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Dark Alley – ROOT Ambush
The three masked shinobi closed in, their movements precise, silent—too disciplined for ordinary criminals.
ROOT. Danzo's personal wetwork team.
My instincts screamed run. My pride whispered fight.
---
System Activation
Combat Mode: ON
HP: 100/100
Chakra: 50/50
Stamina: 60/60
Skills:
- Chakra Threads (Lv.1)
- Shadow Bind (Lv.1)
- Leaf Concentration (Lv.1)
Buff: Bond of Red (Speed +5% near Kushina) – Inactive
---
"Come quietly," one said, voice devoid of emotion, "or we break your legs."
I grinned nervously. "Yeah… about that? Hard pass."
---
First Strike
He lunged, kunai flashing. I barely dodged, threads snapping from my hands to entangle his wrist. For a moment, I thought it worked—
—but he twisted, slicing them clean.
"Nice trick. Shame it's useless."
---
Second Attacker
The second one came from my blind spot. I dropped, rolling forward. A kunai cut the air above where my neck had been.
They're coordinated. I can't win like this.
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System Prompt – Emergency
> Time Rewind (Unlocked via System Perk) – Available for 5 seconds back.
Use? (Cost: 20 Chakra)
Do it.
The world snapped back five seconds, placing me right before the second attacker moved.
I threw a chakra thread early, pulling a crate into his path. He stumbled, giving me just enough time to Shadow Bind the first attacker.
---
Third Masked Shinobi
The third operative stepped forward, sighing. "Enough. Tranquilize him."
He blurred—a speed I couldn't track. My stomach dropped. I'm dead.
---
Flash of Silver
Clang! A short blade intercepted the strike, sparks flying.
"Stand down," a calm voice said.
I looked up—Sakumo Hatake, standing between me and them, his White Fang tanto drawn.
---
ROOT vs White Fang
One ROOT operative muttered, "Target compromised. Withdraw."
Sakumo's eyes narrowed. "Danzo's dogs… stay away from my students."
The three melted into the shadows without another word.
---
Aftermath
Sakumo sheathed his blade, turning to me. "You alright?"
"Y-Yeah… thanks to you."
He studied me, eyes lingering on the faint shadows curling around my hands. "That technique… not standard. Where did you learn it?"
I hesitated. "I… just figured it out."
For a moment, silence. Then Sakumo smiled faintly. "Keep it secret. And keep training. The world doesn't forgive weakness."
---
System Update
> Mission Complete: Survive ROOT Capture Attempt.
Reward Unlocked: Taijutsu Style – White Fang Variant (Lv.1).
Trust Level with Sakumo: 30% → 55%.
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Cliffhanger Ending
As Sakumo walked me home, my System chimed again:
> Hidden Event Detected: Danzo has marked you as an "uncontrolled asset."
*Future Threat Level Increased.
Great. I just made an enemy of Danzo Shimura…