Chapter 12: Lessons and Intrigue

Anko stood a few steps behind the duo, her arms crossed as she finally approached. Her sharp eyes narrowed at Naruto, who stood panting, golden and white sparks still flickering around him. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she assessed him, the tension in her stance betraying a mix of frustration and awe. Finally, she broke the silence with a gruff tone that carried a hint of curiosity.

"Alright, gaki," she said, her voice rough but steady. "Apparently, in the last two years, you've picked up some interesting tricks."

She leaned in close, her serpentine smile as sharp as a kunai. Her voice was a low, venomous hiss.

"You've got two choices. Spill how you learned the Hiraishin, or I'll let my little friends do the asking." She lazily unfurled a snake from her sleeve, its tongue flicking dangerously close to Naruto's face. "Trust me, they're very persuasive. And they won't stop until they're satisfied or I get bored."

The snake coiled tighter around her arm as she added, almost sweetly, "So, what's it going to be, gaki? Your words or your screams?"

Naruto looked up nervously at the snake, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. Then he blinked at her, confusion flickering across his face. "Wait, what?" he asked, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Anko's expression shifted from stern to incredulous, her arms dropping to her sides. "Don't play dumb with me, kid. That was the technique perfected and made famous by the Yondaime--you know, your dad--during the Third Great Ninja War. You expect me to believe you just stumbled upon a move like that by accident?"

Naruto's eyes widened, and he took a half-step back, his heart pounding for an entirely different reason now. "Wait--what? My dad's technique?" He shook his head quickly, golden chakra flaring for a brief moment before settling again. "I-I don't know what you're talking about! I just… I just moved, and then I was there."

Kakashi, who had been observing quietly, stepped forward, his tone calm but weighted. "Naruto, think carefully. Did you see or feel anything unusual when you moved? Any sensations, symbols, or flashes of memory?"

Naruto furrowed his brow, struggling to piece it together. "I don't know. It felt like… like my body knew what to do before I did. It was like I was being pulled in the direction I wanted to go in, but I wasn't scared. It just felt… right."

Anko dismissed the snake and huffed, placing a hand on her hip as she glanced at Kakashi. "Great. The kids somehow unlocked a variant of one of the most dangerous techniques in the village's history without even realizing it." She turned back to Naruto, pointing a finger at him. "Listen up, gaki. That kind of power isn't something you play around with. You screw up whatever that technique of yours is, and it's not just you that gets hurt--it's everyone around you."

*Don't worry about it, Kit* Kazue drawled, her voice echoing softly within the dim, ethereal confines of the seal.

*How?*

*Easy. With the little foothold I have in your mind—courtesy of this seal—I can help you consciously wield that enhanced speed of yours.*

She smirked, reclining against the pulsating walls of her prison. *Trust me, Kit, before long, you'll be faster than anyone out there… and they'll never see you coming.*

As usual, his face didn't so much as twitch, betraying nothing of the internal debate raging in his mind. "Don't worry," he said aloud, his voice the picture of calm, even though his thoughts were anything but.

Kazua's voice echoed in his mind, dry as ever. *Don't worry, he says. Spoken like someone who has absolutely no idea what they're doing.*

His purple eyes practically glowed, burning with a dramatic intensity that screamed I've got this—as if sheer stubbornness alone could solve all his problems.

"I'll figure it out," he replied, to Kazua and his two sensei, the kind of promise that sounded more like a dare to fate than an actual plan. He added with a wry mental grin to his passenger, *And if I don't, you can say 'I told you so' for the rest of my life.*

Oh, don't tempt me Kit* Kazua shot back. *I live for that kind of victory.*

Oblivious to his wards internal debate, Kakashi sighed, his hand sliding into his pockets. "It's not that simple, Naruto." He grunted. "Even without knowing exactly what you're doing, and believe me, I have no clue, I can see and sense enough to know it's dangerous and easily A-rank at the very least--and will require…" His eye softened. "Never mind. None of that matters right now."

He blew out a long breath before continuing. "What we can do is help you refine your use of the technique so that you're less likely to split yourself in half, tear your muscles apart--or rip a hole in space-time."

"Wait, what? Space-time? What are you talking about?" Naruto asked, his voice tinged with confusion.

Kakashi's voice was calm and vaguely amused, as always. "Space-time ninjutsu. It's advanced stuff, kid. We're talking about bending the fabric of reality to manipulate dimensions—teleportation, dimensional pockets, even freezing moments in time. Only a handful of shinobi have ever been able to master it."

