"Reverse Four Symbols Sealing!"
Danzō Shimura roared. Blood erupted from his entire body, turning inky black, coalescing into pure, dark curse marks. Dense, interconnected black seals swirled together, forming a rapidly expanding black sphere that suddenly expanded, threatening to swallow everything around it and drag it all into the underworld.
"Qianyu! Descend to hell with this old man!"
Danzō's cold eyes locked onto Qianyu beside him. The Reverse Four Symbols Sealing was powerful enough to seal everything within several hundred meters into his body. Qianyu, this close, had no escape!
Whoosh!
But just as the pitch-black seals were about to consume him, Qianyu's figure vanished. He reappeared instantly on the other side of the Falling Leaf Slope. Danzō's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.
"You just whip out this move all of a sudden? A little warning would've been nice! I had to scramble!"
Qianyu complained from the air, his hands already releasing a swarm of paper tags. Under Danzō's bewildered gaze, he molded them—into a bridge.
Don't ask. It was a tribute. As the esteemed Scapegoat Shadow, dying without sealing anything would be just embarrassing. Qianyu wouldn't allow it!
Though, come to think of it, in this world, anyone trying to take someone down with them… never really succeeded.
Like little Deidara and his eight clay ducks. Like Brother Scapegoat here, trying to stab a Susano'o with a kunai.
"Flying Thunder God Technique! How is that possible?!"
Danzō roared again. He had accepted his death. But failing to take Qianyu with him in his final moments? Unbearable!
"Ah, don't remind me. Just learned it. Took me almost ten days to master. Typical forbidden jutsu, I guess."
Qianyu shook his head. Then, he guided the paper bridge to plummet toward the expanding black sphere. He gave Danzō a deep, solemn bow. "Farewell, Brother Scapegoat. Have a safe trip."
Without another look back, Qianyu turned and left.
Well, this little Roomba would clean up all the mess within a hundred meters anyway. Saved him the trouble.
"QIANYU! QIANYU! You'll walk my path one day! I'll be waiting for you in hell!"
Danzō's furious howls chased the empty air where Qianyu had vanished, until the jutsu he himself had unleashed finally consumed him completely. He sank into a sunless, dimensional void, forever entwined with the bridge Qianyu had so thoughtfully provided.
Qianyu, hurrying back to the Leaf Village, naturally didn't hear Danzō's final words.
Right now, he felt fantastic. Not just because a grudge was settled. There was just something… deeply satisfying about personally taking out Danzō Shimura.
"Ahem. I'm not a bloodthirsty person, you know. Today was purely self-defense. Driven to a corner by Danzō. All his fault, really."
The Scapegoat Shadow was dead. But who said the dead couldn't carry blame? That would be an insult to his professional title!
…
Back in the Leaf Village, Qianyu stormed into the Root headquarters. In a hidden chamber, he found Rin Nohara, unconscious but otherwise unharmed.
He breathed a sigh of relief. After safely delivering her home, he went straight to the Hokage's office.
"Lord Third… I've come to confess my crime!"
The moment he entered, Qianyu adopted an expression of profound remorse and shame.
The commotion he and Danzō made was too big. Hiruzen Sarutobi definitely knew. So, he'd "confess" first.
If the old man forgave him, they could play happy family, teacher and disciple. If not… well, Qianyu would show him what it meant when a madman sharpens his blade at night, and the emperor's star trembles under a bloody Mars.
Sigh…
Hiruzen let out a heavy, weary sigh. He stood up, patted Qianyu's shoulder, his face a mask of weary understanding.
"Qianyu… I am aware of the full circumstances. This matter is not your fault. The blame lies entirely with Danzō."
After all, they were childhood comrades. Danzō had shouldered the village's shadows for him for so long. Hiruzen did feel something.
"Under Danzō's leadership, Root has not only failed in its duties but has tainted the Leaf's atmosphere."
