Konoha: Naruto, trained by Aizen

But at the same time, I also want to say: "What trust can there be between a rogue ninja and a cunning old man?"

Closer to home.

He didn't release the Hollow, but Naruto, who released the Hollow, also had a cooperative relationship with him.

I will also conduct virtual experiments in the future.

Even if we tell Danzo now that it wasn't us who released it, it's pointless.

Once her research is exposed, her relationship with Danzo will reach a freezing point.

I still need to obtain experimental materials from Danzo.

Rather than covering it up with one lie after another, it's better to just admit it.

After much deliberation, Orochimaru decided to take the blame.

"I did release the illusion, but the effects it caused were beyond my expectations."

"As you know, I have been conducting research on souls, and this Void, that monster, is the result of my research."

"Originally, I only wanted my subordinates to release a small number of Hollows to help the Sand Ninja increase the success rate of our plan, but I didn't expect that the Hollows would go berserk and kill my subordinates."

"Plus, I was dealing with the Third Hokage myself, and you know what happened after that," Orochimaru said, shrugging and explaining nonchalantly.

He added, "I'm sorry for what happened to Konoha, but it's precisely because of this that the Third Hokage was able to step down so easily. From another perspective, Danzo, you should thank me instead."

"I think you should understand that everything I've done all this time has been for Konoha." Danzo put his hands behind his back, looked in the direction of Konoha, and said with a sigh.

"I founded Roots to conduct all research that cannot be done in the open and to carry out all the shady commissions."

"Everything I've done is for the prosperity of Konoha."

"The Will of Fire is everlasting; without the nourishment of the roots, Konoha would not grow into a strong, towering tree."

Orochimaru, however, was not impressed by Danzo's attempt to elevate him to the level of righteousness.

Having worked with this gloomy man for over a decade, he understood Danzo better than anyone else.

Danzo particularly liked to use "Konoha" to cover up his dark, despicable, and ambitious schemer nature.

His feelings for Konoha had long been corrupted by greed.

"Enough with these useless words, just tell me, what do you want?" Orochimaru asked directly.

"I need to be weak."

"Take my advice, you can't control the void."

"?"

"In that case, you will bear the consequences."

.......

In the evening, Naruto prepared to visit the Third Hokage in the hospital.

Earlier, he visited the Ino family's flower shop.

The streets were riddled with potholes and ninjas were seen coming and going to help with repairs.

Fortunately, the flower shop was not damaged.

The villagers' faces were filled with sorrow.

Despite this environment, the Ino family still chose to keep their business open, letting the complex fragrance of flowers permeate the streets, giving people a sense that "the world isn't so bad after all."

With her blonde hair, Ino stood at the entrance of the flower shop, smiling as she waited for customers.

Before even entering the flower shop, Naruto heard Ino's cheerful, melodious voice, as clear and melodious as a lark's:

"Naruto-kun, what brings you here today? You don't like me, do you?!"

"Good evening, Ino. I'd like to come and buy a bouquet of flowers," Naruto said with a faint smile.

"Flowers? Who do you want to give them to? It's not Sakura, is it?" Ino asked curiously.

"Have you two developed feelings for each other over time? Oh, congratulations!"

“If it’s not Sakura, you can also consider me~~ I’ve been thinking, and it seems like Sasuke and I aren’t a good match. I think you and I should be a good match~” Ino grabbed Naruto’s arm and said playfully.

"No, I want to give it to the Third Hokage." Naruto ignored Ino's teasing and gently explained as he pulled his arm away.

"Okay, this is really boring." Ino stuck out her tongue playfully, looking regretful.

“If it’s a gift for the third generation, then carnations would be a good choice, as they represent respect. Of course, lilies are also nice, as they represent blessings, and…” Ino started talking at length about flowers, as if she had endless things to say.

At this moment, she didn't resemble a ninja at all.

"Give me a bouquet of lilies, please," Naruto said with a gentle pat on Ino's head.

"Okay!" Ino blushed and took a bouquet of lilies from the flower shop, handing it to Naruto.

"Thank you for your patronage, forty taels."

