The only thing he knew was that Konohamuru was strong, already a Genin level. If he was really trying, then it would not take longer than a few months to learn Rasengan.
…
In fact, he was surprised that Konohamuru possessed such potential. He was aware that Konohamuru would learn and use the Rasengan against the clone of Pain, eventually defeating it. But that was in future, almost two years from now.
If possible, he wanted to train Konohamuru too. The fact that there would be another wasted potential was eating at him, itching him to take action.
'If given the opportunity, I would make sure that I train some of the young guys.'
Glancing at Sayako, Reko could feel that she was inside. Although she did not make it obvious like her son, the sparkle in her eyes could not be hidden.
"It's dark already. We should part ways here."
Reko suggested, intending to leave. He could have stayed if it was any other day, but he was really exhausted and could not indulge Sayako.
"Yes, yes. It is quite late. Udon, thank Reko for his guidance. We are leaving."
"Thank you. Let's meet again."
The boy happily waved at Reko after Sayako instructed him to. He was very happy with their meeting.
Reko smiled and waved back at Udon. The mother and son pair left. Though, he did catch Sayako sneaking glances at him as she left.
Pity. He was drained by the Inozuka. Otherwise, he would have not minded accompanying Sayako.
Slowly, he walked back to his house.
'Hmm? Oh right! I forgot about them. Earlier, they did not show up because of Tsunade's presence. But now that I am strolling here in the streets alone, they began to follow me.'
The shinobi from the Root division were trailing him. While training under Tsunade, Root members did not dare to spy on him.
However, he was alone now. They probably thought that they were being subtle as they followed Reko.
Good for them, he was relaxed after playing around, causing him to not react much from the suspicious trailing.
After he reached home, the feeling of being watched disappeared. The people spying on him seemed to have left to report his actions.
"I stopped keeping track of my chakra growth and it seems to have already reached 12,000 CP.
It's time I focus on increasing the number of techniques in my arsenal with the help of my talent as well as Steal."
Laying on the bed, Reko was planning his next steps. His chakra increased by a lot and he did not need to worry about the types of ninjutsu he could learn.
The only thing stopping him from learning those ninjutsu was his kekkei genkai which needed to be charged before use.
Although he was quite talented with ninjutsu himself and could learn without Steal, Reko preferred to learn the jutsu to a higher level in his first attempt.
He decided to focus on building up charges for the upcoming days. His plan was to copy some of the ninjutsu he found useful.
Reko could not waste his precious time to learn and level up those ninjutsu when he had to explore the limits of his Curse mark.
Curse mark was technically a sage mode that was closer to Jiraya's sage mode, even higher if the strength boost was compared.
He needed to train the unique technique and control it. The second stage transformation will be overwhelming in fights, especially in taijutsu.
While at it, he was also thinking of a method to deal with the Root members spying on him. It would be troublesome if they kept following him around everywhere.
He needed to keep his training a secret. Especially now, when Curse Mark is evidence of his connection to Orochimaru.
There were other matters too. His knowledge of Rasengan was still a secret and he needed to keep it like that for a while, until his connection with Konohamuru got strong.
"I have good enough chakra control. It is not a problem for me to keep supplying chakra to my kekkei genkai even in my sleep."
Deciding so, Reko began to meditate before drifting off to sleep on his bed. The chakra supply would not be very efficient when asleep but it was good enough with his high recovery.
…
Next day,
"An invitation?"
He could see a small note on his table.
The sender? Unknown.
Only a location was mentioned, nothing else. But Reko had a good guess of the sender's identity.
He decided to follow. Why would he not? He did not fear anyone now that he was a Jonin.
"Nothing?"
The location was in the wilderness, upon reaching, Reko found out that there was no clue. Nothing!
Who was he supposed to visit? Meet?
Ruffle!!
"You people."
Behind him, he heard a movement, upon turning he saw two shinobi with their faces hidden.
"Follow me. Lord Danzo has sent us."
One of the two guys ordered Reko to follow while the other guy kept his distance, hidden away.
"Okay."
Reko agreed, and followed the stranger closely.
Shortly after, they reached a spot in the wilderness. The other guy made some hand signs and tapped on a tree nearby, opening up and underground passage.
'Fuinjutsu… I have no clue about it.'
Reko stared at the tree and then the passage. Fuinjutsu was one of the most mysterious studies. He did not have any clue about it and could only enter cautiously.
The passage was long, it took them two minutes of sprinting just to get to the main location, a room.
In the dimly lit room, a throne like chair was present where a bandaged man was sitting.
"Sir!"
The shinobi who guided him inside kneeled and greeted Danzo.
'Is he Danzo? His aura looks impressive.'
Reko calmly assessed Danzo sitting on the throne. The man appeared bandaged like a mummy but his aura was more impressive than most Jonins.
"You do not look surprised. Were you already aware of my presence?"
Danzo asked with a stoic face. He was intrigued by the apparent lack of surprise on Reko's face.
He knew that not many youngsters were aware of his identity.
But Tsunade's student?
She should have told him about the man who controlled the village from dark.
Why was the boy not surprised? Was he not scared?
Did he have that much confidence in his strength and identity? Danzo wondered.
"I was warned."
Reko replied, a polite yet confident smile on his face.
Was he supposed to be scared of Danzo? Kneel before him?
Lol, that guy could only damage someone with schemes. Reko was not at all worried about his reputation being ruined.
As for using force? Reko had more than enough strength to get away from Danzo.
Although it was a bit stupid to come unprepared to the enemy's base alone, he was still confident in leaving alive with his Curse mode.
Tsunade had warned him about Danzo. But he knew more than that. He was aware of the techniques that Danzo had.
"Warned? And you still decided to visit? Hmm"
Danzo said with the same tone, not giving out any emotions.
"I don't have bias. I decided to hear you out."
Reko replied. He wanted to hear out Danzo.
Danzo would not just call him for a small talk. There must be something.
An offer? Most likely.
"It appears that you have gained strength, enough to feel fearless."
Danzo moved his fingers, signalling one of the shinobis hidden away.
'He wants to attack me?'
What was this? Reko was confused.
Was it an attack? Then why send only one guy.
He was able to follow the movement of that shinobi from Root. The opponent was quick, Jonin level speed.
He had a short sword in his hands and aimed directly at Reko's throat.
Tilting his head, Reko grabbed the opponent's wrist, releasing the short sword. He did not release the grip on the opponent's wrist, grabbing it tightly, he slammed him on the ground.
Before the opponent could resist, Reko pressed the vital spots on his body, and immobilized that guy in an instant.
'Not bad. Jonin level speed with that strength. He must be an experienced assassin.'
"You were saying something about my strength."
Reko looked Danzo in his eyes and asked with a smile. There was no confusion or distrust in his expression over the attack just now.
"Good. I want you to contribute to the village."
Danzo replied, changing his tone. He wanted Reko to agree like a patriot.
"I am already doing that. Don't you know? I am completing missions. Soon, I will also be training the next generation of leaf medical shinobis."
Reko showed a confused face as he counted all of his accomplishments.
Wasn't completing missions for the village a contribution? And training the life saving medical shinobis more beneficial?
Could an individual do more than him? No.
'If you want to make me work then show me what you are willing to offer! What is this contribution and volunteer stuff?'
Reko was not at all embarrassed to play naive. Why would he even think of working with Danzo when that guy would not even offer something to him?
...
Do comment about the development of relationship between Reko and Danzo.
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