The war room buzzed with tension as Jin-Woo stepped inside, his boots silent against the stone floor. The chakra-sealed lanterns cast long shadows across the maps and scrolls lining the walls, illuminating Tsunade's stern face at the head of the table. Shizune stood to her left, her hands clutching a clipboard, while Kakashi leaned against the wall, his Sharingan glinting faintly. ANBU captains flanked the room, their masked faces unreadable, but their poised stances betrayed their readiness.
Tsunade's gaze locked onto Jin-Woo, her fists resting on the table. "You've caused quite a stir," she began, her voice cutting through the silence. "Zetsu's attack confirms Akatsuki's interest in you. That makes you either an asset or a liability. Which is it?"
Jin-Woo met her stare, his expression unyielding. "I'm neither. I'm a tool. You use me to protect this village, and I get what I need—information on Akatsuki and Naruto. Simple."
Shizune adjusted her glasses, her voice trembling slightly. "Tsunade-sama, the chakra readings from Zetsu's attack were unlike anything we've seen. It's not just Pain's Rinnegan anymore. This… entity adapted to Jin-Woo's power. It's evolving."
Kakashi straightened, his tone measured. "That's a problem. If Akatsuki can counter him, they'll come harder next time. We need to know what he's capable of—and what he's hiding."
Jin-Woo's lips twitched, a faint smirk. "You want a demonstration? Fine. But don't expect me to hold back." He raised a hand, and Beru materialized, a towering shadow soldier with gleaming claws, its presence sending a ripple of unease through the room. The ANBU tensed, kunai flashing, but Tsunade raised a hand to halt them.
"Stand down," she ordered, her eyes narrowing at Beru. "That thing—it's not chakra-based. How do you control it?"
"It's a shadow," Jin-Woo replied, his voice calm. "Part of me. I command an army of them. Zetsu was a warm-up. Akatsuki's real players won't be so easy."
Tsunade leaned forward, her voice dropping. "And what about Naruto? You keep mentioning him. Why?"
"Because Jiraiya saw potential," Jin-Woo said, his tone hardening. "I don't trust potential. I measure it. If he's the future you believe in, I'll know it. But first, we deal with the present."
Shizune interjected, her voice urgent. "Tsunade-sama, Kakashi's team reported back. Jiraiya's stable, thanks to the serum. He's weak, but alive. He mentioned a 'Shadow Monarch'—said you'd come."
Tsunade's expression softened briefly, then hardened again. "If Jiraiya trusts you, that's a start. But trust is earned here. You'll stay under surveillance. Kakashi, assign a detail. Sakura, monitor his energy. We need to understand this… shadow power."
Kakashi nodded. "I'll handle it. Jin-Woo, you're with me. We'll start with a patrol. See how you handle our methods."
Jin-Woo inclined his head, dismissing Beru with a gesture. "Lead on. But don't expect me to follow blindly."
As they exited, Tsunade muttered to Shizune, "Keep that vial secure. If Akatsuki learns Jiraiya's alive, they'll move faster."
The night air was crisp as Kakashi led Jin-Woo through Konoha's streets, Sakura trailing behind. The village was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant hum of barrier seals. Jin-Woo's system pinged softly, analyzing the surroundings.
[Location: Hidden Leaf Village - Northern District] [Chakra Density: High] [Stealth Active - Undetected] [New Quest Update: Establish Trust - Progress: 20%] [Sub-Quest Unlocked: Patrol with Konoha Shinobi] [Objective: Assist in Village Security - Reward: Reputation +10%, Chakra Resistance +5%]
Kakashi glanced at him, his voice casual but probing. "You move like a ghost. No chakra trails. How do you do it?"
"Practice," Jin-Woo replied, his eyes scanning the rooftops. "I've hunted in places where detection meant death. Your seals are good, but they're predictable."
Sakura frowned, clutching her medical kit. "Predictable? Those barriers have protected us for decades!""Decades aren't enough against Akatsuki,"
Jin-Woo said, his tone flat. "Zetsu adapted. The next one will too. You need to evolve."
Kakashi's eye narrowed. "And you think you can teach us? You're an outsider."
"I don't teach," Jin-Woo countered. "I show. Watch." He stopped, raising a hand. Shadows coalesced, forming a small barrier around them, absorbing the ambient chakra. "Your seals react. Mine don't. Adapt that, and you might survive."
Sakura's eyes widened. "That's… incredible. But how do we replicate it?"
"You don't," Jin-Woo said. "You build your own. I'm not here to hand you power. I'm here to face the threat."
A sudden tremor shook the ground, and Kakashi tensed. "Border sensors. Something's coming."
Jin-Woo's system flared.
[Hostile Entity Detected] [Chakra Signature: Unknown - Estimated A-Rank] [Threat Level: Low to Moderate] [Recommendation: Engage with Caution]
"Let's move," Jin-Woo said, his voice sharp. They darted toward the border, the night unfolding with new dangers.
The clearing revealed a lone figure—a shinobi in a tattered cloak, his chakra erratic. Kakashi signaled a halt, his Sharingan active. "Akatsuki scout. Low-level, but dangerous."
The scout grinned, kunai in hand. "You're the Shadow freak. Boss wants you dead."
Jin-Woo stepped forward, his dagger materializing. "Tell your boss I'm flattered."
He vanished, reappearing behind the scout, the blade slicing through. The shinobi crumpled, his chakra dissipating.
Sakura gasped. "So fast…"
Kakashi sheathed his kunai, impressed. "Efficient. But Akatsuki won't send one man next time."
"They won't need to," Jin-Woo said, his eyes on the horizon. "They'll send an army."
[Sub-Quest Completed: Patrol with Konoha Shinobi] [Reward: Reputation +10%, Chakra Resistance +5%] [New Quest Update: Prepare for Retaliation] [Objective: Strengthen Village Defenses - Reward: Shadow Soldier Capacity +1]
As they returned, Jin-Woo felt the weight of Konoha's gaze. The shadow throne was his to claim—but first, he'd fortify it.