White Dragon Hidden in The Leaves

His appearance was creepy as I knew what he had under those bandages and my heart couldn't help but race with fear at the sight of him.

"Ah, Hayai," Danzo greeted as he drew nearer, and stopped in front of my grandfather. I could feel the tension between them crackle through the air, sending shivers down my spine.

"Evening, Danzō my old friend," Grandfather replied, his tone measured and betraying no emotions. I admired his ability to remain so calm under pressure. It is a skill I would need to learn.

"Your presence is always... interesting." Danzo's words were like ice, cold, and cutting. I could tell that beneath their veneer of civility, there was something more, but I couldn't say for sure.

His one visible eye narrowed as he regarded me with a mixture of curiosity and calculation. It was as if he were sizing me up, as though I were some puzzle he sought to unravel. My heart pounded in my chest, and for a brief moment, I felt utterly exposed. This was the last person whose attention I needed, especially with everything else that was already happening. But now that I knew what he would do, I needed to become strong enough to deal with him. And I don't mean the way Sasuka couldnt do it but really be able to deal with him.

Danzo's unwavering focus could only mean one thing, he knew who I was. And I might have already been watching me.

"Your granddaughter has grown quite a bit since I last saw her," Danzo said, his single visible eye narrowing as he looked me up and down. His gaze felt invasive, like icy fingers digging into my skin, and I did my best to suppress a shudder...

Shit he was watching me, but for how long? How much did he know?

"Her name is Ayumi," Grandfather interjected, stepping forward to position himself protectively between me and Donzo. "Though I don't recall introducing you to each other."

"Is that so?" Donzo asked, a faint smile playing on his lips. It was a cold, insincere gesture that only served to heighten my unease. "I was close with Hino, your mother, and knew her very well. It's a shame she died after giving birth to you. Your mother was quite talented, Ayumi"

Suddenly, rage bubbled inside me like boiling water, threatening to spill over. I could feel it coming from my stomach as I placed my hand over where my two birthmarks were. I could sense a bit of disdain. But before I could react, Grandfather's hand on my shoulder tightened, reminding me to keep my emotions in check.

"Thank you for your... condolences," I managed to say through clenched teeth. My heart raced, each beat echoing loudly in my ears.

"Of course," Donzo replied, his smile not reaching his eye. "I'm sure your mother would be proud of what you've become." He paused for a second. " Though from what I've heard you are just like her in the academy,"

"Thank you," I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "I can only hope to honor her memory." Maybe it was a bad idea to wish to be a jinchuriki, It was affecting my emotions. No, I just needed to figure out how to deal with it.

"Speaking of interesting events," Donzo continued, a sly grin playing at the corners of his mouth. "I've heard some interesting ones involving Izumi Uchiha and a certain silence at the hospital."

So he had someone already watching Izumi at the hospital, Was he annoyed that he couldn't hear what was happening?

Grandfather's eyes flickered in my direction for the briefest of moments, but his voice remained steady. "Rumors have a way of becoming exaggerated, especially in a village like ours. There's no reason to worry about such idle gossip."

"Ah, but sometimes there is a kernel of truth hidden within even the wildest of tales," Donzo pressed on, his gaze never leaving Grandfather's face. "It would be wise not to dismiss them entirely. Like with the boy, what was his name again? Ah, it was Naruto. "

"Perhaps," Grandfather conceded, his tone guarded. "But in this case, I can assure you there is nothing to be concerned about."

His words were carefully chosen, calculated to reveal as little as possible while still maintaining the appearance of candor. But I couldn't shake the feeling that Danzo wasn't so easily fooled. His visible eye seemed to bore straight through us as if he could see past our defenses and uncover the secrets we were so desperately trying to hide.

"Very well," Donzo said after a pause, his voice a low growl. " I was thinking of putting Izumi under my watch, as her clan had such dangerous plans." He mused.

"Izumi is fine and has nothing to do with any Uchiha plans. She is dedicated to her duty and would never misuse such power. And as one of my students, I will be the one to watch over her."my grandfather replied coolly.

