Chapter 28: This wasn't a Mission
The dim glow of ROOT headquarters' lanterns cast flickering shadows as Renji followed Cat Mask, his eyes catching the oddity of her attire. Instead of her usual ROOT uniform, she wore a simple, flowing long dress that swayed with each step. Were it not for the faint, chilling undercurrent of killing intent that clung to her, she could've blended into Konoha's bustling streets as an ordinary woman. She extended a hand toward Renji, her face unreadable.
Renji, bewildered, took her hand, his mind racing with questions. What's her game? The uncertainty gnawed at him as they walked through the cool night air. It wasn't until they reached the barbecue restaurant, its warm light spilling onto the street, that the strangeness of the situation sank in.
The restaurant thrummed with energy, the smoky scent of grilling meat mingling with the lively chatter of jōnin unwinding after missions. Cat Mask led Renji to a quiet corner, away from the raucous crowd. She grilled slice after slice of meat for him, her movements precise yet oddly careful, while barely touching her own plate. Renji ate heartily, the rich, savory flavors a stark contrast to ROOT's sterile halls, but his thoughts churned. What's she playing at?
When he was full, Cat Mask paid the bill without a word and escorted him back to ROOT. Renji's mind buzzed, a faint suspicion forming—an improbable possibility he couldn't pin down. As they reached his room, she paused, her voice soft but clear. "Good luck with tomorrow's match."
The door closed, leaving Renji alone, his expression unreadable. A flicker of curiosity stirred—What's her angle?—but he buried it beneath his practiced facade of innocence, his lips curling into a faint, calculated smile.
As Cat Mask slipped her mask back on, Dog Mask appeared, his voice low and sharp. "Lord Danzō summons you."
He led the way through ROOT's silent corridors, the air thick with tension. "Why did you do something unnecessary?" he asked, his tone laced with irritation.
Cat Mask walked behind him, her voice reverting to its cold, ruthless edge. "I did it because I wanted to."
Dog Mask fell silent, his masked face betraying nothing. They reached Danzō's chamber and knelt on one knee in unison.
"Lord Danzō!" they said, their voices steady despite the weight of his presence.
Danzō didn't acknowledge them immediately, his single eye studying them from his chair. "Cat Mask," he said at last, his voice low and deliberate, "how old are you this year?"
"Thirty years old," Cat Mask replied respectfully, her posture rigid.
Danzō's gaze shifted slightly. "You've reached the age to marry and have children. So has Dog Mask."
Cat Mask and Dog Mask spoke as one, their voices firm. "We wish to serve Lord Danzō our entire lives!"
Danzō remained silent, his stillness heavier than any rebuke. Dog Mask's heart churned with unease, but Cat Mask was eerily calm, as if she'd already accepted whatever might come. She'd known the risks when she took Renji to the restaurant.
"Why did you want to take Renji to eat barbecue?" Danzō asked, his tone cutting. "This wasn't a mission."
Cat Mask's voice was steady, almost gentle. "It's important to celebrate before a major event. Renji is just a child, so I wanted to celebrate with him."
Dog Mask's gaze flicked to her, surprise hidden behind his mask. Five years as her partner, and he'd known her as the epitome of icy precision. Yet here she was, acting on impulse—a side he'd never glimpsed.
Danzō's face remained unreadable. "You may go."
Dog Mask froze, stunned. This isn't Lord Danzō's style. But he rose with Cat Mask, retreating from the chamber. As they left, his confusion spilled out. "What's wrong with Lord Danzō?"
Cat Mask walked past him silently, her steps measured. Dog Mask caught up, pressing further. "Do you know something?"
She stopped, turning slightly. "How old are you this year?"
Dog Mask blinked, thrown by the question. "Twenty," he answered, puzzled by its relevance.
"When you marry, have children, or grow older, you'll understand," she said, her voice quiet but firm.
Dog Mask stood dumbfounded. Marry? Children? His life belonged to ROOT, to Lord Danzō's cause. What did any of this have to do with her actions?
...
Morning light bathed Konoha in a golden glow as Renji stepped into Danzō's chamber, surprised to see the old man awake at this hour. He'd always pictured Danzō as a creature of the night, thriving in shadows. Danzō sat in his chair, his back ramrod straight, exuding unyielding authority. Always so proper, Renji thought, stifling a smirk.
"Are you nervous?" Danzō asked, his voice unexpectedly soft, catching Renji off guard.
