Time passed quickly, and in a blink of an eye, seven days had gone by. The ninja world was temporarily calm, with no large-scale wars erupting. The five great nations were all wary of the mysterious immortal organization and the black-robed figures. Before understanding their situation, none of them wished to be the first to act.
While the ninja world was temporarily peaceful, the Leaf Village was stirring from within.
Beneath the Leaf Village, at the Root base.
Danzō, who had been in the laboratory for three days and three nights, emerged with an extremely weary body. A foul smell of rotting wood mixed with blood wafted from within, utterly nauseating!
"Has anything happened in the Leaf Village in the past few days?"
Danzō's hoarse voice echoed in the subterranean space. Though no figures were visible, Danzō felt no unease.
Upon hearing Danzō's question, a ghostly figure detached itself from the shadows. Clad entirely in black, with no skin exposed, it spoke in a mechanical, emotionless voice.
"Reporting, Lord. Nothing has happened in the Leaf Village recently."
"Then, has any information been gathered about the mysterious black-robed figure who appeared on the Rain Country battlefield?"
"Reporting, Lord. The black-robed figure seems to have appeared out of nowhere in the ninja world, with no prior trace. However, about a month ago, a bounty division in the Leaf Village was annihilated, suspected to be the work of the black-robed figure, but the reason has not yet been confirmed."
"And has the Immortal Organization been investigated?"
"Reporting, Lord. Like the black-robed figure, the Immortal Organization left no trace in the ninja world before the great battle in the Rain Country. We had never even heard of the Immortal Organization before; this organization is even more mysterious than the black-robed figure."
"Hmph! A bunch of useless fools. Apart from the publicly known information, you've found nothing in these past few months. What do I keep you for? If you're so incompetent, you might as well all be sent to the laboratory for human experimentation!"
Danzō was furious. To be unable to ascertain someone's origins after months of investigation only increased his apprehension towards the black-robed figure and the Immortal Organization he spoke of.
No trace, no shadow – this was what Danzō disliked the most. He always preferred to have everything under his control, allowing for no accidents.
Seeing Danzō's volatile mood, as if he might send him into the laboratory for human experimentation, the Root ninja, despite being trained into an emotionless machine, swallowed nervously. He knew very well what kind of experiments were conducted in the laboratory; some captured criminals were sent in by his own hands.
He did not fear death, but some things were worse than death. He had personally witnessed a captive, during an experiment gone awry, have a large tree grow directly from his body, feeding on his flesh and growing rapidly until the captive was completely drained of life.
No! I absolutely cannot become a tree! I must save myself!
The Root ninja racked his brains, and suddenly recalled a piece of news he had heard recently. After a moment's thought, he respectfully said, "Lord Danzō, something strange has happened in the Leaf Village these past few days."
"Strange? Tell me about it." Danzō said dismissively. Who decided what was strange in the Leaf Village? Him!
"Your subordinate inadvertently overheard that the Hokage seems to be going for ramen?"
Even with Danzō's composure, he was taken aback by this news. This was considered strange? Hiruzen eating ramen was strange? Had his Root ninja gone stupid from training?
Danzō took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said, "This is the strange thing you speak of? You'd better give me a reason, otherwise..."
The Root ninja's expression changed, and he quickly added, "According to the information I've gathered, it seems the major clans of the Leaf Village will also be attending to support, perhaps at a newly opened ramen shop!"
"Oh? A new ramen shop? Even prominent clans like the Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, and Hyuga will patronize it?"
"Yes, Lord. It seems the Uchiha also have some movement and will be checking out that ramen shop."
"Hmph! Uchiha. Whenever they get involved, nothing good comes of it!"
Seeing that the situation had stabilized somewhat, the Root ninja embellished slightly, "Lord, do you think this might be the Hokage hosting a gathering for the Leaf Village clans?"
"A gathering? That's possible. Have our Root received an invitation?" Danzō picked up a cup of tea and took a sip. He felt Hiruzen would definitely not forget him!
"Your subordinate has not received any notice, Lord. You see..."
*Crack!*
The teacup shattered. Danzō's bloodshot eyes widened, and he roared, "Good for you, Hiruzen Sarutobi! I've worked so hard for the future of the Leaf, yet you invite people for a meal without including me. While I, Danzō, disdain to attend such gatherings, I am capable of refusing, but you cannot fail to invite me!"
"You may withdraw."
After the Root ninja retreated, Danzō left the base and headed towards the Shimura clan compound.
Hiruzen, you scumbag, secretly inviting people for ramen behind my back and not inviting me! Just you wait, I'll make sure you don't even get to taste the soup! This is the price for betraying me!
Hiruzen Sarutobi: ...I have a wife!
...
Lin Yu had been troubled these past few days because his monthly missions had been refreshed (to trick him)!
Monthly Missions:
Mission One: Help 100 elderly grandmothers cross the road (0/100).
Reward: Eight Gates—Life Gate, Injury Gate.
Mission Two: Become a Leaf Jonin.
Reward: Chakra Nature Transformation (any 2 types, once).
Mission Three: Be the first customer to eat at Ichiraku Ramen (timed for 3 days).
Reward: Ninjutsu hand sign speed doubled.
Accumulated Missions (3/10):
Mission: Obtain a title from Madara Uchiha.
Reward: Perfect Sage Mode.
Mission: Fist bump with the Nine-Tails.
Reward: Yang Release Refinement.
Mission: Complete 100 D-rank missions (18/100).
Reward: Eight Gates—Opening Gate, Resting Gate.
Limited-Time Reward: Rinnegan usage without chakra consumption (remaining 1 hour 39 minutes 39 seconds - frozen).
Limited-Time Reward: Tenseigan usage without chakra consumption (remaining 2 hours - frozen).
Lin Yu looked at the newly refreshed monthly missions with tears in his eyes. A hundred D-rank missions were still a distant prospect. And now, another mission to help 100 elderly grandmothers cross the road! What a rip-off!
Where was he supposed to find 100 elderly grandmothers who needed to cross the road? Was this forcing him to become the Leaf's "good Samaritan"? He wasn't Obito Uchiha, who always encountered grandmothers needing help crossing the road. Lin Yu was busy, alright!
Alas, Lin Yu felt this mission would take at least two or three years to complete. As for lurking by the roadside every day? The reward isn't the Nine-Tomoe Rinnegan, nor the unrestricted use of the Gate of Death. Lin Yu couldn't be bothered!
Lin Yu stopped thinking about this mission and decided to let fate decide. As for becoming a Jonin later, that shouldn't be difficult. Hiruzen Sarutobi already knew he had the strength to become a Jonin. If he spoke to Orochimaru later and got some special treatment, it should be done quickly!
A ten-year-old Leaf Jonin! Two years earlier than Kakashi in the future. Kakashi became a Jonin at twelve and an ANBU captain at fifteen. Looking at it this way, it was quite impressive!
As for the last mission... Lin Yu felt he still had time to go and queue up now... perhaps.