Character Template: Zoro
Synchronization Rate: 44%
Thanks to overwhelming every opponent during the Chūnin Exams through sheer strength, along with the countless assassination and execution missions he completed after joining the Anbu, Zoro's synchronization rate had steadily risen from 20% to 44% over the course of two years.
The increase in synchronization granted him the third of the 21 Great Grade Blades—Enma.
At the sa ti, it unlocked the imnsely powerful Three-Sword Style techniques, along with the nearly unreasonable ability known as Haki.
For example, Observation Haki allowed him to easily sense hostility and detect enemy positions, almost like Naruto after entering Nine-Tails Chakra Mode in the future.
Then there was Armant Haki, which could drastically enhance both attack and defense. Once activated, it functioned like invisible armor covering the body.
Ordinary attacks could barely inflict aningful damage on him anymore.
anwhile, Zoro's Sharingan had also successfully evolved into the Three-Tomoe stage.
As for how to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan beyond that—
That still required further experintation and research.
"Mission completed? Well done."
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled smoke from his pipe while looking appreciatively at Zoro standing before him.
Two years had passed.
The once youthful figure had grown noticeably taller.
He still wore a black coat, and over his face rested the familiar cat-shaped mask. A long blade scar now cut across the mask diagonally, giving him an even colder and more dangerous appearance.
Hiruzen secretly felt fortunate.
Thankfully, two years ago, he had not completely lost his judgnt and expelled Zoro from Konoha outright.
Ever since placing him into the Anbu, Hiruzen could clearly feel the other villages becoming increasingly wary of Konoha.
Even the number of spies infiltrating the village had noticeably decreased over the past two years.
But that also created another problem—
Zoro's prestige inside the Anbu had grown larger and larger.
In fact, just one month ago, the forr head of the Anbu execution division had inexplicably stepped down voluntarily and handed the position directly to Zoro.
"I wonder why Lord Hokage summoned today?"
Zoro's voice sounded calm beneath the mask.
Although his expression remained indifferent, he could already sense a trace of hostility drifting from the shadows nearby.
There was no way Hiruzen called him here rely to praise him.
That old fox was a smiling tiger through and through.
He would use his subordinates to the limit before tossing them a few complints as compensation.
"It seems you've been bringing quite a few Uchiha clan mbers into the Anbu recently?"
Hiruzen questioned casually while taking another puff from his pipe.
"The clan wishes to contribute more to the village through the Anbu," Zoro answered flawlessly. "I rely selected a small number after careful screening."
Facing Hiruzen's probing, his tone remained perfectly natural.
Over the past two years, Zoro had already survived five joint assassination attempts launched by Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kumogakure.
Every attempt ended in failure.
The most dangerous one nearly destroyed one of his Sharingan eyes.
That incident was also the reason a slash mark now existed across his cat mask.
And during that life-and-death battle, Zoro awakened Armant Haki—the ability that hardened his body like iron.
"I see."
Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully.
"Then your Uchiha clan truly has worked hard for the village."
His tone suddenly shifted slightly.
"Still, I think your clan should avoid joining the Anbu too heavily in the future."
He smiled faintly.
"After all, the Uchiha are already responsible for village security duties. Taking on Anbu work as well would simply be too exhausting."
On the surface, it sounded as though Hiruzen was genuinely concerned for the clan's wellbeing.
But Zoro understood very clearly what he truly ant.
The Hokage did not want the Uchiha gaining too much influence inside the Anbu.
"As Lord Hokage commands."
Zoro replied respectfully without the slightest concern.
After all, he had already quietly inserted plenty of his own clansn into the Anbu over the past two years.
Otherwise, the previous execution division captain would never have stepped down so obediently.
"Oh right."
Hiruzen suddenly seed to rember sothing.
"There's been so unusual movent from Kirigakure lately."
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Take so ti to rest for now. There will be an important mission afterward."
Then, as though speaking casually, he added aningfully:
"You know as well as I do that the major nations have beco increasingly restless recently. More and more villages are beginning to set their sights on Konoha."
"You may leave now."
Seeing that Zoro remained silent, Hiruzen simply waved his hand dismissively.
Not long after Zoro departed, a fierce-looking man wrapped in bandages slowly erged from the shadows.
"Well, Hiruzen?"
Danzō's gloomy voice echoed through the office.
"I wasn't lying to you, was I? That brat Zoro has already begun secretly planting Uchiha clan mbers inside the Anbu."
His visible eye narrowed coldly.
"That boy can no longer be allowed to remain."
"Hah…"
Hiruzen sighed heavily and rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"Your suspicions are still too severe. Everything Zoro has done has been for the village."
Although he spoke those words aloud, the flickering light deep within his eyes completely betrayed his true thoughts.
"Hmph."
Danzō snorted coldly.
"Leave it to . I'll give you a satisfactory result."
This ti, Hiruzen did not say a single word about stopping him.
Seeing that reaction, a cold smile appeared beneath Danzō's bandages.
Then he turned and slamd the office door shut as he left.
Outside the Hokage's office, a sneer surfaced on Danzō's lips.
That old man Hiruzen truly was hypocritical.
He clearly already sensed that Zoro's growing influence threatened his authority, yet he still insisted on maintaining that righteous and compassionate facade.
Not long after Danzō departed, another figure silently erged from the shadows.
"Shisui."
Hiruzen looked toward the young ninja before him.
"What has Zoro been doing within the clan recently?"
The seven-year-old Uchiha Shisui knelt respectfully on one knee.
Looking at the child before him, Hiruzen still carried deep affection for the son of his forr comrade, Kagami Uchiha.
"Reporting to Lord Hokage," Shisui answered seriously, "there hasn't been much discussion regarding Brother Zoro inside the clan recently, nor have there been any major developnts."
He hesitated briefly before continuing.
"However… for so reason, I feel like the clan mbers are becoming more and more respectful toward Brother Zoro."
"Respectful?"
Hiruzen frowned slightly.
That answer felt contradictory.
According to his understanding, Zoro's reputation inside the village should not have reached that level yet.
So why were the clan mbers treating him with increasing reverence?
"Mm."
After carefully observing Shisui and confirming he did not appear to be lying, Hiruzen slowly nodded.
"Continue monitoring Uchiha Zoro."
"If there's nothing else, you may leave."
To be fair, however—
Shisui himself also had a problem.
"Lord Hokage…"
The young Shisui suddenly raised his head slightly.
"I have a question."
Looking at the boy who had not yet fully matured but already showed clear signs of genius, Hiruzen patiently replied:
"Ask."
"I don't understand why Lord Hokage wants to monitor Brother Zoro."
Shisui's expression remained serious.
"Has Lord Hokage discovered sothing suspicious about him?"
Seeing the faint trace of killing intent flicker through Shisui's eyes, Hiruzen coughed awkwardly.
"There are so things you'll understand when you're older."
His tone beca deep and serious.
"Knowing too much right now would only bring you trouble."
Naturally, there was no way Hiruzen could openly admit that he feared Zoro coveting the Hokage position.
"I understand, Lord Hokage."
Shisui lowered his head respectfully.
"I'll continue carefully observing Brother Zoro's intentions."
His gaze remained calm and resolute.
If Zoro truly intended to do sothing harmful to the village—
Then Shisui would not hesitate to act against him personally.
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