Night Attack
"Damn it! This Shadow Clone is toxic! Or is it me, the Transmigrator, who's toxic? Why do they all like to cause trouble!" Shirō's face immediately darkened after receiving the Shadow Clone's memories.
The last thing he wanted was to provoke the Uchiha. That clan was like a cheat code—if someone accidentally awakened the Sharingan, their power would skyrocket overnight. If Miyue decided to retaliate, how could he possibly keep his dignity?
Still, embarrassing or not, Shirō had to go. He needed to check on Nai Guang and apologize. Showing off had never been his intention—it was the Shadow Clone acting on its own!
As he made his way toward the lake, he couldn't help but grumble. "Could Shadow Clones be toxic to modern minds? This one actually let loose like some delinquent! I thought those novels were exaggerated… but this really is a scam of a jutsu."
When he arrived, nothing major had happened. As a prize for his clone's arrogance, Shirō shared some mission experience with them. It wasn't particularly important, just enough to smooth things over. Afterward, he even helped clear the trash from the lake. If he left it to them alone, their progress would drag for days, slowing down his own mission grinding.
Back in the village, Pingyi and the others tried to treat him to a meal, but Shirō declined, citing training. Earlier that day, he'd come up with a new angle on Reinforcement Magic and wanted to test it right away.
"I'm back," he called as he stepped into his house.
"Hmm, welcome home." His mother looked up from her work. "Oh right, Shirō, are you free tomorrow?"
"Yes. What's up, Mom?"
"Come with me to visit a friend."
"Me? Why bring me along?"
"Can't I show off my Chūnin son?" she teased.
"…Fine, whatever makes you happy. I'll tell Teacher Sakumo later."
"Good. Oh, take this with you." She handed him a gift box. "Snacks for children. Doesn't your teacher have a little boy? Give this to Kakashi."
"Alright, I will." Shirō sighed. "I'll wash up first."
After bathing and changing, he carried the package to the Hatake residence.
"Master, good evening." He bowed politely and held out the box. "This is something my mother prepared for Kakashi."
Sakumo gave a wry smile. "You didn't have to. I told you not to bring anything."
"There's no stopping them," Shirō shrugged. "It's nothing valuable—just let them be happy."
Sakumo sighed but accepted it. "So, did you come for something else?"
"Yes. My mother asked me to accompany her tomorrow, so I came to request leave."
"That's fine. Family matters are important."
"Thank you, Master. I'll return to training now. Goodbye, Master. Goodbye, Kakashi."
"Goodbye," Sakumo replied warmly.
"Shirō-ge, goodbye!" young Kakashi waved.
Leaving the Hatake residence, Shirō walked slowly under the starlit sky. For once, he let himself breathe. He'd been so focused on training that he rarely noticed Konoha's beauty. It reminded him of childhood—when life had been simpler.
But his steps halted.
"…Come out. Left side."
A masked man emerged from the shadows. "As expected of White Fang-sama's disciple. Emiya Shirō, Danzo-sama summons you to the Anbu for discussion."
"Oh? Lead the way," Shirō said casually.
The man turned—
Clang! A kunai flew, instantly deflected.
"What's the meaning of this? Are you defying Lord Danzo?"
Shirō smirked. "Still pretending? First, Danzo doesn't command the Anbu—the Hokage does. Second, if you know my master is White Fang, why try such a clumsy lie? Third, the Anbu HQ isn't even in that direction. And fourth—" His eyes narrowed. "—you've stalled long enough. Your comrades are already here, aren't they?"
"Tch. Truly sharp. But you'll die here tonight!"
Shirō dodged as the enemy lunged. "Sorry, but I'm too ugly—hell won't take me." His kunai flashed. "Hidden Mist? They dare to sneak into Konoha?"
"You're quick. Everyone, attack together!"
Shirō chuckled. "Don't talk nonsense—I'm not a Lancer."
Kunai clashed, and water-style jutsu surged. After a brief skirmish, Shirō taunted, "Guess why my teacher hasn't shown up? I already sent him a message."
"Damn it! The mission failed! Retreat!"
"Retreat? Too late." He bit his thumb. "Summoning Jutsu!"
Bang! A massive serpent burst forth, coiling around the intruders.
"Yo, Blue Snake, you've grown again."
"Hisss… Only so I can keep fighting at your side, Lord Shirō," it replied.
"Good answer." Shirō grinned. "Hey, how long will Anbu lurk? If you don't move, I'll take all the credit."
Several masked Konoha operatives dropped into the clearing.
"I'll handle the leader," Shirō told them. "I'll keep him alive."
"Don't make too much noise," one Anbu replied flatly.
The enemy leader roared and charged, weaving hand seals. "You'll gain nothing! Water Release—Self-Det—"
"Blue Snake, Snake Illusion Bind!"
The serpent hissed, its eyes glowing. The enemy froze as his body rebelled against him.
"Explode!" he barked—but his chakra flared uselessly, suppressed in an instant.
"Sealing Technique: Suppressing Flow Stasis." Shirō's hands pressed down, sealing the chakra spike.
"W-what?!"
"You're wondering why the jutsu didn't go off?" Shirō smirked. "Simple. I won't tell you." He nodded to Anbu. "Captured alive. Over-complete."
The Anbu gave no reply, simply restraining the enemy and vanishing with him.
"Blue Snake, you've worked hard. Rest now."
"Yes, Lord Shirō." Poof!
Alone again, Shirō exhaled. He'd deliberately lured them away from his house, just in case. How they'd slipped past the sensory barrier, he didn't care—that was the Hokage's problem. Judging from the Anbu's timing, the higher-ups had expected this.
He wasn't interested in politics. What puzzled him was why the Hidden Mist would risk sending shinobi now. They weren't ready for a war with Konoha. Most likely, the survivors would be branded "rogue ninja," and Kirigakure would deny involvement, sending gifts later to smooth relations.
In the end, it was always the same.
All the world's a stage, and shinobi are merely players.
And behind it all—profit.