Naruto blinked, nearly stumbling as he absorbed the explanation. "Okay, but what does that have to do with me? I mean, yeah, I've got this flashy golden lightning thing going on, but I'm not exactly warping reality."

"Not yet," Kakashi replied, his tone sharpening slightly. "But the way your Release reacts… it's not normal. That energy you're producing isn't just raw power—it's interacting with the world around you in ways that shouldn't be possible. I've seen how your attacks distort the air, almost like they're creating a vacuum. That's not just lightning chakra. That's something more… fundamental. Something that could tear through dimensions if you figured out how to control it."

Naruto snorted, more to steady himself than to mock. "So you're saying I could just poof myself to Ichiraku Ramen whenever I want? Sounds pretty convenient."

Kakashi sighed, though Naruto could hear the smirk in his tone. "Convenience isn't the point, Naruto. If my theory's correct—and I'd bet my entire collection of Icha Icha novels that it is—your Golden Lightning isn't just powerful; it's unique. You might be sitting on the potential for one of the rarest and deadliest jutsu types in existence. That's why you need to focus."

Naruto grinned despite himself, his purple eyes gleaming as he vaulted onto another branch. "Focus, huh? I can do focus. It just means fewer ramen breaks."

Which would make my wallet happy, he thought wryly. "You're right, that would be helpful," Kakashi agreed dryly. "But don't worry, I'll let you know when you're close to blowing yourself up."

"How," the blonde asked, curious.

"That's easy. From a safe distance, you'll hear me screaming, 'You're about to blow yourself up.'"

Naruto snorted, his tone dripping with mock amusement. "Ha, ha, very funny."

Anko smirked faintly, shaking her head. "You've got guts, gaki, I'll give you that. But guts alone won't save you. I hope you're ready to bleed for this because mastering the normal Hiraishin was said to be damn near impossible, so who knows how difficult it'll be figuring out whatever the hell it is you do."

Naruto's lips curled into a grin, his chakra sparking brighter around him. "Good. I like a challenge. For now, I think I'll call my new jutsu Ōgon Rai no Ho (Golden Lightning Steps).

"Ōgon Rai no Ho," Kakashi murmured, his visible eye narrowing thoughtfully. "Interesting name."

Naruto tilted his head, crossing his arms. "What? You don't like it?"

Kakashi shrugged, his tone as nonchalant as ever. "It's… descriptive, I'll give you that. But it sounds like something out of an old samurai drama."

Naruto scowled. "Well, excuse me for not being a naming genius. You got a better idea?"

Kakashi's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Oh, no, it's perfect. Very you. Flashy and impossible to ignore."

Naruto blinked, then grinned. "Damn right it is."

Amused, Kakashi let his student bluster while he caught his breath. Years of training allowed the Jōnin to quickly process he'd seen. Golden Lightning Steps, he thought, intrigued by the premise of the boy's jutsu.

He'd acted nonchalant for the kid's sake and to preserve his own carefully crafted image, but deep down, Kakashi was struggling to keep his cool. His arms folded loosely across his chest, and his face an unreadable mask, but inside, his brain was screaming. Golden Lightning Steps. Of course. Why wouldn't the damn kid have a jutsu that sounded like it belonged in a myth? This was just the kind of absurdity Kakashi had come to expect from his unpredictable student.

He glanced at Naruto, who was still catching his breath, looking like he'd just run a marathon, completely unaware of the storm of thoughts tearing through his sensei's head. Kakashi couldn't help but think, If I'd known being a teacher involved this level of mental gymnastics, I would've stuck to reading in a quiet corner.

The jutsu had been something else entirely—no mere display of power. Golden Lightning Steps? Really? What's next, "Golden Divine Thunderclap?"* Kakashi thought, his mind still buzzing with the implications of what he'd seen.

His fingers drummed against his arm, the rhythmic tapping betraying the whirlwind of thoughts inside his head. But hey, at least this time it wasn't a giant, demonic fox trying to tear down the village. A small silver lining in a sea of chaos, right? He couldn't help but let that thought settle in, if only for a moment, to push away the growing unease.

Still, it didn't change the fact that they hadn't lied. They had always expected something extraordinary from Naruto—something that would mark him as different, something that would set him apart the moment he chose to unleash his power.

But this… this was beyond anything they had imagined. It was like a jigsaw puzzle piece that didn't fit the picture. Kakashi had seen his fair share of incredible things in his time, but nothing like this.

The move Naruto used to obliterate his clone, Raiton: Gian (Lightning Release: False Darkness), was a C-ranked jutsu that released a massive wave of lightning from the user, overwhelming everything in its path.

