Chapter 9: Poisoned Words

Vergil strode through the Hokage Tower, his expression unreadable. The summons had come earlier in the day, delivered by an ANBU operative. He had expected it, after all, he had shaken the village's demon brat.

He arrived at the Hokage's office, the guards outside eyeing him with wary interest. Without a word, he stepped forward, pushing open the doors.

Inside, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, his usual pipe resting in a small tray beside him. Smoke lingered in the air, curling toward the ceiling in lazy swirls. His expression was calm but measured.

Vergil closed the door behind him and exhaled sharply. "I assume this is about Naruto."

Hiruzen nodded. "You assume correctly."

Vergil stepped forward, his hands behind his back. His stance was relaxed, but his presence carried weight. "I see"

The Hokage observed him closely. "Naruto is still young. Impressionable. He may be reckless, but he is a good-hearted boy. He does not need someone filling his head with doubt and anger."

Vergil scoffed. "Doubt?" He tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering across his features. "I simply told him the truth. If that plants doubt in his heart, then perhaps he already knows it to be true."

Hiruzen's gaze hardened. "You are trying to poison Naruto against the village."

Vergil let out a slow, amused breath. "Poison?" He stepped closer, his sharp blue eyes locking onto the Hokage's. "No, old man. I am merely offering him an antidote."

The room fell into a tense silence.

Hiruzen studied the young swordsman carefully. Vergil Sparda was an enigma.His origins were nonexistent, his skills were exceptional, and his knowledge of certain matters, including Naruto's parentage, was unsettling.

He tapped his fingers against the desk. "And what, exactly, do you gain from this?"

Vergil turned slightly, glancing out the nearby window. "Nothing." His voice was cool, detached. "I gain nothing from a boy finding his self-worth." He glanced back at Hiruzen. "But that doesn't mean I will stand by and watch him degrade himself for a place among those who have no respect for him."

The Hokage sighed. "You see Naruto's determination as degradation?"

Vergil's lips curled into a faint smirk. "I see a fool running in circles, begging for scraps of approval. That isn't determination, it's desperation."

Hiruzen inhaled deeply, choosing his next words carefully. "You may not realize this, but Naruto has endured more than you know. Despite that, he still smiles. Still presses forward. That strength"

"Is wasted," Vergil interrupted.

Hiruzen's brows furrowed.

Vergil continued. "Strength should not be spent chasing ghosts. If the villagers truly cared, they would have done so long before now. And yet, he still clings to them, as if their acceptance will validate his existence." He shook his head. "Pathetic."

Hiruzen exhaled. "He seeks not just their acceptance, but to change them. To change their hatred into understanding."

Vergil's smirk faded. "And what has he achieved?"

Hiruzen was silent.

Vergil chuckled, shaking his head. "Exactly."

The Hokage leaned forward slightly. "And what would you have him do? Become bitter? Resentful? Would you have him push everyone away?"

Vergil narrowed his eyes. "I would have him stand tall. To forge his own path without bending to the whims of those who scorn him."

Hiruzen tapped his fingers against his desk again, deep in thought. This boy, no, this man, was dangerous. Not in the way Orochimaru had been, nor in the way Danzo's ambitions had threatened Konoha.

No, Vergil was dangerous because he made sense.

Hiruzen could not deny that Naruto had suffered unjustly. Could not deny that the boy did crave validation, even from those who hurt him. And yet…

"Naruto is different from you," Hiruzen said at last. "His heart is not cold. He does not believe in walking alone."

Vergil scoffed. "Then he is a fool. He will learn, one way or another, that solitude is the only true freedom."

Hiruzen sighed. He could tell there was no changing Vergil's view, not now, perhaps not ever.

But he also knew that Naruto was not so easily swayed.

"You may speak your mind, Vergil, but know this, Naruto will not fall so easily to your words. He has a will stronger than you think."

Vergil turned toward the door. "We'll see."

And with that, he left, the door closing behind him with a quiet click.

--

Aftermath

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.

Vergil Sparda.

He had been a ghost in the village for months now, an anomaly with no past, no records, and no allegiances. He was not bound to Konoha, yet he remained.

And now… he had set his sights on Naruto, challenging everything the boy believed in.

The Hokage took a deep breath and exhaled.

"Naruto… you must be careful around that one."

For Vergil was not a mere swordsman.

He was a storm waiting to break.

Chapter 10: Glances and Deathly Stares

Ichiraku Ramen

The scent of freshly made broth and sizzling pork filled the air as Vergil sat at the counter of Ichiraku Ramen, his usual reserved demeanor absent for once. Instead, he leaned slightly forward, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he engaged Ayame in conversation.

"And here I thought Konoha's greatest treasure was its shinobi," Vergil mused, his tone smooth. "Yet it seems the true gem of this village stands before me, serving ramen."

Ayame giggled, lightly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Flattery, huh? I thought you were more of the stoic, mysterious type, Vergil-san."

Vergil gave a slight chuckle. "I have my moments."

