In a different part of the village, within the Hokage's office, the atmosphere was tense. The large room, filled with scrolls and maps of the village, was dimly lit by the afternoon sun. Two figures, both appearing to be in their mid-twenties, stood facing each other.
One of them was Danzo Shimura, his single visible eye sharp and calculating, while the other was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, a man known for his wisdom and compassion.
Danzo spoke first, his tone calm but carrying a weight of conviction. "Hiruzen, you know as well as I do that the Leaf Village cannot rely solely on idealistic notions of peace and diplomacy. We need an army of shinobi who are willing to do what others cannot, to protect the village from threats that operate in the shadows."Hiruzen frowned slightly, his hands folded behind his back as he listened. "Danzo, the village was founded on the principles of peace and unity. I understand the need for strong shinobi, but there must be limits to what we are willing to sacrifice in the name of security."
Danzo's expression didn't change, but there was a hint of impatience in his voice. "The world we live in is harsh, Hiruzen. Idealism will only get us so far. The Leaf Village needs a force that can protect it from the shadows, a group of ninjas who are trained to do the darkest of deeds without hesitation or remorse. This is the only way to ensure our survival in the years to come."
Hiruzen remained silent, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered Danzo's words. He didn't like where this conversation was going, but he knew Danzo well enough to understand that he wouldn't be easily dissuaded.
"The academy," Danzo continued, his tone more insistent now, "is the perfect place to start. We can identify those with the potential and the willingness to do what is necessary for the village. With proper guidance, they can become the backbone of a new force—one that protects the village from the shadows."Hiruzen sighed, turning to look out the window at the village below. "And what exactly do you propose, Danzo? Are you suggesting that we train children to become... tools for the village?"
Danzo stepped forward, his voice lowering but gaining intensity. "Not just tools, Hiruzen. Warriors of the dark. Ninjas who understand that the greater good sometimes requires difficult choices. I propose we establish a new branch within ANBU, one that answers only to the village's highest authority. We'll call it ROOT."
The Hokage's gaze remained fixed on the village, the weight of leadership heavy on his shoulders. He knew the dangers of Danzo's proposal, the moral lines it would blur, but he also couldn't deny the potential benefits. A force like ROOT could indeed protect the village from unseen threats, but at what cost?Hiruzen turned back to Danzo, his expression unreadable.
"Your proposal is… concerning, Danzo. But I understand your intentions. For now, I will not oppose it. However, you must understand that the village's values are not to be compromised. ROOT will not be allowed to act without oversight."
Danzo nodded, though there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eye. "Of course, Hiruzen. Everything I do is for the greater good of the Leaf Village."Hiruzen studied Danzo for a long moment, searching for any sign of deception. But Danzo's face remained impassive, giving nothing away."Very well," Hiruzen said finally, though there was a note of caution in his voice. "I will allow you to proceed, but understand this, Danzo: if ROOT becomes a danger to the village or its people, I will not hesitate to act."
Danzo inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. "I would expect nothing less from you, Hiruzen."With that, Danzo turned and left the office, his mind already racing with plans for the future. ROOT would be the key to the village's survival, and he would ensure that it became a force to be reckoned with.As the door closed behind Danzo, Hiruzen remained standing by the window, deep in thought.
He knew Danzo's methods were extreme, but the world was growing more dangerous by the day. Perhaps ROOT could provide the village with the protection it needed… but at what cost?The Hokage sighed, knowing that the decisions he made now would shape the future of the village. For better or for worse, Danzo's plans were already in motion, and all Hiruzen could do was hope that the cost wouldn't be too high.
Back in the playground by the orphanage, Satoru was doing his best to keep up with the training. He lowered himself to the ground, his small arms shaking with effort as he tried to push himself up one more time. He managed three pushups before his arms gave out, and he collapsed onto the grass, panting heavily.
Dai, who had been counting alongside him, immediately knelt down and patted Satoru on the back. "Great effort, Satoru! Don't worry, you'll get stronger with time. You've got a lot of youth in you!" Dai said with a grin, his enthusiasm infectious.Tatsuo joined in, giving Satoru an encouraging smile. "Yeah, don't be too hard on yourself. We've got eleven months to train. You're already doing great!"
Despite their words, Satoru couldn't help but feel a seed of doubt growing in his heart. 'Three pushups… that's all I could do,' he thought, his mind racing with insecurities. 'How am I supposed to become strong enough to survive in this world? What if I never catch up? What if I'm just not cut out for this?' The weight of his situation pressed down on him, making it hard to breathe.
As Satoru sat there, trying to push away his doubts, Dai and Tatsuo began to lightly spar with each other. Their movements were slow and unrefined, as was expected from five-year-olds, but there was a determination in their eyes that made up for their lack of skill.
Dai threw a playful punch, which Tatsuo blocked with his forearm. "I'm going to become the greatest taijutsu master the village has ever seen!" Dai declared, his voice full of conviction. "I'll get so strong that I won't need any ninjutsu or genjutsu!"Tatsuo ducked under Dai's next punch and tried to sweep his legs, but Dai jumped back, avoiding the attack.
"That's awesome, Dai!" Tatsuo said with a grin. "I want to learn nin-taijutsu! It's the perfect combination of strength and skill. I'll use chakra to enhance my taijutsu, so I can fight up close and surprise my enemies!"
