Root headquarters.
"Stop! Who are you?!" Two Root operatives shouted as three figures approached.
"Huh?" Jiraiya planted his hands on his hips, grinning. "Konoha still has people who don't recognize this great sage?"
One of the operatives hesitated. "…Jiraiya-sama?"
"Correct," Jiraiya said smugly, chin lifting. "Now step aside."
The two Root members exchanged glances.
"Even Jiraiya-sama cannot enter Root headquarters without authorization."
Jiraiya's grin stiffened.
So much for making an entrance.
Beside him, Tenzō calmly stepped forward and produced a sealed letter. "We have the Hokage's written order. Danzō is to attend the Sixth Hokage's inauguration ceremony."
The operatives examined the document carefully. The seal was genuine.
"…This is strange."
Root almost never appeared in public. Even when they did, it was from the shadows.
"May we enter?" Tenzō asked.
After a brief pause, one operative went inside to report. Moments later, he returned and nodded.
They were allowed through.
As they stepped into the underground complex, Jiraiya clicked his tongue at the sheer scale of it.
"Must've siphoned off a fortune from the village budget."
Soon, they reached Danzō, who was already waiting.
"Well, if it isn't you," Jiraiya greeted cheerfully. "Long time no see, Danzō."
"Don't speak so familiarly," Danzō snapped. "We're not close. And don't forget, I'm your senior."
He narrowed his eyes. "You know Root does not participate in public ceremonies."
"That was before," Jiraiya replied evenly. "There's a new Hokage now. New rules."
He gestured toward the order. "You've read it. If there's no issue, come with us."
Danzō studied the three of them, then chuckled coldly.
"So if I refuse, you'll force me?"
"Well," Jiraiya said lightly, "we were given strict instructions. I'd rather not take that route, though."
The air tightened instantly.
Danzō turned his gaze to Tenzō. "Kinoe. I didn't expect to see you again. I'll give you one chance to return to Root."
"My name is Tenzō," he replied calmly. "Not Kinoe."
Danzō's expression darkened. That was a rejection.
His eyes shifted to the masked ANBU beside him.
Uchiha Sasuke.
The hatred in Danzō's gaze flared. "As I thought. Uchiha filth should've been wiped out long ago."
Sasuke clenched his fist.
The anger was there, but faint. There was no point raging at someone already marked for death.
"So," Jiraiya said, eyes narrowing, "are you coming?"
Danzō glanced at the Root operatives nearby. They'd seen the order and still chose silence.
As expected. Root obeyed Danzō alone.
"Hmph," Danzō said at last. "Since the Hokage arranged this, I'll attend."
Inside, his thoughts churned.
None of these three were weak. Jiraiya's reputation as one of the Sannin was unquestionable. Tenzō had already been dangerous years ago. As for Sasuke… the rumors claimed his strength had surpassed even Tenzō's.
Danzō doubted that part.
But reputations weren't born from nothing.
This lineup was deliberate. Fujimoto Tōma had ensured Danzō had no room to refuse.
"Fujimoto Tōma…" Danzō ground the name silently, fury burning beneath his calm exterior.
Stealing the Hokage seat was one thing.
Humiliating him like this was another.
Still, he couldn't refuse. If he did, tomorrow he'd be branded a traitor. His life's work would end in disgrace.
His hand brushed the bandages over his right eye.
Calm returned.
After this ceremony, there would be no justification to keep wasting ANBU resources on him.
Then… it would be time to strike back.
What Danzō didn't see was the murderous intent that flared in Sasuke's eyes at that exact moment, only barely restrained.
Not yet.
It couldn't interfere with Tōma's plan.
Soon, they arrived at the inauguration site.
Cheers filled the streets. Danzō looked over the celebrating crowd with icy contempt.
Fools.
Did they really think someone that young understood the weight of the Hokage's seat?
"Where is my place?" he asked coldly.
"Upstairs," Jiraiya replied.
Danzō turned to the two Root operatives. "Stay here. Don't move."
"Yes!"
"Tenzō, you stay as well," Jiraiya added.
"Yes."
Danzō paused, then sneered. "Why does that Uchiha brat get to go up?"
"Sasuke and Naruto were personally requested by Tōma," Jiraiya answered.
Danzō snorted. "Utter madness. Making him Hokage is a mistake."
With that, he ascended the tower.
Moments later, Aburame Shibi arrived with Aburame Shino, followed by Yamanaka Inoichi.
The two Root operatives stiffened.
Their presence meant only one thing.
They had been exposed.
But when?
Nearby, Aburame Torune and Yamanaka Fū felt unease coil in their chests.
This situation was spiraling far beyond Danzō's control.