Renji blinked. Nervous? From Danzō? The question felt out of place, but he seized the opportunity, his voice steady and earnest. "Not nervous." Before Danzō could ask anything more unsettling, Renji pressed on, his tone thick with calculated loyalty. "I am a member of ROOT, trained by… Father. I will absolutely not disgrace ROOT and Father."
The word "Father" slipped out, and Renji lowered his head, feigning awkwardness. Inside, his cynicism kicked in—Ugh, I'm gonna puke—but his facade held firm.
Danzō's stern gaze softened, his furrowed brow easing slightly. Renji is right. He won't disgrace me. As Renji's figure retreated, Danzō's expression betrayed a rare flicker of approval.
Renji strode toward the Chunin Exams venue, the streets alive with the clatter of ox-drawn carriages and palanquins carrying nobles and daimyō. Halfway there, he spotted Shikamaru, slouching with his usual air of disinterest. They fell into step together, heading toward the arena.
"Man, what a drag," Shikamaru muttered, his face etched with exasperation. "I don't even know why I'm stuck in this mess."
Renji grinned, his tone light but teasing. "Of course, it's because you're excellent."
Shikamaru's lazy demeanor was a masterclass in deception, his sharp mind hidden behind a facade of apathy. Compared to Sasuke or Gaara, his effortless charm drew people in without trying. Renji admired it, his own twisted amusement flickering beneath his smile.
Shikamaru scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, right. You say that to everyone, don't you?"
"Of course not," Renji shot back, his grin widening. "Only Shikamaru's unmotivated, so I only say this to Shikamaru."
Shikamaru paused, then sighed. "…"
The arena loomed ahead, packed with spectators, their cheers a deafening roar. Renji's nerves twitched—Like a Roman gladiatorial pit. A dark thought crept in, his Mahito-like curiosity stirring. What if I kneaded all their souls together? He buried it beneath his cheerful mask, focusing on the scene.
Neji, Gaara, Shino, and others were already there, but Naruto and Sasuke were absent. Gaara's gaze locked onto Renji, his eyes burning with raw malice.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +500!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +500!]
[Chakra (54,630 / 100,000,000)]
Shikamaru nudged Renji's arm, his voice low. "Hey, did you offend that genin from Sunagakure?"
Gaara's killing intent was thick, almost tangible. Renji nodded casually. "I beat him up before the match."
Shikamaru stared, speechless. He'd meant to warn Renji about Gaara, but… Guess Gaara's the one in trouble. He shook his head, muttering, "What a drag."
Shiranui Genma, the referee, stood before them, a senbon dangling from his mouth. He glanced at the time, then at Renji. "When will Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke arrive?"
Renji shook his head. "I don't know, but if they're late, could you postpone their match?"
Genma sighed, irritation flashing across his face. "That's not something I can decide," he said, meeting Renji's sincere gaze.
Before Renji could respond, Naruto crashed into the venue face-first, a disheveled mess. Renji blinked, biting back a laugh. Naruto scrambled up, sprinting to Renji's side. "Renji! There's an ox! An ox broke in, dattebayo!"
Shikamaru groaned. "Idiot, how's an ox getting past the chūnin guards out there?"
Naruto glanced at the entrance, seeing the oxen stopped, and exhaled in relief. He shoved Shikamaru aside to stand next to Renji. Shikamaru stumbled, shooting him a glare. This idiot…
Renji's gaze swept the roaring crowd, his mind briefly wandering to darker musings. So many souls… what could I do with them? He snapped back, his smile bright and innocent.
"Why hasn't Uchiha Sasuke shown up yet?" Genma muttered, frowning as the match time began.
Renji spoke up, his voice calm but persuasive. "The match of the last Uchiha is why most of these people bought tickets. If Sasuke's late, just push his match to the end. A grand finale won't disappoint the crowd."
Genma nodded reluctantly, seeing the logic. His eyes flicked to the northern platform, where the Hokage and the Kazekage—Orochimaru in disguise—sat in prominence.
Noticing Naruto whispering to Renji, Genma cleared his throat. "You're the protagonists of this match. Act like it."
Naruto stopped muttering about Sasuke, standing straighter. Renji's smile widened, his facade flawless.
The Hokage's voice boomed across the arena, amplified by chakra. "Thank you, esteemed guests, for your presence! I am Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage of Konoha! Now, I declare the third stage of the Chunin Exams officially open!"
The crowd erupted, their cheers shaking the ground, the air crackling with anticipation.
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100 Stones = +1 Chapter
200 Stones = +2 Chapters
300 Stones = +3 Chapters
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