**Chapter 192: The High-Level Game Begins**
The Root operative was stunned by Reiki's words. Not only had Reiki detected him, despite his skill in masking his presence, but he even knew about the cursed seal on his tongue. His mind spun with conflicting thoughts. Should he stay and let Reiki attempt to remove the curse, or report back to Danzo?
Seeing the Root member's indecision, Reiki sat on the ground, gazing at him with a calm, knowing smile. "I understand you're hesitant," he said. "You could leave now, and I'll pretend I never saw you. Or, I can try to free you from the cursed seal. The choice is yours."
The offer was too tempting, yet the risks were high. After a moment's silence, the Root operative made his choice, disappearing into the shadows with a flicker. Reiki shook his head slightly; he knew the operative hadn't gone far but was hiding nearby.
"You might want to think twice before keeping an eye on me," Reiki said, raising his voice slightly. "If my teacher catches you, it won't end well." He chuckled, heading off to the market as if nothing had happened.
---
Back at the Root headquarters, the operative made his report to Danzo, who received it in silence. The young medical ninja's perceptiveness surprised even him. After a pause, Danzo dismissed the operative.
"Put the surveillance on hold for now," he ordered. "You may go."
Left alone, Danzo brooded, his gaze dark. *If Reiki could detect Root's most skilled operative, there must be someone assisting him—likely Hiruzen.* He couldn't afford to let this interference disrupt his plans. But the discovery meant that his next moves would require even greater caution.
---
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi held a mission report in his hands, deep in thought. The recent actions of his old friend Danzo, especially involving Orochimaru and the Root operatives, were stirring suspicions. If Danzo's experiments extended to Hashirama's cells and he was actively involving Orochimaru, this alliance could spell trouble.
"Hiruzen-sama!" Namikaze Minato's voice brought him out of his thoughts. The young ninja entered the office with three students in tow: Kakashi, Obito, and Rin.
"Ah, Minato," Hiruzen greeted him warmly. "I have a scroll for you that I believe will aid you in your training." He handed Minato a scroll marked with the unmistakable title: *Flying Thunder God Technique*.
Minato's eyes widened. "Flying Thunder God? Thank you, Hokage-sama!" His mind flashed to the technique Roy had shared with him. Was this different, or was Hiruzen merely reemphasizing the technique? Either way, Minato resolved to examine it closely.
"Train hard, Minato," Hiruzen encouraged. "With dedication, you may one day lead this village as its Kage."
Namikaze Minato nodded respectfully, tucking the scroll away. "I'll do my best, Lord Hokage. I won't let you down." With that, he bowed and exited with his students.
As he left, Minato felt an urge to see Reiki. If there were indeed a deeper meaning to Hiruzen's gift, he needed Reiki's insight. "Let's pay a visit to Tsunade-sama's residence," he told his students, leading them toward the heart of the village.
---
Meanwhile, back at Tsunade's home, Reiki had just arrived with bags of groceries in hand, finding Tsunade already preparing things for her mission to the Land of Rain. As she packed, Reiki felt curiosity gnawing at him.
"Where's your mission this time, Teacher?" he asked.
"The Land of Rain," Tsunade replied. "Hanzo and a group called the Akatsuki are clashing, and Jiraiya went ahead to assess the situation. I'll join him if things look bad."
Reiki tilted his head. "Maybe you should bring Jiraiya-sama along. He knows the region and Akatsuki better than anyone."
"Good idea," Tsunade replied with a smirk. "He set out ahead yesterday, and I'll catch up if needed. I'm keeping an eye on him, don't worry." She ruffled his hair, laughing.
Reiki headed to the kitchen to start cooking, shaking his head with a smile. "I'll handle dinner, then."
---
Later that evening, Minato, along with Kakashi, Obito, and Rin, arrived at Tsunade's residence. As they entered, they caught sight of Reiki setting the table with Shizune, who was finishing up the final dishes.
"Minato-senpai, Kakashi, everyone! Come join us!" Reiki called, gesturing to the seats.
Minato approached him, pulling out the scroll he'd received from the Hokage. "Reiki, I have a question about this," he said, lowering his voice. "The Hokage gave me this version of the Flying Thunder God Technique. Does it differ from what you showed me?"
Reiki's eyes narrowed as he looked at the scroll. "The Hokage gave you this personally?"
"Yes," Minato replied. "He also hinted that he believed in my potential… maybe even as Hokage someday."
Reiki took a deep breath, understanding the weight behind Hiruzen's gesture. "He's testing your loyalty, Minato. It seems he's concerned about what Danzo and Orochimaru are planning."
Minato nodded, his gaze steady. "Then I'll study this carefully, without drawing suspicion. I'll follow my path, wherever it leads."
Reiki patted Minato on the shoulder. "If there's anything else you need, let me know. We're all counting on you."
As they settled in for dinner, a sense of shared purpose and trust surrounded them. Despite the games being played by those in power, each of them knew where they stood.
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