Naruto: Kakashi of the spider sage

Kakashi left the Hokage's office in silence, his expression unreadable as he stepped into the cool night air. The village was peaceful, unaware of the storm that had just passed within the walls of power. The weight of his actions did not trouble him; he had done what needed to be done.

Back inside the office, Hiruzen watched Kakashi leave before sighing deeply. He ran a weary hand through his graying hair, his mind heavy with thoughts.

"Everyone is dismissed. You may go," he finally said, rubbing his temples.

Shikaku was the first to leave, muttering, "What a drag," under his breath. He had no interest in political games, only in pragmatic solutions. Staying any longer meant unnecessary debate, and he had already calculated the likely outcomes.

Fugaku followed closely behind. The Uchiha clan head kept his face stoic, but inside, he was practically celebrating. The thorn in his clan's side, the man who had oppressed them from the shadows for decades, had been removed in a single night. It felt surreal. He resisted the urge to smile. He would be the bearer of this incredible news to his clan, a victory he never thought would come so easily.

Koharu and Homura were the last to leave, lingering with concern evident on their faces. Before stepping out, Koharu turned back to Hiruzen, her eyes hard with warning.

"I hope you know what you're doing, Hiruzen," she said. "If Kakashi could eliminate Danzo, someone guarded by the most elite operatives in the village, imagine what he could do to us."

Her words hung in the air like a cold mist before she finally left.

Hiruzen sat in silence for a few moments, lost in thought. Then, he straightened his posture and summoned an ANBU. A masked figure appeared in an instant, kneeling before him.

"Yes, Hokage-sama?"

Hiruzen's voice was low but firm. "I want you to..." He leaned forward and whispered instructions, his tone grave. The ANBU nodded and disappeared in a flicker.

The Spider-Web

Far from Konoha, in a cavern illuminated by faint blue bioluminescent webs, the Spider Sage sat playing Gu with Enkidu. The board was positioned between them, the pieces scattered in strategic formations. The cave was vast, its walls layered with intricate spider webs that shimmered with ancient energy.

Suddenly, the Spider Sage stopped moving, his head tilting slightly as if listening to something beyond the physical realm.

Enkidu raised an eyebrow, noticing his reaction. "What? Don't tell me another human has entered the Spider-Web?" he asked jokingly, a smirk playing on his lips.

The Spider Sage turned his gaze to Enkidu, his many eyes narrowing slightly. "No... destiny just shifted. This is the first time I've sensed such a disturbance."

Enkidu blinked. "Oh? I didn't sense anything."

"That's why I keep telling you to focus on your Sage Mode more," the Spider Sage chided. "But no—you prefer to play with illusions."

Enkidu shrugged, leaning back on his arms. "Relax. For someone who can perceive destiny, sometimes you can be blind. You know better than anyone that illusions are my way of being. As for my Sage Art, it will improve in time."

Just then, his expression changed. His senses tingled.

"Oh? See I told you. I do sense something now. It's that boy, Kakashi," Enkidu said, intrigued. "Not even a full day has passed, and he's already changed the story. And here I thought destiny couldn't be shifted."

The Spider Sage nodded, his expression unreadable. "Destiny cannot be changed. That's why I was surprised when Kakashi came to the Spider-Web, when no human was supposed to be able to enter."

Enkidu chuckled. "Oh, but didn't someone enter the Web six hundred years ago?"

The Spider Sage sighed. "That one wasn't human. Plus, I beat him and hung him in the cave for sixty years before I let him go."

Enkidu burst out laughing. "Sometimes you can be truly evil, you know that?"

The Spider Sage huffed. "At that time, I was still angry at those bastards."

Enkidu smirked. "Ha! I remember warning you before you left with them. Serves you right, you fool."

The Spider Sage scowled and glanced at the Gu board. With a calculated move, he shifted his piece.

"You lost."

Enkidu stared at the board, realization dawning on him. His expression twisted in frustration before he suddenly flipped the board over in defiance.

The Spider Sage burst into laughter, and after a moment, Enkidu joined him.

"HAHAAHAHAHAHAH".

Back in Konoha, night had fallen. The streets were quiet, the village basked in the comforting glow of lanterns. However, in the hospital, the atmosphere was anything but peaceful.

Danzo lay on his hospital bed, his body wrapped in bandages, barely conscious. His breath was shallow, his chest rising and falling in painful motions. Two Root operatives stood guard outside his room, silent and vigilant.

Then, the lights flickered.

One… Two… Three seconds.

The lights came back on. The guards were dead.

Danzo's single remaining eye widened in shock. He had sensed nothing. Who could move so fast that even his trained operatives didn't stand a chance?

The door creaked open.

Danzo's weak body stiffened at the sight of the man who entered.

"Hiruzen..." he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The Third Hokage walked toward him, his expression impassive. He stood over Danzo's bed, looking down at his old friend with weary eyes.

"Danzo... you reaped what you sowed all these years. Don't say I didn't warn you," Hiruzen said softly.

Danzo stared at him, his mind racing despite his weakened state. "It was... Kakashi..."

"I know," Hiruzen replied.

A silence stretched between them before Danzo found the strength to whisper, "What... punishment...?"

Hiruzen sighed, his gaze heavy. "He wasn't punished. In fact, he didn't even try to hide it. He knew we couldn't punish him, especially not for what he did to you." He paused before adding, "It seems that living in the shadows for so long has made people forget you even exist."

Danzo's fingers trembled slightly. "I did it... all for Konoha..."

Hiruzen exhaled one last time. "Then do one last thing for Konoha."

He turned away, stepping toward the door. As he exited, he turned to the ANBU standing outside. "Clean this place up. Encircle the Root base. Those who can still be saved will be given a place in the ANBU. The rest... eliminate them."

The ANBU nodded before vanishing.

Inside the room, Danzo lay in silence, staring at the ceiling, his mind clouded with a whirlwind of thoughts. Hiruzen's words echoed in his head.

Then, he felt a sharp pain in his throat.

His vision blurred, his breath hitched. When he looked down, he saw the crimson flow of his own blood. His throat had been slit.

As darkness consumed him, Danzo's last thought was not of power, nor of regret.

Only silence remained.