Sora returned to the Konoha outpost and handed over his mission report to Orochimaru.
"How are the Raikage's son and the Jinchūriki?" Orochimaru inquired, his serpentine eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"They're both still alive," Sora replied coolly, "though they won't be causing trouble in the Land of Fire anytime soon."
Sora reached into his pouch and produced a scroll with the Eight-Tails' tentacles sealed inside, offering it to Orochimaru. "Orochimaru-sensei, this is a piece of the Hachibi's body. I thought you might find it interesting."
As expected, Orochimaru's pale face lit up with undisguised fascination.
After carefully tucking the scroll away, Orochimaru turned back to Sora. "I've just received orders from Konoha. You are to return to the village immediately."
"Return to Konoha?" Sora asked, surprise evident in his voice. "What business would require me there?"
A sly smile crept across Orochimaru's face. "Because the time has come. This transfer order came directly from Danzō, as the Hokage's advisor. In other words, Danzō has plans that involve you."
Sora's eyes narrowed at this revelation.
If Danzō was summoning him, it could only mean one thing—the attack on the Uchiha clan was imminent.
"Sora, you must be cautious around Danzō," Orochimaru warned, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I used to be a member of Root myself. Danzō is extremely suspicious, cautious, insidious, and ruthless. He trusts no one and cannot tolerate even the slightest possibility of failure. He adheres strictly to his own rules."
Orochimaru paused, his golden eyes studying Sora's reaction. "He only feels secure when those who oppose him are eliminated. However, your value is quite high at the moment, so he may attempt to recruit you instead. Since your target is only Kushina, cooperating with Danzō might not be a bad strategy."
Sora nodded solemnly. "I understand, Orochimaru-sensei."
Kakashi happened to be at the outpost as well. Sora found him, informed him of his return to Konoha, and then departed for the village.
Several days later, the news had spread throughout the shinobi world.
Originally, the Yellow Flash of Konoha, Namikaze Minato, seemed poised to surpass Sora in reputation. But after Sora defeated both A and Killer B, the name "Blood-Eyed Shura" once again echoed throughout the ninja world—and this time, it truly resonated everywhere.
Sora had caught the attention of high-ranking officials in various hidden villages.
Upon his return to Konoha, villagers regarded him differently. After Sora had entered the Land of Hot Water and successfully executed a mission with Orochimaru, the villagers had ceased their open hostility, though many still secretly looked down on him.
But now, many gazed at him with genuine admiration, viewing him as someone worthy of respect. Several children even called out "Lord Sora!" as he passed.
Sora ignored all of this. He hadn't fought so desperately for the approval of such shallow people.
Walking past the crowd with an expressionless face, he planned to go home first to check if Uzumaki Kushina was there.
As he made his way through the throng, an Uchiha shinobi appeared before him.
The Uchiha bowed his head respectfully. "Lord Sora, the clan head invites you to the Uchiha compound."
"Tell Uchiha Masaki to come see me himself," Sora replied coldly. "He no longer has the standing to summon me to the Uchiha district."
With that, Sora walked past the stunned Uchiha shinobi without a second glance.
The Uchiha's face paled with rage at this dismissal. But circumstances had changed. Now that Sora had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, he had surpassed all Uchiha shinobi. Even Uchiha Masaki, as clan head, had not activated the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Sora returned home only to find that Uzumaki Kushina wasn't there. He was about to leave a note when a ninja wearing a Root mask appeared at his doorstep.
"Master Sora, Lord Danzō requests your presence," the masked figure stated flatly.
Sora nodded. "Very well. Lead the way."
He followed the Root operative to their headquarters.
The Root base was shrouded in darkness, its atmosphere oppressive. Every ninja Sora encountered wore the same blank expression, devoid of emotion.
Eventually, they arrived at an office where Danzō waited.
Sora bowed respectfully. "Lord Danzō."
A hint of a smile twisted the corner of Danzō's rigid face. "Sora, you've done well."
Assuming Danzō was referring to his battle with A and Killer B, Sora responded formally, "I owe it all to Konoha's training."
In truth, Danzō's praise referred to Sora's dismissive attitude toward the Uchiha ninja earlier.
"Sora, do you harbor hatred for the Uchiha?" Danzō asked bluntly.
Sora's eyes flickered momentarily, surprised by Danzō's directness.
"Personal grudges are insignificant compared to Konoha's greater welfare," he replied carefully.
Danzō laughed—a sound that, to Sora's ears, resembled more of a sneer.
"What if Konoha's welfare cannot accommodate the Uchiha?" Danzō pressed.
"Whatever Konoha requires of me, I will do," Sora answered calmly.
"As I expected. Sora, you've already deduced that Konoha plans to move against the Uchiha, and you've likely guessed we would seek your assistance."
Sora feigned surprise.
Danzō explained, "You responded too calmly. When you heard that Konoha would target the Uchiha, you showed no reaction whatsoever—as if it were a foregone conclusion."
Sora narrowed his eyes slightly. The old fox was indeed shrewd.
After considering his response, Sora admitted, "Lord Danzō, I did suspect Konoha would take action against the Uchiha. The clan has become like a cancer, affecting all aspects of village life. It's logical to assume that if the Uchiha continue on their current path, Konoha would eventually implement countermeasures."
He continued, "But I didn't anticipate that you would approach me personally. When Orochimaru-sensei mentioned that you had issued the transfer order, I wasn't particularly surprised."
Danzō's lips twitched. "Then let's pretend you haven't guessed anything. I'll be direct: Hiruzen and I will soon assign you a mission concerning the Uchiha clan. In the upcoming conflict, you will be deployed under our command, and your task will be to suppress the Uchiha under your authority. Do you accept this mission?"
Without hesitation, Sora replied, "As a shinobi of Konoha, it is my duty to execute any assigned mission to the best of my ability. I will strictly follow the Hokage's orders!"
Danzō stared at Sora intently before speaking again. "You're a perceptive man, Sora. Surely you understand why I, as the Hokage's advisor, recalled you to Konoha and arranged this private meeting."
Sora feigned ignorance. "Lord Danzō, I'm afraid I don't follow. Beyond assigning me a mission, what else could be your purpose?"
Danzō fixed Sora with a serious gaze. "Since you claim not to know, I'll state it plainly: I want to recruit you into Root. What is your answer?"
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