The village always seemed brightest at dusk. Lanterns flickered to life one by one, laughter spilling from food stalls, the scent of roasted chestnuts and skewered meats filling the air. Children darted through the streets, shrieking with joy, their parents calling after them. Merchants shouted about their wares, trying to draw the last customers of the day.
He walked among them, steady and silent. To anyone watching, he was just another shinobi—young, calm, blending in with the current of life.
But to him, the peace was an illusion. A fragile glass surface. One crack, and everything would shatter.
The system stirred.
[Observation: Civilian routes mapped.]
[Optimal escape paths calculated: 6.]
[Note: Civilian clusters vulnerable to disruption. Avoid attachment.]
He exhaled slowly, hiding the flicker of irritation that threatened to crease his calm mask. Even here, surrounded by laughter and warmth, Root bled into his vision. Even here, they reminded him that everything was expendable.
A child bumped into him while chasing a ball, stumbled, and looked up with wide eyes.
"Sorry, mister!"
The MC crouched, handing the ball back with a small smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Be careful."
The boy grinned, bowing before running off.
He straightened, watching the boy vanish into the crowd. If Root ever saw me pause like this…
The system flickered again.
[Note: Inefficient response. Civilian interaction unnecessary.]
He turned and walked on, ignoring it. Some illusions, no matter how fragile, were worth holding onto.
The Light Mission
The next morning, Minato gathered the team outside the gates.
"An escort mission," he explained, voice carrying its usual warmth. "A supply cart to one of the border outposts. Nothing dangerous, but important all the same."
Obito groaned. "A cart? Really? That's not a mission, that's manual labor!"
Kakashi shot him a cold glance. "Better than failing and embarrassing us again."
Obito bristled, his protests already rising, but Rin's gentle voice cut through before an argument could explode. "It'll be good training. Missions aren't always about fighting."
Obito deflated, muttering under his breath.
The MC adjusted the strap on his pack. His gaze flicked over the road, the treeline, the position of the cart, the possible angles of attack.
The system fed him probabilities.
[Ambush potential: 28%.]
[Routes of approach: 5.]
[Note: Maintain vigilance.]
"Relax," Minato said softly, falling into step beside him as the group started moving. "It's a simple mission."
"Simple missions turn dangerous too," the MC replied before he could stop himself.
Minato tilted his head, smile gentle. "True. But not every moment needs to be lived like a battlefield."
The MC forced a nod, though his eyes kept scanning.
Obito jogged up beside him. "Man, you're worse than Kakashi! Don't tell me you can't even enjoy a sunny walk?"
"I just prefer to be prepared," he said evenly.
Obito groaned. "Great, two Kakashis. Just what I needed."
Kakashi smirked faintly, but said nothing.
Rin, walking behind them, watched the MC quietly. Her eyes were thoughtful. Concerned.
The Shadow in the Trees
By midday, the sun burned overhead, and Minato called for a break by a clear stream. The team rested on the grass, Obito dunking his head in the water dramatically, Rin fussing over him when he nearly choked. Kakashi sharpened a kunai, his posture as rigid as ever.
The MC stood a little apart, scanning the treeline. Something stirred. A flicker of movement too smooth to be wind. A presence that pressed against the edge of his awareness.
The system confirmed.
[Surveillance Active.]
[Probability Root presence: 92%.]
[Directive: Maintain cover. Do not alert companions.]
His hand twitched toward a kunai. He steadied it. So you're watching, even here.
Obito flopped onto the grass, groaning. "Why can't missions just be this? Sun, food, and water. No fights, no stress."
"Because then you'd be useless," Kakashi muttered.
"Shut up!"
Their bickering filled the air, drawing Rin's exasperated laughter. The MC remained silent, eyes locked on the trees, but he said nothing. To acknowledge the shadows was to break his cover. Root would see that as failure.
Minato's Question
The mission ended without incident, supplies delivered. On the road back, the team walked in easy formation, Obito lagging, Kakashi ever-alert, Rin keeping balance.
Minato dropped back to walk beside the MC. For a while, he said nothing. Just walked. Then quietly:
"Do you ever feel like you're carrying too much alone?"
The MC's steps faltered. He glanced at Minato, but the older shinobi wasn't looking at him. His eyes were fixed on the road, calm, thoughtful.
The system pulsed.
[Directive: Maintain cover.]
The MC forced his voice steady. "No. I can handle it."
Minato finally looked at him. His smile was kind, but his eyes were sharp. Searching. "I see."
He walked on ahead, joining the others. The MC's hand tightened on his pack strap.
You're too perceptive, Sensei.
The Root's Directive
Night fell by the time they reached Konoha. The team dispersed, each heading home. Laughter faded, replaced by the quiet hum of cicadas.
The MC stepped into his small room, closing the door behind him. For a moment, silence. Just silence.
Then he saw it.
A slip of paper on the desk. Plain. No mark, no seal. But its weight was heavier than stone.
He picked it up. Only four words, written in neat strokes:
Report tonight. Root doesn't sleep.
The system flickered immediately.
[Directive: Comply.]
He stared at the paper, fingers tightening until it crumpled slightly. The shadows pressed in around him, unseen but suffocating.
So the peace was only ever an illusion.
He exhaled slowly, forcing calm. The mask slid back into place.
And with silent steps, he turned toward the darkness that awaited.
Author's Note
Chapter 22 ends the fragile peace. Team Minato gave warmth, but Root reminded our MC: he belongs to the shadows. Even a simple escort mission wasn't free of surveillance.
Minato is beginning to sense something's wrong. Rin feels his distance. Kakashi notices the change. And now Root calls again