Root, also known as the ANBU Training Division, was a special independent organization within the Hidden Leaf Village. It was a special unit under Danzo Shimura, one of the Hidden Leaf's elders.
It was neither controlled by the Hokage nor governed by the ANBU. Its members wore white or black cloaks, and their masks were diverse and colorful.
Root members had no names, no emotions, no past, and no future; they only had missions.
The appearance of the Root ninja startled Rakawa. 'Why is Danzo showing up now?' he wondered.
Just as a slight anxiety crept into his heart, the arrival of another ANBU squad made him sigh in relief.
These were ANBU ninja belonging to the Third Hokage. As long as they were present, the Root members wouldn't dare act recklessly.
Four ANBU ninja appeared, outnumbering the Root ninja, and the disparity in power was immediately obvious.
"Lord Hokage has ordered us to bring Hyuga Rakawa back to the Hokage's Office!"
The speaker was an ANBU wearing a Fox Mask. His words clarified their purpose and the person who had given them the mission.
The Root ninja remained silent. Danzo's order was to bring Hyuga Rakawa back. Now that the Hokage had given an order, what should they do?
The Hidden Leaf's public leader was the Third Hokage, and this was unchangeable. Although Danzo secretly contended with the Third Hokage and caused many obstacles, he never dared to confront him directly. Otherwise, Danzo would face the combined wrath of the entire Hidden Leaf.
Considering the Hokage's overwhelming power, the Root ninja used the Body Flicker Technique to leave, no longer remaining there.
"Hyuga Rakawa, please come with us."
"Alright."
Rakawa answered readily. Meeting the Hokage was much better than meeting Danzo.
He left with the ANBU, while the remaining ANBU disposed of the body and restored the scene.
...
At the Hokage's Office, Rakawa followed the ANBU. Upon entering the office, the first person he saw was the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sitting behind his desk.
This was their second meeting. The previous one had been after he killed a Chunin from the Uchiha Clan. This time, he had also killed two ninja from the Uchiha Clan.
The only regrettable thing was the ninja who appeared later. He was also an elite Chunin, but Rakawa killed him instantly with Dust Release, so he couldn't absorb his Sharingan's Dojutsu Power. Otherwise, his Byakugan would have gained even more Dojutsu Power.
Hyuga Senyo was already part of the Hokage's faction, so Rakawa felt no panic about meeting the Third Hokage. He stood there neither humble nor arrogant.
The Third Hokage didn't mind Rakawa's attitude. The Third Hokage, in his prime, exuded a fierce aura, truly an indomitable Shinobi Hero.
"Hyuga Rakawa, do you know why you've been summoned here?"
"Please enlighten me, Lord Third."
Rakawa replied indifferently. A sharp glint flashed in the Third Hokage's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "Tell me in detail what happened tonight."
The Third Hokage was straightforward and had no intention of beating around the bush. The ANBU in the office had already withdrawn, leaving only the two of them.
Rakawa secretly smiled. 'Has the Third Hokage discovered something?' 'Well, whatever.'
"Tonight, I escorted Kushina Uzumaki home. As I was leaving, I encountered an enemy ninja who attacked me. His strength was at the elite Chunin level, and I eventually eliminated him. Overall, I'd say he was careless."
It was a simple explanation, but the Third Hokage fell silent for a moment. 'Killing an elite Chunin? This kid is truly terrifying, possessing such ability at such a young age.'
However, the lie was a bit too obvious.
Yet, he had no intention of exposing it. He said, "Since he was an enemy ninja, did you obtain any intelligence from him?"
"I did get some intelligence. He had acquired some information from within the Hidden Leaf. As for what kind of information, I'm not sure. Perhaps the ANBU who processed the body will know."
Rakawa lied without batting an eye, his story flowing smoothly.
Both men, fully aware of the situation, pretended to be ignorant, creating a strange atmosphere.
Just then, the office door was pushed open, and a person walked in from outside. It was a black-haired middle-aged man with gloomy eyes.
"Danzo?"
The Third Hokage looked at the newcomer, his brows furrowing instantly. 'What is this guy doing here?'
Rakawa's heart skipped a beat when he heard the name. 'Shimura Danzo is here?'
Danzo walked in, staring directly at the Third Hokage, completely ignoring Rakawa. He said, "Hiruzen, hand this brat over to me. There are some matters that need to be thoroughly investigated."
He demanded Rakawa immediately. The Third Hokage snorted, while Rakawa remained silent. Things were turning out a bit unexpectedly.
Although Shimura Danzo was quite active during this period, he wouldn't dare to openly challenge the Third Hokage.
Everyone knew that the Hyuga Clan were supporters of the Hokage's faction. Taking Hyuga Rakawa away now would clearly be a slap in the face.
"Danzo, why do you want to take him?"
The Third Hokage didn't get angry but asked calmly, his eyes fixed on Shimura Danzo, unwilling to back down an inch.
Their relationship was extraordinary; they had been companions since childhood. But now, with different factions and different ideas, they had become strangers.
"According to my investigation, the person Hyuga Rakawa killed tonight was a Hidden Leaf ninja. Attacking a fellow village ninja is a grave offense. If he is allowed to remain, it will pose a serious threat to the village's safety."
A heavy accusation was thrown. Rakawa's lips curved upward. Shimura Danzo was indeed an old fox.
But the Third Hokage slammed his hand on the desk and shouted, "Nonsense! Hyuga Rakawa killed an enemy spy tonight, not a village ninja!"
Danzo hadn't expected such a strong reaction from the Third Hokage. His face immediately darkened, and he said with a scowl, "This is the result of my investigation. Are you doubting me?"
"The result of your investigation? Since when did Root's investigative capabilities surpass the ANBU's? Furthermore, Root doesn't seem to have had time to investigate, does it? On the contrary, the ANBU ninja investigated the body, and it was indeed an enemy ninja."
"Hiruzen, are you trying to protect him?"
"Are you questioning the Hokage's impartiality?"
The Third Hokage truly wouldn't yield an inch. Their conversation almost made Rakawa laugh.
He had never imagined that the Third Hokage would have such a fiery temper. Perhaps his later personality was a result of years of tempering. For now, he was the Shinobi Hero of the Shinobi World and the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf.