Deep within the lush forest, birds leapt from branch to branch.
Their constant chirping filled the woods with restless life.
And yet—
None of them dared approach the man standing in the clearing.
He stood motionless, dressed in black, like a statue carved from shadow.
A cold, suffocating aura seeped from his body, spreading outward in silent waves. Even the animals instinctively kept their distance.
Then—
They sensed something else.
A different presence.
Their small heads turned in unison toward the trees.
A new figure approached, and from him flowed a faint, natural aura — subtle, restrained, but unmistakably harmonious.
If not for the suffocating chill radiating from the first man, they might have flown down.
"Danzō-sama. Long time no see."
The newcomer smiled lightly.
Danzō's brows creased.
"You're late, Ren."
"Please understand, Danzō-sama. I've just taken over Root. Affairs are… busy."
Ren's tone was mild.
But those words stabbed straight into Danzō's heart.
Take over Root.
Busy.
Please understand.
Understand what?
Understand that the organization he had built with blood and decades of scheming now belonged to someone else?
Understand that with one light sentence from Hiruzen, everything he owned became Ren's inheritance?
Danzō's fists clenched.
If he could win, he would have already attacked.
But he couldn't.
And he needed Ren.
He forced himself to calm down.
"Root's affairs are naturally complicated. I understand."
He swallowed his anger.
"But reform should not be reckless. Its current structure exists for a reason."
"I only believe what I verify myself."
Ren nodded slightly.
"But Danzō-sama… you should be careful lately."
Danzō narrowed his eye.
Before he could react—
A soundproof barrier snapped into existence around them.
No hand seals.
Instant deployment.
Danzō's pupils contracted.
"Third Hokage has ordered a full internal review," Ren said quietly.
"Verification of Rain's intelligence."
"Complete transparency."
"No concealment."
He paused.
"And he said something else."
Danzō's throat tightened.
"'Before facing external threats, stabilize the interior.'"
Ren's voice was calm.
"But many want answers."
"And Hokage-sama does not want… parasites within the village."
The words fell gently.
But Danzō's face drained of color.
Parasites.
Was Hiruzen… finally turning on him?
Ren continued, tone almost sympathetic.
"He considers this my test."
"I'm to investigate thoroughly."
He stepped back.
"I am merely following orders."
Danzō's breathing grew uneven.
He had tried to see Hiruzen multiple times this week.
Each time—
Rejected.
Excuses.
Delays.
Silence.
And now—
Ren's reform.
Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune being returned to their clans.
Internal audits.
Was it coincidence?
Or—
Preparation?
"Is this deliberate?" Danzō's voice lowered.
"Yes."
Ren didn't hesitate.
"I wanted information to reach you."
Danzō felt a chill run down his spine.
"You are being watched," Ren added softly.
"I confirmed no ANBU are nearby before coming."
That sentence sealed it.
If Ren was telling the truth—
Then Hiruzen had already begun isolating him.
Danzō's mind spiraled.
Has my value diminished?
Has he already found my replacement?
Ren turned.
"I must go."
"Regarding Orochimaru's information — deliver it differently."
"Be careful, Danzō-sama."
He left.
The forest birds resumed chirping only after he disappeared.
Danzō stood frozen.
Then—
"Why?!"
His suppressed roar echoed through the trees.
"Hiruzen… is it only because I am not Hokage?!"
Konoha — Foreign Envoy Residence
Pakura sat by the window, watching the lively streets below.
Carriages.
Merchants.
Children laughing.
She clicked her tongue inwardly.
"Too prosperous…"
Suna could never match this vitality.
Sandstorms, barren trade routes, stagnant morale—
Compared to Konoha, it felt lifeless.
"Leaning on the window isn't very elegant."
Ren's voice came from behind.
Pakura turned—
And blinked.
"…Why are you so much paler?"
Ren stared.
"…Perhaps I'm not exposed to desert winds."
She glared.
"Still as irritating as ever."
He sat across from her.
ANBU presences quietly withdrew.
They were alone.
"What do you want to know?" Ren asked calmly.
