After great effort, the cat-fox was finally captured and a summoning contract successfully signed.
Kurenai was so excited she could hardly wait. She wanted to rush home immediately to build rapport with her new summoning beast. After a quick farewell to Ran, she hurried off without looking back.
Seeing Kurenai leave, Sarutobi Asuma naturally had no reason to linger either. With a clearly displeased expression, he muttered a brief goodbye to Ran and left as well.
Such a child, Ran thought calmly.
Already trying to act mature, yet still so immature when it matters. Looks like you really don't have much chance of winning Kurenai's heart.
Now alone, Ran had no interest in staying by the river any longer. He turned and began walking back toward home at an unhurried pace.
"…Hm?"
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh.
Three figures wearing white masks suddenly appeared in front of him, silently blocking his path.
"Special Assassination and Tactical Unit…" Ran observed calmly. "ANBU? I don't recall ever having contact with ANBU."
"No," one of the masked figures said. His mask resembled a bird's beak. "We are Root. Uchiha Ran—Elder Danzō wishes to see you."
"Elder Danzō?" Ran tilted his head slightly. "So Konoha really does have a department called Root. I thought Danzō-sama was simply the Hokage's advisor."
Seeing that Ran clearly knew who Danzō was, the Root operative continued stiffly,
"Yes. Please blindfold yourself and come with us. Root's base is… not a place just anyone can find. Being received by Danzō-sama means your future is limitless."
"Well, alright," Ran said mildly. "Though I don't quite understand why. If Danzō-sama wanted to see me, couldn't he just summon me to the Hokage Tower? Going through all this trouble seems unnecessary."
As he spoke, he accepted the bandages from the bird-masked operative and calmly wrapped them around his eyes.
Seeing how cooperative he was, the Root member's tone softened slightly. Taking Ran by the arm, they led him away.
—
"So Root's base is hidden in a place like this…"
When the blindfold was finally removed, Ran glanced around at the unfamiliar surroundings and commented casually.
No one answered.
"…What a boring group."
Under the Root operatives' guidance, Ran entered the base proper.
They passed through a long, narrow tunnel. The stone walls were uneven and worn, making it obvious that the structure had existed for many years. Lighting was sparse—only dim lamps cast weak illumination along the path. The thick stone walls on both sides created an oppressive, enclosed feeling.
At the end of the tunnel stood a man in familiar attire.
"Danzō-sama," one Root operative said. "Uchiha Ran has been brought."
"I see. Well done," came the reply.
Before speaking further, Shimura Danzō carefully examined Ran.
Definitely not related to Kagami, Danzō concluded inwardly.
Ran looked nothing like Uchiha Kagami—his hair was longer, his features more refined. And at thirteen, he still hadn't awakened the Sharingan. There were countless Uchiha like that.
"Uchiha Ran," Danzō finally said, "I am Shimura Danzō—Hokage Advisor, and the founder of Root."
"Root?" Ran replied calmly. "Forgive my bluntness, Danzō-sama, but I've only ever heard of Konoha's ANBU. This is my first time hearing of Root."
Apparently pleased with Ran's attitude, Danzō began explaining.
Root was originally a cultivation branch of ANBU.
However, it had since been separated from ANBU's jurisdiction—because Root handled matters of greater importance.
"There is light," Danzō said evenly, "and there is darkness. Some tasks are inconvenient for ANBU to handle. That is when Root is needed."
Root existed beneath Konoha's shadow. Like roots buried deep underground, its purpose was to eliminate obstacles that threatened the village's prosperity—by any means necessary.
For that reason, Root members abandoned their names, their identities, and their morals.
Listening quietly, Ran asked,
"So, Danzō-sama… are you saying all this because you want me to join Root?"
"That's correct," Danzō said without hesitation. "Uchiha Ran, you are a clever Uchiha. Root needs your strength. Join us, and you will grow here—perhaps even awaken the Sharingan."
Looking at the unmistakable persuasion written all over Danzō's face, Ran replied politely,
"Danzō-sama, I would be honored to serve you. However, I don't like living without a name. I prefer being with my friends. And… Fugaku-sama would never agree to me joining ANBU—let alone Root."
Danzō studied him carefully.
Indeed, he had been careless. Ran's temperament didn't suit Root at all. And more importantly—he was close to Mikoto and had a deep connection with Fugaku.
Still… his identity was too useful to discard.
"I see," Danzō said slowly. "Then allow me to rephrase. For Konoha's sake—would you be willing to help me with certain matters?"
"Danzō-sama is Konoha's advisor," Ran replied calmly. "If there's something you need, I will naturally comply."
Danzō smiled faintly.
"Konoha belongs to everyone," he said. "It also belongs to the Uchiha. I hope that from time to time, you might share information about the clan with me. In return, I will do my best to improve relations between Konoha and the Uchiha."
He continued, suggesting that the Third Hokage's heavy workload had allowed certain rumors to spread, and that he himself was already working to suppress them. As compensation, Danzō hinted at providing ninjutsu—or genjutsu—as rewards.
"Since you put it that way," Ran said, "I won't be shy. I prefer genjutsu. Before you give me any scrolls, though—could you first take a look at my fused technique?"
Danzō already knew about Ran's sword-and-genjutsu hybrid style and didn't think much of the request.
"Very well. Show me."
Ran drew his Zanpakutō, gripping it in reverse, blade tip pointed downward.
"Unveil yourself—Life Is But a Dream."
Danzō's gaze sharpened.
Before him appeared the scene of his own inauguration—the moment he succeeded as Hokage.
So that's it, Danzō realized almost instantly. He understood both the mechanism of the technique and why Ran desired higher-level genjutsu.
Without delay, he disrupted his chakra and broke free of the illusion.
"An excellent fusion," Danzō said coolly. "With more advanced genjutsu, integrating them into your sword techniques will only improve your growth."
"Thank you for your guidance, Danzō-sama."
Ran spun the blade lightly and sheathed Life Is But a Dream.
His brief "performance" earned him two C-rank genjutsu scrolls from Danzō.
What a stingy old man, Ran thought inwardly. Even bribing people, he won't spend properly.
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