Satoru watched them, feeling a mix of admiration and envy. Despite their young age, both Dai and Tatsuo already had a clear idea of what kind of ninja they wanted to be. They were determined and focused, traits that Satoru feared he lacked.
'What do I want to be?' he wondered, as he watched them trade blows, their movements full of energy and enthusiasm. 'Can I even make it as a shinobi? Or am I just fooling myself?'
Dai, lunged forward with a punch aimed at Tatsuo's chest. Tatsuo barely managed to sidestep, but Dai quickly followed up with a spinning kick that Tatsuo blocked with both arms. The force of the kick pushed Tatsuo back a few steps, but he regained his balance and charged forward with a series of quick jabs. Dai deflected the punches with surprising agility, his grin never fading.
Satoru couldn't help but be impressed by their persistence. They were both so focused, so determined, and it made his self-doubt seem even more overwhelming. 'I'm so far behind,' he thought, his heart sinking. 'How am I supposed to keep up with them? I'm not strong like Dai, or skilled like Tatsuo… I'm just… me.'
Just then, Dai paused and looked over at Satoru, his expression serious. "Hey, Satoru! Don't let those thoughts bring you down! Everyone starts somewhere. And you've got the most important thing—youth! It's burning inside you, and that's what will push you forward!"
Tatsuo nodded in agreement, lowering his fists and walking over to Satoru. "We all have to start at the beginning, Satoru. You're already stronger than you think. We'll help each other get stronger, one day at a time."Satoru looked at them, feeling a glimmer of hope in the midst of his doubt.
Their words, though simple, struck a chord in him.Satoru nodded, pushing himself back to his feet, the doubt in his heart easing just a little. "Alright," he said, his voice steadier than before. "Let's keep training. We've got a lot of work to do."With that, the three boys returned to their training .
As the three boys continued their training, a familiar voice called out across the playground. "Satoru, Tatsuo, Dai! It's time to come back for lunch!" Aunty Hana's voice was warm and full of affection, instantly catching their attention.
The boys paused, panting and covered in sweat, before glancing at each other. Dai, ever energetic, was the first to respond. "Let's go, guys! I'm starving!"As they made their way toward the orphanage, Aunty Hana approached them with a gentle smile.
She looked at each of the boys, but her gaze lingered on Satoru.
She knelt down, bringing herself to his eye level, her expression soft and full of pride."Satoru," she said, her voice tender, "I'm so proud of you. I know you're not as strong as Tatsuo and Dai yet, but you're trying so hard, and that's what matters. Remember, I'll always be your biggest supporter, especially when you become a shinobi."Satoru's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by her words. Before he could respond, Aunty Hana reached out and gently ruffled his sweaty hair, her touch filled with warmth. She then leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his forehead.
"Now, go wash up before lunch," she said, her smile never fading.Dai and Tatsuo were already heading toward the showers, their laughter echoing down the hall. Satoru watched them go, a strange mixture of emotions swirling inside him. He felt warmth in his chest, but also a deep, aching sadness.
He walked to his room in silence, his expression unreadable.As he reached his room, the sound of water running could be heard. Tatsuo was already in the shower, and Dai's voice could be heard further down the hall, humming to himself.
Satoru waited outside the door, his mind racing. He tried to keep his face blank, but the emotions were too strong to suppress.When Tatsuo finally stepped out, still drying his hair with a towel, Satoru quickly slipped past him and entered the bathroom. He locked the door behind him, leaning against it for a moment as he took a deep breath.
The cold water from the shower fell onto his face, mingling with the sweat and grime from his training.
And then, without warning, the tears began to fall.
He cried silently, the water masking his tears as they streamed down his face.
The sadness came first, sharp and painful, as memories of his mother resurfaced—memories he had tried so hard to bury. Her kind smile, her gentle touch, the way she had always encouraged him, even when things were tough. The loss of her had been a wound that never truly healed, and now, in this unfamiliar world, that wound was torn open again.
But there was happiness too, mixed in with the sorrow. Aunty Hana's words replayed in his mind, her promise to support him, her pride in his efforts. It was something he hadn't felt in so long—someone being proud of him, believing in him. It filled a void in his heart that he hadn't even realized was there.'Someone is proud of me…' he thought, the tears continuing to fall, 'Someone cares…'The weight of his emotions pressed down on him, but they also gave him a strange sense of relief.
For the first time since arriving in this new world, he allowed himself to truly feel everything he had been holding back—his fear, his sadness, his hope.He stood there under the cold water for a long time, letting the tears flow freely, until finally, the emotions began to subside.
His heart still ached, but there was a new resolve forming within him. He knew now that he wasn't alone in this world. Aunty Hana, Tatsuo, Dai—they were his new family, and they believed in him.
When he finally stepped out of the shower, his face was calm, but there was a new determination in his eyes. He knew the road ahead would be difficult, filled with challenges he wasn't sure he could overcome. But with the support of those around him, he felt like he could find the strength to keep moving forward.
Satoru dried himself off, dressed, and made his way to join the others for lunch. As he walked down the hall, he silently vowed to himself: 'I won't let them down. I'll become a shinobi they can be proud of.'And with that thought in his heart, Satoru stepped into the dining hall, ready to face whatever came next.