Naruto: Assistant to the Hokage

Wood Release Bloodline.

Undoubtedly, this was the lifelong obsession of Shimura Danzo.

As for what Danzo said about only Konoha being able to use the power of Wood Release, everyone present knew that it was just a joke, and no one took it seriously...

This old man always claimed that everything he did was for Konoha, but behind the scenes, he would do anything to grasp all the power for himself.

No.

Danzo actually wanted to have that power for himself.

If he could create another Wood Release ninja...

It would mean that Orochimaru's techniques had barely reached maturity.

Danzo's heart burned with excitement. Perhaps he could transplant the cells of Hashirama Senju and awaken the Wood Release bloodline of the First Hokage!

The old man's gaze suddenly shifted from the boy to Orochimaru's face, and he immediately asked the most pressing question in his mind.

"Orochimaru, does the awakening of Wood Release in this child mean that Hashirama's cells can now be successfully transplanted into others...?"

"No."

Orochimaru shook his head, his words extinguishing the old man's excitement like cold water: "The cell transplantation experiment in Kagura was successful, but it was a rare occurrence in the experiment..."

"Alright."

The old man's mood soured instantly.

"However..."

Orochimaru's tone changed, and a mysterious smile appeared on his lips: "Through this experiment, I've discovered a new approach. It just requires some rare experimental materials and a lot of funds..."

"..."

Kagura's eyes widened in surprise at Orochimaru.

The only reason the Hashirama cell transplant experiment was successful was because Kagura himself had a certain characteristic of "Shinobi World Science"...

Any human experiment on him would be successful as long as it complied with the principles of Shinobi World Science. There was no way that Orochimaru could have come up with a new experimental idea...

Danzo, the investor, was unaware of this.

The old man furrowed his brow, looking somewhat troubled. Finally, he spoke, agreeing to the request: "What do you need? Make a list, and I'll try to provide it... I hope the next time... I'll see something that satisfies me."

"Next time, for sure."

Orochimaru nodded, the smile on his face growing more intense.

"Then I'll take him with me."

Danzo waved his hand, calling to the boy with a gentle tone amidst his grim and aged voice: "Boy... Your name is Kagura Akihara, right?"

"Yes."

Orochimaru nodded again, pushing the boy's shoulder and smiling as he spoke: "Take good care of this child. I wouldn't want anything to happen to him. His body may be needed for future experiments..."

"..."

The boy, Kagura Akihara, was being pushed towards Danzo.

"I understand."

Danzo nodded in acknowledgment.

Danzo reached out and patted the boy's head, thinking for a moment before speaking: "From now on, you are a member of ROOT... Forget your name, your codename is now 'Kou'."

"..."

The boy's expression froze.

"Are you serious..."

The old man has lived too long!

Kagura almost forgot about this!

Anyone in Danzo's ROOT organization is forced to discard their name and emotions, living their entire life with only a codename representing them.

However...

System Prompt: New Superior (Shimura Danzo), Newcomer Welcome Package Awarded, New Traits Unlocked!

System Prompt: New Superior (Sarutobi Hiruzen), Newcomer Welcome Package Awarded, New Traits Unlocked!

Shinobi World Darkness (When the host needs information, they will receive the required details. Newcomer welcome package reward.)

Shinobi Professor (When the host learns ninjutsu, any ninjutsu in line with the theory will definitely be successfully learned. Newcomer welcome package reward.)

"Yes, Lord Danzo!"

Kagura Akihara quickly responded.

Although Shimura Danzo was not a good man, and even wanted to change his name, the rewards from his superior's package were truly powerful!

Moreover...

Once becoming Danzo's subordinate, Kagura automatically gains the Konoha roster.

In theory, all ninjas in Konoha are subordinates of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and with that, Kagura gained another newcomer package!

And...

These two traits...

Whether it's Shinobi World Darkness for information gathering or Shinobi Professor for learning abilities, both were exactly what Kagura desperately needed!

Shimura Danzo is a good leader!

Kagura felt that the change of name was a small matter. When Danzo no longer wanted to live, he would find a way to leave him with a whole corpse...

Danzo did not know that the boy by his side had already started thinking about his end. He waved to his two subordinates, intending to take Kagura with him.

Before leaving.

Danzo suddenly seemed to remember something. He turned back and looked at Orochimaru, speaking, "By the way, this base is no longer safe..."

"Hm?"

Orochimaru's brow furrowed immediately.

Compared to other bases, this one was better equipped, and with Kagura, someone who had received modern education, managing it, it had always been well-organized. Orochimaru had planned to make this base a long-term stronghold.

"I received some information…"

Danzo's face darkened as he mentioned someone he seemed reluctant to talk about: "A town near this base... has seen an old friend of yours."

"...I know."

Orochimaru immediately thought of a tall, white-haired man.

Orochimaru's expression also darkened. He gritted his teeth and muttered, "Jiraiya... That guy really doesn't know when to quit…"

"Someone reported his movements to me."

"Since you left Konoha, Jiraiya has been secretly looking into your whereabouts. He's as foolish and naive as your teacher, but both are trouble for us."

Danzo, who always disliked Jiraiya because he shared similarities with Sarutobi Hiruzen, spoke coldly: "If you get the chance, it's best to kill him to avoid further trouble."

"...I understand."

Orochimaru's face turned even more grim, and he said in a low voice, "Jiraiya... that fool... he's not so easy to deal with…"

"I can leave Ryoma to help you."

Danzo gestured to one of his bodyguards: "Ryoma and you are old partners, you two…"

"No need."

Orochimaru coldly rejected the offer, dismissing it indifferently: "Jiraiya... that fool, has never been a match for me, even since ninja school..."

"Then I'll be on my way."

Danzo nodded.

"..."

Kagura stood by, feeling a bit speechless.

Danzo is getting old, his eyesight is bad—didn't he notice this small matter?

Expecting Orochimaru to kill Jiraiya? That's about as likely as expecting Danzo to kill the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen!