Chapter 87: You Came Just in Time

Receiving the scrolls from his clone and watching it dispel, Shishou turned to the Third Hokage and said:

"Since the matter is resolved, I'll take my leave now."

"I'll investigate the Akatsuki matter as soon as possible."

With that, Shishou used the Body Flicker Technique to run towards the distant carriage.

After Shishou left, the Third Hokage turned sharply to Danzo:

"When we get back, I need you to explain this to me thoroughly!"

"Hmph!"

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, snorted coldly and turned to walk towards the Anbu members in the distance.

Danzo, however, remained unconcerned.

As long as he controlled Root, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't dare do anything to him.

At most, he could restrict Root's power and funds.

But Danzo had already thought of new ways to gather funds.

"Lord Hokage, what happened?"

"Why is Lord Danzo..."

An Anbu squad leader approached the Third Hokage and asked with concern.

"Don't ask questions you shouldn't."

Before the squad leader could finish, the Third Hokage gave him a glance and then led the team away.

"Sorry, I spoke out of turn."

The squad leader quickly apologized and followed the Third Hokage.

Fortunately, Danzo had only implanted one Sharingan in the Hashirama cell arm initially, needing time to adapt, so he hadn't implanted them all at once.

Otherwise, Shishou might have taken them all.

As long as he had a steady stream of funds, he could quickly regain his original strength...

Danzo thought to himself as he followed the Third Hokage's team from a distance.

...

Back where the battle first started.

Baku and the Red Armored Centipede were still fighting fiercely.

"How tragic!"

Seeing the battered Red Armored Centipede, Shishou grimaced.

After dispelling the Red Armored Centipede's summoning, Shishou successfully used the contract scroll left by Danzo to sign a summoning contract with Baku.

After confirming there were no Konoha personnel around, Shishou returned to the carriage and began memorizing Danzo's Wind Release training notes.

After ten minutes, Shishou finished memorizing the scrolls and burned them to be safe.

Then, he drove the carriage into the forest.

He loaded the unconscious Root ninjas into the carriage.

Most of them had been knocked out by his hand chop, with only three seriously injured by Mikoto.

He placed a healing insect on each of the three injured ones.

Shishou then drove the carriage towards Fire Source City.

He had hidden the truth to recruit Anko and these Root ninjas into his fold.

He believed Danzo would work hard to erase the presence of these people once he returned to Konoha.

Shishou's casino, bank, mining, seafood trade, and upcoming fertilizer production all needed personnel.

It was time for him to cultivate his own force.

However, training ninjas wasn't a quick process and required long-term investment.

So, he had to find another way.

As the saying goes, if you can take it, why create it yourself?

After all, the ninja world was a place where the strong preyed on the weak.

With the sunrise in the background, Shishou finally arrived at Fire Source City.

"Sir."

Pakura had already woken up and was waiting at the mansion's gate. Seeing Shishou, she quickly ran over.

"Hmm, move these people inside and tie them up."

Shishou handed her the reins and walked into the mansion.

"How is Anko?"

He asked Mikoto, who was in the side hall.

"She's not in any danger but still unconscious."

Mikoto, relieved to see Shishou return safely, smiled.

"That's good."

"I brought back the Root ninjas."

"Have Pakura watch over them once she wakes up."

"I'm heading back to Konoha today."

Hearing Anko was safe, Shishou stretched and gave instructions.

"Got it."

Seeing Mikoto nod, Shishou walked over and hugged her, giving her a good morning kiss.

Smooch~

The sound of their lips parting was like a suction cup, making Mikoto blush.

"Wow, you're getting cozy so early. How loving."

"Seems I came at the wrong time."

Pakura stretched as she walked in, teasing them but not leaving.

Mikoto blushed even more at Pakura's comment.

Diverting his gaze from Pakura's stretching figure, Shishou remembered a famous scene from a TV show in his past life.

He held Mikoto in his arms and smiled at Pakura:

"No, you came just in time."

"???"

Pakura and Mikoto looked at him in confusion.

This guy must be crazy, Pakura thought as she glanced at Shishou.

"Hahaha."

Ignoring their confusion, Shishou laughed and vanished.

"Lunatic!"

Pakura felt like Shishou had taken advantage of her, and cursed under her breath.

Then she smiled at Mikoto.

"Mikoto, let's spar."

"Uh, Shishou asked me to tell you..."

...

In Konoha.

Seeing his insect clone dispel, Shishou sighed with relief.

Naruto's actions had nearly scared him to death.

Shishou shrank himself, put on his school uniform, and after freshening up, headed out for school.

Before reaching the school, he saw the Third Hokage returning with a group of Anbu, including Kakashi and other close aides.

Not far behind him, Danzo was also gathering many Root members.

The two groups seemed to be in opposition.

"What's going on..."

"Are the Third Hokage and Danzo at odds?"

"And what happened to Danzo's hand..."

This strange scene left the surrounding ninjas and villagers in shock.

"Tsk tsk, no wonder Danzo is so arrogant."

Shishou saw several members of the Aburame clan, including Aburame Ryoma, around Danzo, and marveled.

With Root's support, the Third Hokage would have a hard time dealing with Danzo.

"Disperse."

Perhaps feeling it was a bad influence, the Third Hokage waved his Anbu away first.

"You all go too."

Danzo also dismissed Root.

"Hiruzen, what happened?"

Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane approached the Third Hokage and asked.

"Hmph."

"You'll find out soon enough."

The Third Hokage didn't look back and walked straight to the Hokage building.

Danzo followed closely behind.

With Root's support, his confidence was back.

"Hehe, looks like a good show is about to start."

Shishou grinned at the scene before him.

However, no matter how exciting the show, Shishou wasn't interested.

Suddenly, he quickened his pace and ran ahead.

"Ino, Hinata, good morning."

"Ah, Shishou-nii."

"Sh-Shishou..."