in total paralysis—speechless and immobile.
"A Root, basking in sunlight..."
He whispered it to himself as he looked up at the sky, then quietly pushed open the front door.
Something inside him had changed overnight.
By afternoon, freshly awake from a short rest, Veigar rushed to the designated meeting spot for Minato's squad.
Training Ground 44.
When Veigar arrived, he found Minato, Kakashi, and Shōgetsu already there, preparing food and tending a fire.
He stepped forward briskly and called out:
"Sensei, Kakashi, Shōgetsu—sorry I'm late."
None of them seemed bothered by his tardiness. Minato simply turned and smiled warmly:
"You're not late. We just got here a bit early."
"Come on, don't just stand there—give us a hand."
Veigar returned the smile.
"Yes, I'm on it!"
That afternoon, the four members of Minato's team set aside training to enjoy a makeshift cookout at the field.
As always, time flew by when laughter was involved.
With full stomachs, they sat together in the grass, watching the setting sun dip below the horizon.
Then Minato broke the silence, calling out:
"Veigar. Shōgetsu."
"Hmm?" both responded in unison, turning toward their teacher.
Minato glanced at Kakashi before addressing the two directly.
"There's something I'd like to ask the two of you."
"What is it?" Shōgetsu asked, curiosity piqued.
Minato continued, his tone even:
"The Third Hokage told me yesterday that he's considering bringing you two into the ANBU for more intensive training."
"So I wanted to hear what you think."
Kakashi looked up quickly, a hint of disappointment in his voice:
"Sensei... what about me?"
"If Veigar and Shōgetsu join the ANBU... does that mean our squad is disbanding?"
Minato shook his head.
"No. The team won't disband—but Veigar and Shōgetsu will leave."
"The Third will assign new members and form a new Team Minato."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Shōgetsu looked thoughtful, then asked:
"Is that what you want, sensei?"
In truth, Shōgetsu leaned toward accepting. The promise of further training echoed in his mind. And deep down, Shōgetsu still bore a grudge against Roy and Darui.
Joining the ANBU meant getting stronger—faster. Closer to vengeance. To him, the offer was tempting, not repellent.
Veigar, too, replied:
"If this is what you want, sensei... then I'll accept the offer."
But neither Minato, Kakashi, nor Shōgetsu knew—Veigar was lying.
He had already decided to join the ANBU.
Not just because of Danzo's assignment.
But because, deep within, he truly wanted it.
He longed to merge fully with the Phenomenal Evil Power surging inside him.
And for that, Root—and ANBU—were exactly where he needed to be.
-------
Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to my Patreon ——— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]