The moon was hidden behind thick clouds. A cold wind swept through the underground passages beneath Konoha, carrying the scent of dust and steel.
Deep in those tunnels—in a chamber sealed by ancient runes and silence—Shimura Danzo sat in his chair, his single visible eye gleaming faintly in the torchlight. In front of him knelt three masked operatives—Root elites, silent as shadows.
Danzo spoke slowly, his voice low and heavy with authority. "So… the reports are true? "
The leader of the trio bowed lower. "Yes, Lord Danzo. The Hokage's surveillance confirms it. Uzumaki Naruto defeated three upper-class students in seconds. His chakra fusion—Wind and Lightning—was verified during combat. "
Danzo's fingers tightened on his cane. "And the Hokage? "
"He continues to observe. No action has been taken. "
A cold, humorless smile crossed Danzo's lips. "Of course not. That old fool still believes the boy can be guided with affection. "
He slammed the cane against the floor once. The sound echoed sharply in the stone hall.
"Fools. Affection doesn't control power. Only fear and obedience do. "
The three Root operatives waited silently as Danzo continued. "Uzumaki Naruto is no longer a mere container. He's a weapon—one that could either destroy or protect Konoha. "
He paused, his tone darkening. "And I will decide which. "
His eye gleamed. "The Hokage watches the boy like a grandfather. That sentiment will be his weakness. We'll move before Hiruzen realizes what's happening. "
He leaned forward slightly. "Operation: Containment begins tonight. "
One of the Root members spoke carefully. "What are your orders, Lord Danzo? "
Danzo's voice was calm, almost casual—but every word was soaked in venom. "Bring the boy to me. Alive. "
The operative hesitated. "Sir… you mean to kidnap him from within the village? "
Danzo's expression didn't change. "I mean to rescue him from Hiruzen's lies. Under my command, the jinchūriki will become what he was meant to be— Konoha's ultimate weapon. "
The room fell silent again, the weight of his words suffocating.
Then, slowly, Danzo continued: "You will capture him quietly. No alarms. No witnesses. If you're seen, erase the observers immediately. "
He pointed his cane toward the trio. "Crow, Shade, Ghost— you three will lead the operation. Use the sedative seal formula. Do not harm the target. If the Hokage's ANBU appear… eliminate them. "
The operatives bowed deeply. "Yes, Lord Danzo. " "Go. "
They vanished into the darkness without a sound.
When the chamber was empty again, Danzo rose slowly to his feet. His old body creaked, but the power in his presence was undiminished. He looked toward the stone wall where a symbol of the Root organization was carved—a tree without leaves, its roots extending deep underground.
"Roots exist in shadow, " he murmured. "Unseen, unpraised, unthanked. "
He clenched his fist. "Even if I must dirty my hands… I'll protect this village from itself. "
His eye gleamed faintly as he whispered: "Uzumaki Naruto… you belong to me now. "
That night, Naruto was walking back to his apartment through the quiet streets of Konoha. The air was still, and the village seemed peaceful—but beneath the calm, his instincts were screaming.
He stopped at a narrow alley, eyes narrowing. ". .. Come out. "
For a few seconds, there was only silence. Then, three figures stepped out from the shadows, their masks emotionless and identical—Root operatives.
The one in front spoke flatly. "Target confirmed. Uzumaki Naruto. "
"By order of Lord Danzo Shimura, " the masked man continued, "you will come with us. "
Naruto tilted his head slightly. ". .. Danzo, huh? " He smiled faintly. "Funny. I was wondering when he'd stop hiding. "
The operatives didn't respond. They moved instantly—three blurs in the dark, approaching from different angles. Their movements were sharp, precise, and perfectly coordinated. Each strike targeted a vital point—no hesitation, no wasted motion.
But before any of them could touch him, Naruto vanished.
BOOM! A gust of wind burst outward, scattering leaves and dust in all directions. The Root members froze, scanning the area.
"Where—? "
A voice came from behind them. "Too slow. "
One of them spun around—just in time to see Naruto's palm press against his chest. A pulse of wind and lightning exploded point-blank.
CRACK! The operative flew backward, his armor smoking, slamming into a wall before collapsing unconscious.
The other two reacted instantly, flinging kunai tagged with paralysis seals. But Naruto didn't even dodge. He extended his hand—and chakra threads of pure Storm energy shot out, snatching the kunai midair. He twisted his fingers lightly. The seals detonated in the opposite direction, exploding harmlessly behind the attackers.
He blurred again, appearing behind the second operative. A precise chop to the neck dropped him instantly.
Only one was left— Shade, the most skilled of the trio.
He moved like a shadow, flickering through the air with speed that even ANBU would respect. But Naruto's eyes followed every motion effortlessly.
"You're good, " Naruto said softly, "but predictable. "
Lightning flared from his feet as he moved—faster than the eye could see. A single strike. The battle was over.
Shade collapsed to one knee, his mask cracked. His breathing was shallow, but Naruto had made sure not to kill him.
Naruto crouched down, looking him in the eye. "Go back to your master. Tell Danzo this: I'm not his weapon. "
He stood, brushing dust from his clothes. "And next time he sends people after me…" His expression hardened. ". .. they won't wake up. "
With that, he turned and walked away, the faint flicker of lightning fading from his body.
Minutes later, deep beneath Konoha, Shade knelt before Danzo, his cracked mask trembling slightly in his hands.
Danzo's voice was low and dangerous. "You failed. "
Shade bowed until his forehead touched the ground. "Forgive me, Lord Danzo. His power was… beyond estimation. Wind and Lightning combined—Storm Release. "
Danzo's fingers tapped the cane slowly. "So… he's awakened it fully. "
He turned away, the faint light catching the edge of his bandaged face. "This changes everything. "
He paused, then muttered coldly: "If the boy cannot be controlled… then he must be broken. "
High above, in the Hokage's residence, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood before his window, watching the distant lightning flashes on the edge of the forest.
He sighed softly. "Danzo… what have you done now? "
The old man's eyes narrowed with a mix of worry and regret. Then, with a heavy voice, he murmured, "Uzumaki Naruto… your storm is growing faster than anyone expected. "
The pipe smoke rose slowly into the night sky—curling like the unseen shape of fate itself.
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