"Join the guard detail… and protect someone?"
After leaving the Hokage's office, Hikaru replayed Minato's words in his head, and a strange expression surfaced on his face.
He already understood what this "mission" really meant.
If nothing went wrong, the future "savior" was about to be born.
"Time really flies…"
It did.
Without realizing it, things had reached this point.
And the funniest part was that he was going to be involved personally.
To be honest, Hikaru had assumed this affair had nothing to do with him.
Even Kakashi wasn't assigned to it.
And now that it was already September, the weather had begun to cool. He hadn't received any related notice at all—so he'd figured the village had other arrangements.
But he hadn't expected to be told directly today.
Still, he wasn't overly worried.
"The only real problem… is that I may have to face Obito head-on."
Hikaru couldn't deny it—he was wary of Obito. That ability of his was disgusting.
But wary was wary.
If it came to a fight, Hikaru wasn't afraid.
They both used space.
Different methods, but similar at the root.
In other words—
Whoever flinched first was the dog.
"Hmm?"
As he walked, Hikaru noticed someone approaching from the opposite direction.
He lifted his head—and a smile appeared.
Because it was Danzō.
Danzō clearly noticed him too. The moment he recognized Hikaru's mask, rage flashed in his eyes.
Both of them lived in Konoha's darkness.
And after what Hikaru had done in Sunagakure, there was no way Danzō wouldn't recognize that mask.
"Captain Nightingale. Impressive methods."
Danzō stopped and turned, fixing Hikaru with a cold stare.
"No wonder you're ANBU's name that echoes through the shinobi world. This level of ruthlessness… even I can only look up to it."
"You flatter me, Danzō-sama."
Hikaru calmly removed his mask, revealing a warm, harmless smile as he replied gently.
"Compared to the 'Darkness of the Shinobi World,' my methods aren't worth mentioning."
"Speaking of which—this is our first time meeting. For Danzō-sama to remember my name… it's an honor."
"I have to remember you."
Danzō's voice held no real rise or fall, but the chill and pressure around him surged toward Hikaru like a blade.
"You're not only Konoha's Nightingale."
"You're Senju Hikaru."
"And how is the Senju clan these days? As a member of our teacher's lineage… I assume you understand that very well."
"What is Danzō-sama talking about?"
Hikaru blinked innocently, then spread his hands with a light laugh.
"My name is Fukami Hikaru. Did you mistake me for someone else?"
"If Danzō-sama wants to investigate that clan, I'm happy to help. After all, I'm ANBU."
"But I've never even heard of them—so they probably aren't a major clan."
He paused, then smiled a little wider.
"Though I do know the Shimura clan."
"After all… when the forest gets big enough, all kinds of birds show up."
He stopped again—deliberately—then looked Danzō straight in the eyes and spoke slowly, word by word:
"Danzō-sama should keep a tighter leash. And your methods for 'handling' certain people… are truly worth learning."
Silence fell between them.
Hikaru's expression remained steady.
Danzō's face, however, grew darker and darker.
Of course Hikaru understood what Danzō meant—Danzō had basically threatened him openly.
But Hikaru didn't fear him.
Not now.
In terms of personal strength, the Uchiha were still around. Where was Danzō going to get Izanagi?
Even setting Izanagi aside—how many Sharingan could he even obtain at this stage?
And even if Danzō had Izanagi, Hikaru didn't necessarily have to fear it.
Izanagi wasn't Izanami.
It wasn't a loop that trapped you.
It merely twisted reality with a genjutsu-like effect to create a "revival."
But revival didn't increase defense.
If Hikaru could kill him once, he could kill him again.
The only thing that truly made Hikaru uneasy—in the future—was that Mangekyō with Kotoamatsukami.
But right now?
Danzō had none of that.
And beyond personal strength, there was the village atmosphere.
What time was it?
It was the month before the Nine-Tails jinchūriki gave birth.
If Danzō caused internal chaos now, Minato would personally crush him—Hikaru might not even need to lift a finger.
And Hikaru's message had been clear:
If you threaten family, then don't blame me for answering in kind.
That was exactly why Danzō's expression had turned so ugly.
A few months ago, Hikaru wouldn't have dared speak like this.
No strength.
No position.
No backing.
Words like that would only bring disaster.
But now was different.
He had strength.
He had status.
