Danzo's expression remained as unreadable as ever as he spoke. "I can't say for certain, Hiruzen. The ninjas I sent all had a Curse Mark on their tongues, a technique developed in cooperation with the Uzumaki Clan. Most likely, the others don't know about the Curse Mark, but the son—he's a Jonin of the Uzumaki Clan, with considerable authority. It's possible he's aware of the mark on the ROOT ninjas."
Hiruzen listened, his face darkening with each word. The weight of the situation settled heavily on him. If this matter were to leak, it would be disastrous for his position as Hokage. The political fallout would be immense, and the trust in Konoha could be shattered. He rubbed his temples, lost in thought.
After a long pause, as though making a decision, Hiruzen exhaled deeply and spoke with grave seriousness. "If they don't know about the Curse Mark, then that's for the best. But if they do—if they know we were involved in attacking them—it could spell disaster for us. We both understand the consequences if they reach Konoha and tell Lady Mito the truth. The damage to our alliances, to our reputation... It would be catastrophic."
His voice hardened with finality. "They cannot be allowed to reach Konoha. Do whatever it takes to ensure they don't. And find every sealing ninjutsu they're carrying. At all costs. These individuals cannot be left alive."
Danzo gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, his gaze unwavering as he spoke. "Hiruzen, I understand. I know full well the consequences if they make it to Konoha. Rest assured, I will eliminate anything that threatens the stability of this village."
He paused, his voice turning slightly more grave. "However, there is a complication. You're aware that tensions are rising, and a war is on the horizon. As a result, most of my ROOT operatives are engaged in other assignments. With the limited personnel currently under my command, I can assure you they won't make it into Konoha. But to actively search for them and eliminate them... that would be difficult until I can muster more resources."
Hiruzen's face hardened, his voice cold and unwavering. "Don't mistake me for a fool, Danzo. I know precisely how many ninjas you have at your disposal. With the forces you currently command, you're more than capable of handling this task."
Danzo opened his mouth to argue, but before he could get another word out, Hiruzen's tone cut him off, sharp and final. "Enough, Danzo. Leave. I don't want to repeat myself."
After speaking, Hiruzen returned to the pile of paperwork that cluttered his desk, his focus shifting back to the endless stack of forms and reports.
Danzo, however, stood frozen for a moment, his mind racing. He had hoped to use the loss of his ninjas as leverage, a chance to convince Hiruzen to allow him to recruit more operatives for ROOT. It was the perfect opportunity—one that would have bolstered his power, increased his control over the village's shadows. But Hiruzen had seen through his plan and shut it down, leaving him with no ground to stand on.
Cursing under his breath, Danzo clenched his fists. His plans thwarted, he turned sharply on his heel and left the office, the door swinging shut behind him with a loud thud.
----
After two days, under the cover of night, a group of masked Root ninjas silently infiltrated the port town. They conducted discreet interrogations throughout the area and soon learned of an unsettling event that had occurred seven nights prior. On that night, every single resident of the town had suddenly collapsed, only to awaken the following morning with no memory of the incident. No one could explain what had happened or who was responsible.
With this information in hand, the ninjas convened at a hidden location to discuss their findings. The leader of the group, a figure of authority among them, addressed the others.
"We now know one thing for certain," he said, his voice cold and calculated. "Shanks was behind this incident, and members of the Uzumaki Clan were here. There must have been a reason for their presence in this town. If I'm right, they likely came to gather food or supplies for their journey. We need to investigate further. I want each of you to visit the local restaurants and inns. Question the owners—there's a good chance we can uncover something useful."
----
The manager of the restaurant where Shanks and the Uzumaki Clan had dined seven days ago was busy at the counter, his mind on the usual rhythm of the day. Without warning, a masked ninja materialized before him, a cold blade pressing dangerously against his neck. A rush of panic surged through the manager, his breath catching in his throat as the air around him seemed to freeze.
The ninja's voice was cold and steady, cutting through the manager's fear. "Seven days ago, during the night when most people fell unconscious, did anyone unusual come to your restaurant to eat?"
The restaurant manager's fear was palpable. His hands trembled as he began speaking quickly, like a bird repeating a lesson it had learned by rote. "Yes... yes, a young boy, around sixteen or seventeen, came in. He was holding a sword, covered in blood, his clothes singed from fire. He wasn't alone—there were about nineteen people in total, including the boy. Ten children, seven women, and the boy. They ate here, and they also used our bathhouse."
The manager swallowed hard before continuing, his voice trembling. "Later, the boy went to a nearby hotel to get carriages, then to an herb shop to purchase some herbs. He bought a specific herb and applied it to the carriage and to themselves. That's all I know… that's all."
The Root Ninja's gaze sharpened. "Did they mention where they were headed?"
The manager flinched at the question, his mind racing. "No," he answered quickly, his voice more desperate now. "They never spoke about their destination. Not once."
----
Want to get daily updates and read chapters on a daily basis? Then join my Patreon!
Patreon Link: https://[email protected]/Hkj822
Join Discord Link: https://discord.gg/FUnTzyS9