"I hope this won't be a repeat of what happened with Hiruzen." His eye looked intently at my grandfather. "We don't need another missing nin."

As their conversation continued, I retreated into my thoughts, trying to make sense of everything that had happened since Izumi began training me. The one person I could ask for help wasn't even in the village. well, both of them weren't, and that left me with little options for now.

The wind rustled the leaves above our heads, bringing me back to the present.

"Your attempts to intimidate me are wasted, Danzo," my grandfather said finally, breaking the silence. "I will continue to act in the best interests of my family and those under my care, regardless of any veiled threats you may make."

"Very well," Danzo replied. "But remember, even the most carefully guarded secrets have a way of coming to light eventually."

With that cryptic statement hanging in the air, Danzo turned on his heel. In the blink of an eye, he seemed to dissolve into the shadows, leaving only a lingering sense of unease in his wake.

"Grandfather," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "What did he mean by that? Why does he care so much about Izumi and the Uchihas?"

He sighed heavily, the weight of this confrontation evident in his expression. "Danzo is a man driven by his own duty and devotion to the village. He fears anything that might threaten its stability."

"Is that why appeared now? Right after we meet Izumi?" I asked breathing to control the anger flaring up within me. "Because he thinks we're some kind of threat?"

"Perhaps," my grandfather admitted. "But don't let his words unsettle you, Ayumi. He has the village's best at heart."

As we made our way through the village, my thoughts raced, trying to process everything that had just transpired. The encounter with Danzo had left a bitter taste in my mouth.

The moonlit path seemed to stretch on endlessly as we made our way back through the village. Until we made it home and even then sleep eluded me that night, the images of Danzo's cold, calculating gaze didn't let me sleep. As soon as the sun peeked over the horizon, I had made my way to the training grounds, the scroll I had taken from Grandfather's study clutched tightly in my hands.

As I unfurled the parchment, I tried to focus on the intricate diagrams and instructions it contained, hoping they would provide a distraction from my troubled thoughts. The early morning light filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns across the ground, and the cool dew dampened my bare feet.

I began to mimic the movements outlined in the ancient script, each precise motion bringing me a momentary sense of peace and control.

The sun had barely peeked over the horizon as it cast a muted golden glow on the training grounds. The scent of dew-drenched grass filled my nostrils as I moved gracefully through the intricate steps outlined in the scroll. My muscles burned with each fluid motion, but the pain only served to anchor me further into the present moment.

My breath came out in visible puffs in the chilly air. As I executed a particularly complex technique, I couldn't help but reflect on the previous night's encounter with Danzo. That cold, piercing gaze seemed to bore straight through me, leaving me feeling vulnerable and exposed. What did he know about me? And what did he want?

A familiar voice reached my ears of someone humming, and I looked up to see Kiba Inuzuka from my class approaching from the woods. His lively, chestnut-brown eyes held a spark of youthful curiosity that seemed to dance with the excitement of discovery. His untamed, raven-black hair tumbled around his head in a carefree mess, strands catching the light and casting playful shadows. A smudge of dirt adorned his cheek.

Perched atop Kiba's head was Akamaru, a pint-sized puppy with fur as white as freshly fallen snow. Akamaru's eyes gleamed with a mix of innocence and boundless energy. His tiny tail wagged fervently, adding to his adorable charm. The puppy's ears twitched as he took in the world around him, capturing every sound and scent with a keen sense of wonder.

"Hey, Ayumi," he greeted with a genuine smile that stretched from ear to ear, revealing the gaps where his baby teeth used to be. His voice carried a lighthearted tone, he really was like the anime showed him to be. " What are you doing?"

"Training," I replied, my gaze flickering to the scroll in my hand as I rolled it up before returning to meet his eyes. Grandpa would kill me if I let someone read this scroll.

Kiba's nod seemed to understand "Me and Akamaru were about to go for a run. Wanna come with us?" he offered.

A smile graced my lips as I accepted his offer, feeling a warmth deep within me. I carefully stowed the scroll away in my bag. The prospect of joining Kiba and his fluffy companion promised a break from the stress I was feeling right now.