Root

Konoha Root

The damp, cold basement never saw daylight. The sharp smell of disinfectant mingled with blood in every inch of air.

Shimura Danzō stood alone before rows of metal racks, his clouded eyes fixed on the glass dishes they held.

Pairs of crimson eyes floated in sealed containers. Each Sharingan, its veins clearly visible beneath the preservative, had come from a Uchiha Clan member who had died a violent death.

Some had died unexpectedly on missions. More had fallen into traps he had laid, vanishing without a trace into Konoha's shadows.

A faint current of air stirred. A black-clad, masked Root ninja landed soundlessly behind him.

The ninja dropped to one knee and spoke with respect.

"Lord Danzō, our informant in the Anbu reports that Ryuuzaki Eiji will go to the Senju Clan Compound with Kushina Uzumaki after school tomorrow."

"Understood. You may leave."

Danzō's voice was cold as he answered the Root ninja.

Once his subordinate had disappeared, Danzō's calculating eyes turned as cold as blades.

Foolish. Utterly foolish!

He actually handed someone so unpredictable over to Tsunade!?

Did Hiruzen Sarutobi not understand that once the boy had that old woman Mito's protection, laying a hand on him would be next to impossible?

What a fool!

No one even knew what those eyes could do. What if their power surpassed the Sharingan?

Had he forgotten the evil Uchiha Clan?

Had he forgotten Teacher Tobirama's teachings?

Most importantly, Danzō sensed that those blue eyes would reveal an even more terrifying power someday.

So why not put such powerful eyes in someone safe?

Someone like me—Shimura Danzō!

The more he thought about it, the angrier he grew!

His whole body began to tremble!

No!

Once that brat met Tsunade, I'd never get another chance. I had to act first!

I would have those eyes!

"Shio, come out."

At Danzō's cold summons, a figure emerged from the darkness.

"What are your orders, Lord Danzō?"

Shimura Shio was a genius of the Shimura Clan.

Over the years, Danzō had targeted every major Ninja Family to strengthen Root, demanding recruits from all of them.

He had been even harder on ninjas from his own clan. Plenty of Shimura Clan members had complained about him behind his back.

"Shio, there's someone called Ryuuzaki Eiji at the Konoha Ninja Academy. Bring him to me."

"As you command, Lord Danzō."

"Wait."

Shimura Shio had just turned to leave when Danzō stopped him.

"Disguise yourself as Anbu. Whatever happens, this cannot get out. Handle it cleanly."

Danzō paused, then continued.

"He's close to that Uzumaki Clan orphan. If she gets in your way, find a way to draw her off. If Ryuuzaki Eiji refuses to come, use force. Be quick."

"Yes, sir. I'll see to it now."

As Shimura Shio vanished into the dark, Danzō's face grew sinister.

"Just wait, Hiruzen. The Hokage Position will be mine!"

The next day after school, Eiji and Kushina walked toward the Senju Ancestral Home.

The sun was about to set, stretching their shadows longer and longer.

Kushina spoke apologetically.

"Eiji, I'm really sorry. I didn't even tell you before asking you to meet Tsunade."

Kushina explained that the Hokage had ordered Tsunade to examine Eiji's eyes.

Kushina felt it was a personal matter, so it would be perfectly understandable if Eiji refused.

Eiji looked at Kushina with her hands clasped in apology and shrugged it off.

As far as he was concerned, this was a good thing. In fact, it was exactly what he wanted.

He had shown his strength at school to catch the Hokage's attention. That would give him a reasonable basis to ask to join the Shinobi World War when it broke out.

Building a connection with Tsunade was also part of his plan.

It might have been a little calculating, but Eiji figured that if he kept seeing Kushina, he would meet Tsunade sooner or later. He might as well get to know her now.

After all, he might get a chance to learn Monster Strength Fist and Mystical Palm Technique from her.

Monster Strength Fist would be a great help to Eiji right now. This was a battle of elbows, after all. What good was close combat if he couldn't hit hard enough?

He couldn't land a Black Flash yet, and Black Flash was like a critical hit in a video game.

Black Flash was unreliable, too. In the original story, even Satoru Gojo died without landing a single one.

Mystical Palm Technique could serve as a way to heal himself until he mastered Reverse Cursed Technique. Learning it would be the safer choice.

As Kushina chatted with Eiji about all kinds of gossip concerning Tsunade and Nawaki, Eiji suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong, Eiji?"

Kushina looked at him in confusion.

"Trouble's found us."

"Trouble? Is it Shinji's brother!? I'll help you fight!"

Kushina clenched her fists, eager to throw down.

She was sure it had to be him. Shinji was in the hospital and couldn't cause trouble himself, so he must have sent his brother instead!

"No. Whoever's coming is beyond what you can handle right now."

Eiji sounded unusually serious, and Kushina swallowed.

As soon as Eiji finished speaking, a figure dropped from a nearby elm tree. A few fallen leaves settled by his feet.

It was Shimura Shio.

He wore Anbu gear and a Monkey-Faced Mask.

"Ryuuzaki Eiji, Lord Third Hokage summons you!"

His tone was forceful, as though refusal was not an option.

Eiji almost laughed at the man's aggressive manner.

Oh, so Shimura Danzō was playing the Third Hokage now. Wonder what the Hokage would think if he found out.

Eiji saw through him at once.

That tone, that attitude—if he wasn't a Root ninja, I'd write my name backward.

"I refuse. I have reason to doubt you're Anbu. Bring another Anbu ninja to confirm your identity."

Shimura Shio lost his composure. Why did a Konoha kid have to be so suspicious? He hadn't prepared for this at all, and the boy had seen through him the moment he arrived.

"You're coming with me now. Behave if you don't want to get hurt!"

Shimura Shio pulled a dagger from his Ninja Tool Pouch and threatened him.

"Don't you hurt him!"

Kushina hurried to stand beside Eiji, ready to fight with him.

Facing the Root ninja's threat, Eiji looked at Kushina seriously.

"Kushina, he's too strong for you to get involved. Besides, I'm the one he wants."

"Then what are you going to do if he's that strong!?"

Kushina grew anxious the moment she heard Eiji was in danger.

"I can keep him occupied. If you're worried about me, go get Tsunade. Tell her Danzō sent someone after me. She'll know what to do."

After a moment's hesitation, Kushina nodded firmly.

She wasn't foolish. The man was clearly dangerous, and she knew she had to get Tsunade.

She believed in Eiji's strength, too.

"I'll be right back. You have to hold on!"

With that, Kushina hurried toward the Senju Ancestral Home.