Deep beneath Konoha's streets, far from sunlight and public scrutiny, the Root organization maintained its hidden headquarters.
As Konoha's shadow organization, Root handled everything the village couldn't acknowledge publicly. Intelligence gathering. Assassination. Political manipulation. The recruitment and placement of deep-cover operatives throughout the ninja world.
Their agents existed as moles—hidden beside targets, sometimes becoming the targets themselves. Invisible. Undetectable. Waiting years or decades for orders that might never come.
Of course, other villages played the same game. Foreign agents operated within Konoha even now, quietly gathering information, waiting for opportunities to strike.
When Sarutobi Hiruzen had summoned the villagers, when Naruto had begun walking through the air toward the Hokage Building, Root operatives had immediately reported the developments to their master.
Shimura Danzo stood in his private laboratory, examining tissue samples from experiments involving Hashirama's cells. The work was delicate, requiring absolute focus. But when his subordinate arrived with the initial report, Danzo set down his instruments without hesitation.
"Continue monitoring," he ordered curtly. "Report any changes immediately. I want moment-by-moment updates."
The operative bowed and vanished.
Danzo settled into his chair, abandoning research entirely. This situation requires my full attention. I need to see what Naruto intends.
His visible eye gleamed with anticipation.
What a restless person, Danzo thought with satisfaction. I told Hiruzen this would happen. I warned him repeatedly that he should have sent the boy to Root. Should have properly controlled him from the beginning.
But Hiruzen never listens to wisdom. Only to his own soft-hearted delusions.
The old war hawk felt vindication warming his chest. Every warning he'd given had been dismissed. Every suggestion had been rejected as "too extreme."
Well, now Hiruzen will taste the consequences of his weakness.
Danzo's mind turned to future possibilities. Once he'd perfected the Hashirama cell integration, once he'd made Root powerful enough to operate independently, he would no longer defer to Hiruzen's authority.
I'll do all the things Hiruzen finds "inconvenient." Make all the hard choices he lacks the stomach for.
Perhaps, Danzo allowed himself to fantasize, I could even sit in the Hokage's seat for a while. After all, replacing one broken tool with a functional one is just practical.
Thinking of Tobirama Senju—their shared teacher, the man who should have named Danzo as Second Hokage rather than choosing Hiruzen—resentment flared hot and bitter.
I should have been Hokage decades ago. This village would be so much stronger under my leadership.
Soon, another Root operative appeared at the laboratory entrance.
"Report," Danzo commanded.
"Hokage-sama has announced Naruto's identity publicly," the operative said, his voice carefully neutral. "Revealed him as the Fourth Hokage's son."
Danzo's expression didn't change. Predictable. Hiruzen's trying to buy loyalty through emotional manipulation.
"Hokage-sama and Naruto have entered the Hokage Building together."
Private conversation. Hiruzen attempting damage control.
"Nearly all civilians and active ninja have gathered at the building's location."
Maximum witnesses. Hiruzen's trying to use public pressure.
Then came the report that made even Danzo's carefully controlled expression crack.
"Lord Danzo, the Hokage Building has collapsed."
Danzo shot to his feet, his chair scraping harshly against stone floor.
"What did you say?" His voice was sharp, demanding. "Repeat that report."
The operative swallowed nervously. "The Hokage Building has collapsed. Naruto transformed into a giant and is currently holding the Third Hokage suspended in the air."
Disbelief. That was the operative's expression as he delivered information that shouldn't be possible.
Danzo felt similar shock rippling through his system. The Hokage Building collapsed? The structure symbolizing Konoha's supreme authority... destroyed?
"What does Naruto want?" Danzo wondered aloud, his mind racing through possibilities.
But as he processed the situation, as tactical calculations overrode emotional reactions, a cold truth emerged.
Hiruzen is in danger. Genuine, immediate danger.
But Hiruzen's danger has nothing to do with me.
The thought brought a cruel smile to Danzo's scarred face.
You can only taste the fruits you plant yourself, old friend. You made your choices. Now suffer the consequences.
Though I imagine Hiruzen must be experiencing tremendous regret right now. Wishing he'd listened to my advice. Wishing he'd controlled the Jinchūriki properly when he had the chance.
