Naruto: Troublesome Ninja Haruta

Chapter 8: You're Going Too Far

On the riverbank within Konoha, a young man with short black hair and the signature red Sharingan eyes smiled as he introduced himself.

"Hello, I am the newly assigned member to this squad. My name is Uchiha Shisui. Please take care of me."

Haruta wasn't the least bit surprised to see him.

After his meeting with the Third Hokage, he was already certain that his boss, Danzo, had reached some kind of agreement with his old friend.

After all, he had already been sent to Anbu—if Danzo couldn't achieve his goals now, wouldn't that mean Haruta had been sent here for nothing?

And knowing Danzo—a man who took pride in being ruthless, someone who wouldn't even lose in a fight against a rabid dog—he would never allow that to happen.

"Shisui-senpai, I wasn't expecting you."

Yuugao looked genuinely surprised.

Shisui was only slightly older than her, but he had entered Anbu as a recognized genius.

Unlike most Uchiha, he wasn't arrogant or condescending, which had earned him a good reputation within Anbu.

So why was someone like him suddenly assigned to their squad?

Yuugao had assumed their new squad member would be someone like Gekko Hayate or another shinobi with a similar background.

"It's just a matter of assignment needs."

Shisui smiled as he explained, "Lord Hokage said this team was performing exceptionally well but had suffered losses due to recent missions. He thought I would work well with you two, so I was selected."

His words were humble—so much so that even Haruta, a seasoned schemer, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

Because if his memory served him correctly, this Uchiha hero wasn't exactly… the brightest.

He had a habit of being weak when he should be strong and being strong when he should be weak.

Like when he gave up and committed suicide instead of fighting back—even ghosts couldn't drag him back from that decision.

But for now… he actually seemed pretty decent.

"Shisui-senpai, my name is Shigaru Haruta. Please guide me from now on."

Despite his inner thoughts, Haruta kept up a friendly smile and nodded.

Regardless of what kind of person Shisui was, Haruta's mission for Root was already progressing smoothly. He could just do a half-hearted job and still make it seem like he was "grateful for Danzo's guidance."

Besides… Shisui had a Mangekyou Sharingan.

If things ever got messy, at least there would be someone around to cover their escape…

---

After a few minutes of casual conversation, the three of them were becoming more familiar with each other.

Yuugao, despite her somewhat cold demeanor, was actually warm at heart.

And Shisui… well, he was the kind of Uchiha the Second Hokage would have loved—humble, polite, and easygoing.

But then, Shisui suddenly hesitated before speaking up, his voice curious but soft.

"Yuugao, Haruta… earlier, I saw you both talking to that kid."

"You mean Naruto?"

Haruta blinked, while Yuugao looked a bit awkward.

Even though they had only interacted with Naruto briefly, she had started feeling like… maybe he wasn't as bad as the rumors claimed.

"Yes."

Shisui nodded.

He recalled what the Third Hokage had told him and the whispers throughout the village.

So, he felt it was necessary to warn his teammates.

"You both must have heard the rumors. That kid… he's seen as a bad omen…"

Oh, here we go again…

Haruta and Yuugao exchanged a glance.

Haruta's eyes were full of amusement, while Yuugao's face was full of embarrassment.

Their expressions didn't go unnoticed by Shisui, who suddenly felt confused.

Did he say something wrong?

"Shisui-senpai, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course. Go ahead."

"Senpai…"

Haruta gave him a serious look.

"You're going too far. Are you questioning Lord Hokage's judgment?"

"!?"

Uchiha Shisui's expression changed instantly.

---

Konoha – Root's Underground Base

Deep underground, dark and oppressive air filled the space.

Even though the base was built with towering halls, elegant corridors, and massive training grounds, the atmosphere remained cold and suffocating.

Danzo loved this kind of setting.

To him, Root should exist in Konoha's shadow, deeply embedded in the darkness.

And its duty?

To eliminate any threats to Konoha—by any means necessary!

Of course, whether any of this was actually true didn't matter.

As long as he believed it, that was all that mattered.

"That brat should have already handed the intel over to Orochimaru… and he should have met up with Uchiha Shisui by now."

Inside his office, Danzo flipped through a scroll as he muttered to himself.

"Hmph. Kid, you better not disappoint me—I paid a steep price for this."

To Danzo, the idea of an Uchiha joining Anbu was utterly ridiculous.

Even though he had once trained alongside Uchiha Kagami, he still found the whole concept absurd.

And Shisui—as Kagami's descendant—was no exception.

"A (Tenzo) should be making his move soon… That eye of Kakashi's…"

Danzo absentmindedly touched his blind eye, deep in thought.

Technically, he could just take out Kagami's preserved eye and use it instead.

He had saved it for this very reason.

But Kakashi's ability to use Uchiha Obito's Sharingan meant that either the eye itself was special or Kakashi was special.

Either way, Danzo wanted that Sharingan back.

And at the same time, he wanted to test A's combat ability.

The last time A tried to assassinate the Third Hokage, he was defeated in a single move by Kakashi.

Was Wood Release actually weaker than the Sharingan?!

That was something Danzo absolutely refused to accept!

"This time, A must produce results."

Danzo's gaze fell back onto the scrolls in front of him.

Aside from being the leader of Root, he was also one of the Hokage's advisors.

Which meant he had access to countless intelligence reports.

And from those reports, he carefully planned how to make his village...No, how to make himself benefit.

---

Danzo's Intelligence Reports

Land of Rain:

"Still in chaos… Hanzo, that cowardly bastard, screwed me over.

Because of him, I had to rebuild Root, and now he's just hiding like a turtle?"

Land of Earth:

"Onoki still wants to expand southward?

Looks like tensions with Sunagakure are escalating.

Maybe I should fan the flames and make them fight harder…"

Kabuto's Reports on Land of Wind:

"So Kirigakure is harassing Suna?"

"Rasa is going insane—how will he handle attacks from both Kirigakure and Iwagakure?"

"I should look into this… if I can, I'll eliminate that woman.

After all, she does have Scorch Release…"

Land of Lightning:

"Those bastards from Kumogakure are still as ambitious as ever.

Looks like they have their eyes on the Secret Arts of Sazanami.

What a bunch of rabid dogs!"

Danzo viewed every village the same way—as enemies to be crushed.

Unfortunately, his old friend, Hiruzen Sarutobi, didn't share his mindset.

Which meant that for now, Danzo had to remain a "troublemaker in the shadows."

He would forge alliances, assassinate enemies, and do whatever was necessary for Konoha.

…And, of course, to secure his own rise to power.

"One day, I will conquer the ninja world."

"Hiruzen… you're far too soft."

As he muttered this, a familiar voice suddenly echoed beside him.

"Is that so? Maybe… but I also think, Danzo…

You're going too far."