Hiruzen took a slow drag from his pipe. "Qianyu… I intend to dismantle this department and rebuild it from the ground up. I want you to oversee Root's reconstruction. What do you say?"
"Danzō's gone, so you want little old me to keep carrying your dirty laundry?"
Qianyu chuckled inwardly. Outwardly, he replied with utmost respect. "Lord Third, I am honored you would consider me. But my experience is shallow, my abilities limited. I believe Lord Orochimaru is a far more suitable candidate."
"Oh? Orochimaru?"
Hiruzen paused, took another thoughtful puff. Huh. Not a bad suggestion, actually. Some of the burdens were still too heavy for the current Qianyu. But they'd fit Orochimaru… perfectly.
"In that case, Orochimaru will lead the effort. You will assist him as his deputy. Your team will henceforth operate under the new Root's jurisdiction."
After a moment's consideration, Hiruzen didn't ask for further input. The order was given.
"Understood, Lord Third." Qianyu agreed readily.
He hadn't expected Hiruzen to be so… reasonable. No anger over Danzō's death?
"Seems the friendship of their youth faded to smoke and ash once power was in hand. To the Third, Danzō was probably just a tool… hard to replace."
And now, with a replacement found… Danzō Shimura became disposable.
"Qianyu… I grow old and frail. You must strive diligently."
Hiruzen patted Qianyu's shoulder again, a benevolent, encouraging smile on his face.
Among his direct lineage, only Orochimaru and this dutiful junior disciple brought him such peace of mind.
Entrusting Root to these two… Hiruzen felt his days of blissful, carefree retirement were finally within sight—a future to die for.
"Ah… yes, Lord Third." Qianyu responded, his expression slightly odd.
"Is this old man really this clueless? Does he not realize that with Root split between me and Orochimaru… half of the Leaf Village is already mine?"
Qianyu felt it. The day he'd raise his arm and ascend to the Hokage's seat wasn't far off. He might just wake up one morning to find the official robe already draped over his shoulders.
…
"(ÒwÓ?)! What?! Me… Head of Root?"
When informed of his impending promotion to leader of Root, Orochimaru was utterly dumbfounded. Upon learning it was Qianyu's suggestion, he wasted no time finding Qianyu at home.
"Qianyu-kun… you've certainly found me a wonderful new position, haven't you?"
The moment they met, Orochimaru's smile didn't reach his eyes. The unspoken threat of ending up as a specimen hung in the air.
"Eh~~ If you're truly grateful, you could always share a few more forbidden jutsu with me."
Qianyu waved a hand dismissively.
"Qianyu-kun, you know very well what Root is for. Why drag me into this mess?"
"Lord Orochimaru, I'm thinking of your benefit! With the entire Root organization as our foundation, our research progress would multiply. Doesn't that… tempt you?"
Faced with the accusation, Qianyu laughed, easily deflecting it.
"Besides, a few years in this position, gaining experience… when the Third Hokage retires, the Fourth's seat will undoubtedly be yours."
Qianyu pressed the advantage, laying out the bait.
Orochimaru gave him a long, deep look, then chuckled noncommittally. "Heh. If you say so, Qianyu-kun."
…
After Orochimaru left, an unexpected guest arrived.
"Brother Fugaku! What brings you here? Come in, come in! Let me make some tea."
Opening the door, Qianyu feigned surprise. He'd expected Nawaki. It was Fugaku Uchiha, whom he hadn't seen in a while.
"Brother Qianyu, I come bearing joyful news."
After the customary tea and pleasantries, Fugaku got straight to the point.
"The matter of you and Danzō Shimura… our clan elders are now aware. They greatly admire your courage. After my vigorous persuasion… they have agreed to your marriage proposal with Mikoto."
Qianyu nodded, taking a sip of tea.
"Oh, they agreed to me and Mikoto's marri—Pfft! Wait… what?!"
The realization hit. Qianyu spat out his tea, staring wide-eyed at Fugaku.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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