Naraku silently watched the approaching group, his pale Byakugan eyes devoid of emotion.
Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.Anbu Commander Sarutobi Shinnosuke.Several masked Anbu shinobi, their identities concealed behind animal masks.
"Of course," Naraku thought. "As expected."
The Third Hokage had personally arrived to suppress the chaos, erase traces of Root, and redirect suspicion toward supposed foreign spies—classic damage control.
Whistle!
Another squad arrived.
This time, led by Uchiha Fugaku, Patriarch of the Uchiha Clan.
Their arrival added pressure to the scene—fire-release users and elite fighters, cloaked in uniforms bearing the Uchiha crest. The sudden presence of the Uchiha couldn't be ignored.
"Why are the Uchiha here?" Naraku wondered silently, narrowing his eyes.
Even Hiruzen's expression tightened upon seeing Fugaku. This development was clearly not part of the Hokage's original plan.
"Lord Hokage, Captain Fugaku," Naraku said calmly, standing amidst scorched earth, "is something the matter?"
The gathered crowd exchanged glances.
Naraku's question was disarming—why was he asking them what had happened?
"Hyuga Naraku," Shinnosuke spoke sharply, stepping forward, "what happened here?"
"I was attacked by unknown shinobi," Naraku said flatly. "I suspect spies from another village."
Shinnosuke stiffened.
What? Wasn't that supposed to be our excuse?
Before he could speak, another voice rang out from a distance.
"He's lying!"
It was Asuma Sarutobi, disheveled and shaken, sprinting into the scene. He had witnessed the battle from afar and only now dared to approach.
"Father, he's lying!" Asuma panted. "I saw it. Naraku killed three Root operatives!"
He hadn't fully grasped why Root was targeting Naraku, but he recognized the characteristic emotionless cruelty of Root members.
Before he could say more—
"Shut up!"It was Hiruzen Sarutobi who barked the command, his voice cold and stern.
Asuma froze in disbelief.
"Don't spout nonsense," Hiruzen growled. "They were Kumogakure spies. That's what Anbu has confirmed."
Asuma's expression twisted in confusion.
"But I saw it—those men were Root! Their emotionless expressions—"
Smack!
Hiruzen backhanded Asuma, cutting him off mid-sentence.
Asuma stood there, stunned. His father had just hit him—for telling the truth?
His chest burned with humiliation and betrayal.
Without another word, he turned and ran.
"Asuma!" Shinnosuke called out, but Hiruzen gripped his elder son's arm.
"Let him go," the Hokage muttered. "It's better that way."
Naraku, watching everything, remained silent.
"Lord Hokage," Naraku finally spoke, "Asuma may simply bear a grudge against me. That can cloud a person's judgment."
Hiruzen didn't respond, merely meeting Naraku's gaze in silence.
After a moment, Naraku continued with mock confusion, "So... it was spies from Kumogakure sent to kill me? I had no idea."
"Yes," Shinnosuke quickly added, eager to fix the narrative. "They were seeking revenge for the death of their mission leader."
Naraku's expression turned "surprised."
"Is that so? Anbu confirmed this?"
"Of course!" Shinnosuke nodded firmly.
"I must thank Anbu, then," Naraku said earnestly.
"Shut up!" Hiruzen snapped again, casting a warning glare at his elder son.
Shinnosuke blinked. What did I say wrong now?
Naraku bowed slightly. "Truly, thank you, Lord Hokage, and Anbu, for your swift support."
Then he tilted his head slightly, voice lowering.
"But I must ask something… How did Kumogakure's spies know I was the one who killed their leader?"
Hiruzen's jaw tightened.
Naraku continued, his words sharp and deliberate, "How did they know my location? How did they know I often train in this area?"
His gaze swept across the group.
"For a foreign village to have that level of intel… doesn't that mean someone leaked it from within our own walls?"
The moment his words fell, Shinnosuke's face turned pale.
And finally, he realized what mistake he had just made.