Shinzuki Yu strolled leisurely through the streets.
Several concealed gazes pricked at his back.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
Some habits really never change.
A handful of figures tailed him silently, blending seamlessly into the bustling crowds.
The Root operative leading the group gave a subtle hand signal, ordering his team to spread out and surround the target.
These were Danzō’s finest trackers and sensory shinobi.
Every one of them was a seasoned veteran.
Yet just as they believed they had Yu firmly in their sights and prepared to continue surveillance…
The world before their eyes suddenly twisted.
“Hm?”
One Root ninja stopped in his tracks.
The scenery began spinning.
Melting.
Collapsing.
Until everything dissolved into endless darkness.
He didn’t even have time to raise the alarm.
The others experienced the exact same thing almost simultaneously.
Their consciousness felt as though an invisible hand had seized it, dragging it into a bottomless swamp.
Moments later…
The Root operatives stood motionless in the street.
Their expressions were vacant.
“…What were we doing?”
“Where’s the captain?”
“I think…
we lost track of someone…”
They looked at one another in confusion.
Every memory involving Shinzuki Yu had been erased as though wiped away with an eraser.
Only vague fragments remained.
Orders.
Failure.
Nothing else.
Eventually, they could only conclude that the mission had somehow gone wrong before retreating in embarrassment.
As though he had eyes in the back of his head…
Yu casually turned into a newly opened dango shop.
“Three-color dango.”
“And a pot of hot tea.”
The steaming food arrived moments later.
Silently erasing memories while leaving behind the illusion of operational failure…
Against opponents like these…
Using Tsukuyomi would’ve been complete overkill.
What he’d just used was nothing more than a simple genjutsu…
Enhanced with the slightest touch of Kamui’s spatial distortion.
More than enough to leave them questioning reality.
He had no interest in killing them.
That would only alert Danzō prematurely.
Besides…
This was much more entertaining.
That old dog…
He’s even more patient than I expected.
Looks like I should prepare a little “surprise” for him.
Root Headquarters
The underground chamber was suffocatingly oppressive.
“Worthless!”
Danzō slammed the intelligence report onto the floor.
His exposed left eye burned with fury.
“You sent some of my finest operatives…”
“And they couldn’t even touch the corner of his clothes?”
“They can’t even remember what happened?!”
The kneeling Root shinobi trembled.
“My deepest apologies, Lord Danzō!”
“We truly encountered something beyond comprehension.”
“Our memories…
simply vanished.”
“…Beyond comprehension?”
Danzō’s hoarse voice grew colder.
“So Shinzuki Yu really is hiding something.”
His fingers tightened until his knuckles cracked.
The more mysterious Yu proved to be…
The more uneasy Danzō became.
And the stronger his desire to control him.
“Continue surveillance.”
“Use every method available.”
“I want to know everything.”
“Every movement.”
“The limits of every ability.”
“Yes, sir!”
The operative disappeared into the darkness.
Once again…
Only shadows remained.
“Hiruzen…
Minato…”
“You’ll regret this.”
“Konoha’s stability must never depend upon a single individual.”
“Especially one of unknown origin.”
He had to discover a way to restrain Shinzuki Yu.
Or…
Find another piece to replace him.
Hokage’s Office
Minato set down another stack of paperwork.
Fatigue lingered between his brows.
“Yu.”
“You’re here.”
He smiled warmly.
Yu leaned comfortably against the sofa and poured himself a cup of tea.
“How’s reconstruction progressing?”
“Overall, quite well.”
“Thanks to your suggestions, everything has become much more efficient.”
Minato spoke sincerely.
“Especially your proposal for reforming the shinobi education system.”
“I think it’s remarkably forward-thinking.”
He hesitated.
“Although…”
“There are…
other opinions within the village.”
Yu took a sip of tea.
“Danzō?”
“Or the two advisors?”
Minato didn’t deny it.
He sighed softly.
“Danzō remains extremely wary of you.”
“Homura and Lady Koharu are also somewhat uneasy about how much influence you’ve gained.”
“The position of Chief Honorary Advisor carries almost as much authority as my own.”
“And yet…”
“It isn’t bound by normal regulations.”
“It’s understandable.”
Yu replied calmly.
Minato immediately looked him in the eye.
“I trust you completely.”
“I know.”
Yu smiled.
“But flies buzzing around your ears…”
“Can still be annoying.”
Minato frowned.
“What are you planning?”
“Relax.”
“I know where the line is.”
Yu set down his teacup.
“By the way…”
“What are your plans for the Uchiha Clan?”
The abrupt change in subject caught Minato off guard.
“The Uchiha?”
“For now…”
“They’re still serving in the Police Force.”
“There have been some rumors after the Nine-Tails incident…”
“But I believe Chief Fugaku can keep the clan under control.”
His answer lacked certainty.
Yu understood immediately.
Minato still believes peaceful resolution alone will be enough.
He’s underestimating the problem.
“Rumors can be more dangerous than tigers.”
“The Police Force has accumulated too much concentrated authority.”
“And it’s become increasingly isolated from the Hokage’s direct command.”
“If this continues…”
“It won’t end well.”
Minato’s expression sharpened.
“What are you suggesting?”
“Power needs balance.”
“And it needs an outlet.”
Yu answered slowly.
“It’s better to redirect pressure than suppress it.
Give the Uchiha greater status, a broader stage.
But make sure the sword’s hilt stays in your own hand.”
For example…
Recruit outstanding Uchiha into the ANBU.
Or directly into the Hokage’s personal forces.
Win over part of the clan.
Divide another part.
Gradually marginalize the remainder.
Minato fell into deep thought.
It was a bold proposal.
One with enormous implications.
“…I’ll think about it carefully.”
He nodded solemnly.
Yu stood up.
“If that’s everything…”
“I’m heading to the training grounds.”
“All right.”
Leaving the Hokage Building…
Yu stretched leisurely.
Danzō’s schemes.
The advisors’ concerns.
The brewing crisis within the Uchiha Clan.
Konoha’s waters were murkier than they first appeared.
But…
That simply made things more interesting.
His gaze drifted toward the southeastern district of the village.
The Uchiha compound.
There should be plenty of worthwhile places to check in there.
And besides…
It was about time he met a certain future “genius traitor.”
Perhaps…
He could make a tiny little adjustment…
To that boy’s destiny.