---
The night air felt heavier than usual as I walked through Konoha's quiet streets.
The System screen floated faintly:
"Someone's watching us," I muttered, scanning the rooftops.
"You think it's ROOT again?" Kushina asked, stepping up beside me.
Her eyes were fierce, but I could tell she was worried.
"Definitely ROOT," I said, adjusting my kunai holster. "Danzo doesn't forgive curiosity."
---
A flicker of movement made me stop.
From the shadows, three figures appeared—masks without emotion, standard ROOT style.
But this time, they weren't here to talk.
"Orders are clear," one said flatly. "Bring him in… alive."
---
"Back up," I warned Kushina and Mikoto, who had followed us silently.
"You think we're going to just let them take you?" Kushina snapped, pulling a kunai.
Mikoto's expression was calm but her eyes burned. "Try it, I dare you."
The ROOT operative tilted his head slightly, almost amused. "Three genin and a mistake of fate. This won't take long."
---
1. Use Shadow Blink aggressively (Offensive Style)
2. Protect Kushina & Mikoto first (Defensive Style)
3. Attempt Capture of one ROOT Operative for Intel (Risky Strategy)
My eyes flickered again—just for a moment, the world slowed, and I saw their movements before they made them.
The Sharingan tease again. My bloodline was right there, clawing for release.
---
"Girls, stay close!" I shouted, blinking behind the nearest operative and striking with the hilt of my kunai. He blocked easily—but his posture shifted.
"You're adapting too quickly," he muttered.
"Adaptation is survival," I growled back.
The battle was fast, violent—chakra clashing in bursts of sparks as I blinked between shadows, Kushina's chains whipping out to block one strike, Mikoto's kunai cutting another path open.
But there were too many of them.
And ROOT operatives don't quit.
---
1. Go full offensive, unlock potential early (Sharingan risk!)
2. Defend Kushina & Mikoto, take possible injuries
3. Trap & capture one operative alive for intel (highest risk, highest reward)
---
To Be Continued…
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