Chapter 5: Ice Release

Three members of the Anbu...

Kakashi wasn't the reckless type. The moment he saw this luxurious lineup before him, he immediately stopped in his tracks.

What kind of hot potato did Dad bring back this time?

On the other side, the Anbu who had collected a sample from Takeshi thoughtfully used Mystical Palm Technique to heal the puncture wound. Originally, he should've just left—but as if compelled by some strange impulse, he cast another glance toward the ice sculpture Takeshi had made.

"Uh... want one?" Though he didn't understand why someone would use such a legendary medical jutsu on such a minor wound, Takeshi—out of courtesy—picked out a half-decent sculpture and handed it to him when he saw the man showing interest.

He figured the Anbu wouldn't accept it.

But to everyone's surprise, the Anbu actually reached out and took the sculpture. After a slight bow, he vanished in an instant.

As that Anbu disappeared, the other two also quietly vanished from Kakashi's sight.

"You little punk..." Kakashi shook his shoulders and walked up to Takeshi once the Anbu were all gone—only to be met with a field of scattered ice sculptures.

"This is..." Kakashi bent down and picked one up, confused. Given the weather, there shouldn't be any ice lying around. Could it be—

"Oh, that's my ability." Takeshi raised his hand and cleared up Kakashi's confusion.

"A Kekkei Genkai..." Kakashi frowned.

Just where the hell did Dad pick this kid up from? No wonder the Anbu were keeping such a close eye on him.

"Achoo." Meanwhile, back at home preparing a meal, Sakumo Hatake suddenly sneezed.

In truth, Kakashi had misunderstood Sakumo. While Takeshi had been by Sakumo's side all this time, he hadn't revealed his Ice Release even once. The reason was simple—they had been in Kirigakure, after all. If his location had been exposed, he could easily claim he'd been abducted by Sakumo and cut ties.

But if the people of Kirigakure discovered he possessed a Kekkei Genkai—

They might just burn him alive like some witch in the Middle Ages.

In Konoha, however, displaying this ability wasn't nearly as dangerous. Kekkei Genkai users were in a much better position than in Kirigakure.

After all, it wasn't the Sharingan—it wouldn't make the higher-ups paranoid. And in the early stages of the story when there weren't god-tier battles yet, Ice Release could be seen as a valuable asset. There was even a chance Hiruzen Sarutobi himself would personally take him under his wing.

If he could use this as a chance to steer clear of Danzo, even better!

Takeshi thought happily, completely forgetting that when it came to collecting Kekkei Genkai, Danzo was even more obsessed than the Third Hokage.

Not to mention, Hiruzen actually hoped Takeshi would form some kind of bond with Danzo—so he was even less likely to intervene.

Sure enough, while the Anbu were watching Takeshi, another group of Anbu under the Hokage's command were also watching the Root and promptly reported the situation to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Ice Release Kekkei Genkai? That Sakumo really does bring me surprises." Hiruzen's face lit up upon learning Takeshi had Ice Release.

If handled well, Konoha might gain a new Kekkei Genkai clan, boosting its strength for the future.

With that thought, Hiruzen immediately gave orders:

"Make sure that Takeshi boy is well protected. At the same time, increase surveillance on the Root shinobi. I want to know exactly what they're up to!"

As for the Root's collection of Takeshi's sample, Hiruzen understood it perfectly—his old friend simply still had doubts and was using this method to probe the truth. If this kid really wasn't Danzo's son, then Hiruzen would do whatever it took to bring him into his own camp. No way he'd let Danzo take him.

But—

If he was Danzo's son, then Hiruzen had no grounds to interfere.

Hiruzen even found himself torn. On one hand, he hoped the boy was Danzo's son, so Danzo would tread more carefully in the future. On the other hand, he hoped he wasn't, so he could personally indoctrinate him with the Will of Fire.

Sigh... what a tough call.

...

Elsewhere, Danzo also received a report from Gin.

"Danzo-sama, I've handed the sample over to Orochimaru. He said he'll finish the comparison as soon as possible." Gin, still adjusting to the bright lights of Root's newly lit halls, bowed even lower than usual.

"Also—" Seeing that Danzo said nothing, Gin pulled out a half-melted ice sculpture from his coat.

"I discovered that the child possesses the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai."

"What?" Danzo's half-closed eyes snapped open as he stared at the sculpture in Gin's hand.

Wait a second... why does that ice sculpture look kind of like me?

Frowning slightly, Danzo took the ice sculpture and inspected it closely with his one good eye.

Hmm. The bandage on the face, the scar on the chin... this really is an ice sculpture of himself.

"He made this?" Danzo asked calmly.

"Yes," Gin answered with his head still bowed. "When I arrived, he had made many—all of them resembled you."

"I see..." Danzo felt another jolt in his heart—his second one today.

As he recalled that timid, shrinking figure, Danzo couldn't help but muse: He seems to fear me on the outside, yet deep down, does he yearn for my approval...?

Having spent years brainwashing children, Danzo thought he understood kids of this age well. Little did he know Takeshi just found his face easy to carve.

"Still, to think he has Ice Release... That woman..." Danzo sat back down in his chair, still holding the sculpture, and began to look forward to Orochimaru's results. "If he truly is my son, with his Ice Release and Root's resources..."

Danzo suddenly thought of a certain possibility.

But it would have to wait until the test results came in before he could explore it further.

"Hiruzen, that bastard... hiding such important intel from me. Could he be waiting to see how I react?" Danzo was displeased by Hiruzen's "secrecy."

Hmph. That guy's probably just watching my moves. If I refuse to acknowledge the kid, he'll swoop in and recruit him for himself.

"Tell Ryoma to increase protection around Takeshi. And watch the Anbu around him carefully—if they make a move, stop them immediately!" Danzo, thinking he'd seen through Hiruzen's scheme, instructed Gin.

"Gin!" He then called over Gin, who had just finished installing a new light in the Root base.

"Danzo-sama." Gin stood at attention, awaiting orders.

"Go check the Shimura clan's properties. See if there's a house near the Ninja Academy in a good location. If there is, get it cleaned up and ready. Also, the base is too bright. Take down all those light bulbs!"

"Yes." If it weren't for the cursed seal, Gin would've asked: Are you messing with me, old man?