But the kid had amplified it, pushing the limits of the technique. Kakashi's mind raced, piecing it all together, and then it finally clicked. Mana. He'd heard the word once from the Hokage, and now it rang through his mind. This wasn't just a different flavor of lightning chakra. Naruto was using something deeper, something older.

Oblivious to his guardian's thoughts, Naruto stood tall, the golden energy fading, but the resolve he say in his purple eyes was unmistakable.

Kakashi's eyes narrowed. This power… could be dangerous if he doesn't learn to control it. He had seen enough to know Naruto's strength was far beyond what a boy his age should possess. Yet there was something more--something darker--beneath the surface. It gnawed at him, an instinctive unease he couldn't ignore.

"Tell me how you learned about your Golden Chakra and how you developed your Ōgon Rai no Ho," Kakashi said cautiously, his tone neutral but his eyes carefully observing Naruto's every move.

Naruto scratched the back of his head, a sheepish smile spreading across his face. "Well, uh… it kinda just happened," he said, his voice a little uncertain as he tried to piece the story together. "I was messing around with my chakra one day—nothing special, really. Just trying to get a better handle on it. But then, out of nowhere, this weird golden energy started to swirl around me. It felt… different. Powerful, you know?" He paused for a moment, staring down at his hands as though trying to remember the exact moment everything changed.

"I didn't really know what to do with it at first," Naruto said, eyes briefly flicking up to meet Kakashi's. "But, you know, after a bit of trial and error, I started figuring it out. Turns out, I can make it do stuff—like shape it into different forms. And that's when the Ōgon Rai no Ho idea hit me. It just… clicked, I guess." He shrugged nonchalantly, though there was a hint of sheepishness in his expression. "Honestly didn't think it would be anything that impressive, but here we are. Who knew?"

He paused for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly as though weighing how to explain the unexplainable. "It's my own special brand of Lightning Release," he continued, his tone dry, almost as if he were humorously pointing out the obvious to someone who should've already known. "I've always felt this power inside me, totally separate from either mine or the tailed beast's chakra. Go figure."

With a dramatic exhale, he added, "About a year ago, I thought, 'Why not blend it with my Lightning Release?' And, shocker—I figured out I could use it to boost my muscles. You know, make me stronger and faster. No big deal." His words were casual, but the flicker of pride in his eyes betrayed him.

Naruto paused again, his gaze growing more thoughtful, almost serious. "The more I practiced, the easier it got to control my strength," he said, his voice softer now, as if admitting something unexpectedly profound. Then, as though unwilling to linger in such sincerity for too long, he tilted his head back to look at the sky and snorted with disgust.

"But speed?" Naruto continued, his voice dripping with sarcasm as lightning arched between his fingers. "That's a whole other mess. I have no idea how to control it. The only thing I do know is it's not teleportation. It's… willpower. And control. Or at least, it's supposed to be." He finished with a pointed look at Kakashi as if expecting the older shinobi to magically provide a solution. The look was equal parts amused and frustrated as if to say, *Well, you're supposed to be the genius here.*

Kakashi's visible eye widened slightly, not at Naruto's words but at the arcs of electricity dancing between the boy's fingers. The raw energy crackled in the still air, its sharp buzz a stark contrast to Naruto's casual demeanor. Each flash of golden lightning seemed alive, darting unpredictably like a wild storm barely contained within its fragile vessel. Kakashi had seen power before—raw, refined, chaotic—but this was different.

The gap between the Naruto he knew—the unpredictable and, more often than not, angry knucklehead—and the extraordinary force standing before him left Kakashi momentarily speechless. His mind raced, trying to reconcile the boy with the display of controlled chaos he had just described and demonstrated. *Willpower and control?* Kakashi thought, observing the boy. *This isn't just instinct; this is something else entirely.*

Naruto, seemingly oblivious to the gravity of what he'd just shared, rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand, the golden arcs fading slightly. "Hello," he added, breaking the silence. "Any advice, sensei? Or are you just going to stand there looking constipated?"

Kakashi gave one of his patented eye smiles, the kind that always seemed equal parts reassuring and infuriating. "Sorry, I got nothing," he said with a nonchalant shrug, as if the phenomenon Naruto had just described was the most ordinary thing in the world. Then, without missing a beat, he tilted his head slightly and glanced over his shoulder. "How about you, Anko?"

From the shadows of a nearby tree, Anko Mitarashi stepped forward, her arms crossed and a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, I've got plenty to say," she drawled, her tone dripping with amusement. "How about don't ever try any new and or dangerous jutsu without our supervision."