And most importantly—
He stood behind the Hokage's banner.
White Fang had been crushed by public opinion because he had no one behind him. And it had been wartime—Konoha needed a "lesson" to warn everyone that missions came first.
But now?
The war was basically over.
Times had changed.
Policies had changed.
During a recovery period, you didn't rule with wartime brutality. You didn't treat your own people like expendable nails.
That was why in the original timeline, Kakashi once believed missions mattered above all else—but years later, Konoha preached bonds and comradeship.
Because the village's needs changed.
Danzō didn't understand that.
People like him were meant to be eliminated by the era itself.
So Hikaru didn't fear him.
He didn't need to.
After a long pause, Danzō finally spoke, voice low:
"I'll remember your warning, Captain Nightingale."
"But you'd better remember mine."
"Of course," Hikaru said with a polite bow, smiling. "I'll listen carefully—and keep it in my heart."
"My eyes are on you," Danzō said coldly. "I expect you to perform well."
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Danzō-sama," Hikaru replied calmly. "I'll perform well."
After leaving the Hokage Tower, Hikaru headed toward Third Division.
This incident—Root provoking him and being struck back—was essentially concluded.
Minato said there would be punishment.
But if punishment came, it would be after the Nine-Tails incident.
And by then, whether Minato even had the time to punish him was another question.
Hikaru wasn't going to die.
Not after he'd already decided what he would do.
He would not allow Minato to die the way history demanded.
Minato might still end up badly injured and require a long recovery—but Hikaru would not let it interfere with his plans and ambitions.
"So there are things I have to handle in advance."
His steps quickened.
This short window of time could decide what he would become later.
Danzō had definitely taken the loss personally.
Not because of the dead subordinates—cold men like him didn't mourn pawns.
He hated that Hikaru had slapped his face in public.
And the "beheading gift" sent back to Root made it worse.
Anyone would have their blood pressure cured by that kind of humiliation.
But no matter how deeply Danzō resented him, he wouldn't act during this period.
Not after being summoned to see the Hokage.
For now, making him behave was enough.
After the Nine-Tails matter was settled?
Hikaru would have plenty of ways to deal with him.
Assassination was the lowest method—especially in power struggles. If there were other options, Hikaru didn't need to choose it.
"Captain!"
The moment Hikaru returned to the compound, ANBU from Third Division rushed over.
One shout became many.
More and more masked operatives surrounded him.
Most of them had been involved in sealing off the room during the Root clash.
Even Trout ran over at full speed.
He'd been training recruits when he heard the news and immediately brought people back.
As an old hand in Third Division, Trout knew how tightly the former captain, Kusunoki, had once been connected to Root.
That link had mostly died with Kusunoki.
So hearing Root's name again made him unhappy—especially when he learned they'd tried to forcibly take Pakura.
Pakura's situation had circulated inside Third Division.
She'd been thrown into prison—but never interrogated.
Only a blood draw, and then well-fed and kept alive.
That "treatment" screamed one thing to Trout:
Either she would become a comrade—
Or she would die.
Then Kakashi took Pakura out on a mission.
It looked like her future was being decided.
And when she returned…
Trout assumed their division was gaining a bloodline shinobi.
But Root showing up meant it wouldn't be simple.
A talent like Pakura—Root wouldn't let it go.
What happened next shocked him.
Kakashi refused Root's demand because they had no Hokage authorization—something Trout had never seen anyone do so bluntly.
Then the clash escalated.
And when Nightingale entered the field—
he didn't negotiate.
He erased them.
All of them.
And then sent their heads back.
That was not just resistance.
That was open war.
Trout didn't understand why Hikaru chose that path.
In Trout's mind, it should've cost Hikaru his position at minimum.
Yet—
Hikaru returned, looking completely fine.
"Everyone worked hard," Hikaru said with a smile, waving them back. "And don't block the path. You still have missions. Some of you may be sent out soon—don't let a small matter delay your duties."
"Captain…" Trout couldn't hold it in. He stepped forward and asked quietly, "Are you… alright?"
"Relax," Hikaru answered calmly. "The Hokage scolded me. There will be punishment because I chose to provoke them with the beheading."
"But the matter itself ends here."
Then, anticipating everyone's worry, he spoke clearly:
"As the Hokage put it—Root had no authorization, slandered ANBU, and tried to forcibly take my operative."
