Riku Shimura

**Riku Shimura** (志村陸, *Shimura Riku*) was a kunoichi from Konohagakure's Shimura clan, daughter of Danzō Shimura as well as a former high-ranking shinobi of the disbanded Anbu faction Root.

## Background

Riku's early life was marked by tragedy and isolation. Her mother's untimely death from an unknown disease when she was just a young child left a profound impact on her life. With her mother's passing, Riku was left in the care of her father, Danzō Shimura, a prominent figure in their village. As a single parent, Danzō faced the difficult task of raising Riku on his own while navigating his own responsibilities within the village.

Danzō, being a high-ranking member of the village and also involved in the clandestine organization known as Root, had limited time to dedicate to Riku's upbringing. As a result, Riku spent much of her early childhood feeling neglected and lonely. The absence of her mother and her father's demanding responsibilities contributed to a sense of emptiness and longing for companionship.

At the tender age of five, Riku was placed into Root, an organization shrouded in secrecy and known for its ruthless methods. Root operated under the command of Danzō, and its primary purpose was to safeguard the village by carrying out covert missions and eliminating potential threats. Although Riku's involvement in Root at such a young age seemed unconventional, it reflected the extent to which Danzō believed in his daughter's potential and his desire to mold her into a loyal and capable operative.

Riku's time in Root was marked by rigorous training and a strict indoctrination into the organization's ideology. She was taught to suppress her emotions, to prioritize the village's interests above all else, and to carry out missions with unwavering loyalty. Despite the challenging environment, Riku adapted to her circumstances and displayed exceptional talent in combat and intelligence gathering.

However, as Riku grew older, she began questioning the morality and ethics of Root's actions. She saw the organization's methods as excessively harsh and devoid of compassion. These doubts, combined with her longing for genuine human connection, led her to secretly form relationships with individuals outside of Root. Through these connections, Riku gained a broader perspective on the world and started to question the motives and practices of her own organization.

Ultimately, Riku's involvement with Root was brought to light by the village. The revelation of her double life and dissenting views on Root's operations caused considerable controversy within the village's leadership. Riku was deemed a liability and her presence was seen as a potential threat to the village's stability.

Recognizing the need for change and a fresh start, Riku made the difficult decision to leave Root behind. She sought refuge outside the village, determined to forge her own path and distance herself from the oppressive influence of Root and its manipulative ways. Riku's departure marked the beginning of her journey to redefine her identity, reconcile her past, and discover her own sense of purpose in a world that had been shaped by secrecy and control.

## Personality

Riku's alignment with her father's belief that the Uchiha clan should be eliminated highlights the deep-rooted influence of her upbringing in Root and the ideologies instilled in her during her time there. She saw the Uchiha clan as a potential threat to the stability of Konohagakure and viewed their elimination as a necessary sacrifice for the greater good of the village. Riku's unwavering loyalty to Konoha and her willingness to make difficult decisions, even if they involved taking morally questionable actions, showcased her dedication to protect the village at any cost.

Within the ranks of Root, Riku's perspective on the members of the organization was shaped by their indoctrination and her own experiences. She saw them as expendable pawns, trained to carry out dangerous missions without hesitation. Her lack of remorse in having Root members perform duties that could result in permanent injury or death stemmed from her deep-seated belief that their lives were secondary to the preservation of Konoha's interests. Riku had internalized the notion that sacrifices were necessary for the village's survival, even if it meant using and discarding her fellow operatives.

This calculated and treacherous nature also extended to Riku's interactions with those she considered "allies." If she perceived someone as a potential threat to her or Konoha's plans, she would not hesitate to eliminate them, as demonstrated in her attempts to eliminate Gyaru and Ushimaru. Her willingness to go to any lengths to further her own power and influence showcased her ambition and her commitment to ensuring Konoha's dominance.

Riku's drive to increase her physical and political powers led her to make risky choices, such as allowing herself to be experimented on with the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan. She believed that by harnessing the power of the Sharingan and gaining control over a tailed beast, she could become an even more formidable asset to Konoha. Her willingness to undergo such experiments showcased her readiness to endure pain and sacrifice her own well-being for the sake of achieving her goals.

