Chapter 83: Double Agent? I’m Familiar with That!

Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Double Agent? I'm Familiar with That!

Konoha, Year 42, April 15th.

As Minato had mentioned, on this day, just as Shūichi arrived at Konoha Hospital with Nonō Yakushi and Asuka, an ANBU operative appeared right behind them.

"Shūichi-kun, the Third Hokage summons you!"

The ANBU operative was surprisingly polite.

After nodding to Nonō and Asuka, Shūichi followed the ANBU to the Hokage Building. He then knocked and entered the Hokage's office alone.

"Third Hokage-sama!"

Shūichi bowed in respect.

"Oh, Shūichi, you're here..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was working behind his desk, looked up with a smile and said, "Given your outstanding performance in previous missions and your contributions at Konoha Hospital, the Konoha Medical Corps has jointly recommended that, as of today, you are promoted to Special Jōnin."

Shūichi bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Hokage-sama!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi mused, "You are the youngest Special Jōnin in Konoha's history. Your teacher, Minato Namikaze, has likely informed you about the recent developments in the ninja world. The village needs you to make even more contributions."

Shūichi looked up, his gaze resolute. "I am ready to dedicate myself to the village. Please give the order, Hokage-sama!"

"For the protection of the village and the fulfillment of the Will of Fire, I am prepared to sacrifice myself if necessary."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled warmly, his expression full of kindness. "It's not yet time for you to make such sacrifices. You are still a young sprout in Konoha, and you need to grow."

"Soon, someone will take you to the Root for three months of training. Afterward, you will join the Hokage's personal ANBU."

Shūichi immediately showed excitement. "Yes, Hokage-sama!"

"Thank you for your guidance, Hokage-sama!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with a smile. "You may go."

After bowing once more, Shūichi exited the office, only to find an ANBU operative wearing a fox mask waiting for him.

"Shūichi, let's go. I'll take you to the Root!"

The ANBU operative spoke with a gentle and familiar voice.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke!

Recognizing him, Shūichi quickly nodded. "Yes, thank you, senpai!"

Although he recognized him, there was no need to name him. Both understood.

Following Shinnosuke, Shūichi arrived at the Root's headquarters.

The place was hidden deep underground, filled with an atmosphere of mystery and eeriness.

After handing a dossier to a Root member responsible for the handover, Shinnosuke turned to Shūichi. "Shūichi, this is where I leave you."

Shūichi bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, senpai!"

Shinnosuke smiled beneath his mask before disappearing.

"Shūichi Hoshita, follow me."

The Root ninja spoke, then turned and began walking across a dimly lit bridge. Shūichi immediately followed.

The lighting was dim, and the tunnels branched in all directions.

The Root's headquarters was vast, like an underground world filled with many rooms. Some areas were even sealed with jutsu.

"We've arrived. Wait here for a moment."

The Root ninja brought Shūichi to an unremarkable room, gave a brief instruction, and left.

Shūichi looked around the room but found nothing special. He then sat down on a stone chair and waited quietly.

About half an hour later, footsteps echoed from outside.

Shūichi looked up towards the door, where a figure in a green vest soon appeared.

It was him!

Shūichi's expression showed surprise.

The newcomer looked at Shūichi with a mysterious smile. "It seems my arrival has surprised you."

Shūichi quickly stood up and bowed. "Orochimaru-sama!"

Orochimaru stood at the doorway, his snake-like vertical pupils fixed on Shūichi, smiling as he said, "The Third has entrusted you to me, and I've heard quite a bit about you."

"Tsunade says you're a rare talent in medical ninjutsu."

"Jiraiya says your aptitude in ninjutsu rivals Minato's."

"Let's hope you don't disappoint me, Shūichi-kun!"

Shūichi smiled. "I've already experienced the skills of two of the Sannin."

"Lady Tsunade's medical techniques are unparalleled. Although I haven't seen Jiraiya-sama's abilities firsthand, anyone who can teach a student like Minato-sensei surely lives up to his reputation."

"Since you are also one of the Sannin, I doubt you would disappoint the Third Hokage either, Orochimaru-sama."

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, but his smile deepened. "Interesting. It's been a while since anyone has spoken to me like that."

"Well then, follow me."

With that, Orochimaru turned and began to walk away, and Shūichi immediately followed.

The two left the Root headquarters and entered a nearby forest.

