Not far away, in the shadows of a narrow side street, two figures stood concealed.
They wore sleeveless, tight-fitting combat uniforms, arms exposed, and masks etched with strange patterns.
"Is it really necessary?" one of them muttered quietly.
"He's just a kid who just entered the Academy. Yet Lord Ryōma mobilized so many of us."
"We three from Root are qualified for S-rank missions."
The other figure replied coldly.
"Lord Ryōma represents Danzō-sama's will."
"He is Danzō-sama's voice within Root."
"As Root shinobi, we obey orders. Nothing more."
He paused.
"And that child is the village's Jinchūriki."
"The same Nine-Tails that destroyed Konoha resides inside him."
The first figure fell silent for a moment.
"A Jinchūriki… even so, he's still a child."
"No matter how gifted he is, he cannot compare to those two Uchiha."
"Even the ones personally approved by the Third Hokage to enter ANBU."
"At this age, they wouldn't be a match for Musho."
The second man stiffened slightly.
The Uchiha.
He had sparred once with Uchiha Itachi.
Graduated at seven.
Scarlet Sharingan spinning calmly.
Even as an elite Root operative, he had barely been able to stand.
Fear had seized him.
Geniuses were common in Root.
But among the Uchiha—
Genius was merely the starting point.
Still—
He glanced at the blond boy being led away.
This was just a child.
Not every Jinchūriki could wield a Tailed Beast's power.
The advantage… should be theirs.
The Shortcut
"Iruka-sensei needs you, Naruto."
"Something urgent."
"Chōji" wiped sweat from his forehead.
"This way! It's faster!"
They turned down a dim, deserted street.
Naruto watched him quietly.
His eyes sharpened slightly.
Inner World
Darkness.
Water dripping.
Naruto stood ankle-deep in shallow water.
Across the enormous iron bars, Kurama lazily lifted his massive head.
"Nine-Tails," Naruto asked calmly, "he's not really Chōji, is he?"
Kurama's lips curled.
"You don't even know how to ask properly."
"That's no way to request my help."
Naruto sighed.
Ever since they had spoken honestly, Kurama was no longer purely hostile—
But he was still difficult.
"Nine-Tails," Naruto said casually, leaning against the bars,
"You warned me first."
"Are you worried something might happen to me?"
Kurama's tail slammed the water violently.
"Don't spout nonsense, brat!"
"Why would I care about a fragile human?"
Waves surged.
Red chakra flickered.
Naruto grinned.
"You can lie to others."
"But not to yourself."
"Shut up!"
"When I break this seal, I'll tear you apart!"
Naruto's consciousness withdrew.
Behind him, Kurama's growl echoed through the sealed space.
Back to the Street
Naruto's eyes turned cold.
Within Konoha, few had both the authority and audacity to target the Jinchūriki.
Shimura Danzō.
Most likely.
Very well.
If they came with malice—
Then they were enemies.
System panel flickered:
[Skill: Nine-Tails Chakra Mastery – Proficient (12/100)][Attribute Point Available – Upgrade One Level]
Naruto smiled faintly.
Upgrade.
[Upgrade Successful][Nine-Tails Chakra Mastery – Expert (1/1000)]
The air subtly shifted.
"Chōji" glanced at him uneasily.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
Naruto's smile widened.
"Chōji."
"We're friends, right?"
"…Of course."
The disguised shinobi relaxed slightly.
Then—
Naruto moved.
"So friends should be honest with each other."
His hand flashed forward.
Scarlet chakra erupted from his arm like a blazing cloak.
A chakra blade formed at his palm, slicing downward with explosive force.
The disguised shinobi reacted instantly.
His arms hardened into stone.
Earth Release.
Two kunai shot toward Naruto at sharp angles.
But—
The red chakra blade cut through the stone arm as if it were paper.
Molten cracks spread instantly.
The earth armor split apart.
The kunai struck the chakra cloak—
And bounced off harmlessly.
The Root shinobi's pupils shrank.
Impossible.
A child—
This level of chakra control—
Before he could finish processing—
The blade pierced through his defense.
Blood sprayed.
A thunderous impact echoed as his body was sent flying across the street, crashing violently into the wall in the distance.
Silence fell.
Naruto lowered his hand slowly.
Scarlet chakra flickered around him like a living flame.
His blue eyes glowed cold beneath the moonlight.
"This is what happens," he said quietly,
"When you lie to your friends."