It's Too Troublesome to be Hokage

"The Root is absorbing new blood…"

The irritation on Sarutobi Hiruzen's aged face faded slightly, and his bushy gray brows arched.

Root—also known as the "Anbu Training Department."

This special organization operated in the deepest shadows of Konoha, its primary function being the covert elimination of any threat to the village's stability.

Years ago, Shimura Danzo had lost the power struggle for the title of Third Hokage.

But due to a moment of weakness and compromise on Sarutobi's part, Danzo was still allowed to establish a more secretive and ruthless version of the Anbu directly under the Hokage's command: Root.

While Root was nominally under the Hokage's authority, in truth, every ninja within it answered only to Danzo.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, as Hokage, understood the duality of such an organization.

Danzo and his Root bore the burden of all Konoha's "darkness"—so that the Third Hokage could maintain the image of radiant justice.

But too much darkness breeds desire and danger.

So, while indulging Root's existence, Hiruzen also tightly suppressed its expansion.

And the most effective way to restrain Root's growth?

Strictly control its recruitment of members.

"Danzo, did you just say 'a young Nara clan ninja'?"

A flurry of thoughts crossed Hiruzen's mind. He looked at Danzo, his tone pointed.

"When has the Root ever sought out a Nara? Haven't you always disliked their kind for being too soft, too lacking in 'darkness'?"

It was true that the Sarutobi clan had longstanding alliances with the Ino–Shika–Cho trio. Hiruzen was even a personal witness to the signing of their alliance.

But that didn't mean he could dictate the life paths of every Ino, Shika, or Cho clan member.

If a ninja from one of the clans willingly chose to join Root, Hiruzen wouldn't interfere.

But if Danzo were attempting to coerce someone into joining…

Then things would be very different.

Besides, Root almost never recruited from noble clans. Most of its members were war orphans or unaffiliated civilians. The only exception was the Yamanaka clan—due to their utility in intelligence work.

The Nara and Akimichi clans? Too emotionally independent, too introspective. Not Root material at all.

"I did say that," Danzo replied coolly. "This one's very young."

Young meant moldable. Brainwashable. Root material.

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.

"A young Nara who could push Minato into summoning Gamabunta? When did the Nara clan produce such talent?"

"Name?" he asked.

Danzo hesitated, then gave up the pretense.

"Nara Shikadan."

"…Him?"

Hiruzen was momentarily stunned. "Isn't that the kid who just graduated from the Ninja Academy this year?"

He frowned in disbelief.

"Most of his instructors said he lacked talent, no future as a shinobi. Danzo, are you sure your intel is accurate?"

Danzo's own brow furrowed. He hadn't had time to vet Shikadan's file—he'd rushed here after hearing about the Nine-Tails incident.

But if Shikadan had just graduated, and was only twelve years old…

That was perfect.

"Maybe he was deliberately hiding his strength in the Academy," Danzo muttered. "Or too lazy to show it."

"No…"

Hiruzen shook his head. Danzo didn't know the full picture—and he wasn't going to offer it.

"Danzo, don't get your hopes up. Shikadan is no ordinary shinobi."

Leaving the Hokage Tower, Shimura Danzo slithered back into the dark like a rat.

Back in Root's subterranean base, he ordered his agents to collect all available intel on Nara Shikadan.

The Root's elite operated with brutal efficiency.

Within hours, Shikadan's personal file was laid bare: family background, school records, personality, peer connections, and more.

Danzo read through the profile with growing understanding.

"…No wonder Hiruzen said not to expect much."

Both parents. Stable family. Considerable wealth.

A winner in life.

Danzo was honestly confused why this kid didn't just retire and go home to inherit the family business.

Even he, Danzo, had to admit: for a child like this, trying to recruit him into Root would be tricky.

Root operated on his command alone.

But outside of it, few shinobi truly followed Danzo's orders.

So even Root had to abide by the "Basic Laws" when recruiting.

Normally, Danzo only targeted ninja with special potential and hidden darkness in their hearts.

Then he'd appeal to emotion. Reason. Or tempt them with benefits.

Even tools need food. And jutsu.

Who joins Root just because Danzo looks dashing with bandages?

No pay. No promotion path. No public records.

If not for orphans he raised from birth, Root would have no one.

But none of Danzo's usual tactics would work on a boy like Nara Shikadan.

Especially not one from the Nara clan—infamously stubborn, individualistic, and reflective.

Danzo's fingers drummed slowly.

"…If I want Shikadan in Root, I'll have to awaken the darkness in his heart first."

His gaze fell on the section marked [Social Ties].

"…Fortunately, it seems I've already placed a Root agent close to this promising genius."

Nara Shikadan had no idea that a certain old fossil was plotting to drag him into the shadows.

Unbothered by outside noise, he continued his training.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

That morning.

In his practice room.

Poof!

A [Shadow Clone] burst in a puff of smoke. The memories of intense training flowed back into his mind like a flood.

Shikadan's eyes lit up.

He raised his right hand, focusing on the [Chakra Crystal] embedded on his index finger. Chakra flowed smoothly into his palm, compressing and spinning with increasing intensity.

A dense, glowing sphere began to form—rotating violently.

A notification appeared on his panel.

[A-rank Ninjutsu: Rasengan]

Description: A spiraling sphere of compressed chakra formed in the user's palm.

Effect: A high-powered, non-elemental energy ball with intense destructive force. Requires no hand signs.

Evaluation: Kidney punch? Liver shot? Pick your poison.

You have developed the A-rank ninjutsu [Rasengan]. Your [Ninjutsu] and [Wise] attributes have increased.

Shikadan grinned from ear to ear.

"After all this training—especially the [Shadow Clones] working around the clock—I finally did it!"

Rasengan, achieved.

"And since Rasengan is derived from the Tailed Beast Ball…"

Shikadan's eyes gleamed. The Tailed Beast Ball—an S-rank technique exclusive to tailed beasts—was said to be its conceptual ancestor.

"If the tailed beasts can do it, why can't I?"

He paused, sobering.

"…Well, probably because they have massive chakra reserves."

He glanced at the [Chakra Crystal].

"It's A-rank, but still not that kind of level."

Overpowered ninjutsu are nice on paper.

But without the chakra to support them, even a genius can't do much.

Just like he hadn't attempted Rasengan earlier—because his [Precision] attribute hadn't been high enough.

"But now that I have Rasengan…"

Shikadan's grin sharpened.

"I don't need to use it for melee combat."

He took a deep breath to calm his excitement.

"My real goal—was to use it to upgrade the [Shadow Piercing Bullet]!"

Without delay, he resumed training.

He'd already developed the [Spiral Shadow Piercing Bullet] and [Spiral Shadow Binding Bullet].

With that experience, combining Rasengan with his own shadow techniques progressed quickly.

Soon, he had results.

Shikadan raised his right hand again. Shadows condensed and spun violently, forming a sphere of deep, dark energy.

[A-rank Ninjutsu: Shadow Rasengan]

Description: A Yin Release secret technique derived from Rasengan.

Effect: Through precise manipulation of Yin chakra, creates a Shadow Rasengan that can toggle between 'shadow' and 'physical' states.

In physical state: increased hardness, destructive power, and duration compared to standard Rasengan.

In shadow state: causes massive chakra disruption on impact.

Evaluation: Dark Sphere. Weaklings, beware!

Shikadan looked down at the sphere in his palm, a satisfied smirk creeping across his face.

"Here it is…"

The birth of Shadow Rasengan!

-End Chapter-

Visit the Patreon!!

Read 30 chapters ahead, more on the way!

[email protected]/TrashProspector

150 Stone = 1 Bonus Chapter

15 Reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter