Seeing this, the Root ninja panicked. They too were investigating last night's posters and news. If Danzo found out they'd turned away a delivered lead... they might be disposed of next.
"Hold on. Now that you're here, if Root doesn't help, won't people say we're dodging responsibility?"
Guess these ANBU had some sense.
"Just wait here—we'll take over.
When it comes to interrogation, Root is the professional."
The Root ninja hurried forward and seized the Land of Lightning reporter.
To them, interrogation was child's play, a daily routine.
Lord Danzo was also desperate to know who was framing him.
Now that ANBU had brought in a target, a free chance at credit—this win-win situation was too good to pass up.
"Brat, you'd better behave. Be honest and we'll go easy. Resist and suffer worse.
We're not like those dumbass ANBU. If you give us fake intel—
Don't blame me for what happens.
Root has the ten cruelest tortures in the shinobi world, and 108 interrogation techniques!"
The Root ninja threatened as they dragged the Lightning reporter along.
"Heh, threats? That's what I fear the least. You think I haven't seen worse?"
Uchiha Itachi's clone, disguised as the Lightning reporter, snorted coldly.
He was just about to talk big, expose Root's crimes, and show his unbreakable will and readiness to die...
Suddenly—a cacophony of roars, rumbling, booming!
The ground trembled.
Root and ANBU instinctively turned around—and were stunned!
Dust rose in the distance. A horde of villagers and shinobi, wielding all manner of weapons, stormed forward with killing intent and furious expressions.
"Kill! Avenge the old man!"
"No one spoke for him—we will!"
"With justice on our side, follow me—kill Danzo, destroy Root!"
"Hell is empty, and devils walk among us. Until Danzo dies, and Root is gone, Konoha will never know peace!"
"For f***ing justice—KILL!"
Seeing this, Itachi's clone was stunned.
"Damn... I've never seen anything like this before."
Crap—what the hell did his other clone do to stir up such fury in Konoha's villagers and shinobi?
"Insane, totally insane! Konoha's turned into a pot of chaos!"
Root ninja ran back and forth, panic in their eyes.
All they did was wear a mask and take a stroll, and out of nowhere, they got surrounded and beaten up by villagers and ninja.
Their hearts were full of misery.
"This is Root's restricted zone! Unauthorized entry is strictly forbidden!
One step closer and we won't show mercy!"
Root ninjas flashed in front of the base, mask-clad, swords on their backs, kunai in hand, ready for battle.
Those guarding Root were ready to die here.
No one would be allowed to take even a single step forward—no matter who.
"Damn! We have a traitor.
There's definitely a mole—or how else would anyone know where Root's base is?"
A Root ninja looked at the approaching crowd with a grim face.
"Who's the informant?"
"Hmph, isn't it obvious?
Only two people who left Root recently are still alive.
One is 'Tenzo'—now known as Yamato from ANBU.
The other is the Uchiha clan's head and former Root team captain—Uchiha Itachi.
Oh—and the Sharingan-wielder who once broke into Root—Kakashi.
All three are aligned with the Hokage's faction.
And if we count those ANBU who came here with the Third years ago...
There's no end to the suspects.
But no matter who—it's tied to the Third Hokage.
Quickly report to Lord Danzo: Root's base is exposed.
The villagers and shinobi are furious and demanding our heads. Request instructions!"
"Yes!"
A Root ninja received the order and retreated swiftly.
"What about me?"
Itachi's clone (disguised as the Lightning reporter) raised his hand.
"You? Get lost. I don't have time to deal with you,"
The Root captain said coldly.
"Someone—just grab a couple guys and toss him into the interrogation room.
Once I'm free, I'll personally take care of him!"
"Yes!"
Two Root operatives came forward and dragged the disguised Itachi away.
But as soon as they entered the interrogation room,
Itachi's clone used his deep, sharp, soulful gaze and unmatched charm to win the Root guards' trust.
Moved to tears, they emotionally bid him farewell.
With their full blessing, he casually walked out of the interrogation room.
"I finally got in. Not stirring something up just feels wrong."
Itachi's clone stroked his chin, watching the busy Root agents.
Then he transformed into one of them and vanished into the crowd.
After all, everyone wore masks—who could tell who was who?
Root's Training Hall:
"Rasengan!"
Danzo fired a swirling chakra orb at a training dummy—boom—shattering it to pieces.
"Kekeke... No wonder it's called the Sharingan.
I trained for ten years to learn Rasengan—Danzo-sama learned it in a glance. Incredible."
"Now I understand where the name 'Copy Ninja' and 'Sharingan Kakashi' comes from.
If I had Sharingan, that title would be mine.
There's no way the 'Professor of Ninjutsu' title would go to that old man."
Itachi's clone, disguised as Orochimaru, bit into an apple and praised.
"Tch. At your age, still fighting over titles with kids.
'Ninjutsu Professor'? 'Strongest Hokage'?
Only that fame-hungry Sarutobi would shamelessly give himself such names.
If the First Hokage were alive, would he dare say he's the strongest?
If my teacher—the Second—were alive, would he dare call himself the Professor?"
Danzo wiped sweat from his forehead in contempt.
"That's Sarutobi's fatal flaw: whatever he lacks, he has his lackeys hype it up.
Doesn't he know his own limits?
Orochimaru, look far ahead. Our goal is the entire ninja world.
If we can unify it—we'll surpass the First and Second Hokage.
I'll rule in the light, you in the shadows. Together we'll forge a new golden age.
We'll be immortalized in history—just a matter of time!"
Danzo spoke passionately, as if global conquest was within reach.
"Danzo-sama still burns with ambition in old age,"
Orochimaru flattered him.
"Alright, but why do you want me to learn Flying Thunder God and Rasengan?
Do you think I can't beat Sarutobi?"
Danzo frowned in displeasure.
In his mind—he had Hashirama's cells, Wood Release, Sharingan, visual jutsu—he was already invincible.
Why bother with Minato's techniques?
"You overthink, Danzo-sama.
I just want to improve our odds."
"Know thy enemy, know thyself—win every battle."
"You and the old man worked together for years—he definitely knows your tricks.
For instance, Yamato has Wood Release. Would he suspect you've transplanted Hashirama's cells?
What about Shisui's death—would he suspect you have Shisui's Mangekyō in your right eye?"
"Plus, last night's posters and news—everyone in the village's talking.
Your Sharingan arm and Hashirama-powered body are now public info.
He's probably made preparations. If we're not ready...
We might be the ones who die tonight."
"Hmm... You speak reason."
Danzo nodded without doubt.
After all, more techniques meant more cards to play. No downside.
"But Flying Thunder God... is tough to learn."
Danzo furrowed his brow.