Chapter 31 A Web Deception

Minato Namikaze's gaze lingered on Naruto, his usually sharp eyes clouded with confusion and disbelief. His lips parted, but the words caught in his throat.

"Well, that, Naruto, you, you..."

His hesitation painted his face with unease, a sight so unusual that it drew the attention of even Kurama.

Naruto, who had been surveying the Uchiha compound for strategic positions, frowned slightly at the sudden interruption.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice calm but carrying a hint of curiosity.

Minato's face flushed. He pointed vaguely in Naruto's direction, struggling to form coherent words. "It's... it's, your... your eyes..."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, perplexed. *What is he talking about?*

Sensing something amiss, Naruto sought a safe spot in his surroundings, leaned against a shaded tree, and entered the sealed space.

---

Inside the vast, ethereal chamber where the Nine-Tails resided, Kurama's booming laughter echoed like a crashing wave.

"Hahahaha! Oh, this is *too* good," the fox roared, his crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. "I can't believe it! He actually thinks you're not his kid! This is gold!"

Naruto frowned, turning to the massive fox lounging in his cage. "What's going on, Kurama?"

The beast's sharp grin widened, revealing his fangs. "Your old man saw your Sharingan. Now he's trying to figure out if Kushina cheated on him with some Uchiha!"

"What?!" Naruto exclaimed, his voice laced with both shock and exasperation.

Minato, overhearing Kurama's taunts, flushed a deeper shade of red. "I—That's not... I didn't mean..."

But Naruto cut him off with a flat tone, his gaze sharp and unwavering. "These aren't my eyes. I took them from someone else."

The blunt admission silenced the room. Minato blinked, his initial shock giving way to understanding.

"Oh," he muttered, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "Of course... Haha. I didn't mean to imply anything. I was just surprised."

Naruto stared at his father for a moment longer before sighing. "If that's all, I've got work to do. I've found some good locations for seals." Without waiting for a response, he disappeared from the sealed space, leaving Minato and Kurama alone.

Kurama snorted, his massive tail flicking lazily. "Humans and their insecurities. Pathetic."

---

Beneath the moonlit sky, Naruto crouched by the Nanhe River, the distant sound of flowing water blending with the rustle of leaves. His fingers moved deftly, carving intricate seal patterns into the earth.

"Huh," he exhaled, stepping back to admire his work. A faint blue glow pulsed from the seal, harmonizing with the natural chakra flow of the area.

"That should do it," he muttered, his gaze sweeping over the quiet surroundings.

This was the first of four seals he had placed. The others were carefully hidden at chokepoints between the Hokage's office and the Uchiha compound. Together, they formed an inescapable trap, one designed to ensnare even the most cautious of prey.

Naruto straightened, brushing the dirt off his hands.

"Danzo," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the night's stillness. "Your move."

---

In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen stood by the window, the bustling streets of Konoha spread out below him. The warm light of lanterns illuminated the village, casting fleeting shadows that mirrored the turmoil in his heart.

Behind him, Uchiha Shisui stood stiffly, his head bowed low.

"Shisui," Hiruzen began, his tone measured but firm. "It's been over a month, and the village has yet to uncover anything about the intruder. What progress has the Security Department made?"

Shisui hesitated, his hands clenched tightly at his sides. "My apologies, Lord Third. Despite our efforts, we've found no leads. I've even tested members of my clan discreetly, but..."

"But?" Hiruzen prompted, his gaze still fixed on the scene outside.

"I suspect the intruder may not be from the Uchiha clan," Shisui admitted, his voice low. "But their mastery of the Sharingan... it's undeniable."

Hiruzen turned slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing. "You're certain of this?"

Shisui nodded. "Yes, but without concrete evidence, I can't rule out any possibilities."

The Hokage sighed, his shoulders heavy with the burden of leadership. "We cannot afford to expend more of Konoha's resources on this. As of today, I've withdrawn all investigative teams. The Security Department will handle this matter independently."

Shisui's eyes widened in shock. "Lord Third, what if the intruder strikes again? The villagers—"

Hiruzen raised a hand, silencing him. "This is your opportunity, Shisui. Prove to Konoha that the Uchiha clan can protect this village."

The words struck Shisui like a lightning bolt. His initial worry gave way to a surge of determination. "Thank you, Lord Third. I'll report this to Lord Fugaku immediately."

Hiruzen nodded, but as Shisui turned to leave, he spoke again.

"Shisui," he said softly, "have you used your Mangekyō Sharingan yet?"

The question made Shisui pause. He hesitated before replying, "Not yet, Lord Third. I've been waiting for the right moment."

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering in their depths. *Has he used Kotoamatsukami without my knowledge? Could he have already manipulated me?*

He forced himself to relax, masking his unease. "Very well. I trust your judgment. Do what you must, Shisui. When this is over, I'll ensure the village acknowledges the Uchiha clan's contributions."

Shisui's heart swelled with pride. "Thank you, Lord Third. I won't let you down."

As Shisui left the office, his footsteps light with renewed purpose, Hiruzen turned back to the window. The light in his eyes dimmed, replaced by the shadows of doubt.

*Shisui, your loyalty may be true... but for the safety of Konoha, I cannot gamble.*

His gaze dropped to the sealed letter on his desk. Picking it up, he whispered, "Danzo, the stage is yours. Do not fail me."