Teuchi, glanced at the scene with mild amusement. He had seen many men try to woo his daughter, but Vergil? He was different. There was something both refined and dangerous about him, and judging by the slight blush on Ayame's cheeks, she wasn't entirely immune to his charm.

The moment was interrupted by the arrival of Naruto, his footsteps loud as he approached the stand. Upon spotting Vergil, his expression immediately soured, his bright blue eyes narrowing.

Vergil barely spared him a glance before casually saying, "Hello to you too, Naruto." His tone was civil, yet laced with an underlying amusement, as if he found Naruto's hostility entertaining.

Naruto crossed his arms. "What are you doing here?"

Vergil raised a brow. "Eating." He then took a slow sip of his tea, unbothered by the younger boy's glare. "Unless, of course, you believe I need permission to enjoy a meal."

Ayame sighed, sensing the tension. "Come on, Naruto. No need to start something in here."

Naruto huffed but took a seat a few stools away. Teuchi handed him a fresh bowl of ramen, hoping to defuse the situation with food.

"Don't cause trouble, Naruto," Teuchi

Vergil, resting his chin on his hand, observed Naruto for a moment before speaking again. "You glare at me, yet I've done nothing to you. Tell me, do you always despise those who speak truths you refuse to acknowledge?"

Naruto gritted his teeth but said nothing, focusing on his food instead.

Vergil smirked. "Good. At least you know when to hold your tongue."

The air between them remained thick with unspoken tension, but for now, there was a fragile peace.

--

The bar was filled with the quiet hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the occasional burst of laughter from a table of off-duty shinobi. In one particular booth, a group of elite jonin gathered, sharing drinks and discussing recent events.

Kakashi Hatake, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, Anko Mitarashi, Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Aoba Yamashiro were seated together, their conversation revolving around their new teams.

"So, you actually passed a team this time, Kakashi?" Asuma teased, taking a sip of his drink. "Didn't think that day would come."

Kakashi gave a lazy shrug. "They showed promise."

Kurenai smiled. "It seems like they must be special. I heard about that test of yours."

Might Guy, ever enthusiastic, slammed his fist onto the table. "My team is undoubtedly the best! They've already trained under me for a year, so their flames of youth burn brighter than any other!"

Asuma rolled his eyes. "That's not fair, Guy. They had a head start."

"Exactly!" Guy grinned. "Which is why they shall dominate this new generation!"

The conversation shifted as Anko leaned back in her seat. "Speaking of interesting cases… what do you all think about that 'Vergil Sparda' guy?"

Kakashi immediately stiffened at the name. "Stay away from him."

Anko raised a brow, intrigued by his serious tone. "That makes me want to meet him even more."

Genma smirked. "He's a ghost. No records, no past, yet his skills are unreal. I've heard plenty of rumors, but I wouldn't have believed half of them if I hadn't seen the way the ANBU talk about him."

Aoba nodded. "He's dangerous, no doubt about it."

Just then, as if conjured by their very words, Vergil stepped into the bar.

Dressed in his signature blue coat, his silver hair practically glowing under the lights, he moved with a grace that drew attention without effort. He approached the counter, his posture relaxed yet undeniably commanding.

Genma subtly pointed toward him. "Speak of the devil."

All eyes at the booth turned to Vergil, some with curiosity, others with caution.

The bartender greeted him, and Vergil ordered a bottle of sake and some food, to go.

Anko, never one to back down from intrigue, pushed herself up from her seat and sauntered over. "Well, well, if it isn't Konoha's mysterious swordsman."

Vergil turned his head slightly, his cold blue eyes meeting hers. Then, surprisingly, he offered a charming smile. "And here I thought all of Konoha's beauties had already made themselves known to me."

Anko chuckled. "Flattery? You trying to get on my good side?"

"Perhaps," Vergil said smoothly. "Or maybe I just appreciate a woman with a bit of bite."

Anko grinned. "Careful, I bite back."

Their conversation was light, teasing, but as she gestured toward her table, inviting him to join them, something shifted.

Vergil's gaze shifted to the jonin, and his eyes flared. an eerie blue glow. A wave of killing intent crashed over the table, primal and suffocating. Visions flickered: Kakashi impaled by Yamato, Kurenai's illusions shattering, Guy's gates crushed under blue fire, Asuma choking on spectral blades.

Guy clenched his fists, sweat beading. "Such… intensity."

Kurenai gasped softly, her genjutsu instincts screaming. Anko turned, seeing her friends' pale faces, Kakashi rigid, Genma's senbon still. What the hell?

Vergil's eyes dimmed, smirk unshaken. "Maybe some other time." He grabbed his order and left, the door swinging shut behind him.

Anko wondered what he did to her friends. She returned to the booth.

Genma exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Kakashi… I think you're right. That kid is dangerous."

Kakashi simply took a deep breath and nodded.

Vergil Sparda wasn't just dangerous, he was something else entirely.

And Konoha was just beginning to understand that.