While Hashirama was online, Shinomiya Uzumaki couldn't help but ask curiously:
Shinomiya Uzumaki: "Hashirama, how have you been lately?"
Senju Hashirama: "Not bad. Madara and I have come up with a plan to track down Black Zetsu and seal him away to prevent future problems."
---
Konoha – Two Years Ago
"Tobirama, what's the matter? Why did you call me over?"
Senju Tobirama entered the Hokage's office, his sharp eyes scanning his older brother's face.
Hashirama, who had just finished replying to the messages in the group, handed over a document. "Pass this on," he instructed.
Tobirama unfolded the paper and frowned. His sharp intellect processed the contents in seconds, and his lips twitched involuntarily.
Good grief, he thought. You've officially declared Uchiha Madara a traitor. Now he's on the wanted list, and every Konoha shinobi is required to capture him on sight.
He tossed the paper back onto the desk, unimpressed.
"Brother, what kind of joke is this?" he asked flatly. "Capture Uchiha Madara? Do you expect the average shinobi to stand a chance? Even I wouldn't take that risk unless I had no choice."
He narrowed his eyes. "Also, what exactly happened between you two?"
Hashirama let out a deep sigh. "It's complicated. I can't explain everything right now. Just make sure this document gets processed."
Tobirama scrutinized him for a moment before shaking his head. "Fine. But you'd better explain soon."
After taking the betrayal notice, he disappeared in an instant.
As soon as Tobirama left, Hashirama's expression hardened.
The truth was, Konoha had to distance itself from Madara for now. Black Zetsu was a threat far more insidious than any battle-hardened shinobi. He could possess people, escape through the earth, and remain completely undetected. If they weren't careful, their entire plan would be exposed.
Right now, Madara was secretly traveling to the Land of Whirlpools to master sealing techniques. Only those techniques could restrain an entity like Black Zetsu.
For now, Hashirama and Madara had to play the roles of enemies.
If Black Zetsu believed they were truly at odds, it would likely manipulate Madara into making a move against Hashirama, hoping to awaken the Rinnegan.
That was when they would strike.
---
[Chat Group Updates]
Senju Hashirama: "Now, we wait. If things go as planned, Black Zetsu will fall into our trap."
Shinomiya Uzumaki: "That's a brilliant move."
He smirked. "By the way, Hashirama, after dealing with Black Zetsu, have you ever thought about taking things further and eliminating Kaguya?"
Senju Hashirama: "That would be nearly impossible. Even my Wood Golem technique wouldn't be able to counter her power."
Shinomiya Uzumaki: "Then why not become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki? You and Madara both have the potential to awaken the Rinnegan, so summoning the Gedo Statue should be possible."
He added with a teasing tone:
"Capturing the tailed beasts should be easy for you. It's basically like playing a claw machine."
Uchiha Obito: "...Why does it feel like you just inserted something completely unnecessary?"
Shinomiya Uzumaki: "Don't sweat the details."
He continued, "Kaguya isn't inherently evil. She cast Infinite Tsukuyomi to prepare for an Ōtsutsuki invasion. If you can reason with her, she could be a valuable ally. Imagine it—Hashirama, Madara, and Kaguya standing together. Even the Ōtsutsuki wouldn't know what hit them."
Senju Hashirama: "That... actually sounds like a good plan. But let's deal with Black Zetsu first."
Satisfied, Shinomiya Uzumaki closed the chat and returned to his meal.
---
The four of them spent hours at the restaurant, indulging in a feast that stretched from noon to well past nightfall. The number of empty plates on the table was staggering.
No one expected that shy little Hinata would have such an enormous appetite. Despite her petite frame, she consumed nearly half the meal on her own.
"Everyone full?" Shinomiya Uzumaki asked, stretching as he returned from the cashier.
Naruto grinned from ear to ear. "Thanks for the treat, Yuzuki! This was the best meal ever!"
Hinata blushed. "U-Uzumaki-kun... thank you for today," she whispered.
Shinomiya Uzumaki smirked. "No need to be so formal. Just enjoy yourself."
As they stepped outside, a masked figure suddenly appeared in front of them, moving like a shadow.
"Shinomiya Uzumaki," the figure said coldly, "come with me."
Shinomiya Uzumaki's eyes narrowed.
The man wore standard ANBU gear, but Uzumaki immediately noticed the difference in his mask's design.
This wasn't a regular ANBU.
This was a member of ROOT.
Danzo had finally made his move.
"Why is ANBU looking for you?" Ino asked, puzzled.
Naruto frowned. "Is it about today's fight?"
Shinomiya Uzumaki didn't answer. Instead, he calmly walked past the ROOT agent, his friends following close behind.
The masked man didn't stop them—he merely watched in silence as they left.
---
After dropping off Ino, Hinata, and Naruto at their homes, Shinomiya Uzumaki made his way to the Forest of Death.
If ROOT wanted to deal with him, it was best to do so away from prying eyes.
The moon bathed the trees in silver light, casting eerie shadows along the forest floor.
Shinomiya Uzumaki stopped in a clearing, his lips curving into a smirk.
"Quite the welcoming committee," he said mockingly. "Twelve against one? Are you really this determined to capture me?"
As he spoke, figures emerged from the trees and grass.
Twelve ROOT members surrounded him in complete silence, their movements precise, like puppets on strings.
"Shinomiya Uzumaki, this is your last chance," one of them stated. "Come with us quietly."
"Or what?" Uzumaki crossed his arms. "You'll take me by force?"
"Disobeying the Hokage is treason."
"Hokage?"
He laughed, the sound echoing through the forest.
"You mean Danzo?" His eyes gleamed with amusement. "Don't insult my intelligence. You and I both know he's just a shadow, lurking beneath Hiruzen's rule."
The ROOT members remained motionless, but their intent was clear.
Shinomiya Uzumaki's expression turned cold.
"You're making a mistake," he warned.
Silence.
Then, in the blink of an eye—
They attacked.
The first opponent lunged forward, a kunai aimed at his throat.
Uzumaki sidestepped effortlessly, catching the attacker's wrist and twisting it with a brutal snap. The kunai dropped to the ground, and before the man could react, Uzumaki drove a sharp elbow into his ribs, sending him sprawling.
Another came from behind, but Uzumaki was faster. He ducked under a sweeping kick, spun around, and struck with a devastating Fire Style technique—
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
A serpent of fire roared to life, swallowing two more enemies in a blaze of heat.
The battle had begun.
Shinomiya Uzumaki cracked his knuckles.
"Alright," he murmured, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Let's see if you're worth my time."
---
TO BE CONTINUED…
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