Root Headquarters.
Danzō leaned down and scooped up a black snake. Reaching into its jaws, he pulled out a sealed letter.
Unfolding it, his eyes narrowed slightly as he read:
"I will prepare what you asked for."
"But I expect you won't disappoint me either."
The black snake flicked its tongue in an almost human-like gesture before slithering into the ground and vanishing.
Danzō reached up and touched his right eye. The sensation was slightly different now.
He had already transplanted Shisui's Sharingan.
He'd originally thought that securing Kotoamatsukami would be the final key to achieving his lifelong ambitions.
But now, he realized he had drastically underestimated Hiruzen Sarutobi.
That old fox was far more cunning and ruthless than he'd ever given him credit for.
So, for the sake of Konoha's future, he needed to gather more power.
Kotoamatsukami was an incredible trump card, but its cooldown was far too long. To bridge that gap, he needed Orochimaru's brilliance and strength.
Mind churning with strategies to counter Hiruzen, Danzō closed his eyes.
A moment later, a Root operative sprinted in, dropping to one knee behind him.
"Lord Danzō, every single operative we planted inside the Nara clan has been rooted out."
Danzō didn't even turn around.
"Leave it."
"Yes, sir!"
Danzō desperately wanted to bring the Nara clan to heel. But the events of the past few days made it glaringly obvious—Hiruzen wasn't going to let him touch his inner circle.
Now that he had thoroughly "seen through" Hiruzen's true nature, Danzō dropped the idea of fighting him head-on.
He would lay low. Hibernate in the shadows. And when the perfect moment arrived, he would deliver a fatal strike.
The Nara clan was off-limits for now.
But there were other clans he could infiltrate deeper.
Like the Yamanaka—another pillar of the Ino-Shika-Chō alliance.
...
Meanwhile.
The day after leaving the Hokage Building.
Shikage didn't stay home to train like usual. Instead, he made a rare trip back to the Ninja Academy.
Partly to check in on Shikamaru, and partly to gather intel on Sasuke's situation.
And, of course, to casually farm some favorability with the Konoha 12.
After all, the [Shadow Vassal] ability was just too damn useful.
His timing was perfect. The moment he stepped onto the school grounds, he spotted a bunch of the newly promoted second-years messing around in the courtyard.
The most eye-catching of the bunch? Naruto, tightly hugging a little fox.
Normally, Naruto was a loud, chaotic mess, and the other kids subconsciously kept their distance.
But today, thanks to the cute little pet in his arms, he actually had a few girls hovering around him.
The normally boisterous Naruto was completely out of his element, blushing and looking completely lost.
Scanning the area, Shikage spotted Shikamaru. His arm was in a cast, and he was lounging off to the side, chatting with a chubby Chōji. He radiated pure, unadulterated laziness.
If you squinted, you could almost see a mirror image of Shikage's own laid-back vibe in the kid.
Shikage strolled over. The crisp sound of his footsteps caught the attention of a girl currently teasing the little fox.
Ino looked up, and a bright, rosy flush instantly bloomed across her cute cheeks.
"Shikage!"
Ponytail bouncing, she trotted right up to him, practically vibrating with excitement.
"It's been so long!"
"Do you not like me anymore? Why haven't you come to see me?"
"You used to spoil me the most when we were little..."
As she spoke, her lower lip started to quiver, and large, misty tears welled up in her eyes.
Shikage felt a headache coming on.
Because of their families, he'd known Ino since she was a baby. Honestly, before she started the Academy, he was practically the one who raised her.
Thanks to his memories from his past life and their childhood bond, he really did have a soft spot for her. She was a cute neighbor kid.
But that affection definitely didn't cross into romantic territory.
Ino was way too young. He had zero interest in that direction.
Besides, he used to change her damn diapers!
So, hearing her pouty accusation, Shikage could only sigh helplessly, pat her head, and offer some comfort.
"Sorry, I've just been really busy lately."
"So you do still like me?"
Ino tilted her head up, wide, reddish eyes blinking as she waited for his answer.
"Uh... yeah."
"I knew it!"
Ino shook her ponytail excitedly, spun around, and grabbed her best friend's hand.
"See, Sakura? I wasn't lying!"
"Shikage likes me too! We're in love!"
"I'm his real fiancée!"
Sakura clearly wasn't thrilled with that conclusion.
But at seven years old, she hadn't grown into her confident teenage self yet. Having just overcome her complex about her forehead last year, she was still painfully shy.
She let out a tiny, soft hmph, sneaking a bashful glance at Shikage's handsome face.
But the second her eyes darted up, they locked straight onto Shikage's clear, calm gaze.
In an instant, the young girl's face exploded in red, the blush creeping all the way down her neck. It was undeniably cute.
Watching this play out, Shikage felt incredibly awkward.
Back when he was trying to complete the hidden quest, he'd basically power-leveled his favorability with all these kids.
That included helping Sakura through her "broad forehead" crisis.
Sensing Shikage's mood, Sakura pressed her pink lips together. She clenched her tiny fists, hyping herself up, then brushed her bangs aside to show off her smooth, clear forehead.
"Shikage, do you like my new hairstyle?"
"Uh... yeah."
"Hehe~"
Terrified that his tastes were going to get permanently warped by this lolita crossfire, Shikage quickly bailed on the conversation and used Shikamaru as a human shield.
"How are things? Adapting to school life alright?"
"It's fine. No big deal."
Shikamaru smirked, then jutted his chin toward the side.
"Bro, Naruto's staring at you."
Shikage looked over and waved at the hesitant blond kid.
"Haven't seen you in a few days and you're acting like a stranger?"
Naruto was someone who desperately admired outstanding people. He craved the warmth of a brilliant sun, but when that light actually shined on him, he'd freeze up, terrified of getting burned.
That was Naruto. Years of deep-seated prejudice had forged his relentless stubbornness, but it had also planted a dark, heavy seed of inferiority in his heart.
He usually just buried that insecurity under a loud, fake grin.
Watching Shikage get swarmed by the others, Naruto had felt incredibly jealous and proud—but he didn't dare walk over, terrified he'd be pushed away.
It wasn't until Shikage actually called out to him that Naruto's face broke into a massive grin, and he bolted over.
"Shikage! Look at Kyu! He's so smart!"
"Kyu, do a backflip!"
Watching Naruto show off his new pet like a kid with a shiny new toy, Shikage quietly let out a breath of relief.
—Dealing with little girls is way too exhausting.
—Hanging out with the boys is so much better.
Even though his ultimate goal was locking in the Konoha 12, Shikage didn't play favorites. He spent a little time chatting with practically everyone in the class.
By the time he was done, over an hour had passed.
Figuring it was about time to wrap up, Shikage pulled his little brother aside.
"Do you know what's going on with Sasuke lately?"
"No idea," Shikamaru shook his head. "He's been out on leave for days."
—Just as I thought. He hasn't been coming to school.
Shikage gave a slight nod.
He turned his gaze toward the Uchiha compound, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.
—Looks like I need to make a trip to the Uchiha district.
---