Chapter 15: The Root of All Evil.

Author Note: Nothing of importance, just enjoy the chapter, and if you have any questions, make sure to comment!

And like always, remember if you want to read up to 12 chapters ahead go to https://www.patreón.com/cornbringer

I'm currently updating the novel 2-8 chapters a day in patreeeeon. On chapter 27 so far, though by the end of today it will be chapter 29.

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Enjoy you sexy bastards.

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 [Takeshi's POV.]

I blinked awake, the sterile smell of antiseptic filling my nose. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar, white and glaring under the fluorescent lights. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my body, reminding me of the ordeal I had just been through.

"You're awake," a soft voice said beside me. I turned my head slightly to see a nurse with kind eyes and a gentle smile, gazing at me. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore," I managed to rasp out, my throat dry and scratchy. "Where am I?"

"You're in Konoha Hospital," she replied, her voice soothing. "You were brought here a week ago."

A week? The last thing I remembered was collapsing beside Mito in the forest. Then... nothing. "How's Mito?"

The nurse's smile widened, her eyes reassuring. "The baby is fine. She was found safe and sound, thanks to you. She's with her family now."

Relief washed over me, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. Before I could ask any more questions, the nurse stood up and walked to the door. "I'll get the doctor," she said, stepping out of the room.

Moments later, an older man with graying hair and a stern but kind expression entered the room. He carried a clipboard and wore the typical white coat of a medical professional, accompanied by the Konoha headband.

"Ah, Arata Takeshi," he said, glancing at the clipboard before looking back at me. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore," I repeated, trying to sit up again but finding it difficult. My body felt like it I had gone to the gym for a month without ever taking a break; every fiber in my being felt extremely sore.

The doctor nodded, pulling up a chair beside my bed. "That's to be expected, given your condition when you arrived here. You suffered multiple injuries—most of them fatal. Frankly, it's nothing short of a miracle that you're alive."

I frowned. Had my injuries been that serious? I mean, sure, I hadn't been able to move freely after my fight, but I didn't feel like I was dying at the time. "But I... I feel fine, aside from the soreness, and during my… encounter with the kidnapper, I never felt close to dying. How is that possible?"

The doctor raised an eyebrow, a curious look in his eyes. "That's what we'd like to know. Your anatomy is... abnormal, to say the least. Your injuries should have been fatal, but your body has an extraordinary ability to heal itself, far beyond anything we have ever seen. Within a week, you recovered from wounds that would have taken months, if not years, for any other shinobi to heal—if they survived at all, that is."

So I have a healing factor? Well, that's… awesome, or bad; it really depends on the regeneration in question. Some just forcibly multiply the cells in the body, which, sure, heals you but also lowers your lifespan. Others just regenerate endlessly without a downside. Hopefully, I had the second version and not the first. "Regeneration, neat."

"Indeed," the doctor said, his gaze sharpening with interest. "It's unlike anything we've seen. Your body seems to possess a remarkable regenerative ability. We're still trying to understand it."

"When will I be allowed to leave?" I asked.

The doctor paused, giving me a thoughtful look. "Medically speaking, I have no reason to keep you here. However, given your unusual circumstances, I'd like to keep you here for a few more days, just for observation. We still don't know if this regeneration of yours has any side effects or downsides, and we would like to make sure it doesn't before releasing you."

That made sense. I, for one, would like to know if my regeneration was something I wanted to use or to avoid.

"I understand," I replied, giving the doctor a smile.

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[Hokage's Office]

[Third Person POV]

The sun filtered through the large windows of the Hokage's office, casting long shadows across the room. Uchiha Fugaku stood before the Hokage and the council, his expression stern. The air was thick with tension, each word heavy with the weight of recent events.

"Hokage-sama," Fugaku began, his voice steady yet filled with an undercurrent of frustration, "have we figured out what happened that night?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sighed deeply, his eyes reflecting the weariness of his years. "We attempted to uncover the events by entering Takeshi's mind while he was in the hospital," he said, choosing his words carefully. "However, every Yamanaka who tried to do so was immediately expelled, as if there was a force protecting him. They described the sensation as being cut by a blade faster than they could react."

Fugaku's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. "You tried to mindwalk him?" His voice was low, dangerous. "He's a child who saved my daughter, not a criminal. He should be treated as a hero."

Sarutobi nodded, acknowledging the Uchiha clan head's concerns. "You are right, Fugaku. Takeshi's actions were indeed heroic. However, given the severity of his injuries and the uncertainty of his recovery at the time, we needed to understand what happened while we still had the chance."

