Naruto: A Century as an Arrancar, Starting Off by Killing the Demi-God

Root Headquarters.

With the Third Hokage's decree in hand, Minato Namikaze stepped through the gate.

A Root member led him through a dim hallway into a modest-sized reception room.

There were only a few chairs and a plain tea table. On the wall hung several framed black-and-white paintings.

After serving tea, the Root member bowed respectfully.

"Fourth Hokage, please wait here. Lord Danzo will be with you shortly."

"Thank you," Minato replied with a nod.

"You honor me," the Root member said, clearly surprised.

He hadn't expected the Fourth Hokage someone of such stature to speak so courteously to a mere grunt like him.

Though Minato's reputation for humility was widely known, the young ninja had assumed it was just part of the Third Hokage's propaganda machine.

Now he realized it was genuine.

"I'll take my leave, Lord Fourth. Please enjoy the tea."

The Root member, flustered yet flattered, quickly withdrew.

Minato glanced at the teacup on the table, lifted it to his nose, and took a careful sniff before setting it down again.

Drinking it was out of the question.

This was Root's home turf, and Danzo's reputation preceded him.

Minato wasn't about to let his guard down here.

Less than ten minutes passed.

Creaaaak.

The door opened.

A grim-looking older man entered.

His right eye was wrapped in thick bandages, as was his right arm. A deep question mark–shaped scar curved under his jaw.

Every movement he made radiated a cold, oppressive aura.

This man was Danzo Shimura.

Seeing him, Minato stood and smiled politely.

"Elder Danzo, sorry to trouble you. I just need a bit of your time."

"No trouble at all, Fourth Hokage," Danzo replied, gesturing mildly.

"What matter brings you here today?"

"A month ago, Kakashi's Sharingan was forcibly taken by individuals suspected to be members of Root. Are you aware of this incident?" Minato asked, testing the waters.

"Oh? Something like that happened?"

Danzo's expression showed exaggerated surprise.

He immediately barked,

"Who were they? I'll have them hand over the Sharingan at once!"

As he spoke, he moved as if preparing to summon all of Root's personnel, declaring he would inspect them one by one and even threatening to cripple the culprits as punishment.

Minato watched this performance in stunned silence.

This old fox really knows how to put on a show.

The acting was flawless.

If Minato didn't already know what kind of man Danzo was, he might've actually been fooled.

But he didn't have time to waste.

Continuing this back-and-forth would get them nowhere.

So Minato cut straight to the point.

"Elder Danzo, under direct orders from the Third Hokage, I am here to inspect your right eye. We need to determine whether Kakashi's Sharingan is hidden beneath your bandages. Please cooperate."

"Rubbish!!"

Danzo exploded with fury.

"You dare use the Third to pressure me? Let Hiruzen come tell me himself! You, a mere boy, aren't qualified! I've never touched Kakashi's Sharingan you won't get your way with me!"

"Then don't blame me for taking action."

Minato's eyes flashed coldly.

In an instant, he raised one of his signature marked kunai, ready to strike at any moment.

Seeing this, Danzo's eyelid twitched violently.

He might've been bluffing just now, but he knew full well 

He couldn't ignore Minato Namikaze.

The Flying Thunder God Technique alone was enough to make Danzo wary of this brilliant young Hokage.

As Minato prepared to move, Danzo quickly relented.

"Don't be reckless! Fighting inside Root's base would endanger innocent civilians. Fine, I'll cooperate, Fourth Hokage."

"Good. Then please remove the bandage."

Minato nodded, lowering his kunai and folding his hands behind his back, projecting calm confidence.

But in truth,

A bead of cold sweat trickled down his hand.

He hadn't truly intended to fight. It was a calculated bluff just enough to apply psychological pressure.

Minato had no desire to risk harming bystanders in a clash with Danzo.

Fortunately, Danzo gave in.

Rustle, rustle...

Danzo slowly unwrapped the bandages from his right eye.

Beneath them was a sunken socket with an old, scarred wound completely empty.

Minato leaned in and carefully examined it for several seconds.

There were no signs of genjutsu or deception.

The injury looked genuine.

There was no Sharingan.

Just as Minato was about to reach out and touch it to confirm 

Danzo snapped.

"Enough! Do you really think I'm afraid of you?! Fourth Hokage, don't push your luck!"

He swatted Minato's hand away, anger flashing in his eyes.

"You've had your look. Now you want to touch an old wound too? What, are you planning to cripple me next?!"

Minato quickly withdrew his hand.

Maybe I did go too far...

To be fair, Danzo had already shown a level of cooperation few would expect.

From such a close distance, Minato was certain there was no Sharingan, and no illusion concealing one either.

The wound was old and deeply scarred. It didn't resemble a fresh extraction site.

"I apologize," Minato said sincerely, bowing slightly.

"It seems Elder Danzo is indeed innocent. I'll be on my way."

Flash!

A golden shimmer lit the room, and he vanished on the spot.

Danzo's face immediately darkened.

Because he was innocent at least this time.

A month ago, shortly after Kakashi's eye was stolen, Danzo had received word.

At first, he suspected one of his own had acted without orders.

But after a thorough investigation, he realized someone else had orchestrated the theft and framed him.

The realization infuriated him.

Still, he wasn't completely innocent.

He did possess a Sharingan.

It wasn't Kakashi's, but a different one a regular Uchiha eye he had snatched during the chaos of war.

It had been less than a year since he had the eye implanted.

He had hoped to use it for a while before seeking out Kakashi's to replace it once it deteriorated.

But someone beat him to the punch... and pinned the crime on him.

It was like being force-fed filth and already having digested it before realizing what it was.

Just then 

Flash!

The Root member who had escorted Minato reappeared, kneeling on one knee.

"Lord Danzo, the Third Hokage sent word... he asks that you lay low for a while to avoid further inspections by the Fourth."

"Got it. Now get out!!"

Danzo's rage surged again.

Chakra exploded from his body.

Boom!

Every piece of furniture in the room was shattered instantly.

The man vanished with a flicker, not daring to linger.

He wasn't actually a Root operative, but part of Hiruzen's personal ANBU.

Truth was, the moment Minato visited Kakashi earlier today, Hiruzen had already guessed what might happen next.

To be safe, he had ordered Danzo to dispose of the Sharingan.

Danzo, ever ruthless, had used Aburame clan's destructive insects to destroy the eye socket then disguised the wound using special techniques to make it look like an old injury.

As long as Minato didn't physically inspect it, even a close look wouldn't expose the trick.

It was brutal, but that's exactly the kind of man Danzo was.

The ANBU agent's message had one meaning don't implant another Sharingan anytime soon. Not until this blows over.

Danzo sat brooding, clutching his throbbing eye.

"Damn it all! Who the hell set me up?! Whoever you are... you'd better pray I don't find you!"