Chapter 9. Danzo's scheme

Team Saruto was discussing their intentions with Han, the steam ninja. They were surprised that Han agreed to hear them out even though they were from an enemy nation. "I am sorry, I must decline your offer captain Saruto!"

"Han-san, your life is in danger!"

"It has always been in danger since I became a ninja and a jinchuriki. I don't know how you know about me but your intentions aren't evil. I am a ninja of Iwa and I must protect my village even though my village hates me"

Saruto understood Han's loyalty to his village. "I get it! You should know you have allies at Konoha"

"It's noted. Have a safe journey back home, fellow shinobis!"

Saruto turned back and told his team, "Alright guys, let's find the other one!"

Guy asked "Other one? Iwagakure has two tailed beasts but we only have one"

"We have only one because we had Senju Hashirama" said Kakashi. Han interrupted their conversation, "I don't think you'd find him here. He left the village recently to learn more about his abilities"

"Then we have to find his location", said Shisui.

"Even if you find him, he'll definitely fight you which means you'll attract attention", Han replied.

Saruto thought for a moment and said, "We still have time. Let's go back to the village. This mission is a failure"

The team left the area. While they were on their way, Itachi asked, "Captain, do you have something on your mind?"

"You noticed?"

"You didn't even try to convince Gobi's jinchuriki or go after the other. Something's bothering you, right"

"Don't worry Itachi! It's a government issue back at the village. It's not a big deal. I can take care of it"

"If you say so"

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Back in the village, Danzo was looking at his eye behind the bandages in the mirror. He then called two of his root shinobis. "That Saruto is meddling too much with my plans. Find a way to distract him away from his team!"

His shinobis then left after receiving the orders.

'This Sharingan will go blind. If they manage to get Saruto away, I can steal Shisui's eyes. Kotoamatsukami will be mine'

He smirked as he left his room.

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At the Hokage's bureau, Shisui was called to report. Only Minato and Shikaku were present there.

"Hokage-sama, it appears the clan doesn't trust the government. The villagers are blaming the clan for Kyubi's attack"

Minato was thinking of a solution.

"We should announce that it was Fugaku-san who tamed the beast that day", said Shikaku.

"No, it's Fugaku-san's choice. If he doesn't want people to know about his eyes, we must accept it", said Shikaku.

"He doesn't want people to know that he awakened mangekyo Sharingan, but we can spread it like he tamed the beast with normal genjutsu", said Shikaku.

"Explain further!"

"He was known around the third war as the wicked eye ninja, for his genjutsu abilities. He was also a candidate for Yondaime's position for that reason. Publicly announcing what Fugaku-san did that day would calm the villagers"

Minato stood up from his chair and said,

"I'll talk to Fugaku-san"

"No, let Saruto handle it!"

"Hokage-sama, I agree with Shikaku-san", said Shisui.

"I hope Saruto can convince Fugaku-san. We're putting too much pressure on him"

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In the streets of Konoha, Kakashi was walking while reading a famous book. "Hey, Kakashi!" He turned to see who was calling him. Saruto was there, scratching his head. "Captain?"

"Kakashi, I heard about your Anbu missions!"

"Did Guy tell you about it?"

"Tenzo did. You're eliminating enemies without remorse"

They started walking together. Saruto spoke, "I asked Yondaime to release you from your Anbu duties"

"What?"

"You'll be leading the team from now on until my return"

"You're going somewhere?"

"No, I'll be busy with another mission, so you should continue with our mission!"

"We will be fighting Jinchurikis, then?"

"No, do not engage in battle! Just infiltrate their village and find a way to communicate our intentions. It will take too much time so, I can't always be there for the team"

"I understand but…"

"Take care of the others!"

"Huh?"

"Don't let them take any risks! I am counting on you, captain Kakashi"

"Yes captain Saruto"

"I'll let you continue your reading. I have to take care of something" Saruto then turned around and started walking in the opposite direction.

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Saruto went inside the forest where he usually trains. He yawned as he leapt on a tree branch. He was also being followed by two of Danzo's men. They were whispering to each other, "I don't understand why would Danzo-sama be worried about him?"

"The rumours say that he helped Yondaime hokage during Kyubi's attack"

"That's him, Hokage's mysterious advisor?"

"Yes that's him"

"It's too loud, wait that's not your voice!"

He turned just to find his partner being held in tree branches. The branches formed a humanoid body revealing to be Saruto. He turned to look at the person they were following. Scratching his head Saruto approached him. Before he could react,

A cage appeared from the branches trapping him inside. "Wood clone and wood cage, a mokuton user? But how? Kinoe is the only one who can use it"

"Look who it is! That idiot's sending people to hunt me"

He smirked. Saruto noticed it. "A distraction, I see. Hey, guess what? I am going to try something new"

Saruto and his wood clone placed their hands on those two Anbu shinobis from the root. His writings moved along his arm through his fingertips, the writings absorbed them. Saruto then pressed his fingertips.

'It worked. It's space-time ninjutsu'

[The old man was right after all]

'Let's release these two!'

Chakra formed on their right hand and he released the root shinobis. They were both unconscious after that. His wood clone disappeared. Saruto leaving them behind rushed to the foundation building. He thought of a plan while hopping over the branches. He then crossed his fingers making hand signs.

Two clones appeared beside him.

"Clone Saruto, go get Itachi and come back to the foundation building! Other clone Saruto go find Shisui!

"Hey, you know that we know what your plans are, right? We're your clones"

"Sorry, it's been a while since I used this Jutsu. I got used to giving orders"

"That also we know"

"Hurry up instead of talking!"

The clones went on their way. Saruto continued on his way.

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In front of a foundation's training area, Danzo was waiting for Shisui. Shisui arrived. "Danzo-sama, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes Shisui, your clan members are being hostile towards the villagers. It doesn't look good"

"I heard that you shouldn't involve yourself in this case"

"Your clan is a threat to our village. To get rid of them I need your eyes"

Danzo turned and tried to grab his right eye. Shisui managed to avoid it and put him under a genjutsu. Shisui tried to walk away but he was stabbed and got his right eye stolen suddenly. "Arg what the hell"

Danzo removed the bandages on his eye then his right eye which has a sharingan fading. He planted Shisui's stolen eye in its place. "You should be familiar with a technique called izanagi. This is it" He stabbed with a kunai and stole Shisui's left eye too. "Kotoamatsukami is mine"

After planting that eye, he slit Shisui's throat and walked away. Shisui's lost too much blood from his injuries. His lifeless body dropped to the ground.

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