Habara's initial reaction was actually to refuse the idea of a companion, as he felt he would be more efficient working alone. However, after careful consideration, he realized that going solo wouldn't be appropriate… As an official envoy of a great nation, he needed to maintain a certain level of decorum. When he arrived in Sunagakure, Habara's face wouldn't just be Habara's face; it would be the face of Konoha, the face of the Land of Fire.
Since his face was so important, he should at least have someone to carry his bags, right?
This mission was centered around Habara, and the Third Hokage had authorized him to choose a companion, so the identity of this companion was significant. He couldn't be more assertive than Habara; otherwise, who would be in charge?
However, Habara barely knew anyone in Konoha. Even with the freedom to choose, he had limited options. After racking his brains for a while, Habara suddenly had a flash of inspiration… That's right, he could "save the people from their suffering" and, incidentally, get some payback on certain individuals.
"Lord Hokage, is the selection range limited to the ninjas of all of Konoha?" Habara asked the Hokage.
"Of course," the Third Hokage immediately nodded.
Hearing the Third Hokage say this, Habara almost blurted out something like, "My Goddess," and let slip the words, "How about you come with me?" Maybe the Third Hokage really did possess a First-Class Hokage Second-Category Unrestricted License.
"Well, in that case, I know where to choose my assistant…" After clearing his mind of those messy thoughts, Habara mentioned a certain place.
Hearing such words from Habara, the Third Hokage was clearly taken aback. He then asked, "Are you sure?"
"Is there a problem?"
"No. Follow me."
This mission seemed somewhat urgent, or perhaps it was to maintain the Hokage's authority. In any case, the Third Hokage immediately took action.
The two of them, one after the other, left the Hokage's office building. They first arrived at the underground headquarters of the ANBU, and then, along a hidden passage, proceeded to an even deeper, more secretive space.
At this point, their destination was obvious – Root.
So, was this Root Danzo Shimura's Root, or the Third Hokage's Root?
Truth be told, Habara hadn't had much contact with Danzo Shimura, but his limited interactions had already left him with a very negative impression. Therefore, he was ready to do something to make Danzo uncomfortable whenever he had the chance… This was called reverse poaching.
In fact, it was somewhat inappropriate for the Third Hokage and Habara to visit Danzo's home base alone. However, conversely, if Danzo Shimura could suddenly launch a coup, kill the Third Hokage on the spot, and then take over…
Surprisingly, it was actually a not-bad development.
But Habara thought about it for a moment and realized it was impossible. Because at this point in time, even if Root could be united in rebellion, Danzo + Root wouldn't necessarily be able to defeat the Third Hokage alone, and they certainly couldn't kill him instantly.
Since they couldn't even win a fight, there was nothing more to say.
"It's been a long time since I've been here."
The Third Hokage's voice echoed through the spacious underground area. In fact, because Root was Danzo Shimura's "private domain," the Third Hokage had only been here a handful of times since the organization's inception.
Habara thought to himself, you have the nerve to say that? Letting an internal Konoha organization completely escape your control, wasn't that a dereliction of duty as Hokage?
Before the two of them even reached Root's headquarters, Habara saw Danzo Shimura waiting for them at the entrance from afar. So, was this a subordinate's respect for his leader, or a person with selfish ambitions being wary of a higher authority?
"Hiruzen, what's the matter?"
Danzo's gaze swept over Habara's face and then fixed on Hiruzen Sarutobi. The Third Hokage hadn't even entered Root's core area yet, and Danzo Shimura's tone was already somewhat explosive.
To be honest, Habara thought both of them were being wishy-washy. Either Danzo Shimura should immediately order the Third Hokage's assassination, or the Third Hokage should order Habara to kill Danzo, or, as a subordinate, he could show some military obedience… So indecisive.
"There's an urgent mission. I need to select some suitable personnel… Danzo, give the order. Have all of Root assemble."
Danzo Shimura was about to speak, but unexpectedly, the Third Hokage suddenly interrupted him, "The order is for all members to assemble. Not a single word can be different."
Danzo: "…"
This showed that although the Third Hokage had allowed Root to develop unchecked, at least he could deal with Danzo… At least for now, he could still control Danzo.
Under the Third Hokage's order, Danzo Shimura turned and said to the darkness, "All members, assemble"… He now understood the Third Hokage's intention.
As long as Danzo carried out the Third Hokage's order, the Hokage wouldn't enter Root. Otherwise, the Hokage would have to go in and check what Root was actually doing.
Danzo Shimura had to "choose the lesser of two evils."
After a while, about seventy or eighty ninjas assembled before the Third Hokage. The Third Hokage nodded to Habara, and Habara stepped forward, like a drill instructor inspecting student ranks, and began to pick and choose among Root's ninjas.
Habara's inspection was swift. He seemed to have a clear target in mind beforehand, and within just a few minutes, he returned to the Third Hokage's side.
"Lord Hokage, I've made my choice," he said to the Hokage.
"So quickly… Which one?" the Third Hokage asked.
Habara then pointed to a very short ninja in the back row.
"Are you sure?" The Third Hokage was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Habara to pick such a small one after all that.
So Habara leaned down and whispered four words into the Hokage's ear.
"Danzo, I'm taking this ninja."
The Third Hokage was initially surprised, but without another word, he directly chose the short ninja… Because the four words Habara had just whispered in his ear were "Wood Release ninja."
"Wait!"
The Third Hokage unceremoniously snatched away Danzo Shimura's prized possession, and Danzo immediately shouted, "Dame!" (No!)
"Is there a problem, Danzo? Don't forget that everything must be for the benefit of Konoha… Danzo, don't forget the Second Hokage's teachings!" the Third Hokage said with utmost seriousness.
Using his authority to suppress others. He was so reasonable.
What else could Danzo Shimura say at this point? He really didn't want to let "Tenzo" leave, but now he had no choice. Danzo Shimura was generally not very clear-headed, but there was one thing he understood very clearly: the limits of an ordinary ninja's abilities. Therefore, he had undergone many illegal modifications on himself.
The abilities of ordinary ninjas have limits. The more one relies on schemes, the more likely those schemes are to fail due to unforeseen circumstances, unless one becomes a being that transcends ninjas… This was Danzo's inner voice, so the importance of a sample like "Tenzo" to him was obvious.
Because "Tenzo" possessed the power of the "God of Shinobi."
But now, this "Tenzo" was easily taken away by Hiruzen Sarutobi, just like he had taken away the position of Hokage back then… Danzo couldn't win a single round against the Third Hokage.
_____
Join me on Patreon! A free subscription grants you immediate access to 20 chapters!: patreon.com/Shinobi_Scrolls