Naruto: I Kill, I Loot, I Ascend

Hiruko replayed the torment he had endured here.

It turned out these people never cared what he knew.

They just wanted to break his psychological defenses—

So he would willingly join Root.

You could've just asked!!!

If they had asked, he would have agreed on the spot!

His strength was decent—stronger than most, but far from the top.

Among jōnin, he wasn't weak.

But compared to the Three Ninja of his generation—

He had been completely outclassed.

After years of struggle, he had finally secured a commander position—

Only to be immediately removed when the war began.

Strength? Not enough.

Status? Couldn't rise further.

And now even his nominal "disciple" had surpassed him—earning the title of Flame Demon.

Jealousy gnawed at his nerves.

To grow stronger—

He would sacrifice anything.

He had long since stopped caring about loyalty to Konoha.

Originally, he planned to research forbidden techniques, enhance his own potential, and defect if discovered.

Now?

The Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal branded on his tongue, plus layers of other seals—

There was no escape.

He would sink into Root's darkness forever.

Hyuga Arin—

You deserve to die.

Hiruko clenched his fists and followed behind Danzō.

As Root's key experimental researcher, his status here wasn't low.

He would use Root to enhance his potential—

And obtain the Byakugan.

Arin followed behind with a cheerful smile.

Whether Danzō knew about the tension between these two—

Or simply didn't care—

Was irrelevant.

Hiruko was sealed more heavily than any other Root member.

Because Danzō understood—

Hiruko was the same type as Orochimaru.

Orochimaru couldn't be controlled.

But Hiruko?

Almost as talented in experimentation.

Without strong seals, he would be uncontrollable.

And unlike Orochimaru—

He didn't have a Hokage backing him.

Danzō began speaking solemnly.

"Those of the 'Root' have no name, no emotions. No past, no future. Only mission. We support the great tree that is Konoha, buried deep beneath the soil…"

He explained Root's purpose.

The unseen defense of Konoha.

Those who sacrifice everything.

No rules. No limits.

Executing traitors.

Conducting unrestricted research.

"All to nourish the great tree of Konoha."

It's a sewer, just say it's a sewer.

Why dress it up like an inspirational newsletter?

Arin's face remained serious, though internally he rolled his eyes.

Still, he nodded solemnly.

"What ANBU cannot do, Root will. What ANBU dares not do, Root dares. Execute first, report later—authorized by the Hokage."

Danzō paused.

His eyes lit up.

"Execute first, report later—authorized by the Hokage."

Excellent line.

It was his now.

The mountain base contained numerous laboratories.

Most experiments used captured enemy ninja—

Cloud, Stone, Sand, Mist—

Members from all four great villages could be found here.

Even ninja from smaller villages.

Root had not yet reached the stage of experimenting on fellow Konoha citizens.

But the research bore little fruit so far.

Root was still in its infancy.

Otherwise, Danzō wouldn't have desired Orochimaru so badly.

Now—

He placed his hopes on Hiruko.

They passed several training chambers.

Children—many younger than Arin—were undergoing brutal training.

"They are orphans," Danzō said calmly.

Through the viewing window, children fought viciously.

"They will become Root's future."

The recent war had produced countless orphans.

Root actively collected them from war-torn regions.

Raised them here.

Forged them into tools.

Arin's smile faded slightly.

But he did nothing.

He had some sympathy for NPCs.

After the training area, Danzō led them to the Root vault.

"Within are rare metals, specialized ninja tools, and techniques developed by Root. Standard village techniques are also included."

"You may request access."

Hiruko's eyes brightened.

"Does that include sealing techniques?"

Danzō glanced at him meaningfully.

"If necessary."

Arin's eyes sparkled.

"I want Impure World Reincarnation."

Danzō's face darkened.

"We'll discuss that later."

No.

That technique would never be given to Arin.

On this, he and Hiruzen were aligned.

Arin was a weapon.

A combat asset.

Not a researcher.

Arin looked disappointed.

Hiruzen and Danzō truly wore the same pair of pants.

So stingy.

"Perfect timing," Danzō said coldly. "There is a mission for the two of you."

He tossed a scroll to Arin.

Arin opened it—

And grinned.

"Now that's more like it. If we're not targeting Uchiha, what's even the point of Root?"

Danzō's face darkened instantly.

"Root exists for Konoha! Not to target the Uchiha!!"

Even if that was mostly what he did.

You couldn't say it out loud!

Hiruko leaned in to read.

"Intercept and eliminate three Uchiha jōnin. Retrieve their Sharingan. Leave signs implicating Kirigakure."

"Uchiha jōnin?!" Hiruko's voice turned shrill. "You want us to kill village ninja?!"

Arin looked him up and down.

"Didn't you hear me earlier? Root exists to target the Uchiha."

"For Konoha! Not for targeting the Uchiha!" Danzō roared.

"Yeah, yeah," Arin replied, picking at his ear.

He clearly wasn't listening.

Danzō turned to Hiruko.

"This is your mission. If you fail—you know the consequences."

Hiruko fell silent.

He did know.

And he didn't dare refuse.

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