Naruto: The Scarlet Ronin

Chapter 11: The Truth of the Kuro Shinigami

Minato Namikaze stepped into the Hokage's office with a heavy heart. The weight of the failed mission hung over him like a storm cloud. Even with his skills and the reputation he carried, they had lost a Jonin and two Chunin. The mission had ended in disaster, and Minato could not help but feel that he had let his comrades down.

As he opened the door, the sight of the aged Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, seated behind the desk greeted him. The renowned Ninja Professor, known for his mastery of all five chakra natures and his vast repertoire of ninjutsu, appeared calm as he scanned a paper in his hand. A pipe rested between his fingers, thin wisps of smoke curling into the air.

Hiruzen looked up at the young ninja standing before him—Minato Namikaze, the prized pupil of Jiraiya. Despite the grim news he expected, a faint smile crossed Hiruzen's face. Minato's reputation as a genius preceded him. He had not only mastered the Flying Raijin, a technique of the legendary Tobirama Senju, but had refined it further.

"Ah, Minato," Hiruzen said, his voice warm and grandfatherly, masking the steel beneath. "I trust you've come to give your report on the mission."

Minato straightened. "Yes, Lord Hokage." He hesitated briefly before continuing, "It's as you've likely heard... The mission was a failure. We were ambushed by the Kuro Shinigami, and I failed to ensure the safety of my comrades."

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, tapping his pipe against the ashtray. "Yes, I heard about that. A shame, truly. Tell me, Minato, what happened in detail?"

Minato nodded and recounted the events. "We were escorting the merchant as planned. Yema and Kaku were leading with the five Chunin, while I stayed hidden as additional support. It was quiet at first, and we made good progress... until we reached the mountain pass."

He paused, recalling the moment. "Suddenly, we were attacked by a swarm of clones. My team defended the merchant, while I searched for the enemy. But no matter how much I scanned the area, I couldn't detect them. The situation escalated when Kaku was struck by an invisible Wind Release attack—he didn't stand a chance."

Minato's fists clenched slightly. "And then... he appeared. The Kuro Shinigami."

Hiruzen's expression darkened. "Go on."

"He was fast, Lord Hokage. Too fast. His attacks were precise, and his ability to create clones that could mimic his chakra signature made it impossible to track him. He wielded a black blade, one that seemed to radiate malevolent energy. Despite our best efforts, we couldn't keep up. And... the rest is as the report says."

For a moment, silence filled the room, broken only by the soft crackling of Hiruzen's pipe. Finally, the Hokage spoke. "This is troubling, indeed. But you and your team did everything you could, Minato. The Kuro Shinigami is no ordinary adversary."

Minato looked up, surprise flickering across his face. "You know who he is, Lord Hokage?"

Hiruzen pulled a bingo book from his desk, setting it down alongside a folded piece of paper. He opened the book to a page depicting the masked man who had ambushed Minato's team. "This," he said, tapping the image, "is the Kuro Shinigami. His real name is Shinji Uzumaki."

Minato's eyes widened. "Uzumaki?"

Hiruzen nodded gravely. "Yes. Shinji Uzumaki is one of the last known survivors of Uzushiogakure after its destruction. He is the great-grandson of Takemaru Uzumaki, the second leader of Uzushiogakure, and the grandson of Taiga Uzumaki, a legendary shinobi of their village. More importantly, he is a descendant of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the cousin of Kushina Uzumaki."

Minato froze. The revelation hit him like a thunderclap. "Kushina's cousin?"

Hiruzen leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "Exactly. After Uzushiogakure fell, we believed Shinji had perished along with most of his clan. Mito Uzumaki herself tried to locate him but found no trace. That was decades ago. Now, not only has he resurfaced, but he has also become a rogue ninja of incredible power."

Minato's mind raced. He recalled Kushina's fiery determination and unyielding spirit. To think someone sharing her bloodline had become such a formidable threat was difficult to comprehend.

"But why?" Minato asked. "Why would he turn against the shinobi world?"

Hiruzen sighed deeply, folding his hands on the desk. "That, Minato, is a question we don't yet have an answer to. However, his possession of the Yamato sword confirms his identity. The sword is a family heirloom, said to respond only to members of the Uzumaki clan who are strong enough to wield it. Besides Kushina, Shinji is the only one alive who could possibly use it."

The weight of the situation sank in. "What would you have me do, Lord Hokage?"

Hiruzen closed the bingo book and set it aside. "This information is classified. No one—not even Kushina—can know of this until we have captured Shinji. I am forming a special task force with the sole mission of apprehending him. You, Minato, will be a key member of this team."

Minato nodded solemnly. "As you command, Lord Hokage."

Hiruzen's expression softened slightly. "For now, rest and prepare yourself. You will need to be at your best for what lies ahead."

Minato bowed deeply before leaving the room.

As the door closed behind him, Hiruzen leaned back, his eyes narrowing as he puffed on his pipe. "The last Uzumaki prince," he muttered. "What have you become, Shinji?"

---

Minato walked the streets of Konoha, his mind churning with thoughts of the mission and the revelations about Shinji Uzumaki. The weight of responsibility pressed on his shoulders, but he knew he couldn't afford to falter.

The wind rustled through the trees, carrying whispers of the past and the future. Somewhere out there, the Kuro Shinigami waited. Minato swore to himself that he would uncover the truth and bring peace to both Kushina and the village.

Little did he know, the encounter with Shinji Uzumaki would test him in ways he never imagined.