@saisbrothershin Okay Lord Danzo but justâŚconsiderâŚmost of the Leaf shinobi are allowed to have feelings. Sort of, but you know what I mean. Even the ANBU have lives when the mask is off. Research indicates that suppressing all of your feelings is unhealthy and will backfire. Is that a risk youâre willing to takeâcrazy Root shinobi? Why are we the only ones who donât get to have identities or emotions?
"Ah, You've misunderstood a fundamental concept I believe. At what point does what others might call insanity actually have an impact discernible enough to actually negatively impact a mission? It was never the ones who were properly trained who caused me difficulties. And it was never the point of ROOT to be a place to find bonds. The weapons that best protect Konoha should never be ones that worry about how they're aimed lest they let a threat past, don't you agree?"
âButâŚisnât that true for all shinobi, that they shouldnât worry about where theyâre aimed? I havenât heard of many normal shinobi, er, the shinobi outside of Root, turning down a mission for ethical reasons. But theyâre still allowed to function likeâŚlike human beings.
I actually found my most important bond in Root, with my little brother. I want to protect him. Heâs what reminds me of how life could beâŚhow it was before Root.â
"That is incorrect. While in an ideal world, it might be, shinobi who reside in the leaves of our great tree are flawed. They can be magnificent, or powerful, but they'll never be efficient. They'll hesitate in missions and make mistakes that fail objectives. They'll be merciful at disastrous moments that lead to further difficulties, and worst of all, sometimes they'll simply go over to the side of the enemies. Do you see why this is not ideal?"
âThey go over to the enemy?â Shin repeats in disbelief. âWell, yes, thatâs not ideal. I justâŚyou know Iâve always done my best in missions, even when they took a mental toll on me. I donât fail you on the battlefield. I justâŚI donât want my brother to have to do the things Iâve done. And I wonder about my parentsâŚif theyâre alive and doing well, and if they remember me. I miââ He cuts himself off. Missing your parents is definitely not allowed in Root.
"They go over to the enemy, something I know you would never consider, because you have done well in your training." He regarded the boy for long, steady moments, golden eyes watchful. "I don't know who put thoughts in your head about parents, but you do recall most of those in Root have none, do you not? Why think of this now?"
Despite Shinâs misgivings, itâs still good to hear Danzo say that heâd done well. Maybe Shin is in deeper than he thinks.
âWell,â Shin admits, âIâve always thought about them. I never found out what happened to them, if theyâre still alive or not.â His thoughts are becoming muddled with the fever heâs trying to conceal. He knows on some level that he shouldnât reveal these things. But the curiosity is too much.
âDo you know, Lord Danzo?â
He gave the boy a long, level stare, examining him for a long moment. "There are many lost bloodlines of Konoha, yours is one of them. Wonder no longer." It wasn't dismissive, as such, but it was clear enough he wasn't going to volunteer more than that.
Lost bloodlines? âWonder no longer?â Why did Lord Danzo speak in some kind of code?
Shin clenches his fists, trying not to cry in front of Lord Danzo. Thatâs surely one of the worst things you can do in Root. But Shin is close to it.
âTheyâre lostâthe whole bloodline?â Shin croaks. âDid you have them killed? So that no one would come looking for me?â
That had, admittedly, been a fantasy of his when he was youngerâthat his parents would show up to the underground compound and just take him home.
"Don't be ridiculous. What good would it be for Konoha to do such a thing?" He gave him a stare that was more than unimpressed with him. "Do you think the many wars with the other nations have left families intact? There would have been more, or worse, without us, and there would be more children in your position."
