Reincarnated as Itachi Uchiha at the Start

"This brother White Zetsu—have you considered joining Root? You can choose any assignment you like. Excellent benefits. Let's work together to reshape the ninja world," Danzo offered enthusiastically, recruiting him right in front of Orochimaru.

But he was immediately cut off by Orochimaru—who was actually an Uchiha Itachi clone in disguise:

"Lord Danzo, enough with the recruiting. That matter is closed."

"Besides… White Zetsu doesn't have much time left."

"He suffers from a Kekkei Genkai illness—incurable by medicine or jutsu."

"This mission… may well be his last." Orochimaru's voice was hoarse, tinged with melancholy.

"A Kekkei Genkai illness… beyond all healing? What a shame." Danzo sighed outwardly, but internally, he wasn't buying it.

You think I'm an idiot? First meeting and he's already dying? If you don't want me poaching your talent, just say so.

But Danzo had dealt with these situations countless times. No matter how reserved they were at first, didn't they all end up joining him eventually?

"Brother White Zetsu, I believe in your ability. If you ever change your mind, Root's doors will always be open to you."

"As for your illness—don't worry. Konoha has the best medical ninja in the world. Root will always be your strongest support."

"One letter from me, and Tsunade—the greatest medical kunoichi in the ninja world—will return personally to treat you. Full care, guaranteed satisfaction," Danzo said smoothly, painting the picture without caring whether Tsunade agreed or not.

To an outsider, it might even sound like Tsunade answered only to Danzo.

"Then I thank you in advance, Lord Danzo," said the White Zetsu disguised as Danzo, smiling politely.

"No need for thanks." Danzo returned the smile with a nod.

Earlier, when he saw Root and ANBU fighting each other, Danzo had gone pale.

He thought Hiruzen had discovered his secret and was ready to betray their old bond.

Frightened, he was just about to slip away when Orochimaru stepped forward and said he had a friend—White Zetsu—who could resolve the situation.

All he needed was some of Danzo's chakra.

Chakra? That raised Danzo's suspicion immediately.

But then Orochimaru said: If Danzo falls, Konoha will lose its guardian deity.

Danzo had flinched at the mention of "falling"—it sounded far too ominous—but hearing himself called Konoha's guardian deity? That made him beam inside.

Orochimaru… truly understands me.

Because the truth was, just as Orochimaru said—Konoha needed him. He, Danzo, had been the unseen protector of the village all along!

He was the one who would lead Konoha to its peak and unify the entire ninja world.

Danzo didn't know exactly what Orochimaru was up to, but after some thought, he agreed to this "small" request.

On the condition: he had to see the man in person first.

Soon, Orochimaru returned with someone cloaked in black, face completely hidden.

The figure reached out a hand and touched Danzo, absorbing some of his chakra—then pulled back the hood.

Danzo was stunned.

This man looked exactly like him.

Not just his appearance—his chakra was near-identical. It was as if they were twins born from the same mold.

Even more shocking—none of the Root members, not even those most familiar with Danzo's chakra signature, could tell the difference.

It was terrifying.

If he could control someone like this… intelligence gathering across the ninja world would be effortless.

That's why Danzo swallowed his pride and tried again and again to recruit him.

And yet—he was turned down.

"Lord Danzo, the Root situation is settled. We'll take our leave. See you tonight," Orochimaru said, taking initiative to leave.

"Mm, see you tonight." Danzo replied, then turned to White Zetsu and extended his hand with a smile. "Brother White Zetsu—until we meet again."

White Zetsu paused for a moment, seeing Danzo's gesture, then politely returned the handshake. "Until we meet again."

After they left, Danzo turned to the hallway and ordered, "Bring me the scroll on Reaper Death Seal."

"Yes, sir!" A Root ninja swiftly delivered the scroll.

The Reaper Death Seal—a terrifying sealing technique of the Uzumaki Clan. When the user performs the hand seals in the sequence "Snake–Boar–Ram–Hare–Dog–Rat–Bird–Horse–Snake" and clasps their hands, they summon the Shinigami.

The Shinigami can cut the target's soul with its blade and devour it, sealing it away inside its belly. The size of the soul sealed is up to the caster.

But in doing so, the user forms a contract with the Shinigami—offering their own soul in exchange. Once the target's soul is devoured, the caster's soul is consumed too. Their spirits remain trapped in the Shinigami's stomach, locked in eternal hatred and battle, never to be reincarnated.

Danzo studied the scroll carefully. A moment later, his eyes narrowed.

"To undo the Reaper Death Seal, you must first acquire the Shinigami Mask. Then, summon the Shinigami and let it possess you. Cut open its belly—then the sealed souls will be released."

"But the user becomes the sacrifice… devoured by the Shinigami."

Danzo remembered—the mask was kept at the edge of Konoha, in the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Repository.

If Orochimaru wanted the Nine-Tails from Minato's body, he'd have to get that mask.

So… White Zetsu and Orochimaru's destination was the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Storage Temple.

And when Orochimaru said White Zetsu didn't have long to live, he wasn't joking.

He intended to use White Zetsu as the sacrifice—to perform the Reaper Death Seal, release the seal, and extract the Nine-Tails from Minato's body.

"Heh… Orochimaru, you sly snake. Minato is mine. The Nine-Tails is mine. You're not getting either." Danzo rolled up the scroll, then led his Root operatives toward the Mask Repository at the edge of the village.

—

On the way, Orochimaru—who was an Itachi Uchiha clone—checked the right hand of the White Zetsu that Danzo had shaken.

Sure enough, there was a Flying Thunder God mark on it.

"Danzo really knows how to put his knowledge to use… Guess those lessons in Flying Thunder God weren't wasted," Orochimaru clicked his tongue.

"But for Edo Tensei, I still need one more White Zetsu. So tell me—where's your brother?" He licked his lips, eyes locked onto White Zetsu's.

Their eyes met. It was fate.

White Zetsu—as Danzo—briefly revealed a glint of the Sharingan's three tomoe in his eyes, then pointed in a direction.

Orochimaru understood instantly and took off.

He soon arrived at a small forest.

"White Zetsu-san! Did you think hiding out here would stop me?"

"Useless!"

"You're such a radiant man—in any setting, you shine like a firefly in the dark. So eye-catching. So dazzling."

"Those clueless eyes, that chalk-white skin, your glowing green hair… and that miracle-level impersonation jutsu—you've completely captivated me."

"But even if you are that incredible… this is still Konoha. You've been living here for free all this time—don't you think it's time to pay rent?"

"Staying in the woods doesn't mean it's rent-free!"

Orochimaru shouted from beside a large tree.

The tree—actually a transformed White Zetsu—froze.

Damn it… this Orochimaru just won't quit! Why is he everywhere?!

White Zetsu, stunned, was quickly knocked out by Orochimaru with a lovingly delivered hand chop of justice and dragged away.

"How many White Zetsus has Black Zetsu planted in Konoha? They're everywhere!"

Now crowned the "White Zetsu Terminator," Orochimaru handed him off to the White Zetsu still disguised as Danzo, muttering to himself as he walked away.

Whether it was the one disguised as Danzo or the one he just captured—

Maybe it was the power of his Mangekyō Sharingan, but neither could hide from him.

He could spot a White Zetsu in a crowd instantly.

It was like seeing someone who owed him several million ryo—they practically glowed with familiarity.

Strangely… he even felt a bit embarrassed.