Danzo allowed himself a moment of schadenfreude, savoring the mental image of Hiruzen's fear.
I would very much like to see that regret on his face personally.
But venturing above ground now would be foolish. This was Naruto's show. Better to let it play out, see who survived, then position himself accordingly in the aftermath.
Danzo settled back into his chair, waiting for the next report.
At the Hokage Building's ruins, everyone remained frozen in shock.
The structure that had stood for decades—the symbol of Konoha's government, the physical manifestation of village authority—reduced to rubble in seconds. The impossibility of it created a strange disconnection in their minds.
Konoha itself is collapsing, some thought with superstitious dread. The foundations are crumbling.
But Asuma's anguished scream shattered the paralysis.
"FATHER!"
His voice was raw, desperate, carrying a son's terror for his parent.
Seeing the Third Hokage held helpless in Naruto's massive hand triggered immediate reactions from Hiruzen's closest allies.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane—the village advisors who'd served alongside Hiruzen for decades—both moved toward the giant with determined expressions.
Kurenai Yuhi followed and prepared her genjutsu.
But three figures appeared in their path, materializing with perfect timing to block their advance.
Kakashi Hatake. Sasuke Uchiha. Orochimaru.
The barrier was absolute.
Seeing Kakashi standing against them, seeing one of Konoha's elite jonin choosing opposition, Homura's face flushed with rage.
"Kakashi!" he snarled, pointing an accusing finger. "What do you think you're doing? Do you want to become a missing-nin? A traitor to the village?!"
Kakashi didn't respond verbally. His visible eye simply stared back with unwavering resolve, his body language declaring his position more clearly than words could.
I'm standing with Naruto. Against you. That's my choice.
Then Koharu's eyes fixed on the third figure blocking their path. Recognition hit like physical impact.
"You're... Orochimaru?!" Both advisors spoke simultaneously, shock overriding their anger.
"That's right," Orochimaru confirmed, his tongue sliding across his lips in that characteristic gesture. "It's me."
His golden eyes shifted to Sarutobi Hiruzen, still suspended helplessly in Naruto's grip. Satisfaction flooded through Orochimaru's system.
Naruto, you've done something that brings me tremendous joy, the snake Sannin thought warmly. I've wanted to kill Hiruzen for years.
But outwardly, he maintained his mocking tone.
"The old fool has lived far too long already. Reached an age where death would be merciful." Orochimaru's smile widened. "Why? Are you two rushing to join him? Should I help you reach that damned age faster?"
The reason Orochimaru had descended so quickly, had positioned himself so prominently, was simple: he wanted to cause trouble. Wanted to watch Hiruzen suffer. The opportunity was too delicious to miss.
"Kakashi!" Koharu's voice shook with fury. "You've allied yourself with Konoha's most notorious missing-nin. This proves you've been planning treason. Premeditated betrayal!"
Her gaze swept to Sasuke dismissively. The Uchiha boy hardly matters. He's a survivor of a treasonous clan. Of course he'd commit treasonous acts again.
The only regret is that we didn't insist more strongly during the massacre planning. We should have rejected Danzo's argument about leaving a survivor. Should have eliminated the entire bloodline.
Seeing Kakashi, Sasuke, and Orochimaru blocking them without hesitation, Homura and Koharu realized Asuma had already rushed past during the initial confusion.
Fine. Let him reach Naruto. One more person won't change anything.
Besides, to Naruto, one additional opponent like Asuma was meaningless. Like adding a single ant to a pile.
Behind the three blockers, more figures materialized on the rooftop. Naruto's friends—Hinata, Sakura, Ino, Kiba, Shino, Choji, Shikamaru, Neji, Iruka, Haku, Zabuza, Nine-Tails. All of them forming a clear line of support, their stance unmistakable.
Only Might Guy and Mitarai Anko showed visible hesitation, worry for Sarutobi Hiruzen evident in their expressions.
Rock Lee moved beside his teacher, speaking quietly but firmly.
"Guy-sensei, Naruto is my friend. I have to stand behind him."
Seeing his most beloved student—the boy he'd poured his heart into training—standing so firmly on Naruto's side, Guy felt his resolve waver.
He sighed deeply, the sound carrying years of complicated loyalty. Then stepped backward, removing himself from the confrontation.
