Somewhere in Konoha
Inside a hidden laboratory, two Root shinobi knelt before their leader. Their masks resembled ANBU, but the subtle differences marked them as Danzo's operatives.
The old man before them, Shimura Danzo, stood with his forehead and right eye bandaged, his right arm concealed within his kimono.
"An exiled Inuzuka fought Uchiha Sasuke to a standstill in taijutsu," the first Root agent reported.
Danzo's gaze sharpened. "Describe it."
"The Inuzuka used an unfamiliar fighting style," the second agent said. "It doesn't match any known technique. Our assessment is that he developed it himself."
Danzo remained silent for a moment before issuing his order. "Gather more information on this Inuzuka."
"Yes, sir," both agents replied before vanishing in an instant.
When they arrived at Kiba's home, they found him outside, splitting logs with steady, practiced swings of his axe. Once his task was finished, he gathered the split logs and carried them inside, settling in for the night.
Inside the quiet house, Kiba slept soundly, undisturbed by the world outside.
Unseen in the shadows, two Root operatives watched him closely, their presence masked by years of training. Their mission was simple: observe and report.
But their focus was abruptly shattered by the faintest rustle of movement nearby. Instinctively, their hands tightened around their tantos, bodies tensing for combat.
Before they could react further, a low growl rumbled through the darkness.
A massive ninken emerged, its wolf-like form imposing even in the dim light. Its black fur bristled, the white underside stark against the shadows, and the singular eyepatch over one eye gave it a battle-hardened appearance.
"No wonder I caught the scent of rats lurking around," a woman's voice cut through the night.
Inuzuka Tsume stepped forward, her Jonin jacket marking her rank, her expression sharp and unamused. Beside her, the ninken bared its teeth, a silent warning.
The Root operatives exchanged glances. "Tsume," the first one said, voice carefully controlled. "You are forbidden from contacting your son. This is a direct order."
The second operative shifted subtly, signaling readiness.
Tsume smirked. "Funny, isn't it, Hana?"
As if on cue, another figure emerged behind them, Hana, Tsume's daughter, flanked by her own ninkens. The two Root ninja stiffened. Trapped between one Jonin-level and chunin level opponents, their odds of success had just plummeted.
A silent signal passed between them escape was the only option.
The moment they moved, splitting in opposite directions, Tsume and Hana struck.
"Gatsuga!"
Five streaks of motion blurred through the air, the Inuzuka and their ninken moving as one, a whirlwind of fangs and claws that tore toward the fleeing operatives with unstoppable force.
. . . .
The morning sun cast a warm glow through the windows of the Hokage's office, where Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in quiet contemplation, savoring a rare moment of peace. The scent of tobacco lingered in the air as he exhaled slowly, the weight of leadership momentarily set aside.
That tranquility shattered when the door burst open without warning.
Shimura Danzo strode in, his presence as sharp as the cane he gripped. His single visible eye burned with restrained fury.
"Hiruzen," he said, voice clipped, "One Jonin and one Chunin have murdered my subordinates."
Hiruzen took a slow drag from his pipe before exhaling a thin stream of smoke. His expression remained unreadable. "And?"
Danzo's jaw tightened. He recognized that tone, Hiruzen already knew. "You're aware of this?" His voice turned icy. "Then strip them of their rank immediately. They violated the rules of their own clan head."
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled. "Why would I punish loyal shinobi for defending their family? More importantly, Danzo, what were your men doing there in the first place?"
A flicker of irritation crossed Danzo's face. He had no rebuttal, no justification that would sway the Hokage. His grip on his cane tightened until his knuckles whitened. "You'll regret this, Hiruzen."
The Third Hokage's eyes hardened. He stood, the air in the room growing heavy. "I am the Hokage, Danzo." His voice, though calm, carried the weight of finality. "Remember your place."
Danzo's lips pressed into a thin line. Frustration coiled within him, but he knew when to retreat. Without another word, he turned sharply and stormed out, slamming the door behind him hard enough to rattle the frame.
Hiruzen sighed, sinking back into his chair. The lines on his face seemed deeper as he stared at the closed door. His old friend, his rival was slipping further into darkness with each passing day.
Meanwhile, Danzo marched down the hallway, his footsteps heavy with barely contained rage. His mind churned with bitter thoughts.
'That old fool clings to his throne as if it were his birthright. Let him enjoy it while he can. Sooner or later… that seat will be mine.'
. . . .
Later That Day,
Inuzuka Clan Hall,
The air in the clan hall was thick with tension as Inuzuka Tsume and her daughter Hana stood before the Patriarch and the assembled elders.
Their ninken flanked them, muscles coiled, sensing the hostility in the room. The elders' expressions ranged from stern disapproval to outright disdain, but neither Tsume nor Hana showed any sign of backing down.
The Patriarch, a middle aged man with sharp eyes and an air of unquestioned authority, broke the silence first. "Tsume," he said, his voice measured but firm. "Explain why you were at your son's house when you were explicitly forbidden from contacting him."
Tsume met his gaze without hesitation. "I was watching over him," she said, her voice steady. There was no apology in her tone, only defiance.
Elder One, a wiry man with deep-set frown lines, bristled at her response. "You will watch your tone when addressing this council—"
Tsume cut him off with a sharp grin. "Or what? What are you going to do about it?"
The elder's face darkened, but before he could retort, the Patriarch raised a hand, silencing him. "Enough," he said, though his eyes never left Tsume. "You knowingly broke the rules imposed upon you. There must be consequences."
Tsume's smirk didn't waver. "Go ahead. Try to punish me. I'll tear through every single one of you before you even lift a finger."
A ripple of unease passed through the elders. They knew better than to underestimate Tsume, her reputation as a fierce warrior was well-earned.
And with Hana, one of the clan's most skilled prodigies, standing beside her, any confrontation would be bloody.
Hana remained silent, but her sharp eyes tracked every movement in the room. Her fingers twitched slightly, ready to act the moment any elder made a hostile move.
The Patriarch exhaled slowly, his patience wearing thin. "I have already spoken with the Hokage," he said, his tone final. "As punishment, the two of you will be reassigned to guard Land of Fire's borders. Effective immediately."
Tsume's nostrils flared, her fists clenching at her sides. The insult was clear, banishment under the guise of duty. But before she could snap back, the Patriarch continued.
"This is not negotiable. The Hokage has guaranteed Kiba's safety in your absence. Disobey, and you forfeit that protection."
The words struck like a physical blow. Tsume's fury burned hot, but she forced herself to swallow it. As much as she wanted to fight, she couldn't risk her son.
Hana, usually composed, now wore a barely contained scowl. The injustice of the situation was clear, but even she understood the stakes.
The Patriarch waved a dismissive hand. "You are dismissed." His tone made it clear he had no interest in further debate.
Dealing with these two was like trying to leash wild dogs exhausting and dangerous.
Without another word, Tsume turned sharply and strode out of the hall, Hana and their ninken following close behind. The elders watched them go, some with relief, others with lingering resentment.
Outside, Tsume finally let out a low growl. "This isn't over."
Hana nodded, her expression grim. "We'll be back."
And with that, the two disappeared into the shadows, their loyalty to their family outweighing any order from the clan.
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