Naruto blinked, his head whipping toward her. "Wait, what do you mean? You guys left me in the frigging Forest of Death for two years. What did you expect me to do?" he asked, incredulous.

Anko snorted. "We expected you to adapt and overcome, not nearly get yourself killed. Though I've gotta say, your new jutsu…it's impressive. Suicidal, maybe, but impressive."

Naruto's cheeks flushed as he crossed his arms in defiance. "It's not suicidal! I've got it under control."

Anko raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Oh yeah? Is that what you call almost slamming into a tree back there? Because from where I was standing, it looked more like controlled chaos—emphasis on the chaos."

Kakashi chuckled softly, his visible eye crinkling in amusement. "She's got a point, Naruto. Maybe we should start with the basics before we try breaking the sound barrier."

Naruto huffed, his frustration evident. "You guys are supposed to be teaching me, not roasting me!"

"Consider it tough love," Anko quipped, leaning against the tree with a casual shrug. "If you can survive our sarcasm, you can survive anything."

Kakashi eye-smiled again, the crinkle of his visible eye betraying his amusement as he reached out and poked Naruto lightly on the forehead. "We can start your lessons by having you walk us through your usual training process," he said in a tone that was both patient and teasing.

Naruto swatted at Kakashi's hand, scowling. "Geez, sensei, do you always have to do that?"

"It's part of my charm," Kakashi replied smoothly, his voice laced with mock innocence.

Anko snickered from her spot under the tree, arms still crossed. "Oh, this'll be good. Go on, kid, enlighten us. How exactly do you train to become a human lightning rod?"

Naruto shot Anko a glare sharp enough to cut steel, then turned his nose up with an exaggerated huff. Straightening his posture, he dusted off his jacket with a series of deliberate, almost theatrical swipes. "Fine," he declared, his voice thick with mock patience. Puffing out his chest, he stood tall as though daring them to challenge his methods.

"It's not rocket science," he began, tilting his chin upward with a self-satisfied smirk. "I layer the chakra into my muscles and nerves, making them faster, sharper." His hands moved as he spoke, mimicking the flow of chakra through his body, his fingers twitching as though channeling the energy in real time. "It's how I was able to take out your clone so quickly, Kakashi-sensei."

Naruto's gaze flicked to his teacher, his sharp eyes scanning Kakashi's face for any hint of skepticism—or, better yet, admiration. His fingers clenched into fists, and he planted them on his hips, his stance firm and resolute, as if daring Kakashi to poke holes in his explanation.

Kakashi raised a brow, the corner of his eye crinkling in amusement. "Is that so?" he murmured, his tone light but probing.

"Yup," Naruto replied, his tone almost smug. "I'm not saying it's easy, but it's effective. You should've seen the look on your clone's face—it didn't even have time to blink!" He punctuated the statement with a quick jab into the air, his movements sharp and precise, as if reenacting the moment for dramatic effect.

Anko, leaning casually against a tree, let out a snort. "Cute theory, kid, but how do you actually control it? Or do you just cross your fingers and hope you don't blow yourself up?"

Naruto shot her another glare, his cheeks coloring slightly, but he quickly masked his embarrassment by straightening further and jabbing his thumb at his chest. "I don't just hope—it's all about my will and a lot of practice!" He paused, glancing back at Kakashi. "Right, sensei?"

Kakashi tapped his chin, his expression unreadable. "Hmm, instinct, you say? Interesting approach… or reckless. Hard to tell sometimes." His tone was teasing, but his gaze was thoughtful, as if analyzing every detail of Naruto's explanation.

Anko snorted softly, though there was a flicker of interest in her eyes. "You talk about it like it's as easy as a henge," she said, folding her arms across her chest.

Naruto almost smirked but didn't. In truth, it was easy for him. His golden chakra, raw and primal, meshed seamlessly with his Lightning Release, boosting his speed beyond what any average shinobi could achieve. It wasn't just the chakra that fueled him--it was something deeper, older. The energy flowed through his veins with an intensity that made him stronger and faster than anyone else.

Well, to me, it is, Naruto thought smugly, though he kept the thought to himself. Instead, he gave a single nod, maintaining his calm tone. "I've been testing my limits, seeing how far I can push before my body gives out."

Kakashi tilted his head, his sharp gaze softening just a fraction. "And what happens when you push too far? You could shred your muscles--or worse--if your control slips, your chakra would tear through your muscles and nerve fibers with such force that even the most experienced med-nin might not be able to fix what's left of your body. The damage wouldn't just be physical; it could leave permanent scars on your chakra system, making it impossible to use your abilities ever again."

