Kotoamat sukami… didn't fail.Not exactly.
From Danzo Shimura's perspective—
The Yin Release chakra from the Mangekyō had already engulfed Shenyue Yuan.Completely.
And yet—
He couldn't lock onto him.Couldn't select him.
…Impossible.
He had never used Kotoamatsukami before—But even so—He knew.
This was wrong.Dead wrong.
In that instant—
A hand struck from behind his right eye.
Fast. Precise.
Clawing straight toward the Mangekyō.
"AAAAAH—!!"
Pain exploded.
From his eye socket—Straight into his brain.
Before he could react—
His vision blurred.
Shenyue Yuan—
Had appeared behind him.
Silently.
And in a single move—
Plucked the eye out.
The Mangekyō Sharingan—Gone.
Their strength was equal.
The moment the eye was taken—
Danzo endured the pain and retaliated instantly.
His right hand clawed forward—
Aimed at Shenyue Yuan's eyes.
If he can take mine—
Why can't I take his?
Kotoamatsukami had already been used once.
Even if the eye was stolen—
It wouldn't work again anytime soon.
But—
When his fingers tore through the white bandages—
He grabbed—
Nothing.
…
Only then—
Did it hit him.
Shenyue Yuan…
Had no eyes.
A blind man.
And still—
Untargetable.
Plan successful.
Shenyue Yuan swept his leg.
A kick—
Carrying the force of a Leaf Whirlwind.
Boom—!
Danzo raised his arm just in time.
A heavy impact.
He wasn't hit in the head—
But the force pushed them apart.
Ten meters.
Distance.
"Danzo-sama…"
Shenyue Yuan stood on the roof.
Smiling.
Holding the stolen eye.
"See you."
He waved—
Then vanished into the darkness.
"My Mangekyō—!"
"Damn you—GET BACK HERE!!"
Danzo roared.
Blood streamed from his eye socket.
He staggered forward—
Leaping toward the rooftops.
But—
Too late.
Shenyue Yuan was gone.
Without a trace.
"Good… good…"
"Shenyue Yuan…"
"No matter where you run—"
"I will find you."
"And you will pay."
His face twisted—
Barely human.
But he understood.
Even if he caught him now—
He couldn't win.
Not anymore.
Better—
To confront Hiruzen Sarutobi.
And—
Mobilize Root.
Issue a kill order.
…
The night was pitch-black.
Stars shifted silently overhead.
Konoha—
Was unnaturally quiet.
Empty rooftops.
Darkened streets.
Even the once lively commercial district—
Shut down.
The Uchiha massacre had shaken everything.
In just one minute—
Shenyue Yuan had left the Shimura compound.
Hidden nearby—
Hokage直属 ANBU watched.
But did nothing.
They remained in the shadows.
Silent.
Watching him leave.
Under the dim moonlight—
Shenyue Yuan quickened his pace.
Attacking Danzo—
Was necessary.
To solidify his identity as a rogue ninja.
And taking Kotoamatsukami—
That was insurance.
A hidden card—
For infiltrating Akatsuki.
As for the cooldown—
Maybe…
Orochimaru could solve that.
For now—
The eye was sealed.
Stored safely in a container.
Inside a sealing scroll.
With his current chakra—
Implanting it directly?
Not wise.
As he turned a corner—
A new panel appeared.
Visible only to him.
[Random Mission: BGM][Description: A protagonist should have their own theme music. As a system, I refuse to let my host appear without one.]
[Requirement: Hum any song in front of a villain.]
[Mission Complete!][Reward: You may select a personal BGM.]
…
So that was why—
He had been humming earlier.
The reward?
Minimal.
But—
Acceptable.
...
Hokage Tower.
Inside—
Hiruzen was about to dismiss the meeting.
Let the elders rest.
Then—
A furious voice echoed from the stairs.
"Monkey—!"
"You'd better give me an explanation today!"
All three turned.
And saw him.
Danzo.
Covered in blood.
Disheveled.
Barely holding himself together.
"…Danzo?!"
Koharu Utatane stared, stunned.
"Who did this to you?!"
Homura Mitokado narrowed his eyes.
Curious.
Hiruzen looked at him.
Silent for a moment—
Then showed just the right amount of shock.
"Danzo…"
"Who did this to you?"
Two identical questions.
Two heavy blows.
Danzo's anger surged.
"You're still pretending?!"
He pointed at Hiruzen.
"Was Shenyue Yuan sent by you?!"
"Shenyue Yuan…?" Koharu muttered.
The name felt familiar.
But she couldn't place it.
Homura spoke instead.
"He's the civilian prodigy."
"The one said to rival Itachi."
"…What?" Hiruzen's expression darkened.
"You're saying—"
"He did this to you?"
"Enough with the act!" Danzo snapped.
"There are only four of us here."
"If you have a problem with me—say it!"
Hiruzen sighed.
"…You misunderstand."
"I did not send him."
Danzo clenched his jaw.
"Then explain this."
"With that much noise in my compound—"
"Why did no one come?"
Hiruzen shook his head.
"You've forgotten."
"Konoha… no longer has a police force."
"…ANBU then?! Your直属 forces?!"
"Danzo."
"That's your territory."
"If you're willing to let me take over its defenses—"
"ANBU can begin regular patrols immediately."
"…You—!"
Danzo froze.
Speechless.
Then—
Something clicked.
If Hiruzen refused to admit involvement—
Then he could use the village instead.
Legitimately.
"…Fine."
"Very well."
"If he wasn't sent by you—"
"How do you plan to deal with him?"
Hiruzen turned to Koharu.
Voice firm.
"Dispatch a team immediately."
"Investigate Shenyue Yuan."
"Bring him back."
"If he resists—"
"Label him a rogue ninja."
"If necessary—"
"Execute on sight."
"…Understood."
Koharu nodded.
Danzo sneered.
"In that case—"
"Lift my confinement."
"I'll lead Root myself."
"I'll capture that arrogant brat."
Koharu and Homura both looked to Hiruzen.
Waiting.
Then—
Hiruzen's expression darkened.
"…No."
"After what happened with the Uchiha—"
"I am considering disbanding Root."
A pause.
"So this matter…"
"Will be handled by Koharu and the others."
"Danzo."
"You're injured."
"I'll have ANBU escort you to the hospital."
"We'll discuss the rest after you recover."
"It's decided."
He raised his hand.
Two ANBU appeared instantly.
At Danzo's sides.
"…You're disbanding Root?"
Danzo's voice trembled.
Disbelief.
Then rage.
"Hiruzen—"
"You'll regret this."
"Enough."
Hiruzen's voice turned cold.
"I am the Hokage."