"Tsk, tsk, tsk... how cruel. Don't you think I'm more valuable alive than dead? Aren't you afraid of killing me?" A Fei said mockingly as he watched the people constantly dodging his attacks.
Hearing A Fei's taunt, Danzo Shimura slashed through the vines in front of him with a Wind Release Ninjutsu and sneered, "Hmph, if someone doesn't know how to appreciate their own worth, then their death is meaningless. I just need to take your body back."
"Oh? If that's the case, then I won't hold back."
As soon as he finished speaking, A Fei dashed toward the nearest Anbu. Just as he was about to strike, wooden thorns sprouted from his arms, aiming straight for his target.
However, just as his attack was about to land, he suddenly sensed an incoming threat.
Reacting quickly, A Fei withdrew his attack and managed to dodge in time.
Turning his gaze toward the source of the attack, he saw Shimura Danzo standing in that direction. A Fei then scanned his surroundings and realized that in a short span of time, all the vines he had created had been cut down.
"Everyone, listen to my command—no need to hold back. Capture him, dead or alive!" Danzo ordered coldly.
"Yes!" his subordinates responded in unison.
Hearing Danzo's words, A Fei cursed internally. Damn it! Why hasn't Uchiha Madara shown up yet? If he doesn't come, I'll have no choice but to run.
A Few Hundred Meters Away from the Battlefield
Uchiha Madara watched the scene unfold with a calm expression.
"Madara-sama, why haven't we stepped in yet?" Bai Zetsu asked, shifting his gaze from the battlefield to Madara.
Hearing this, Uchiha Madara shook his head. "There's no rush—the real fun is just beginning."
To Madara, A Fei's survival was of little importance. After all, he was nothing more than a tool, a creation infused with Hashirama's cells.
Of course, that was just Madara's perspective.
While Bai Zetsu was useful for intelligence gathering, he was practically useless in combat. A Fei, however, was different. Unlike ordinary White Zetsu, who lacked the ability to use Ninjutsu and relied solely on Taijutsu, A Fei possessed Wood Style.
So far, he was the only White Zetsu capable of wielding such power, and Madara was curious to see just how strong he had become with Hashirama's cells.
Bai Zetsu, meanwhile, internally rolled his eyes. He really doesn't care whether A Fei lives or dies, huh? Does he think we White Zetsu don't have our own will?
"...Understood, Madara-sama," Bai Zetsu replied reluctantly.
Back on the Battlefield
After a prolonged struggle, A Fei finally managed to kill an Anbu, but the battle had left him exhausted.
Although the Hashirama cells had greatly enhanced his recovery rate and stamina beyond that of ordinary White Zetsu, he was still facing twenty Jōnin—including Shimura Danzo.
It was impressive that he had lasted this long.
"Surrender, boy," Danzo said, seeing that A Fei was reaching his limit. "If you give up now, I'll overlook the fact that you killed Konoha ninjas—as long as you return with me to Konoha."
"Oh really?" A Fei sneered. "I've already killed more than a dozen of your men. Can you really forgive me for that? Or... are their lives so worthless in your eyes?"
Danzo remained unfazed. "For a ninja, the mission comes above all else—even their own life."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk… How sad. Ninjas in Konoha risk their lives for the mission, only to be treated as disposable tools in the end. It's really not worth it."
Danzo saw through A Fei's attempt to shake the morale of his men. However, apart from his personal Root members, the rest of his forces were from Anbu, and their loyalty wouldn't waver so easily.
"Enough nonsense. Make your choice—life or death?" Danzo asked coldly.
A Fei glanced around, trying to spot Uchiha Madara, but all he saw were Danzo's forces surrounding him.
It seemed he had no choice but to escape.
"Hah! You want me to become Konoha's lapdog? Keep dreaming!"
With that, A Fei's body began sinking into the ground.
Danzo's eyes narrowed. He wasn't sure what kind of Ninjutsu A Fei was using, but it allowed him to phase into the earth as if it were water.
However, as a seasoned battlefield veteran, Danzo reacted immediately.
"Attack! Don't let him escape!" he shouted.
"Fire Style—"
"Water Style—"
"Lightning Style—"
"Earth Style—"
"Wind Style—"
Ninjutsu of all five elements rained down on A Fei from all directions.
Seeing the barrage of attacks, A Fei regretted not using a defensive Ninjutsu before attempting his escape.
Now, without a Wooden Formation Wall to shield him, he had no choice but to endure the attacks head-on.
Can I survive this? he wondered.
Boom!
A massive explosion erupted at the center of the battlefield, sending up a mushroom cloud tens of meters high.
Seeing this, Danzo gestured for his men to advance and recover A Fei's body.
However, just as they approached the smoke-covered area, a colossal blue energy blade suddenly slashed through the haze, sweeping across the battlefield with devastating force.
"Fall back!" Danzo shouted urgently, retreating immediately.
But not all of his men were as fast as he was. The giant blue blade moved too swiftly.
In an instant, those who failed to escape were sliced apart. Blood sprayed across the battlefield, turning the ground a dark crimson.
Danzo quickly scanned the aftermath. Half of his forces—elite Jōnin—had been annihilated in an instant.
What kind of power is this?!
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Danzo unleashed a powerful gust of wind to clear the lingering smoke.
But what he saw next made his heart skip a beat.
As the dust settled, a towering blue giant—half-formed yet radiating overwhelming power—stood in the center of the battlefield.
Beneath its protective form, a single figure stood proudly.
"This… is Susanoo?"
Danzo's disbelief deepened. First, A Fei used Wood Style, and now he had the Mangekyō Sharingan?
"Who the hell are you?" Danzo demanded. "Why are you doing this? Are you planning to betray Konoha?"
Uchiha Madara frowned slightly. For a moment, he was confused. Danzo had met him before—so why didn't he recognize him now?
But then, he realized something.
Ah… I must still look like my younger brother, Uchiha Izuna.