Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 2: Danzo
The population of Uzushiogakure was small compared to the other great shinobi villages. Only about two thousand residents called the island their home. Though many identified as civilians, all of them had received basic shinobi training during their time as a kids before choosing to live peaceful lives as a civillian.
"Attention, everyone," Uzumaki Raiken addressed the crowd gathered in the central square. His voice rang out clearly. "Our former Uzukage and several of our brave shinobi have taken it upon themselves to defend the village."
His announcement caused a ripple of unease to spread among the adults. The children, too young to understand the details, could sense the tension in the air. Something terrible was coming. Something that might change their lives forever.
Raiken continued, "The Uzukage has officially passed the title to me. I am now your new Uzukage and clan leader. My first mission, handed down by my predecessor, is to ensure your safety. We are to evacuate this island and escape together."
Several people gasped. The weight of his words took a moment to sink in, and a wave of panic began to spread.
"Raiken-sama," a woman from the crowd called out, her voice trembling, "how many shinobi are attacking us?"
Raiken's eyes darkened. "According to the latest report, shinobi forces from four different villages are converging on us. Konoha has promised reinforcements, but it will take time. The Raikage, Tsuchikage, Raikage and Mizukage himself has issued an order to destroy us. Our only hope is to flee to Konoha before it's too late."
The crowd erupted into murmurs. Parents hugged their children tightly, trying to keep them calm.
"We don't have much time. Gather only what you need. Seal your belongings into scrolls if possible. We move in fifteen minutes."
---Enemy POV---
Outside the island of Uzushiogakure, waves of enemy shinobi clashed against powerful defensive barriers. The Uzumaki shinobi are trying their best to defend the tiny island, doing everything they could to delay the invasion.
"Hahaha! These poor fools don't realize their so-called allies have already betrayed them," laughed the Raikage.
"Raikage-sama, could this be a trap set by Konoha?" asked one of his ninja.
The Raikage shook his head with a smirk. "No. Konoha is actually the one provided us with the method to enter Uzushiogakure. This tiny island had natural whirlpool that prevent the outsider from entering it, it was Konoha who provide the sealing jutsu to redirect the whirlpool to other places so our shinobi coun enter the island safely. . They want this village destroyed just as much as we do, but they're too afraid of the public backlash to carry it out themselves. So, they handed us the tools and let us do the dirty work."
"But look over there, they're setting up another barrier," said one of the observing shinobi, pointing toward the glowing seals forming along the cliffside.
"Don't worry," replied the Third Raikage calmly. "Those barriers can't last forever. They will either be destroyed by our attacks or collapse on their own when the caster ran out of chakra. The Uzumaki are only buying themselves time, but they didn't know it was Konoha who betrayed them.
---Meanwhile, in Konoha---
"Danzo, what do you mean Uzushiogakure is under attack?" questioned Sarutobi Hiruzen, the current Hokage of Konoha. His voice filled with shock and concern.
"Yes, Hiruzen. My Root operatives encountered a severely wounded shinobi from Uzushiogakure," Danzo responded coldly. "He was barely alive, but from what he managed to say, the village is being invaded."
Hiruzen's eyes widened. "Call all available Jonin immediately. We must prepare a response force. Uzushiogakure is our ally—we have to help them before it's too late!"
Danzo nodded with a look of concern, but deep inside, a subtle smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. The truth was far darker than what Hiruzen knows because Danzo himself had provided the key to Uzushiogakure's barrier systems to the other villages. He had kept this treachery hidden from Hiruzen and even his two other friend, only he himself and root member knows about it.
To Danzo, the reason to destroy Uzushiogakure was simple. As someone who believed in protecting Konoha at any cost, he saw Uzushiogakure as a long-term threat—particularly to his secret division, Root. The Uzumaki Clan's mastery of sealing techniques was the best. They could easily dismantle any of the complex seals Danzo used to secure Root's darkest secrets. That alone was enough to mark them for destruction in his eyes.
Ten years ago, after suggesting to Hiruzen to create another division. Hiruzen had finally allowed Danzo to establish Root as a covert division within Konoha shinobi system. To ensure absolute loyalty and prevent the leakage of classified information, Danzo had applied the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal—a powerful fūinjutsu that prevented Root members from speaking about their missions or leaders, even under torture.
But that seal would be meaningless if the Uzumaki had a chance to intervene. Their skill in fūinjutsu surpassed even Danzo's own experts. He couldn't allow that risk to persist.
There was another reason for Danzo's betrayal, it is the Uzushiogakure's sealing knowledge. At present, Root only possessed around 20 percent of the total sealing techniques developed by the Uzumaki. If Danzo could retrieve their remaining scrolls, his power would grow and the probability for him to become the next Hokage is a lot higher. Root would become unstoppable. Konoha would be safe—on his terms.
He wasn't worried about the other villages gaining those scrolls. Each one was protected by a complex lock-seal mechanism. Only Konoha had the means to decipher and unlock them. If anyone tried to force them open, the scrolls would self-destruct. As far as Danzo was concerned, the other village would likely destroy the seal and he was the only one who can enjoy the benefit after Uzushiogakure was destroyed.
The wounded Uzumaki shinobi had died shortly after Danzo's Root team brought him in. He had been too far gone to save, but his arrival served as the perfect excuse. Danzo had decided that now was the time to inform Hiruzen of Uzushiogakure's plight—just late enough that any rescue effort would likely be too little, too late.
'Let the Hokage believe he's acting in time,' Danzo thought silently. 'By the time his forces arrive, there will be nothing left to save.'
Author Notes:
Chapter 21: Engagement First
Chapter 22: Shop
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