Danzo Explodes with Rage

"Senpai, what's going on?"

Though Hidezawa looked utterly confused, he could not defy the Third Hokage's orders. After gathering up, he quietly asked Yugao beside him.

He already had a rough guess in his heart. Judging by the timing, this was most likely about Kano transforming into Tenzō.

But no matter what, it was necessary to learn a little more about it.

"According to Kakashi-senpai's report, there's a ninja in Root who seems to be able to use Wood Release and tried to kill Kakashi-senpai."

Yugao had no guard up around Hidezawa. In truth, she did not know much about Root or Danzo.

After being dismissed, she had originally planned to go home and prepare for tonight's gathering. However, she happened to run into Kakashi and noticed that he was injured, so she tried to take him for treatment.

In the end, they went to see the Third Hokage together and were assigned this mission.

"Lord Hokage wants Lord Danzo to meet with him. He also sent someone to find you, saying that you trained there before and were more familiar with the situation.

"But Kakashi-senpai apparently did not want to wait any longer and went over alone first."

Just as expected!

Hearing that, Hidezawa nodded slightly. It really was this matter.

Before leaving for Sunagakure, Hiruzen Sarutobi had said that Kakashi needed to deal with Orochimaru's affairs. He had already been suspicious then.

He had not expected that, despite all his messing around, this incident would still happen right on schedule.

"Wait, I remember Kakashi's negotiations with Root didn't go very well."

Suddenly, Hidezawa thought of something, and his interest was immediately piqued. This was a rare opportunity!

"Let's move quickly. Lord Hokage is gathering the others, so we'll reinforce Kakashi-senpai first!"

Yugao had no idea what Hidezawa was thinking. She grabbed his hand and ran forward, unable to stop herself from asking at the same time.

"And what exactly is that Root place like?"

"Root..."

Hidezawa subconsciously tightened his grip on Yugao's hand. Her hand is so smooth. Only then did he shake his head and speak.

"It is a training base for Anbu elites, but it is also a terrible place.

"The strictest management, the cruelest training, and the bloodiest missions.

"Kakashi-senpai may be in trouble going there alone. Even Lord Hokage's written order will be useless."

"There's actually a place in Konohagakure that isn't under Lord Hokage's control?"

Yugao seemed startled as well. Naturally, she knew that Danzo was Konohagakure's Hokage Assistant and held an extremely high position.

But even so, he should not be beyond Lord Hokage's control, should he?

"Who knows."

Hidezawa shrugged. Danzo had even tried to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi and gotten away with it!

Of course, that might also have had something to do with Hiruzen Sarutobi's lingering attachment to old ties.

Moreover, Danzo had become much more restrained after Nagato's rampage wiped out Root once.

Otherwise, judging from Danzo's previous conduct, he might not have regarded Hiruzen Sarutobi at all.

New mission acquired: Reinforce Kakashi

Glancing at his list, Hidezawa nodded in satisfaction, then gripped Yugao's small hand even more firmly.

"Let's speed up. Kakashi-senpai may clash with them, so be ready to fight at any time!"

"Mm!"

Yugao nodded seriously, though her gaze also flicked toward the hand he was holding.

She felt that Hidezawa might be holding on a little too tightly.--

"Kakashi, I never expected you to sneak in here on your own!"

At the Root Base, Danzo looked at Kakashi, who had rescued Kano, his eyes filled with hatred.

After meeting Hidezawa, he had gone to deal with Kano's situation. Kano possessed Wood Release, and the boy developing self-awareness was something he absolutely could not tolerate!

But he had never imagined that Kakashi would come carrying Hiruzen Sarutobi's written order. Clearly, he intended to take Kano away!

Danzo had already been filled with anger toward Kakashi. Back when he had attempted to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi, this man had foiled him.

And now, Kakashi dared to come alone to Root and abduct his most important subordinate?

With old and new grudges piled together, Danzo could no longer hold himself back.

"You dare trespass into Root's domain and attempt to take away a Root ninja. Don't think I'll let you go!"

Kakashi swept his eyes around grimly and found that Root ninjas had already completely surrounded them.

Everyone had drawn their weapons. It was clear that the instant Danzo gave the order, they would attack!

"Lord Danzo, Kakashi, he—"

Seeing this, Kano realized how serious the situation was and immediately tried to say something, only for Danzo to cut him off brutally.

"Shut up! Don't think you'll get off easy either!"

As he spoke, Danzo directly waved his hand, signaling the Root ninjas to attack!

He had no intention of continuing to argue with Kakashi and Kano, because he knew Kakashi's written order was real. Who knew when Hiruzen Sarutobi would arrive?

If he resolved the problem quickly, he might even be able to keep Kakashi's Sharingan!

"Be careful."

Kakashi immediately warned Kano beside him while preparing himself for battle.

But at that moment, he suddenly froze before looking up.

"Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!"

At that instant, a powerful Wind Release erupted across the upper level of the Root Base. In the blink of an eye, several Root ninjas were violently knocked to the ground.

"Who is it?"

Danzo immediately panicked. He was quite worried that his old friend had arrived, even though he was utterly unwilling to call him Lord Hokage.

But when he looked up, he exploded with rage!

Even behind that mask, wasn't that Hidezawa?

Inverted Heavenly Principles, was it? He had come to attack Root?

Yet Hidezawa paid no attention to any of that. Like a bolt of lightning, he and Yugao dealt with the Root ninjas along the way while swiftly converging on Kakashi.

His Level 7 physical abilities and Chakra reserves truly gave him an unprecedented combat experience!

Besides, because of Danzo's orders, all those Root ninjas had focused their attention on Kakashi and Kano. None of them had expected someone to launch a direct sneak attack from behind.

As a result, Hidezawa looked like a god of war, utterly unstoppable!

Bang—

Bang—

Bang—

A punch, a kick, a swift dodge, then a counterattack. Such fluid, effortless attacks made Danzo's rage surge even higher!

"Kill them!"

Without another word, Danzo gave the order. Only then did the Root ninjas split off part of their forces and rush toward Hidezawa.

"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"

Hidezawa quickly made a show of forming hand seals before bringing his hands together.

In an instant, the ground turned swampy. Several Root ninjas in front of him had no time to react before sinking into the mire.

However, many Root ninjas still reacted in time. They leaped up to evade the Underworld Swamp, while a flood of ninjutsu and ninja tools flew toward Hidezawa and Yugao!

"Senpai, lend me your sword."

Hidezawa flashed aside to dodge an attack, then caught Yugao's ninja sword in one hand. As he swung it, he did not forget to mutter softly.

Clang—

Clang—

Clang—

The ninja sword spun dazzling arcs in Hidezawa's hands. Amid piercing clashes of metal, he actually deflected the vast majority of the kunai and Senbon!

And by then, he and Yugao had successfully reached Kakashi and Kano's side!

"Damn it."

Danzo's fists were clenched tight. He could not understand what Hidezawa was trying to do, but rage had truly gone to his head.

"Fine. Fine!"

He spoke in a low voice, then suddenly shouted.

"Then all of you can stay here!"

"Who do you intend to keep here, Danzo?"

But at that moment, a voice suddenly interrupted Danzo.

Danzo's entire body stiffened slightly. He quickly raised his head and looked upward, only to see that the entire upper area of the Root Base had been surrounded by Anbu ninjas.

It was as though a bucket of ice water had been poured over Danzo's head. When he saw Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, standing amid the Anbu ninjas, he suddenly felt the blood drain from his entire body!

Were they going to attack Root?