Homura Mitokado, one of the council members, leaned forward. "It was a difficult decision, but we had to consider the possibility that he might never wake up. We needed answers before it was too late."

Danzo Shimura stared at the Uchiha. "We didn't anticipate that Takeshi possessed such a powerful defense mechanism. It's unlike anything we've seen."

Fugaku's eyes flickered with interest. "Defense mechanism? Explain."

Sarutobi exchanged a glance with his advisors before continuing. "We believe that Takeshi possesses a Kekkei Genkai, a unique bloodline ability that protected his mind from intrusion. This would explain why the Yamanaka were unable to penetrate his mental defenses. We also believe this bloodline is the reason he was able to kill the intruder."

Fugaku's expression softened slightly, though his frustration was still evident. "A Kekkei Genkai? That would indeed explain much; the kid is a genius on par with my own son. But it doesn't change the fact that his privacy was violated."

Koharu Utatane, another council member, spoke up. "We acted out of necessity, not malice. Our intent was never to harm the boy but to ensure the safety of the village, which also includes his own safety."

The Hokage raised a hand, signaling for calm. "What's done is done. We must now focus on Takeshi's recovery and the implications of his abilities. He has demonstrated great courage and strength. We owe him our gratitude and support."

Fugaku nodded, his stern expression softening further. "Agreed. Takeshi has proven himself, and he deserves to be recognized for his bravery. I will ensure that he is given the respect and care he needs."

Danzo leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "Yes, and we must also prepare for the possibility that Takeshi's abilities could play a crucial role in the future of Konoha. The kid has a bright future ahead of him. For now, though, we focus on his well-being and understanding the nature of his Kekkei Genkai."

The council members nodded in agreement, the tension in the room easing slightly. Fugaku's gaze remained steady, his thoughts now centered on the boy who had saved his daughter and the future that lay ahead for him.

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[ROOT.]

[Shimura Danzo.]

[Third Person POV.]

Deep within the shadows of one of the ROOT bases around Konoha, Danzo Shimura stood alone, his grip on his cane so tight that it splintered and broke, as his chakra flared out. His cold, calculating eyes were filled with a rare flash of anger. The dim light cast eerie shadows on his face, accentuating the bitterness etched into his features.

"Damn that boy," he muttered under his breath, the pieces of his cane falling to the ground. "A child thwarted my plans. The Uchiha princess was supposed to be the leverage I needed."

Danzo had wanted to use the Uchiha princess to push the Uchiha to act rashly, in turn giving him the reason to move forward with his plans. He had also planned to kidnap Takeshi to indoctrinate him into his Root.

Danzo paced the room, his mind racing through the implications of his failed operation. He had sent one of his operatives to kidnap the infant Uchiha, a brainwashed Shinobi from another village, aiming to exploit the clan's weaknesses and gain a strategic advantage. But the kid had unexpectedly intervened, turning the entire plan on its head.

"Now I'll have to tread carefully," Danzo mused, his voice low and dangerous. "Hiruzen will be on high alert. Any further attempts on the Uchiha or Takeshi will be met with high suspicion."

He would need to lay low for a while.

Despite the setback, a sly smile crept across his lips. "But not all is lost," he thought, his gaze turning to the shadows where his plans and machinations thrived. "This failure has revealed something valuable, a hidden gem in plain sight."

Danzo already knew Takeshi was deemed a genius, but discovering the kid had a bloodline? That made him even more invaluable. It almost made this failure worth it, for now, he knew how much more valuable the kid was.

"The boy possesses extraordinary regenerative abilities and a mind that can repel even the Yamanaka, and that's just the tip of the iceberg if my suspicions are correct," Danzo thought, his mind already weaving new plans. "If properly trained and conditioned, he could become an asset unlike any other. Konoha's greatest tool."

Danzo's mind raced with possibilities. Takeshi's talents could be harnessed, and his loyalty secured. ROOT's methods were thorough, and Danzo was confident in his ability to turn even the most resistant individuals into obedient soldiers. Takeshi would be no exception. Then again, it was far too soon to decide if he wanted Takeshi as part of Root, or something else.

"Either way, patience is key," Danzo reminded himself. "I must wait for the right moment when the boy's guard is down, and he is most vulnerable. Until then, I will watch and prepare." With a resolute expression, Danzo straightened, his anger giving way to cold determination. "Takeshi Arata," he whispered to the shadows. "You will be mine, and together, we will shape the future of Konoha."