Chapter 14

Akihara Kagura is a very sensible person.

With Kakashi Hatake and Yamato appearing so aggressively, it's clear that they've embarrassed Danzo Shimura, and he must step up to say something!

If your superior loses face in front of others, as a subordinate, you can't ignore it. You must find a way to help your superior regain their dignity.

Only then...

Your superior might remain loyal to you.

This is also a rule in the workplace.

Kakashi Hatake's gaze solidified, watching as Akihara Kagura seriously spoke of wanting to kill, an indescribable feeling surged in his heart.

This little devil...

His mind has already been controlled by Danzo Shimura.

Danzo Shimura looked at Akihara Kagura, a noticeable hint of appreciation in his eyes, seemingly unconcerned about Akihara Kagura's disrespectful words towards the Hokage.

Whether it was the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi or the members of the Anbu, most of them knew that the Root was Danzo Shimura's private force. Speaking such words here was nothing.

Just...

Don't spread such words around the village in the future.

"A, don't talk nonsense."

Danzo Shimura gently reprimanded, then scornfully said: "Since the Hokage-sama has issued an order for you to take the Chunin exam, follow the Hokage-sama's command and take the registration form from Kakashi!"

"A?"

This familiar codename...

Kakashi Hatake and Yamato were frozen on the spot.

"Hm?"

Akihara Kagura took the exam registration form from Kakashi Hatake and looked at the two people who were frozen in place, asking curiously: "Is there something wrong with my name?"

After speaking, the boy seemed to remember something, and added: "However, this is the name Danzo-sama bestowed upon me, only Danzo-sama can call me this way."

"What a good kid."

Danzo Shimura squinted his eyes and patted the boy's head.

Although he felt that something was a bit off, he couldn't put his finger on it. When the child said these words, he seemed a bit naive, yet it allowed those present to hear the respect and love this child had for Danzo Shimura.

This child...

He seems to be overly brainwashed by Danzo.

"Wait, did the Hiruzen only send one registration form?"

Danzo Shimura seemed to remember something, suddenly looking at Kakashi Hatake, questioning with his eyes, "I remember the Chunin exam requires a team of three to participate. Which class does the Hiruzen plan to put him in for the Chunin exam?"

As expected!

He knew that Hiruzen was up to no good!

All this talk of taking the Chunin exam was just a smokescreen. The real purpose was to take this child away from him. Once the Hiruzen used the name of the Chunin exam to place this child in a certain class, could he bring the child back in the future?

"We are not aware of the Hokage's intentions."

Kakashi Hatake shook his head and answered slowly, "If Danzo-sama has any other questions, he can ask the Hokage."

"Hmph..."

"I will go and ask."

Danzo Shimura snorted coldly.

"..."

Akihara Kagura couldn't help but glance at Kakashi Hatake.

This guy is a bit dishonest, isn't he!

How could he toss the problem to his superior?

As a subordinate, he should actively solve problems for his superior. If the superior has no problems, then help create problems for him!

"Danzo-sama!"

Akihara Kagura quickly created a new problem for his superior: "During the exam, if I'm placed in a certain class and I don't like the teammates because they're too weak, can I kill the members of that class first?"

"You can."

Danzo Shimura didn't feel any burden about this.

After all, Danzo Shimura has always dreamt of killing his old teammates...

If this child kills the teammates assigned by the Hiruzen during the Chunin exam, it would mean the child is not a team player. He could then rightfully bring the child back.

"..."

Kakashi Hatake's eyes narrowed slightly.

Although he knew this little devil couldn't possibly know about his affairs, nor was he mocking him, a hint of pain was still added to Kakashi Hatake's eyes.

Killing one's own teammates...

Just how desperate must one be for such a situation to occur...

A person who killed their own teammate can never escape that nightmare for the rest of their life...

This little devil talked about killing teammates so casually, has he already been turned into a completely merciless killing tool by Danzo Shimura?

"That's enough."

Kakashi Hatake didn't want to stay here anymore and immediately proposed to leave: "Now that Danzo-sama has accepted the order, we should return and report to the Hokage."

"Don't bother seeing us out."

Danzo Shimura made no move, not even sparing a proper glance.

"Goodbye!"

Akihara Kagura watched the departing duo, his youthful voice echoing in the underground base of the Root Organization: "Next time we meet, don't be rude to Danzo-sama, show some respect!"

"..."

Both Kakashi Hatake and Yamato remained silent, making their way towards the exit.

Just as Kakashi Hatake was about to leave with Yamato, he suddenly halted, turning to look at the boy, and seemed to speak unintentionally: "A, that name, it seems that Danzo-sama has also allowed others to use it before..."

"Kakashi-senpai..."

Yamato, standing beside him, didn't dare to speak.

The Root base was silent.

This Kakashi Hatake really made a mess of things!

Before leaving, the casual comment he made seemed to cause some trouble for Akihara Kagura. Should he get angry and throw a tantrum at Danzo, or pretend he didn't hear it?

Neither...

Seemed appropriate.

The only suitable response...

"I've heard about it."

Akihara Kagura, the young boy, looked at the two figures at the end of the corridor. His youthful voice was still filled with bloodthirst: "The last person named A betrayed Danzo-sama. I will find an opportunity to kill that traitor. I am the only one."

"..."

Kakashi Hatake fell silent for a moment, shaking his head and saying, "That's not necessary. That person is no longer A now."

"Yamato, let's go!"

Kakashi Hatake said no more and leapt to the exit.

Yamato looked back at the old man and the boy, and also followed suit.

"Hmph..."

Danzo Shimura let out a cold snort. After seeing them leave, he finally spoke: "Remember, A, Kakashi Hatake is the instigator of the previous A's betrayal and escape, and Yamato is a traitor who has betrayed the Root..."

"What!"

"Danzo-sama!"

"I should have killed them just now!"

The boy widened his eyes, looked at the old man incredulously, and turned to run towards the exit: "I'm going to kill them!"

"Hold it!"

Danzo Shimura stopped him with a sharp voice, saying solemnly: "Don't be impulsive, you will have the opportunity to kill them secretly when you encounter them outside the village in the future. Within the village, without my order, you must not take action against anyone!"

Danzo Shimura finally noticed something was wrong.

If it were in the past, he could freely mock Kakashi Hatake and Yamato; but now, if he dared to say a few more words, this child Akihara Kagura might take action on the spot after hearing it, which would cause a huge mess...

Thankfully, he didn't say it...

Thankfully, he held this little guy back...

This subordinate was too loyal, to the point that even Danzo himself felt a bit frightened.