DarkRai's Moves

Before she could finish her sentence, her body instinctively recoiled as she saw the man's body change. Her back arched, her muscles retracted, and her entire silhouette became slender. Her hair grew longer, reaching her shoulders, and took on a golden hue. Her previously ordinary face transformed into an unsettling beauty, almost otherworldly.

Strange crosses appeared on his chest and forehead, accompanied by a bright green diamond. His eyes turned black, abyssal, devoid of any human warmth. Yugito felt a cold shiver run down her spine.

"Who are you?" she asked, instinctively backing away.

The man did not respond. In a flash, his hand grabbed her throat, squeezing with an implacable force. Yugito tried to gather her chakra to invoke the power of Matatabi, but something was preventing her.

She felt her strength diminishing at an alarming rate. An unsettling light shone on the stigma on the man's chest.

[Jūbi Stigma: Matatabi = 76%... 81%... 88%... 97%... 100%]

"You! What are you doing?" she cried, her voice stifled by the man's grip.

"I kill people for a living, baby girl~"

His free hand glowed, forming a dark purple chakra scalpel, crackling with sparks.

"You... You're actually–"

Before she could finish, the scalpel pierced her abdomen, causing a gush of blood that splattered her face. Yugito opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Pain paralyzed her, and her strength left her completely.

"M... Monster..." she whispered, breathless.

The man let out a cold, emotionless laugh. "Hehe... You can call me that if you want, baby girl."

With a nonchalant gesture, he threw Yugito's lifeless body onto the ground like a worthless piece of trash. His black eyes rested on the blood spreading around her for a moment, but his expression remained indifferent.

The man, now with a youthful face reminiscent of a fifteen-year-old boy, calmly buttoned his black shirt, adjusted his ANBU uniform, and draped a black cloak over his shoulders.

"But in the shinobi world," he said with a carnivorous smile, "I am better known by the name of..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he disappeared into a cloud of darkness, leaving the room in macabre silence.

*The Raikage's Office*

In his office, the Raikage savored a glass of sake, his feet propped up on his desk, his thoughts focused on village affairs. The tranquility of the night was suddenly shattered by a powerful explosion that shook the entire building.

"Damn it!" he exclaimed, spilling his drink. "Who dares to attack Kumogakure?"

He rose hastily, but before he could move, a thin drop of blood trickled down his cheek.

He turned his head, and his gaze fell upon a kunai embedded in the wall. It crackled with dark purple lightning, emitting a sinister aura.

The Raikage's eyes widened in rage and astonishment. "Hiruzen's dog...? DarkRai!"

***

*In the Hokage's Office*

The room was silent, illuminated only by the soft light of the lamps. Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in his Hokage attire, contemplated the wall of Hokage faces carved outside, symbols of a long line of leaders and sacrifices. With his back turned, he spoke calmly, his voice carrying a mix of wisdom and concern.

"DarkRai," he said without turning around. "Have you completed the mission?"

"Affirmative, Sandaime," replied a cold and detached voice from the masked man behind him.

Hiruzen nodded slightly, a hand resting on the windowsill. "Can this assassination be linked to Konoha?"

"No, Sandaime. But I did detect the presence of Root."

The old Hokage's face hardened. "Ah, Danzo... Always lurking in the shadows, trying to thwart my plans."

He turned slowly, his sharp gaze fixed on the ANBU. Although DarkRai's mask concealed his face, his black eyes sparkled with intensity.

"Sandaime, may I ask a request?" he asked, momentarily breaking the formality between them.

"Go ahead," the Hokage replied calmly.

"Why don't you tell the truth to the Yondaime's son?"

The question cast a shadow across the Sandaime's eyes. "Ah... I know you were very close to Minato. And I understand your concern for Naruto. But Kushina's health remains unstable... Too unstable for him to learn the truth now."

DarkRai nodded slightly in acceptance. "I understand, Sandaime," he said simply.

"Well," Hiruzen continued, resuming his official tone. "Kakashi will soon retire from his role in the ANBU. I hope you'll be ready to replace him for the upcoming mission in the Land of Water."

"Affirmative."

"In the meantime, rest. Take some leave at the hospital."

DarkRai nodded and, in a puff of smoke, disappeared, leaving the Hokage alone with his thoughts.

...

*Uchiha Clan Domain*

The night was peaceful, but within the Uchiha residence, a tense atmosphere prevailed. Mikoto, standing by her flowers, held a card in her hands, observing it intently, her face bearing an expression of nostalgia.

"Mikoto?"

The deep and authoritative voice of Fugaku startled her. She turned around hastily, trying to hide the card behind her back. But her husband's piercing gaze immediately noticed her gesture.

"What is that?" he asked again, suspicion tingeing his voice.

Mikoto's heart raced. She searched for an answer, but the words remained stuck in her throat. Fugaku, aware of her nervousness, narrowed his eyes.

Before he could press further, a black ray appeared behind him. A calm and cold voice resonated.

"Fugaku Uchiha, the Sandaime has summoned you."

Fugaku turned to face the masked man. A brief exchange of glances was enough. He simply nodded, understanding the urgency.

"So, you're back," Fugaku murmured before disappearing in a quick leap.

Mikoto watched her husband leave with a sigh of relief. She hastily put the card away in her pocket, turning back to her flowers.