Chapter 11: Danger That Comes with Benefits?

The village of Konoha was quiet as the night fell. A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, and the streets, which had been bustling with life during the day, now seemed deserted. But not all was calm in the heart of the village.

---

In the dimly lit office of the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat behind his desk, a pile of documents in front of him. His face, illuminated by the flickering light of a nearby candle, was lined with the weight of years of leadership. He sighed as he scanned yet another report, the responsibilities of the village ever pressing on his shoulders.

A soft knock on the door broke the silence.

Without lifting his gaze, Hiruzen responded, "Come in."

The door creaked open, and an ANBU agent with a fox mask stepped in. His presence was quiet, almost unnoticeable if not for the soft padding of his footsteps on the wooden floor.

"Lord Hokage," the masked figure said, bowing respectfully, "I have something to report."

Hiruzen, still focused on the document in his hand, acknowledged the ANBU without looking up. "What is it that demands my attention at this hour?"

"The boy named Itsuki Tanaka, Lord Hokage," the ANBU began, his voice measured and serious. "He is only eight years old, but today it was reported that he has created his own unique form of Taijutsu."

At this, Hiruzen paused, finally raising his eyes from the papers. The ANBU's statement had caught his attention. A child creating their own Taijutsu? That was rare, especially for someone so young.

"Go on," the Hokage urged, leaning back in his chair, his curiosity piqued.

The ANBU continued, "According to the reports, during sparring sessions at the academy, he demonstrated a fighting style he referred to as 'Boxing.' It appears to focus on rapid hand movements and footwork, and he easily outmaneuvered other students, including Naruto Uzumaki and Kiba Inuzuka."

Hiruzen's brow furrowed. He had kept a close eye on Naruto's progress, as well as other key students at the academy, but this was unexpected. "And this Itsuki Tanaka... what do we know of him?"

"He's an orphan, with no known ties to any clan or background of note," the ANBU responded. "He transferred into the academy late—two years after his peers. But despite his lack of formal training before enrolling, his skills have developed rapidly. Some of the instructors have already taken note of his exceptional physical abilities."

The Hokage's mind began to work, considering the implications. "And you're certain this boy has no clan lineage? No connections to anything that might explain his talents?"

"None that we can trace, for now." the ANBU confirmed. "However, there is one more thing, Lord Hokage." The ANBU's tone shifted slightly, indicating something more sensitive.

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

"Maybe Danzo is aware of the boy's abilities. I have reason to believe that he has already taken an interest in him and may be monitoring him."

At this, Hiruzen's expression darkened slightly. Danzo's interest in talented children, especially those without clan affiliations, was rarely a good sign. The leader of Root had a history of seeking out potential assets for his own purposes, often operating outside the Hokage's authority.

"Keep an eye on Danzo," Hiruzen ordered firmly, his voice low but commanding. "And ensure that Itsuki Tanaka is watched closely—but discreetly. I want no harm in coming to the boy, do you understand and report it to me immediately if root takes a move to that boy."

The ANBU nodded. "Yes, Lord Hokage."

With that, the agent bowed once more and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Hiruzen alone in his office, his mind now occupied with the troubling new information.

While The Third Hokage thinking about that Boy Itsuki he suddenly have an Idea. "Should I teach and pass him the Will of fire?"

"Yeah I should teach him about the Will of Fire. A young Shinobi like him must know what the Will of fire means and not only him but all the other kids and next next next generations!"

---

Meanwhile, Itsuki sat cross-legged in the center of his small apartment, deep in concentration. The unsettling feeling of being watched still lingered, but he pushed it aside for now, focusing on the chakra flowing through his body.

His chakra control had been steadily improving, and while he still hadn't unlocked the full potential of his Infinite Mirror Eyes, he could feel their power lying dormant, waiting. He knew that it would awaken soon—he just had to be patient. But patience was becoming more difficult with each passing day. The knowledge that something, or someone, was watching him from the shadows gnawed at him.

The night outside was still, but Itsuki could sense a disturbance in the air. Whoever was watching him, they weren't amateurs. If it was Danzo, things could become much more dangerous for him. Danzo's reputation in the village was one of calculated ruthlessness—especially toward those with unique abilities.

"Boxing, huh?" Itsuki muttered to himself, half-amused at how his quick-thinking lie had spiraled into something so serious. "I really need to be more careful."

As he meditated, the energy within him swirled and pulsed, its rhythm growing stronger with each session. He could feel his Infinite Mirror Eyes waiting for the right moment to reveal their true nature. Until then, he needed to be cautious, and most importantly—he needed to keep a low profile.

But that had become harder ever since his sparring matches. The whispers about him at the academy had already caught the attention of his peers, and now it seemed even higher forces were taking notice.

But with this danger, there could also be benefits. If Danzo saw him as an asset, perhaps he could use that to his advantage. He would need to play his cards carefully, but it was a game he was willing to play.

"I'll need to train harder," he thought, eyes still closed in meditation. "If I'm going to survive in this world—if I'm going to stay ahead of Danzo, the Hokage, and anyone else watching me—I need to become stronger. No more hiding."

"I'll show them my talents that enough for the Hokage to take interest in me. So I would have a backer who will be to protect me from Danzo."

Itsuki clenched his fists, feeling the energy in his body respond. The danger was real, but if he played this right, it could also become an opportunity.

---

Outside, in the moonlit streets of Konoha, the masked Root agent watched silently from the shadows, his orders clear. Observe. Do not engage. But even from a distance, he could feel something unusual about the boy. The calm aura Itsuki projected, combined with the subtle but powerful fluctuations in his chakra, made the agent uneasy.

For now, he would watch.

But he knew it was only a matter of time before Danzo would make his move.