Itachi’s Wood Release had changed everything for both him and Mikoto. What was once a quiet, albeit modest life, on the fringes of the Uchiha cn had now become a whirlwind of attention and scrutiny.

  The awakening of Wood Release, a power so sacred and rare that it was thought to have died with the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, brought both respect and questions—questions Mikoto didn’t have the answers to.

  For years, no one had cared much about Itachi’s father. To the vilge, he was simply an unknown civilian Mikoto had met during her missions. A mystery, yes, but not one that anyone found particurly important.

  But now, with Itachi’s mastery of Wood Release, the assumptions began to change.

  “Could he be a hidden Senju?” some whispered.

  “Is Itachi the rightful heir to Hashirama’s legacy?”

  Mikoto found herself fielding awkward questions from the Hokage’s advisors, cn members, and even strangers in the vilge.

  “Who was his father?” they asked. “Where is he now?”

  The truth was, Mikoto had no idea whether Harry was a Senju or not. He had never spoken of his lineage, and even if he had, she doubted it would align with the history of this world.

  The newfound attention was a double-edged sword.

  On one hand, Mikoto and Itachi were being treated with greater respect than ever before. The Uchiha cn, who had cast Mikoto out years ago, now sent envoys with polite inquiries and apologies, hoping to rebuild bridges and cim some connection to Itachi’s growing power.

  On the other hand, the attention brought scrutiny. People wanted to know more about Harry, and Mikoto was terrified of what might happen if they dug too deeply.

  And worse—what if Danzo took an interest?

  Mikoto did her best to shield Itachi from the political undercurrents, focusing instead on supporting him as he trained.

  Recognizing the significance of Itachi’s Wood Release, the Hokage took a personal interest in his development.

  The Hokage summoned Itachi to his office one morning, handing him a collection of scrolls.

  “These belonged to the First Hokage,” Hiruzen said, his voice heavy with reverence. “They contain all the knowledge we have about Wood Release—techniques, theories, and applications. I believe you are the only one who can carry on this legacy.”

  Itachi’s emerald eyes widened as he unrolled one of the scrolls. The diagrams and seals were intricate, far beyond anything he had studied before.

  “Thank you, Hokage-sama,” Itachi said, bowing deeply. “I’ll do my best.”

  Mikoto watched with pride as her son dove into the study of the scrolls, his determination shining brighter than ever.

  Wood Release was more than just a tool for combat—it was the power of creation itself.

  Under the Hokage’s guidance, Itachi began practicing techniques that were both practical and profound:

  Growing trees, vines, and roots to manipute the environment. Creating wooden walls and domes for defense. Using roots to ensnare and immobilize opponents. Channeling chakra through pnts to accelerate their growth and create medicines.

  Itachi’s progress was astonishing. Within weeks, he was creating complex wooden structures and shaping the battlefield with ease.

  But with every step forward, the weight of his power grew heavier.

  As Itachi’s skills flourished, the vilge began to view him and Mikoto in a new light.

  “What an incredible child,” vilgers murmured as Itachi passed. “He’ll grow into a legend, just like Hashirama-sama.”

  Even the Uchiha cn softened their stance, sending representatives to offer assistance and congratutions.

  Mikoto, however, remained wary. She knew the Uchiha’s interest wasn’t born of goodwill. They saw Itachi as a weapon—a tool to restore the cn’s political standing.

  Unaware of the political games being pyed around him, Itachi focused entirely on his training. The scrolls of Hashirama were a treasure trove of knowledge, and every day brought new revetions.

  But as he mastered technique after technique, Itachi began to understand the burden of his power. Wood Release wasn’t just a weapon—it was a responsibility.

  One evening, as he practiced growing saplings in the backyard, Mikoto approached him.

  “You’ve been working so hard,” she said, kneeling beside him.

  Itachi nodded, his gaze fixed on the tiny tree sprouting from his hand. “I have to, Mama. This power… it’s not just mine. It belongs to the vilge.”

  Mikoto pced a hand on his shoulder. “And you’ll use it wisely. I know you will.”

  But deep down, Mikoto couldn’t shake the fear that Itachi’s power would make him a target—not just for enemies, but for those within Konoha itself.

  As the weeks turned into months, Itachi’s mastery of Wood Release grew, and so did his reputation. The vilgers spoke of him as the second coming of Hashirama, a child destined to bring peace and prosperity to Konoha.

  But behind the admiration y a darker truth.

  The Uchiha, the Hokage, and Danzo all had their own pns for Itachi, and Mikoto knew it was only a matter of time before their ambitions cshed.