## Appearance

During her tenure as an Anbu operative, Riku's attire reflected both functionality and a sense of stealth. Her uniform consisted of a simple black suit that provided ease of movement and concealed her identity in the shadows. The suit was complemented by a grey flak jacket, which offered a level of protection without compromising her agility and flexibility.

To ensure her readiness for combat, Riku wore strapped-up sandals that allowed for swift and silent movement, essential for a ninja operating in covert missions. Additionally, she donned arm guards that extended up to her elbows, providing added protection and enhancing her defensive capabilities in close-quarters combat. These arm guards were designed to withstand impacts and potential weapon strikes, enabling Riku to defend herself effectively in dangerous situations.

While off-duty but still maintaining an air of readiness, Riku adopted a similar outfit, with a few variations to reflect her personal style. She added segmented gauntlets to her ensemble, providing enhanced protection to her hands and forearms while maintaining her dexterity and allowing for precise strikes. Additionally, bandages were wrapped around her calves, both as a practical measure to provide support during intense physical activities and as a visual element that added to her overall appearance.

The mask Riku wore as an Anbu operative was an essential part of her identity concealment. Her mask featured red markings around the eyes and forehead, giving it a distinctive and striking appearance. The red markings added an element of intimidation and mystery, serving as a visual representation of her allegiance to the village and her readiness to carry out covert operations. The mask not only concealed her face but also acted as a symbol of her commitment to duty, signaling her status as an Anbu and her willingness to protect Konohagakure.

## Akatsuki Career

Following Riku's public exposure for aiding Orochimaru in his sinister experiments, her actions sparked outrage and condemnation within the village. The revelation of her involvement with such a notorious figure was a severe blow to the trust and integrity of Konohagakure. As news of her betrayal spread, the village leadership wasted no time in dispatching Anbu operatives to capture her and bring her to justice.

Aware of the dire consequences awaiting her, Riku swiftly realized that escape was her only chance at survival. She vanished into the shadows, employing her years of training and expertise to evade the pursuing Anbu. Riku's disappearance only deepened the sense of betrayal and heightened the urgency of her capture. The village authorities saw her actions as not only treasonous but also as an unforgivable act of murdering fellow Konoha shinobi.

Riku's flight from the village took her through treacherous terrains and hidden safe havens, utilizing her knowledge of secret passages and her connections with individuals outside the village. She sought refuge among those who shared her desire for freedom and were sympathetic to her cause. Riku's journey was fraught with danger and the constant fear of discovery, forcing her to rely on her wits, resourcefulness, and the limited support she could gather in her pursuit of eluding capture.

As Riku evaded her pursuers, she was confronted with the gravity of her actions and the weight of her conscience. The knowledge that she had aided Orochimaru in his heinous experiments weighed heavily upon her, causing internal turmoil and self-reflection. She questioned her own moral compass and grappled with the consequences of her choices, realizing the devastating impact they had on the lives of innocent people and the reputation of her village.

Riku's flight from Konoha marked a turning point in her life. Cut off from the only home she had ever known, she was forced to confront the darkness within herself and seek redemption for her past actions. The journey allowed her to reflect on the true meaning of loyalty, justice, and the balance between personal ambitions and the well-being of others.

Throughout her escape, Riku encountered various challenges, both physical and emotional, that tested her resilience and determination. She navigated through dangerous territories, forged unlikely alliances, and learned to trust her instincts in order to survive. The experiences she gained during this period would shape her character and pave the way for her eventual path of redemption and atonement.

## Fate

After years of eluding capture and navigating the treacherous path of redemption, tragedy befell Riku in the form of an unknown and debilitating disease. The illness struck her unexpectedly, leaving her weakened and vulnerable. Despite her best efforts to find a cure, the disease took its toll on Riku's body, eventually leading to her untimely demise.

Despite the efforts made to locate her body, Riku's physical remains were never found. The mystery surrounding her disappearance after her death only added to the intrigue of her story, leaving many questions unanswered and fuelling rumours and speculation among the villagers. Some whispered tales of her spirit lingering, forever tied to the village she once called home.

The absence of a proper burial and the inability to bid a final farewell further deepened the sense of loss and unresolved emotions among Riku's friends, allies, and even those who had opposed her. Her absence served as a constant reminder of the complexities of her life and the impact she had on others, both positive and negative.