Chapter 12: Danzo

Fūka sat in the office, recovering his chakra, with a slight sheen of sweat on his young face.

The attentive Nonō Yakushi gently wiped his face and then left. Soon, she returned with a fish that was on the brink of death.

At this moment, Fūka opened his eyes and found the scene incredibly familiar.

'In the original story, Sakura followed Tsunade to learn Medical Ninjutsu, and this scene seems to be a part of it.'

"Fūka, come on, try to see if you can save this fish," Nonō Yakushi said, placing the fish in front of him.

Fūka extended his hands and then looked at Nonō Yakushi with some confusion, saying, "Nonō-sensei, could you give me a hint?"

"Focus your chakra in your hands."

Fūka followed her instructions.

"Close your eyes and feel the flow of chakra in your hands."

"Place your hands on the fish's belly and sense the cells within the fish's body."

Nonō Yakushi guided Fūka step by step, occasionally correcting his mistakes.

As the steps continued, Nonō Yakushi's eyes began to brighten slightly.

Perhaps Fūka truly had the perfect hands; his control over his hands was excellent, and this quality extended to his Medical Ninjutsu practice. Soon, Fūka began to feel the cells inside the fish and, following Nonō Yakushi's instructions, lightly stimulated these cells to restore their vitality.

But…

Boom!

In his excitement, Fūka's chakra became chaotic, causing the fish to explode into a cloud of ashes.

Fūka opened his eyes, looking quite embarrassed.

Nonō Yakushi, facing him, now had her white coat covered in fish scales, blood, and bits of fish meat.

"I'm very sorry, Nonō-sensei." Realizing he was at fault, Fūka quickly apologized.

Nonō Yakushi gave him a sharp flick on the forehead, reminding him to be more careful next time.

After spending more than half an hour learning, Nonō Yakushi had to leave for another matter, so Fūka would have to come back another time for more instruction.

"Take this money and be careful with your body while training!" Before leaving, Nonō Yakushi generously lent Fūka some money.

"Thank you, Nonō-sensei!"

With the money in hand, Fūka was more determined than ever to change Nonō Yakushi

's fate.

Although this approach might easily put him on Danzo's radar, it was thrilling. After all, seeking a quiet life in the world of shinobi was akin to seeking death.

"I must become stronger, stronger, and even stronger!"

Back home, Fūka trained obsessively, even compressing his sleep to just four hours a night.

Refining chakra, practicing hand seals, training in physical skills, and now adding Medical Ninjutsu to his regimen!

A few days later, Fūka returned to Konoha Hospital to continue learning Medical Ninjutsu from Nonō Yakushi.

With the basic knowledge of Medical Ninjutsu already imparted to him, Nonō Yakushi now focused on practical training. Under her guidance, Fūka's experience grew daily. After half a month, he was able to successfully revive a nearly dead fish. Subsequently, Nonō Yakushi started bringing chickens, ducks, and even a lamb for Fūka to practice on.

In the dead of night, in a secret underground base somewhere in Konoha, a man shrouded in shadows watched a woman kneeling before him with a cold, sinister gaze.

The woman had golden long hair and round glasses. It was none other than Nonō Yakushi.

"Nonō, what have you been up to lately?" The man in the shadows spoke slowly. His voice seemed gentle but was cold and rigid, like a snake coiling and striking with venomous intent.

Nonō Yakushi knelt with her head lowered, speaking calmly, "Danzo-sama, I've been staying at Konoha Hospital, approaching Lady Tsunade of the Senju Clan, to gather intelligence on the Senju Clan's movements."

"I see."

The man in the shadows took a few steps forward, revealing his gaunt face. His eye bags were heavy, his skin saggy, and most notably, his chin bore two intersecting scars.

This man was Shimura Danzo, the founder of Konoha's Root and one of Konoha's senior advisors, a man of high authority!

"The situation of the Senju Clan is already clear. Aside from their princess Tsunade, the rest of the clan's members are mediocre and incapable of bearing significant responsibilities. Their exit from the stage of Konoha is inevitable!" Danzo leaned forward, his eyes cold as they fixed on Nonō Yakushi, "And Tsunade, having developed hemophobia after Dan Kato's death, will be unable to progress further. Despite being one of the Legendary Three Ninjas, she is no longer worth our attention!"

"Yes, Danzo-sama!" Nonō Yakushi replied without daring to show any sign of dissent.

"I know you still have a kind heart deep down. Therefore, you will like the next task," Danzo's eyes narrowed, "The Second Shinobi War has ended, but the Land of Fire remains unsettled. You are to immediately gather a team and find talented orphans to bring back. Understood?"

"Yes, Danzo-sama!"

Nonō Yakushi responded woodenly, devoid of the gentleness she showed to Fūka, her demeanor now as cold as iron, stripped of all emotion.

"Then I won't trouble myself with that child." Danzo's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Proceed with your task!"

"Yes!" Nonō Yakushi's voice trembled slightly but she still obeyed Danzo's orders without question.

Moments later, Nonō Yakushi had disappeared.

"Come here!" Danzo suddenly commanded.

In the next instant, a figure appeared before Danzo with remarkable speed and knelt respectfully.

"Hi!" The figure was dressed in the Anbu uniform and wore a hawk mask.

"Investigate Uchiha Fūka!"

"Hi!"

"Also, I've heard that a talented child has appeared in the Uchiha Clan, named Uchiha… Itachi!"

"I understand, Danzo-sama!" The Anbu operative responded and then vanished.

"Ha ha ha, the Uchiha Clan…"

Danzo had been greatly influenced by the Second Hokage and had always harbored a dislike for the Uchiha Clan. Even his former teammate, Uchiha Kagami, had sparked some hidden resentment, though it was well concealed at the time. Now, with many things having changed, Danzo's mindset had finally shifted.

The Senju Clan would inevitably fade from Konoha, leaving only the Sarutobi Clan behind the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen!

At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was at his weakest in controlling Konoha!

Danzo needed to make a substantial 'contribution' during this period to showcase his significance, and to… vie for the position of Hokage!

With the Uchiha Clan's historical background, Danzo's focus was naturally on this clan for the stability of Konoha and his quest for Hokage.

Moreover…

"The Sharingan, such a powerful and unparalleled bloodline limit, I must acquire it too!"