Chapter 7: Nonō Yakushi

In the blink of an eye, more than half a year had passed, and it was now the 40th year of Konohagakure.

At the Root training ground...

"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!"

Danzo swiftly formed hand seals, unleashing a sharp blade of wind that shattered the wall blocking his view. His eyes darted left and right, remaining cautious of his surroundings.

"Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique..."

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet..."

A sudden surge of chakra erupted from the left, followed by two consecutive Water Release jutsu.

"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet!"

On the right, a crimson glow flared up as another attack was launched.

Danzo quickly leaped backward, dodging the incoming ninjutsu.

Boom!

The collision of fire and water produced a massive burst of steam. Even though he had escaped the immediate blast zone, Danzo still felt the scorching heat in the air.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Danzo skillfully swung his kunai, deflecting a barrage of shuriken aimed at sealing off his escape routes. He landed steadily on the ground.

"Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique!"

Before he could react, a pair of hands burst from the ground, seizing his legs and dragging him down.

Without hesitation, Danzo used the Body Flicker Technique to escape the predicament just in time.

Another attack came flying toward him—a massive fireball.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

The coordinated assault left Danzo with no room to counterattack. He was forced to use the Body Flicker Technique again to retreat.

Gazing at the scorched ground where he had just stood, Danzo panted slightly, his vigilance increasing.

Due to the combined effects of the Hiding in Mist Technique and the steam generated from the earlier jutsu clash, the entire battlefield was now shrouded in thick fog. Visibility had dropped to barely half a meter.

Among the six Jonin he was facing, at least one of them was a sensory-type ninja. The battlefield conditions were unfavorable for him.

Quickly forming hand seals, Danzo activated his next move.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

"Wind Release: Wind Pressure!"

"Wind Release: Wind Pressure!"

A powerful gust swept through the mist. Increasing his chakra output, he attempted to clear the fog.

"Earth Release: Earth Spikes!"

"Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique!"

As expected, they immediately countered, trying to prevent him from dispelling the fog.

"I've got you now! Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere!"

Danzo leaped upward and unleashed a devastating area-of-effect attack in the direction of the chakra fluctuations.

"Earth Release: Earth Wall!"

"Water Release: Water Wall!"

"Sealing Technique: Jutsu Suppression!"

A deafening explosion followed, revealing a sealing barrier in the aftermath.

After eliminating two of them, the flawless coordination of the enemy team was disrupted. Within the next ten minutes, Danzo swiftly took down the remaining four one by one.

As the mist cleared, the once-pristine training ground lay in ruins. The six Jonin stood respectfully to the side, while a team of ten, consisting of sealing specialists and medical-nin, remained on standby to handle any emergencies.

Such a luxurious sparring arrangement was a privilege only the Hokage and Danzo could enjoy in Konohagakure.

Nonō Yakushi, who had been waiting patiently nearby, approached Danzo and activated her medical ninjutsu. A soft green glow enveloped her palms as she healed the wounds on his arm caused by shrapnel from the earlier explosion.

"You may all leave."

"Yes, sir."

The Jonin and sealing squad promptly exited the training room.

"How are things in the Land of Earth?"

"The intelligence network in the Land of Earth has stabilized. The trading company has also established a route there, and operations should begin next month."

"Orochimaru-sama requires additional funding, but the trading company is also facing financial constraints..."

"..."

"Headquarters has sent word that an unidentified Jonin infiltrated the warehouse in the capital. There were no casualties, but significant losses in goods."

Nonō Yakushi maintained a stoic expression, reporting the incoming intelligence with the same cold detachment as any other Root member.

Danzo accepted the robes she handed him and draped them over his shoulders, his original kimono now slightly tattered.

Glancing at Nonō Yakushi beside him, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

She was highly proficient in medical ninjutsu and poisons, possessed extensive knowledge, and had a far more profound understanding of the world than even he did.

Ever since transferring her back to his side, Danzo's workload had significantly decreased, allowing him more time to focus on training and enlightenment.

And, having a beautiful secretary by his side was always a pleasant experience.

"How is the orphanage?" he asked casually after finishing his tasks.

For the first time, a faint flicker of emotion crossed Nonō Yakushi's eyes.

"Thanks to your financial support, the children are doing well."

"Good. If you ever encounter difficulties, don't hesitate to speak up. You are part of Root as well. You may leave early today."

"Understood, sir."

She responded with her usual indifference before turning to leave.

On the surface, Nonō Yakushi was merely the head of an orphanage in Konohagakure.

However, under Danzo's special permission, she spent most of her daytime working in Root, only returning to the orphanage in the evening.

Watching her retreating figure, Danzo sighed inwardly.

What a shame. Their relationship had turned sour in the past. Perhaps...

'Yakushi Kabuto should have already arrived at the orphanage by now. Does he count as an important figure in future events? Should I go see him?'

Or maybe it would be best to wait until their relationship improved.

Danzo could still sense Nonō Yakushi's wariness and lack of trust toward him.

She was one of the few Root members who hadn't completely suppressed their emotions. Her will was exceptionally strong.

If not for the orphanage and the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, she might have already chosen to leave Root.

Root needed talent now more than ever, and Danzo had no intention of letting her go.

Over the past six months, he had attended two meetings at the Hokage Tower, though they were mostly trivial matters.

Aside from expanding Root and his own training, he had little interest in interfering with Konohagakure's politics.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was quite pleased with this stance. After each meeting, he would even reminisce with Danzo about their past battles together, making their surface relationship seem more amicable.

Everything was progressing smoothly, though the seeds he had planted within Root were growing slowly in such an emotionless environment.

Danzo consoled himself—true change takes time.

Fortunately, the war orphans at the training facility had embraced his ideology wholeheartedly. That, at least, was a small comfort.

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