One month had passed since the first day at the Academy.
The leaves had begun to change color, and the air in Konoha carried the cool breeze of autumn. Pages of the lesson plans rustled as the wind blew in through the large windows of the Hokage's office.
In that tall, spacious room, Hiruzen Sarutobi—a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard and sharp eyes—stood in front of his signature tool: the surveillance telescope technique.
The image inside the crystal ball showed the elite class of the Ninja Academy.
The children were practicing kunai throwing. Mizuki stood calmly, her small body steady like a bamboo rooted firmly in the ground. Beside her, Minato smiled brightly as he showed another student how to spin a kunai on his finger.
"Hm…" Hiruzen murmured, stroking his beard.
"One shines bright and full of energy like fire… the other is like a cold shadow silently forming a structure."
He let out a sigh, then smiled faintly.
"Just like me… and Danzo…"
As if summoned by that very thought, the office door opened without a knock. No one entered the Hokage's office unannounced—except for one man.
Hiruzen didn't scold the lack of courtesy. He merely smirked slightly, as he always did when facing Danzo.
"A warm morning for someone who enters like a storm," Hiruzen commented as he walked to his desk and sat down."What brings you here so early?"
Danzo stood straight in front of the desk.
Danzo Shimura stepped in with confidence, his dark cloak shifting slightly with every movement. His hair was still black, and his posture remained strong—untouched by age as it would be in the years to come. His face was lined and stern, his gaze piercing.
"I know you were watching that class again," he said bluntly, taking a seat without asking. "Seems like you've got a favorite candidate."
Hiruzen didn't seem bothered. He merely smiled and poured a second cup of tea.
"If only every class were like this, I wouldn't have to worry about picking future Jonin."
Danzo scoffed. "Children are still children. But that's not what I came here for today."
He pulled a scroll from within his cloak, unrolling part of it and placing it on the desk. The tightly written document outlined a new unit structure—with an additional note: Classified External Operations. Code: ROOT
"A new unit?" Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.
"ROOT," Danzo repeated. "Separate from regular ANBU. They won't need honor, only results. Their missions will take them into shadows even ANBU fear to tread."
His tone was flat, but heavy. For a moment, the only sound in the room was the gentle pour of tea.
"And who will train them?" Hiruzen asked calmly.
"I will," Danzo replied immediately. "I want to shape them from the ground up. Disciplined, without illusions of honor. Loyal to the village. Loyal to their purpose."
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, his eyes shifting from the scroll to his old friend.
"This… is a bold idea, Danzo."
"I didn't come for your approval today," Danzo said plainly. "Just to inform you. Bring it up with the council next meeting—I know you will."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, interlocking his fingers as he leaned back.
"And why do you think we need a unit like this?"
"Because the outside world doesn't care about the Will of Fire, Hiruzen," Danzo replied flatly. "They only recognize strength. We need roots to support this tree from underground. ANBU is too… clean."
Silence fell for a few seconds.
Finally, Hiruzen gave a slow nod.
"I'll consider it. The idea… will be discussed at next week's council meeting."
Danzo didn't seem disappointed. He didn't expect it to be accepted immediately. Only planted. Sown.
That was when his eyes caught the crystal ball on Hiruzen's desk. Still showing the Academy classroom. Small children—future shinobi.
Danzo stepped closer.
On the screen, Mizuki was picking up a kunai she had thrown with high precision. Her movements were calm and calculated. That small body seemed to conceal something far greater.
'Hyuga Mizuki…' Danzo thought. 'Not just another child.'
"She's interesting," Danzo said suddenly.
"Who?" Hiruzen turned to look.
"The white-eyed girl. Mizuki Hyuga. I spoke with her… some time ago." His voice was nearly monotone, but there was an unusual curiosity in his tone.
"You want… to make her your student?" Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised."You, Danzo? Taking on a student?"
Danzo turned, and for the first time during the conversation, his expression softened—just a little, like a thin mist passing over a lake.
"She's different. She… understands something that can't be explained with words. There's depth in her eyes."
Hiruzen was silent for a moment, then chuckled lightly.
