The deserted street fell silent beneath the cold moonlight.
Drip.
Drip.
Scarlet drops of blood fell onto the stone pavement, echoing clearly in the still night.
With a puff of smoke, the fallen "Chōji" reverted to his true form—
A masked shinobi clad in a sleeveless combat vest, a short sword strapped to his back.
His arms hung at unnatural angles.
The wounds were horrific—deep enough to expose white bone. Blood streamed steadily from the shredded muscle.
Through the mask, his eyes burned like those of a wounded wolf.
Careless.
He had underestimated the boy.
Just an Academy student.
At best, he should have known basic shuriken throwing and entry-level taijutsu.
The plan had been simple—
Lure him somewhere secluded.
Disguise.
Approach.
Subdue.
Instead—
His arm throbbed violently.
Adrenaline surged.
Even injured, he believed he could still capture the child.
There were other ANBU nearby.
He would win.
…Wait.
Where did the boy go?
Naruto's figure had vanished.
The masked shinobi's heart skipped.
Body Flicker Technique?
At this age?
Most Academy students struggled to master it even by graduation.
His senses sharpened.
Then—
Crack.
His eyes widened.
The ground where Naruto had stood was shattered.
Spiderweb cracks spread outward from two small footprints.
The stone had collapsed inward from sheer impact.
Not Body Flicker—
Raw physical speed.
Impossible.
A child with that level of explosive strength?
Even as a Special Jōnin, he hadn't visually tracked the movement.
A chill ran down his spine.
Naruto appeared behind him.
"Stop!"
Two ANBU materialized nearby in a blur.
Wind-enhanced shuriken tore through the air toward Naruto.
He didn't hesitate.
Scarlet chakra erupted around his arm like a living flame.
His fist struck forward with the force of thunder.
Boom.
The punch pierced clean through the masked shinobi's torso.
From back to front.
The ANBU vest exploded outward.
Blood and fragments sprayed across the pavement.
The body collapsed lifelessly.
Silence.
Naruto frowned slightly.
That was it?
He hadn't even used proper ninjutsu.
Just Uzumaki vitality and Kurama's chakra reinforcement.
Pure stats.
Perhaps—
They had underestimated him.
Inside the village.
Against a "child."
Naruto flexed his fingers, shaking blood from his hand.
Killing was unpleasant at first.
But adrenaline dulled the discomfort quickly.
He lifted his gaze toward the two remaining ANBU.
They stood tense.
Stunned.
One spoke coldly.
"Uzumaki Naruto."
"You are suspected of murdering an ANBU operative and endangering village security."
"You are under arrest."
"Surrender and submit to investigation."
The second drew a chakra-infused blade with a metallic ring.
Naruto's eyes narrowed.
A chakra blade?
Those weren't cheap.
Even Sarutobi Asuma had only one.
He considered quickly.
If captured, Hiruzen would not allow Root to keep him.
The Jinchūriki was too important.
This was most likely Root.
Danzō.
Naruto smiled faintly.
"Heh. ANBU elites?"
"Is that all?"
"I hope you can at least make me try."
The two shinobi stiffened at his tone.
Root operatives were not accustomed to being mocked.
They eliminated threats silently.
Clan heads treated them cautiously.
Yet here—
A boy.
Smiling.
The killing intent thickened.
Naruto gathered his chakra.
Red energy surged around him like a violent tide.
Just as the tension reached its peak—
A figure flashed down between them.
Graceful.
Tall.
Purple hair flowed behind an ANBU mask.
Her presence alone dispersed the oppressive killing intent.
Two more ANBU appeared at her flanks in perfect formation, facing the Root operatives.
The air grew heavy.
Naruto glanced at the woman's long purple hair and the composed stance of her legs beneath the ANBU gear.
So.
The ones monitoring him had stepped in.
A sharp voice rang out into the night.
"Root operatives."
"State your authorization for detaining the Jinchūriki."