The real Shinobi World...
Having received the intelligence, Yamanaka Fū knew that time was of the essence. If the operation was delayed for too long, Danzo might be transferred or other unforeseen circumstances might arise, which would greatly hinder the rescue operation.
Therefore, he made a decisive decision to immediately return to the secret base to discuss and formulate a detailed rescue plan with the others.
After a tense discussion and planning, Yamanaka Fū and his team finally decided on a bold and risky plan—to launch the operation late tonight and rescue Danzo in one fell swoop.
Although the plan was fraught with risks, they believed that as long as they worked together and executed it decisively, they would surely succeed.
Outside Konoha Hospital, the night was as dark as ink.
Yamanaka Fū's figure swept across the eaves like a ghost. Nano-Sized Venomous Insects formed an invisible barrier around him, perfectly concealing his Chakra fluctuations. He crouched at the highest point of the hospital, overlooking the seemingly peaceful building.
(It's too quiet...)
As an elite member of Root, he instinctively sensed something amiss—the number of patrolling ninjas around the hospital was half that of usual, and the operating room, which should have been brightly lit, was only illuminated by a few scattered lights.
(Is it a trap? Or... is Tsunade really that confident?)
He tapped the communicator lightly on his ear and whispered, "Torune, proceed according to plan."
--In the distance, a commotion suddenly broke out in the direction of the Anbu headquarters, and Kakkō shot into the sky!
(Very good.)
A cold glint flashed in the Yamanaka Fū's eyes as his figure slipped into the hospital like a ghost. The corridor was deserted, only the sound of his footsteps was exceptionally clear in the silence. His destination was clear: the special operating room on the top floor.
However, just as his fingers were about to touch the doorknob—
"Smack!"
The lights in the entire hallway suddenly turned on!
"I've been waiting for you for a long time, remnant of the Root."
Asuma, a cigarette dangling from his lips, emerged from the shadows, the Chakra Blade in his hand gleaming coldly. At the same time, Jonin such as Kurenai Genma appeared from all directions, completely sealing off all escape routes.
Yamanaka Fū's pupils contracted sharply, but he quickly regained his composure. "Ha... it really was a trap."
With her red hands forming hand seals, her Genjutsu ready to be unleashed. "Danzo's ambitions end here."
"Is that so?" Yamanaka Fū suddenly sneered, tearing open his shirt—his body was covered in a dense array of Explosive Tags! "For Danzo!"
At this critical moment, a golden figure descended from the sky!
There's a limit to how reckless we can be!
Tsunade's fist slammed into the ground, instantly cracking the floorboards of the entire building. The violent shockwave sent Yamanaka Fū flying! The fuse of the Explosive Tag was shattered by the force before it could even be lit!
"Bang!"
The Yamanaka Fū slammed heavily against the wall, and blood seeped from beneath his mask. He struggled to lift his head and saw Tsunade standing in the center of the broken floor, the Chakra in her fist still lingering.
"You really think... I'd give you the chance to die together?" Tsunade said coldly. "The era of Root is over."
As she finished speaking, more than a dozen Anbu surged out from all directions, completely surrounding Yamanaka Fū.
At the same time, Root members lurking in various parts of Konoha were also captured.
During the chaos at the Anbu headquarters, Aburame Torune was intercepted by Anbu squad led by Kakashi. Before he could even release his poisonous insects, he was controlled by the Sharingan's Genjutsu.
The remaining Root members who attempted to create chaos were also subdued one by one by the prepared Konoha Ninja.
At dawn, Tsunade stood by the window of the Hokage's office, watching the first light of day appear on the horizon.
Shizune walked in carrying Tonton and said softly, "All Root members have been detained, including Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune."
Tsunade nodded, a cold smile playing on her lips, "Danzo's 'right-hand men' are nothing special."
What's the next step?
"A public trial." Tsunade turned, her gaze piercing. "Let everyone know—I will personally sever the shadow that shrouds Konoha!"
The morning light shone on her Hokage robe, reflecting the image of the "Sannin" who once dominated the battlefield.
On the other side...
On the streets of Konoha, though the light from the Heavenly Screen had dimmed, the villagers' chatter grew even louder.
