Morning sunlight filtered through the branches.
A new day began.
"…I just went to work yesterday. Why do I have to go again today?"
Ren yawned as he stepped into the living room — only to realize he was the last one up.
Yūgao was already dressed and ready. She never refused him — sometimes she even took the initiative — but last night's unexpected interruption had startled her badly enough that Ren had shown mercy.
At least… he hadn't pushed her until she was rolling her eyes.
Still, she'd clearly gotten up earlier than usual.
Karin was already eating — she had class.
Shizune and Tsunade were seated at the table as well, though both looked a little worn out.
And Hikaru…
Hikaru kept her head lowered, not even glancing at Ren.
She looked… shaken.
"Morning, everyone."
Ren grabbed a piece of bread and sat down casually before glancing at Tsunade.
"Sensei, what happened? You look exhausted."
"That's because of you, brat…"
Tsunade lifted her head, faint dark circles under her eyes.
Ren and Yūgao both nearly choked.
Were we that loud?
Thankfully Shizune clarified immediately.
"Tsunade-sama has been reviewing materials for several nights in a row. But unfortunately…"
"No results. Waste of time."
Tsunade grumbled.
"Kid, I'm starting to wonder if you're lying to me."
"Actually, there's a simpler solution."
Ren relaxed — then suddenly pointed at Hikaru.
"We have an Uchiha right here. If she doesn't mind, we can just let her check."
Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"Don't be ridiculous."
Then she changed the subject.
"Forget that. You've had Root for a week. How's it going?"
"Better than expected. And actually… I think there's something I should tell you."
Ren rested his chin on his hand.
"During the internal audit, I found some troubling records. Danzō had an extreme obsession with Wood Release… and the Sharingan."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed.
"…What did he do?"
"Wood Release experiments."
Ren didn't hesitate.
"He collaborated with someone mysterious. That person suggested balancing Wood Release with Sharingan — using Yin Release to stabilize Yang."
Tsunade's face darkened.
Her grandfather's cells.
Used like that.
"And that's not all."
Ren continued calmly.
"I also found documents referencing the ancient split of the Ninja Sect."
The room grew quieter.
"Ninja Sect split?" Yūgao asked.
"Yes. According to the records… it began with the Sage of Six Paths' sons."
He tapped the table lightly.
"The elder son, Indra, was a genius. Creator of many ninjutsu foundations. But proud. Believed in absolute power."
Several glances unconsciously drifted toward Hikaru.
"The younger, Asura, lacked natural talent compared to his brother. But he valued cooperation. Bonds. Unity."
"And the Sage chose Asura?" Yūgao guessed.
Ren nodded.
"That enraged Indra."
He explained the rest — departure, conflict, inherited hatred.
Silence settled over the table.
Even Hikaru was listening.
Tsunade finally sighed.
"Ridiculous story."
"Maybe," Ren said quietly. "But maybe not."
Uchiha Clan District
Ruins.
A massive canyon split the territory in two — the scar of Ren's battle.
They descended into the damaged shrine chamber.
The stone tablet still stood.
Ren approached Hikaru and quietly removed her seal.
"Use your Sharingan."
Her eyes turned crimson.
Then—
Mangekyō patterns bloomed.
"…There's layered text."
She stepped closer.
"Normal Sharingan sees myth — the Rabbit Goddess."
Tsunade frowned.
"And Mangekyō?"
"Ten-Tails."
"Indra."
"Asura."
"The Sage's sorrow."
Hikaru's voice wavered slightly.
Ren nodded.
"I can't see it directly. But my bloodline enhancement allows me to sense chakra patterns. Yin and Yang interplay. I can trace the structure."
Tsunade looked unsettled.
"So Senju and Uchiha… truly were brothers."
"Yes."
Hikaru let out a cold laugh.
"Thousands of years of bloodshed… for this?"
Silence.
Then—
Ren's system interface flickered.
[Hidden Mission Complete: Reveal the Secret of Senju and Uchiha (2)]
[Completion Rating: S]
[Free Points Gained: 10]
He hid his satisfaction.
But then—
He stepped closer to the tablet again.
"…Strange."
Tsunade looked over.
"What?"
"The chakra layering changes here."
He traced a faint seam.
"It looks… modified."
Hikaru stiffened.
"Modified?"
"Possibly."
Ren lowered his voice.
"If someone altered what the Sage left behind… then maybe Indra and Asura's conflict wasn't so simple."
Tsunade's expression grew serious.
"If there's a hidden hand…"
Ren didn't finish the sentence.
But the implication lingered.
Shimura Compound — Noon
Danzō stood tall in a dim room.
"I have made my decision."
Aburame Ryōma knelt before him.
"I may leave Konoha."
His voice was steady.
"There is no future for me here."
Ryōma did not hesitate.
"I will follow you, Danzō-sama."
Danzō felt a flicker of warmth.
"At least someone understands."
He spoke of lost opportunities. Of being buried in shadow while Hiruzen basked in sunlight.
"Contact those still loyal."
Ryōma hesitated briefly.
"Shihara Ren has removed most curse seals. Reorganized structure. But he separated new recruits from older members. Many still lean toward you."
Danzō's eye gleamed.
"So he unintentionally preserved my embers…"
"Accelerate preparations."
"Yes, Danzō-sama."
Neither of them noticed—
A faint shadow flickering in the trees outside.
Root Headquarters
Ren finished his conversation with Hikaru.
He reassured her about her identity investigation.
Promised answers.
Promised memory restoration.
Then—
His Wood Clone sent information back.
Ren froze for half a second.
Danzō had gathered loyalists.
They were preparing to move.
Midnight tomorrow.
"…So you've chosen to run."
Evening — Forest Outside Konoha
Dozens of Root operatives knelt.
Danzō stood before them.
"I swear — I will return."
"This retreat is temporary."
"At midnight tomorrow — we leave Konoha."
Back in the village—
Ren stood beside Tsunade on the busy street.
She held a candied hawthorn stick he had just bought her.
"You're ridiculous," she muttered.
Ren smiled.
Then—
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"It's starting."
Tsunade glanced sideways.
"What is?"
Ren's voice lowered.
"Danzō."
"He's really going to run."
And when Danzō ran—
Konoha would shake.
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