"That's how it is."
Inside the Hokage's office, Hatake Sakumo stood respectfully before the Third Hokage, delivering his report.
"The body was destroyed by a detonating tag. We can't confirm whether the corpse belonged to the assailant who targeted Maito and the others."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a slow puff from his pipe, smoke curling lazily in the air.
"Sakumo," he said quietly, "do you believe this method—eliminating evidence, attacking from the shadows—resembles the Uchiha clan's style?"
Hatake Sakumo narrowed his eyes slightly. "Lord Hokage, if the Uchiha wanted to eliminate Fenghuo, they could've done it within their own territory. There'd be no need to act beyond the compound—and if they were erasing evidence, they'd have done it perfectly."
Hiruzen smiled faintly, exhaling another puff of smoke. "So, you're saying someone else has targeted Fenghuo."
A name surfaced in his mind.
Shimura Danzō.
"The Root, huh…?" Hiruzen murmured, rising from his chair and moving to the window.
Snow had blanketed Konoha in white. It was flawless and serene—so pristine it was mesmerizing.
But beneath the snow-white surface, how much darkness lay hidden?
As the head of Anbu, Sakumo was well aware of Root's existence.
"Lord Hokage, Root has planted an operative within the Uchiha clan. His status isn't high, but if we notify the clan, they could remove him. That ninja remains a threat to Fenghuo."
Sarutobi shook his head. "No, I won't approve that."
He tapped his pipe again, eyes narrowing.
"I know Danzō. If he wanted someone dead, he wouldn't hesitate. That ninja didn't kill Fenghuo. That means Danzō isn't trying to eliminate him. He's trying to recruit him. Fenghuo's life isn't in danger—at least, not yet."
Sakumo nodded in understanding.
Stand still for now.
Knock knock.
The sudden knock broke the silence.
"This late?" Hiruzen muttered. "Come in."
The door opened. A young man stepped in, tall and confident, with striking golden hair and blue eyes.
"Minato!" Hiruzen's face lit up in joy. "You're back!"
"Lord Hokage," Namikaze Minato greeted with a smile, bowing slightly. "Lord Sakumo."
"Is the border stable?" Hiruzen asked, eyes twinkling.
Minato—Jiraiya's student and Hiruzen's protégé by proxy—was like a grandson to him. The generational bond ran deep.
"We encountered enemy shinobi, but it's secure for now," Minato said warmly. His calm tone carried quiet confidence.
"How's the technique coming along?" Hiruzen asked, smiling.
Minato scratched his cheek, a little sheepish. "Progressing well, sir. I believe I'll master it soon—but I'm working on improving it too."
Hiruzen and Sakumo exchanged a shocked glance.
That technique—the Flying Thunder God—was created by the Second Hokage himself. Mastering it was nearly impossible. And Minato wanted to improve it?
"…Really?" Sakumo, known across the shinobi world as the White Fang of Konoha, couldn't help but tense slightly.
"Maybe I'm just more suited to it," Minato said humbly.
Hiruzen burst out laughing. "Hahaha…"
"You're something else, Minato," Sakumo said, shaking his head in admiration.
"Go get some rest for now," Hiruzen said kindly, waving him off.
"I'll take my leave then."
After Minato exited, Sakumo chuckled softly. "Sometimes I envy Jiraiya's luck."
"I never would've imagined it either…"
Jiraiya's reputation as a pervert had become widespread—peeking in bathhouses, writing smutty novels. Yet he'd taken in someone as brilliant as Namikaze Minato. It was baffling.
"Where is Jiraiya, anyway?" Hiruzen asked, frowning slightly.
"He's gone to Mount Myōboku. Said he was training in senjutsu."
"Senjutsu…?" Hiruzen looked startled.
He remembered the Second Hokage mentioning it: a fearsome art that channels nature energy. Mastering it required incredible aptitude—most couldn't even attempt it. The unworthy could even die trying.
"Troubling, as always…"
Meanwhile…
Deep beneath Konoha, inside a hidden medical facility, a masked medic-nin was tending to the gravely wounded Crow Ghost, also known as Karasu no Ayakashi.
He had arrived after escaping into the river, but his injuries were severe. By the time he was brought in, over an hour had passed. He lost consciousness shortly after arrival—and hadn't awakened since.
Shimura Danzō stood silently, watching with cold indifference.
"Lord Danzō," the medic finally said, "the injuries were caused by Taijutsu. They're extensive—most internal organs are shattered or damaged beyond repair. He'll need organ transplants to survive."
The medic looked up—revealing long blond hair and large, expressive eyes.
It was Yakushi Nono, also known as Nono Yakushi, the future "Mother" of the orphanage.
"Taijutsu, hmm? Could it be someone from the Hyūga clan?" Danzō muttered.
Given Crow Ghost's strength, only a Hyūga elite could have inflicted such damage.
And I can't afford to provoke the Hyūga. I already have to deal with the Uchiha… I can't fight a war on two fronts.
"In that case," Danzō said coldly, "abandon him. Remove his eyes."
Nono trembled, but obeyed. She ceased treatment, then carefully extracted both of Yagui's Sharingan before his heart stopped.
She placed them in a tube filled with a special green preservation fluid—designed to maintain the Sharingan's vitality for future use.
Danzō gazed greedily at the Sharingan, then turned away, suppressing his desire.
"Store them."
"Yes, Lord Danzō."
"I've already heard about the border situation. As expected of Jiraiya's disciple—Minato resolved things quickly. That will change the timeline for our orphan collection program."
He turned sharply.
"Dispose of the corpse. Leave no trace."
"Yes, Danzō-sama."
As Danzō's footsteps faded into the corridor, Nono gritted her teeth, fists clenched.
How long… how long will this cycle continue?
She stared at the lifeless body on the table, her heart heavy with silent rebellion.