Though disgusted inside, Shūichi kept his face neutral. "While it might sound arrogant, I have to say that even the Uchiha's Fire Release Swordsmanship cannot surpass mine."

"I've already forged my own path, and I no longer need the Uchiha clan's techniques."

"As for Wind Release, with Minato-sensei's guidance, I don't think I'll have any issues mastering what Konoha has to offer."

"Everything in this world has a price, so what exactly are you offering, Danzo-sama, to make me betray the Third Hokage?"

Danzo was displeased but replied in a deep voice, "Whatever you desire, I can provide."

"I can even support you in becoming the Fifth Hokage one day!"

Orochimaru as the Fourth Hokage, and me as the Fifth?

Shūichi seriously considered it, but it didn't seem as reliable as having Minato-sensei as the Fourth Hokage and himself as the Fifth.

Besides, it was all just empty promises!

Shūichi shook his head. "The position of Hokage is too far off for me, and I'm not interested in it."

Orochimaru, who had been observing Shūichi closely, couldn't help but laugh. "In that case, Shūichi-kun, why not make a specific request? I believe Danzo-sama would be more than willing to fulfill it!"

For now, at least, his cooperation with Danzo had been quite smooth, and Danzo had been very accommodating, saving him a lot of trouble.

So, he didn't mind saying one more thing.

Shūichi glanced at Orochimaru and said, "Since Orochimaru-sama has spoken, I won't hold back."

"Lord Danzo, if I need to, can I study any jutsu from the Scroll of Seals?"

Orochimaru's eyes flickered with interest, and his smile grew wider.

Danzo responded in a deep voice, "No problem!"

"I told you, I would spare no effort in improving your talents, and that includes more than just jutsu."

Shūichi immediately beamed with a bright smile. "Excellent!"

"Then, here's to a successful partnership!"

A double agent, huh? That's something he was very familiar with!

Last year, when the Daimyō of the Land of Fire summoned him under the pretext of needing a medical ninja, he had offered quite a bit of advice to the Daimyō.

For instance, he suggested that the Daimyō select suitable children from among the various noble families and even from the ranks of samurai under his command, to send them to Konoha to learn ninjutsu, or to bring in instructors to teach them.

The Daimyō had also recruited quite a few wandering ninja, so training children was a worthwhile investment.

Additionally, Shūichi advised the Daimyō to win over Danzo as a way to counterbalance Hiruzen Sarutobi.

In front of Hiruzen, Shūichi had made no effort to hide his efforts to set traps for Danzo.

Now, after reaching a preliminary agreement with Danzo, Shūichi smiled again and said, "Danzo-sama, my suggestion is that after I complete my training in Root, you should let me return to the Anbu."

"Right now, I have the trust of the Third Hokage. In the Anbu, I can better serve you, Danzo-sama."

"Of course, I would also have to report your intelligence to the Third Hokage."

Danzo listened and inwardly scoffed. He immediately recognized Shūichi's attempt to play both sides, but he also did want Shūichi to return to the Anbu.

Shūichi was a sharp blade, one that still needed some sharpening to be more effectively wielded without cutting the wrong person.

So, Danzo nodded. "That aligns with my thoughts as well."

"When the time comes, I will cooperate with you and have the necessary intelligence prepared."

"And there will be someone specifically assigned to handle the transmission of information."

Shūichi nodded and smiled. "Danzo-sama, your consideration is most thorough."

"If it had always been this way, I imagine I would have already secured quite a few benefits for you."

Danzo's eye twitched slightly, and he responded coolly, "If you need any jutsu, you'd better request them in advance."

Shūichi immediately started listing his demands: "Lightning Release jutsu, at least five, C-rank or higher."

"Water Release jutsu, at least five, C-rank or higher."

"Earth Release jutsu, at least five, C-rank or higher."

"And genjutsu, at least five, C-rank or higher."

Danzo's eyelids twitched furiously.

Meanwhile, Orochimaru found Shūichi increasingly amusing.

Danzo frowned. "You should be focusing on mastering one area."

Shūichi shrugged. "Danzo-sama, I have no interest in the position of Hokage, nor in power struggles. My only interests are jutsu and women."

"The reason my Fire Release has reached its current level is because I've devoted myself to its study."

"But as you know, I'm still young and full of energy."

Danzo's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. "I'll have the jutsu handed over to Orochimaru tomorrow."

With that, his figure vanished from the spot.

(End of Chapter)

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