"So I dealt with them."
"My mistake was the provocation."
Trout's eyes widened under his mask.
That was it?
Seven Root operatives dead… and it was simply "dealt with," with punishment only for the "provocation"?
Trout suddenly realized:
Their captain wasn't only terrifyingly strong—
He also had someone backing him.
"Captain—so none of us…" Trout hesitated, then asked carefully, "And both Hokage… agreed?"
"Of course none of you are in trouble," Hikaru said decisively, then patted Trout's shoulder. "Both Hokage acknowledged it."
"But Trout—your thinking is dangerous."
"S-sorry, Captain. I shouldn't have doubted—"
"Stop." Hikaru's voice turned firm. "Do your job. Remember your position. You're an ANBU squad leader. Your job is to obey me."
Cold sweat rose beneath Trout's mask.
He bowed and fell silent.
Hikaru didn't press him further. He patted his shoulder again and walked toward Kakashi and Pakura.
The surrounding ANBU cheered.
Then, remembering they still had missions, they dispersed quickly.
Only Kakashi and Pakura stayed behind.
They knew Hikaru would speak to them.
"Kakashi," Hikaru said, punching his shoulder lightly with a grin, "you really carried this one. If you hadn't stopped them and Pakura got taken, I'd have betrayed her trust."
"Captain, don't say that," Kakashi replied, scratching the back of his head with a smile. "Pakura is one of us now. If she's our comrade, we can't let anything happen to her."
Hikaru nodded. "Right. She's ours."
Then his expression sharpened slightly.
"By the way—about your teacher's wife. You know, right?"
"Kushina-sensei?" Kakashi's face changed. "I know a little. Sensei told me privately. Captain, you…"
"I'm joining the guard detail," Hikaru shrugged, then added deliberately, "It's your teacher's assignment. Looks like you're coming with me too."
"I haven't received any notice," Kakashi sighed. "So I don't know if I'm going."
You probably won't, Hikaru thought.
In the original timeline, Kakashi wasn't part of that detail. When the Nine-Tails appeared, Kakashi was walking through Konoha with Guy.
And honestly, it was safer that way.
Obito would be the one attacking.
If Obito saw Kakashi… who knew if he'd snap?
Uchiha "madness" didn't follow logic.
Hikaru waved it off.
"Alright. Enough. Kakashi, go train with your people. I'm going to see the man I brought back."
Kakashi nodded. "Yes, Captain."
He turned and left.
Hikaru then looked at Pakura.
"And you—walk with me. Let's talk about your arrangements."
"Yes, Captain," Pakura answered, lifting her head with a serious nod.
She followed behind him as they walked toward the cells.
Her expression was complicated.
She still didn't fully understand what "Root" really was.
They dressed like ANBU, but they clearly weren't ANBU.
That alone meant they weren't easy to deal with.
Yet Hikaru had killed them for her.
If it was only to "buy loyalty," there was no need to go that far—because it would inevitably create hidden trouble.
"Thank you, Captain," Pakura said quietly after a long time.
"Hm?" Hikaru paused, then smiled gently. "No need. It's what I should do. Don't keep it on your heart."
"Will this cause trouble?" Pakura pressed.
"You really are…" Hikaru sighed, half amused, half helpless. Then he decisively changed the topic.
"I said it's fine, so it's fine. Don't overthink it."
"About your living arrangements—I'll make it work. Unless something changes, you'll stay near my place."
"Because of your identity, I can act as your sponsor. But you'll still have a probation period."
"Starting now, ANBU will keep eyes on you. If you run into surveillance, don't be surprised. I'll warn them not to cross the line."
"The ones watching won't be Third Division, but as division captain, I can still make them behave."
"As for your squad, I haven't decided yet. For now, you train first. Once you complete the training, we'll assign you."
Pakura listened and nodded silently.
She could tell he was avoiding the "trouble" question—but she accepted it.
A location didn't matter to her.
If anything, living near Hikaru felt safe.
Surveillance also made sense. She had been Sunagakure's shinobi. Blind trust would be absurd.
The fact that Hikaru told her openly—rather than hiding it—made her feel unexpectedly relieved.
For someone like her, who had been betrayed, honesty and trust were priceless.
"What should I call you if I see you in the village?" Pakura asked curiously, tilting her head.