Neutral, his positioning declared. I won't oppose Naruto, but I won't actively support this either.
Mitarai Anko's face showed similar conflict. She'd served under Hiruzen, respected him despite his flaws. But...
Neji moved beside her, speaking so quietly only she could hear.
"Those who stand in Naruto's way right now will probably die."
The words were blunt. Factual. Not a threat—just tactical assessment.
Hearing Neji's observation, Anko made her decision instantly. She joined Guy in his neutral position, stepping back from potential combat.
The situation is unclear. Better to wait and see how this unfolds.
The positioning was stark now. On the Third Hokage's side: Asuma (charging forward), Homura, Koharu, and Kurenai. Four people total.
Behind Naruto: A small army of support, including legendary missing-nin and the next generation of clan heirs.
And standing neutral: The clan heads themselves, watching carefully but making no moves to intervene.
Kurenai Yuhi felt rising anxiety as she recognized the imbalance. Her eyes swept toward the Hyūga compound's direction, seeking help from the major families.
Surely they'll help. Surely they'll move to defend the Hokage.
But when her gaze found the assembled clan heads—Hiashi Hyūga, Choza Akimichi, Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, Tsume Inuzuka, Shibi Aburame—all of them remained completely silent. No one responded to her unspoken plea.
Shame burned through Kurenai's chest.
Then understanding clicked into place as her eyes traced the younger generation. Ino Yamanaka. Choji Akimichi. Hinata Hyūga. Shino Aburame. Shikamaru Nara. Kiba Inuzuka. Neji Hyūga.
Every junior member of every major clan stood behind Naruto.
This was premeditated, Kurenai realized with sinking dread. Not a spontaneous confrontation. A coordinated political move.
Within moments, Homura and Koharu reached the same conclusion. Their faces paled as the implications crystallized.
The next generation has chosen Naruto over the village establishment. The future of Konoha stands against us.
But Naruto's attention never wavered from the man dangling in his grip.
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen begging for mercy, watching the great Hokage reduced to pleading, Naruto smiled. Genuine happiness touched his features.
Poor people must have hateful qualities, Naruto thought with dark satisfaction. This pathetic display proves it.
"You want to be my friend?" Naruto's voice carried clearly despite his transformed size. "Very well. But before we can be friends, you need to understand something important."
His smile widened, showing teeth.
"You need to feel the pain too."
Hiruzen followed Naruto's gaze downward. Saw what the boy was looking at.
Asuma. His son. Charging forward with weapons drawn and fury in his eyes.
Understanding hit Hiruzen like ice water. His heart clenched with sudden terror—not for himself, but for his child.
"ASUMA, STOP!" Hiruzen screamed, his voice cracking with desperation. "DON'T COME ANY CLOSER! STAY BACK!"
But Asuma wasn't listening. Grief and rage had overridden tactical thinking. All he could see was his father held helpless, his village's leader humiliated.
"FATHER!" Asuma roared, launching dozens of shuriken toward Naruto's massive form.
The projectiles flew true, striking Naruto's transformed body across chest and shoulders.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
Metal bounced off flesh without leaving marks. Like throwing pebbles at a mountain. Completely ineffective.
"Attacking like mosquitoes," Naruto observed with mild disappointment.
Then his foot moved.
A stomp. Simple. Direct. Executed with the same casual energy as crushing an insect.
But the speed exceeded sound. Created a sonic boom as Naruto's heel descended toward Asuma's charging form.
Asuma's consciousness registered the movement. His eye tracked the trajectory. But his body couldn't react fast enough. The gap between perception and physical response was too vast.
He felt time itself seem to slow, space becoming viscous around him as enormous force displaced air...
BOOM.
The impact created a crater. Dust exploded outward. The ground shook from transferred kinetic energy.
When the debris settled, Asuma Sarutobi no longer existed in recognizable form.
Naruto lifted his foot, examining the result with detached interest. Then he looked up at Hiruzen with an expression of theatrical regret.
"Thirty-five million ryō," Naruto sighed, his tone genuinely mournful. "Gone just like that. What a waste. I could have collected his bounty."
The darkly humorous comment hung in the air, grotesque in its casual dismissal of human life.