Naruto: Assistant to the Hokage

Deep within the Root Organization's base, Shimura Danzō was still busy in his office.

The first thing Shimura Danzō wanted to do when he saw Akihara Kagura and Yakushi Kabuto enter was to reprimand Kagura.

"Kou, I heard that you're always kicking out the people who accompany you during your training."

"It's too much of a waste of time."

Akihara Kagura shook his head, his expression instantly less than pleased.

"The strength of those guys is too poor. The time I spent training with them for half a month wasn't even close to the progress I made in half an hour with Lord Danzō's guidance."

"Hmph..."

Shimura Danzō nodded smugly and continued, "Tomorrow you're taking the Chūnin Exam. Don't let me down."

"So soon?"

Akihara Kagura pulled out a piece of paper from his robe and asked in surprise,

"I haven't turned in this registration form for the Chūnin Exam yet. Should I go and hand it in before the exam tomorrow?"

"Huh?"

Shimura Danzō's face turned dark. He looked like he was about to explode.

"Why haven't you submitted something as trivial as the registration form? It was due a week ago! Why haven't you handed it over yet?"

Akihara Kagura paused, whispering,

"Because Lord Danzō didn't give me permission to leave the Root base or training grounds, and I didn't know who I was supposed to give it to..."

"..."

Shimura Danzō suddenly lost his fire.

The old man reached out, somewhat helpless, and took the enrollment form from Akihara Kagura's hand.

"Give it to me. I'll deliver it to the examiner for the Chūnin Exam."

Faced with this kind of oversight, Shimura Danzō could only pull some strings to fix the situation.

"Right..."

Akihara Kagura raised another question.

"I'm still not familiar with the roads in the village... Is Danzō-sama free to take me to the examination center tomorrow?"

"..."

Shimura Danzō immediately stiffened at the thought of appearing in public. He glanced at Yakushi Kabuto, who stood silently nearby, and his gaze turned icy.

"Kabuto, I'm giving you a new task. Tomorrow, you will escort Kou to the examination hall for the Chūnin Exam."

"Yes," Yakushi Kabuto replied, bowing slightly.

"Kabuto, are you reluctant?"

Kagura's lips curled into an amused smirk.

"Do you not want to accompany me? Or do you simply not want to live?"

"Kou!"

Shimura Danzō sternly cut off Kagura's remark, his voice sharp.

"Kabuto still has a role to play for the Root. Without my order, you are not permitted to kill him or anyone else at will."

"I understand," Akihara Kagura replied, the smile still on his face.

Danzō exhaled slowly, turning his attention back to Kabuto. His expression turned cold once more.

"After escorting Kou to the examination center tomorrow, proceed to the Land of Earth. Your mission is to infiltrate Iwagakure and remain on standby."

"Yes," Yakushi Kabuto responded, accepting the command.

"Alright, you may leave now."

Danzo waved his hand, dismissing Kabuto. Left alone with Akihara Kagura, Danzō's expression grew contemplative.

"Kou,"

Danzo face was vaguely sullen as he spoke of this matter "How are you progressing with the Wood Dragon Jutsu I taught you? If it's too difficult, don't force yourself to master the techniques of the First Hokage."

Danzō was visibly frustrated. He had been doubtful that Kagura could master such advanced ninjutsu through his teaching alone. When his request to review the Book of Seals—compiled by past Hokage—was denied by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, it had only deepened his resentment.

Danzō suspected Hiruzen feared that empowering Kagura and the Root would threaten his position as Hokage.

This left Danzō in a conundrum:

To become Hokage, he needed Kagura to grow stronger.

To make Kagura stronger, he needed access to the Book of Seals.

But to access the Book of Seals, he needed to become Hokage first.

Caught in this vicious cycle, Danzō decided to place his hopes in Kagura's innate talent.

"You can try developing your own Wood Release techniques," Danzō advised, adopting a more encouraging tone.

"I've seen your aptitude for ninjutsu. The techniques you create may rival those of the First Hokage."

"Yes, Lord Danzō," Kagura replied. After a brief pause, he added,

"Actually, I believe I've already mastered a powerful Wood Release technique. I'm just not sure if it's the one you taught me, but its power is undeniable."

"Oh?"

Danzō's eyebrows lifted in curiosity.

"A few days ago, I successfully performed the Wood Dragon Jutsu. I wanted to inform you sooner," Kagura said, her tone turning sour.

"However, the others at the training grounds kept preventing me from approaching you!"

"..."

Shimura Danzō fell silent. He had avoided Kagura to avoid embarrassment, not expecting that the boy would succeed.

Danzō quickly changed the subject to save face,

"It doesn't matter now. What's important is that you've mastered the jutsu I taught you."

"Yes."

Kagura nodded earnestly.

"As long as Danzō-sama points me in the right direction, I'll give it my all to master any jutsu."

"Hmm."

Danzō's mood visibly improved, though he decided to avoid teaching Kagura new techniques for now.

"When I gain access to the Book of Seals, I'll teach you additional jutsu," he said, projecting confidence he didn't entirely feel.

"Yes," Kagura responded, hiding any skepticism.

Although he didn't fully trust that Danzō would acquire the Book of Seals, Kagura resolved not to embarrass him. After all, if Danzō couldn't get the book himself, he'd find a way to get it for him.

"Go and rest," Danzō ordered, signaling the end of the discussion.

"And during the Chūnin Exam, make sure you don't lose to that Uchiha brat, Itachi."

"Can't I kill him?" Kagura rhetorical question was more of an answer to Danzo

Danzō shook his head and sighed,

"Don't always think about killing, especially when there are people who still have some use for them, this little guy Uchiha Itachi still has use for me."

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