The gates of Konoha loomed ahead, their massive wooden beams etched with scars of past battles and reinforced with fresh seals. To any outsider, they were a symbol of safety, of the Leaf's enduring strength. To the battered Genin team staggering toward them, they were salvation.
Obito stumbled the last few steps, clutching his bandaged side, while Rin hovered anxiously beside him. Kakashi walked several paces ahead, posture stiff, jaw tight, refusing to show his exhaustion. I trailed behind, my legs heavy with fatigue, every muscle screaming from the ambush.
We had survived—but just barely.
"Team Daichi," one of the gate guards called out, eyes widening at the sight of our condition. "You're injured—what happened?"
Rin answered before anyone else could. "Ambush. Multiple rogue shinobi. We need medical attention immediately."
The guards exchanged a quick, sharp look, but didn't ask further. In Konoha, everyone knew when not to pry. Instead, they rushed us through, sending word ahead to the hospital.
The Hospital
The antiseptic smell hit me first, sharp and clean, almost jarring after the copper tang of blood that still clung to my senses. Nurses ushered us into separate rooms. Rin insisted on helping despite her own exhaustion, her hands glowing with chakra as she assisted the medical staff.
Daichi-sensei was taken into a different wing. His injuries weren't life-threatening, but he was out of commission for now—our shield, temporarily removed from the board.
Obito lay on a cot, gritting his teeth as a medic stitched him up. "Tch. I slowed us down. If I'd just—"
"Shut it, Obito," Kakashi cut him off coldly from his own bed. His arm was wrapped tightly, but his voice held no weakness. "We made it back. That's all that matters."
"Easy for you to say," Obito snapped, wincing as the needle pricked deeper. "You don't care if anyone else dies, as long as you look good."
Kakashi didn't answer, just stared at the ceiling, his jaw tight. Rin shot both of them a warning glare, but they fell silent, letting the quiet hum of chakra techniques fill the room.
I said nothing. My mind wasn't on the bickering. The system had pulsed faintly when we crossed the gates, as if preparing me for something bigger.
And I had a feeling I knew what.
Summons
Two hours later, a Chūnin entered the ward. "Team, the Hokage requests your presence."
Rin looked startled. Obito nearly sat up too quickly and hissed in pain. Kakashi just swung his legs off the cot and stood without a word.
Me? I felt the weight of it immediately. The Hokage didn't summon fresh Genin lightly.
We followed the Chūnin through the village streets. The familiar chatter of merchants and children at play contrasted so harshly with the blood still crusted under my nails. People laughed, lived, went about their day—oblivious to the blades waiting outside their walls.
Obito muttered something bitter under his breath. Rin gave him a worried glance. Kakashi stayed silent, his one visible eye sharp and unreadable.
And me? My pulse quickened as the Hokage's tower came into view.
The Hokage's Office
The room smelled faintly of ink and tobacco smoke. Scrolls lined the walls, the clutter of a man who carried a village on his shoulders. At the center sat Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage—The Professor, the God of Shinobi, the man who looked every bit the kindly grandfather.
He smiled gently as we entered. "You've all been through much, I see." His voice carried warmth, a steady reassurance that wrapped around the team like a blanket.
Obito straightened, almost as if soothed by it. Rin's tense shoulders loosened. Even Kakashi, though still stiff, seemed caught by the Hokage's tone.
But me?
Behind that warm smile, I saw the calculation in his eyes. The way his pipe paused ever so slightly between his fingers.
Nice try, gramps. I know how scheming you are.
"Report," Sarutobi said softly, his voice like the rustle of autumn leaves.
Kakashi, of course, took the lead—precise, clinical, recounting the ambush in detail. Obito interjected once or twice, bitterly describing how the rogues fought like a coordinated unit. Rin filled in with medical details, noting poison traces on one of the blades.
I stayed quiet, observing.
The Hokage listened, nodding, puffing gently at his pipe. When the report ended, silence stretched.
Finally, he spoke. "Rogue shinobi are not uncommon. But this… this was organized. Too precise to be coincidence." His eyes lingered on each of us, soft yet piercing. "It seems there are… shadows moving against Konoha."
The door slid open. An ANBU entered silently, mask smooth and emotionless. He whispered something into the Hokage's ear.
Sarutobi nodded, dismissed him, and exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Root," he said finally, his tone deceptively light, almost conversational. "You may hear that word whispered in the alleys. Know this—it is a part of the village, though not one that follows my light. There are those who believe strength comes only from ruthlessness."
Obito blinked. "Root? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing you need worry yourselves about… yet," the Hokage answered gently. His eyes twinkled, grandfatherly again. "You are children. Your duty is to grow, to learn, to protect each other. Leave the shadows to me."
Obito looked chastened, Rin nodded quickly, and even Kakashi lowered his gaze respectfully.
But me?
There it is. The mask. Acting like it's all just a burden for the old man to carry, when in truth you're already calculating how to use us in this game. Nice try, gramps. I see you.
The system pulsed.
[Hidden Quest Updated: The Root of Shadows – Clues have been revealed. Deeper investigation required.]
I schooled my face into neutrality, but inside, the words echoed. Root, huh? Guess the game just got bigger.
Aftermath
The Hokage dismissed us with kind words and gentle advice, urging rest and recovery. As we filed out, his voice followed us:
"Remember this, children—" His tone was warm, but beneath it I caught the steel. "Not all your enemies wear the headbands of another village. Some walk among us."
Obito shivered. Rin frowned in confusion. Kakashi's eyes narrowed, as if storing the words away for later.
And me?
I walked in silence, the system's glowing words still etched in my vision, my thoughts sharp. Grandfatherly wisdom for them. A calculated warning for me. Well played, Hokage. Well played.
But the game had only just begun.
Author's Note
In this chapter, we got:
The team's return to Konoha.
Hospital recovery and more tension between Obito and Kakashi.
The Hokage's Office scene—Sarutobi showing his grandfather façade, while our MC sees the truth behind it.
Root name-drop as a direct clue.
System Quest Update tied to Root.
Ending with the Hokage's ominous warning.
Next up: The shadows of Root will start seeping closer. How will our MC play this game of masks?