"Did you see that? That Uchiha brat actually managed to fight Naruto to that extent!" A vegetable vendor waved a radish in her hand, spitting as she spoke.
"Hmph, the Uchiha Clan is truly a menace!" The blacksmith slammed his fist on his anvil, sparks flying. "The Third was far too merciful. If it had been according to Elder Danzo's wishes, that brat should have been dealt with long ago..."
Inside the tavern, several drunken ninjas slammed their fists on the table and laughed loudly, "Naruto, that kid, truly lives up to his reputation as the Fourth's offspring! Look at that Rasengan, tsk tsk, he even tamed the Nine-Tails!"
"That Sasuke Uchiha actually tried to kill the Five Kage?" A young Genin wearing Forehead Protector turned pale. "That kind of missing-nin should be executed as soon as possible!"
In the crowd, a bespectacled, scholar-like man frowned and said, "But in the Heavenly Screen, Naruto clearly said they were friends..."
"Friends? Don't be naive!" someone immediately interrupted him. "What friends do the Uchiha have? Look at their clan crest, it's a symbol of calamity!"
"I heard that Sasuke Uchiha has joined Orochimaru..."
"He's definitely coming back to take revenge on Konoha!"
"The Nine-Tails' Attack back then might have been orchestrated by the Uchiha Clan!"
The ignorant masses were immediately ignited, and fear and anger spread like a plague.
At the Ichiraku Ramen stall, the Teuchi man silently wiped the bowls, listening to the surrounding noise, and suddenly sighed.
"Dad?" Ayame looked up in confusion.
"It's nothing." Teuchi shook his head. "I just feel... some people's hearts are more terrifying than the Sharingan of the Uchiha."
On a bench in the distance, Shikamaru rested his head on his arm, gazing at the sky. "What a nuisance... These idiots have no idea what they're talking about."
Ino grabbed his ear. "Then go explain!"
"Will it work?" Shikamaru smiled wryly. "They only want to believe what they want to believe."
On the other side, Sakura had just finished training. The sweat on her forehead was still wet, her hair clung to her cheeks, and her breathing was still a little rapid. She dragged her tired steps home, thinking about the Medical Ninjutsu notes she needed to review that night.
However, just then, she heard the villagers talking by the roadside.
"Have you heard? The Uchiha Clan are all born traitors, even that Sasuke Uchiha..."
"Hmph, who knows what secrets their clan was hiding? It's a good thing they're all dead."
"Exactly, Uchiha Itachi slaughtered his entire clan, and now Sasuke has become missing-nin. It seems danger is indeed lurking in their bloodlines..."
Sakura abruptly stopped, her fists clenching involuntarily. She bit her lip, her chest feeling as if something was gripping it tightly. She wanted to rush forward and retort— Sasuke wasn't that kind of person! They knew absolutely nothing about the Uchiha Clan!
But when the words reached her lips, she found herself unable to utter a single one.
What should she say? That Sasuke had been suffering all along? That the Uchiha Clan had once sacrificed for the village? But who would believe her? In the villagers' eyes, Sasuke was already missing-nin, and the Uchiha Clan was left with only the label of "betrayal."
She could only lower her head, quicken her pace, and almost run away from the piercing noise. Only after rushing into her house and slamming the door shut did she finally breathe a sigh of relief and collapse onto the bed, feeling limp and exhausted.
The room was quiet, with only the sound of her own breathing. She stared at the ceiling, her thoughts churning.
"Why... when they clearly know nothing..."
They simply couldn't understand Sasuke's pain, his loneliness, everything he had lost. Yet she couldn't defend him, or even refute the rumors with conviction.
She rolled over, buried her face in the pillow, and gripped the sheets tightly with her fingers.
"If only I were stronger... if only I could bring him back..."
Perhaps, only on that day will she be able to stand before everyone and tell them— Sasuke Uchiha was never the "traitor" they called him.
Tsunade stood by the window, looking down at the bustling village, her fists clenched so tightly they cracked.
"Danzo... the old man is locked up, and he's left behind this mess!"
Shizune asked worriedly, "Should we issue a statement to clarify?"
"No need." As she turned, her Hokage robe billowed in a sharp arc.
After all, heroes never need the approval of fools!
The night wind carried rumors through the fallen Konoha.