Raven steadied her breathing, the flow of natural chakra finally ebbing as she lowered her hands from the last cycle of extraction. The seals carved into the walls of the underground chamber dimmed back into silence. She sat back on the mat, exhaling sharply, her mask hiding the faint strain across her features. "I'm done extracting for today," she told Yumi through their bond. Her voice was clear, measured. "But I have a question—should I try to infiltrate Root?"
The fox lifted her head from where she lounged, golden eyes narrowing, tails swaying lazily as if she weighed the madness of the proposal. "Infiltrate Root? That's… ambitious. How do you imagine doing that?"
Raven folded her arms, her Rinnegan glowing faintly even in stillness. "Danzō controls Root agents with a seal of obedience—a technique he worked on with Orochimaru. It forces loyalty, suppresses rebellion, turns them into his tools. But Uzumaki sealing runs deeper than his patchwork experiments. If I can break or override that seal, I can free one agent to work for me.
Her voice turned sharper, colder. "It would be my first major play. One agent to leak intel, run errands, and sabotage orders for us. All while Danzō believes he's untouchable."
Yumi tilted her head, considering. "Do you have anyone in mind?"
"Yes." Raven's tone was clipped, resolute. "Riko. She was a recruit for root in my last life, tied to people I knew. She's skilled, dangerous, and loyal… until it comes to her brother. Shin was taken into Root first, then silenced after seeing too much. She idolized him. She followed him into Danzō's ranks, not knowing he was already dead. That hate never left her. The seal forces her silence, forces her loyalty. If I can pry it loose, she'll turn to me."
Yumi's gaze softened only slightly. "Are you still hung up about Minato and the Elders?"
Raven shook her head, a bitter laugh caught in her throat. "Not like that. Minato disappointed me—he chose the village over our family. That's in the past. I don't have any love for him anymore. Romance isn't my focus. Naruto is. The Uzumaki legacy is. And for this plan Riko is the target. Freeing her is both my strategy and justice for what they did to Shin as for romance we will cross that bridge in due time."
The fox curled one tail across her paws. "Then explain the mechanics of the operation to me."
Raven leaned forward, her voice low and precise, like she was already walking the battlefield in her mind. "First, I locate Riko. Root patrols move on set schedules; I'll track the patterns and identify where she sleeps. Second, I confirm the seal's presence on her—it leaves a signature. Third, I test it with a small override, something minor, like bending a compulsion. Fourth, I expand, breaking or rewriting the seal so it allows her to lie and deceive Danzo. Fifth, I insert her back into Root. She'll carry out her Root orders while secretly answering to me. No fireworks, no bloodshed."
Yumi gave a slow nod. "Clever. And dangerous. But if anyone can weave Uzumaki sealing into an obedience seal, it's you."
The fox's tails flicked once, approval in the gesture.
Raven leaned back with a sigh, rubbing the edge of her mask. "Do I have to train tonight since we have to go get Riko?"
Yumi hopped closer, her golden eyes gleaming with mischief, and flicked Raven's forehead with the tip of her tail. "The power of Fluff compels you to practice."
Raven let out a sharp breath through her nose, resigned. "Fine. Prepare I will do both training and Riko's operation tonight."
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