Two mornings later, Yuto returned to Konoha with Grey Feather in tow.
"Seeing the village again after so long—any thoughts?" Yuto tilted his head, grinning at the monkey-masked Tatsu.
"This was never my home," Grey Feather replied, her voice barely shifting beneath the mask. "The Land of Waves, under our leader's rule, is."
"No need to be so stiff," Yuto chuckled, shaking his head gently. "The people of Konoha and the Land of Waves aren't so different. The sins of the rulers shouldn't fall on the common folk."
"...Understood." Grey Feather gave a respectful nod.
"Now, you'll have to play the role of "Tatsu" in front of Danzō. Nervous?" Yuto asked, amused.
She paused, then answered solemnly, "A little. But for our leader and the future of the Land of Waves, I'll do my best."
'A little" was an understatement.'
Sure, she was dressed in Tatsu's Root uniform, wearing the same monkey mask. But she was about to impersonate someone she barely knew—a male ninja, no less, and one of Danzō's most trusted operatives.
'This was absolute madness.'
The moment they met, she'd be exposed! If this hadn't been the young leader's own plan—one he swore was foolproof—she'd have suspected sabotage.
Even with her unwavering trust in him, the whole scheme still felt like a bad joke.
"What kind of genjutsu could warp someone's basic common sense?"
'Theoretically, that shouldn't even be possible!'
"You're overthinking it, Lady Grey Feather," Yuto said, reading her tension instantly. "Relax. I'll be with you when we meet Danzō."
"Yuto?!"
A familiar voice cut through the air as a bright-orange blur zipped toward them. "Where've you been the last two days? First Sasuke vanishes, now you?"
"Just some business outside the village," Yuto replied smoothly.
"Another blind date?" Naruto blinked, finally noticing the masked figure beside him. "Wait—ugh, not you again!"
"??"
Grey Feather was baffled by the sudden hostility.
"Gair, Naruto," Yuto sighed. "They're not the same person."
"Oh. Uh… sorry." Naruto scratched his head, grinning sheepishly. "But your masks look identical! Both monkeys!"
'Oh, fantastic. He identifies people solely by masks now?'
Yuto's eye twitched. "I've got things to do. We'll talk later."
"Sure, see you at school tomorrow!" Naruto waved, strolling off without a care.
"That boy… he's hopeless," Kushina groaned from within the Spirit Pearl, face in her hands.
"Don't worry," Mikoto chimed in, smirking. "At least he'll have a great father figure later."
*Root Headquarters*
Yuto casually pulled a jar of "fermented stinky pickles" from his personal dimension and set it before Danzō.
"Lord Danzō. The head of GreyFeather's, as requested."
"…"
Grey Feather stared, her mask hiding sheer disbelief.
'Was her leader insane?'
Even the dumbest fool wouldn't mistake "a jar of pickles" for a human head! Who wouldn't fly into a rage at this?
Yet—
To her shock, Danzō examined the jar with grave solemnity… and nodded.
"Good work. The mission was a success."
'He bought it.'
Grey Feather's jaw dropped.
'He genuinely believed this jar of rotting vegetables was her head?!'
Was he blind? Even if he were, couldn't he smell the reeking brine?!
But no—Danzō, along with every Root agent present, seemed convinced the pickles were her severed head, the stray vegetable strands her "hair."
"Dispose of the traitor's remains in the recycling chamber," Danzō ordered a subordinate. "That's all she deserves."
"Understood."
The Root agent bowed, cradling the jar like a sacred relic as he marched away.
Huiyu's mind reeled. 'What level of genjutsu was this?!'
" Yuto, you may rest now," Danzō intoned, eyes half-lidded. "Starting tomorrow, you'll be a core Root operative."
"Thank you for your trust, Lord Danzō." Yuto bowed—then casually sidestepped behind Danzō, completely unnoticed.
From Grey Feather's perspective, Danzō's vision seemed glitched. He spoke to her as if she were "Tatsu", voice stern.
" Tatsu Report on your mission."
Grey Feather was beyond stunned at this point. Mechanically, she recited her script:
"Hanzo has agreed to cooperate… but he demands payment."
"What are his terms?"
"Money. One super soldier serum… for ten million ryō."
"Ten million?!"
Danzō's brow furrowed. That wasn't cheap—equivalent to five S-rank missions' worth. But not impossible, especially if he could offload the cost onto the village.
'After all, wasn't this for Konoha's sake?'
"Very well," Danzō finally said. "Agree. Have him send ten samples upfront."
"Yes, sir."
Then—her's eyes bulged.
Three pickle strands had sprouted from Danzō's scalp, flopping over his forehead like wilted bangs.
"What are you staring at?" Danzō snapped.
"N-nothing, I—"
Her gaze darted to Yuto, who stood right behind Danzō, grinning as he gave her a playful wave.
Danzō remained oblivious.
This was beyond absurd.
But it got worse.
Just as she was about to excuse herself, Yuto—with zero hesitation—pulled out a live turtle from nowhere.
???
It thrashed in his grip as he placed it squarely on Danzō's head.
'HOW WAS HE NOT NOTICING THIS?!'
The turtle bit down.
Blood trickled.
Danzō's scalp was bleeding!
And Yuto? He whipped out a camera, snapped a photo of the turtle-hatted Danzō, and stashed it away like a tourist at a landmark.
Grey Feather's oul left her body.
'What kind of leader carries a turtle and camera around "just in case"?!'
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