Chapter 2: CHAPTER-2 AFTERMATH AND FUTURE
Konoha Council Chamber
The atmosphere in the Konoha Council Chamber was thick with tension and chaos. The recent invasion had left the village reeling, and the council members were in a state of panic. Questions hung in the air like storm clouds, and the most pressing among them was the identity of the mysterious figure who had single-handedly defeated Orochimaru and subdued the One-Tail Beast.
A member of the Civilian Council, his voice trembling with indignation, stood up. "Hokage-sama, we cannot tolerate this! Someone comes into our village with his gang, displays his strength, and then simply walks away!"
Inoichi Yamanaka, the head of the Yamanaka clan, interjected calmly, "He did not simply run away. He left of his own volition."
Shikaku Nara, ever the strategist, chimed in, "But we need to know who they are. They've formed an organization, and we know nothing about them!"
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, adjusted his glasses and took a deep breath, trying to maintain order. "Actually, Jiraiya informed me about them. They emerged a few years back. No one knows who they are or where they came from, but we do know this: after their appearance, most of the black market mafia shut down their operations. And he is the one who stopped Itachi Uchiha from massacring his entire clan. Right, Mikoto-san?"
Mikoto Uchiha, the matriarch of the Uchiha clan, nodded solemnly. "Yes, I vaguely remember. His body structure and techniques are quite similar. He saved me that day. He saved my son and many of my clansmen. When Itachi finished killing my husband, he turned his sword toward me. That was when he entered our room, just as Itachi swung his sword at me."
Hiashi Hyuga leaned forward, intrigued. "What happened next?"
Mikoto's voice trembled as she recounted the memory. "He disappeared and appeared next to Itachi, grabbing him by the collar and throwing him outside. After that, I fainted."
A civilian council member frowned. "Why didn't we know about this sooner?"
Hiruzen sighed. "Because it's classified as an S-rank secret, known only to the Hokage and the victims involved. We must wait for their next move, or we should consider contacting them. Whichever comes first, we will see."
He shifted the topic. "Now, what is the situation in the village?"
Shikaku replied, "The village has recovered about fifty percent, thanks to Uzumaki Industries. I personally sent a letter to their chairman for assistance."
"Good," Hiruzen said. "I will send a letter from my side as well. Is there anything else to discuss?" When no one spoke, he concluded, "Then we will end this meeting. Dismissed."
As the council members stood and filed out of the chamber, Mikoto Uchiha made her way toward a mansion situated halfway between the Uchiha and Senju districts. She was eager to see the young boy she admired—the one who had saved her life.
Uchiha Mansion
Standing before the gate, Mikoto smiled as she saw Naruto Uzumaki approaching. "Hello, Naruto-kun! How are you? Let's go inside; the meeting is about to begin."
"Yes, let's go," he replied, a bright smile on his face.
They channeled chakra into a seal that opened the gate, and as they entered the compound, their demeanor transformed completely.
Once inside, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The moment they crossed the threshold, their clothing and demeanor transformed, reflecting their alter egos—Naruto became "Shadow," the enigmatic leader of the Shadow Garden, while Mikoto embraced her role as "Alpha," the fierce second-in-command and protector of her clan.
Shadow's Transformation
In his Shadow form, Naruto exuded an aura of authority and confidence. His dark attire emphasized his role as a guardian and strategist, someone who moved through the shadows to protect those he cared about. Unlike his usual attire, which prominently displayed the Uzumaki crest and the Hidden Leaf Village headband, Shadow opted for a more understated look. His uniform was devoid of any clan symbols, representing a departure from his past and a step into a new identity. The absence of the headband symbolized his commitment to a larger cause, one that transcended the boundaries of his village.
The sleek black fabric of his long-sleeved uniform clung to his form, allowing for ease of movement while also projecting an image of stealth and sophistication. The high collar of his uniform framed his face, giving him an air of mystery. Over this, he wore a dark trench coat that flowed gracefully as he moved, its intricate designs hinting at a legacy of power and resilience.
Shadow's piercing blue eyes, now sharper and more focused, scanned the room as he took his place on the throne, embodying the strength and determination that had come to define him. His demeanor was serious, and every gesture spoke of the weight of responsibility he now carried.
Alpha's Transformation
Mikoto, embracing her role as Alpha, radiated strength and elegance. Her ebony slime bodysuit, adorned with gold accents, highlighted her combat-ready persona while maintaining a sense of grace. The cutout design of her outfit showcased her warrior spirit, and the ornate golden streaks along her hips added a regal touch, emphasizing her status as the matriarch of the Uchiha clan. Dark bracers adorned her arms, signifying her readiness for battle, while the high heels she wore gave her an air of sophistication that contrasted with her fierce nature.
