Naruto: Assistant to the Hokage

The Third Hokage was a seasoned political figure in the ninja world.

From the moment the Third Hokage received the intelligence about a Wood Release ninja, to the way he immediately figured out how to best utilize this information, not even twenty minutes passed.

First, Uchiha Itachi, the young prodigy, was applying to take the Chuunin exams alone.

Rationally and emotionally, such a rare talent was a great fortune for Konoha. However, the problem was that Itachi was from the Uchiha clan, which was the most unstable faction in Konoha at the moment. The Uchiha clan had long been at odds with the village.

If this ten-year-old genius passed the exams on his own, it would only embolden the Uchiha clan, making them even more arrogant, and they would look down on the other ninjas of Konoha. The conflict between the Uchiha clan and the village would only escalate.

But now, there was a Wood Release Kekkei Genkai ninja in Konoha. Regardless of this ninja's current abilities, having him around would give the Uchiha clan a reason to calm down for a while.

After all, during the Warring States era, the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, used the power of the Wood Release to defeat and subdue the most powerful leader of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Madara, thus ending the Uchiha clan's aspirations to dominate the ninja world.

The most fortunate part was that this Wood Release Kekkei Genkai ninja just so happened to be one of Danzo's subordinates.

Uchiha Fugaku, the leader of the Uchiha clan, knew that Danzo was the highest-ranking figure in Konoha who had always been hostile towards the Uchiha clan. Danzo had always been suppressing their development.

Six years ago, during the Nine-Tails attack, Danzo had been responsible for relocating the Uchiha clan's residence to the village's outskirts, in front of many Konoha clan leaders.

Now, Danzo suddenly had a Wood Release Kekkei Genkai ninja under his command. This would undoubtedly put pressure on Fugaku.

As Hokage, this gave the Third Hokage the opportunity to mediate.

The Third Hokage was known for ruling Konoha for the longest time, and his methods were sharp yet gentle, maximizing his benefits without needing to resort to harsh measures.

Even the choice of messengers to deliver the Chuunin exam registration forms was a strong signal. Tenzo (a.k.a. Fuu) was the former Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user in the Root organization, and Kakashi was the one who helped Tenzo escape from Root. Kakashi had even caused a major disruption to the Root organization to rescue Tenzo.

It was clear that Danzo loathed these two individuals deeply.

However, since the last time Danzo's Root was surrounded by the Anbu was still fresh, he dared not act against the Hokage's emissaries. He had no choice but to accept the Third Hokage's warning and follow his orders.

"Go on."

The Third Hokage had arranged everything and waved his hand, signaling for Kakashi and Tenzo to deliver the message. He planned to relax with his pipe.

However, as he glanced at the crystal ball on his desk, he suddenly felt something. He quickly looked around the room.

Moments later, he couldn't help but laugh.

"It seems I'm really getting old... my body is not what it used to be. I can even feel Danzo's gaze from afar…"

At the training ground of the Root organization.

[System Prompt]: [New work task: According to the Third Hokage's orders, participate in the Chuunin Exam for Konoha's second half of the year.]

The working system could even accept tasks from a distance!

Indeed, all ninjas within Konoha's system were officially under the Third Hokage's command. And yet, the Hokage himself had no idea who this system's users were, but they still had to follow his orders.

However…

The Third Hokage's intuition was incredibly sharp!

He wasn't called a voyeur for nothing. Wait, perhaps it's better to say he was a veteran ninja who had seen it all!

At the Root organization's training ground.

The young Akihara Kagura couldn't help but admire the Third Hokage's sharp senses, also praising the system's [Darkness of the Ninja World] trait as incredibly useful.

This feature was perfect.

It allowed one to gather intelligence without exposing oneself.

Even if someone, like the Third Hokage, could feel they were being spied on, they would simply attribute it to Danzo watching them.

Kagura couldn't help but glance at Danzo beside him, feeling a bit guilty. It seemed like he would end up making Danzo bear a lot of the blame in the future...

But…

That was only fair.

If a superior didn't take the blame for their subordinates, who would ever want to work for them?

Kagura glanced at Danzo, thinking about how much trouble the old man had been through in his life. He certainly didn't mind taking the blame for his subordinates, right, Danzo?

Danzo, completely unaware of his subordinate's thoughts, was immersed in the joy of having acquired a powerful new ally. He was already thinking about how to cultivate Akihara Kagura and use him as a powerful tool to surprise the Third Hokage later on.

"Tomorrow, I'll teach you a new ninjutsu."

Danzo was still lost in his thoughts, imagining how to make Kagura eternally loyal to him.

"Yes, Lord Danzo!" Kagura quickly nodded.

He hoped Danzo would still be in such a good mood after a while.

Not much time had passed.

At the Root organization's base.

When Danzo returned with Kagura, they were met at the entrance by two Anbu ninjas, who looked very familiar.

"Kakashi Hatake!"

Upon seeing one of the white-haired Anbu ninjas, Danzo's expression turned cold: "You still dare to come here…"

However, when Danzo saw the other Anbu ninja, his face turned even darker.

"Hmph, and you dare come here too…"

"Lord Danzo…"

The Anbu ninja, who seemed to be an honest person, lowered his head in shame as soon as he saw Danzo.

"Tenzo, we are here to deliver the Third Hokage's order," Kakashi quickly intervened, stepping in front of his teammate, his voice cold. "The Third Hokage has ordered that the child with the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai participate in the Chuunin exam this year."

Kakashi then shifted his gaze to the boy standing beside Danzo: "I believe the Hokage is referring to this child, right? The one who caused a commotion at the No. 9 training field?"

Danzo couldn't refute.

The old man felt uneasy.

Was Sarutobi trying to take Akihara Kagura away? This child's talent was far more terrifying than the traitor Tenzo beside him.

How could Danzo have any chance of turning the tide?

Danzo wanted nothing more than to kill Kakashi and Tenzo on the spot, then storm the Hokage's office and take his anger out on Sarutobi.

However…

Rebellion was no easy task.

After all, the last time Sarutobi led the Anbu to surround the Root organization's base, just a single order could have wiped them out…

Kakashi took out the registration form for the Chuunin exams and handed it to the boy, saying softly, "Here is your registration form for the Chuunin exam."

"…"

Akihara Kagura stared at Kakashi in silence.

"Take it."

Kakashi urged him, a little indifferently. "As a Konoha ninja, you must follow the Third Hokage's orders."

"I will only follow Lord Danzo's orders."

Akihara Kagura suddenly turned to Danzo, asking, "Lord Danzo, they've upset you. May I kill them?"

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10 power stone and one more chapter( i just want to fix a goal for me hehe)