Chance for a Prophecy

Chapter 24 - Under the roots

Disclaimer: Naruto and every character of the Naruto universe belongs to Kishimoto Masashi and companies, I don't know.

Applause goes for my precious beta readers: ImaginationJunkie1412, Duesal10 and Minatochan2

Original upload date: 28th of December 2013

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Chance for a Prophecy

Chapter 24. – Under The Roots

A lonely ANBU had been standing straight in the middle of the Hokage's private office inside the mansion. The activated privacy seals dulled the noises of the outside world, but the soldier still warily glanced toward the window from time to time where he had previously passed another lurking black op before he stepped in. Old instincts of war never died away.

The Yondaime followed his soldier's sight and narrowed his eyes. "Is he one of them?"

The soldier opened his mouth behind his mask, but no words came from his only thing Shisui could press out was a strange sound, something between choking and a bark. Minato's expression instantly turned into the perfect mirror of confusion. The Hokage slowly walked closer until he was face to face with the teen. With one gesture, the mask was gone so Minato could peer into the uncertain obsidian eyes.

"Would you open your mouth?" The teen tensed but after a hesitant moment obeyed. Minato narrowed his pools as soon as he noticed the edge of a dark seal array at the back of Shisui's throat.

"Your tongue please." This time the Uchiha immediately obeyed, maybe even a little too eagerly. Minato observed the pattern with narrowed eyes; experienced irises swept through the simple design, mapping every aspect of the seal almost instantly. Finally, the blond's eyes traveled up to Shisui.

"I can easily get rid of it if you want me to."

Shisui's hands clenched into fists, but he still immediately noded with a small, almost invisible smile of relief on his face. Minato strolled to one of the cabinets and in ten seconds he was once again next to the ANBU with a small brush in his hand, already starting to leave fine lines on his exposed throat. A swirl, a kanji and several more symbols appeared after each perfect stroke. Not a minute later, the Hokage leaned back to examine his handiwork for a second before he gave a satisfied nod.

"This array will modify the original, and you'll be able to speak freely. But I'm afraid the original paralysis seal will still affect your body a little. If I just remove it entirely, I fear Danzo would notice. He built in a trigger mechanism."

Shisui simply nodded, waiting for the Hokage to finally activate the seal. The dark pattern whirled around his undeveloped adam's apple and the end disappeared at the back of his neck. The Hokage observed him for a second before his fingers moved into a basic hand seal.

The markings flared and Shisui winced, squeezing his eyes shut as soon as the pattern leisurely started to disappear from the surface and slowly merge into his porcelain skin. A blink later, the pattern was nowhere to be seen. Only the soft and perfect flesh was visible. Shisui let out the air he was carefully holding in.

Then the teen suddenly froze as soon as he wanted to suck in a breath, his muscles tensed by a sudden adrenaline rush and his mouth opened and closed. No air rushed into his lungs. Wide, obsidian eyes flung toward the Hokage, sharingan flaring to life from time to time by fear and panic.

"It will be over soon," Minato murmured softly, his eyes never leaving the crimson orbs, not even for a second. The ANBU dropped to his knees as he gave up the fight with gravity. The shinobi sluggishly tumbled to his side like the time had suddenly slowed down. His eyes flared once more into a crimson color, but this time they stayed like that. Three tomoe swirled slowly and threateningly until they morphed into something Minato had never seen before.