That's right. Shadow Concealment Jutsu could only be mastered by those who possessed a Water-nature chakra affinity.
The scroll made this clear, with precise annotations.
Derived from Hidden Mist Jutsu, Shadow Concealment Jutsu was far more formidable than ordinary Water Release techniques.
It bore the name "Shadow Concealment" for a reason, this was a jutsu that could only be performed under the cover of night.
In darkness, it could nullify all standard sensory ninjutsu. But with that power came a cost: continuous chakra drain the moment it was activated.
"Captain, take a look at this."
With a casual toss, Veigar sent the scroll flying toward Tenkaku.
"Well, don't mind if I do."
Tenkaku's tone was light, but beneath the surface, his excitement was impossible to conceal.
After reading through the scroll, he let out a deep breath, then looked up with solemn awe.
"This secret technique... it's incredibly powerful."
"Whoever masters it will become a predator feared by all under the veil of night."
Tenkaku paused, glancing toward Veigar with a hint of disbelief.
"A jutsu like this... are you really willing to share it with us?"
"According to Anbu protocol," he added, "this would be considered your personal spoils."
Veigar simply shrugged.
"It's just a jutsu. We're comrades."
The moment those words left his lips, Tenkaku and Shōgetsu both visibly trembled. They exchanged a look, then nodded in silent agreement.
That moment marked the birth of a bond between the three.
Then, Tenkaku turned to answer a question that Shōgetsu had posed moments earlier.
"Fukushu, if someone doesn't naturally have a water chakra affinity, there is a way to develop it."
Startled, Shōgetsu looked up.
"What way?"
Tenkaku didn't hesitate.
"The key lies in mastering chakra nature transformation..."
...
Two days later.
Having returned to Konohagakure with the gravely injured Yuma Doto, the trio handed him over to the Anbu Interrogation Division.
With that, the mission carried out by Tenkaku, Shōgetsu, and Veigar was officially complete.
They were granted a brief leave in recognition of their success.
But even as they reentered the village, Danzo had already received the report.
Hidden deep within the Root Base, Danzo drummed his fingers against the table, a rhythm masking the quiet fury in his eyes.
The return of Shōgetsu meant only one thing, his Root operatives had failed.
"The Uchiha... tch."
Upon submitting their report, the trio was summoned by Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.
Hiruzen had kept quiet since receiving Tenkaku's prior message. Now that they were back, he gathered all three in the Hokage's Office.
"Lord Third, that's everything."
Kneeling before the Hokage, Tenkaku relayed the incident involving their ambush by Root operatives.
Hiruzen said nothing at first. Only after taking a long drag from his pipe did he speak, voice low and deliberate.
"Rest assured... I'll get to the bottom of this."
"You're dismissed."
None of the three dared disobey the Hokage's orders.
"Yes, sir."
By the time Veigar stepped out of Anbu headquarters, he had already shed his black ops uniform.
At that same moment, Danzo was summoned to the Hokage's office.
"Danzo, don't you owe me an explanation?"
Hiruzen hurled a scroll at Danzo's chest, voice heavy with disappointment.
Danzo opened it, glanced through its contents, and replied flatly:
"I have nothing to say."
"So you admit this was your doing."
Now Hiruzen's rage finally boiled over.
"You... Danzo!"
But Danzo, prepared for this, remained unfazed.
"My only target was the Uchiha."
"We must never give that clan another opportunity. Ever."
If looks could kill, Hiruzen's glare would have reduced Danzo to ash.
"You've let me down... utterly."
"Hand over the complete roster of Root operatives. I'm launching a full investigation."
It was now clear, Hiruzen intended to use this incident to pry open Root's secrets and take back control.
At that moment, the office doors swung open.
"Hiruzen, don't lose your temper."
"Danzo didn't do anything wrong."
The two who entered were none other than Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, Konoha's senior advisors.
And so, in that single room, stood the Four Elders of Konoha.
Elsewhere, Veigar returned home, only to immediately notice a Root cipher left at his doorstep.
"Summoned by Danzo. Report to Root Base."
Anger flickered through Veigar's eyes before quickly vanishing.
"Danzo... tch."
"Just wait. I will bring you down."
"And it won't be long..."
He knew he was powerless to act now. The Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal that bound his tongue ensured silence and obedience.
Still, Veigar had already resolved to destroy Danzo's reputation, even if the plan hadn't fully taken shape yet.
Because for now, he simply wasn't strong enough.
Late that night, Veigar infiltrated the Root Base under cover of darkness.
There, he once again stood before Danzo.
Wearing his animal-mask, Veigar bowed respectfully.
"Lord Danzo."
Danzo eyed him in silence before finally speaking.
"Number Seventeen. Report every detail from the mission, no omissions."
That number was his only name within Root.
No surname. No identity.
Only a cold, lifeless code.
This was the tragedy of being Root.
Once in Root, one sinks into its depths, never to emerge with name or self again.
Because of the cursed seal, Veigar had no choice.
"Yes, sir."
He began recounting the mission, giving special attention to the ambush by fellow Root operatives.
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