*Land of Fire, In An Old Alleyway*
"Spare... please spare my life!"
A portly middle aged man in luxurious robes knelt in the most desperately prostrating before a young man in white clothes, sweat pouring down his face as he begged for mercy. "Please, what do you want money? I'll pay you anything! Name your price!"
"As the Minister Of Rights (a real position in ancient Japan) of the Land of Fire, you'd measure your life in coin?" Yuto smirked, his tone dripping with mockery. "Isn't that a little… undignified?"
"Have mercy!" The man trembled, his face twisted in terror. "Please, I don't want to die…"
"Nobody does. And yet, everyone must." Yuto sighed, his expression indifferent. "Lord Minister Of Rights, I'd hoped you'd at least die with some dignity."
"No, NO please!" The so-called Minister Of Rights shrieked, his voice shrill with panic.
"Lady Grey Feather, he's all yours." Yuto couldn't be bothered to look at him anymore, turning instead to admire the murals lining the alley.
This was the noble district, after all—even the street art was crafted by a masters hands.
"Understood, Lord Yuto." Greyfeather nodded, drawing her blade.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" A deep voice boomed.
GreyFeather ignored it.
*Schlick.*
Blood sprayed. A head rolled.
"You… you…!"
The newcomer was a bald monk in ash-gray robes, thick-browed and exuding an aura of righteousness.
"One of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, I presume? Master Chiriku, was it?" Yuto smiled.
"You're Konoha shinobi?" Chiriku's eyes locked onto Greyfeather's unmistakable ANBU uniform. "Why kill the Minister Of Rights? Do you want to start a war between the Hokage and the Daimyo?"
"I'm Hayashi Yuto. This is Grey Feather." With a brief introduction, then a shrug. "As for why we killed that waste of air… well, feel free to check his basement."
With that, he stepped past Chiriku, heading for the alley's exit.
"Wait!" Chiriku moved to block them.
*Shing!*
Grey Feather's blade flashed free—her blood still boiling from the horrors she'd witnessed in that mansion.
"No need. Your blade is for beasts, not men." Yuto murmured.
"...Understood." She sheathed her sword.
They took one more step—and vanished into thin air.
"Wh—what?!" Chiriku's eyes bulged, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
Minutes passed before he finally steadied himself and marched into the Minister Of Rights estate.
Corpses littered the ground.
Guards. Servants. All dead.
Not a single wound on them—just faces frozen in terror.
Clasping his hands in prayer, Chiriku descended into the open basement.
What he saw made his blood run cold.
Torture devices. Dried blood. Human remains.
And worst of all—mutilated young girls, still strapped to the implements.
It was a scene straight from hell.
*Konoha, Underground Base.*
"First day as a probationary ANBU, and you already whacked your employer. Classic you!" Kushina gave Yuto a thumbs-up.
"Just doing my job." He shrugged.
"Not a compliment! You should've made that bastard suffer like those girls did!" She huffed, hands on her hips.
Yuto paused. "...Want me to turn him into a Hollow and do it all over again?"
"Nah, not worth the effort." Kushina waved it off. "Honestly, next to that monster, even Danzo looks kinda decent."
At least Danzo wasn't that kind of evil.
*Beep beep beep.*
His communicator chimed.
"Lord Yuto, Danzo has arrived." Uzumaki Rina's voice came through.
"On my way." Yuto opened a Garganta.
*Umbrella Corporation, Reception Room.*
"Never thought it'd come to this, my old friend Danzo." Hanzo sighed, shaking his head. "Remember my warnings?"
"I was framed." Danzo—bandaged head to toe, one eye glaring—sipped his tea. "That damned traitor must've stolen the purified formula!"
Pure nonsense, of course.
Danzo had no clue if Yuto's serum was stolen or homemade, but blaming others was second nature to him.
Hanzo's face darkened. "Purified formula? You're certain?"
"I'd stake my life on it."
"Damn it… then I've got a rat in my ranks too."
"Wait, so the formula did come from you?" Danzo probed.
"A prototype. Top-secret." Hanzo exhaled sharply. "No way anyone else could've refined it."
"That bastard!" Danzo slammed the table. "First he ruins me, now he's stealing from you? Screen your researchers—he's good at winning people over!"
"Agreed." Hanzo fought a smirk, turning to the woman behind him. "You heard him. Get it done."
"Yes." Rina—dressed in a sleek gray suit—nodded and left.
"That subordinate of yours… is she an ?"Danzo eyed her red hair suspiciously.
"Her name is Uzumaki Rina. My secretary here in the Land of Waves." Hanzo smiled.
'Uzumaki.'
Danzo's eye twitched. "Seems we share an enemy, old friend."
The fact that he'd called Hanzo "old friend" twice in one conversation spoke volumes.
If not for his burning hatred for Yuto, Danzo would never have set foot in this cursed company again.
But he was here now.
And he was all in.
If Hanzo helped him, Danzo might even call him "daddy."
"Indeed." To his surprise, Hanzo nodded solemnly. "This foe threatens us both."
"Then we should join forces." Danzo pressed.
"We should. But first… you'll need to meet our leader."
"Huh? You're not the leader?"
"Me? I'm Just a humble businessman." Hanzo winked. "Play along, yeah?"
Danzo smirked. "Lead the way."
Up the stairs they went. Hanzo opened the door to the executive office and gestured inside.
Something about his grin felt… off.
But Danzo stepped in anyway.
And froze.
There, by the window, stood a familiar figure—his back turned, waiting.
"Long time no see, Lord Danzo."
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