Naruto met his sensei's gaze with unwavering resolve. "That's why I've been training every day since you dumped me in these woods two years ago. I won't let it slip. I can handle it." He put his hands behind his head and looked away. "Probably."

Anko chuckled, though there was no humor in her tone. "Cocky little brat, aren't you?" She stepped closer, jabbing a finger in Naruto's direction. "You might think you've got this figured out, gaki, but the line between mastery and self-destruction is razor-thin. You screw up, and you're toast."

Naruto's grin returned, this time more confident than ever. "Then I guess I'll just have to make sure I don't screw up." He held her gaze for a beat before turning to Kakashi. "What's next, sensei? I'm not done yet."

Kakashi sighed, a mixture of pride and exasperation crossing his features. "What's next? More training, of course. If you're determined to walk this path, then you'll need to learn how to recover--physically and mentally--before your body gives out entirely."

He paused, glancing at Anko, who nodded in agreement. "We'll push you, Naruto, but you need to listen. No shortcuts, no skipping steps. If you want to master this, you need to respect the process."

Naruto clenched his fists, golden sparks igniting once more around him. "I'm ready. Let's do this."

Anko let out a low whistle, her eyes narrowing in thought. "You're not just fast--you're pushing yourself to the point of breaking," she said, her tone a strange mix of admiration and caution. "You've got guts, gaki."

Naruto's face remained unchanged, his tone icy. "It's not guts, Anko-sensei. It's determination." His voice was firm, detached as if he were stating a simple truth. "I'm not relying on the Kyūbi or my father's name. If I'm going to survive, it's going to be because of my strength." His eyes darkened with something colder than defiance. "I can't trust anyone to protect me."

Kakashi's expression tightened, worry clouding his thoughts. These weren't the words of an eager boy trying to prove himself. These were the words of someone who had been hurt. This isn't the same Naruto I knew… something's changed.

Anko studied him for a moment longer, her earlier suspicion giving way to something more cautious. "You've changed, kid. I can see that. But don't think you're done yet. If you've got this kind of speed, we're going to push you harder. Do you want to keep the village's eyes off you? You better be ready."

Naruto's excited gaze met hers, unwavering. "Good. I expect nothing less."

The air between them thickened, tension simmering beneath the surface. Kakashi let out a slow breath, already sensing the shift in their dynamic.

"Alright," the one-eyed Jōnin said, his voice low and steady. "If that's the case, we'll push you to the next level. But don't expect us to go easy."

With a swift motion, Kakashi proved his words true. No sooner had he finished speaking than he made a quick hand sign and effortlessly conjured four more shadow clones, each one springing to life with a puff of smoke, their presence instantly quadrupling the pressure on Naruto.

Naruto's lips curled into a calculated smirk. "I don't want easy."

Without missing a beat, Naruto performed a quick series of hand seals, and called out Raiton: Kage Bunshin (Lightning Release: Shadow Clone).

With a sharp crackle, a shadow clone--identical to the original except for the faint arcs of golden lightning that danced along its form--materialized. The clone moved with deadly fluidity, faster than an average shadow clone, each step punctuated by the crackle of energy that seemed to crackle through the air.

But the true danger lay in its touch. The moment it made contact with an opponent, electricity surged through their body, locking up their muscles and paralyzing their movements. Even the briefest brush of skin could turn the tide of battle, leaving enemies vulnerable and defenseless.

That alone would make it formidable, but the real power revealed itself upon the clone's destruction. When it was dispelled, the resulting explosion of lightning would rip through the battlefield, unleashing a shockwave of energy that would freeze anyone caught in its devastating blast. What had started as a single strike now became a deadly chain reaction, ensuring no opponent could escape unscathed.

Naruto knew the risks and the strain it placed on him--but as he watched the clone move with lethal precision, only one thought filled his mind.

Victory.

Two weeks. It had taken them two grueling, frustrating, and painfully long weeks for the trio to figure out how to make Naruto's use of his golden chakra to enhance his speed second nature.

Each day had been an unrelenting cycle of trial and error, sweat dripping and tempers flaring under the oppressive summer sun. Kakashi's calm but sharp critiques, Anko's biting sarcasm, and Naruto's stubborn determination collided like a storm as they pushed the boundaries of his limits.

The training field had been their battleground--a stretch of uneven terrain littered with jagged rocks, fallen logs, and patches of loose earth that threatened to trip him at every turn. They had designed the course to test every ounce of his agility and stamina, forcing him to thread through trees, vault over obstacles, and sprint across open ground while maintaining absolute focus.

