9:00 AM, Anbu Training Division, Konohagakure.
Dressed in a black combat uniform with a jonin vest over it, Yamanaka Shinno approached the main entrance. Hidden in the shadows behind the gate, a Root shinobi stepped forward to open it for him, offering a slight bow in greeting.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
As Shinno stepped into the Anbu Training Division, his crisp footsteps echoed throughout the vast, windowless hall. The heavy doors shut behind him, and darkness seemed to swallow the space, dimming the already somber atmosphere.
In the silence, a familiar figure materialized several meters away. It was Omega of the Second Squad, whom Shinno had encountered before. Dropping to one knee, Omega respectfully bowed his head.
"Lord Shinno, Lord Danzo has ordered me to guide you and provide an overview of Root's departments and operational divisions."
"Lead the way," Shinno responded with a slight nod.
Internally, he couldn't help but smirk. No wonder this guy was a squad captain while the one at the gate was merely a doorman. The difference in attitude alone was telling. It wasn't hard to guess who Danzo would favor.
"Yes, my lord. Please follow me."
Omega rose smoothly, gesturing ahead before taking position slightly in front to guide the way.
On the surface, Root was officially known as the 'Anbu Training Division,' and it did indeed carry the responsibility of selecting and training Anbu operatives. The upper levels of the facility mainly consisted of classrooms and training areas. However, with war looming on the horizon, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had no immediate plans to expand Anbu operations. As a result, most of these upper-level facilities were currently unused.
But as Shinno followed Omega into the underground levels via an elevator, he caught his first true glimpse of the power Danzo controlled.
A specialized interrogation unit for high-risk detainees. An intelligence division responsible for espionage. A combat squad dedicated to executing various missions. A data analysis team handling strategic information.
And deeper still—departments focused on jutsu research, logistics, and supply chains...
"How many operatives does Root have in total?" Shinno asked with a frown.
"The combat unit under my command has seventy-seven members," Omega replied. "As for the other divisions, only Lord Danzo knows the full count."
Omega reentered the elevator, pressing a button to descend even further.
"Hmm." Shinno nodded slightly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's Anbu corps consisted of around a hundred shinobi. The fact that Danzo's combat division alone was somewhat comparable didn't surprise him. However, when factoring in the interrogation, espionage, intelligence, research, and logistics divisions...
This wasn't just an elite squad—this was practically a miniature Konoha!
No wonder in later years, Root operatives would stir up so much chaos. The true size of Danzo's network was likely far beyond what most imagined.
As they reached the lower levels, the elevator doors slid open, and the sounds of training immediately filled the air.
Shinno stepped out and immediately sensed a brief flicker of chakra scanning him. Turning his head, he noted multiple barriers embedded in the walls—security seals designed to detect intruders.
Inside the underground space, dozens of children, no older than eight or nine, repeated monotonous training drills with lifeless eyes and blank expressions.
Crack!
A Root operative struck one of the children with a whip for momentarily losing focus. Despite the obvious pain, the child neither cried out nor complained. Without hesitation, he resumed his sword swings as if nothing had happened.
"Lord Shinno."
Three Root instructors stepped forward and bowed in unison.
"These are all the trainees currently undergoing Root's program?" Shinno asked, waving a hand for them to stand.
One of the instructors, who seemed to be the leader, stepped forward.
"There are currently five training groups, each overseen by three instructors."
"Group A consists of thirteen members undergoing final assessments at Training Base No. 2. They are highly talented, and we expect at least six to pass and formally join Root next month."
"The group before you is Group B, with eighty-eight members. They have approximately one year left in their training."
"Group C, with one hundred forty-five members, is training at Base No. 3. Their program lasts another two years, so they are not yet combat-ready."
"Group D consists of two hundred members..."
"Group E also consists of two hundred members..."
The instructor quickly provided an overview of each group.
Shinno nodded briefly before signaling to Omega to move on. He didn't want to stay here any longer than necessary.
The sheer brutality of this program was evident. Root's training process involved two years of basic education and skill development, followed by ruthless elimination rounds where only the strongest survived.
Looking at the mere thirteen remaining members of Group A, it was clear how many children Danzo had discarded along the way.
This old bastard had no humanity whatsoever.
Starting with two hundred recruits per group, yet barely ten would make it to the end?
Disgusting.
Shinno clenched his fist, forcing himself to remain calm.
He had no illusions about his own moral compass—he wasn't a saint. But Danzo... Danzo had no conscience at all.
...
"Lord Shinno, we've completed the tour of all functional areas. Lord Danzo is expecting you in his office, which is located next to your own."
Omega led Shinno back to the uppermost underground level.
Standing before the office door, Shinno recognized the young shinobi guarding it—Aburame Tatsuma, the same Root operative he had seen by Danzo's side at the Konoha Hospital.
Shinno pushed open the door.
The dimly lit office revealed Danzo seated at his desk, quickly reviewing documents. Upon seeing Shinno enter, he set his brush down and gestured for B and Tatsuma to leave.
As the door closed behind them, Shinno's gaze swept the room. Four masked Root operatives stood silently in the corners, their presence a quiet reminder of the constant surveillance in this place.
"Sit," Danzo said, moving to a side table where he methodically began preparing tea.
Shinno took a seat opposite him, watching as Danzo skillfully brewed the tea.
With a smirk, he clapped his hands.
"Impressive, Lord Hokage's Advisor. No wonder you come from such a distinguished lineage."
"You're too kind," Danzo replied with a slight nod, pushing a cup toward Shinno before taking a sip himself.
After a brief pause, Danzo spoke again. "Hiruzen stands in the light, while I am the roots in the shadows. The shinobi world is filled with things that cannot be exposed—assassinations of enemy leaders, sowing discord among rival factions, recruiting rogue ninja, conducting human experiments..."
Shinno lifted the teacup to his lips but hesitated, as if he wanted to say something. Then, without taking a sip, he set the cup back down.
Danzo showed no reaction, which only made Shinno lose interest. Leaning back in his chair, he grinned lazily.
"Enough of the theatrics. Let's get to it."
Danzo narrowed his eyes. "Where did I give myself away?"
Shinno chuckled. "I've seen too much. Even Orochimaru wouldn't know this much."
Too much knowledge was dangerous. Given his relationship with Danzo, there was no way the old fox would fully trust him.
Danzo's preparation was obvious.
"That was indeed my oversight," Danzo admitted before subtly signaling the four masked shinobi.
But they did not move.
Danzo's eyes flickered, locking onto Shinno.
"As expected of the man who defeated Jiraiya. You're worth extra precautions."
Buzz!
The moment he finished speaking, the entire room lit up with an intense purple glow.
The forbidden jutsu of the Tsuchigumo Clan—Fury Jutsu!
Shinno's eyes narrowed as Danzo suddenly exploded into a puff of chakra smoke.
An afterimage.
From the very start, the Danzo in the room had been nothing more than a shadow clone.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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