“Kakashi, where’s Neiki?” Standing amidst the ruins of the Uchiha compound, ravaged by war, Kakashi frowned as he asked.
“I don’t know… but Neiki stole many Sharingan from us. Yamanaka Fu even went after him, and they fought over there. The area collapsed, but Neiki still managed to escape. Lord Danzo was furious about it.” This Root ninja replied.
This wasn’t classified information; they all agreed to remove Neiki, a rogue Root member.
“Where did they fight?” Kakashi quickly asked, hoping to match the battle traces with the sword marks he saw earlier in the outskirts.
“Over there,” the ninja pointed to a collapsed training ground.
“Kakashi, the priority is taking down the Uchiha,” Asuma urged. “If we don’t go now, they’ll break through.”
“You go ahead… capturing Neiki is also a mission.” With that, Kakashi darted towards the training ground.
“Fine, we’ll catch up later.” Asuma didn’t press further.
Kakashi had the Sharingan gifted by Obito, and their deep bond made it understandable if he was reluctant to harm the Uchiha. Moreover, while capturing Neiki seemed minor compared to the Uchiha, many were already involved in the latter. Kakashi’s absence wouldn’t tip the scales. On the other hand, investigating Neiki was solely on Kakashi, making this a matter of efficient resource allocation.
Kakashi was unaware of the massacre at the Hyuga main house, news expertly contained by Shikaku. However, Kakashi’s unease grew, fueled by Fugaku’s hints and Neiki’s strange behavior.
Entering the wrecked training ground, he lifted his headband to reveal the Sharingan, which could discern details others might miss.
For instance, the blood-stained sword marks beneath a pile of tiles.
From them, Kakashi could roughly reconstruct the battle.
“So, Yamanaka Fu was actually at a disadvantage?”
With limited clues, he continued digging through the rubble.
Noticing something, he reached into the debris and pulled out a fragment of clothing with a broken clan emblem.
Beneath the fabric lay half a corpse.
He froze.
Then, like a madman, he grabbed the Root ninja by the collar, yelling:
“Where is Lord Danzo?”
“I-I don’t know…”
Kakashi’s face turned grim. There was no time to waste. He was about to chase after them when he turned back and instructed the Root ninja:
“Quickly inform the Hokage and tell him…”
…
Sensing something, Fugaku lifted his head slightly.
Swish!
Before his eyes, ninja figures materialized, encircling them.
No longer resorting to guerilla tactics, Konoha finally sent their elite for a decisive strike.
“So it’s not the Hokage, but Lord Danzo leading this siege…” Fugaku eyed the cane-supported figure approaching.
No wonder they resorted to such despicable methods.
“I thought you foresaw this scene,” Danzo remarked, his gaze fixed on Fugaku. “We all underestimated you, Fugaku. You possess impressive eyes.”
“Unfortunately, you’re not the only one coveting these eyes,” Fugaku smirked.
Danzo remained silent, aware that they were not alone. Any talk of “coveting” would sound too harsh.
He didn’t care what Fugaku meant by “not the only one.” What mattered was acquiring Fugaku’s eyes, whose abilities seemed unique, as a supplement to Shisui’s, which had a long cooldown period between uses.
He was determined.
“This Konoha traitor can’t use that technique anymore. Take them down.” Danzo waved his hand, and the surrounding ninjas charged at the Uchiha.
“Remember the battle plan I discussed with you?” Fugaku turned to his clan, his voice weak but resolute. “You go first. I’ll follow shortly.”
“Clan leader!!” The clan members tearfully bade farewell.
Since Fugaku declared Setsuna the next Uchiha leader, many had expected this moment. Fugaku’s plan included instructions for a mass blockade, with him holding the rear while others escaped.
How many Uchiha would survive this breakout was uncertain.
However, as clan leader, Fugaku was willing to be the first to stand and fight for his clan’s chance at survival.
In reality, Fugaku had been targeted. Without him holding the rear, the others wouldn’t escape!
In Konoha’s outskirts, surrounded by dense vegetation, the Uchiha quickly memorized the faces of their enemies and then turned to flee in a different direction.
“I may not be a competent leader, but I hope you all survive…” Fugaku smiled.
“Torune, Fu, stay here. The rest, pursue them!” Danzo ordered, unwilling to let any Sharingan escape.
“Ha—” Fugaku laughed, eyes full of mockery. “All of you, stay here!!”
Susanoo reappeared.
From bones to muscles to armor, the blue specter wielded its chained weapon, blocking most pursuers.
This guy… was Susanoo’s collapse earlier an act?
Danzo’s face darkened. He asked:
“How long can you hold out?”
“As long as I can, that’s the responsibility of a clan leader.” Fugaku laughed louder.
He had resolved to die.
“Foolish.” Danzo sneered, dropping his cane and removing the metal clasp from his right arm, revealing bandaged limbs. He formed hand signs and slammed his hands to the ground.
—Summoning Jutsu: Baku!
“Roar!”
An enormous orange-red Baku appeared.
The Baku opened its mouth, unleashing a powerful suction.
Hmm?
Soil and rocks crumbled, trees uprooted.
Encased in Susanoo, Fugaku struggled to anchor his feet into the ground, resisting the suction with difficulty.
He couldn’t move…
Lifting a foot would get him sucked in…
“What are you waiting for? Keep chasing!” Danzo frowned and scolded, Noticing the odd looks from the surrounding ninjas.
“What are you hesitating for, Neiki—” In a desperate moment, Fugaku suddenly shouted.
His voice echoed far, but only wind rustling through the trees answered. Watching Konoha ninjas leap past him, Fugaku’s face grew somber.
Soon, only Danzo and his two aides, Torune Aburame and Yamanaka Fu, remained.
Danzo narrowed his eyes mockingly: “Is he your trump card?”
“Neiki… that traitor?”
“He was fighting me for Sharingan earlier.”
“He even claimed to be following the Hokage’s orders.”
“What a troublesome boy…”
Though calling him troublesome, Danzo wished he could drag Hiashi here and kill them both.
To Danzo, Neiki was cursed with the Caged Bird Seal and could only act on Hiashi’s orders.
There would be a reckoning… Danzo mused over the Hyuga affair.
As Fugaku’s feet lifted off the ground, Susanoo shattered.
“Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!”
At the brink of being swallowed by the Baku, a Great Fireball shot into its mouth.
“Roar—”
The Baku writhed in pain before collapsing, dissipating in a cloud of white smoke.
Danzo ignored the Baku’s condition, sneering at the weakened Fugaku, who could barely stand:
“Pathetic.”
“Fu, Torune, bring me his eyes.”
He turned his back and bent to pick up the metal clasp.
Stab!
A long sword pierced Danzo’s chest.
Blood dripped from the blade’s tip.
“Cough… cough…”
Danzo turned his head, trembling.
Torune lay on the ground, his fate uncertain.
He looked at the face behind him:
“When…”
“A while ago,” Neiki shifted back from Yamanaka Fu to himself, smiling brightly. “I was worried you’d catch on.”
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