At first, Naruto struggled to summon the golden aura at will, let alone sustain it. The chakra flickered unpredictably, either bursting too strongly and leaving him winded or sputtering out just as he hit his stride. His first attempts at high-speed maneuvers had ended in more crashes than successes--his bruised ribs and scraped elbows bore testament to that.

"Come on, brat!" Anko had shouted one afternoon, her voice carrying across the field like a whip crack. "You're slower than a genin on their first day!"

Naruto had growled in response, the golden hue of his chakra flaring brighter as his frustration mounted. "I'm trying, okay?!" he'd snapped back, narrowly missing a low-hanging branch as he sped forward.

Kakashi, ever the picture of cool indifference, had chimed in from the sidelines. "Less talking, more running. You won't outrun an enemy if you keep tripping over your own feet."

It wasn't until the end of the second week that something finally clicked. Naruto had stopped overthinking, letting his instincts guide him. The golden chakra began to flow smoothly, wrapping around him like a second skin. His movements became fluid, his speed a blur that even Anko and Kakashi had to admit was impressive.

When he finally skidded to a stop after completing the course in record time, his breath came in ragged gasps, but a triumphant grin spread across his face.

"Not bad, kid," Anko had admitted grudgingly, though her arms were crossed, and her tone carried a hint of teasing. "You might actually be worth something now."

Kakashi had given a slight nod of approval. "Good. Now let's see if you can do it under pressure."

Naruto groaned, but the fire in his eyes never wavered. Two weeks of bruises and exhaustion had paid off. His golden chakra was no longer just a tool--it was becoming an extension of himself.

"It's about time," Anko said finally with a snort, leaning casually against a nearby tree. Her arms were folded behind her back, and a smirk tugged at her lips as she watched Naruto land on his feet after another high-speed dash.

"You were starting to make me wonder if all that stamina of yours was just for show," she added, her tone laced with mockery.

Naruto scowled, wiping sweat from his brow as he shot her a glare. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. I'd like to see you do this with chakra that feels like it's trying to set your veins on fire!"

"Excuses, excuses," she quipped, waving him off with a dismissive flick of her wrist. "If you've got time to whine, you've got time to run it again."

Naruto scowled, wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. His golden chakra flickered faintly around him, still unstable after the last run. He bent over, hands on his knees, catching his breath as the muscles in his legs burned in protest.

"Again?" he panted, glaring at Anko. "I just did the whole course in under a minute!"

Anko just grinned, her smirk as sharp as a kunai. "And? That's supposed to impress me?" she said, tilting her head mockingly. "Enemies won't be handing you a stopwatch, gaki. You don't stop until it's perfect--or until you drop. Whichever comes first."

Naruto gritted his teeth, muttering something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like "crazy snake lady."

Kakashi, perched lazily on a nearby branch, lowered his book just enough to glance at the boy. "Enough," he interjected, his voice calm yet firm as he flipped a page of his ever-present book. He stood a few feet away, his single visible eye lazily tracking Naruto's progress. "He's improving. Let's not push him into the ground before he actually gets the hang of it."

Anko rolled her eyes but didn't argue, while Naruto grumbled under his breath, knowing he'd never hear the end of it if he slowed down now.

Kakashi rolled his tired shoulders and glanced at the setting sun, its golden rays spilling across the treetops like molten fire. "Let's head home and grab a quick dinner," he said, tucking his book into the pouch at his side.

Naruto, still catching his breath, blinked in surprise. "Wait, you're not making me run it again?" he asked, his tired voice hopeful."

Kakashi gave him a sidelong glance, his tone teasing as he replied, "What? Disappointed? I could reconsider."

"Nope! I'm good!" Naruto quickly waved his hands, eager to take the reprieve.

Anko snorted, pushing off the tree and stretching her arms above her head. "Finally, something sensible out of you. I'm starving."

Naruto perked up, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Can we get ramen?"

"Of course you'd say that," Anko said with a smirk, ruffling his hair as she walked past him.

Kakashi sighed dramatically. "If you two behave, maybe. Let's move before the kid passes out or Anko starts gnawing at her wrists."

Anko muttered something decidedly unladylike, her words just audible enough for Kakashi to catch, prompting a knowing smirk to tug at the corner of his lips. Without sparing them another glance, she spun on her heel.

"Try to keep up, slowpokes," she called over her shoulder before leaping into the trees, her figure quickly vanishing into the canopy.

Naruto stared after her, wide-eyed. "Did she just say—?"

"She did," Kakashi interrupted, his tone as dry as ever. "Best not to repeat it unless you want her to use you as target practice."

Naruto gulped, nodding fervently. "Noted."