"Perhaps this is good news. I've got three outstanding students of my own."He smiled proudly, thinking of Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru."And you… it's time you had an heir to your thinking."
Danzo didn't respond. He just stared at the crystal ball for a moment longer, then turned away.
"I'll speak with the Hyuga clan head personally. Don't bother yourself."
"Of course," Hiruzen said with a smile, still watching his friend walk away.
The door closed with a soft click. The office returned to silence.
Hiruzen stood and walked back to his crystal ball. He made sure no chakra was nearby, then placed one hand in a seal and swiped across the device.
"Show me… the women's hot spring."
A flash of light swirled inside the orb. Mizuki and Minato's images vanished, replaced by…
"Hehehehe…" "Research. This is all for research."
Outside, a hawk flew over Hokage Tower—as if silently witnessing that even the Third Hokage was, after all, still a man.
One day after the conversation with Hiruzen, Danzo prepared his next step. That morning, he wore his ever-pristine black cloak. Not much had changed about him over the years. He knew this meeting with the Hyuga elders would determine the path of several plans.
Upon arriving at the Hyuga compound, a serene and dignified atmosphere greeted him. Very few were allowed inside without prior permission, but Danzo was among those rare few who didn't need to knock.
In the main hall, before the clan head and elders, Mizuki sat quietly, staring at Danzo in confusion. She had no idea why she'd been called here, especially with the man who had spoken to her two years ago now standing authoritatively before the Hyuga elders.
Danzo stood tall in the center of the room, his eyes scanning each clan member before he finally spoke with a calm yet weighty voice.
"Hyuga Clan Head, esteemed elders," Danzo said in a deep and steady voice,"I've come to formally request—permission to take this girl, Mizuki Hyuga, as my student."
The expressions of the elders did not shift much. Some exchanged glances, sensing tension in the air. Danzo was not an easy man to approach. His status in the village was still not fully secured, making them cautious.
The oldest elder, a man over seventy with white hair, spoke first."Danzo Shimura… You were the Second Hokage's student and now assistant to the current Hokage. We understand the honor the Hyuga clan would gain from accepting your proposal."
However, doubt lingered in his eyes."But why Mizuki? Our clan has many heirs with more battle experience. What makes you so sure she is the right choice?"
Danzo let out a slow breath, his gaze unwavering."I see extraordinary potential in Mizuki. She is not just another child—she possesses a calmness rarely found in someone her age." He looked at Mizuki, who now sat in slight confusion, as though unaware of what was unfolding."In the shinobi world, calm judgment and the ability to assess a situation accurately are more valuable than brute strength."
Mizuki said nothing, bowing her head slightly, trying to contain the strange feelings rising within her. Why did it feel like something bigger was at play?
Danzo continued,"Additionally, Mizuki shows a sharpness that sets her apart from others at the Academy. Her talent cannot be ignored. I wish to guide her, to teach her to see the world from a different, harsher, more realistic perspective."
At that moment, a younger elder responded swiftly."We are aware of your respected position in the village. The Hyuga clan does not turn away from opportunities to strengthen our standing."
The clan head, looked at Danzo with serious consideration."We accept your proposal, Danzo. Mizuki indeed shows great potential. Moreover, the Hyuga clan's relationship with the Hokage has always been strong. We believe this is a valuable chance to shape an exceptional shinobi."
Danzo gave a slight bow of respect."Thank you for the trust you've placed in me. I will ensure Mizuki becomes not just a strong student, but a valuable asset to the village."
Mizuki remained silent, though her heart pounded. She felt confused yet honored. What did all this mean? Danzo, a powerful man with many secrets and influence, had chosen her as his student. But why did it feel like an immense burden now rested on her shoulders? How could she navigate a world that still felt so unfamiliar?
After the meeting, Danzo stood and offered a small bow to the clan head and elders."I will return to take Mizuki once proper preparations are complete. Thank you for your approval."
Mizuki could only nod slightly, her eyes still filled with uncertainty. As the door shut behind him, a heavy silence settled. Her heart quietly wondered what truly awaited her on this new path.