Naruto:Thunder Cultivation As An Uchiha

The stakes were clear. Ikazuchi carried information dangerous for Konoha. My father wasn't losing, but neither was he winning. The stalemate gnawed at me as I crouched in the shadows, the weight of a decision pressing against my chest.

If I stay here and do nothing, the risk of failure grows. But if I act...

I gritted my teeth, tightening my grip on the dagger I had hidden in my sash. The opportunity was there. Ikazuchi's focus was locked on my father, his movements is varying but predictable. He hadn't noticed me, hadn't sensed me. My breathing was steady, my presence is invisible.

This is my chance.

I moved, my steps light and silent, the Cloud Steps technique carrying me forward like a whisper through the trees. The world slowed as my senses sharpened, every detail crystallizing in my mind. My heart pounded in my chest, but my hands were steady.

Now.

I surged forward, the dagger flashing briefly in the moonlight before I drove it into the back of Ikazuchi's head. The blade struck true, piercing through flesh and bone with sickening precision. The crackle of lightning around him faded instantly, and his body froze, then crumpled lifelessly to the ground.

The sound of Ikazuchi's fall broke through the chaos. Hatoshi turned sharply, his Sharingan catching the faint flicker of movement. His eyes widened as he saw Hirito standing behind the fallen body, the dagger still in his grip. For a moment, the forest was silent, the weight of what had just happened settling over them.

"Hirito," Hatoshi said, his voice low, filled with a mixture of surprise and concern. "What are you doing here?"

Hirito straightened, his expression calm despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins. "I couldn't let him escape, Father."

Hatoshi's Sharingan eyes narrowed, scanning his son and the scene before him. His lips pressed into a thin line, but he said nothing at first. Then, with a sigh, he stepped closer, his voice quieter but no less firm.

"You acted Strongly," he said. "But this was dangerous. You shouldn't have been here."

Meanwhile.

The dimly lit Hokage building buzzed with tension as Sarutobi Hiruzen and the village elders gathered around a table stacked with reports. The Third Hokage, seated at the center, puffed on his pipe, a thin stream of smoke curling upward. The discussion revolved around Konoha's annual budget, a balancing act of resources, missions, and rebuilding efforts after the Second Ninja World War.

Just as Hiruzen began outlining allocations for medical supplies, the meeting was interrupted by the sharp whistle of a flare streaking across the sky.

Hiruzen's sharp eyes immediately shifted toward the window, where the flare's bright glow illuminated the evening sky.

"An emergency," he muttered, setting down his pipe. "ANBU, to the source of the flare. Investigate immediately."

"Yes, Hokage-sama!" The masked ANBU members stationed in the room vanished in a blur.

Hiruzen's gaze then fell on Danzo Shimura, seated to his right. "Danzo, send your Root operatives as well. This may involve sensitive information."

Danzo nodded, his expression unreadable as he stood and walked out of the room. The village elders exchanged concerned glances, but Hiruzen raised a hand, silencing their murmurs.

"Let us wait for their report," he said calmly, though the faintest hint of worry flickered in his eyes.

The scene at the flare's location was tense. The bodies of multiple Hidden Cloud ninja littered the ground, their blood soaking into the forest floor. The smell of scorched earth and metallic tang of blood filled the air. Uchiha clan members stood in a loose formation, their Sharingan glowing faintly in the dim light as they surveyed the aftermath. At their center was Hatoshi, silent and observant, his role deliberately understated.

Moments later, the ANBU and Root operatives arrived, their presence marked by a sudden shift in the air. Danzo appeared at the forefront, his cold, calculating gaze sweeping across the scene.

One of the Root operatives stepped forward, addressing the Uchiha. "We'll take the bodies for inspection. They fall under the jurisdiction of the Hokage's office."

The Uchiha ninja guarding the bodies didn't move, their expressions unreadable. One of them replied plainly, "The bodies are within the jurisdiction of the Uchiha clan."

The Root operative's tone sharpened. "What is the meaning of this? Are you trying to rebel?"

"No," the Uchiha replied, their tone steady and unaffected. The quiet defiance hung in the air like a blade poised to strike.

Hatoshi finally stepped forward, his posture calm but commanding. The Uchiha crest on his back gleamed faintly. "Danzo-san," he said, his tone polite but firm, "the bodies fall under Uchiha jurisdiction. Are your Root members intervening in the matters of our clan?"

Danzo's eyes narrowed slightly, his lips curling into a cold smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Hatoshi-kun," he said, his voice smooth but with an undertone of warning. "Surely you understand the Hokage's orders are absolute. Are you suggesting otherwise?"

Hatoshi's gaze didn't waver. "No, Danzo-san. But surely you understand there's no reward for compliance. After all, my clan risked our lives neutralizing these intruders."

Danzo's expression darkened for the briefest moment, but he nodded. "What do you want?"

"Three S-rank missions and five A-rank mission rewards," Hatoshi said without hesitation.

Danzo's jaw tightened, but he nodded curtly. "Consider it done."

With negotiations settled, the Root members moved to collect the bodies. As they worked, Danzo's gaze lingered on Hirito, standing slightly apart from the others. His sharp eyes narrowed for a moment before he addressed Hatoshi. "Is that your son?"

Hatoshi stepped protectively closer to Hirito. "Yes, Danzo-san. Hirito is my son."

Danzo's voice took on a faintly amused tone. "A genin, isn't he?"

"Yes," Hatoshi replied. "He will form his team tomorrow."

Danzo nodded, his calculating gaze flicking to Hirito once more. "Congratulations," he said to the boy.

Hirito, keeping his composure, inclined his head politely. "Thank you, Danzo-san."

With that, Danzo and his Root operatives disappeared in a blur of motion, the tension in the air lingering long after they had gone.

As the Uchiha clan members began to disperse, Hatoshi turned to Hirito. His sharp eyes studied his son for a long moment before he spoke. "We seem to have a lot to talk about."

Hirito met his father's gaze with calm confidence, his tone steady. "Yes, Father."

Hatoshi's expression softened slightly, but his posture remained firm. "Let's head home. There's much to discuss."

He created a shadow clone to handle the remaining clan members and began walking with Hirito toward their house. The forest grew quiet around them, the night sky above clear and full of stars.

End of the Chapter.