The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of dewy grass and distant smoke from the village chimneys. Ryuzen adjusted the straps of his light gear, feeling the unfamiliar weight of autonomy. Today, he wasn't following orders from Root. Today, he acted under the guidance of Minato Namikaze—freedom in its rawest form.
Minato stood at the edge of the training field, calm and confident as always. "Your first independent mission," he said, voice steady. "Observe a small courier team traveling to the Land of Rivers. Gather information. Return without being seen. No confrontation unless absolutely necessary."
Ryuzen nodded, memorizing every detail of the briefing. "Understood," he said. Though Root had trained him for years, this task felt different—clean, simple, but loaded with unseen challenges. The responsibility of choice weighed heavier than any command had.
Into the Field
The forest outside Konoha welcomed him silently. Leaves whispered underfoot as he moved, each step calculated, each breath measured. Years of Root training had honed his senses to perfection, but now those senses were guided by his own will, not orders. He noticed patterns in the shadows, subtle shifts in the wind, the faint pulse of chakra signatures—all without alerting anyone to his presence.
Halfway through the forest, Ryuzen sensed something unusual. Three faint chakra signatures—smaller than a full team but deliberate. He paused, analyzing their movement. They were watching him. Not attacking, just observing. Root operatives, most likely.
A flash of strategy crossed his mind. He needed to complete the mission without alerting these watchers. Using the trees, the underbrush, and the slight mist settling over the clearing, he altered his route, breaking the expected pattern. His movements became a ghostly rhythm, a blend of speed and calculation.
Testing Instincts
Reaching the observation point, Ryuzen crouched behind a rock, eyes fixed on the courier team. Their movements were predictable but subtle in variation—slight shifts in formation, minor hesitation at forks in the path. Every detail mattered. He took mental notes, recording the order of movement, identifying the weakest points for potential threats.
Suddenly, a snapping twig betrayed a hidden watcher—a Root agent attempting to track him without direct confrontation. Instinctively, Ryuzen adjusted, slipping into shadows, repositioning with a fluidity born from years of Root and refined under Minato's training. By the time the observer realized his absence, Ryuzen had vanished from sight entirely, a perfect blend of speed, stealth, and anticipation.
Reflection Mid-Mission
Ryuzen paused on a ridge overlooking the courier's path, silently analyzing his performance. Freedom is more than absence of control. It's anticipation, decision, and consequence. He realized that every choice he made now had weight—success or failure rested entirely on him. No Root conditioning could shield him. No orders would dictate his movements. This was real autonomy.
He allowed himself a brief smile. I am no longer Root. I am a shinobi. The thought gave him clarity, focus, and determination. Each breath synchronized with his senses. The forest was no longer just cover—it was a partner in his strategy.
Subtle Root Interference
As the courier team moved further, Ryuzen sensed another presence—a faint ripple of chakra hidden in the trees. He understood immediately: Root had placed observers along the route, testing his loyalty and skill. But this time, he was free to respond as he saw fit.
He marked the observer's location silently in his mind, ensuring no direct confrontation. Every step became a dance of misdirection. By leveraging shadows, natural obstacles, and speed, he maintained distance while keeping the observer unaware of his true path. The lesson was clear: skill wasn't just in combat but in thinking ahead, predicting opponents, and controlling engagement without exposing oneself.
Completing the Mission
The courier team reached a small bridge over a river, moving cautiously. Ryuzen noted every movement, every formation adjustment. With this, the observation was complete. Without hesitation, he retraced his steps, avoiding the Root agents stationed along his original path.
By the time he returned to Konoha, the sun was low on the horizon. Minato waited silently at the edge of the forest, observing him. Ryuzen approached, steps calm, face composed.
"You've returned," Minato said, voice calm but carrying subtle approval. "And without a trace of Root interference affecting your choices."
Ryuzen inclined his head slightly. "The mission is complete. No one noticed my presence."
Minato studied him. "Good. But more importantly, you made decisions independently. You adapted, anticipated, and succeeded without relying on orders. That is the difference between a soldier and a shinobi. Remember that."
Ryuzen absorbed the words silently, letting them settle into his mind. The lesson wasn't just skill—it was autonomy, foresight, and the ability to act with freedom.
Training Reflection
As they walked back to the village, Minato glanced at him. "Your speed and anticipation have improved since the training sessions. But never forget—freedom brings responsibility. Every choice you make carries weight, and enemies—seen and unseen—will always test you."
Ryuzen nodded. "I understand. I will act with thought, not just instinct."
Minato smiled faintly. "Good. That is all I ask for now. Continue refining your skills, and soon you'll be ready for challenges that even Root never dared to present."
For the first time, Ryuzen felt the weight of his own name—his true identity—as something that wasn't a label from Root, but a declaration of his potential. He was free, yet accountable. Silent, yet aware. Shadowed, yet illuminated by the guidance of the Yellow Flash.
Closing Scene
The village lights flickered in the distance as the two walked toward the Hokage's tower. The sun set in a brilliant streak of orange and gold. Ryuzen exhaled slowly, feeling the subtle thrill of independence, the quiet satisfaction of a mission completed on his own terms.
Minato's voice broke the silence softly. "You've done well today. But this is only the beginning. True freedom is not just moving without orders—it's knowing when, why, and how to act. That is the path of a shinobi. Your path."
Ryuzen felt a small spark of hope. He had survived Root, escaped its grip, and now walked his own path. The shadows of the past would remain, but he had learned to move through them—not as a weapon, but as a strategist, a shinobi, and perhaps, one day, as a protector.
Author's Note
Chapter 37 shows Ryuzen's first true step into independence under Minato's mentorship. The focus is on strategy, anticipation, and autonomy, not violence. Root's influence lingers subtly through observers, creating tension without direct conflict.
The mission emphasizes Ryuzen's growth: from a controlled Root operative to a self-aware shinobi capable of independent thought. His ability to anticipate, adapt, and act without orders signals the start of a new arc under Minato's guidance, laying the foundation for future challenges and political tension within Konoha.