From the moment Shimura Danzō spoke, the weight of authority came down like a cold iron slab.
"Yes, Lord Danzō," Ishiki Kujo replied respectfully.
No matter his personal feelings, he was still a Konoha shinobi—and Danzō, for all his shadows, wielded power. Calling him "Lord" was just prudent.
"Do you know about the Vanishing Abilities Incident?" Danzō asked, skipping any pretense of small talk. As he spoke, he slid a thick folder across the desk.
"I do. Lord Third Hokage asked me to look into it," Ishiki said, invoking Hiruzen's name immediately—his shield and leverage.
Danzō nodded slightly. "And? Any leads?"
"A few," Ishiki replied seriously. "The incident began on the night of the Nine-Tails' attack. The most notable anomaly at the hospital that night… was the Perverted Ghost Incident. So I've decided to start investigating from that angle."
"Hmph. A solid approach. I've had people look into that as well. Nothing actionable so far."
Danzō acknowledged it, but his tone was flat. "Anything else you can think of?"
"Lady Tsunade took me to visit all the affected individuals today," Ishiki continued. "The ones who stood out most were members of the Hyūga and Uchiha clans."
Danzō remained silent, watching him with the unreadable stillness of a predator.
"Most victims lost their ninjutsu or specializations, but those two lost their kekkei genkai. And yet, according to Lady Tsunade's information, their eyes are still their own. Just… inert. They no longer activate. That's abnormal."
It was true—Tsunade had told him that. And it was why Ishiki had suggested a mysterious illness when she asked for his thoughts.
"If this was the work of someone," Ishiki continued, "then they'd likely use those stolen abilities. And if they're used, they'd leave evidence. Residue. Technique traces. Someone would notice."
He looked straight at Danzō. "But if it wasn't human-caused, if this was something else… a unique disease or phenomenon… then the only way to confirm is through comprehensive medical testing."
Danzō nodded again. "You think clearly. You're right—use leaves a trail."
Then, without a word, Danzō took back the initial file and pulled out a second one, pushing it toward Ishiki. His voice turned sharper.
"Look at this."
Ishiki glanced down—and instantly his brow tightened.
It was a photo. High resolution. The aftermath of a battle. Blackened soil, scorched trees, signs of explosive damage.
He recognized the place immediately.
He'd caused that destruction.
"A little over a month ago, during a skirmish with Kumogakure, you were part of a squad that went to provide support," Danzō began. "Several reports from that unit stated you were intercepted by a Kumo ninja—one who held a scroll in his mouth."
"His identity was Troy. A Kumogakure special jōnin. One of the few magnetic release users in their entire village. Tell me—how did you defeat him?"
Danzō's tone was even, but the blade beneath it was sharp.
Ishiki's heart thudded once—but his face didn't flinch.
"I submitted my report," Ishiki replied calmly. "I didn't defeat him. The enemy retreated after a sudden explosion. I stated that clearly."
"I read your report. So tell me—this location in the photo. That's where the battle occurred?"
"Yes." Ishiki nodded. No point in denying that.
Danzō's expression didn't shift, but the air grew colder. "Our Root team re-investigated the site. Among the damage, they found signs of Great Fireball Jutsu—and traces of another jutsu: Wire-Dragon Flame Formation."
"That last one," Danzō emphasized, "is an Uchiha-exclusive technique. So. Care to explain how you know it?"
His lone visible eye gleamed like a wolf's under moonlight.
He didn't wait for an answer before pulling out another file. Inside: close-up photos of trees, wire marks burned deep into bark—evidence of wires strung and used as jutsu conduits.
"I've never even heard of Wire-Dragon Flame Formation," Ishiki denied immediately.
Danzō slammed his hand on the table. "Those wires are part of that technique!"
"I used those wires to counter Troy's magnetism. At the beginning of the battle, he struck me with a weapon—it magnetized my body. After that, any projectile he threw would curve toward me."
Ishiki leaned forward, staring Danzō down. "So I rigged the area with wire to disrupt the trajectories. That's all."
"I only used Great Fireball and Phoenix Fire. Nothing more."
His eyes flashed—fury, indignation, conviction. He played the part of the wounded patriot flawlessly.
He had seen the wire burns. He knew Root would catch them. That's why he'd used the final fireball to erase the other traces—char every surface, hide the evidence.
And still… Danzō had sniffed out just enough to prod him.
Ishiki held his ground.
He didn't blink.
Danzō's face darkened, but he wasn't done.
"Your chakra scalpel. Your proficiency with Mystical Palm. Neither of these are standard techniques—certainly not common in your clan. Who taught you?"
"In the scroll my father left behind on Yang Release Physical Reinforcement, both techniques were included," Ishiki said firmly. "Our clan never produced anyone with medical ninjutsu talent before, so no one mastered them. They were integrated into our taijutsu style instead."
"You might've heard," he continued, "our clan's Yang-based taijutsu is known for extreme regeneration and for damaging enemies' internals. That's from training with chakra scalpel and Mystical Palm."
Danzō's tone dropped to a low growl. "Is that so? Ishiki Kujo. I'll ask one last time…"
He leaned forward, that single eye drilling through bone.
"Are you involved in the Vanishing Abilities Incident? In Troy's death?"
"You should know—killing a jōnin from another village is meritorious. There's no shame in it. Especially a magnetic release user like Troy."
"And even if your unique ability did strip comrades of their powers, the village would understand. Forgive it.
As long as you admit it now… it won't be a problem."
"But I didn't kill Troy!" Ishiki snapped, voice rising. "And I have nothing to do with those missing abilities!
How am I supposed to confess to something I didn't do?!"
His eyes were red with frustration, fists clenched tight.
"If you don't believe me, then investigate all you want! Everything I've done—I've done for Konoha! My conscience is clean!"
His outburst was raw. Even Danzō narrowed his eye slightly.
Was this kid actually innocent…?
Danzō scowled. Hiruzen's words echoed in his mind:
"The village must never wrong the righteous—but it also must never let the wicked go free."
"I will submit a request to the Hokage," Danzō finally said, voice steely.
"To conduct a limited memory probe on you."
"Until then… you'll remain in Root."