After paying the bill, Naruto carried Yuri and headed towards Konoha Hospital.

When Naruto inquired about the Third Hokage's ward, he was stopped, but soon, with the permission of the Anbu, Naruto arrived at the Third Hokage's ward.

"You've come, Naruto." The Third Hokage, who had lost an arm, sat on the bed with his back against the wall.

The evening breeze wafted into the room through the window, adding a touch of the night's fragrance.

"Yes, I'm here! Third Hokage." Naruto placed the flowers on the bedside table and sat down next to the Third Hokage.

“It’s a lily. You’re the first person to send me flowers after I was injured.” The Third Generation picked up the lily and sniffed it with relish.

"Smelling this fragrance of flowers has made me feel much better. You're so thoughtful, Naruto."

"Of course, we hope you get well soon, Grandpa. Everyone is very concerned about you."

"Thank you, Naruto." Looking at the gentle Naruto, the Third Hokage was deeply moved and couldn't help but say:

"You've grown so much in the blink of an eye."

"By the way, have you encountered any difficulties in your training recently? What have you learned from Jiraiya?" The Third Hokage began to find topics to discuss.

Chapter 127 Joining the Root, Heading to the Root

“Jiraiya-sensei is very dedicated,” Naruto replied with a smile.

"Your bloodline limit is very special. Have any sages in the Summoning World helped you?" the Third Hokage asked kindly.

"Yes, the two sages did provide me with some assistance, and they gave me a new understanding of bloodline limits," Naruto answered all of the Third Hokage's questions gently.

You can judge for yourself whether it's true or false.

“Your bloodline limit is quite special. Neither the Summoning World nor Jiraiya has done in-depth research on it, so you still have to rely on yourself.” The Third Hokage nodded, stroking his beard.

The strange turn of events seemed to alert Naruto, so he feigned helplessness and went along with it:

"However, my strength has reached a bottleneck. Developing bloodline limits is still quite difficult. Most of the ninjutsu that Jiraiya-sensei is good at is not very useful to me."

"In that case, have you ever considered becoming Danzo's disciple? He is an elder of Konoha and commands considerable strength in the Anbu," the Third Hokage said casually.

They had a similar conversation before, when Naruto could sense that the Third Hokage was unwilling to let him become Danzo's apprentice.

But now, it seems that all three generations hope to have some interaction with Danzo, as reflected in their writings.

The third generation was also quite helpless.

The rift between him and Danzo has widened due to the Hokage position, and someone has to step forward and take the blame for this Konoha Crush plan.

At the same time, a respected person is needed to become the new Hokage.

Danzo's ruthless nature made him unsuitable to become Hokage.

The Third Hokage understood that his old partner had long coveted the Hokage position.

So, while he repeatedly missed the chance to become Hokage, he also felt somewhat guilty.

In order to ease tensions with Danzo and regain control of Root, he ultimately decided to have Naruto, who inherited the Will of Fire, join Root.

He firmly believed it.

Naruto will not be affected by Root.

Because he is the son of four generations!

“If Elder Danzo has any knowledge of bloodline limits and can help me, I have no objection,” Naruto nodded.

"After this incident, I have come to understand that only by possessing great power can we bring peace to Konoha."

......

Deep within the shadowy space of Konoha.

Countless Root ninjas wearing masks came and went.

As a Root ninja, the most important thing is to hide your identity.

As its name suggests, Root extends deep into the depths of Konoha, unknown to any villagers, and is Konoha's most powerful intelligence organization.

Since its inception, Root has provided countless secret messages to the Konoha leadership and the Anbu.

And in the deepest room.

Only one dim lamp emitted a yellow light.

An elderly man with only one eye sat in the center of the room, resting with his eyes closed.

He was the leader of the Root organization, Shimura Danzo.

Just before that, he learned that Naruto was willing to join Root and become his disciple.

A surge of emotion welled up within the long-frozen heart of this lonely old man.

Even my perception of the third generation has improved considerably.

"I want to see him immediately." He immediately ordered his subordinates to bring Naruto to see him.

He sat in the cold seat, his cloudy eyes gleaming with an unusual light.

......

Inside the training field.