Naruto: The ANBU God

Just as he tries to refocus on the war, a firm knock on the door interrupts his actions. Without waiting for a response, an ANBU enters hurriedly, tension evident in his posture.

"Lord Hokage," says the ANBU, his voice tense under the mask, "I bring urgent information from the front."

Seeing his actions and hearing what he said, Hiruzen frowns, a feeling of unease settling in his stomach. "Speak," he says, preparing for the worst.

The ANBU takes a deep breath, as if trying to calm himself. "Lord Orochimaru has sent an urgent report. Lord Danzō... is incapacitated. He cannot remain in Kikyoyama and is being transferred back to Konoha."

"What?!" Hiruzen stands up abruptly, anger evident in his voice. "Danzō is retreating at such a critical moment? What kind of illness could be so severe as to..."

He stops upon noticing that the ANBU seems uneasy, as if there was more to say. "Is there something else?" he asks impatiently.

The ANBU hesitates but finally says it with a trembling voice. "Yes, Lord Hokage. It's about... Vice Captain Luo Lei."

Feeling his heart racing, "Continue," he orders.

"Luo Lei was ambushed on the way to Kikyoyama by an elite team from Sunagakure," the ANBU relates, his voice mixing disbelief and admiration. "Four ANBU members fell in the initial attack, but Luo Lei... he..."

"SPEAK AT ONCE!" He shouted at the ANBU, tired of this suspense.

The ANBU flinches upon hearing this shout. "Luo Lei massacred the Suna team in revenge. Six Jōnin, eight Chūnin, all eliminated. He even managed to incapacitate Pakura of Sunagakure."

Hiruzen's pupils dilate upon hearing this.

"But there's more, sir," continues the ANBU, his voice now a whisper. "Upon arriving at Kikyoyama, Luo Lei discovered that the ambush was the result of a betrayal. A Root ninja conspired with Sunagakure.

Luo Lei has submitted a detailed report, which both Lord Danzō and Lord Orochimaru have approved." After saying this, the ANBU lowered his head without even breathing.

Hiruzen remains motionless, his mind struggling to process the information.

Finally, the Hokage broke the silence. "Are you... are you completely sure about this?" he asks, his eyes desperately searching for some indication of error in the ANBU's report.

But to his disappointment, the ANBU nods slowly. "Yes, Lord Hokage. The report comes directly from Lord Orochimaru and... Lord Danzō."

Rising abruptly, Hiruzen begins to pace back and forth. "Impossible..." he mutters. "Luo Lei... so powerful? We thought he was just a common Jōnin."

He stops, turning sharply towards the ANBU. "Are you telling me he faced an elite team from Suna? Six Jōnin, eight Chūnin, and Pakura with her Kekkei Genkai?" His voice rises with each question. "And he not only survived, but eliminated them all?!"

The ANBU nods again, visibly uncomfortable. "That's right, sir. All the ANBU accompanying him fell, but Luo Lei... he..."

"And now he accuses Root of conspiracy," interrupts Hiruzen, his tone becoming sharp. "Doesn't Luo Lei know about Danzō's seal? It's impossible for Root members to betray Konoha!"

Taking his pipe with trembling hands. "This is absurd. Completely ridiculous." He inhales deeply, trying to calm himself. "And you say Danzō and Orochimaru approved a report on this?"

"Yes, Lord Hokage," responds the ANBU, extending a scroll. "The report arrived along with the news from the front."

Taking the scroll, his eyes quickly scanning its contents. With each line he reads, his expression darkens further. "Luo Lei is calling for a purge of Root," he mutters, the disbelief evident in his voice. "And Danzō and Orochimaru... have approved this?"

Suddenly, anger boiled inside Hiruzen. With a roar of frustration, he smashes his pipe against the desk, shattering it. "What the hell are they thinking?!" he shouts. "Don't they understand the consequences of this?!"

"Do they think this war is a child's game?!"

"Luo Lei... what has happened to you?" he mutters. "You were so different in Konoha. How have you become so... ruthless?"

Hiruzen turns abruptly towards the window, his reflection showing pure confusion. "I'm no senile fool, and my mind is perfectly clear. How dare he suggest a purge of Root without evidence? Does he think he can insult my intelligence like this?"

He turns again, his eyes fixed on the ANBU. "If he really annihilated that elite team from Suna, then Luo Lei has been hiding his true strength all this time."

"And something must have happened in Kikyoyama for Orochimaru and Danzō to sign this. Something we're not seeing."

The silence extends for several tense seconds before Hiruzen speaks firmly. "We need answers. And we need them now."

"Send an ANBU team immediately. I want them to bring Danzō back to the village as quickly as possible."

The ANBU hesitates for a moment. "Lord Hokage," he says cautiously, "Lord Danzō is ill. A rushed journey could worsen his condition..."

"I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT HIS CONDITION!!" he interrupts coldly. "As long as he's not dead, I want him here. Now!"

"Yes, Lord Hokage!" The ANBU bows quickly and disappears in a puff of smoke, escaping the Third's anger.

Alone in his office, Hiruzen looks at the report again. "Luo Lei... what are you really plotting?" For a moment, he feels as if he were looking at a complete stranger, not the young shinobi he thought he knew.

________

Time: If you're craving more (and I know you are!), I have just what you need. On my Patreon, you'll find exclusive chapters. Join our community and be the first to discover what happens next!

👉 [patreon.com/Athome790]

Your support fuels me. Thank you for the support! 💖