Chp-160: The New Root of Konoha

Hyuga Satoru smiled as he took the stack of documents Orochimaru handed him. 

He glanced through them quickly and couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Danzo truly lived up to his reputation as the hidden Root of Konoha—this Root had nearly drained Konoha dry!

The Root division, though small, had amassed assets exceeding 6 billion ryo!

This figure was substantial. The annual budget allocated to Konoha by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire was only in the tens of billions of ryo. Unless it was a special period, it would never exceed 20 billion ryo.

For the Root to have accumulated such assets was terrifying. Who knows how many small ninjas had been squeezed dry!

Aside from that, what intrigued Satoru even more were the experimental resources of the Root. They were among the most advanced in all of Konoha!

Orochimaru had often collaborated with Danzo to gain more resource support. If all these resources could be...

"Satoru, what are your thoughts on the future of the Root?" Orochimaru asked, his fingers interlocked under his chin, looking at Satoru with curiosity.

"The Root needs to continue existing," Satoru replied, frowning slightly. "Disbanding it would be a tremendous loss."

"I agree," Orochimaru nodded. "There are many tasks that the Hokage can't directly handle, so the Root needs to."

During Sarutobi Hiruzen's time, the Root became an obstacle to the village's development, mainly due to personal issues between Danzo and Hiruzen. However, ignoring that, the Root had its value.

"Satoru, I have a bold idea..." Orochimaru said thoughtfully, raising his head and smiling at Satoru.

"I also have a bold idea..." Satoru responded, smiling back.

"Satoru, the Root is yours to take over."

"I'll take over the Root."

Almost simultaneously, they spoke the same words.

After a brief pause, the Hokage's office echoed with their hearty laughter.

Unlike the cunning old Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo, Satoru and Orochimaru shared similar ideals. There were no conflicts between them. With Satoru taking over the Root and Orochimaru as Hokage, the power centre of Konoha was nearly monopolised by them. It would be difficult for any third-party forces to interfere in Konoha's high-level power structure.

Satoru was satisfied. The title of Hokage meant little to him. Taking over the Root would provide him with a wealth of resources and allow him to implement his plans freely.

It seemed he would gain another title: Leader of the Root. Danzo had just died, and he had already taken over his base. He wondered what the members of the Root would think when they found out.

...

Satoru's takeover of the Root occurred seven days after Danzo's death. Sarutobi Hiruzen had been impeached over the Sharingan incident and had gradually distanced himself from the centre of power. Although Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado protested many times in the Hokage's office, Orochimaru stood firm. The protests of the two advisors had no effect. Konoha was no longer theirs to dictate.

The matter was thus settled. Aside from the high-level officials, many villagers were unaware that Konoha's most secretive institution had quietly changed leadership.

...

The Root headquarters was dimly lit. Satoru frowned as he scanned his surroundings. He disliked the dark, gloomy atmosphere, especially the jars filled with unknown biological specimens.

As he walked, he pondered the direction in which he wanted to reform the Root. Unknowingly, he had arrived at the main hall. Danzo had once issued orders to the Root from here. A large group of Root members was already waiting there.

The completely brainwashed members, who had become mere killing machines, had been removed. Those remaining had potential and met Satoru's criteria.

Satoru walked up the steps to the high platform, turning to look down at the kneeling members. Many of them were sweating profusely, some even trembling slightly. 

Root-trained ninjas were rarely afraid, but the man before them was no ordinary person. He had killed their former leader. Moreover, numerous terrifying incidents had highlighted this man's unfathomable strength. Due to his technique, many privately referred to him as the Tyrant.

Satoru glanced at the kneeling members and said sternly, "I am here to do three things..."

The members shuddered, too afraid to raise their heads. Their minds raced, wondering what three things their new leader intended to do.

Taking a deep breath, Satoru continued, "Fairness! Fairness! And more Fairness!"

The repeated emphasis on Fairness left the Root members bewildered. They exchanged confused glances, not understanding what he meant.

Satoru paused, then elaborated, "I know your former leader, Danzo, was harsh and controlled you with cursed seals, depriving you of your freedom."

The members trembled, recalling their painful past. While Danzo had aimed to turn them into emotionless, obedient machines, as human beings, it was impossible to eradicate their emotions entirely. Most of the dismissed members struggled to adapt and reintegrate into everyday life.

"You can rest assured," Satoru said. "I will not use such methods. Danzo is dead, and the seals on you should have lost their power."

"Furthermore, I won't place any new seals on you. Those pointless things are unnecessary in the new Root."

The Root members exchanged glances, hesitant and confused. Their new leader was different from what they had expected. They had heard that their former leader Danzo had been brutally tortured by him and had even taken down a bridge before dying. Now, his first action as their new leader was to grant them freedom?

They were unsure what to make of it.

Satoru took a deep breath, gazing out of the prison-like window. "I have a dream. I want to start with this village and gradually transform this world. The world has remained stagnant for too long. The decaying atmosphere must be swept away by a new wind. The Hyuga clan has succeeded."

He looked at the kneeling members, his voice magnetic and inspiring. "You are the roots buried deep underground. From you, we will gradually rise, possibly transforming this decaying tree of Konoha."

The Root members stared at him in awe. He seemed to be glowing. This was a vision worth imagining. Danzo had only ever sought the Hokage's position.

Their new leader, Hyuga Satoru, aspired to change the world.