As they walked deeper into the mansion, the grand hall opened up before them, showcasing traditional Japanese-style flooring and a beautifully crafted wooden ceiling. The hall was vast, with elegant shoji screens lining the walls and soft lanterns illuminating the space with a warm glow. In the center of the hall stood a large, ornate throne, a symbol of leadership and power.
Shadow , now fully embracing his role, took his place on the throne with a commanding presence. He looked out over the members of the Shadow Garden who stood in lines before him, their expressions a mix of respect and anticipation.
"Report," he commanded, his voice steady and authoritative.
The members of the Shadow Garden bowed deeply, acknowledging his presence and the weight of his words. Alpha, stepping forward with confidence, prepared to deliver the updates.
"After we left the council meeting, discussions ensued regarding the village's recovery and our involvement," she began, her voice strong and clear. "They are contemplating whether we are friends or foes."
Shadow nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Keep a close eye on them. We must continue to support the village through our resources.
"Keep an eye on them," Shadow instructed, his voice steady. "We must continue to support the village through Uzumaki Industries. What news do we have from the other villages?"
"Nothing significant is happening elsewhere," Alpha replied. "However, in the Land of Water, rebel forces are preparing for a final push against Yagura, the Yondaime Mizukage."
"Interesting," Shadow mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Arrange a meeting with their leader. Who is it?"
"Mei Terumi, the clan head of the Terumi clan, and she possesses two kekkei genkai: Yoton and Futton releases," Alpha informed him.
A member of the Shadow Garden stepped forward, his head bowed. "We have reports of increased activity in the outskirts of the village. It seems there are remnants of rogue ninjas trying to exploit the chaos."
"Then we must act swiftly," Shadow replied, his voice firm. "Alpha, gather our best operatives. We need to ensure the safety of the village and eliminate any threats before they escalate."
"Understood," Alpha responded, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I'll assemble a team immediately."
"I'll go now. I need to discuss something with the Third Hokage," Shadow said, rising from his throne. He turned to leave, and the members of his organization bowed once more, chanting, "Hai, Shadow-sama."
Hokage Office
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was buried under a mountain of paperwork, his arch-nemesis. Just as he was about to drown in the endless scrolls, he noticed unfamiliar seals spreading across the room, turning the air thick and dark. Suddenly, the sound of a biwa echoed, and a wooden door appeared before him.
Shadow stepped through the door, his presence commanding immediate attention. Hiruzen quickly organized his papers, adopting a serious demeanor. "Welcome to my office, Shadow. Thanks to you, my village is safe, and many lives have been spared."
"It's my pleasure, Third Hokage," Shadow replied, his tone businesslike. "Now, can we discuss the terms of our deal?"
"Of course," Hiruzen said. "For that, I'll need to summon Jiraiya."
"Very well," Shadow said, snapping his fingers. A wooden door opened in the ceiling, accompanied by the familiar sound of the biwa. From it, Jiraiya fell, landing unceremoniously on the floor.
"Why am I here? I was…cough…doing research in the waterfall!" Jiraiya exclaimed, brushing himself off.
"I summoned you here, Jiraiya of the Sannin," Shadow stated, his voice firm. "We need to discuss the terms of our deal."
"Alright, let's hear it," Jiraiya said, his curiosity piqued.
Hiruzen leaned forward, eager to know. "What are the conditions of the deal you wish to propose?"
Shadow took a moment to gather his thoughts. "I propose a partnership where we share vital information and assist each other, just as we did during the recent crisis. Additionally, I'd like to include some bounty hunting in our collaboration."
Hiruzen and Jiraiya exchanged glances, contemplating the proposal. After a few moments of discussion, they both nodded in agreement.
"Yes, we accept these conditions, but we must keep this arrangement a secret," Hiruzen stated, his voice resolute.
"Agreed," Shadow replied. "However, when the time comes, you must assist us. There's a war brewing on the horizon." He then tossed two scrolls towards Jiraiya. "One contains the location of your teammate, Senju Tsunade, and the other is a premium wine from Kumo."
Jiraiya's eyes sparkled with excitement, and he quickly unrolled the scrolls, his mouth watering at the thought of the wine.
"Alright! This is a win-win situation!" Jiraiya exclaimed, grinning widely.
"Now, it's time for me to take my leave," Shadow said, standing up.
"Thank you for your assistance, Shadow," Hiruzen said, his expression softening. "We will do our best to uphold our end of the deal."
As Shadow exited the office, he felt a sense of purpose. The alliance he was forging with Konoha could be the key to navigating the turbulent waters ahead.
AND DONE! PLEASE REVIEW AND GIVE SUGGESTION WHO YOU WANT AS SHADOW GARDEN MEMBER FROM NARUTO WORLD (ONLY FEMALE).
I decided to do flashback in third chapter.
CHAPTER-3 FLASHBACK AND ABILITIES.