Kakashi chuckled, gesturing toward the trees. "Come on, kid. She's not waiting for us, and I'd rather not deal with her wrath if we're late for dinner."

With a reluctant sigh, Naruto followed, sprinting after Kakashi as they disappeared into the forest.

Home and with a full belly, Naruto leaned back in his chair, letting out a contented sigh. The warmth of the simple meal settled in his stomach, a rare moment of calm washing over him. He glanced at Kakashi, his curiosity piqued. "So, what's been happening since I've been gone?"

"Nothing much, really," Kakashi replied, his tone as casual as ever, leaning back in his seat with an air of practiced ease. His single visible eye remained half-lidded, giving little away as he reached for his drink, the amber liquid reflecting the warm hues of the setting sun that spilled through the window. The shadows stretched long and thin across the room, dappling the wooden floor with a shifting, golden glow.

"Though," he continued, after a deliberate pause, his voice now tinged with a note of faint curiosity, "a delegation from Kumogakure is set to arrive in the village tomorrow." He took a sip, the moment drawn out as he let the words hang in the air, the faint clink of his glass on the table breaking the silence.

Naruto's brows scrunched together as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Kumo?" he repeated, trying to make sense of it. His voice was full of curiosity, but there was a hint of suspicion, too. "What do they want now?"

Kakashi set his cup down with a quiet clink, the sound making Naruto glance at it before looking back at him. "Negotiations," Kakashi said, like it wasn't a big deal, but Naruto caught the way his voice dipped, just a little. "They're here to talk about trade and signing a mutual defense pact. The Raikage's been sending a lot of people out since the war ended, trying to make everyone play nice."

Naruto tilted his head, frowning a little. "So… they're being friendly? But, like, for real or just pretending?" His fingers drummed lightly on the table as he thought about it. "I mean, Kumo always acts tough, right? Why would they need to team up with us?"

Kakashi's visible eye crinkled slightly, like he was impressed. "Good question, kid," he said, leaning back a bit. "When it comes to Kumo, there's always a little more happening than what they say out loud. Just something to keep in mind."

Naruto nodded, a small frown still tugging at his lips. Even though he didn't know all the details, something about it didn't sit right. Grown-ups always had these big plans, and they usually didn't tell the whole story. But he'd figure it out. He always did.

Anko, perched lazily against the windowsill, snorted and crossed her arms. "Yeah, and by 'negotiations,' they probably mean scoping us out to see if we've got any weaknesses," she said bluntly. "Kumo's always been opportunistic like that. Bet they're sending some smooth-talking shinobi to butter us up while they look for leverage."

Kakashi chuckled softly, his voice laced with sarcasm. "You really have a way of seeing the bright side, don't you?"

Naruto glanced between the two, his lips curving into a thoughtful frown. "Do you think they'll try anything… shady?" he asked, his tone more serious now. "Doubt it," Kakashi said with a shrug. "At least not openly. Kumo's been playing nice ever since the end of the last war. Still, it doesn't hurt to keep an eye out."

Naruto nodded, his mind already racing with questions. A part of him couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this visit than just diplomacy.

The dim alley was a maze of shadows, the faint glow of a distant streetlamp barely reaching its grimy corners. The air was heavy with the stench of damp stone and rotting refuse, muffling the faint murmur of activity from the main streets.

"So, is everything ready for tomorrow?" came a low, gravelly voice. The speaker stood cloaked in the deepest shadows, his form blending seamlessly into the dark. Only the faint gleam of his eyes betrayed his presence, piercing through the gloom like twin daggers.

"Yes, Danzo-sama," replied another figure, kneeling before him. The faint glint of metal reflected off the blank, expressionless mask that concealed his face. His voice was devoid of inflection, cold and detached, as though he were reciting an order rather than answering a question.

The cloaked man was silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the masked figure as if measuring the weight of his words. Then, with a faint rustle of fabric, he shifted. "Good," he murmured, his tone carrying a quiet menace.

A gust of wind stirred the damp air where he had stood, the sudden movement sending a stray piece of parchment skittering across the cobblestones. The masked man did not flinch or move to rise; his head bowed as if still awaiting further orders. The alley returned to silence, save for the faint dripping of water from a cracked gutter overhead.

"The fool," muttered Danzo as he stepped out from the shadows, his tone laced with disdain. "To think those dogs believe they could succeed without my subtle assistance."

Discovering the delegation's plans had been child's play. Their conversations, though cloaked in formality and riddled with carefully chosen words, revealed more than they realized to someone trained to see beneath the underneath. Informants planted among their ranks whispered the details to him, and Root's surveillance ensured that no private meeting or confidential correspondence went unnoticed.