  For now, she focused on protecting her son and keeping the secrets of his father hidden. But in her heart, she knew that the man who had given her Itachi—Harry—would one day have to return.

  Because when that day came, Itachi’s power wouldn’t just be a blessing or a curse.

  It would become the key to changing the world.

  Danzo Shimura sat alone in his dimly lit office, his one visible eye narrowed in deep thought. The reports from the Wood Release Training Ground and the recent events surrounding Itachi Uchiha churned in his mind. For the first time in years, he felt both confused and cornered—a rare sensation for the man who prided himself on being several steps ahead of everyone else in Konoha.

  He hadn't pnned for this.

  The attack on Naruto Uzumaki wasn’t an act of malice. Danzo had orchestrated the event not to harm the boy, but to achieve a specific goal.

  Danzo had seen potential in Itachi from the moment rumors began to spread about his intelligence, skill, and calm demeanor, even as a child. But what intrigued Danzo most was the boy’s lineage—the son of Mikoto Uchiha, yet completely disconnected from the Uchiha cn.

  To Danzo, this made Itachi the perfect candidate for his purposes: a Sharingan wielder with no ties to the political complexities of the Uchiha cn.

  But there was one problem.

  Itachi had not yet awakened the Sharingan.

  Danzo had devised the attack on Naruto as a trigger, knowing the emotional turmoil of protecting a friend—combined with the danger of the mob—could push Itachi to awaken the Sharingan. The pn had been simple:

  Orchestrate the mob’s attack on Naruto.

  Ensure Itachi was released from duty just as the attack escated, giving him the chance to intervene.

  Watch as the boy’s emotions triggered the awakening of his Sharingan.

  Once the Sharingan was awakened, Danzo pnned to subtly bring Itachi under his influence, grooming him as a tool for ROOT.

  But then, everything went wrong.

  Danzo leaned back in his chair, repying the events in his mind. Instead of the Sharingan, Itachi had awakened something far more unprecedented—Wood Release.

  And not just any dispy of Wood Release. Itachi had conjured a forest, complete with roots that ensnared the mob and protected Naruto. The scale and precision of the technique rivaled the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, himself.

  The event had happened in front of dozens of witnesses, ensuring that it couldn’t be concealed or dismissed as a fluke.

  Danzo clenched his fists.

  “Wood Release… of all things.”

  On one hand, Danzo recognized the potential of having a new wielder of Wood Release in Konoha. The First Hokage’s power had been instrumental in building the vilge, and its return could bolster Konoha’s strength immeasurably.

  But on the other hand, Itachi’s public awakening meant that Danzo couldn’t simply cim the boy for ROOT. The Hokage and the vilge elders were already taking a keen interest in Itachi’s development, and the boy was quickly becoming a symbol of hope for the vilge.

  Danzo’s pns to groom Itachi in secret were now impossible.

  “Damn it…” Danzo muttered under his breath.

  Danzo’s mind raced, formuting new strategies. If he couldn’t cim Itachi outright, he would need to manipute the situation to ensure that the boy’s power served his interests.

  Danzo instructed his ROOT agents to keep a close eye on Itachi and Mikoto, gathering intelligence on their daily lives and interaction. The boy’s Wood Release couldn’t be ignored. If Mikoto’s lineage couldn’t expin it, then the father might hold the key.

  Danzo began spreading subtle rumors about Itachi’s connection to the Senju cn, framing him as the heir to Hashirama’s legacy. If the vilge saw Itachi as a Senju rather than an Uchiha, it would drive a wedge between him and the Uchiha cn, isoting him further. He knew Mikoto was fiercely protective of her son. He began searching for ways to pressure her, using her past and her precarious position in the vilge to force her compliance.

  Despite the unexpected turn of events, Danzo couldn’t deny a flicker of satisfaction.

  “The boy’s power… it surpasses even my expectations.”

  If he could find a way to control Itachi—if he could direct that power—Konoha’s enemies would tremble.

  But for now, he had to tread carefully. The Hokage’s involvement, coupled with the newfound respect Mikoto and Itachi were receiving, made any overt action too risky.

  Danzo smirked, his gaze dark and calcuting.

  “For now, I’ll let the Hokage py his game. But when the time is right… the boy will be mine.”

  For years, Danzo had sought to restore Konoha’s dominance by reciming the legendary power of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju—the Wood Release that had built the vilge and subdued the tailed beasts.

  But his efforts had yielded nothing but frustration and failure.

  Years ago, Danzo had discreetly given Orochimaru permission to exhume the grave of Hashirama Senju. If they could harvest even a fragment of his remains—cells, bone, or tissue—they could begin experimenting to recreate the power of Wood Release.