"Just call me Hikaru," he replied casually. "Or pretend you don't know me."
"And change your hair color. As for your name—keep it. Same names exist everywhere."
"At most, your cover story is that you were an orphan from the Wind Country and were brought back."
"Yes, Captain," Pakura said, smiling faintly.
She truly didn't want to change her name.
It had been with her too long.
And in normal life, with Konoha's size and with help integrating, she didn't need to fear too much.
A new life. A new future.
A new beginning.
She still felt the weight of leaving Sunagakure—but the betrayal and lack of trust had carved too deep.
Here, she received protection—real protection.
Even if she suspected there might be "show" in it, a wounded person understood how rare this was.
And she cherished it.
"Alright." When they reached the cell corridor, Hikaru stopped and smiled. "Go train."
"After work, I'll take you to meet someone. He'll arrange your residence."
"That's all."
"Yes, Captain."
Pakura bowed and left cleanly.
Hikaru watched her go, then signaled the two ANBU guards at the cell door.
They nodded and withdrew.
Once the hallway was empty, he walked inside.
He stopped before Tsutaya Hiroshi's cell.
The man's arm had been stitched back on—and he could move it.
Ugly seams remained, but the limb worked.
Hikaru nodded faintly.
This "immortality cult" had produced something real—though Tsutaya's life force looked worse than last time.
"Is the so-called immortality just a scam…?"
Hikaru wasn't sure.
But it didn't matter much.
If it was a scam, it simply meant Tsutaya's level was too low, and his life force was still draining.
If it wasn't, then the technique wasn't complete.
Either way, the body functioned.
And Hikaru couldn't help feeling a bit amused:
Good thing Danzō had focused on Pakura and ignored these two cultists.
If Danzō had looked closely at an "immortality" ability like this, he might've taken the risk to steal it.
"Tsutaya-san," Hikaru said gently, looking through the bars. "How have the past few days been?"
Tsutaya snorted. "How it's been… what difference does it make? More importantly—you came back."
"Not strange." Hikaru's voice stayed warm. "This division is mine. Your freedom is also mine to decide."
"Let's make a deal. Interested?"
"A deal?" Tsutaya's gaze turned skeptical. "You'd actually let me go?"
"I need you to perform a technique," Hikaru said, voice flattening slightly.
"If you succeed, I'll let you choose—either you leave, or your disciple leaves."
"This is a rare chance to walk out of here."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I'll have someone control you and force you to perform it," Hikaru replied evenly.
"The effect may be worse, but it will still reach the goal."
"So now you choose."
"Cooperate willingly…"
"Or be made to cooperate."
Underground Office — Konoha
In the underground office, Hiruzen sat quietly, watching Danzō standing before him.
Earlier, Danzō had met Minato and Hiruzen upstairs.
It went badly.
Danzō's mouth was hard as iron.
He insisted he had done nothing wrong.
Pakura was an outsider—once Sunagakure's pride, a bloodline shinobi. In Danzō's view, someone like that entering Konoha carried severe risk and couldn't be trusted.
And even if she could be trusted, she should never be placed in ANBU.
She should be placed in Root, under his control.
Only then would there be "no problems."
At any time, in any place, he believed he must choose what he called the "correct" option.
Those words enraged Minato.
Even Hiruzen felt anger flicker.
Do you truly not understand what state Konoha is in right now?
But Danzō was Hiruzen's old friend.
And his shadow.
Hiruzen couldn't allow their clash to worsen, so he separated them.
If anyone could deal with Danzō, it was Hiruzen himself.
"You overstepped," Hiruzen said at last, calm but heavy. "And you overstepped seriously, Danzō."
"Overstepped?" Danzō sneered. "Just because I'm not Hokage, the correct decisions I make are 'overstepping'?"
"You know in your heart whether this was truly for Konoha," Hiruzen sighed. "Don't treat people like idiots. Even if you must do something—it cannot be now."
"Hypocritical words," Danzō spat. "My decision had no problems—"
"Enough!" Hiruzen's face darkened as he cut him off.
"Remember your position."
"Remember who gave you your authority."
"Don't go too far."
Hiruzen had never imagined his old friend would pursue private interest at Konoha's expense.
Even though Hiruzen ruled according to his own beliefs and insisted he was right—
He had always placed Konoha's interests first.
This time, he was furious.
Truly furious.
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