Konoha: Naruto, trained by Aizen

But why was Rock Lee chosen?

Naruto narrowed his eyes, his expression filled with confusion.

It's very likely that Rock Lee's performance in the Chunin Exams caught Danzo's attention.

It seems Danzo wants to reform Rock Lee and brainwash this simple-minded guy.

Naruto's mind raced through countless thoughts in an instant, finally settling into a perfect, gentle smile as he extended his right hand: "Hello, Aburame Nene."

Aburame Nerei stared intently into Naruto's blue eyes for a moment before reaching out her small hand to gently grasp his, her voice clear and crisp: "Hello, nice to meet you in the future."

Aburame Nene's hands were cold and smooth. After shaking hands with Naruto, she immediately withdrew them. Naruto, with his sharp eyes, noticed several insects poking out from Aburame Nene's cuffs.

"Since it's our first meeting, let's go out for a meal and talk things over," he suggested, withdrawing his hand.

"Yay, let's go, let's go!" Rock Lee cheered.

"By the way, Lee, how did you end up joining Root?" Naruto asked on the way.

"Elder Danzo approached me, hoping I would join Root and become your partner. I thought about it and agreed. I want to help you."

Rock Lee's answer did not surprise Naruto.

He maintained his smile as he walked with Rock Lee and Nellie the Oil Woman.

Aburame Nerei lagged behind the group, gazing intently at Naruto's retreating figure, her eyes gleaming.

"This Naruto Uzumaki... is so strong. My insects are actually afraid? No wonder Lord Danzo took him as his disciple."

Chapter 129 The First Request: The Land of Demons and the Land of Snow

After getting to know each other better, the three of them, led by a Root ninja, went to another secluded place.

After forming the hand seals, countless bizarre masks appeared in front of the ninja.

Because of Naruto's special status, his identity and that of his teammates are kept secret from each other.

"Choose a mask and code name that you like, and remember not to reveal your real name later."

The Root ninja glanced at Aburame Nerei with envy in his eyes.

Being able to team up with Naruto, whom Danzo considers his successor, Aburame's future is limitless.

"Wow, so many masks! I'll choose this one, it's really good." Lee Rock, who was standing to the side, looked very excited and quickly chose a fierce-looking mask, which he named the code name "Immortal".

This codename is full of flaws, but in Rock Lee's own words...

He hoped his fighting style would be like that of an immortal, ethereal and exceptionally elegant.

Naruto also chose his own mask, a white fox mask that looked very aloof.

This choice surprised the Root ninja, who glanced at Naruto with some astonishment.

It's unexpected that the seemingly gentle Naruto would choose this kind of mask.

“From now on, my codename will be… Grim Reaper.” A gentle breeze blew, and Naruto smiled warmly as he slowly put on his mask.

"Naruto Uzumaki, codename Shinigami, Jonin strength." The Root ninja recorded everyone's information expressionlessly, then nodded to them: "That's all for today. You can come to the base tomorrow to pick up missions. Lord Danzo has already selected a few suitable missions for you."

After saying goodbye to his teammates, Naruto walked quietly on his way home.

A sense of relief washed over me.

In a sense, he had temporarily escaped the control of the third generation.

However, at the same time, it also fell under Danzo's control.

Compared to the Third Hokage, Danzo was undoubtedly a better choice.

Both the degree of freedom and the difficulty of the missions are more appealing to Naruto.

Naruto is really looking forward to tomorrow's request.

Silent all night.

.......

Inside the Hidden Sound Village.

Upon returning to the village, Orochimaru went straight into the laboratory and ordered his subordinates to empty the largest laboratory and equip it with the largest space for backup.

He also sent most of the researchers to other laboratories, leaving only trusted confidants behind.

As they watched as many precious experimental instruments were taken away, the researchers were filled with doubt.

They understood how fanatical Orochimaru was about his experiments.

I used to spend almost all my time in the lab except for meals.

But now, he has directly suspended several experiments that were in progress or were about to fail, reserving them all for later.

"Tap tap tap." With the sound of footsteps, several henchmen escorted the captured and unconscious ninjas into the laboratory.

These ninjas had their mouths covered and their bodies completely bound; their cloudy eyes revealed endless terror.

Orochimaru, the mad scientist, is a household name among ninjas.

Orochimaru is more dangerous than the other three.

"Minato-kun, this is our first collaboration, and I'm really looking forward to it~" Orochimaru's scarlet tongue gently licked around his lips, his voice hoarse and full of femininity.

"Hmm." Minato nodded from the side.

The pupils of some of the close researchers who were following him trembled; they were shocked and incredulous.

Water gate?

Dazzling blonde hair and a gentle temperament.

Could this man be the deceased Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze?

He didn't die?

