Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 249 The Mastermind's Plans

Rewinding to a few months earlier, after receiving Black Zetsu's mission, Changxin immediately contacted Root using past methods.

Root already knew of his betrayal, and as the dark side of the ninja world, Danzo Shimura would naturally not allow such a thing to happen to him.

On that day, Aburame Ryoma led twenty elite members to eliminate the traitor, Nagatomo.

However, things didn't go as planned. After a fierce battle, Nagatomo was almost unharmed, while the Root members who came to pursue him suffered heavy casualties. In the end, only Aburame Ryoma and a few powerful special Jonin remained.

Changxin leaned against a giant ink peacock, his hands clasped together, and laughed at them, "I already told you, I came here to seek cooperation. But you didn't even listen to me before you wanted to fight me! As expected, in the ninja world, only those with strength have a voice."

"What exactly do you want?" Aburame Ryoma gasped for breath. Although he was not injured, he had exhausted himself in the battle just now, and his chakra was almost depleted.

On the other hand, Changxin seemed completely unaffected. In terms of attrition alone, the twenty of them combined hadn't worn down the opponent at all.

This was utterly unbelievable to him, because Nagatoshi's progress was so great that he was a completely different person from before he left Root.

At this moment, Changxin stuck out his tongue, not out of mischief, but simply to tell the other person something.

"I have already rid myself of the seal of the root of tongue-related disasters. I have joined a new organization, and this time he has something he wants to talk to Danzo about."

"Hiding their heads and tails, where are the others?"

"Of course, he doesn't need to get involved; after all, I'm here."

After listening, Aburame Ryoma frowned again. He wanted to say, how could a mere traitorous foot soldier be in charge?

Before he could speak, Changxin laughed and said, "What? Am I not strong enough?"

Aburame Ryoma shut his mouth, falling silent for a moment. After a long pause, he asked again, "What exactly do you want to talk about?"

"Can you make the decision?" Changxin turned to the side, his fingers twirling the silver needles he had learned from the pharmacist Nono, casually picking at the dirt under his fingernails.

Aburame Ryoma was speechless for a moment. If it were a minor matter, he could make the decision himself, but for something like this, he really needed to go back and report to the captain.

"Ryuma-senpai!" He chuckled, even his honorific title carrying a hint of mockery. "You've followed Danzo for so many years, what has he ever given you? The seal to sever the root of all evil, an identity that can be discarded at any time, and those dirty jobs that can't be seen in the light of day?"

Ryoma Aburame's face darkened as he said, "Don't try to sow discord between me and Lord Danzo!"

"Hehehe, never mind, our statuses are different now."

Changxin put away the silver needles, took out a scroll from his pocket, and casually tossed it over: "I don't need you to betray Root, I need you to pass on a message for me. Tell your Lord Danzo, who's still in jail, that... an old friend wants to discuss a deal with him that he absolutely cannot refuse. If he dares to accept it."

Longma unfurled the scroll, the contents of which were extremely brief, the handwriting so hasty as if he disdained to waste any more ink:

I have severed my roots and found a new master. Now I wish to cooperate with you, borrowing the power of your roots. Do you dare?

There was no signature, no code, and nothing to prove his identity.

But Ryoma knew that anyone who could write such words was either crazy or had some real trump card.

"Who exactly is behind you?" Longma asked again in a deep voice.

Changxin did not answer, but instead flipped over and jumped onto the peacock's back, spread its wings and flew into the sky, disappearing into the clouds.

"But here, let him come in person in three days—or send someone who can make the decision."

When the sound returned, the person had already vanished.

Longma gripped the scroll tightly, hesitated for a moment, then turned and left with the other wounded.

-

Three days later, on the border of the Land of Rain, deep within an abandoned mine.

When Nagatoshi arrived, Danzo was already there.

It's not the real body—it's a magical clone. The dark aura surrounding it proves that it is indeed the real person.

"Changxin. You should know the price of betraying the roots."

"Of course I know." Changxin sat down casually on the opposite rock, crossing his legs. "That's why I never intended to continue hanging out with you."

Danzo's face darkened. "Are you saying I've been unfair? You were born of the Root, you grew up of the Root, all machines originate from the Root. As tools, what right do you have to talk about betrayal? You're truly born rebellious!"

Changxin, however, showed no fear whatsoever, and even laughed more brazenly: "Don't be in such a hurry to make a move, Lord Danzo. I've come today to give you a great gift."

"explain."

"The person behind me wants to cooperate with you."

"cooperate?"

Danzo sneered, "A cowardly rat hiding its head and tail dares to talk to me about cooperation?"

Changxin shrugged. "Whether we're a good match or not isn't important, after all, you're so amazing!"

He took a black scroll from his pocket and threw it at Danzo's feet.

Danzo didn't bend down to pick it up; instead, he lightly flicked it with his toe, and the scroll sprang up and landed in his hand. After unrolling it, his expression changed slightly.

The scroll contained a rough strategic deployment map, marked with four main directions—Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Konoha, and Kumogakure—as well as a location in the very center surrounded by arrows, marked with the character for "rain".

"What does this mean?" Danzo asked in a deep voice. "Are you suggesting that we, Konoha, send troops to help you wipe out the Land of Rain?"

With his elbow propped on his knee and one hand supporting his face, Danzo-sama tilted his head and chuckled, "Lord Danzo, you don't actually believe the Third Kazekage really died in an accident, do you?"

"Could it be that you guys were the ones who did it?" he asked tentatively.

"Hehe, guess?" Changxin gave an ambiguous answer and continued, "The plan is already in place, and all we need to do is intervene in your roots to do some things, so I hope you can fully cooperate and give me some control."

Danzo stared at him, remained silent for a long time, and then said, "Tell me everything!"

"Impossible, because even I don't know the whole story. But I can assure you that this matter will only benefit Konoha, and will not cause any harm."

"Hmph, what makes you think you can guarantee that?"

"I can't offer you anything to guarantee. So it depends on whether you, Lord Danzo, have the courage to do so."

As he spoke, he took out a deck of cards and handed it to Danzo.

He took the deck of cards and discovered that they were actually portraits of people.

Danzo stared directly at him, and after a long while, nodded and said, "Then let this old man see what you're capable of."

Changxin bowed and said, "Thank you for your trust, Lord Danzo. Please wait for good news."

As soon as he finished speaking, Danzo formed a hand seal, and the clone instantly vanished, scattering the playing cards he had previously obtained onto the ground.