"Rain? Uchiha? Or something else?"
"You're blunt."
She sipped tea.
"I assume what you tell me will be partially true."
"Report everything," Ren said lightly. "But remain skeptical."
He summarized.
Hanzo's words — partially credible.
Uchiha massacre — Itachi and Obito.
Political tragedy.
Then he shifted.
"You're here to avoid attention."
She didn't deny it.
"And what about the man behind you?" she asked.
"Not doing well."
Ren smiled faintly.
Her eyes sharpened.
"Have you replaced him?"
Ren didn't answer directly.
Instead—
"What if Rain supplied water to Wind Country?"
She froze.
"Impossible."
"Underground channels."
"Chakra-driven pumps."
"Employment."
"Loans."
"Shared benefits."
He spoke casually.
But every sentence struck like thunder.
If feasible—
It would change Wind Country's future.
"Why are you telling me this?" she asked slowly.
"Because alliances should be mutual."
"And because sincerity matters."
Silence lingered.
Finally—
"I came to avoid a storm," she said quietly.
"Instead, I've stepped into another."
Ren smiled.
Night — Outside the Shimura Compound
Kabuto exhaled sharply.
"This is insane."
"You're overreacting."
Ren shrugged.
"It's risky!"
"Relax."
Ren performed Transformation Jutsu.
Orochimaru stood in his place.
Moments later—
Danzō emerged.
"Orochimaru."
His voice was cold.
"You dare return?"
"Compared to you, I'm insignificant."
Ren — as Orochimaru — stepped forward.
Danzō snarled.
"Don't mock me."
Kabuto stepped out next.
"Long time no see, Danzō-sama."
Danzō's face darkened further.
"You're alive…"
"Thanks to Orochimaru-sama."
Kabuto smiled thinly.
Ren placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Respect the 'Darkness of the Shinobi World,' Kabuto."
Danzō snapped.
"What do you want?!"
Ren's tone shifted — slow, deliberate.
"You know your situation."
"If you stay — death."
"If you leave — possibility."
Danzō trembled.
"Hiruzen may not execute you."
"But he won't let you leave with secrets."
"Others want you dead."
"You are not world-famous."
"You are world-hated."
"Enough!"
Danzō's voice cracked.
Ren leaned closer.
"Stay, and die quietly."
"Or leave — and gamble for the Hokage seat."
Silence.
Then Ren and Kabuto sank into the ground.
Danzō remained.
Alone.
His breathing heavy.
"Leave…"
He whispered.
"Take a new helm…"
Root Base
Kabuto collapsed into a chair.
"You're terrifying."
Ren grinned.
"He's panicking."
"You don't even sound like Orochimaru."
"I don't need to."
"He's convincing himself."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses.
"You're worse than Danzō."
Ren laughed.
"I learned from the best."
Senju Estate — Late Night
Yūgao lay in bed.
Thinking.
Ren had joined Root.
She joined Kakashi's team.
Life shifted.
Then—
A voice by her ear.
"If it's about stamina, I'm confident."
She jolted.
"When did you get here?!"
"Just now."
He pulled her close.
She tried to maintain composure.
"You ignore the Three Shinobi Taboos entirely."
"Even five Shadow Clones wouldn't be a problem."
"…What does that even mean?!"
"Senpai, I—"
"Go shower first!"
"Understood."
Next Door
Hikaru sat upright.
She heard movement.
She knew.
Ren was back.
She walked toward Yūgao's room—
Then paused.
A soft, restrained sound reached her ears.
Not pain.
Not exactly.
Her body stiffened.
She stepped back slowly.
Mind blank.
One thought echoed.
Did I come at the wrong time?
Shimura Estate — Midnight
Danzō stared at the moon.
Orochimaru's words repeated endlessly.
Stay and die.
Leave and gamble.
He clenched his fist.
"If there is no helm for me here…"
"Then I will seize one elsewhere."
"Hiruzen…"
"Do not blame me."
The night wind howled.
And somewhere deep inside—
The seed of defection finally took root.
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