"You, help me collect data." Orochimaru glanced at the researchers, and his murderous aura suddenly materialized. The researchers felt as if they had entered an ice cave, and hurriedly suppressed their curiosity.

Seeing that he had succeeded in his attack, Orochimaru also withdrew his murderous intent.

Once everyone was in place, Orochimaru put on a white lab coat and a mask.

Looking at Minato, he said expressionlessly, "The basic experimental procedure is to first kill the experimental subject, then inject spiritual pressure, and use the spiritual pressure to change the soul structure."

"For the initial experiment, I will kill the ninja, and you will inject spiritual pressure."

"First Shinigami transformation experiment, Sand Village Chunin, no bloodline limit, method of killing: kunai." Orochimaru slowly put on his gloves, his tone as calm as if he were chatting casually.

"Swoosh." The kunai was inserted and withdrawn, bringing with it a warm spray of blood. The bound Sand Ninja thrashed a few times, then stopped moving.

As spiritual pressure was injected, the Sand Ninja's soul instantly became visible. Under the shocked and terrified gazes of the researchers, the soul's body writhed and howled in agony with a ferocious expression.

Then, billowing white mist emerged from the soul's body, enveloping it. After a moment of distortion, a phantom appeared before everyone.

"The first experiment to transform into a Shinigami has failed."

As soon as he finished speaking, Orochimaru used his snake ninjutsu to instantly control the Hollow.

It was firmly bound to the experimental table.

"First virtual experiment: Body sturdiness... internal substances..."

Calm sounds echoed in the laboratory, accompanied by the faint, agonizing screams of pain.

.......

The second day at the root base.

Naruto, representing his team, arrived at Danzo's room.

"Good morning, teacher." He greeted Danzo gently, and the respect in his tone pleased Danzo greatly.

"Naruto, today will be your first day as a Root ninja. We Root ninjas are different from the Anbu ninjas. Our creed is simple: results! No matter what methods you use along the way, as long as you complete the mission, you are a success."

"The world of ninjas is cruel, and comrades..." Danzo wanted to say "comrades are nothing," but considering that Naruto had been receiving the Will of Fire all along, being too direct might backfire.

The right approach is to proceed step by step.

He then changed his tune, saying, "You can't rely too much on your comrades, nor can you let them influence your judgment. A qualified ninja should complete a mission with the highest efficiency. If I'm not mistaken, Kakashi and the Third Hokage's stance is that you can abandon a mission for the sake of your comrades."

Seeing Naruto nod, Danzo pressed further, "What's your own opinion?"

Naruto pondered for a moment and replied, "I think both sides make sense, but the specifics depend on the mission. If the success or failure of the mission has a significant impact, then I might choose to abandon my teammates. But in any case, I'll save them if I can." Danzo was quite satisfied with Naruto's answer.

This at least shows that Naruto isn't a brainwashed idiot; he still has basic judgment.

This version of Naruto hasn't completely transformed into the Third Hokage's form yet.

There is still a lot of room for improvement.

"Your choice is correct. At the Root, you can grow very well and receive national-level commissions." Danzo said, leaning on his cane with a proud look on his face.

“Our Root organization is a top intelligence organization in the ninja world, so we can receive requests from major powers very quickly. Currently, based on the information we’ve received from the front lines, we know that the Land of Snow and the Land of Demons alone already have a need for trade.”

"The Land of Snow is currently undergoing a coup. If all goes well, we can form a contract with them to help the traitorous ninjas or the princess restore her kingdom. At that time, you can fight against many powerful figures."

"There are also many good requests from small countries like the Land of Demons."

"The Land of Demons?" Naruto became interested.

"Is it the ghost about souls?" he asked curiously.

"I didn't expect you to be so interested in the Land of Demons, Naruto." Danzo didn't think much of it and said directly, "It is said that the priestesses of the Land of Demons can communicate with spirits, but the Land of Demons is too weak and is destined to be unable to cause any trouble."

Danzo had not paid attention to the Land of Demons, so he did not know much about it.

Naruto silently kept the Land of Demons in mind, preparing to explore it in the future.

If that priestess from the Land of Demons could communicate with spirits, she might be the perfect candidate for Grim Reaper.

"Here are a few important requests, but considering your team has just been formed, let's start with a few less difficult ones to get you used to each other." Danzo handed Naruto a piece of paper filled with request information.

"You already have the strength of a Jonin to deal with a Chunin-level rogue ninja group, so this mission isn't too difficult for you. But I want you to cooperate more with your teammates during the mission."

Naruto accepted the request and carefully reviewed it.

A number of rogue ninja organizations were wiped out.

This group of rogue ninjas is gathered around the border of the Land of Fire, and its members include rogue ninjas from villages such as Konoha and Kirigakure.