The villagers were already whispering by the time Bob and Hanabi returned to Konoha. Shadows flickered in the early morning light as Naruto stood at the gates, flanked by Kakashi and Sakura. His gaze hardened when he saw the faint scorch marks on Bob's tattered cloak and the grim determination in Hanabi's eyes.
"You didn't follow orders," Naruto said, addressing Hanabi.
"She saved your village from a bigger mess," Bob cut in, his voice sharp. "You're welcome, by the way."
Kakashi stepped forward, his ever-present mask hiding his expression, though his lone visible eye betrayed concern. "What did you encounter?"
Bob met his gaze. "A shade—a fragment of the curse. It's weaker than what's coming."
Naruto folded his arms, his Hokage cloak billowing in the wind. "This curse of yours—why now? Why here?"
Bob hesitated, his crimson Sharingan flickering to life briefly as he scanned their surroundings. "Because Konoha's roots are tangled with things you don't understand. The peace you've built is a façade. Something older, darker—it's waking up. And if you're not ready, it'll consume everything."
Naruto's fists clenched. "Then explain it to us. All of it."
Bob sighed, his tone uncharacteristically somber. "It's tied to the Uchiha clan. To our hatred. But it's more than that—it's tied to Konoha's history itself. You think the village was built on ideals, but there are things buried here, Naruto. Things no one wants to unearth."
Sakura stepped forward. "Then we dig. Whatever it takes to protect Konoha."
Bob gave her a small, grim smile. "You're going to wish you hadn't said that."