Chapter 12: A Game of Shadows

The night continued its quiet vigil over the village of Konoha, but inside the minds of those who were awake, plans and schemes churned like an unseen current. Itsuki Tanaka, still sitting in the quiet of his apartment, slowly opened his eyes from his meditation. The stillness of the night offered little comfort to him. That lingering sense of being watched was ever-present, and he had grown far too aware of it to ignore.

*Danzo...* The name echoed in his thoughts, and an unease settled in his chest.

He had come to realize that in this world, strength was everything. Without it, you became a tool, a pawn to be used and discarded at will. Danzo's influence in the village wasn't something to be underestimated. It was dangerous, more so for someone like Itsuki—a boy with no clan ties, no protectors, no name to hide behind. It was only a matter of time before he became another target for the man's machinations.

*But I'm not going to let that happen,* Itsuki thought, determination solidifying within him.

He rose from his meditative position and walked toward the window, opening it just a crack. The cool night air brushed against his face, and with it, came the scent of earth and trees. A part of him had always appreciated the natural beauty of Konoha, but tonight it felt different, almost foreboding.

"Still watching, huh?" he muttered under his breath, glancing out into the shadows.

He couldn't see the Root agent hidden among the rooftops, but he could sense them. Itsuki had been honing his chakra sensitivity as part of his daily training, and while it was nowhere near as refined as some elite sensors, it was enough to know when someone was observing him from the shadows. His innate instinct told him so.

He had to act. He couldn't remain passive. The academy had been a good way to test the waters, to see what sort of attention he might attract, but now the stakes were growing.

*I need to make my move soon,* Itsuki thought.

---

The next day at the academy, Itsuki walked into the training grounds with his usual calm demeanor. His silver-white hair glistened under the morning sun, and his striking eyes—a rare combination of azure and crimson—shimmered subtly, catching the attention of a few passing students. Most of them still whispered about the strange "Boxing" style he had demonstrated earlier. In their eyes, Itsuki was different, and not in the same loud, brash way as Naruto. His quiet competence made him stand out.

As he approached the training field, Iruka-sensei noticed him. The Chūnin instructor had been keeping an eye on Itsuki ever since his late enrollment, though he was always puzzled by the boy's advanced skills.

"Itsuki," Iruka called out, motioning him over.

Itsuki walked over, his expression polite but unreadable.

Iruka's voice was firm but kind. "You've been excelling in Taijutsu lately. But I hear from your instructors that you're not showing as much in Ninjutsu or Genjutsu. Why is that?"

Itsuki hesitated for a moment, carefully considering his words. "I'm... focusing on mastering the basics first. I don't want to spread myself too thin."

Iruka narrowed his eyes slightly but nodded. "That's a good approach, but don't forget that balance is important. You need to be proficient in all areas to be a true shinobi. Don't hide your potential."

"Of course, sensei," Itsuki replied, bowing slightly before taking his leave.

As he walked away, he could feel the eyes of his classmates on him. Naruto, Kiba, and others whispered amongst themselves, always curious about the quiet new boy who seemed to be a step ahead of them. But what they didn't know was the real reason Itsuki had been holding back.

The power of his Infinite Mirror Eyes was dormant, but the brief flashes he had experienced made him wary. He wasn't ready to reveal that yet, not to Iruka, not to anyone. It wasn't just about mastering jutsu or proving himself to his peers. It was about survival.

---

That evening, after the academy day had ended, Itsuki wandered through the village's streets, his mind deep in thought. He passed by the familiar ramen stand where Naruto often ate, hearing the boy's loud, cheerful voice echoing from inside. A fleeting smile crossed his face. There was something admirable about Naruto's boundless energy, his refusal to be weighed down by the burdens others placed on him. But Itsuki's path was different.

As he walked further into the quieter part of the village, he sensed something. His chakra stirred, a subtle alarm ringing in his mind. He wasn't alone.

*Danzo's man again?* he thought.

Itsuki turned down a narrow alley, his senses heightened. The streets were growing darker as the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows between the buildings. He could feel the presence behind him, trailing him like a shadow.

Without a word, Itsuki ducked into a secluded spot behind a large crate. His breathing slowed, his heart rate steadying as he focused his chakra, readying himself for whatever might come next.

The presence approached, slow and deliberate.

*Closer... closer...*

Just as the figure passed by his hiding spot, Itsuki struck. He lunged out from the shadows with precise speed, his hands locking around the wrist of the Root agent, twisting it behind their back in a fluid motion. The masked figure was caught off guard but recovered quickly, pulling out a kunai with their free hand.

Itsuki dodged the strike with ease, his reflexes honed by weeks of careful practice. The two engaged in a brief but intense exchange of movements—punches, kicks, and strikes—each testing the other's limits. Itsuki's mind raced as he analyzed the Root agent's techniques.

*He's trained... but predictable.*

Using his newfound mastery of "Boxing," Itsuki shifted his stance, his feet gliding across the ground as he weaved in and out of the agent's attacks. His fists moved with precision, landing blow after blow, targeting weak spots in the agent's armor.

The Root operative faltered, and in that moment, Itsuki seized the opportunity. With a final, decisive strike, he knocked the kunai from the agent's hand and swept their legs out from under them, pinning them to the ground.

"You've been watching me," Itsuki said coldly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why?"

The masked figure remained silent, but Itsuki could feel their hesitation. He wasn't just any child to be taken lightly.

Before the agent could respond, a voice interrupted the confrontation.

"That's enough."

Itsuki turned his head sharply, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. Standing at the entrance to the alley was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage himself, flanked by two ANBU operatives. His calm, commanding presence seemed to fill the narrow space.

"Hokage-sama..." Itsuki muttered, releasing his hold on the Root agent, who quickly scrambled to their feet, retreating into the shadows without a word.

Hiruzen stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "You've been busy, Itsuki Tanaka."

Itsuki bowed slightly, unsure of how much the Hokage had witnessed. "I didn't mean to cause trouble."

Hiruzen waved a hand dismissively. "You didn't. In fact, you handled yourself quite well for someone your age." He paused, his gaze studying the boy closely. "You've been under observation, Itsuki. But I believe it's time we had a proper conversation."

The Hokage's eyes softened slightly, and he smiled. "Walk with me."

---

As they walked through the now quiet streets of Konoha, Hiruzen spoke. He explained the importance of the Will of Fire, the bond that held the village together. His words carried a weight. But amidst the Hokage's wisdom, one thing became clear—Itsuki was no longer a child who could afford to hide in the shadows. He would need to step into the light, with all the dangers and responsibilities that entailed.

Itsuki take a look at the Hokoge and think, "What kind of Doa bullshit is this old man spouting? Did he think I will be sway by his Bullshit Dao? But I get what he meant but I'm not a Hero who's gonna willing to save everyone just because I have the power."

---

Danzo was watching him, but now the Hokage had taken notice too.

Itsuki glanced up at the night sky, the stars twinkling above.

"I'll make my move soon but for now I'll have trained myself and Push myself beyond my limit!"