Chapter 5 - Chapter 5: Clash of Shadows

The air in Konoha thickened as Tsunade's gaze bore into Jin-Woo, her fists clenched at her sides. The vial glowed faintly in her hand, a foreign pulse of energy that clashed with the natural chakra flowing through the village. Kakashi stood beside her, his visible eye narrowed, the weight of his Sharingan subtly probing Jin-Woo's presence. ANBU agents lingered on the rooftops, their chakra signatures poised like coiled springs, ready to strike at Tsunade's command."You broke Pain?" Tsunade's voice was a low growl, disbelief warring with the authority of the Hokage. "A man—no, a monster—who leveled half of Amegakure? And you expect us to believe you just… healed Jiraiya and walked away?"Jin-Woo's expression remained impassive, his dark eyes reflecting the flickering torchlight. "I don't expect anything. I stated a fact. Pain's body is gone. His will is shattered. Jiraiya lives because I chose to spare him. That's all you need to know."Kakashi tilted his head, his voice calm but edged with suspicion. "You're not a shinobi. Your chakra—it's there, but it's… wrong. Like it's not yours. What are you?"Jin-Woo's lips curved slightly, a ghost of a smile. "I'm a hunter. From a place far beyond your maps. Jiraiya called me a shadow, and he wasn't wrong." He glanced at the vial in Tsunade's hand. "That serum stabilized him. It's not chakra—it's something older. Use it, or don't. Your choice."Tsunade's jaw tightened, her mind racing. Jiraiya's survival was a lifeline she hadn't dared hope for, but this stranger's power unnerved her. She turned to Kakashi, her voice a hushed command. "Get Shizune. Analyze this. Now."Kakashi nodded, vanishing in a flicker of leaves, leaving Tsunade and Jin-Woo facing each other. The ANBU shifted, their blades glinting under the moonlight, but Jin-Woo didn't flinch. Beru's presence lingered in his shadow, a silent guardian ready to erupt if needed."You mentioned the Rinnegan," Tsunade said, her tone shifting to one of calculation. "If you fought Pain, you know more about our enemies than you're letting on. Why come here? What do you really want?"Jin-Woo's gaze drifted to the Hokage monument, the carved faces of Konoha's leaders watching silently. "Information. Power like his doesn't exist in a vacuum. There are others—Akatsuki, you call them. I need to know their strength, their plans. And…" He paused, his voice dropping. "I need to find the boy. Naruto."Tsunade's eyes narrowed further. "Naruto's not here. He's training. And he's none of your concern.""He is," Jin-Woo countered, his tone firm. "Jiraiya believed in him. Said he's the future. I don't trust futures I can't see. I'll judge him myself."Before Tsunade could retort, Shizune burst onto the balcony, Kakashi at her side. Her hands trembled as she held the vial, her medical expertise clashing with the unknown. "Tsunade-sama, this isn't chakra-based. It's… a regenerative compound, unlike anything I've seen. It's compatible with human physiology, but the potency—it could heal severe trauma. Jiraiya might actually survive if we get this to him."Tsunade snatched the vial back, her mind made up. "Where is he?" she demanded, turning to Jin-Woo."Safe," he replied. "I left a shadow with him in Amegakure. It'll guide you if you send someone you trust. But I warn you—don't try to track me. My shadows don't like being followed."Tsunade hesitated, then nodded curtly. "Kakashi, take a team. Bring Jiraiya back. Shizune, prepare a medical unit. We move at dawn." She fixed Jin-Woo with a steely glare. "You're staying here. Under watch. Until I decide what to do with you."Jin-Woo's smile faded. "I don't take orders. But I'll stay—for now. I have questions of my own."The ANBU escorted him to a guarded room in the Hokage Tower, its windows barred with chakra-sealed lattices. Jin-Woo sat cross-legged on the floor, his presence a void amid the village's pulsing energy. Beru materialized briefly, a towering silhouette of shadow, before dissolving back into the darkness.[Status: Under Observation] [Hostile Intent: Low] [Chakra Resistance: 10% Active] [New Quest Update: Establish Trust - Progress: 15%]A knock broke his thoughts. The door slid open, revealing Sakura Haruno, her pink hair tied back, a medical kit in hand. Her green eyes studied him warily, her chakra flaring with the instinct of a trained shinobi."Tsunade-sama sent me to check your injuries," she said, her voice cautious. "You don't look hurt, but… you're bleeding energy. It's strange."Jin-Woo tilted his head, intrigued. "I don't bleed. Not like you. But go ahead. I'm curious."Sakura approached, her hands glowing with healing chakra. She hesitated as her senses brushed against him, recoiling at the alien aura. "Your energy—it's not chakra. It's like a… shadow with a heartbeat. What are you?""A survivor," Jin-Woo said simply. "I've fought worse than you can imagine. This village is a speck compared to that."Sakura frowned, her hands hovering over him. "You're arrogant. But… your wounds are gone. Completely. How?""Magic," he said dryly, watching her reaction. "Or science. Depends on who's telling the story."She pulled back, her expression hardening. "Tsunade-sama won't let you stay if you're a threat. Naruto's out there, training to protect us. If you're after him—""I'm not," Jin-Woo interrupted. "I'm here to help. But I need to know your enemies. The Rinnegan user—Pain—wasn't alone. Who else is out there?"Sakura hesitated, then sighed. "There's Akatsuki. A group of S-rank criminals. They're after the tailed beasts—Naruto has the Nine-Tails. Pain was their leader, but there are others. Itachi Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki… we don't know them all."Jin-Woo's eyes darkened. "Tailed beasts. Power sources. Interesting." He leaned forward, his voice low. "Tell me about Itachi. His eyes."Sakura blinked, caught off guard. "He's… an Uchiha. A Sharingan user. He defected years ago, killed his clan. His power is immense, but he's elusive. Why?""Because eyes like his can be a weakness—or a weapon," Jin-Woo said, his mind racing. "I've seen power twist men into monsters. I need to know more."Before Sakura could respond, the door slammed open. Kakashi stepped in, his expression grim. "Tsunade-sama wants him in the war room. Now. We've got a problem."