Naruto: Growing Stronger Through Healing

"Lord Danzō."

Rinne Path–White Zetsu approached Danzō and spoke in a tone so natural that it carried not the slightest hint of falseness.

Danzō noticed nothing out of the ordinary. Instead, he frowned, his impatience clear as he demanded,

"Where exactly has Orochimaru run off to?"

For several days now, he had dispatched Root shinobi to scour every possible location, yet there had been no trace of Orochimaru whatsoever. It was as though the man had evaporated from the world.

"My apologies, Danzō-sama," Rinne Path–White Zetsu replied respectfully. "We still haven't found any trace of Orochimaru. It's as if he vanished into thin air."

Danzō's expression darkened instantly.

If this were the past, he would have executed the subordinate on the spot for such incompetence. But times had changed.

The failed operation against Aoshi had dealt Root devastating losses, and there had been no opportunity to replenish their numbers.

On top of that, Sarutobi Hiruzen's strict oversight and restrictions meant Danzō now had very few operatives he could freely deploy.

Left with no outlet, he could only seethe in silent fury.

"That damned Orochimaru!"

Rinne Path–White Zetsu stood motionless, silent, neither interrupting nor reacting as Danzō vented his rage.

Only after a long while did Danzō finally rein himself in.

"Rei," he said coldly, "send out the order. You must find Orochimaru no matter what. I also want updated intelligence on Hirakawa Aoshi."

Rei was the codename of the Root member Rinne Path–White Zetsu was currently impersonating.

"Understood!" With that, Rinne Path–White Zetsu vanished from sight.

Naturally, he hadn't truly left. Using the Mayfly Technique, he slipped beneath the ground, concealing his presence completely while waiting for the perfect opportunity to act.

Good things, after all, came to those who waited.

Not long afterward, Danzō lay down to rest.

Though he was technically imprisoned, his former status as Konoha's Hokage Advisor and the leader of Root meant Sarutobi Hiruzen had arranged for him to be housed in surprisingly comfortable quarters.

If not for the heavy, oppressive atmosphere, one might even mistake it for a place of convalescence rather than confinement.

Once Danzō fell asleep, Rinne Path–White Zetsu suppressed every trace of his presence, slowly rising from beneath the floor.

With practiced precision, he implanted the Zero-Tails into Danzō's body.

The creature had not yet begun to grow and was still extremely weak.

As a result, the sleeping Danzō noticed nothing at all.

Afterward, Rinne Path–White Zetsu carefully absorbed a portion of Danzō's chakra.

Only when everything was complete did he slip back underground, departing once more via the Mayfly Technique.

---

Root Headquarters

Rinne Path–White Zetsu appeared here, his form now perfectly transformed into Danzō Shimura.

With Danzō imprisoned, Root was theoretically under the direct authority of the Hokage. In practice, however, the organization obeyed only one man.

Even Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage himself, could not command Root.

Thus, the moment "Danzō" appeared, every Root shinobi immediately revealed themselves, kneeling respectfully as they reported their progress.

Not a single one doubted his identity. Nor did anyone question how he had left prison to stand before them.

Seated in the central position, Rinne Path–White Zetsu maintained a cold, oppressive expression. Only after hearing every report did he finally speak.

"Hyo. Kuro. Go invite Homura and Koharu here. Tell them I have important matters to discuss."

In the original timeline, Danzō had once ordered Root to assassinate Sarutobi Hiruzen. The attempt ultimately failed.

While Konoha's weakened state at the time played a role, the incident also revealed just how lenient Sarutobi Hiruzen truly was toward his old friend.

Any other ruler would never tolerate an attempted assassination. If the perpetrator wasn't executed, they would at least be stripped of all authority.

To prevent Sarutobi Hiruzen from sparing Danzō once again, Aoshi intended to force matters to the extreme.

He would impersonate Danzō and personally kill Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane—with Sarutobi Hiruzen as a direct witness.

These two so-called advisors contributed little beyond their seniority. In the original history, they clung to power all the way into the Boruto era, long since corrupted by authority.

Their deaths would not weaken Konoha in the slightest. On the contrary, it would clear the path for true talent to rise.

Two lifelong companions, slain by the hand of another old friend.

After witnessing such a scene, Aoshi refused to believe Sarutobi Hiruzen could still tolerate Danzō's existence.

Once the Hokage developed even a shred of killing intent, Danzō would be forced to defect from Konoha to survive.

"Understood!" Hyo and Kuro departed at once.

After they left, Rinne Path–White Zetsu turned his gaze to the remaining operatives.

"All other missions are hereby canceled," he said calmly. "Your new task is to assassinate Hiruzen immediately."

Assassinate the Hokage.

If anyone else had uttered those words, it would have caused an uproar—and an instant report to the authorities.

But the Root shinobi before him remained utterly calm.

Even if Danzō ordered them to assassinate the Fire Daimyō himself, they would carry it out without hesitation.

"Once Hiruzen is dead," Rinne Path–White Zetsu continued, "I will succeed him as Hokage with the support of Homura and Koharu. Under my leadership, Konoha will achieve true greatness."

The Root shinobi grew subtly excited.

Completely brainwashed, they believed with absolute conviction that only Danzō was fit to lead the village.

Not a single person questioned the order, nor did anyone hesitate.

"Mu," Rinne Path–White Zetsu said, "You will command this mission. Act immediately."

This Mu was not Yamato of Wood Release fame, but the strongest remaining Root shinobi after Aburame Ryoma's death.

"Remember," he added coldly, "this operation must succeed. Failure is not an option."

In the original history, Danzō had waited until Sarutobi Hiruzen left the village before acting. This time, Aoshi intended to strike openly—right in front of Konoha itself.

Only then would Danzō lose every shred of legitimacy.

"Understood!" The response came in unison.

Moments later, led by Mu, every Root shinobi vanished from headquarters.

The vast underground complex fell silent, leaving only Rinne Path–White Zetsu behind.

Taking advantage of the empty halls, he began searching Root Headquarters thoroughly.

Once Danzō defected, Root would be dissolved without question. Now was the best—and last—chance to salvage its assets.

Jutsu scrolls. Experimental medicines. Forbidden research materials. Operational funds.

He gathered anything of real value, ignoring the paltry sums of money and low-level techniques beneath Aoshi's notice.

Finally, he arrived at Root's mission archive—the records of every operation the organization had ever carried out.

A single glance was enough to confirm it. Every document inside was explosive, dangerous, and utterly unforgivable if exposed.

After all, Root was the Anbu of the Anbu.

Hokage Residence

Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane both received summons from Root shinobi.

"What is Danzō scheming now?"