"Danzō-sama. Orochimaru-sama. Intel collection is complete."
In a dim underground chamber, a masked Root operative knelt, presenting the report.
Shimura Danzō slowly opened his eyes, voice cold as a blade.
"Present it."
"Yes."
The operative handed over a scroll packed with condensed text, then vanished into the shadows like he'd never been there.
Danzō studied the contents under the thin lamplight.
The target was a Mist shinobi whose name had recently exploded across the battlefield—
Kaguya Ren.
Root had gathered his life history through embedded assets in Kirigakure and select channels among Kiri shinobi who had dealings with Root.
Filtered, refined, and condensed—
It became the scroll in Danzō's hands.
"Kaguya… Ren."
He repeated the name, then passed the scroll to Orochimaru.
When Orochimaru finished scanning it, Danzō asked in a low voice:
"Thoughts?"
"A research subject of value," Orochimaru said—then corrected himself, tongue flicking over his lips.
"No… an extremely valuable one."
Danzō's tone sharpened with surprise.
"You rate him that highly? Why?"
"Because he's different," Orochimaru hissed softly, delighted. "A special specimen that stands above his clan."
"Ancient bloodline. Talent and temperament far beyond his kin. A war environment that forces rapid evolution into a brand-new power none of the others possess…"
He tapped the scroll.
"Hearing that description… who does it remind you of, Danzō?"
Danzō didn't answer.
But his hand clenched on the chair's armrest.
Orochimaru smiled.
"Why would you make such a judgment?" Danzō asked, voice low and dangerous. "Do you understand what you're implying?"
"I do," Orochimaru said lightly. "But obvious truths don't vanish just because no one dares to speak them."
He handed the scroll back.
"I'll return. My test subjects need watching."
"But if you find anything… interesting… about him…"
Orochimaru's golden slit pupils burned with a cruel hunger as he turned away.
"Share it with me."
…
Back at Kanayama—
Ren sensed Konoha's sensory team appear again at the edge of his range, punctual as clockwork.
And Kushina, shadowing them as insurance against his sudden strikes.
"Are you kidding me… every damn morning?"
Ren inhaled, then snapped.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Smoke dispersed.
Ren leapt from the outer wall like an arrow, sprinting with bared teeth toward Konoha's sensors.
On the wall, another Ren stood with arms folded, tapping his sleeve in irritation.
Kushina reacted instantly—creating her own shadow clone to intercept while ordering the sensors to retreat beyond Ren's mist range.
Clang—!
In the fog, the two clones met perfectly.
Ren's bone blades and Kushina's twin kunai collided in a furious storm, sparks of sound chaining into one continuous ringing tone.
"It's been this long," Ren said coldly as he hacked without care for defense, venting the pressure built from constant casualty reports. "And the man you're waiting on—still not back?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Kushina snapped, using Ren's force to spring back as she formed seals.
"Kongō Fūsa!"
Chains surged out, netting toward Ren.
"Bracken Dance."
Ren flicked his wrist, throwing a bone blade, then stomped—
Bone spikes erupted in a grid, blocking the chains completely.
"Ah. So this doesn't work on you anymore."
Kushina didn't look disappointed—only tired.
Ren chased.
"Your own power won't beat me. You already know that, don't you, Uzumaki remnant?"
"Call him. Or let the fox out. I don't care," Ren's voice was razor-smooth. "Let's settle Kanayama properly."
A flicker crossed Kushina's movement.
Then she stopped retreating—
And charged him.
"You really are as dangerous as Minato said," she said, eyes locked on his. "If Kirigakure becomes your village…"
"There will never be peace again."
Ren's twin bone blades blocked her chakra-loaded punch.
"And?"
"To protect the peace we fought to reclaim from Iwa and Kumo…"
Kushina's gaze was unwavering.
"I'll defeat you here, Kaguya Ren!"
Pshk.
Ren's bone blade stabbed through her—
But her clone didn't disperse like a normal shadow clone.
As it vanished, it dropped a strange, special kunai.
A yellow blur split the air—
So fast it left only an afterimage in Ren's clone's eyes—
Then vanished again.
Ren's clone clicked his tongue.
"Oh? Using the spacing to reduce Flying Thunder God's consumption… and raising ambush success."
"Nice idea."
"But my real body already predicted it."
"A 'surprise' that's been foreseen…"
He shook his head.
"…isn't a surprise anymore."
And he turned back toward the retreating sensors, bone blades flashing in the mist.
If his guess was right—
Kushina and Minato had already met his real body on the prepared battlefield.
Which meant—
He finally had the chance to wipe out the annoying bastards who came "to work" at his doorstep every morning.
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