Subtly manipulating their circumstances so that the plan they finally settled on matched Danzo's needs was even easier. A suggestion whispered here, a planted rumor there—each thread was woven so delicately that the delegation believed the ideas were their own.

By the time the scheme was finalized, every detail had been shaped to serve Danzo's agenda, leaving the delegation none the wiser. They thought themselves cunning strategists, unaware they were pawns in a much larger game.

Exploiting the preconceptions of those who believed they ruled was one of Root's specialties. Whether it was through subtle manipulation of public opinion, the careful planting of misinformation, or the strategic use of their operatives to sway critical decisions, Root operated in the shadows with ruthless precision. They excelled at reading their targets—prideful council members, ambitious daimyo, or even naive civilians—and using their hubris against them.

This mastery of manipulation wasn't simply about strategy—it was a reflection of Danzo Shimura's ideology. For Danzo, the head of Root, exploiting these blind spots wasn't just a tactic—it was an art form, one perfected to ensure the power behind the throne always remained under his control.

The dim light from a distant lantern barely illuminated his weathered face, casting sharp, angular shadows across his features. His single visible eye glinted with a cold intensity that matched his voice. "With and without Root's assistance, what were their chances of success?" Danzo Shimura asked, his tone calm but laced with an unmistakable undercurrent of calculation. Every word hung heavy in the stifling silence of the alleyway.

The kneeling Root-nin, clad in dark, featureless armor, remained perfectly still. Not a twitch betrayed any hint of humanity beneath the mask. When he finally answered, his voice was flat and devoid of emotion, as though the response were no more than a line from a report. "If we had not tipped off the target, their probability of success would range between thirty and sixty percent."

Danzo frowned. "Why would there be such a large variance?"

The Root-nin reached into his vest and pulled out a sealed scroll. "On this scroll is a detailed description of the jutsu the shinobi plans on using."

Danzo took the scroll, unsealed it, and quickly read through the contents. "Continue," he said, his eyes still on the document.

"Yes, Danzo-sama. The variance is due to the Root's ignorance as it pertains to how successful the Hyūga's Dojutsu will be against this previously unknown jutsu."

The Root-nin paused, waiting for his master's response. When none came, he continued with the previous line of inquiry. "With our intervention, their probability of success has risen to ninety-eight percent.

Danzo's lips pressed into a thin line as he finally rolled up the scroll. The faintest shadow of a frown flickered across his face. "And the probability of complications? Political fallout? Exposure?"

The Root operative paused for the briefest of moments as though calculating. "Minimal, if executed as planned. There is a less than five percent chance of exposure. Any political fallout can be easily manipulated and thus managed."

Danzo's fingers tapped softly against the worn wood of his armrest, his thoughts turning like the gears of a well-oiled machine. "And the delegation—do they suspect anything?"

"Unlikely," the operative replied, still unmoving. "We have controlled the flow of information. Their decisions have followed the trajectory you set."

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Danzo's lips. It was not a smile born of humor but of satisfaction. "Good. People often believe their choices are their own when, in truth, they follow the path laid out before them. Regardless of the ultimate outcome, ensure the target is neutralized, but do so with precision. The fewer questions asked, the better."

The operative bowed his head low. "As you command, Danzo-sama."

As the Root-nin melted into the shadows, Danzo leaned back in his chair, the lantern light barely catching his grim expression. "Control the unseen," he murmured to himself. "And you control the world."

Danzo's one visible eye narrowed as he scratched his chin in thought, the rough scrape of his calloused fingers audible in the otherwise silent alley. His lips twisted into a faint, humorless smile. "Hmm," he mused, the faint echo of amusement in his voice barely concealing his contempt. "Though it is unfortunate to expend such a valuable pawn at this time, sacrifices must be made to ultimately accomplish what needs to be done."

Danzo's lone visible eye took on a fanatical gleam. "Whether the mission succeeds or fails, it matters not. Regardless of the outcome, the Roots of Konoha will always thrive."

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken intent, as he turned on his heel and disappeared back into the darkness, his cloak swirling briefly before vanishing into the night.

After Danzo disappeared into the shadows, the Root-nin rose silently to his feet. His head tilted slightly as though considering the weight of Danzo's words. With the precision of a ghost, he vanished into the darkness as well, leaving no trace of his presence.

The alley, now empty, seemed as if no one had ever been there. The silence that followed was deafening, the air thick with a lingering unease, as if the darkness itself carried the echo of sinister plans.