"Of course!" Shin said, smiling and nodding. "I enjoyed talking with you."
"Stay safe," Kaoru said, smiling, and turned to leave.
As soon as Kaoru was out of sight, Shin's smile vanished. He looked around and headed down a secluded path in Konoha.
The path was muddy and overgrown, rarely used. It ended at a wall. Shin reached the wall and quickly removed the scroll from his back.
"Ninja Art: Super Beast Imitating Drawing!" Shin's brush flew, creating an eagle on the paper.
The eagle leaped from the page, soaring into the sky, its black eyes scanning below. After circling, the eagle returned to the drawing.
"Good. No one's following," Shin muttered, putting away the scroll.
After the eagle flew, a brown puff of smoke disappeared, revealing Kaoru.
"An eagle..." Kaoru said, smiling. "Shin, you can summon more than useless snakes."
Kaoru had little loyalty to Konoha. His rule was to prioritize his and his sister's interests. If Konoha harmed her, he'd rebel, even destroy it.
After confirming no one was around, Shin faced the wall and made hand seals.
He made three complex seals, and a dark hole opened in the ground.
"A barrier at the entrance," Kaoru said, smiling. "I've memorized the seals." He'd copied them with his Sharingan.
Shin opened the entrance and took out something white.
"A mask!" Kaoru saw it was a white, terrifying mask. Shin put it on, jumped into the hole, and the entrance disappeared.
Then, Kaoru appeared.
"Wearing a mask? I know who's behind this," Kaoru said. Only the Anbu and Danzō's Root wore masks.
Since Sai from Root used Super Beast Imitating Drawing, Shin was likely a Root member. Danzō, who adopted him, was likely the one behind this.
Danzō was a ruthless madman who'd do anything for Konoha, and he was paranoid. This was likely because he didn't trust Kaoru.
Shin arrived in a dark hall. Danzō's scarred face stared at him.
"Report. Does Kaoru have any rebellious thoughts?" Danzō asked.
"I've been watching him for days. I haven't seen any hatred or rebellion," Shin said.
"Good," Danzō said, smiling. "I wanted to kill that Uchiha remnant, but you said he's a genius, more talented than you. I'm intrigued. Since you're sure he's loyal, it's time to bring him into our organization."
Danzō knew how to use people. The younger, the easier to brainwash and make loyal.
"You're wise, Danzō-sama," Shin said, his face worried beneath the mask. "How will you get Kaoru to join? What if he refuses?"
"It's an honor for a brat to join my organization, like you," Danzō said. "If he refuses, I'll lock him up until he agrees. Or, I'll take his sister hostage..."
Hearing Danzō's casual cruelty, Shin felt cold. The words he said to Kaoru weren't all true, but he truly considered Kaoru a friend.
He didn't have many, and didn't want to lose another.
"There's no need, Danzō-sama," Shin said, calming himself. "I've gained his trust. I might convince him. Please, give me time."
"Give you time?" Danzō raised an eyebrow. "You think my plan won't work? Or are you planning something?"
Danzō sounded suspicious. Shin knelt. "Please, understand. You brought me to Konoha, saving me from a life of wandering. I'll never forget your kindness. I wouldn't dare plot against you!"
"Good," Danzō said. "I gave you a home. I can take it away. If you betray me, you know the consequences."
"I'm loyal!" Shin said, trembling. "I'm sure I can convince Kaoru, so I suggested..."
"Enough!" Danzō interrupted. "I'll give you one month to convince him. If you fail, I'll take action against him, and you'll be punished!"
"Yes!" Shin nodded, terrified.
"You may leave," Danzō said, waving him away.
Shin slowly stood and left, but at the door, he stumbled, dropping his ink.
"Clumsy fool! So afraid?" Danzō shouted. "How can you do important missions with such cowardice!"
"Sorry!" Shin said, bowing and quickly leaving.
"If you weren't talented, I wouldn't bother with you!" Danzō said, watching Shin leave.
"Finally out," Shin said, patting his chest. Being near Danzō was too stressful.
Outside the office was a dark hall. People wore masks, silent and isolated, like in a graveyard.
Shin was used to this. His panicked expression gone, he ignored everyone and headed down a less crowded hall.
Then, Shin made the "rat" hand seal.
"Activate," he whispered.
In Danzō's office, the spilled ink began to move.
Part of the ink flowed under the desk and gathered, forming a small lizard.
The lizard was flat, hidden under the desk, unnoticeable.
This was Shin's family's secret art, Ink Sealing, a listening jutsu.
He spilled ink, then used seals to reform it into an animal. The animal's sounds were sent to the user.
Shin had stumbled on purpose to use this jutsu. Danzō was cunning, so he had to risk it, acting foolish to lower Danzō's guard.
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