In Konoha, you get one evolution point every day.

Inside the dark base.

The two Root members humbly reported everything that had just happened to Shimura Danzo, who stood before them.

"...Lord Danzo, we have done our best."

Danzo Shimura frowned after hearing this.

He knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi would come after him soon.

These idiots! I clearly wanted an invitation, but you're chasing after me like you're trying to kill me. What kind of nonsense is that!

"Elder Danzo, the Hokage requests your presence."

As expected, the Anbu, directly under the Hokage, arrived.

"Okay, I'll be right there." After Shimura Danzo finished speaking, the ANBU member glanced at the two Root members, said nothing, and immediately disappeared.

Danzo Shimura took a deep breath, and instead of reprimanding the two, he waved his hand and said, "Take them away and give them a Class C punishment."

Two Root ninjas appeared behind the two.

The two were stunned.

"Lord Danzo, we were just following your orders!"

"Lord Danzo, please, please don't!!"

Danzo Shimura ignored the two people's screams as they faded into the distance.

This is the consequence of not understanding the leader's meaning.

When Shimura Danzo arrived at the Hokage Building, he heard that Jiraiya had also arrived, and he was already mentally prepared.

"Hiruzen, I'm here."

As Shimura Danzo entered the house and greeted them, Jiraiya's gaze swept over him.

"Danzo, who ordered you to attack Lin Fan?" Although Jiraiya had been busy with Minato's team on missions these past few days and hadn't had time to deal with Lin Fan, he still kept an eye on him every time he returned.

When Jiraiya called him by his name, Danzo Shimura narrowed his eyes.

This little rascal has grown up without us even realizing it.

Hiruzen really knows how to pick his disciples.

"I did all of this for Konoha."

"you!"

Jiraiya glared at Danzo, while Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed a few times:

"Ahem! Jiraiya!"

He advised, "Danzo is an elder, after all. Speak properly."

"Third Hokage, didn't you see that Danzo has changed? He actually blocked Lin Fan's path in broad daylight and tried to attack him!"

Shimura Danzo said, "I only sent someone to invite Lin Fan into Root. I have already punished those who attacked him. They will be bedridden for at least a week... If you think that's not enough, I can make them bedridden for six months."

When talking about being "unable to get out of bed for six months," Danzo Shimura's face remained expressionless.

He was serious.

What a heartless old man!

Jiraiya knew that since Danzo had said that, he could no longer criticize Danzo. He could only look at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was sitting behind his desk wearing the Hokage hat and with his eyes slightly lowered.

After a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke.

"Alright, since Danzo has already made the punishment, let's leave it at that."

Upon hearing this, Danzo Shimura remained calm, as if he had already guessed it.

Jiraiya, looking somewhat dejected, approached the door. With his back to the two, he said to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Lin Fan is my future disciple, and I will not allow him to be bullied."

After saying that, Jiraiya left the office.

Sensing that Jiraiya had already left the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke:

"Danzo, are you satisfied now?"

"I don't understand what you're saying," Shimura Danzo said calmly. "I was just inviting Lin Fan normally, but I didn't expect the two Root members to make a move... It's my fault."

Seeing that Danzo had explained everything clearly, Hiruzen Sarutobi tacitly refrained from pursuing the matter further.

"I told you before, don't touch Lin Fan. Lin Fan is someone that Jiraiya found who has the potential to become the Child of Prophecy. If you offend him, it's the same as Konoha offending him, which could very well bring trouble to Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took out his pipe, took a puff, and sighed, "It's better to be friends than to make someone whom the Great Sage calls the Child of Prophecy an enemy."

Danzo Shimura narrowed his eyes slightly.

"The premise is that the other party is the child of prophecy."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.

"Furthermore, no one knows whether the claim that the giant toad foretold the Child of Prophecy could change the ninja world is true or false."

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not refute.

"Now that it has been confirmed that Lin Fan possesses talent beyond that of an ordinary ninja, in order to ensure that he becomes a member of the village, it is most reassuring to entrust him to me."

"That won't do," Hiruzen Sarutobi finally said.

Are you kidding me? Even if I hand it over to my Dark Division, I'm not going to give it to your Root Division!

Danzo Shimura was somewhat angry.

Why didn't you say so earlier? Why did you have to analyze it all by yourself before you spoke?!

