Although Danzō had already learned the details from Hiruzen, the anger that had once settled within him reignited the moment he heard Veigar recount it in full detail.
When Veigar reported to Danzō, he deliberately glossed over one particular point, barely mentioning the concept of chakra nature transformation, because he wanted to see how Danzō would respond.
If Danzō truly wanted to win his loyalty, he wouldn't ignore such a subtle cue.
Just as Veigar expected, Danzō, having now acquired the person, was eager to win the heart. He immediately asked:
"You're preparing to train in chakra nature transformation, aren't you?"
Without any hesitation, Veigar replied:
"Yes."
Danzō then turned to a Root shinobi hidden in the shadows behind him and ordered:
"Chitora, go fetch a wind-style chakra nature transformation scroll."
Without even revealing himself, Chitora's voice rang out from the shadows:
"Understood."
It was clear that this scroll had been prepared specifically for Veigar. But it wasn't a free gift.
Danzō wanted Veigar to understand, so long as he served him, the rewards would come.
"There's a mission I want you to carry out. As for your reward, I'll let you have it in advance."
Veigar knew full well the value of notes and guidance left by those who had trained before him. Without delay, he replied:
"Yes, sir."
"I await your command, Lord Danzō."
Danzō dropped the pretense, his tone cold and heavy:
"I want you to kill… Shōgetsu Uchiha."
Veigar's head snapped up in shock.
In that moment, everything clicked. The Root shinobi who had come after him during his last mission, this was why.
Only now did Veigar fully grasp the depth of Danzō's hostility toward the Uchiha Clan.
…
Back at home, Veigar held the scroll on wind-style chakra nature transformation in his hands. For now, he shelved Danzō's kill order, consumed by curiosity.
He began reading immediately.
By the time he finished, his gaze landed on the signature at the end, and he murmured to himself:
"No wonder it's so meticulously detailed."
In Konohagakure, Danzō was known as a formidable wielder of wind-style ninjutsu, and the scroll Veigar now held had been penned by none other than Danzō himself.
The next day.
On his day off, Veigar sought out Minato, who was in the village supervising a mission with Kakashi, Rin, and Obito.
To be precise, it was Rin and Obito who were hard at work, clearing debris from the riverbed, while Kakashi sat perched on a tree branch, eyes closed in meditation.
No one knew what was running through Kakashi's mind.
"Kakashi, you're really this free, huh?"
As Veigar landed lightly in front of him, Kakashi opened his eyes and asked flatly:
"What are you doing here?"
Veigar chuckled.
"What, not happy to see me?"
"I'm here to speak with Minato-sensei."
At that moment, Minato, who had been not far of, —turned and smiled warmly at the sight of Veigar.
"Veigar. What brings you here?"
Landing beside Minato, Veigar returned the smile.
"I've got the day off."
"Came to see you, Sensei."
As he spoke, he waved to Rin and Obito, who had both stopped working to look his way.
"Obito, Rin. Long time no see!"
Rin's face lit up with a sweet smile.
"Veigar! It's been a while!"
Obito, on the other hand, scowled.
"Veigar! What the hell are you doing here?"
"I don't care, this time, I'm gonna beat you!"
Obito dropped what he was doing and charged forward, shouting at the top of his lungs.
But before he could even get close, Minato stepped in and blocked his path, stopping him with one hand.
"Obito, that's enough!"
Veigar raised his hand casually.
"It's okay, Sensei."
Rin came running over in concern.
"Obito, Sensei, are you both alright?"
Kakashi also jumped down from his perch and said dryly:
"Give it up, dead last. You're not gonna beat Veigar."
Obito's fists clenched as Kakashi's words hit home. His face turned red with anger as he shouted:
"Sensei, move! I will beat Veigar this time!"
"Kakashi's gonna see with his own eyes how I win!"
Minato was about to try talking him down again, but before he could speak, Veigar stepped forward and said:
"Sensei, it's alright."
"Please step aside."
Surprised, Minato looked back at Veigar, who walked forward, calm and confident, until he stood atop the river, balanced perfectly on the surface of the water.
"Obito, if you can stand on the water like I am now..."
"... then I'll accept your challenge."
Minato and Kakashi instantly understood what Veigar was doing: discouraging Obito by showing the gap between them.
At the same time, Minato stepped aside and said gently:
"Obito, save it for next time."
"I'll teach you and Rin how to walk on water first."
From the way Rin and Obito had been clearing the riverbank, it was clear to Veigar they hadn't yet learned chakra control.
Which is exactly why he'd chosen to demonstrate it in front of Obito now.
"Fwoosh."
In a blur, Veigar leapt from the river back to the riverbank, landing directly in front of a stunned Obito.
Looking the boy in the eye, he said:
"When you can stand on water like I can, I promise I'll fight you."
Obito wasn't a fool. Even though Veigar had appeared before him in an instant and he hadn't even reacted, he understood clearly, he wasn't Veigar's match yet.
Still, Obito was nothing if not stubborn. Fire burning in his chest, he shot back:
"You bastard, just wait!"
"I'll be standing on the water like you before you know it!"
"And when I am, I'll beat you!"
Veigar simply smiled and nodded, then turned back to Minato.
"Sensei, I had a question I wanted to ask you, would that be alright?"
Veigar only had one day off. That brief display had served its purpose: to avoid wasting the day on Obito's bravado.
What he really wanted now… was to learn from Minato how to train in wind-style chakra nature transformation.
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