Seeing the two still trying to escape, Shinju immediately unleashed Wood Release: Wood Dragon Jutsu!
A massive dragon surged forth, chasing right after Kisame and Itachi!
At the critical moment, Kisame spun around, clapping his hands together.
"Water Release: Great Shark Bullet Jutsu!"
A massive water shark rose from the torrent, charging straight toward the wooden dragon in the sky!
After the shark bullet clashed against it, the wooden dragon's speed slowed noticeably.
Seizing the chance, Uchiha Itachi's Sharingan spun within his eyes.
"Amaterasu!"
Whoosh!
Black flames erupted across the body of the emerald wooden dragon!
The unholy black fire spread relentlessly, as if it could never be extinguished, consuming the wooden dragon entirely!
Shinju, unwilling to let it end like this, leapt up to pursue them. But from the ground, Kakashi's weak voice called out to stop him.
"Don't chase! The Akatsuki are extremely secretive—we don't know if reinforcements are waiting."
"If we charge in recklessly, we could walk right into a trap."
After finishing those words, Kakashi, mentally exhausted, closed his eyes and collapsed unconscious.
Only then did Shinju halt his pursuit.
Afterward, Guy carried Kakashi off to the hospital.
Shinju, meanwhile, used Flying Thunder God to teleport straight back home.
...
As he stepped inside, Shinju instantly sensed something—Naruto wasn't the only chakra signature in the house!
Shinju had memorized nearly everyone's chakra in Konoha, but the one next to Naruto was completely unfamiliar!
An intruder?!
An assassin?!
Shinju tensed, kunai reversed in his grip, carefully probing the aura.
He quickly confirmed that this unknown chakra was extremely close to Naruto.
In an instant, Shinju devised a plan.
Earlier, he had placed a Flying Thunder God marker on Naruto's clothes.
He could use it to instantly teleport right beside Naruto and strike first.
And even if the sneak attack failed, he could grab Naruto and escape with Flying Thunder God.
No hesitation.
Shinju activated the technique and flashed into Naruto's room!
Looking down, he saw Naruto lying in deep sleep—clearly drugged with some kind of sedative.
Without a moment's pause, Shinju thrust his kunai toward the masked figure at Naruto's side!
Clang!
The masked man raised his arm, blocking the stab as if he had expected it all along. At the same time, he hurriedly explained:
"Don't misunderstand—I'm not here to assassinate you!"
Because of his past mistake with Yamato, Shinju wasn't so rash this time.
He didn't strike again immediately. Instead, he let the masked man finish his words.
Seeing Shinju pause, the masked ninja continued:
"I am a member of Konoha's 'Root' organization."
"Root is technically under the ANBU, but it's also an independent unit."
"You could say that Root missions are often even harder than ANBU's. The shinobi of Root choose to bury themselves in the darkness, sacrificing for the light of the village."
Shinju frowned.
"So you've said all this—for what reason exactly?"
"I want you to join Root," the masked ninja said fervently. "Join us, and fight for the bright future of the village."
Shinju didn't even need to think. He shook his head firmly.
"I'm not going."
He had no desire to join ANBU, let alone something darker and more dangerous like Root.
As someone who had crossed into this world, Shinju felt some connection to Konoha—but only to a point.
Certainly not enough to sacrifice himself for its so-called light.
"You're sure?" the masked ninja pressed.
Danzo-sama had ordered him to bring this boy into Root no matter what.
With talent like his, Shinju was destined to rise—very likely to become Hokage one day.
If Root couldn't control such a genius, then the only alternative would be...
"I'm sure. I won't join any organization in Konoha," Shinju said with conviction.
"You don't have to answer immediately," the masked man replied. "Think on it carefully. I'll come back in three days. You can give me your decision then."
"And one more thing—you cannot tell anyone about this meeting tonight."
"Root exists in Konoha's darkness, hidden from all. Even if you don't join, you must not expose us."
There was a note of helplessness in his voice.
After speaking, his body flickered and vanished.
Shinju stood with a strange look on his face. Three days? He wouldn't join Root even if they gave him three years.
...
Land of Fire, Konohagakure.
Root Headquarters.
Shimura Danzo, one hand wrapped in bandages, leaned on his cane-like katana as he waited for his subordinate's report.
Soon, the masked ninja returned, kneeling respectfully before him.
"Well? Did the boy show any interest in joining?"
Danzo's eyes narrowed.
Though already in his sixties, the cold gleam in his gaze made the masked man shudder.
"Shinju refused outright. I told him what you said—that he had three days—but I doubt his answer will change."
"I see... Just as I expected," Danzo said darkly. "Hiruzen raised him. He's never seen true darkness. Naive to the core."
His katana tapped against the ground with a dull, heavy sound.
"A pity... Konoha finally births a super genius, and yet..."
"What should we do now?" the masked man asked cautiously.
Danzo paused in silence, then replied:
"Give him two more days. Perhaps he'll make the right choice."
The masked ninja nodded, then added,
"By the way, leader—today some of our members saw the Third Hokage meeting with Jiraiya. They were discussing... the choice for the Fifth Hokage."
Danzo scoffed.
"Jiraiya agreed to take it? Hard to believe. That man is too free-spirited for such a responsibility."
The subordinate shook his head.
"No, but he recommended another candidate—Tsunade."
Danzo's eyes flashed in surprise.
"Tsunade... The First Hokage's granddaughter. Unexpected. And Hiruzen—he agreed to let that girl inherit the mantle?"
His expression chilled, katana reflecting a cold light.
"From the looks of it, yes. Jiraiya will soon set out to find Princess Tsunade."
Thud!
Danzo stabbed his blade straight into the ground.
"Hiruzen... You grow more foolish with age!"
...
The next day.
Jiraiya came to Kakashi, saying he planned to take Naruto and Shinju for training.
Kakashi, still bedridden from the aftereffects of Tsukuyomi, asked weakly:
"Those two brats... They won't interfere with your writing, will they?"
Jiraiya shook his head.
"Of course not. If anything, they might even help inspire my writing."
"That kid Shinju has ideas—and quite the talent with words. Honestly, if not for his lack of life experience, his literary skills already surpass mine... I really don't know where he picked it up."
"Give him time. If he chooses the literary path, his achievements will surely surpass mine one day."