"Hiruzen, your methods are too gentle; you can't control Lin Fan like this!"

"Enough, Danzo. This matter is settled. From now on, you must not interfere in Lin Fan's affairs! Don't forget, I am the Hokage!" Hiruzen Sarutobi declared.

Damn it! That phrase again!

Danzo Shimura seemed to recall the scene of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, leaving behind the rearguard...

If he takes the first step...

The Hokage in front of me is myself!

"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!"

Since you won't let me win over Lin Fan, then I'll deal with your subordinates!

......

When Lin Fan returned home, he was unaware that a second "You Regret My Shadow" had occurred in the office for him.

"Minato, long time no see. This must be Kushina, right?" Lin Fan returned home to find Minato bringing his girlfriend home.

Red hair, dressed in casual family clothes, and without a headband.

"You've heard of me too? But I've heard of you too. Tsunade told me before you came. You're really handsome!" Kushina Uzumaki smiled and extended her hand. Lin Fan shook it, but under Minato's smiling yet jealous gaze, Lin Fan let go.

"It's alright, it's alright. He's only a little more handsome than your boyfriend," Lin Fan said politely.

"No way, Minato and I are not boyfriend and girlfriend!" Kushina Uzumaki said, blushing.

Minato Namikaze scratched his head: "Mr. Lin Fan, Kushina and I aren't officially dating yet."

Haha, you're kidding me. If you're not dating, what's the point of you two going home together?

Lin Fan had also heard about Kushina from Tsunade.

Kushina graduated at the age of 11 and became the next Jinchūriki. However, due to the Nine-Tails' rebellion, Kushina often lost control, and even Minato was injured as a result. Therefore, Kushina spent most of her time living in a specific area and could not see anyone.

When the group returned to the courtyard, Jiraiya also arrived.

"Tsunade, Lin Fan, long time no see!" Jiraiya greeted the group, then suddenly noticed the little rabbit in the house: "Oh? Who owns this rabbit? It looks rather cute."

"I raised it," Lin Fan said, raising his hand. "But Jiraiya, it really has been a long time since we last met."

Lin Fan said this through gritted teeth.

"Haha, you still remember that incident." Jiraiya knew, of course, that Lin Fan was referring to the time when he led the team to chase Lin Fan's house. "But if it weren't for me, you'd probably still be living like a savage in the mountains right now."

Jiraiya smiled.

Lin Fan's lips twitched.

That guy is absolutely right. If it weren't for Jiraiya's appearance, he'd probably still be leveling up on his own.

......

"The people who came to see you today are some ninjas from Konoha Village known as the Root."

"I warned them over there, but there are some things I can't control, so you'll have to handle it yourself." Jiraiya didn't explain to the others in their room, but instead spoke to Lin Fan alone outside.

Fearing Tsunade would hear, he ran to the Hokage Building and destroyed it.

Lin Fan thought for a moment.

He probably understood what Jiraiya meant.

It's simply that Konoha can't leave Root, and the Hokage won't agree to deal with Danzo, but he can't explain these things to himself, an "outsider."

"It's alright, I'm very magnanimous." Lin Fan patted his chest. "As long as the Roots don't bother me, I won't bother them either."

Seeing that Lin Fan was so open-minded, Jiraiya smiled with satisfaction.

"Well done, you are indeed a disciple I have high hopes for."

"What? Your disciple?" A question mark appeared above Lin Fan's head. He thought to himself that he hadn't said he agreed to become the other party's disciple.

Jiraiya immediately remembered that he had forgotten to tell Lin Fan.

He patted his forehead and smiled, "Actually, you are very likely the future prodigy of the ninja world, which is why I brought you back. And you will become my disciple. Understand? Oh, and let me introduce you, I am the renowned Legendary Sannin of Konoha, the Toad Spirit Sage, Lord Jiraiya!"

Jiraiya even posed as a toad, standing proudly on it and giving a self-introduction.

Although it looks cool.

But Lin Fan said, "But I'm already Tsunade's disciple!"

Jiraiya: "?"

"ah?!!!"

Inside the house, Tsunade, hearing Jiraiya's screams, looked outside with annoyance.

"What's that guy barking like a dog? It's so noisy! Kushina, go and teach him a lesson!"

Kushina chuckled awkwardly; she wasn't as uninhibited as she was in the original story.