Root

Konoha's Root

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

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

Pairs of crimson eyes floated in sealed containers. The intricate patterns of the Sharingan were clearly visible through the preservative fluid. Every pair had come from an Uchiha who had died a brutal death.

Some had died unexpectedly on missions. Far more had fallen into traps he had laid and vanished without a trace into Konoha's shadows.

A faint current of air swept past. A masked Root ninja dressed in black landed soundlessly behind him.

The man dropped heavily to one knee and spoke with respect.

"Lord Danzo, 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."

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

Once his subordinate had disappeared, Danzo'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 become nearly impossible?

What a fool!

The power of those eyes was still unknown. What if it surpassed the Sharingan?

Had he forgotten the wicked Uchiha Clan?

Had he forgotten Teacher Tobirama's teachings?

Most importantly, Danzo could sense in his bones that those blue eyes would one day reveal an even more terrifying power!

So why couldn't such powerful eyes be placed 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 before then!

I had to have those eyes!

"Shio, come out."

At Danzo's icy call, a figure emerged from the darkness.

"What are your orders, Lord Danzo?"

Shimura Shio was a prodigy of the Shimura Clan.

Over the years, Danzo had targeted every major ninja family to strengthen Root, demanding their people without discrimination.

He had been even harsher on his own clan's ninja. More than a few Shimura clan members had complained about him behind his back.

"Shio, there's a boy named Ryuuzaki Eiji at the Konoha Ninja Academy. Bring him to me."

"As you command, Lord Danzo."

"Wait."

Shimura Shio turned to leave, but Danzo called him back in a low voice.

"Disguise yourself as Anbu. Whatever happens, this must not get out. Do it cleanly."

Danzo paused, then continued.

"He's close to that Uzumaki 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 at once."

As Shimura Shio disappeared into the darkness, Danzo's face grew grim.

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, and their shadows stretched longer and longer.

Kushina spoke apologetically.

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

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

Kushina felt this was a private matter. It would have been perfectly understandable if Eiji refused.

Seeing her press her palms together in apology, Eiji looked entirely unconcerned.

To him, this was a good thing. In fact, it was exactly what he wanted.

He had shown his strength at school to attract the Hokage's attention. That would give him a reasonable basis to apply to join the Shinobi World War that was about to break out.

Making a connection with Tsunade had also been part of his plan.

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

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

The Monster Strength Fist would be a huge help to Eiji right now. This was an elbow-technique showdown, after all. What good was close combat without enough force behind it?

He still couldn't land a Black Flash. It was like a critical hit in a video game.

Black Flash was also unreliable. For most people, landing one was incredibly difficult.

The Mystical Palm Technique could serve as a way to heal himself until he mastered the Reverse Cursed Technique. Better to learn it, just in case.

As Kushina chatted with Eiji about 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 older brother!? I'll help you fight!"

Kushina clenched her fists, eager for a fight.

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, making Kushina swallow hard.

As he finished speaking, a figure leaped down from a nearby elm tree. A few fallen leaves drifted to his feet.

It was Shimura Shio.

He wore Anbu attire and a monkey-faced mask.

"Ryuuzaki Eiji, Lord Third Hokage requests your presence!"

His voice carried an unmistakable threat, as though refusal was not an option.

Seeing the man's aggressive stance, Eiji almost laughed.

Oh, now Shimura Danzō's pretending to be the Third Hokage? Wonder what the Hokage would think if he found out.

Eiji could tell at a glance that the man wasn't who he claimed to be.

That tone, that attitude—if this guy isn't a Root ninja, I'll 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 planned for this at all, and the boy had seen through him immediately?

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

Shimura Shio pulled a dagger from his ninja tool pouch and threatened him.

"You're not hurting him!"

Kushina hurried to Eiji's side, ready to fight alongside him.

Facing the Root ninja's threat, Eiji turned to Kushina with a serious look.

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

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

The moment Kushina heard Eiji was in danger, she grew anxious.

"I can keep him occupied. If you're worried about me, go find Tsunade. Tell her Danzo sent someone to cause trouble. She'll know what to do."

After a moment's hesitation, Kushina nodded firmly.

She wasn't foolish. One look told her this man was dangerous, and she knew the only thing to do was find Tsunade.

Besides, she believed in Eiji's strength.

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

With that, Kushina hurried toward the Senju Ancestral Home.