  However, their pns unraveled when they opened the grave and discovered a decoy.

  The casket was filled with rocks and wood fragments, carefully crafted to mimic a body. Hashirama’s remains were gone, and no one—not even Orochimaru—could trace where they had been taken.

  Danzo had been furious. He suspected that someone, perhaps even the Second Hokage, had taken precautions to ensure that Hashirama’s body couldn’t be exploited.

  Without the First Hokage’s DNA, Danzo’s dream of harnessing Wood Release remained out of reach.

  Until now.

  The awakening of Wood Release in Itachi Uchiha reignited Danzo’s ambitions, but it also raised uncomfortable questions.

  If Itachi had inherited the power of Wood Release, his father’s identity became critical.

  Was Itachi’s father a hidden Senju, one who had lived in secret after the cn’s decline? Or was he something far worse—a rogue who had stolen Hashirama’s body and experimented on himself to gain access to Konoha’s most sacred bloodline?

  The tter possibility chilled Danzo to his core.

  Danzo summoned his most trusted ROOT operatives, instructing them to dig into every scrap of information they could find about Mikoto Uchiha’s past missions.

  “I want everything,” Danzo said, his voice low and commanding. “Her movements, her associates, and any records of civilians she encountered during her missions. Leave no stone unturned.”

  He also ordered a discreet interrogation of the Uchiha cn’s elders, hoping to uncover details about Mikoto’s estrangement from the cn and any rumors about her mysterious lover.

  “If this man is a hidden Senju,” Danzo muttered, “we’ll find him. And if he’s a thief…” His visible eye darkened. “He will pay for his crimes.”

  Meanwhile, Orochimaru received word of Itachi’s awakening, and his curiosity burned brighter than ever.

  “The boy wields the power of Hashirama Senju…” Orochimaru hissed, pacing in his underground b. “But how? His mother is Uchiha—his father, an enigma. This defies everything we know.”

  The failure to locate Hashirama’s body years ago still stung, and Orochimaru couldn’t shake the possibility that someone had beaten him to the prize.

  “Whoever this man is,” Orochimaru whispered, “he’s either a genius or a madman. Perhaps both.”

  Like Danzo, Orochimaru began piecing together Mikoto’s history, hoping to uncover clues about the mystery man who had fathered a child capable of wielding Wood Release.

  As days turned into weeks, Danzo’s frustration mounted. His operatives returned with only fragmented information:

  Mikoto’s lover was a civilian, unremarkable in appearance and behavior.

  The man had vanished shortly after Mikoto’s pregnancy, leaving no trace of his identity.

  There were no records of him in Konoha’s archives or the surrounding vilges.

  But the ck of evidence only deepened Danzo’s suspicions.

  “No ordinary civilian could father a child with this power,” he muttered. “There’s more to this man than meets the eye.”

  Danzo’s thoughts turned dark.

  If this man had stolen Hashirama’s body and used it to experiment on himself, it would expin everything. The decoy in the grave, the sudden appearance of Wood Release in Itachi—it all pointed to someone with both knowledge and ambition.

  “Who are you?” Danzo whispered, staring at the reports on his desk. “And what are you pnning?"

  Unbeknownst to Danzo, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had also been monitoring the situation.

  Hiruzen had noticed Danzo’s renewed interest in Itachi and Mikoto and had begun taking steps to protect them. He assigned ANBU squads to shadow Mikoto and Itachi discreetly, ensuring their safety from any potential threats—especially ROOT operatives.

  “Danzo won’t stop,” Hiruzen murmured, smoking his pipe as he gazed out his office window. “But I won’t let him destroy another family in the name of Konoha’s future.”

  Meanwhile, Mikoto sensed the growing tension around her and Itachi. She noticed the subtle shifts in how vilgers and shinobi treated them—respect mingled with suspicion.

  “Itachi,” she said one evening as they sat together, studying the Hokage’s scrolls on Wood Release. “You must be careful. Your power is a gift, but it will also make you a target.”

  Itachi looked up from the scroll, his emerald eyes steady. “I understand, Mama. But I won’t let anyone use me. I’ll protect you and Naruto, no matter what.”

  Mikoto smiled faintly, her heart aching with both pride and fear.

  Far away from the political intrigue of Konoha, Harry Potter continued his quiet work in the Forest of Death, unaware of the chaos his legacy had sparked.

  But as whispers of his name grew louder and the hunt for his identity intensified, it was only a matter of time before Harry found himself drawn back into the world he had tried to leave behind.

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